𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 [𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡]

ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 113

Alia breathed In the scent of masala chai that she has just made for herself. It was the taste of home definitely. She did this while she was preparing a protein shake for Arman to take it up to him in the gym.

Here, she thought that she would take off a few days from training just so she could rest but Armaan had gotten directly into the routine that he had been stepping out on while they had been on their honeymoon.

"Here," she placed it on the bench where he usually did the weights before taking a seat on the far corner of the gym so that she could look at him peacefully while drinking her tea.

They had arrived yesterday afternoon but Alia never felt this tired than before. It was like every thing hit her at once and her father-in-law suggested her to go to bed because she was jetlagged. That was true. She had might have gone to bed around 3 PM in the afternoon and had woken up at 7 PM the next day, which was today.

Jetlagged was a shitty feeling.

Even after sleeping for more than 12 hours straight, she still felt tired and there her husband was, working out like he had been doing it the entire trip. Maybe he had been. The hotels that they stayed in had massive gyms.

"Morning," Advik walked in and grinned at both of them, "all well?"

Alia smiled, "ye—"

"Yes," Armaan cracked a smile and that's when Alia noticed that Advik was looking at her husband and not her. What is the question directed at Armaan?

"how has your physiotherapy been? I was being updated but I want to know from you." Armaan moved to the bench where she had kept his protein shaker.

Physiotherapy? Alia frowned. When had his physiotherapy started? She was supposed to be there when it did and they were still months until his leg healed enough for it.

"Good," Shaan answered, " I have days when I can work for five minutes straight and then days where I can't even take 10 steps but the therapist says that it is normal. It's all good, I'd say."

What?!

"Mama told me about it. I'm glad that you are pulling through as much as you can."

Did Adhvik even know that his sister was sitting in the room looking at him like he had lost all his senses?

He had seen her when he entered the room and Alia was certain of that. Then why was he holding a conversation with just Arman and not even glance at her?

just to try something, just so she could be certain, Alia got up quietly and moved out of the room while keeping her eyes on both of them. She reached the door to the gym but until then, no one glanced at her. Not even once.

Stepping out of the room, she turned her back besides the door, sticking to the wall as she overheard the conversation but none of them said anything regarding her.

*****

Laksha and Siddharth, her in-laws, also known as her now mummy and papa, were out on a lunch date. Armaan was in his office getting a summary of what had happened behind his back which meant she was finally going to have the afternoon lunch with her brother alone.

She had made sure to ask the cook to cook what was his favourite just so she could have a conversation with him while he actually sat and ate for some time.

Shaan came down with his headphones on his ears and took his seat before pulling out his phone and tapping on it.

Never before has she understood how irritating it must have sent to all the parents in the world when their children did that. There was an immediate need to smack the child:.. deep breathes.. deep breathes.

"Shaana?" She tapped the table once, and he did not reply, making her repeat the action again but this time more firmly.

"Hmm?" He hummed and looked, "what?"

She made an action for him to take out his headphones and he did as told. "What now?"

"it's been a long time since we talked. I was hoping we could catch up?"

He shrugged, "about what? Nothing much happened."

Alia smiled, "maybe not for you. But you started physiotherapy and I did not know about that. How has that been going on?"

"Hmm, fine." He nodded offhandedly.

Alia felt tears prickling her eyes but she did not stop. "Um, what did the therapist say? How long is it going for you to get back on your like-like before. I suppose it's going to take a few months? Did he specify how many?"

"Hmm, um," he tapped on his phone, "like a few?"

Little shit was awfully detailing when it came to his conversations with Arman but when he had to talk to his own sister, he could not even pay her attention for two minutes straight.

She huffed and shook her head, she had to try. "I think it would take a few months. Which means by the time the next year starts, you can take admission in a university in India. That would work out well, right? Not only that, but you could go on trips too. Those trekking trips and all?"

"Yeahh.." he nodded.

Why did she feel like crying after being sidelined by her brother? After their mother had passed away, They had gradually evolved into a relationship that had them sharing everything and when he refused to do so any more, it hurt more than it should.

"so where is everyone?" Shaan asked.

Blinking away from her tears, Alia looked at him to answer when the Chef did, "elder miss and master or out for lunch. Young master has gone to the company, You and young miss are The only ones present in the house."

He asked the chef that.. not her.

"Okay," shaana picked up his plate and just when Alia expected him to tell her that where he was going, he walked away from the table and to the stairs, presumably going to his room without telling Alia anything.

Just like that.. Alia chuckled, how?