hurt, new steps and tingly feelings [part 3]

A WEEK LATER:-

Drishti Pov:

I knew he didn't love me, but it hurts seeing him not even try to love me. The things I said at the reception party was because of frustration and my upset mind. I never want to stop doing things for him, I love him.

When I said that after that I have saw him distancing himself more from me. at first he used to atleast shout at me and get angry but now he doesnt even look at me. Am I that ugly and not worthy in his eyes.

In this one week he came home late and left before having breakfast and all this time I got taunts from mummyji and soumya, their cousin who doesnt likes me because she wanted her bestfriend Karina Kashyap to marry her brother who is perfect match for him according her.

The three brothers love their cousin sister dearly like their own and also naksh [brother of soumya] as their own brother but he is jealous of them.

We were having dinner, everyone was eating peacefully as papaji was angry because of reckless behavior of karthik. Everyone keeps quiet knowing his anger.

As I was feeding Kirti, soumya who was sitting in front of me scoffed. "where is bhaiya, are you not worried for him? you dont even call him to know about his whereabouts, what kind of wife are you", she snarled glaring at me.

"soumya behave, she is older than you both in age and relation and why are you questioning her if you have the audacity question bhai", this came from kunal he always had my back.

"bhaiya you are scolding me for her" she said eyeing me disgustedly i am used to it now.

"soumya I love you dearly but I also love bhabhi more than love I respect her like a mother so dont" kunal said and ananya just looked at him with shock.

I internally chuckled but I flinched hard when mummy ji shouted.

"STOP IT KUNAL, SOUMYA IS CORRECT SHE IS HIS WIFE SHE SHOULD BE WORRIED AND SHE SHOULD KNOW WHERE HE IS AND WHY HE IS COMING LATE, WHAT DID YOU DO DRISHTI?", she asked me angrily.

"I...I didn't do anything" I said but just received a scoff from her.

Before she could say anything papaji stood up, "Drishti come to the library after finishing your food" he said and left.

Soon dadaji and dadiji left too followed by Naksh, Soumya and mom. "ananya can you please make Kirti sleep today" I asked she nodded and took her.

I sighed and kunal said, "bhabhi did something happened between you and  bhai" the elders think everything is good between us as I always cover up Karthik with different lies while his brothers know the reality.

"nothing kunal its just I gave up on us" I could hear everyone gasp Dhara was shocked and Atharv face was expressionless but I know he was shocked too.

"how can you give up bhabhi, didn't you say you wont give up and make him fall in love and-" he was cut off by a manly voice and we turned and saw papaji standing there.

We all stood up as he came near me and patted my head and said, "you did the right thing my daughter"

"papaji but I..I didn't wanted to do it..its...its just i am tired, he...he is not telling me about his past and also stopped kunal and Atharv and said not to tell me. if I wont know anything how will I will heal him" I said with tears in my eyes

Papaji knows it all my relation with karthik as he once unintentionally heard me and karthik arguing and him saying he would never love me.

"you are strong beta to endure it for 3 years but now i wont see you getting hurt now karthik has to choose, its you or either his past" he said and I looked at him.

"what will you do papaji", I asked.

"something i should have done before only, now you all go and sleep its already past dinner time, you also go now drishti now i wont let him hurt you more you dont deserve this" I nodded and everyone left but atharv was still in the kitchen playing with bottle of water.

I went towards him and touched his arms gently, he didn't flinch thankgod. at first when I came I saw him flinching and getting angry whenever someone touched him and he even lashed out on me once when I applied colour on his face but later he apologized and slowly slowly he started getting comfortable with my friendly touches.

"what happened atharv?", he said and bit his lips and I thought he will say nothing like he always says whenever some one asks him if he is okay.

But to my surprise he said, "will dhara also give up on me?" his question made me shock, sad and happy at the same time.

Shock because he never speaks what's in his mind, sad because he and dhara too dont have a husband wife relationship and happy because he is thinking about her.

"why do you think so?", I asked and he sighed.

After a few seconds said, "I always run away from her, she is my wife, she never says anything and never stopped me from running away from her, dadi says she believes in giving time but its been 10 months already and here i am still far away from her. what if...what if she-"

He was not able to say it so I completed it "loses hope on your both relationship"

he nodded "do you want this marriage to work atharv?" I asked and he nodded after few moments.

I smiled and said, "then work for it atharv, tali ek hath se nahi bajti, dhara ne bhot koshish ki hai par tumhari bartav ki vajah se piche hat jati hai ab samay hai ki tum kch kadam uske taraf badhao"

"we cannot clap with one hand, dhara has tried enough but seeing your behavior she backs out, but now is the time you should take some steps towards her"

I said as he nodded there was something in his eyes, longing for love to be specified. I dont know what's with atharv he was always a silent guy and a less talker.

"dhara tumhari patni hai atharv or uska hak hai tumpe jaise tumhara uspe hai, jo tumhara hai vo uska bhi hai bhale he vo tumhare kch raaz he kyon na ho, us se baat karo or jaise jaise tumhara rishta aage badhe tum jante ho tumhe kya karna hai"

"dhara is your wife she has rights on you like you have on her, what is yours is her now aswell whether it maybe some secrets, talk to her and once your relation starts progressing you know what you have to do"

He looked at me with a little wide eyes, "how do you know i have a secret bhabhi" he said.

As I smiled and said, "even though you dont speak but your eyes says a lot atharv"

"can dhara read my eyes too", he asked like a innocent child.

"has she ever looked at your eyes when you both talk?", I asked knowing the answer.

"we...we never talk bhabhi I am never home except for this week and I mostly kept myself busy with work", "that means you again started running from her" he nodded.

"communication is key atharv, take slow steps and see how your slow steps will bloom a smile on dhara's face and your relationship will bloom too, dont become like your brother in terms of marriage thing". I said.

He smiled a little very little "thankyou bhabhi now I know what I have to do". he said and left the kitchen.

I too left the kitchen with sad smile, only if karthik was little sensible in these things but what is papaji gonna do? with a curious mind I went to our shared bedroom to sleep as I know he will be late again.

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Atharv's pov:-

After talking to bhabhi I felt more at ease, even though my relationship with bhabhi is not like that of her and Kunal but I always look up to her as a friend since we are of almost same age.

In these 3 years she guided me many times and today too she gave me advice and I am glad for it. I know Karthik bhai is idiot for neglecting her I hope he forgets about his past and focus on his present like I am going to do now.

I was about to enter my room, the door was slightly open and I peeked inside a little I saw Dhara combing her hair, she is wearing a loose t-shirt and loose shorts reaching her thighs, her hairs are long, thick and black so beautiful.

Everyday when I used to come home at night she is always inside the blanket sleeping well it's not winter but she always sleeps in blanket. That's why I never saw what she wears at night.

I was in my trance when she started talking to herself, "it's been a week atharv is at home did papaji asked him to be at home, is he going again. But what does he do there alone after office hours, wait what if he isn't alone and he has some chicks haww no no what if he is cheating on me, that's why he is never home"

I slowly entered the room and locked it she didn't notice she was still talking to herself but her talks made me shock me and cheat never, I always maintained my distance from women.

"No he can't cheat but what if he is, that's why he always on business trip with his girlfriend, oh god why me-", she kept blabbering and I interrupted her.

"Rawals don't cheat dhara", I said in my usual deep voice which made her flinch she turned back and her eyes widen in fear.

"I...I... When did you come", She asked nervously.

"When you were accusing me of cheating on you", I said and tried to suppress my laugh at her reaction.

"No i wasn't accusing, its.. it's just random thought that" I cut her off in the middle and said,

"dhara i am Atharv Abhimanyu rawal, a royal blood and we don't cheat get that in your mind permanently and secondly i never had any women in my life, you are first and would be my last", I said last part slowly more like whisper.

I can see shock and little happiness on her face at the same time ofcourse she might be shock her husband never talked to her and now he said such a big thing about his life.

"I.. understand i won't say this again, umm we..we should sleep, it's...it's late" she said and I noticed she slowly stretched her shorts downward to cover her more, is she uncomfortable around me.

She was about to walk past me but i don't know from where I got this courage I held her wrist and pulled her back, suddenly she was in my personal space but I didn't felt any anxiety or panic.

She looked at me with her flushed face and wide eyes, her eyes are darkest shade of brown and her nose is perfect, her lips looks really soft and feathery, she had few scars on her face which were visible from this near.

She gulped and tried to free herself, "atharv ji, wha...what are you doing" I snapped out when I heard her.

I took her towards bed and made her sit on it and kneeled in front of her, "omg atharv ji don't sit down stand up please" she said tried to stand up but I made her sit again.

"sit quietly dhara i wanna say something", I said and she sat quietly and bit her lips gosh don't bite them dhara.

"What you wanna say atharv ji?" "First of all call me Atharv just atharv or any other name you would like to call", she looked shock but eventually nodded.

I held her palms in mine and looked in her eyes, she is blushing just my mere touch and this small proximity made her blush so much and I myself didn't feel uncomfortable being close to her, dadi is correct she is the perfect girl for me well I am an idiot to seek advices from 3 people and come to her.

I should have done this way before. I was in my thoughts and noticed she was waiting for me to say something. I sighed and said

"I know dhara these past 10 months I tried to run away, from you from my family like I always do, but...but I do realise it now that i shouldn't run and face it. You are my wife, you left your home for me to be with me as my better half for whole life and what I am doing is wrong, wrong with you with us and I don't wanna run away anymore. I....i wanna give our relationship a chance dhara I want our marriage to turn out a beautiful arrange marriage. Will you take steps with me in this and i promise I will try my best, i know i am a less talker and don't express myself with my family and friends but i wanna do it in front of you, express my self, be myself and do many things. I said so much you aren't saying anything"

I said in low voice when she giggled and gosh it's a melody to my ears fuck why am I talking like a teenager.

"Why are you giggling?", I asked.

"You say you are a less talker and you gave me this big speech that's why, and you don't know whatever you said made me so so happy, I thought that i have to wait for atleast 10 years for you to open up to me and give this marriage a chance but thankyou so much atharv ji" She said as a lone tear escaped her eyes.

I wiped it and said, "call me Atharv only or any Nickname but don't use ji it feels like I am old and I am sorry dhara for making you wait I am so sorry" she shook her head.

"don't say sorry, I always thought one day this will happen and it did happen I am really happy my dreams about happy marriage life will become true", she said I chuckled she is so cute.

"Now I have made myself clear so I won't go anywhere now okay and now let's sleep hmm" I said.

She nodded I got up and went towards couch when she called me, "atharv"

I hummed and she continued "you said you wanna give this marriage a chance then don't sleep on couch I have seen you getting back pain In the morning sleep beside me"

I thought for a little but seems like my hesitations were visible on my face she smiled and made a pillow wall "now come I won't cross this, I don't know if I am right but whenever I saw you being hugged by some guest and all I saw you getting uncomfortable maybe coz you don't like being touched so here I won't cross this pakka promise"

I nodded and mumbled a thankyou and laid beside her she was looking at me and I was looking at ceiling but I can feel her stare on me it's wasn't uncomfortable.

"It's true I don't like being touched and I will tell you someday why I don't like it, please have patience with me I am a very messed up man but I wanna be free from all this for you, for us", I said looking at her and she smiled and her smile is so cute her chubby cheeks rose up and I feel like squishing it.

"Don't worry atharv we are together in this and I won't give up on us, and I know you won't let me", I smiled and said goodnight to which she replied same and closed her eyes.

Thankyou God and my family for making her my wife but will she be same after knowing about my fears, my past.

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Ananya Pov:-

I was reading bed time story for Kirti but she was very quiet usually she asks tonnes of question related to story. I looked at her and her lips trembled she was about to cry and she did started crying.

I picked her up and made her sit on my lap "kirti baby why are you crying are your hurt somewhere should I call mumma", she shaked her head in no and calmed after sometime.

"I miss dadda he dont love me", she said and I felt so bad for our princess. ofcourse she would miss her father, karthik bhaiya is rarely at home.

"dont worry kirti your dadda is busy okay once he will be free he will play with you all day", I said and she looked at me with sparkly eyes.

"really", she asked with her soft doe eyes and I kissed her cheeks.

"yes my baby now you dont cry okay and sleep like a good girl that you are", I said and she nodded and smiled and I again started telling her story.

After sometime i noticed she is asleep, I sighed couples shouldn't have baby if they have problems between them this will spoil their childhood.

I placed the quilt properly beside her and switched off the light went towards his room oops our room. As soon I came inside I heard groans and sound like someone was beating something.

I looked around and came towards the balcony and saw a door there woah I didn't notice this door before.

I went towards it it was a glass door and i pushed it to open and I my jaw dropped on floor there he was, my husband huh half naked just in his black shorts looking so hot he was wearing boxing gloves and punching the sack bag.

The sweat was dripping through his hairs crossing his slender neck, well built chest and his 6 biscuits ughhm I mean 6 pack abs. he is really a piece of work.

I looked around and saw the room was not very big it had boxing equipment's and some dumbbells' kept perfectly on shelves everything was perfectly places haha so my husband who messes the room likes to keep his boxing room clean woah bipolar.

He groaned again and threw his gloves and started punching with bare hands and I bet it hurts, my eyes caught blood on his knuckles, "kunal" I shouted and he looked back he was angry very angry.

He came towards me and I stepped back, "why are you here? who told you that you can come in this room?" he said anger dripping from his voice.

"I...I this is my room too and i.. i was just curious", I said and he glared at me.

"fuck your curiosity and get out, GET OUT now" he shouted and I flinched hard.

To not make him more angry I left the room and came in the bedroom I sighed, "why does he have to shout on me", I said and pouted.

I started scrolling Instagram after sometime he came inside the room and directly went to shower. After shower he came out just in his sweat pants gosh cant he wear full clothes.

I saw his knuckles they were bruised badly, the blood was not there but the upper layer of the skin was half gone.

He sat on the bed and started applying cream on his face his skin care time, he was done with it and was about to lay on bed when I stopped him, idiot man face is more important than hand with which he has to work.

I got up and took the cream which will heal the bruises and took his hand in mine and started applying it.

"oh my wifey is worried for me" there he was his cockiness was back.

"I am a human I have humanity in me and I cant see other person bruised", I said the truth.

"oh wifey just accept it you wanted to touch me", he said and i just wanna touch him to punch his handsome face.

"I can touch you by beating you too right", I said and smiled sarcastically.

He scoffed and I was done I kept the cream on his bed side table and got up but suddenly I felt his arms wrapping around my waist and his head against my tummy gosh i felt something in my stomach.

"what are yo...you doing...kunal le..leave me", I said trying to ignore the giddiness.

Why did I stammer "please stay like this for sometime ananya", he said and I stood there my hands automatically went up to his hairs and I caressed it.

"what happened kunal?", I asked hoping he would share after all I am his wife even if we dont like each other.

He sighed and said, "I dont want bhabhi to give up on bhai, I know dad would separate them but I dont want them to get separated"

Oh so he was tensed about bhaiya and bhabhi but I said, "kunal what's the meaning of staying in a loveless marriage i dont know much but hearing from dhara bhabhi  think she tried enough, why should she get hurt when she dont deserve any of it"

"bhai wont be accepting this, he loves bhabhi", He said defending bhaiya.

"then why he is like this", I asked.

"because of his past, I cant get it why he cant let go off his past", he said and I smiled sadly.

"its not easy kunal, past imprints fears on the person", I said.

"but with the correct person you should let go off the past and accept your present and cherish the things you have than too weep on past", He said.

He is right there is no use of weeping on past but I have to make him understand, "dont be angry kunal, let bhabhi and bhaiya decide what they have to do with their relationship we can only advice them in this but decision will be their"

He looked up at me placing his chin on my stomach gosh he looked cute he smiled and said, "I feel good now and also my anger is gone so"

"so", I asked raising my brow but in a second I was flying in the air and my back touched soft mattress woah did he really just picked me and put me on bed in that sitting position I am so thin and light weight gosh this is embarrassing.

He kept his head on my chest and placed his arms around my waist "Yaah dont get too comfortable, dont touch me idiot. I just comforted you dont get on my head", I said trying to push him but he didn't move a inch.

"sleep my witch I am tired, today was a long day" he said and closed his eyes.

I was awake I started caressing his hairs to  which he hummed in satisfaction. Omg what is this giddy feeling in my heart , I shrugged my thoughts and slept with butterflies in my stomach.

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What step will abhimanyu rawal take for his son's relationship ??

Will dhara be same after knowing about atharv's past??

What will happen if one of them among ananya and Kunal will fall in love??

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Do vote for next part✨

Story word count:- 3879

Total word count:- 3892