10 years of saving to buy a dream apartment, but after only 1 week, tragedy struck
For ten years, Ravi and I worked hard in Mumbai, saving every penny we saved. Finally, after many years of renting a house, and borrowing 50 lakh rupees from my in-laws, my husband and I were able to buy a 70 square meter apartment in Thane.

The apartment was not big, but for me — it was a dream, a reward after years of sweat and tears.

However, just a week after moving in, everything collapsed completely.

That morning, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Kamla Devi, suddenly walked in with a suitcase, followed by Meera, my sister-in-law who had just passed the university entrance exam in Mumbai. She spoke loudly, without even saying hello:

“Meera will be here to study at university. You two take care of her. This apartment is big, give her a bedroom. You two and the two children will sleep together, for affection.”

I was stunned. Ravi hesitated:

– “Yes… whatever you say, I will listen.”

I tried to stay calm and said softly:

– “Mom, we borrowed more than 50 lakh rupees from our mother-in-law, now we have to pay the debt and take care of two children. I am afraid I cannot handle raising Meera.”

Mrs. Kamla glared:

– “Oh, Meera is your husband’s sister! She went to Mumbai to study, should I let her stay and eat at a restaurant? As a sister-in-law, you should calculate like that? Taking care of your brother-in-law is your duty, understand?”

I choked up and could not say a word.

That night, the family of four – me, Ravi and two children – had to squeeze into a room of just over 10 square meters. Meera moved into the brightest room, which had an air conditioner, a study table, and a brand new wardrobe.

I could only sigh. “Well, my brother-in-law studied well, tried hard for four years and it will pass…” – I consoled myself.

But unexpectedly, just a week later, the real nightmare began.

That morning, I woke up early to get ready for work. When I passed Meera’s room, I saw the door was ajar. Inside, Ravi whispered:

– “Meera… don’t be afraid, I really love you.”

I stood there dumbfounded. Then I heard Meera’s choked voice:

– “Don’t tell your sister-in-law… I’m scared.”

My hands trembled. I pushed the door open.

And the scene before my eyes almost made me collapse — Ravi was… kneeling, holding Meera’s hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.

He turned around in surprise, his face pale:

– “You… you misunderstood!”

But Meera burst into tears:
– “No, I said I would leave her… I would leave you alone with me!”

The room spun before my eyes. I collapsed onto the cold floor.

After that, everything fell apart.

It turns out Meera is not Ravi’s real sister like I thought.
Kamla gave birth to Meera with another man after her husband died. Ravi grew up believing that Meera was his half-sister, but their relationship had long since crossed the line.

The most terrible thing is — Kamla knew everything.

She deliberately brought Meera to live with my husband and I to “tie” us together, with the intention that I would leave on my own later, so Ravi could marry Meera.

The shock almost knocked me down.

I carried my two children out of the apartment, unable to believe it — 10 years of hard work, the dream home was now just a place containing a dirty and cruel truth.

Three days later, I heard that Meera had run away.

Ravi took sleeping pills in the bathroom — luckily the neighbors discovered it in time, so he was saved.

The apartment is now sealed because it is related to the investigation.

I sat by the window of my mother’s house in Pune, watching the rain fall on the tin roof.

My mother said softly:

– “My daughter, people can be poor, can work hard, but never sell their self-respect. You lost your house, but you kept yourself.”

I laughed, but tears still fell.
Because now I understand… there are things that seem to be lost, but in fact, they are a lucky escape from a nightmare