Unchained Melody

Chapter 1 ~ Savior

Arohi settled herself at the dining table and began her lunch. The life of a general physician afforded her the luxury of manageable hospital hours, leaving her ample time to focus on her home. A home that would never truly be hers, yet she ensured it was well-maintained, taking care of everything related to her husband so he wouldn't worry about anything at home.

She recalled Shaurya's questioning gaze one day, asking why she had invested so much effort when she had known it might all be in vain. Arohi simply smiled and replied, "It's the only way I know how to live now, the only way I have lived for the last three years."

Shaurya, concerned, shook his head and patted her head gently. He was one of the few who genuinely cared for her. But explaining her situation was beyond her. Her marriage was a charade, an unexpected twist of fate with no future. A delicate thread held them together, but it was destined to snap one day.

Yet, until that day came, Arohi vowed to fulfill her duties with sincerity. She cared for Siddharth silently, although he remained unaware and would never know. It wasn't merely a sense of responsibility; she couldn't articulate it to anyone, not even herself.

When Arohi stepped into his house as his wife, she made a silent promise. She would wholeheartedly fulfill every duty expected of her without pretense. She would care for him, even though she knew she was the last person he would ever need. It was the least she could do for him.

Arohi knew the only relief she could offer him was to keep her distance, sparing him the constant reminder of this burdensome marriage. The burden was never his to bear.

Finishing her lunch with a soft sigh, Arohi washed her hands. He would be home soon. Saturdays meant lunch at home. The cook entered, clearing the dishes. "Is his food ready?" Arohi inquired. "Yes, Madam...shall I set the table for sir?" replied the cook.

She checked the antique clock on the wall and said, "Not right now; just keep everything warm and ready. Set up the table as soon as he comes home." Arohi only had meals with him on Sundays. Her presence would only cause discomfort, and she couldn't let that happen.

She walked towards the stairs, and halfway up, she heard the front door lock turn. Siddharth was home. Swiftly moving, she vanished upstairs, leaving only the soft sway of her dupatta to hint at her presence.

In Shaurya's office, he once asked her, "Do you love him?" Arohi, confused, turned to him. "Why are you asking such a strange question?" she replied. Shaurya calmly observed her, pondering his question. "Love?" she mused, the word foreign on her tongue.

Arohi continued, "You know the circumstances in which we were married. This marriage has no foundation. How can there ever be love?" Shaurya questioned her perspective. He shared how Siddharth's mother believed Arohi had brought peace and prosperity to their house and cared for her son in a way no one had before.

Arohi gripped with surprise and replied, stating it was her duty. Shaurya disagreed, claiming that no one undertakes such responsibilities without emotional involvement. Arohi's guilt surfaced as they spoke, but Shaurya insisted that her adjustments and dedication suggested love.

Amused, Arohi laughed softly, assuring Shaurya he had misunderstood. "I will explain it to you one day, but I must go now. My break is over," she said, leaving Shaurya in wonder.

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Arohi found herself in a quiet corner during one of the numerous parties at Shaurya's house, contemplating the twists of fate that had brought her to this point. Shaurya's voice interrupted her thoughts, and as she turned, she was met with his affectionate smile.

"I am still waiting for that 'explanation,'" he said, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.

Returning his smile, Arohi felt a sense of gratitude that, despite the challenges, he cared for her like a true father. She took a deep breath and decided to confide in someone for the first time.

"I thought I knew what love was. I had childishly believed that I had found it, that it would never leave my side or leave me stranded, but it did. And now..." Arohi's voice trailed off, choked with the weight of her memories.

Her eyes clouded with shadows from the past, and Shaurya gently patted her hands, silently offering his support. "Everything had ceased to exist for me that day. He broke my trust and all those promises and left me. It had felt like I was drowning in something so deep and murky that I would never come out of it; rather, I didn't want to come out of it. That was when I wished death would take over me for the first time," Arohi shared, her voice filled with a painful vulnerability.

Shaurya, his jaw tightening, listened intently, grappling with the emotions of the past that resurfaced. This was the first time she spoke openly about her pain, and he could feel the depth of her struggle.

Arohi closed her eyes, reliving the dark abyss and the cold numbness that had enveloped her. She described the moment when strong hands pulled her back from the edge, and when her eyes opened, Shaurya saw a glimmer of light replacing the darkness that had consumed her.

"And then Siddharth came pulling me out of that abyss. He did something for me that he didn't have to. He didn't care that he was destroying his dreams and his future, that he was ruining his life. He saved me from sinking into oblivion. He took hold of my hand and saved my honour," Arohi confessed, her gratitude evident.

Pride welled up within Shaurya for the man who had stood by her side.

Looking at Shaurya, Arohi clarified, "It isn't about love; he is my saviour, my light. No one has ever sacrificed so much for me. And for what, to save me from humiliation? No matter what I do, I will never be able to repay him in this life."

Shaurya, surprised and admiring, touched Arohi's head gently. "I am proud of you; you know that? No one I know has such amazing grace and strength as you do. Things might not seem so bright at the moment, but one day, you will get your rainbow. You will get your happy ending," he tried to comfort her.

She smiled back, letting him hold on to his hopeful fantasy. Parents often believed in happy endings for their children, but Arohi knew life wasn't a fairy tale. Despite the harsh truth, she allowed him to revel in his dreams for that moment.

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And that ends chapter 1 of Unchained Melody, folks. I hope you liked it and cannot wait to publish more this week, so be on the lookout, and before leaving, please vote so the story can reach everyone on the website.

Till next time chow!