Love Me

46

ROSHNI'S P.O.V

I sat on the bed, angrily chewing the last bits of food. My stomach was already full, but my heart wasn’t. The fight at dinner kept replaying in my head. Why did they always scold me too little food, too much food when would it ever be enough?

The door opened and Daksh stepped in. His eyes instantly fell on my plate.

"You actually ate all of this?" His voice was calm, but I knew that tone it was his warning tone. "Roshni, why do you get angry over such small matters?"

I clutched the plate tighter. Because you don’t understand me!

Before I could protest, he snatched the plate.

"Give it back!" I tried to take it, desperate, stubborn, but he pushed me away and ate the last bite himself. Just like that gone.

My chest burned. "Why are you doing this when I clearly told you I wanted to eat it?" The spoon in my hand trembled. I wanted to throw it.

He caught my wrist. "No, Roshni. If you’re angry, then do one thing close your eyes and count. Understand?" His voice softened. He let go of my hand.

The moment he did, I threw the spoon on the floor. Count? Close my eyes? He doesn’t get it at all!

"Roshni," he sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Go and pick up your spoon. Clean the floor."

I turned my face away like a stubborn child. He know what he is doing. I'm not going to hurt my pride by picking up thing that I throw in anger. I will not!

"Roshni. Right now." His voice deepened, and he turned my face back toward him.

"No!" I shouted. I didn’t care if my voice broke. I didn’t care if I looked unreasonable.

His palm tapped my hips in a warning. Why? Why can't he just love me like a wife? Just because I grew up in front of his eyes doesn't mean he has to act like my dad or mom.

"I said, pick it up. Right now."

"I won’t! And stop using your hands on me. How many times do I have to say it?" My voice cracked as I yelled.

And then it happened. His hand came down on my cheek, not hard, just a mare touch. But... Still I slap.

"Pick it up," he ordered again.

Tears blurred my eyes as I bent, picked up the spoon, tossed it into the plate, and wiped the floor with a tissue. Just like every time he won.

"Good girl," he murmured, reaching out to touch me, but I pulled away.

"Are you angry, Roshni?" His voice softened again, and I hated how much I wanted to melt into it. "Listen, whenever you feel angry when you want to cut yourself, scream, or throw things—close your eyes, take a deep breath, and count to ten. It will help. Try it once." He pulled me into his lap.

Against my will, my body leaned against his chest. It always did.

"Why don’t you try it first? Do one thing take a deep breath and count but don't come and slap me. " I mumbled, glaring through my tears.

His chest shook with a chuckle.

"If I see you doing something again out of anger," he said, raising his palm. "remember this."

I pushed away, scowling. "Leave me. I’m going to sleep."

But in our room, before I could hide under the covers, he caught my hands and sat me back up.

"Miss, tomorrow is your exam. It’s better if you study. I don’t want to beat your ass after your results," he teased, pushing the notebook into my lap.

I stared at it. "I don’t like this subject."

"It doesn’t matter. Learn it. I’ll ask you questions before bed."

I pressed my palm to my belly. "Daksh, my baby is sleepy. Let my baby sleep."

His eyes softened but he didn’t give in. "Then tell your baby to help you pass your exam. Otherwise, no beach after the results."

The words pricked. My throat tightened. "I’m nothing to you. You don’t love me."

"It's not like that. I love you. I love you Enough to do anything for you," he said, shoving the notebook closer. "Now study."

Tears threatened again, but before I could argue, he left and returned with a glass of milk and my medicine.

"Here."

The smell made me gag. I barely touched the glass before running to the bathroom and started vomiting.

Warm hands rubbed my back, swept my hair away. "Roshni, are you okay?" His voice was tight with worry.

I shook my head, weak, leaning against his chest. "I don’t want to eat anything now. Please."

He wiped my face gently with a wet cloth. "Okay. But at least take your medicine, baccha."

I burrowed into his chest, refusing. His arms wrapped around me anyway, strong and warm.

"I would love to sleep with you in my arms right now," he whispered into my hair. "But you have an exam tomorrow. Are you sure you want to sleep?"

"I don’t have the energy," I mumbled, my eyes already closing.

He sighed and lifted me to bed. "Looks like you’re going to mess up your exam."

I hid my face in his neck, nodding faintly.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

My stomach turned against me again and again. I could barely stand.

"Here, drink this," Daksh said, holding warm water to my lips.

"I don’t want it," I muttered, pushing it away.

"You’ll feel better after this. Please, drink," he begged. His hand was firm but gentle as he tipped the glass toward me.

I took two sips and shoved it aside. "No more," I whispered, collapsing against him.

His jaw tightened. "Roshni, rest at home. No need to give the exam."

"No… I’ll be fine," I whispered.

He reached for his phone. "Wait, I’ll call Ayaan—"

I snatched it quickly. "Don’t disturb him. I’ll be fine. My baby is troubling me so much," I said, trying to smile. "I’ll ignore him after he comes out."

His lips quirked. "What if it’s not him?"

"Then I can’t ignore her," I said, still clinging to him.

"You didn’t even study," he murmured. "You can stay at home. I won’t mind."

I shook my head stubbornly.

"Okay, then do you need help getting ready?" he asked.

I pointed at my lips. "Can I get a kissi first?"

He smiled and kissed me again and again until I giggled despite my exhaustion.

"Now get up. Drink lots of water, stay hydrated, and remember don’t cheat, don’t copy. It’s not a good thing."