Chapter 6: The Price of Pity and the Cruelty of Kindness

After that, Arjun never came to see me again.

I only heard he bought Meera a designer lehenga and a fat diamond ring, took her home to meet his mother.

His mother loved Meera, and Arjun declared he’d marry no one else in this life.

Our classmates sighed, "Meera is so lucky, yaar. Boss Arjun finally settled!"

"She’s such a good woman—so gentle, so generous. When she heard Ananya was struggling, she even wanted to help her."

"Honestly, such a kind woman deserves everything..."

Classmates: *Meera is so lucky!* *Boss Arjun finally settled!* *Ananya, hope you’re ok yaar*

My phone buzzed constantly with WhatsApp group messages. My heart thumped, dread growing inside me.

Until the nurse at the hospital told me Arjun and Meera had come to see Chotu.

The nurse apologised, saying she’d let slip that Chotu didn’t have a father.

I heard Meera’s voice: "Beta, I heard your papa doesn’t want you or your mum anymore. Is that true? You know, your mum is very pitiful. To pay your hospital bills, she drinks with all kinds of men, very dirty. Honestly, it’s normal for your dad not to want a woman like that..."

Chotu shouted, "You’re lying! You’re the dirty one! My mum and I don’t want your money. Go away!"

I burst in, shaking. Meera saw me, froze, and tried to smile, "Didi Ananya, see how your child behaves? I just wanted him to know how hard you work, but he shouted at me..."

Before she could finish, I grabbed her hair and slapped her, dragging her out into the corridor.

The sound of my slap echoed down the hospital hall. Nurses peered out, but no one dared intervene. I pointed at her nose: "Meera, why do you have to mess with me?"

She covered her face, stunned that I’d actually hit her.

She faked innocence, sniffling, "I just wanted to help you. Arjun only listened because I insisted. If he didn’t help, I’d feel guilty."

"I really wanted to help, but now you hit me. Arjun will be angry at you again..."

I sneered at her. This was about showing off—proving Arjun loved her more.

"You want Arjun? He’s yours. But you can’t stand to leave me alone, can you?"

I yanked her close and hissed, "Keep provoking me, and I’ll tell him the child I had is his. Guess if he’ll still want you then?"

She went pale. "Now go apologise to my son, then get out."

Just then, Arjun opened the ward door. He pulled me off her, and I stumbled into the wall.

He looked down at me, a mocking smile on his lips: "Ananya, since when do you get to decide who I marry? My wife doesn’t need your permission. Who do you think you are?"