Everything I Wanted❤ |COMPLETED|

Chapter 9

I adjusted the pleats of my reddish-pink satin saree and tucked them neatly.

One last look in the mirror,and a small, satisfied smile followed. I applied my vermilion, the red standing out more than usual today.

Maybe because today, I was stepping out on my own terms.

As I walked out, I hugged Mom.

"Come back before he does," she warned softly.

I nodded.

After the paparazzi incident, Danish had practically put me on a leash.

No going out alone. Savio everywhere. Permission for every step.

It was suffocating.

Even Bade Papa wasn't this controlling.
And the irony?

The one time I acknowledged him-he tightened the rules even more.

So today, I lied because I had to.

Vidya, my best friend, was back from Mumbai after so long-just to meet me.

There was no way I was letting him control this too.

I wasn't made to be locked inside walls.
I was a bird-and I refused to live in a cage.

And I wasn't alone in this.

Mom understood. She told him I wasn't well, that I'd be resting, and that there was no need to send Savio.

And then-she let me go.

Bless her.

The moment I saw Vidya,I ran straight into her arms.

"God. I missed you so much," I mumbled, holding her a little longer than usual.

She laughed softly. "So, how are you, Mrs. Kashvi Danish Singhania? Quite famous now, hmm?"

I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself.
She was the only one who knew the truth about this marriage.

The only one I never had to pretend with. I pulled back and looked at her properly.

She was glowing,dressed in a simple blue suit, yet there was something so settled about her. Peaceful.

"Is there some good news?" I smirked lightly.

She nudged my arm. "Manav isn't ready for a baby yet. He's working on something new, and once that's sorted, then maybe."

I nodded, my smile softening.

"That's nice," I said gently.

They had always been like that-understanding, patient, in sync.

College sweethearts, building their lives together step by step.

It felt warm to see. For a moment, I just looked at her. At how certain she seemed.

And I couldn't help but wonder what that felt like,to have something in your life that was yours, something you could look forward to.

Then I blinked the thought away and smiled again.

"Come on, tell me everything I missed."

We went to her favorite ice-cream parlor, laughing over random things as we savored our flavors.

And then-"So here you are."

My entire body went still.

I shut my eyes for a second, folding my hands tightly as I felt him approach-Savio right behind him.