"Thank you so much, Mahi," I murmured, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. The past few days had been a blur of pain and weakness, but Mahi, our maid, had been my pillar of support. She'd take care of me in every way she could and even managed to coax a smile out of me when I felt my lowest.
She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Please don't thank me. It was my duty to take care of you. Besides that, you are such a nice person." Her hands steadied me as we made our way out of my room. I leaned on her, taking slow steps.
As we descended, my gaze shifted to Advik, who was coming down the stairs. His fingers danced across his phone screen, and he looked effortlessly handsome in his dark blue shirt. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.
Putting the phone in his pocket, he joined us, thanking Mahi with a curt nod.
"You can go now," he said, his voice low and authoritative.
Then, he wrapped his arms around my waist. The sudden intimacy sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced ahead, taking slow steps with my heart racing.
Dhruv Uncle's voice interrupted our charged moment. "Are you going somewhere?" he asked, appearing at the doorway.
"Yes. For her check-up." Advik said, glancing at me.
"Okay. I was leaving too. I have the flight in a few hours." Uncle said and turned towards me. Passing a bright smile, he told me to take care of myself and heal quickly. After giving a good warning and scolding Advik, to take care of me, he left us alone.
We reached his car, and Advik carefully helped me inside. His touch was gentle, but he was still distant. He jogged around to the driver's side, slid in, and started the engine. The car roared to life, but the silence between us was thick, almost suffocating.
I glanced at him wondering if he was still upset with me that I didn't trust him and doubted him. Sensing my stare, he glanced at him, and instantly averted his eyes settling back on the road.
How should I make him believe that I trust him more than myself?
The hospital room felt sterile and cold, the lights casting a harsh glow. I winced as the nurse removed the white bandage from my leg, revealing the angry red wound. The pain shot through me, and I clenched my teeth.
Then came the liquid medicineâa fiery sting that made me almost jump off the examination table. I cursed under my breath, my fingers digging into the thin paper covering.
"Don't move," the nurse instructed, her tone brisk. "Hold your husband's arm."
My cheeks flushed. Husband?
I hesitated, then wrapped my hand around Advik's arm. His skin was warm, and I found comfort in the contact. I didn't correct the nurse. It felt oddly nice hearing that. I looked at Advik, who was looking at the ground, deep in thought. Maybe he didn't hearâ
"We are not married." He said in a plain tone, raising his eyes to meet mine, "I'm not her husband."
I don't know why I felt disappointment washed over me. After all, it was reality. Maybe it was the seriousness in his tone that felt like a dagger in my heart. But whatever it was, it made me feel like he was trying to re-evaluate everything between us.
Is he really thinking of ending everything and leaving me?
The thought alone made my chest feel heavy with sadness.
A gulp started forming in my throat. And it grew and grew. I know, it won't go away until I let my emotions out. I needed to cry. Badly. For such a small thing.
My stupid heart and emotions.
We exited the hospital, and the doctor told me that I was recovering fast, and it was a good sign. I would be able to walk in a few days with the treatment of physiotherapy.
He settled me inside, and we rode towards the mansion. The same silence settled in making it hard for me to breathe.
I can't handle this anymore.
"Advik?" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.
A few seconds passed, and I was almost going to break down in tears when his reply came.
"Yes?"
He didn't look at me, instead, his eyes were focused on the road ahead. Like he'd been thinking about something hard. Maybe he was thinking about how to get rid of me.
I couldn't hold back the tears escaping from my eyes.
I sniffed and looked down, biting my lips and trying hard to control my sobs. The weight of my emotions felt unbearable.
He glanced at me, his voice tinged with surprise, "Are you crying?"
The car came to a halt, and I realized we were back at the mansion. The familiar surroundings did little to comfort me. Clearing my throat, I spoke in a shaky voice, almost on the edge of tears, "I'm... sorry that I made you feel like I don't trust you. But believe me, I trust you more than myself." The dam broke, and tears streamed down my face.
"God, Ria, I know that. Are you crying just because of that silly reason?" His voice softened with concern as he reached out, touching my arm. He leaned closer, trying to meet my eyes.
I sniffed; my vision blurred by tears and looked at him. "You are upset with me for that reason, you have been distant," I whispered, my voice trembling.
He stared at me, his lips parting as he struggled to find the right words. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken emotions. His eyes softened, and I saw a flicker of understanding.
"Ria," he began, his voice gentle, "You have completely misunderstood the situation." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not upset with you. I was never." He spoke in a low voice, running his hand up and down my back in an attempt to calm me down.
Then he exited the car, and I assumed he would leave me there alone. However, he came around to my side, opened the door, and extended his hand to help me. As I got out, I relied on his arm for support and attempted to walk slowly. The moment my injured leg, freshly bandaged, touched the ground, I winced. The pain was overwhelming. It was supposed to subside after the doctor had treated it, but instead, it intensified. Hurting more than before.
He looked at me and snaked his arm around my leg and the other behind my back, lifting me up. His touch sent a jolt through me as he effortlessly lifted me off the ground. I squirmed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Put me down," I insisted, my voice more breathless than I intended as he started walking.
"No," he replied firmly. "You've created a web of misunderstandings in that overthinking mind of yours. It's time to untangle it."
My feet dangled, and I tried to keep my calm as a deep blush rose to my cheeks feeling his hands on me.
"I can walk," I protested, but his grip only tightened.
"I see."
"No, seriously, I can walk. My one leg is fine."
"A person needs two legs to walk."
"I'll jump."
He scoffed, his ocean-blue eyes bore into mine, "Shut up," he commanded, and I fell silent.
We didn't head toward the mansion. Instead, he turned right, leading me to one of the secluded benches in the garden. The cool breeze ruffled my hair.
Placing me carefully on the bench, he kneeled in front of me so he could look properly into my eyes. Taking my hand in his, he asked, "Tell me. What's bothering you?"
I sniffed, and met his eyes, "You have been behaving cold and distant since yesterday."
"What?"
"Yes,"
"What made you think like that?"
"You were ignoring me. You kept yourself busy in the study room all day so you could avoid me."
"No, I was busy. I don't know how to make you believe that. But I was actually busy." He said, emphasizing the word actually.
As far as I know, there wasn't any work for us, "Busy in what?"
He stared at me, battling in his mind whether to answer me or not. And I wondered what work he must be doing that he can't even tell me.
He averted his gaze, "I was...trying to find the person who wants to harm you."
His admission hung in the air, and I struggled to process it.
"You were investigating?" My voice wavered. "For me?"
He nodded; his gaze intense. "Ayan traced the numberâthe one that's been threatening you. The location is in the same city we are in. We even identified the truck's vehicle number. The driver has fled, but we won't let him escape for long."
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. The study room, where I'd assumed he was merely avoiding me, had been his command center.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered.
His jaw tightened. "I didn't want to involve you until we had answers. You've been through enough."
I just stared at him. He was doing all these things in the study room.
And here I thought he was planning and making strategies to throw me out of his life.
A deep chuckle left his lips, and amusement glistened in his eyes, "Really?"
I looked at him wide-eyed realizing I spoke that out loud.
My cheeks flushed, "I mean...you behaved like that," I stammered. "I thought you'd leave me soon."
His response was swift, his voice unwavering. "Leave you? I couldn't even think of it in my worst nightmare. You are my life; nothing would be left if I lost you."
My heart fluttered, and I moistened my lips. "You're not upset?"
He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I told youâI never was. I was just disappointed that you hid such a big thing from me. The fact that you didn't tell me about the threat was what hurt the most. I care about you, about your safety, and the thought of you facing danger alone without me knowing was...difficult to bear."
I squeezed his hand, "I'm sorry. I promise I won't hide anything like that again."
At that moment, doubts melted away, and I knew why our bond was unbreakable.
Days passed, and I was finally able to walk slowly on my own.
Today, I decided to explore the unexplored areas of the garden. It was around 11 a.m., but the cloudy sky made it feel like dawn. The clouds were dark, a reminder that it was going to rain soon. Removing the slippers, I let the soft and cool grass tickle my feet as I sipped my coffee.
A few seconds ticked by and suddenly, I heard a strange noise coming from a small, abandoned outhouse situated in the far corner of the mansion's grounds. I had discovered it during my exploration, but I was too scared to go inside because of the way it looked. The outhouse looked almost haunted, with ivy creeping up its weathered walls and a slightly ajar door.
Curiosity got the better of me. Rising to my feet, I approached the outhouse cautiously. The door creaked open, revealing a dim interior cluttered with forgotten items. Rusted and covered in cobwebs, old gardening tools lay scattered on the floor.
A broken chair leaned against the wall, and a dusty window allowed the gray lights to enter. I stepped inside, the wooden floorboards creaking under my weight. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. As I moved further in, I noticed there was another room, its door was opened ajar, the bright lights peeking out from it.
With slow and quiet steps, I reached and peeked inside.
The sight that greeted me drained the blood from my face. A man was tied to a chair, his body covered in bruises, blood dripping from his face. My hands trembled as I took in the horrific scene.
Who is he?
I was about to push the door open and rush to help him when I froze. There were other people in the roomâmen dressed in black, holding guns. They looked menacing, their presence filling the small space with an air of danger.
I flinched, my heart pounding in my chest when the injured man groaned as another punch landed on his face by....
I squinted my eyes, trying to recognize if it was the same person my mind was telling me about. Advik's friend. That Ayan guy.
My eyes widened in horror. As if the situation couldn't get worse, another figure stepped forward, pointing a gun at the bruised man's head. My eyes bulged out of the sockets. It was Aarav, Advik's brother.
When did he fly here?
I gulped in disbelief; I had to tell Sarah how dangerous the person she's going to marry is.
"I think he won't open his mouth; we should just kill him." He spoke, his thumb moving on the gun to pull the trigger.
Oh my god.
What the hell are they doing with this innocent man? I need to tell Advik about this. I have to-
"You're right Aarav. Put the bullet in his head."
The voice was unmistakable. It was Advik's, cold and dangerous.
I paled completely, the grip on the empty cup in my hand tightening. I couldn't see him properly because a guard was blocking my view. Panic surged through me as his gaze wandered around the room. I ducked out of sight just in time.
"Arun, open his blindfold," Advik ordered.
The guard moved, and then I saw him. Sitting on the chair calmly, a gun loosely held in his hand, his piercing gaze fixed on the innocent bruised man whose blindfold was now removed. The man's eyes were filled with terror, and I felt a shiver run down my spine seeing the act unfold before my eyes.
I couldn't handle that. I needed to save that man.
As I was about to step in, I heard the man's trembling voice.
"Please, leave me. I have a family."
As I looked closer, I realized it was the same truck driver who hit me that day.
Aarav pressed the gun on his forehead, and seethed, "And What about her family? Did you think about that before accepting the offer to kill her?"
The man's eyes darted between Aarav and the gun. "Trust me," he stammered, "it was an accident. The brakes of my truck failed, andâ"
"Stop." Advik's voice sliced through the tension. He rose from his chair, each step echoing in the room. Aarav and Ayan took steps back as Advik leaned down to the bruised man's eye level.
"I'm asking you for the last time," His tone was ice itself. "Who gave you the money?"
His icy tone sent a shiver done my spine. I have never seen this side of him.
The bruised man just stared at him quietly.
10 seconds passed.
And still, he didn't open his mouth.
Advik straightens up, his gaze still fixed on the man as he gestured to Aarav, "End him."
Aarav moved his thumb again to pull the trigger, the man's eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically, "No, Please, I will tell you. I'll tell you everything."
Aarav pulled away his gun, and the man started speaking, "I don't exactly know the person. I have never met him. But the men who came to give me the money were talking with him on the phone."
"What was his name?" Ayan inquired.
The man gulped and instantly shivered as the cold metal of the gun pressed against his forehead again.
"Wait. Wait. I'm trying to remember." He said, pulling his head away from the gun. Then after a second, the name rolled out of his tongue, "I think it was something like... Raghav Mehra."
The name hung in the air.
Raghav Mehra.
My Uncle.
I knew it.
Even though I was expecting it, I still felt a little shocked. I took a deep breath and tried to maintain my composure.
I heard the man speak again, "He isn't the only person in this. There was someone else too who was controlling things and giving orders."
"Who?"
"I don't know. They never took his name."
I felt the ground beneath me slipped away. The world started to sway as I processed his words. My hands trembled slightly.
And the cup fell from my trembling hands, shattering on the floor with a loud noise.
All the heads turned in my direction, and I prepared myself for a run.