Chapter 103: chapter 103

SRUTHIAt my words, Vikram’s face darkens with guilt, his surprise evident.“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice low. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. But I wasn’t sure how you’d react. I was afraid you’d feel pressured to give me an heir. I know Madhav loves you, and he’d give you a child if you asked, but I didn’t want your marriage to be consummated out of duty.”I flinch. “Did you really think I’d go that far just to keep you in your position? I have my limits, Vikram.”He looks away, unable to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry again. I shouldn't have assumptions. I was struggling to process the news myself. I wanted to find another way before burdening you with the news. That’s why I only told Pavitran to inform Madhav. But I never mentioned that you didn’t know. I thought Madhav could keep the secret, but clearly, he’s been slipping.”“Don’t blame him,” I say, my tone softening.  “You forgot to tell him it was a secret. Madhav assumed that I knew about it and believed my affection was just because I wanted a child with him.”“What?” Vikram looks horrified.I nod, recounting the misunderstanding that nearly tore me and Madhav apart. Vikram listens, his face twisted with guilt when I finish.“You almost lost each other because of me.”“Don’t flatter yourself, brother,” I say, shaking my head. “We should’ve talked. Madhav should have confronted me instead of jumping to conclusions. But, I did that communication is the key in a relationship.”Vikram exhales slowly. “I’m just glad it all worked out in the end. I’m truly happy for both of you.” His voice is soft, almost vulnerable, though the expression quickly fades as he retreats behind his usual stoic mask.“I’m happy for us too,” I reply. The silence between us is heavy, broken only by the sound of my bag zipper closing. I sit on the edge of the bed, watching Vikram stare down the hallway. It hits me how much he’s sacrificed. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s him. But I can’t remember the last time I saw my brother truly happy.“You should settle down too,” I say, pulling his attention back. He frowns.“Aren’t I already settled? I have a good job, a house, money in the bank. What more is there?”I sigh. “You know what I mean.”He arches a brow. “Sruthi, if you’re talking about marriage, stop right there. I’m not getting married.”“Why not?” I ask, folding my arms.“Seriously? Who would want to marry me after finding out I’m infertile?”I give him a pointed look. “There are plenty of women who’d marry you regardless. You know how many are crazy about you in this country. There has to be at least one who wouldn’t care.”“Even if there is, I’m not interested,” Vikram says firmly. “I don’t need another weakness.”I gasp. “You think a wife would be your weakness? That’s ridiculous, Vikram.”He shakes his head. “It’s not ridiculous. It’s experience. You don’t know what happened the day they came for our father. Why do you think he died? He was a skilled fighter, but he wasn’t alone that day. We were his weakness. Someone’s already targeting you because of me—I’m not bringing someone else into this.”His words hit me hard, stirring the emotions I’ve long buried. Vikram and I have never truly talked about what happened that day. I don’t know the details of what went down before I entered the room. All I remember is seeing our parents kneeling before men dressed in black. My brother, cowering in the corner, looking desperate. Vikram stopped me from screaming, muffling my cry with his hand. He tried to pull me away, but one of the men noticed and laughed, cold and cruel. After that, everything became a blur. I let out a deep sigh, knowing I won’t change his mind. He’s made his choice, and while I worry for him, I can’t force him to marry. If this is the life he wants, I have to respect it. I just hope he finds some happiness.“Enough about me,” Vikram says, breaking the silence. “Is Madhav treating you well? I know he’s a romantic…”I stare at him, baffled. “Wait, Madhav? Romantic? Are we talking about the same person?”Vikram frowns. “Of course. Isn’t he sweet to you?”I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I was the one who confessed first. He didn’t even give me a goodbye kiss this morning.”My insecurities bubble up again. It seems silly, but Madhav hasn’t said ‘I love you’ yet. I need to hear those words to assure myself.“What do you mean, Sruthi? Didn't you tell me that you resolved the conflicts? What is this new problem?”I sigh and confide my fears to my brother. Most girls talk about these kind of problems to their mother but I do it with my brother.  He would never give me advice. Just let me complain without any judgement or opinions. “The more I think about it the more doubtful I am feeling of Madhav's love for me.”“And why exactly is that?” my brother asks galancing at the hallway.“How can he love me all these years? What if his love for me faded? Or what if he would started disliking me now that he gets to see the real and imperfect Sruthi who doesn't have great qualities to make a man fall in love with her?“We kissed after I confessed,” I admit, my face heating up as Vikram whistles under his breath. “But I’m not sure if he really has feelings for me. He keeps his distance. I know he’s busy with the expo, but… he could at least sleep in my room.”Vikram’s eyes darken. “You’re sleeping in separate rooms?”“Yeah, he’s just swamped with work. We agreed on it,” I defend Madhav.“That’s not a good enough reason.” Vikram glares down the hallway, fists clenched. “What the hell Madhav? Are you playing with Sruthi's feelings?”I frown in confusion at my brother's sudden tone change and words. Before I can question, Madhav appears, seemingly out of nowhere in the hallway. Heat rushes to my face as I realize he must have overheard our conversation. This isn’t the first time he’s eavesdropped, but it never stops embarrassing me.“How long were you listening?” I ask, glaring at him, though my heart races. Why now of all times must he eavesdrop? When will I become aware of his footsteps and presence. Don't they show in TV shows that you can easily detect the presence of the person you love because you feel it in your soul when the person you love is nearby. But, I don't have that superpower and always end up in embarassing situations.Madhav’s eyes meet mine, intense and unreadable. But before he can answer, Vikram cuts in, “I don’t want to hear any arguing. If you’re about to fight, do it at your place. I have a meeting in an hour.”Madhav’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine as he says, “I came here to invite you to the jewelry expo with my wife,” The possessiveness in his voice sends a shiver through me. “We will leave this place once you get the invitation. I have some stuff to talk with her and Vikram,”  Madhav meets my brother's eye and says in a certain and serious voice, “When it comes to Sruthi, I never play.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥