A Bitter-Sweet Reunion
Sonia (Priya) looked at her brothers, Arjun and Avinash. She knew that for the original Sonia, these two were her entire world—her protectors, her mother, and her father all in one. Moved by their genuine grief, Priya allowed herself to hug them back tightly.
"Are you angry at us, Sona?" Avinash asked softly, using her childhood pet name.
Sonia didn't speak; she simply shook her head. Inside, Priya felt a pang of guilt. The real Sonia was gone, and these men were mourning a girl who no longer existed. Arjun pulled her back into a hug. "We missed you so much," he whispered.
"Why didn't you pick up our calls?" Arjun asked, his voice thick with emotion.
"I was busy with my studies, my treatment, and my part-time jobs," Sonia replied calmly.
Both brothers stiffened. They were secretly furious at Abhay. They had sent their sister away for treatment, not to work like a laborer to survive. Though they hid their anger from the Oberois, the tension in their shoulders was palpable.
Meeting the Sisters-in-Law
The reunion continued as Sonia met the rest of the family. She learned that Arjun had married his college sweetheart, Meera, two years ago. They had desperately wanted Sonia at the wedding, but she had been confined to the Swiss hospital at the time.
Naina and Meera both approached Sonia, hugging her warmly. Even Kavita, her mother, came forward with tears in her eyes to embrace her daughter.
Throughout this, Abhay stood on the sidelines. Sonia deliberately avoided his gaze. She moved with a confidence that surprised the Oberoi elders; she was no longer the cowering child they remembered. However, Abhay couldn't take his eyes off her. In her royal blue dress, she looked stunning and mature, stirring feelings in him he struggled to name.
Sonia sensed his gaze but remained unfazed. In her past life as Priya, she had dealt with many handsome men. She had mastered the art of self-control long ago.
Nearby, Nisha (the secretary) stood in absolute shock. She had spent months working for Sonia, never realizing her boss was actually the daughter-in-law of the most powerful family in the country. Ishani, however, stayed close to Sonia's side, being the only one who truly understood the complexity of the situation.
The Overwhelming Feast
The Oberoi family refused to let Sonia leave. Despite her protests, they insisted she stay for a grand lunch.
At the massive dining table, Amrita (Abhay's mother) doted on Sonia. She piled Sonia's plate high with rich, heavy Indian delicacies—curries, sweets, and fried breads.
"Sonia beta, eat," Amrita urged, her eyes full of motherly concern. "You have become so weak and thin. You need to regain your strength."
Sonia looked at the mountain of food, her face turning slightly pale. "Maa, it's too much. I don't eat this much anymore," she protested gently. Ishani looked on worriedly, knowing that Sonia's disciplined diet and small stomach could not handle such a heavy meal.
"Nonsense! You must eat for the years you were away," the elders insisted.
Caught between her desire to be polite and her body's limits, Sonia began to eat. But her system, long accustomed to light meals and herbal supplements, rebelled against the rich oils and spices.
The Physical Collapse
Halfway through the meal, a wave of nausea hit her. Her face went from pale to ghostly white. She clamped a hand over her mouth, the urge to vomit becoming uncontrollable.
Without a word, she bolted from the table toward the nearest bathroom, slamming the door behind her. The sounds of her heaving echoed faintly, leaving the dining room in a stunned, worried silence.
A few minutes later, the door creaked open. Sonia leaned against the frame, looking exhausted and frail. Abhay and Ishani were the first ones at the door. Abhay reached out, his face etched with genuine worry, wanting to scoop her up and carry her to bed.
But Sonia stepped back, her eyes cold even in her weakness. She allowed Ishani to support her instead. Ishani helped her to a nearby guest room and laid her down on the bed.
The atmosphere in the Villa shifted instantly from celebration to panic. Within minutes, the Oberoi family doctor was summoned to the room to check on the daughter-in-law who had returned as a stranger.