The Day the World Broke

🖤 His Sahiba

Chapter Four – The Day the World broke

The morning had begun like any other. Vishwa entered the living room, expecting the comforting sight of her father sipping his morning tea. But something was wrong.

Rajesh sat slumped in his chair, eyes closed, still and quiet.

“Papa?” Her voice wavered, soft, unsure.

No response.

Her heart lurched. She ran forward, shaking him desperately. “Papa! Papa! Wake up! Please don’t leave me!”

Tears streamed down her face, and her hands trembled as she shook him again. “Papa! Don’t leave me alone!”

The world narrowed to the sound of her own panicked heartbeat. She fumbled for her phone, dialing the one person she knew would come no matter what.

“Uncle Avi… Papa… he… he’s collapsed! Please… come!” Her voice cracked with terror.

Minutes felt like hours. The paramedics arrived and lifted Rajesh onto a stretcher. Vishwa ran alongside, gripping his hand, refusing to let go.

By the time she reached the hospital, her breaths came in sharp gasps. She followed the stretcher into the emergency wing, gripping her father’s hand like a lifeline.

The doctor stepped out moments later. His expression was grave, his voice quiet but firm.

“I’m very sorry,” he said. “Mr. Rajesh Shah… he did not make it. He’s gone.”

Vishwa froze. The words didn’t compute. And then the dam broke.

“No… no… Papa!” she screamed, collapsing into a chair. Her body shook uncontrollably, her tears falling like a waterfall. “I can’t… I can’t live without you! Papa!”

The sound of her wails seemed to tear through the sterile hospital walls.

Outside, Avinash had arrived, running through the corridors. The moment he saw her—small, trembling, crying uncontrollably—his chest constricted painfully.

No… not him. Not like this.

He wanted to be distant. He had tried to pull away for years, to keep his feelings in check. But seeing her like this, broken, helpless, desperate… he couldn’t.

He ran to her side. “Vishwa…” His voice cracked. For the first time, he let the sorrow rise in him. He had lost a man he cared deeply for, too—a friend, a mentor, someone like a second father.

Tears pricked his eyes. He swallowed hard. He’s gone… Rajesh is gone…

Vishwa’s body shook against him, sobs wracking her tiny frame. “I… I can’t do this! He’s gone! He’s gone, Uncle Avi!”

“I know,” he whispered, his own voice breaking. He pulled her closer, wrapping strong arms around her shaking body. “I know, vishwa… I know. He’s gone… but you’re not alone. I’m here.”

Her sobs tore through him, and for a moment, Avinash allowed himself to collapse inside the grief too. His chest ached, his throat burned. He had never felt such helplessness—he could not save her, could not bring Rajesh back, could only hold her as the world fell apart.

“I… I can’t…” she gasped between sobs. “I don’t want him to be gone!”

“I know,” he whispered again, holding her tighter, feeling her small body shake. “I know… I can’t fix it… but I won’t leave you. I won’t let you face this alone.”

Time seemed to freeze. She cried into him, clinging as if the world had ended, and in that moment, Avinash let himself grieve too.

He pressed a kiss to her hair, whispering broken words of comfort:

“Papa loved you… and so do I. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

For the first time, he allowed his sorrow to show, tears slipping silently down his face. He had tried to stay strong, to keep distance—but she needed him now. And he couldn’t let her be alone.

✨

The morning air was thick with the smell of marigolds, incense, and the faint tang of smoke from the pyre. The Shah house, once warm and full of life, was now quiet, almost hollow. Vishwa’s small hands shook as she carried the tray of offerings for her father’s last rites. Tears blurred her vision, making it hard to focus on the priests’ chants or the rituals they guided her through.

Avinash stayed close, never hovering, but never far. His presence was steady, silent—like a rock in the storm of her grief. “Vishwa…” he murmured gently, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder. “Take your time. Don’t rush anything.”

She flinched at his touch, then leaned into it, seeking some warmth in a world that had just shattered. “I… I don’t know how to do this without him,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

Avinash gave a small nod, his jaw tight. Neither do I, he thought, but he didn’t let her see it.

🌙 The Death Ritual

The priests intoned sacred mantras, their voices rising and falling in the cool morning air. Vishwa sprinkled ghee on the pyre, her fingers trembling violently. Smoke curled into the sky, carrying her father’s spirit, and for a moment, the world felt impossibly vast and empty.

“Vishwa, he loved you so much,” Avinash said softly, kneeling beside her. “Your father… he always wanted you to be happy.”

She didn’t answer. Her fingers tightened around the spoon, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. The flames danced, shadows flickering across her face, and in that moment, she felt utterly alone.

Avinash didn’t try to fix it. He didn’t try to speak more. He just let her cry, letting her lean on him, feeling the raw weight of her loss—and feeling his own heart twist in response.

🌙 Arrival of the Advocate

After the rituals, the advocate arrived, briefcase in hand, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble floor.

“Miss Vishwa,” he said, bowing slightly. “I am Rajesh Shah’s legal advocate. Your father left instructions regarding his estate and personal matters. There is one matter… personal, that he asked me to deliver only to you and Mr. Avinash Thakur.”

Vishwa’s hands shook as Avinash took the envelope. “He… he wanted me to know this?” he asked, voice low. His eyes flicked to Vishwa, who nodded silently, swallowing hard.

The envelope felt heavy in their hands. Both of them hesitated before opening it.

Vishwa unfolded her father’s letter. Her breath caught as she read:

“My beloved Vishwa,

If you are reading this, it means I am no longer by your side. Please know that every moment I spent with you was the greatest joy of my life. You are my heart, my soul, and my reason to keep smiling, even in the hardest times. I raised you the best I could, but the world is vast, and I worry for you endlessly.

There is one person I trust more than anyone in this world—Avinash Thakur. He has been my friend, my confidant, and a man of integrity I have admired for years. He has cared for you as I would, and I know in my heart that he will protect you, guide you, and never let you feel alone.

My last wish… my gudiya… is that you marry Avinash. I know this may seem sudden, impossible, or confusing, but I want you to be safe, happy, and loved. He will not only be your protector but also someone who will honor you, cherish you, and give you the life you deserve.

Vishwa, my daughter, I know you may not understand this yet, and that is okay. But I trust your heart to see his goodness. Love him, respect him, and let him stand beside you in the world. And Avinash… I trust you completely with her happiness. Be her guardian, her support, and above all, her safe place. Treat her with the care and love that a daughter deserves.

Always your Papa,

Rajesh Shah.”

Vishwa’s mind went blank. The words, the love, the weight of her father’s trust—it all crashed over her. Marry Avinash? How… how can I even think about that? He’s my father’s friend… my uncle figure…

Avinash’s face was pale, jaw tight. He read the letter once, then let out a slow breath. Marry her…? His last wish? He felt the old ache in his chest—grief, protectiveness, and confusion all at once. I… I don’t know what to feel. She’s Vishwa… not mine to think this way…

Vishwa shook her head, backing slightly. “Papa… he’s gone… and now this… how… how am I supposed to even think about marrying you?”

Avinash stepped closer carefully, keeping his voice soft but firm. “Vishwa… I… I don’t know either. But I do know one thing: I will not leave you alone. I will honor his trust. I will protect you. Always.”

Her tears spilled again, but in that moment, she felt a flicker of safety in his words. And Avinash, standing beside her, realized the promise he had made—to her, to Rajesh, and now to himself—was more than duty. It was a bond he could not break.

✨

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