chapter 31

Pari held him as though anchoring him to life itself, tears stinging her own eyes at the sound of his brokenness. She didn't try to hush him. She didn't rush the moment. She just held him, letting him fall apart without judgment.He wept like the wounded child he never got to be. The one who grew up too fast, carrying pain too heavy, with questions that never had answers.And in that quiet, tear-soaked moment, surrounded by shadows of the past and the weight of unspoken grief, she became the stillness he'd never known... and the home he never believed he deserved." W..why me, Pari? W..why.."He hugged her even more tightly, soaking her shoulders with his tears and she didn't mind at all.He had asked the simplest question — why? and yet, Pari found herself speechless. Not because she didn't want to answer, but because there were no answers. Not the kind he needed. Not the kind that could mend the scars etched deep within his soul.She held him tighter as his sobs shook against her, and her heart shattered with each broken breath he took. How could she explain to him that some wounds never came with reasons, only with consequences. That his pain wasn't just valid, it was inevitable.She thought about his childhood, about that young boy who must have watched his mother cry in silence while his father laughed elsewhere, giving love to another family, to another woman... to another child. That same child, Ranvijay who shared the blood of the man Vikrant called 'father,' but not the loyalty, not the memory of abandonment. And how could any child, no matter how mature, not feel jealousy? Not feel anger? Not feel betrayal? She understood now.The little boy Vikrant once was had been forced to grow up next to the living proof of his father's infidelity. And even though Ranvijay was innocent, just another boy born into the wrong chapter, Vikrant's grief had never been about blame. It had always been about loss. A loss no one ever let him grieve properly.She blinked back tears and gently ran her fingers through his hair, silently telling him all the things he needed to hear but that words could never fully express. No, his father wouldn't have any answers, not the kind Vikrant deserved. Because a man who walks away from his son during his most innocent years loses the right to explain why. Only the ache remains.He broke the hug abruptly and reached for the photo frame resting nearby. His fingers trembled as he gripped it, pointing toward Ranvijay's smiling face captured forever in that frozen moment." I hate him?" he scoffed bitterly, voice cracking, eyes blazing with unshed tears. "You know why? Because he got my father's love. Why? Because he's the living proof of my father's betrayal. Because he carries the blood of that woman. Because he-"His voice faltered as the frame slipped from his hand and hit the floor with a soft thud. The sound of glass against the carpet didn't shatter, but something inside him did."I... don't hate my own brother," he said hoarsely, lips trembling. "If I hate anyone... It's my father. That same father who showered one son with all his love, but didn't even have the strength to answer the questions of the other..." his voice.Pari remained silent, her chest tightening, letting him empty the weight he'd buried for years. She could feel the agony pouring through every word, every crack in his voice."What was my fault?" he asked, his voice now laced with helplessness. "What did my mother ever do wrong? She was beautiful... she loved him deeply... and still...still why? Why did my disgusting father fall so low... that he never could rise again in my eyes..."The anger in his voice was raw, unfiltered, the kind that comes not from hate, but from the deepest, most soul-wrenching pain. A son who only ever wanted to be loved the same. A son who grew up watching his mother break piece by piece in silence.Vikrant's hatred wasn't born from his brother's existence, it was born from the love he never received." Pari..I-"Vikrant choked on his own breath before he could finish. His voice gave out as fresh tears streamed down his cheeks. He covered his face with both hands, like he could hide the storm brewing inside him, but the sobs that tore through his chest betrayed every ounce of pain he'd tried so hard to bury.Pari's heart shattered at the sight. Her throat tightened, and her own eyes burned with unshed tears." Hey," she gently cupped his cheeks." It's okay. You don't deserve this. Any of it."He closed his eyes as she gently wiped away his tears, her touch soft and steady, like a balm to his aching soul. His throat burned with unspoken grief, but her presence anchored him."You want to know something?" she asked quietly, her voice a tender murmur.He blinked, confused, his lashes still heavy and wet with tears. She smiled faintly, and her hands moved from his cheeks to his trembling hands, enveloping them with warmth."My parents... they died when I was very young. I was just ten."He frowned slightly, the pain in her voice making him listen harder."My mother's family refused to take me in. Only my Nani wanted me, but no one listened to her. Eventually, my chacha and chachi agreed... but not out of love. My father had left a piece of land in my name, to be legally transferred when I turned eighteen. That's why they took me. Greed, not affection, was the reason I had a roof over my head for those eleven years."She paused for a moment, as if reliving the buried past, and he stared at her intently, heart heavy with every word she spoke.She paused for a moment, as if reliving the buried past, and he stared at her intently, heart heavy with every word she spoke." Fir? Fir kya hua?" he asked, urgency lacing his voice.( Then? Then what happened?)Her smile was sad as she intertwined her fingers with his."Nani used to send me sweets, clothes, and money, but my chachi gave the clothes to her daughter, took the money, and even the sweets. I didn't complain. I kept hoping that maybe, if I gave everything to them, they'd start to love me. But they never did. I was just a burden. A servant. They insulted me, cursed my parents, even wished I had died with them."His jaw clenched, the sorrow in his eyes turning slowly into quiet rage."When Nani passed away when I was sixteen, my mama and mami cut all ties. No more money, no more kindness. My chachi became even crueler. Still, I begged them to let me study. Somehow, I made it to my third year of college. I thought... I thought I was close to escaping that life."She inhaled deeply, and he felt her grip tighten slightly."But then... They sold me to a brothel. For them, it was the easiest way. If I died, they'd inherit the land anyway. And they must've already spread the fake news of my death to claim it."His eyes darkened, a storm rising behind them. His chest heaved with anger, not just for what had happened to her, but for every day she had lived through it alone."I wished they had just killed me instead," she said softly. "I tried to end it myself... but I failed. I was still alive, still breathing... still stuck in that hell."And then she looked up, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, not of sorrow, but of a strange, quiet strength."But then I met you. And everything changed."He stared at her, his heart pounding." I was afraid at first. I thought you'd be just like the rest. That you'd touch me any day... but you didn't. You never did."She brushed her thumb along his hand, her voice barely above a whisper now."You treated me like a person. Like a woman. Like I mattered. For the first time, I wasn't just someone's burden. I was... safe."And in that moment, as her voice trembled with emotion and yet held the strength of survival, he saw her clearly , not as the woman fate had placed beside him, not as someone he had promised to protect, but as someone who had lived through her own hell. She, too, had been broken, shattered by the very people who were supposed to love her.She, too, had cried silently in the corners of rooms, wishing for a different life, longing for a touch that didn't bruise, a voice that didn't curse, a home that didn't feel like a cage. And yet, she stood in front of him now, not just surviving, but healing, slowly, painfully, and bravely.They were both wounded by different battles, scarred in different ways, yet their pain spoke the same language. They were on the same page, yes, inked with betrayal, abandonment, and loneliness but written in different scripts. And somehow, in the mess of it all, they had found each other."I understand you, Vikrant. And I understand Vijay bhaiya as well..."He blinked at her words, a crease forming between his brows at the mention of Ranvijay."I know what it feels like to yearn," she continued gently. "To crave even the smallest ounce of love, to search for belonging in a place that constantly reminds you that you don't. I can feel what you must have gone through, carrying the weight of betrayal that wasn't yours to bear. But Vikrant... in all this, Vijay bhaiya didn't choose to be the target of your pain. He didn't choose to be born the way he was, or to be a part of this twisted story. He was just a child, like you."Her voice softened, laced with emotion. "His own mother discarded him like he was nothing. He has no idea of his real identity, no clue about the lies wrapped around his existence. And yet, he loves you."She smiled faintly and wiped the fresh tears from his cheeks."He adores you, Vikrant. I've seen it. He respects you, tries to imitate you, even goes out of his way to make mistakes, just so you would correct him, scold him, and notice him. Because to him, even your anger meant acknowledgement."Vikrant swallowed hard. Her words hit him like quiet thunder. Yes, he knew it. Deep down, he had always known. Ranvijay had pulled foolish stunts, broken small rules, all in a desperate attempt to get his attention. But he never gave him what he truly wanted. All he ever gave was distance. Cold shoulders. Silence. And now, faced with the truth from Pari's lips, it stung sharper than he had imagined.Vikrant's jaw clenched, guilt twisting in his chest. The images flashed before his eyes now- Ranvijay's attempts to talk, his childish mischief, his awkward compliments, his failed jokes... all met with cold indifference.Pari squeezed his hands gently. "You punished him for the sins of your father. And maybe you didn't mean to, maybe you thought you were protecting yourself, or your mother. But in doing so, you pushed away someone who wanted nothing but your love."He shut his eyes. A wave of memories, of moments lost, chances wasted, engulfed him.Pari leaned closer and rested her forehead against his. "You both are victims of the same man. Different wounds, same pain."His lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no words came out. Just a deep breath."And if not for him," she whispered, brushing his hair back tenderly, "then for yourself, Vikrant. Set yourself free."She put her hand on his left side of chest." Let go of the past. Accept the truth. the time gone never comes back. But the coming moment is yours. By living with pain for 28 years, you will only cause more pain to yourself. Let it go. What was meant to pass, has passed. What's truly ours, will always remain ours. But what never belonged to you, no matter how much we fight for it, with any means, will never be ours."Her voice softened as she encircled her arm around his neck and leaned back slightly, forcing him to open his eyes and meet hers."I'm not asking you to forgive him. But at least... stop burning yourself in the fire of what he did."She paused for a moment, then continued, her eyes filled with quiet strength."If your father had truly felt guilty, he would've made efforts long ago to win you and your mother back. But he didn't. He chose betrayal over redemption. And look at him now, he's living his life without any regret. But you? You're still drowning in pain-""Shh," Vikrant interrupted gently, placing his finger over her lips. Her brows knit together as she looked at him in surprise.His eyes, though moist, held something new, like the quiet before a storm or the first crack in a wall that's beginning to crumble.She blinked, catching a small smile on his lips." Kitna bolne lagi ho tum par.. bahut acha."( You have started speaking a lot... but good.)He moved his finger down from her lips only to wrap his arms around her waist.She felt her heart skipping a beat with his warm touch. Did her lecture work? Is he feeling a little light now?But his way of agreeing with her is a little different. He leaned in, until his lips brushed against her and she felt butterflies in her stomach.She was about to close her eyes but just then he leaned back and muttered in guilt." Humne to sharab pee hai. I will kiss you tomorrow."( I have drunk alcohol.)He said with a sincere crease on his forehead while a soft chuckle escaped his mouth." I don't mind,"His frown deepened." Maybe.. I can spare you for tonight," she said.He blinked, " can I kiss you?"A blush crept up to her cheeks and she timidly nodded her head." But you wouldn't like the smell-"She put her lips on his and shut his mouth. His eyelashes fluttered and grip tightened around her waist as she stayed there for a good seconds before leaning little back and whispering," Agli baar se dhyaan rakhna. Aaj ke liye maaf karte hain aapko."( Keep this in mind next time. I am forgiving you for now.)And that was his cue.To smash his lips on her. She startled slightly, taken by the fierce move of his. She grasped the fabric of his t-shirt while he moved more closer to her, pushing her backward until her back rested against the floor and he hovered over her.He broke the kiss and stared at her face while she inhaled and exhaled for a few seconds. He snatched her breath just now." I said kiss not, take my breath."She complained, even though she did not hate it.A sly smirk plastered on his lips as he whispered, " and I don't just kiss."With that he claimed her lips.She gasped into his mouth, startled yet undeniably drawn, her fingers instinctively digging into his t-shirt as his lips moved with a desperate sort of hunger.Her breath hitched as his hand moved up her back, not in haste, but in reverence, pulling her impossibly closer as if he needed to feel her heartbeat to be sure this moment was real.Her hands slid up his chest, one finding its way to the back of his neck, her fingers threading through his hair as her body relaxed beneath his weight, surrendering to the raw, unfiltered emotion.When he finally pulled back, both of them breathless, he rested his forehead against hers, eyes still closed, heart racing against hers.He waited only 20 seconds before smashing his lips on her again, this time taking her into a slow yet passionate kiss.She parted her mouth and sucked his lower lip. Her fingers ran in his hair in a tender stroke. She arched her neck and knitted her eyebrows as he pulled her lower lip with his teeth."I love you," he whispered, and her breath stuck.I love you.I. Love. You.Vikrant. Agnihotri. Confessed.Her eyes widened and blinked once, staring into his eyes. There was no doubt. No hesitation. Just a pure sparkle.He removed his arm from her cheek and cupped her face."Hum bahut pyar karte hain tumse, Pari."(I love you very much, Pari.)Her heart picked up pace. A simple confession, yet extraordinary for her. Love? She had always yearned for it, and now her husband claimed, no, confessed. Wasn't it obvious?"Tab se jab se tumne hamari jaan bachayi."(Since the time you saved my life.)She made no move. No expression. Just stared into his eyes."Tab se jab se tumhe... pehli baar kothe me dekha."(Since the first time I saw you... at the brothel.)And it was true. Vikrant didn't set his eyes on many things, but once he did, that thing or person became a pure obsession. An absolute reason for his breathing to continue." Bahut pyar karte hain tumse. Itna ki tumhare liye har punya paap karne ko taiyar hain hum."(I love you so much. So much that I'm ready to commit every virtue or sin for you.)Tears gathered in her eyes without her knowledge which he failed to notice in the dim light and shadow of his face over her." Itna ki-"(So much that-)She covered his mouth with her palm." Bas kariyo.. hum to," tears rolled down from her eyes.(That's enough... I-)" Hum to mar hi jayenge."(I'll die from this overwhelming feeling.)He chuckled and she removed her palm from his mouth." Marna hi to nahi hai. Zindagi bitani hai hamare sath."(You're not allowed to die. You have to live your life with me.)He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and let more tears stream from her eyes.It feels like a dream.Vikrant Agnihotri loves her.Her husband loves her.He loves her.Vikrant loves her?It felt unreal. Like she had stepped into someone else's fantasy. Could this be happening to her? After everything?Vikrant Agnihotri, the man who once only held silence and storm in his eyes, now looked at her like she was his whole world. He loved her. Not just out of duty or obligation. Not because of circumstancesHer husband, the man who once felt untouchable, broken beyond repair, claimed her with a kind of love she had never even dared to dream of.It was unbelievable, overwhelming, yet undeniable.He loved her.Vikrant Agnihotri loves her.And this time, she wasn't afraid of believing it.Because she too loves him."Hey," he leaned back a little and gently wiped her tears again, his touch soft and warm." I confessed my love, not a crime. Why are you crying?"A soft laugh escaped her, fragile and breathy, caught in the middle of the storm of emotions flooding her heart. She shook her head slowly from side to side." Aise hi.."( Just like that.)His eyes glistened with amusement." Aise hi?"( Just like that?)She gave a small nod, eyelashes lowering shyly."No one's ever said that to me before."His smile faltered for a second, sensing the weight behind her words—the loneliness, the silent yearning, the ache for something so simple, yet so rare."Well, now you have me. If you want, I can say it to you every day."She laughed softly, this time with more ease, more light."That one time is enough to last a lifetime. If you start saying it daily, I might actually go insane from happiness."He grinned, letting the moment settle into his chest like a promise. Because now, her smile was his reason. And her laughter, his reward.He got up from her and she sat as well. He cupped her cheeks, making her lips pouty only to leave a long peck there. She gulped down her giggle, overwhelmed by his love." Go insane. Jump around. Do anything but know it, this is the truth. I love you so damn much, Mrs. Agnihotri."She dropped her eyelashes shyly.He stood up and she held his hand to stand up as well but as she did, he picked her up in his arms." Let's go to our room."She smiled and put her head on his chest. She came to console him, give him company. He was broken. Now, when they are leaving the room, their heart is full of happiness as they have welcomed their feelings toward each other with open arms.Vikrant held her tightly, protectively, as if letting her go now would mean losing a part of himself. And maybe it would. Because tonight, something had shifted. Something unspoken had found a voice. A bond formed in pain, trust, and growing love had quietly blossomed into something sacred.The door creaked open as he pushed it with his foot, stepping into their room bathed in soft amber light. He gently lowered her onto the bed, his gaze never leaving hers.She held his hand, stopping him as he was about to move away.He raised his eyebrows, " It hasn't even been an hour since I confessed, and you've already started behaving clingy-"" Dhat!"She left his hand and turned her back at him while he laughed and walked toward the door to lock it.His laugh echoed in the room as he walked toward the door, his hand reaching for the lock. With a satisfying click, he turned around and saw her trying to bury her blushing face into the pillow.He grinned, slowly walking back to the bed. "Hiding already, Mrs. Agnihotri? That's not fair. I didn't even tease you properly.""Go to sleep," she mumbled into the pillow, voice muffled but still laced with playful shyness.He climbed onto the bed beside her, tugging at her shoulder gently until she was facing him again. Her cheeks were warm, and her eyes sparkled even under the dim lights."Let me look at you," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. " You have no idea how beautiful you are when you're shy."She blinked slowly, heart fluttering as his voice dropped to a murmur." And very sexy when you lecture me," he said.She gasped and hit his chest." Mind your language."He laughed lightly and pulled her into his arms, " I did not lie though."Just when she welcomed his warmth, he broke the hug and sat up. Before she could say more, her eyes widened as he casually lifted his t-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Her cheeks flushed instantly, heat creeping up her neck like wildfire.He again lay on his back and exhaled heavily before spreading his arm under her head. This time, she moved closer to him with any hesitation.The confession surely broke a thin wall of distance between them.She put her head on his chest." You didn't ask me if I love you or not," she said." You don't?"She smiled and couldn't say a word." See? You do. I know you better than anybody."" What if I say no?"She tried.He closed his eyes, " I will try to earn your love."She expected the answer. He folded his arm and put his palm on her head. She wrapped her arm around his torso. The sleep chose to leave her as his confession rang in her mind by every passing second." Pari?"" Ji?"" Sleep. You have to go to university tomorrow," he said.Oh yes.Tomorrow would be her second day but she suddenly wish to take a leave. She need at least 24 hours to jump around with happiness." Can I take leave-"" No."She scoffed. Confessing love didn't make him less cold.She sighed dramatically, puffing her cheeks against his chest. "You're so mean."He chuckled softly, the vibration of it tickling her cheek. "I'm realistic.""No, you're bossy.""Hmm," he hummed, pulling the blanket over her shoulder. " And you are mine."Her breath hitched slightly at the possessive whisper. She didn't reply, because deep down, she loved the sound of that. Being his."But you said you'd try to earn my love," she said."I said I would try if you said no. You didn't. In fact, you blushed so hard that even the walls turned red."She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head up just enough to glare at him. "Stop making things up."He looked down with a mock-innocent expression. "I'm a man of facts, Mrs. Agnihotri.""And I'm regretting marrying a narcissist."He smirked, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. "You can't back out now. There's no return policy on me."She couldn't help burying her face back into his chest. This version of Vikrant, the one who teased, smiled, held her like she was the only thing that mattered, was addicting.And just like that, the night deepened, not into silence, but into comfort. Into a world where heartbreaks were paused, wounds were healing, and two souls, bound by fate and now love, had finally found their place in each other.⋆༺✷༻⋆To be continue. Read more chapters in scrollstack as early access.