The Blood That Was Not Mine Chapter- 5

The glittering lights from earlier now feel harsh against the tense atmosphere. Most guests have left; the ones who stayed are family. Voices rise from the living room before Aira and Riaan even step through the door.

Inside, Karan is pacing like a caged lion, while Neelam sits on the sofa, her hands twisting in her lap. Ayaan is leaning against the wall, his jaw tight. The Malhotras and Aroras are gathered nearby, concern written on their faces.

The moment Aira walks in, all eyes turn to her.

Karan mehra ( Fl father)

(rushing to her): "Aira, where have you been? I’ve been going mad—"

Aira Mehra ( Fl)

(stepping back, her voice flat): "Don’t. Please."

Neelam Mehra ( Fl mom )

(softly, tears in her eyes): "Beta—"

Aira Mehra ( Fl)

(cutting her off): "I don’t want to hear it. Not tonight."

Karan’s face falls, but Aira’s expression is unreadable. She walks past both parents and sits in an armchair, Riaan standing slightly behind her like an unspoken shield.

Ayaan Mehra ( Fl brother )

(to Riaan, tense): "You should have brought her back sooner."

Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)

(calmly, meeting his gaze): "She needed space. She’s here now."

Ayaan Mehra ( Fl brother )

(gritting his teeth): "She’s my sister, Riaan. I’m supposed to protect her. And I let that man—" (he cuts himself off, his voice shaking with anger)

Vihaan Arora ( Ml bff )

(stepping in): "Don’t do that to yourself, Ayaan. That man came prepared to cause damage. No one saw it coming."

kiara Malhotra ( Ml sister )

(gently): "What matters now is finding out who he is and what he really knows."

Neelam looks like she wants to speak, but Karan’s glare keeps her silent. The tension between them is almost tangible.

Raj Malhotra ( Ml father )

(firmly): "Karan, if there’s a truth here, you need to tell her yourself. Hiding it will only make it worse."

Karan mehra ( Fl father)

(snapping): "This is my family, Raj. I’ll handle it."

Aira Mehra ( Fl)

(finally speaking, voice steady but cold): "You had eighteen years to ‘handle it.’ And tonight I found out from a stranger."

The silence that follows is suffocating. Aira stands abruptly.

Aira Mehra ( Fl)

"I’m tired. I’m going to my room."

Neelam Mehra ( Fl mom )

(reaching out): "Aira, please—"

Aira Mehra ( Fl)

(pulling away): "Not tonight, Mom."

She walks upstairs without looking back. Riaan watches her go, his jaw tightening slightly before turning toward Ayaan.

Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)

(low voice): "Don’t leave her alone tomorrow. She’s not okay, no matter what she says."

Ayaan Mehra ( Fl brother )

(nodding reluctantly): "Yeah… I know."

Upstairs, in the safety of her room, Aira locks the door and sinks to the floor. Downstairs, the whispers begin again — this time between the adults, about what to do next, and who exactly that man was.