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Chapter 24 :
15 June, Saturday, 2024
5:10 a.m.
Arnav's POV
"She knows Vikram Singh Rathore", spoke Youngjae looking down at the tab in his hand.
My eyes snapped at his direction as my grip on the wine glass tightened.
"What's their connection?", I asked glaring at the glass wall infront of me, rage erupting inside me.
I'm sitting on my swivel chair in my office facing the glass wall, a glass of red wine in my hand while the other one held a black cigerette emitting smoke.
"I'm sorry boss but the information about their connection is deeply seated under layers of conspiracy leading to various secret missions they've completed. So I couldn't fetch all the information", he replied.
My veins throbbed in fury burning in my fibres as I crushed the wine glass in my hand. I trailed my gaze over the red wine mixing with the blood oozing out of my skin. They trickled down my hand getting soaked into the rolled up sleeve of my right hand.
This woman is getting on my nerves. She's not who she shows herself as. The real person hides within the secrets she has wrapped herself with. Everyone around her believes whatever she has made them believe; her manipulative games are always on.
But I'm not blind.
The evilness she hides has already put my brother's life at stake. And now, I'll tear her down stripping her naked revealing her true self.
She can't escape from me.
"You can leave but work harder. I need information on this within twenty days. And ask Rehan to come inside", I spoke dismissing him.
"Yes sir", he spoke as I glanced at his reflection on the glass wall. He left with a bow.
Minutes later entered Rehan followed by his wife, Madhavi Malhotra.
Their love started through a love triangle or say an arranged love triangle.
We three used to study in the same university in UK. I and Ren were her seniors by one year. As I was known as the 'most handsome bachelor' of the uni, my one friend Jennie fixed a blind date for me so I could finally date. I wasn't interested so I sent Ren in my place where he met her and came back home to tell me about his love at first sight.
Many situations occured finally leading them to get married to each other, a successful married couple in love. It isn't ideal drama type love because of Ren being an atheist and Madhavi being a pure worshiper. Their families were against the marriage but Ren and Madhavi's resilience made them agree.
I'm not into love shits because...I know how it feels.
Anyways.
"Do you have any idea where Vikram Singh Rathore is hiding now?", I asked still looking at the city below through the black tinted glass.
"His father is here", answered Ren in a freezing tone which froze my movements.
I silently kept staring blankly as anger bubbled in my chest. It's nothing but the hatred I hold for that man is beyond imaginable. He ruined everything I had along with my family.
And I've sworn to wipe out his bloodline.
"Where are they?", I questioned back, my tone calm.
"He's probably in Bangalore right now because he needs his daughter afterall. The main weapon for the war", he replied standing beside me.
"It isn't her fault. Why—", I cut Madhavi off, "Stop there. You're like my sister so I respect you. So don't speak something that might force me to disrespect you", my tone calm, the control I've learnt till today.
I heard her sighing.
"So what if she isn't involved in that? Don't forget what she did to my brother", I spoke crushing the cigerette butt on the ash plate on my desk, once I turned around on my chair.
The atmosphere hung heavily with silence, as I scanned through the burnt details of Kailash Singh Rathore left by his dead wife in their old house which has now got mixed with the soil.
"These fucking details aren't even gonna tell me something that would merely help in tracking his further plans", I yelled throwing the fille on the ground as I stood up from my chair.
Taking out a cigarette, I lit it up before facing the glass wall, inhaling the addictive toxic smoke.
"Now let this sit aside for a while. But there's a good news for you", Ren spoke catching my attention.
I tilted my head while speaking, "And what could it be?"
"Dhruv has woken up", he spoke calmly.
•
Anika's POV
I woke up startled as a huge wave of cold water hit my ace.
Gasping for air, I wiped off the water from my face before looking up at the person who threw it at me.
It's no one else but my husband, standing infront of me clad in a black shirt and office pant.
The bucket in his hand proved that he threw its content at me.
Looking down, I tried wiping off the water while silently waiting for his orders.
"Good morning doll. Get ready quickly. My family is arriving here", he spoke coldly prior to throwing away the bucket at one corner while walking outside.
His morning greeting felt very bitter and forced with mockery.
I kept sitting on the ground hile massaging my neck. I must've slept while sitting the whole night which has caused me a sore neck. My whole body is aching now.
Finally standing up, I looked down at the shackles around me, making some clinking sounds, reminding me of each and every torment he has made me go through till today. Much more are left.
The door of the room opened revealing a maid who walked expressionlessly towards e before greeting me with a bow, "Good morning ma'am", her tone robotic.
Bending down, she first unlocked the shackles around my ankles before freeing my wrists. Once she was done, she left after a bow.
I hate such respects. They're meaningless because she can clearly see how her master's wife is tied up and still she's calling me her ma'am. It somehow feels like a mockery, a taunt.
I stepped out of the room before entering his room being known to the fact that he won't let me stay i some other room in his parent's presence in the mansion. They shouldn't suspect anything.
Everything is in black and red with a touch of golden. His things are neatly placed.
As I stepped near the bed, my eyes fell on the black saree kept on the bed with a black blouse. It looked elegant but I'd turn invisible if I wear all black because of the theme of the house.
Artificial skulls are kept in the room as decorative. It's really creepy. I doubt if he's some psychopath.
Moving towards the walk-in closet, I entered before coming out of it a while later, an off-white saree and blouse in my hands. I might look like a ghost roaming in the mansion after I ear all white dress.
.
Filling my hair partition with a pinch of vermillion, I brushed back my hair neatly before tying them up into a low ponytail. One of the maids informed me about his parent's arrival as I finalised my look prior to climbing down the stairs.
Maa, chachi, dadi, dada ji, papa and chachu sat in the main hall, everyone talking among themselves.
Walking towards them, I put on a smile adjusting my bangles to hide the bruises which I forgot to treat.
"Good morning dadi, dada ji", I spoke to the old couple as I bent down to touch their feet. Expecting dadi to slide back her feet, I touched the ground where she had her feet before rubbing my hand over my head.
"No matter how much you hate me, not give me your blessings, I'll take it because I get what I want", I spoke to her softly with a smile.
As she looked away, I moved on to dada ji who blessed me happily followed by the rest of the members except chachi.
"Good morning Anika", I heard another female voice.
Turning back, I caught the sight of Arshi standing infront of me, clad in an off-white anarkali. Her long dark open hair enhanced her beauty.
I smiled back, "Good morning."
Everyone was dressed in colorful shades except me and Arshi who were accidentally twinning.
"Why did you both shift here all of a sudden beta?", maa asked as we were sitting together in the main hall after breakfast.
Because of Teej, the men had light food willing to fast for their wives but the women didn't have anything.
"Actually maa, my office is nearer to this place than Ruby mansion. I was talking about that to Arnav and he insisted on shifting here", I replied, not surprised by my cover-up pretext.
She nodded, "Okay that's fine. But this mansion is way too dark and colourless for a bright woman like you. So I was worried", she spoke softly, concern flickering in her eyes.
I smiled, "It's fine maa. I'm good here."
"By the way, we have a surprise for you. Be ready for it in the evening", maa spoke smiling at me.
.
The day went on like that and I thanked God for not making my dear husband show up.
The sun drowned under the ground as the moon rose up while all the women of the house stood in the open floor at the top of the mansion.
Maa, chachi and dadi had a different glow one their faces. Their eyes held so much admiration for their husbands, blushing smiles on their faces stood still. The thali with everything needed to perform the puja was in their hands along with me. I also wore colourful dress like them but what I missed was the person who'd break my fast.
I didn't have the will to fast for the person who'd kill me anytime but this pretending thing forced me into this.
As time passed, maa asked me in annoyance, "Why did you let him go Anika?"
I looked at her and replied, "I wanted to stop him but he said he had a meeting with some client so I couldn't stop him." Another lie.
She sighed.
"He's been always like that. Don't worry I'll call him", Arshi spoke in between.
I trailed my gaze to her before nodding. She's very close to him, definitely.
"Rav, where are you? Come quickly okay? Everyone's waiting for you", she spoke softly, as if convincing a toddler. Her honey soft voice could melt anyone; a stark contrast to her bold personality.
As much as he has shown himself to the world, he's known for his cold nature. Calling him by nicknames is a useless topic to talk about.
And when this woman is calling him like that, it proves that she's closer to him than expected.
This mess is a headache.
Shaking away my thoughts, I looked down at the thali in my hand then at the moon.
The full moon was shining brightly; a contrast to the dark sky. The moonlight spread softly across everything, wrapping the world in its gentle glow. Even with the scars, it shines brightly everyday. Yet, this same moonlight had casted a dark shadow in my life once.
Half an hour passed by, yet, he didn't arrived. My gaze travelled over everyone who looked tired and annoyed of waiting for Arnav. I shouldn't be guilty, yet, I felt that.
"Maa, why don't you all do the pooja? He'll be a bit late. So I'll do it later on", I spoke to her.
"But Anika, you've been fasting too. You'll faint if you keep that longer", she spoke with worry.
I shook my head, "Maa I have the habit of fasting. Sometimes I skip meals when I have a heavy schedule. So it's fine for me", I replied.
She nodded with understanding, her lips forming into a thin line.
Everyone did their pooja as I kept looking at them.
This ritual is so sacred and pure. I've always admired such things and had the wish to do them with Dhruv. I had wanted to do it after we got married, which never happened. Once I told him that I wanted to fats on Teej but he denied saying,
"This is very special if not for anyone else, but for me. I want you to fast for me as my wife and I'll do it as your husband"
He used to say this. And those words, they remained like that.
After almost 30 minutes, they were done and went downstairs. Maa told me that they have to go back so they need to have their dinner. I knew everyone would wait for me and Arnav.
Everything is normal but what's unsettling is that Arshi stayed back with me.
I didn't give her much attention as I kept looking down at my feet, sitting on the swing put here for Teej.
"Why did you fast?", asked Arshi standing at the edge of the floor, staring down somewhere.
Rising up my head, I stared at her back before replying, "Because it's Teej."
She chuckled while turning around to face me, "I'm aware. I asked that because you both don't even consider each other as husband and wife. Then why?", she asked, a smirk on her lips.
"It's on us to decide what we need to do. Who are you to question?", I asked back, my tone calm.
Her smirk disappeared, replaced by a blank expression,"I'm his bestfriend"
"So stay like that. Bestfriend has no place between husband and wife disregarding the situation they're in. We're bound by scared vows and official documents. Are you clear?"
Her jaws clenched, "Shouldn't you speak less?", her tone deep expressing her anger for me.
"I answered your questions. If it's called speaking too much, then believe that if it lets you sleep at night", I replied calmly, organizing my already organised pooja thali.
"We'll get married anyways after you're gone", she spoke, acting completely opposite of how composed she shows herself as.
My movements stopped, as I fixed my gaze on the ground before trailing up to her till they met her blue ones, "I'm not desperate to stay with him. Just make sure he doesn't end up losing his purity treasured to lose to you", I spoke. I don't know why I'm trying to trigger her but this bullshit is somehow passing my time.
"Shut up. I'm his girlfriend and he is mine. Remember that", she spoke, almost yelling while losing her calm.
I definitely manipulated her into losing her calm.
One thing is clear that she's obsessed with him. She clearly knows that him and I share no special bond to continue for more than one year yet she's getting crazy. Her insecurity is eating her up, a thing that comes along with obsession.
I didn't speak but kept staring at her when the sound of boots echoed in the open space.
Tearing away my gaze from her, I trailed them to Arnav, standing at a little distance from Arshi, who's seething in anger.
"You're here Rav. You see your wife was getting on my nerves. Just teach her some lessons", she spoke running to him before throwing herself in his arms.
My eyes internally widened at the change in her character.
"It's okay, hm? Go downstairs and sit at the dining table. We're coming after the pooja", he spoke softly, one hand wrapped around her waist while the other cupped her cheek.
His eyes softly looked at her, as if they didn't burn in a storm of fire while looking at me. Whereas Arshi, she's behaving no more than a toddler.
Maybe it was true when someone said that a woman turns soft and childish with her loved one. These things seem pure and nowhere near to Arshi's fake acting, to be honest.
I kept sitting, moving the swing slowly, waiting for their moment to end.
As they detached, she stood by his side asking him to perform everything infront of her eyes.
So insecure, I scoffed.
I stood up before walking over to him. Lighting up the earthen lamp, I held the thali infront of his face.
His face was glowing under the soft moonlight, void of any softness or expression. His eyes coldly stared at me.
The silence in the rooftop was accompanied by the faded sound of crickets singing. The loneliness of the night stood still, as the flame of the earthen lamp flickered with the soft breeze.
Holding up the plate, I roamed it infront of his face three times before putting the tilak in his forehead. Sprinkling some rice on his head, I picked up a flower prior to touching them on his eyelids. Then I gently moved the flame's heat towards him with my right hand before I picked up the seive, prior to looking at the moon as I brought it back to his face to conclude the pooja.
Time seemed to slow down when I stared directly into his eyes while looking at him through the sieve. Everything was happening around us at its usual pace but the small world him and I were trapped in, seemed to stop, letting us dive into the moment.
Nothing between us held any meaning, yet, so many meaningful things happened. I don't want to fall for him. I want him to take his revenge while I clear out all the mess before I finally quit everyone's lives and walk away somewhere very far, a place where I'd be hard to find.
All the time he was staring at me, blankly.
Once I was done, I handed him the glass of water. Holding the glass in his hand, he gently made me drink it. His gesture held a sudden gentleness I never saw. His presence didn't scare me tonight, for now.
"Dhruv"
I froze.
I dreaded this name. This name made me imagine the situations I'd face after he gets to know about everything. Arshi's voice didn't reach my ears further after she called out that name. I hoped for it to be an illusion but my heart wasn't willing to believe me. I was back facing her but I could feel the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The very familiar warmness embraced me, again.
Arnav moved past me calling out his name, "Dhruv."
My heart was beating rapidly, my breathings ragged. I wasn't at all prepared for this. This had to happen in such a time where he'd misunderstand me. I already owe him an explanation for everything but now I don't think he'd listen to me after seeing me doing the things I had promised him, with his brother.
But does he remember me? Has he lost his memories?
Fighting with my endless thoughts, I slowly turned around facing him.
My breath hitched at my throat.
He was sitting on a wheelchair, but his eyes were directed at me. They were emptily staring at me, deceit clearly visible. His face held no expression but I knew he remembers me. He didn't lose his memories. That face full of glow once, held nothing but emptiness. He seemed weak with all the dark circles and that thin body. That buffed and smiling Dhruv wasn't there anymore. I wanted to run to him and hig him tight while mumbling several sorry's till he forgave me but now I'm his sister-in-law. It's forbidden for me to harbour any feeling for him.
May it'd have been easier to ask for his forgiveness if he had forgotten me.
I stood rooted at my place as Arnav, Arshi and maa—who brought him up here—kept asking him if he was okay. He didn't reply to anyone but kept staring at me.
I looked down at my feet, my eyes welling up seeing him after so long only to see hurt in his eyes. He didn't deserve this. How will I explain him everything now? Will he even forgive me?
"Bhai you're married to her?", his deep voice echoed in my ears. Even though they were for his brother, it indirectly stung my heart. That enthusiastic voice was gone, replaced by a hoarse voice. Just emptiness and hurt was visible in his tone.
"Yes she's your bhabhi. She's Anika", I heard maa answering him.
I looked up to meet his gaze still on me.
"Anika, come meet your devar. He's Dhruv", spoke maa unknown to the fact that she was introducing someone to her child whom he loved once so much but she just left him broken.
I smiled at her helplessly with a nod.
Walking ahead, I stood infront of him, forwarding my hand for a handshake, "Hi Dhruv, I'm A-Anika, your b-bhabhi. Nice to meet you."
I stuttered. I did something today I had never done after a time in my life.
"I'm Dhruv, your husband's youngest brother", he introduced himself joining his hand with mine. Those deep brown orbs flickered, as he spoke about himself being 'my husband's youngest brother'. He's hurt. Right after waking up from coma, he had to see this.
"Anika are you done with the pooja?", asked maa.
I nodded at her.
"Okay then, lets go downstairs for dinner. We need to head back too", she spoke while turning Dhruv's wheelchair as both went downstairs.
"Rav, you didn't break my fast", I heard Arshi whining.
This baby nature really doesn't suit her at any point. But what surprised me was that she was actually fasting for him. So that's the reason she stayed back.
He nodded at her before walking towards her to let her perform the pooja.
I stood there staring at her happily performing the pooja while he stood smiling at her.
On one hand, my heart ached remembering the hurt in Dhruv's eyes. I made him feel betrayed after meeting for the first time after five years. On the other hand, my heart stung by looking at my husband being all smiley with another woman when it was our very first Teej.
I'm well known to the reality we had signed for and his warnings, yet, my heart yearned for his warmness. Despite the extents he went to hurt me, I somewhere and somehow wanted him to be soft towards me even if it's just for tonight.
Those grey eyes which seemed to soften during the pooja, actually manipulated me into expecting something from him.
He so casually let another woman perform the pooja for him when he already had his wife standing near him.
Everything hurt so much that I didn't even know when tears rolled down my cheeks.
His eyes suddenly locked with mine. Those grey orbs stood fixed to my teary ones. I was hurt even I shouldn't have been. I didn't sob but my tears didn't stop. Wiping away the tears, I walked away from there, unable to see them like that anymore.
I don't love him. I can't love a man eager to destroy me then I don't know how I felt hurt seeing him with his another woman.