Unspoken Hearts
Pranavi Mahajan is the epitome of grace, warmth, and kindness-a woman whose beauty is not just in her appearance but also in her soul.
Married for about three years, she considers herself blessed when it comes to her in-laws.
Her mother-in-law is not just a guiding figure but also a true friend, someone she can laugh and cry with, while her father-in-law is her confidant, the one person with whom she can share anything without fear of judgment.
Her home is filled with love, respect, and understanding-at least from most corners.
However, when it comes to her husband, well... that's a topic she'd rather avoid.
Mayank Sood is a name that commands respect in the business world-a sharp, ambitious, and highly successful businessman who has built an empire with his relentless dedication and keen instincts.
He is a man of few words, focused on numbers, deals, and expanding his empire.
But when it comes to his personal life, there's one subject he refuses to discuss-his wife.
Married for three years, Mayank never wanted to tie the knot in the first place.
It wasn't love or desire that led him to marriage, but rather his parents' wishes.
And since the day he married he has ensured that his life remains unchanged.
He has never shared a space-emotionally or physically-with his wife.
In fact, apart from her name, he knows nothing about her.
To him, she is just a presence in the household, a topic he skillfully avoids, a truth he chooses to ignore.
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The beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound filling the quiet hospital room, steady and reassuring.
Pranavi sat by the bedside, her hand resting gently over her mother-in-law's frail yet warm hand.
The moment had been terrifying-seeing the strongest woman she knew clutch her chest and collapse.
But by God's grace, it had only been a minor attack.
The doctors had assured them she was stable, but caution was necessary.
Her father-in-law, Harish Sood, stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, his face lined with worry and exhaustion.
He had barely left his wife's side since they rushed her to the hospital.
After ensuring she was stable, he had done the inevitable-called his son.
"Mayank is coming," Harish ji said, his voice carrying an odd mixture of relief and something unreadable.
Pranavi looked up at him, blinking away the emotions swirling inside her.
She smiled-soft, unwavering, the kind of smile she had mastered over the years.
Because what else could she do?
Her husband.
Mayank Sood.
The man she had married three years ago, the man whose name she carried, the man she had never seen after that fateful wedding day.
On the night of their wedding, when she had waited for him with nervous excitement, he had never come.
Instead, he had left-packed his bags and flown to New York for a business deal, leaving behind nothing but silence.
And in three years, that silence had become her reality.
But now... now, he was coming back.
Pranavi had thought about this moment countless times-imagined what she would say, how she would feel.
But standing at the threshold of reality, she realized she had no idea.
What was she supposed to feel?
Anger?
Indifference?
Anxiety?
Would he even acknowledge her existence, or would she remain nothing more than a stranger living under his family's roof?
She exhaled, pressing her fingers against her temple.
It was useless to overthink.
Soon, she would come face-to-face with the husband she had never known.
And then... she would know.
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The hum of the jet's engine filled the cabin, a steady sound that usually soothed Mayank during long flights.
But today, nothing could ease the storm inside him.
His fingers drummed restlessly against the armrest as he stared out the window, watching the city lights grow closer beneath him.
His father's call still echoed in his ears.
"Your mother had a heart attack. It was minor, but we need to be careful. Come back immediately."
Those words had sent a rare jolt of fear through him.
His mother-the woman who had loved him unconditionally, who had always put him before everything else-was in a hospital bed, fragile and weak.
He had wasted no time, canceling everything and boarding the jet home.
But amidst the worry for his mother, another thought lingered in his mind.
Her.
His wife.
The word felt foreign, distant, almost meaningless.
And yet, she wasn't.
It had been three years since he left on the night of their wedding, choosing business over a life he never wanted.
Three years of avoiding, of pretending she didn't exist, of burying himself in work.
But despite the distance, despite never reaching out-he hadn't forgotten her.
She was always there, tucked away in the back of his mind, an unspoken truth he refused to acknowledge.
And now, after all these years, they would finally come face to face.
Would she even remember him?
Did she care?
Did he care?
Mayank exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
It didn't matter.
He wasn't returning for her-he was returning for his mother.
That was all.
But still... the uncertainty gnawed at him.
What would he say?
How would he react?
There was nothing he could do now but wait.
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The soft beeping of the monitors echoed in the dimly lit hospital room.
Mayank sat in the chair beside his mother's bed, his elbows resting on his knees, fingers laced together.
His mother lay peacefully, her breathing even but weak.
He hated seeing her like this.
His father, sat on the opposite side, his face lined with exhaustion and worry.
The silence in the room was heavy, filled only with the occasional shuffling of the nurses outside.
But Mayank's mind wasn't just on his mother.
His eyes kept shifting-searching.
For her.
And then, as if summoned by his thoughts, the door creaked open.
Pranavi.
She stepped inside, holding a tray with water and medicines.
At first, she didn't notice him.
But then-she froze.
A shiver ran down her spine as she felt a gaze on her, intense and unrelenting.
Her head snapped up, and her eyes met his.
Mayank was already looking at her.
For the first time in three years, he truly saw her.
And he stilled.
She was beautiful.
Not the extravagant kind of beauty, but something effortless, something that drew him in without him realizing it.
Dressed in a simple kurti and pants, she shouldn't have stood out-but she did.
The soft glow of the hospital lights cast a gentle halo around her, highlighting the quiet strength in her expression, the fire in her eyes that was solely directed at him.
And Mayank?
He was mesmerized.
For three years, she had been nothing more than a name to him-a presence he deliberately ignored.
But standing here, in front of him, she wasn't just a name.
She was real.
And she was stunning.
Pranavi, on the other hand, was struggling to breathe.
She didn't know what to say, what to feel.
He was right there.
After three years of absence, of silence, of being a ghost in her life-he was finally in front of her.
She had dreamed of this moment.
Planned for it.
She thought she would lash out, demand answers, unleash all the pain, the anger, the frustration she had bottled up inside.
But now, as she stared into his deep, unreadable eyes, words failed her.
So many unspoken feelings.
So many questions.
So much anger.
Yet, none of it came out.
The world around them blurred, shrinking into just the two of them, lost in a gaze that spoke louder than words.
And then-his phone rang.
The spell broke.
Mayank blinked, his jaw tightening as he pulled out his phone.
He glanced at the caller ID before muttering, "Excuse me," and walked out of the room without another word.
Pranavi exhaled shakily, gripping the tray a little tighter.
Three years of waiting.
Three years of rehearsing what she would say.
And yet, when the moment came, all she could do was stare.
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As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the hospital curtains, Kusum Sood stirred in her bed.
Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light.
A soft smile touched her lips as she noticed Harish her husband, sleeping uncomfortably on the small sofa beside her.
His head rested awkwardly against the cushion, his arms crossed as if he had been guarding her even in his sleep.
A faint chuckle left her lips, and as if sensing her movement, Harish shifted.
His eyes opened groggily, and the moment he saw her awake, relief washed over his face.
"Kusum..." He quickly sat up, moving to her side, his hand immediately going to her forehead, gently caressing it. "How are you feeling now?"
She gave him a small nod, her smile reassuring. "I'm fine, Harish ji."
Still, his worry didn't ease.
He quickly reached for his phone and called the doctor.
Within minutes, the doctor arrived, checked her vitals, and smiled warmly.
"She's stable now, Mr. Sood. Everything looks good. You can take her home today."
Harish let out a breath of relief, nodding. "Thank you, Doctor."
As the doctor left, Pranavi walked in, carrying a tray with light breakfast.
The moment she saw Kusum awake, a bright smile lit up her face.
"Maa, you really scared us." she said with a playful pout, placing the tray on the side table.
Kusum chuckled, looking at her with affection. "Hey, I'm not going to leave you so soon!"
Pranavi laughed, shaking her head, just as Mayank walked in.
He had entered just in time to witness that smile-her smile.
And for a brief moment, he was stunned.
It was the first time he had really seen her like this-happy, glowing, radiant.
And damn, she was beautiful.
It was a simple smile, one she probably gave his parents often, but for some reason, it made something in his chest tighten.
Kusum, however, turned her gaze to him, and then to her husband.
And then, with narrowed eyes, she asked the most unexpected question-
"Harish ji, who is this?"
Mayank froze.
His heart nearly stopped as he looked at his mother, his mouth parting in disbelief.
"Maa... It's me, Mayank. Your son."
Kusum scoffed. "Ohh, now you remember that you're my son? And that you have a mother too?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and Mayank felt the full weight of her anger.
She looked at Harish then, her expression turning questioning. "Who called him here?"
Harish sighed, knowing his wife's temper too well. "Kusum, I was really scared. That's why I called him." he admitted softly.
Mayank stepped closer, his voice firm yet pleading. "Maa, I wanted to come... I wanted to see you."
Kusum gave him a pointed look. "You've seen me now, right? Now go back. We don't need you."
Mayank clenched his fists.
He had expected this, but hearing it still hurt.
He knew he had abandoned them, left them without a word for three years, but seeing the coldness in his mother's eyes made him feel like a stranger in his own home.
His voice dropped to a whisper, raw with emotion. "Maa... I'm sorry. Please don't be angry with me like this."
Standing at the side, Pranavi watched the scene unfold.
She could see the longing in his eyes.
The guilt, the pain, the regret.
She knew Kusum had every right to be angry, but at that moment, she felt bad for Mayank.
Taking a deep breath, she finally stepped in.
"Maa, please... calm down," she said gently. "For now, you need to rest. And anyway, we'll be going home today."
Kusum exhaled sharply but relented, nodding. "Alright. I was anyway wanting to go home."
Mayank looked at Pranavi, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
She had calmed his mother down in seconds.
A strange mix of emotions stirred inside him.
On one hand, he felt relieved that someone had been here to take care of his parents in his absence.
That she had been here.
But on the other hand... he felt jealous.
In his absence, Pranavi had become his mother's favorite.
And for the first time in years, he felt like an outsider in his own family.
As she turned to leave, Pranavi's gaze briefly met Mayank's.
He just stared at her.
She hadn't spoken to him since last night.
The moment he had arrived, she had silently excused herself, focusing only on his parents.
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Days passed, and Kusum had finally come home after her brief stay in the hospital.
Pranavi took over the responsibility of caring for her, helping with her meals, and making sure she was comfortable.
Her devotion was unmatched, and Mayank couldn't help but notice how well she looked after his mother, despite the strained silence between them.
One thing that struck Mayank right away was the fact that he had been living in the guest room.
When he asked Kusum about it, her sarcasm was evident as she replied, "You're a guest here, you come once in a while, so it would be better to use the guest room."
He swallowed his pride and didn't argue, understanding that his mother's temper was still simmering, and it would be best to just go along with it.
But what made him even more surprised was that Pranavi wasn't staying in "their" room either.
She had her own room, and for some reason, that shocked him.
He had assumed his mother had restricted him from the room because Pranavi was living there, but that wasn't the case.
It was strange; it seemed that everything about this house was different from what he remembered.
Since his return, Pranavi hadn't said a word to him, and the silence was starting to bother him.
He couldn't understand it-why hadn't she even tried to speak to him?
She was doing everything she could to take care of his parents, but she ignored him completely, which made him uneasy.
He found himself wanting to talk to her, to ask how she was, or even just to have a normal conversation, but he didn't know how to begin.
The words were caught in his throat every time he thought about it.
What made him even more uncomfortable was the way she interacted with his parents.
It wasn't just about her fulfilling her duties; it was how she had bonded with them.
He'd seen her and his mother laughing together, joking as though they'd known each other for years, and his father-someone he could rarely remember enjoying something so simple-would sit with Pranavi for evening tea and snacks, both of them engaged in cheerful conversation.
Mayank was taken aback.
When was the last time he saw his father so happy over something so small?
His father had always been a stoic, serious man, someone who never seemed to take pleasure in the little things.
But with Pranavi, it was different.
It was as if she brought some kind of warmth to the house that he hadn't even realized was missing until now.
As the days went on, Mayank couldn't stop noticing her.
It wasn't just about her kindness or her smile anymore-he found himself drawn to the way she moved, the way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear so effortlessly.
He was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked, even in the simplest of moments.
It was all so... natural, so graceful.
He started to observe her in a way he never had before.
He couldn't help it.
Sometimes, when he worked from home, he would catch glimpses of her moving around the house, and his heart would race.
He realized he had developed a new habit-watching her.
It was something he couldn't control, and frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted to.
He had never noticed how stunning his wife was before, how captivating her presence was.
It was as though his heart was slowly changing, and so was he.
The man who had once been distant and indifferent was now genuinely intrigued by her, wanting to know more about her, to learn who she was, beyond the role of his wife.
He had spent three years avoiding her, but now, he found himself longing for a glimpse, a smile, a conversation.
Mayank couldn't deny it any longer.
The woman who had been his wife for three years, but whom he hadn't truly known, was now someone he couldn't stop thinking about.
Pranavi-his wife-was changing him, in ways he didn't fully understand.
And the more he watched her, the more he knew he had to do something about it.
The question was: What?
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It had been a month since Kusum's return home, and the atmosphere had gradually started to settle.
Mayank walked in from the office one evening, exhausted but with a faint sense of relief.
He greeted his parents, who were sitting together, chatting casually.
Kusum's temper, which had been so sharp just a month ago, seemed to have softened somewhat, and Mayank couldn't help but feel a small surge of happiness.
He was glad to see the progress, but one thing was missing.
His eyes instinctively searched for Pranavi, but she wasn't there.
It was 7 in the evening, a time when Pranavi was always in the kitchen with Kusum, preparing for their evening tea.
But tonight, the kitchen was empty.
His frown deepened as he looked around again.
Where could she be?
He made his way to his room-well, technically the guest room.
He hadn't been promoted to the master suite just yet.
As he freshened up, he couldn't shake the nagging thought of where Pranavi might be.
He decided to check on her.
His heart raced a little, though he didn't quite understand why.
He found himself standing outside her room, battling with himself.
Should he knock?
Would she even want to talk to him?
After a brief internal debate, he finally gathered the courage and knocked on her door.
No response.
He knocked again, this time more insistently.
Still no answer.
Mayank hesitated for a moment before his hand reached for the door handle.
It turned easily under his grip, and the door creaked open.
The warmth from inside the room hit him immediately, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Pranavi's room was simple but undeniably beautiful-everything about it felt warm, calm, and inviting.
He stepped inside, his gaze scanning the space.
It was clearly hers-tasteful, neat, and full of personality.
But what caught his attention the most was the study table.
He walked toward it, curiosity piqued, and found himself staring at a collection of certificates, medals, and degrees.
His heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't known this side of her.
Pranavi was a Ph.D. student?
He stared at her degrees, her academic accomplishments, in complete shock.
This woman-his wife-had a brilliance and determination that he hadn't even known existed.
His chest swelled with pride.
Why hadn't she shared any of this with him before?
They'd been married for years, and yet he knew so little about her.
He traced his fingers lightly over a framed photo of her degree.
Pranavi Mahajan.
A small, genuine smile spread across his face as he held the photo for a moment longer.
He took a picture of the degree with his phone, almost as if he needed to preserve the moment-this new revelation about his wife that was both astonishing and deeply moving.
With the picture safely on his phone, he left her room and made his way downstairs.
When he entered the living room, he immediately noticed his mother's worried expression.
Harish was on the phone with someone, his tone tense.
Kusum turned toward Mayank, her eyes full of concern.
"Mayank, Pranavi hasn't come home yet." she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Mayank frowned, the unease in his chest growing. "She must be on her way, Mom, don't worry." he tried to reassure her.
Kusum shook her head, worry creasing her forehead. "How can I not worry? She comes home by 6 every day, but look, it's 7:30, and on top of that, she's not picking up the phone."
Mayank's concern deepened. He turned to his father. "What happened, Dad? Did she answer the phone?"
Harish sighed, shaking his head. "No."
The tension in the air was palpable now. Mayank couldn't sit still any longer. "Papa, please forward Pranavi's number to me. I will go and bring her back."
Harish nodded wordlessly, and Mayank quickly turned back to Kusum. "Maa, which college is Pranavi in?"
Kusum's eyes softened with a mix of concern and love. "Sapphire Institute of Media and Communications."
Mayank nodded, determination setting in.
He quickly left the house, heading for his car.
The engine roared to life as he sped off toward Pranavi's college.
His heart raced-not just because he was worried about her, but because, somewhere deep inside, a feeling had stirred.
Something had shifted in him, and he wasn't sure if it was because of the secrets he had uncovered or because of something deeper-something that had always been there, waiting to be acknowledged.
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Pranavi walked through the dimly lit streets with a heavy heart.
Her steps were slow, almost as if she was walking without a destination.
The past few days had been nothing short of tormenting.
Ever since Mayank had come back into her life, her heart had been in a constant state of unrest.
It wasn't just his presence that troubled her-it was his lingering gaze.
He seemed to notice every moment of hers, his eyes never leaving her, as if he was studying her every move.
She couldn't understand why he was doing this, but every time his gaze met hers, her heart would race.
And today had been the worst.
It started in college, when she was busy with her work, trying to focus, but then those boys made an awful comment.
She tried to ignore them, believing they weren't worth her time or energy, but they didn't stop.
Their words grew louder, more vulgar, and they began to make cruel remarks about her character, knowing full well she was married but never having seen her husband.
It felt like a direct assault on her dignity.
She couldn't take it anymore, and so, she left.
She walked aimlessly, not knowing where to go or what to do, as if her whole world had collapsed.
Mayank had been looking for her since he found out from the security guard that the college gates had been closed.
No one knew where she had gone.
Panicked, he drove through the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
He couldn't lose her again.
Suddenly, he saw her-walking alone, unaware of the world around her.
He blew the horn, but she didn't seem to hear him.
He quickly stopped the car, rushing toward her.
Just as she was about to lose her balance, Mayank reached out and caught her.
He pulled her into his arms, both surprised and relieved to hold her.
She stared at him, bewildered by his sudden appearance.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.
Pranavi didn't respond.
She just stared at him, her mind swirling with confusion and hurt.
Mayank checked her over, making sure she hadn't been injured, and sighed in relief when he saw there were no visible wounds.
"Where were you? Papa's been trying to reach you for hours. Mom's worried. I've been looking for you like a madman," he continued, his voice full of concern.
"Why?" she asked coldly.
"Why? What do you mean why?" he replied, confused.
"Why are you back, Mayank? Why now?" she asked, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and anger.
He was speechless, unsure of how to respond.
Her words hit him hard, and he didn't know how to explain himself.
She jerked his hand away and continued, her voice rising with every word.
"Three years. Three years, Mayank, since our marriage. And in all that time, now you come back? If you're worried about Mom, fine, but why do you care about me? Why?" she demanded.
"Because you're my wife," he said, his voice soft but firm.
Pranavi chuckled bitterly, tears welling in her eyes. "Three years, Mayank, and now you finally realize I'm your wife? After everything, after all this time, you come to tell me that? Why? Why did you leave me alone? Why did you marry me in the first place? Why did you make me feel like I didn't even exist in your life? Why?"
She pushed him away, her hands against his chest, her emotions spilling out after being buried for so long.
Mayank stood still, taking every word, every punch to his chest, without stopping her.
He knew she was right.
He had done all this, and she had every right to question him.
"Why did you do this to me, Mayank?" she cried, the floodgates opening as her emotions poured out.
She punched his chest again, the frustration, the loneliness, the hurt all coming together.
Mayank didn't try to stop her.
He let her cry, let her release everything that had been building up over the past three years.
As she cried, she leaned into him, her head resting against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
He didn't know why she hugged him, but in that moment, he needed to hold her, to soothe her, even if he didn't deserve it.
"I'm so sorry, Pranavi," he whispered. "I know just saying sorry isn't enough. I can't give you a justification that will make it all better, but please... just give me a chance. Let me make things right. Let me fix all the things I've done wrong. Please, Pranavi."
She looked up at him, still silent, her eyes filled with both confusion and anger, but also a hint of something else-something softer, something that still cared.
She didn't speak, but she didn't pull away either.
Mayank gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her like a bride, and carried her to the car.
When they arrived at the Sood mansion, Pranavi had fallen asleep in his arms.
Mayank couldn't bring himself to wake her.
He got out of the car and lifted her up, carrying her inside.
Kusum and Harish saw them and Kusum tensed, but Mayank quickly reassured her.
"Don't worry, Mom. She's just asleep," he said softly.
Kusum nodded, understanding, but worry still etched on her face.
Mayank didn't take her to the guest room or her room.
Instead, he walked straight to their room and gently laid her down on the bed.
He stood there for a moment, looking at her, his heart heavy with guilt and regret.
He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry, Pranavi," he whispered again, his voice barely audible. "I'll make it right. I promise."
And as he stood there, watching her sleep, he realized he would do anything to make up for the pain he had caused her-no matter how long it took.
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The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room.
Pranavi woke up with a sharp headache, the events of the previous night coming back to her in a haze.
She squinted, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
This wasn't her room.
Her heart began to race, and she instinctively tried to get up.
But before she could, Mayank entered with a cup of coffee in his hand.
He smiled at her, his gaze warm, and said softly, "Good morning."
Pranavi blinked, still disoriented.
She nodded, her voice barely a whisper, "Good morning."
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as the realization hit her.
Last night... what happened last night?
Mayank noticed her confusion and smiled gently. "You slept in the car. I carried you inside and brought you to this room. And Pranavi, this room... it's ours."
She stared at him, a mix of surprise and disbelief flashing across her face.
"Ours?" she repeated, unsure whether she had heard him correctly.
Mayank handed her the coffee, sitting down on the couch with a soft sigh. "Yes, ours."
Pranavi took the cup from him, her hands trembling slightly.
She wasn't sure if it was the shock of the situation or the headache still pounding at her temples.
She took a sip of the coffee, grateful for the warmth but still struggling to process everything.
Mayank watched her silently for a moment before speaking up again. "What happened yesterday, Pranavi?"
She looked at him, confused by his question. "What do you mean?"
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes serious. "What happened at college yesterday, Pranavi? I can tell you're not the type to get upset over little things. Since I've been here and started to understand you better, I've realized you're not careless, and you don't overreact to petty things. So, something big happened. Tell me, please."
Pranavi hesitated, the events of yesterday playing in her mind like a film on repeat.
She didn't want to burden him with her troubles, but the sincerity in his voice made her heart ache.
She didn't say anything, though, and Mayank persisted.
"Please, Pranavi, tell me what happened."
She still remained silent, not sure if she should open up to him.
He leaned back, a small grin tugging at his lips. "If you don't want to tell me, it's okay. I have other ways of finding out."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Like," Mayank continued, "I can ask your college dean. Or, I could buy the whole college, gain access to the CCTV footage-anything, really."
Pranavi's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening in surprise.
Mayank chuckled at her reaction. "I'm just kidding, Pranavi. But please, tell me."
The intensity in his gaze, the care and concern in his voice, made it impossible for her to remain quiet anymore.
She took a deep breath and then began to tell him everything.
She spoke of the boys at college, the horrible things they had said about her-about her character, her marriage, and how they had taunted her even though they knew she was married but had never seen her husband.
She told him how it had all become too much, and how she had left feeling humiliated and broken.
With each word she spoke, Mayank's anger grew.
His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists.
He was furious, but he said nothing, choosing to listen to her instead, knowing she needed to release her feelings.
Once she finished, he stood up abruptly, his voice firm and filled with resolve. "Get ready. We're going to college today."
She looked at him, confused. "But why?"
Mayank turned to face her, his eyes filled with determination. "It took me three years to realize my mistakes, and trust me, I can't wait any longer. This is the first step for us-towards you and towards our relationship."
He walked toward her, his presence commanding as he knelt beside her. "I promise, Pranavi. I'll do everything I can to become a better man-someone you can trust, someone who won't let you down. I owe you an apology, and I'm going to make up for those three wasted years. I won't let you suffer anymore. You've cried enough, Pranavi. No more."
He took her hand gently and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt through her.
She froze, placing her hand on the spot where his lips had kissed her.
"Come on, Mrs. Sood," Mayank said with a playful yet sincere smile, "Get ready."
He stood up and left the room, leaving Pranavi sitting there, her hand still resting on her forehead, her heart racing.
His words echoed in her mind.
Mrs. Sood.
The reality of the situation hit her all at once, and she felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest.
She couldn't explain it, but something inside her had shifted.
The promise he made, the tenderness he showed, it all felt so real.
She placed the coffee cup down and stood up, a small, tentative smile crossing her lips.
Maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time.
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The car rolled smoothly down the road, and Mayank pulled up in front of Pranavi's college.
He looked at her with a reassuring smile as he stopped the car. "Go on, I'll wait here," he said softly, his eyes warm.
Pranavi hesitated for a moment, but nodded.
"Thank you," she murmured, opening the door and stepping out.
Her eyes met his one last time before she turned to walk into the college, leaving him to drive away.
Once inside the campus, Mayank made his way toward the dean's office.
The moment he entered, the dean stood up, surprised to see him.
"Mr. Sood," the dean said respectfully. "What brings you here today?"
Mayank wasted no time. "I need some students from the civil department expelled," he stated matter-of-factly.
The dean blinked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Expelled?" he repeated, shocked. "What happened?"
Mayank's expression darkened. "Those students harassed my wife, Pranavi Mahajan, and I won't tolerate it."
He let the words hang in the air, giving the dean a moment to process them.
The dean's face went pale as he quickly connected the dots.
Pranavi Mahajan... wife of Mayank Sood?
The realization hit him hard.
"Pranavi Mahajan?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "She's your wife?"
Mayank nodded sharply. "Yes. We've been married for years."
The calmness in his voice was in stark contrast to the fury bubbling just beneath the surface. "I expect you to handle this, Dean. Make sure they're expelled. I don't want anyone like that on campus."
The dean, still recovering from the shock, nodded rapidly. "Of course, Mr. Sood. I'll take care of it right away. It will be done."
With a small smirk, Mayank turned on his heel and walked out of the office, his demeanor cool but his thoughts swirling with anger over what had happened to Pranavi.
Later that afternoon, Pranavi's classes came to an end, and as she made her way to the college gate, she caught sight of Mayank waiting for her.
He was leaning casually against the car, his presence commanding attention, as students paused in their tracks to stare at him-especially the girls.
Pranavi felt a small twinge of jealousy as she noticed how many eyes were on him.
He looked handsome, undeniably so, but he was her husband.
Her husband.
As she approached, Mayank's eyes lit up, and he waved at her.
His smile was warm and genuine, and he even gave her a slight nod as if to reassure her that everything was okay.
Most students gawked in surprise at his familiarity with her.
The scene felt surreal.
He opened the car door for her with a flourish. "After you," he said, his voice teasing yet affectionate.
Pranavi slid into the car, still processing the entire situation.
As the car pulled away from the college gate, she turned to him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You didn't have to come, you know."
Mayank kept his eyes on the road, but his lips curled into a small smile. "I know. But I wanted to."
He shot her a sideways glance. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
The air in the car felt heavy with unspoken words.
Finally, Pranavi spoke. "What you said about our relationship... was that true?"
Her voice was soft, but there was an underlying tension in the question.
Mayank's expression shifted, the weight of her question settling in his chest.
He slowed the car and pulled over at an ice cream corner. "I know it's hard for you to trust me, Pranavi. But believe me, everything I said... it was the truth. I want to give this relationship a chance. I want you to give me a chance."
Pranavi's gaze softened as she looked at him.
She had heard his words, but something in the sincerity of his eyes made her want to believe him. "One last chance, Mayank. If you ever do anything like you did before, or if you leave me again... trust me, that will be the last day in your life with me."
Mayank's heart skipped a beat, but he nodded without hesitation. "I promise, Pranavi. You have my word. If you ever feel like I'm not enough for you, if you ever feel like this relationship isn't worth it, you can walk out without any questions from me. I understand. Because I know... a relationship isn't just about two people being together. It's about giving each other priority. And I promise you, starting today, you will always be my priority."
A small smile tugged at Pranavi's lips as she looked at him. "Okay. Let's begin then."
Mayank grinned, his heart swelling with relief. "Sure. But first, let's get you that ice cream."
Pranavi's eyes lit up. "Chocolate ice cream."
"Anything for you, Madam," Mayank said with a wink, his playful tone returning.
As he ordered, he held her palms gently, kissing them softly.
The warm, intimate gesture made Pranavi's heart flutter.
It was as though the years of distance, the misunderstanding, and the hurt were finally starting to melt away.
The two people who had avoided each other for three years, despite being married, were now ready to give each other and their marriage another chance. In those promises, something new had bloomed-a new love, a fresh beginning, and the hope of a future together.
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#Promise Day ð«°ð¤ð«¶
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