Beyond the Scars Episode 4 (The Call No One Answered)

The dining room glowed with golden light from the chandelier. The smell of freshly cooked food lingered in the air—paneer simmered in spices, soft rotis stacked neatly, and bowls of steaming rice. The two families sat together around the long mahogany table.

It should have been a warm, lively gathering. The sound of clinking plates and laughter floated around the room. But one chair remained empty.

Anaya’s chair.

Sunita kapoor ( Fl step mother )

(with her usual polished smile, pouring soup into Tanya’s bowl): “Eat, beta. You have school tomorrow, and I don’t want you skipping breakfast because you’re too full of junk.”

Tanya kapoor ( Fl step sister)

(smirking, tossing her hair back): “Of course, Mom. Besides, Papa bought me this bracelet yesterday. Do you like it?”

She stretched out her wrist proudly so everyone at the table could admire the delicate silver chain that glittered under the lights.

Sunita kapoor ( Fl step mother )

(smiling with pride, patting Tanya’s hand): “Beautiful. Only the best for my daughter.”

The words stung—daughter. The word was heavy, sharp, and cruel, even though Anaya wasn’t there to hear it. Because in Sunita’s eyes, only Tanya was worthy of the title.

Across the table, Aarav sat in silence. His parents chatted politely with Rajeev and Sunita, praising the meal, complimenting the décor, as though nothing was amiss. Aarav’s broad shoulders were tense, his expression unreadable, but his eyes kept drifting… always, always toward that one empty chair.

,The spot beside Tanya was where Anaya always sat—quiet, small, unnoticed. But today it was empty, like a shadow in the middle of light.

Meera kapoor ( Fl step sister)

(step-sister, hesitantly, voice soft): “Papa… shouldn’t Anaya be here too?”

Her question slipped into the air timidly, like a forbidden secret.

The air turned cold for a moment. Everyone went back to eating, as though her absence was natural. As though she didn’t exist. Aarav’s jaw clenched. He lowered his gaze, hiding the flicker of anger in his eyes. His family noticed the tension in him but said nothing. They had learned long ago not to press Aarav when his silence deepened.

in street