I Became His Replaced Bride

Chapter 10

Modi Bhawan,

5:30 am.

Aarav gently laid Aashna on the bed. She gained consciousness not a while ago in the hospital. Aarav insisted the doctor for Aashna to stay in the hospital even after the well-endowed doctor announced that Aashna only had physical injuries and could go home. Aarav wanted to be just sure that Aashna was being treated properly. He couldn't tolerate negligence, especially in Aashna's health and well-being.

Speaking of her well-being, he observed that she hadn't spoken a word until now and looked blankly, spacing out. It was disturbing. He didn't like it. Actually, he hated it. She should be vibrant, giggling and laughing, talking happily to him, if not, at least share her troubles with him. Doesn't she understand he is her husband now? He has every fucking right to know?! He understands, dammit, he knows what motherfucking Brijesh and Bela did to her, like always physically abused her. It's not hard to guess. He knows this predicament since he read it in her file in the investigation done by Rudraksh. Every fucking detail of her life. He just wants her to confide in him, either willingly or he will make her.

Aarav gently held her face between his palms after sitting before her on the bed. She flinched before calming down, realising that it was Aarav. He softly caressed her cheeks, "Aashna tell me what happened?" Aashna blinked at him but remained silent. Aarav saw the hollowness in her big black eyes, he heard her silence. His eye twitched. He sighed before leaning his forehead against hers, "You need to tell me. I deserve to know who did this to my wife and why?" Aarav saw the uncertainty and reluctance in her cautious gaze. And in the end, she shook her head, pulling away from his hold. Aarav gave her a small nod, "I see. You made me do this." Aashna frowned but before she could delve further into his confusing words, she heard Aarav order on the phone, "Come in."

A minute or two later after the tense silence the door to their bedroom opened revealing a person she never expected to see in Modi Bhawan, Madhav kaka! What is he doing here? And at this hour in the morning? She panicked, anxiety raising her blood pressure and heartbeats. She couldn't decide whether to ask him why is he here or plead with him to not utter a word to Aarav. She recalled the threat Brijesh made to her, therefore even if she wants to she cannot tell Aarav a single thing. She is not courageous enough to share her deepest secrets with anyone, especially Aarav whom she has started to feel comfortable with.

"What happened in the Parekh house that caused my wife such injuries? Tell me every single detail," Aarav, meaningfully staring at Aashna, ordered Madhav who nodded at once. He knew why Aarav brought him here, he had become Aarav Modi's pawn, and it was his job to do whatever the powerful heir commands. He glanced at Aashna who shouted in alarm, "No! Don't say anything, Kaka! Please, I beg you." Madhav shifted his careful gaze to Aarav who narrowed his sharp eyes at him. Madhav gulped, Aarav Modi is scary, "Aashna dikri came with maalik sahab and maalkin--" Aarav cut in, "Call her Mrs Modi."

Madhav nodded, ignoring the quivering of his knees, "Mrs Modi was slapped hard by maalik sahab the second she entered the living room. Maalkin pulled her hair from behind and pushed Mrs Modi to the floor."
"No, kaka! Stop, please!" Aashna screamed, trying to hold Madhav as if it would stop him from narrating her misery. Aarav held her back. "They were venting their anger out saying because of Mrs Modi they got insulted and humiliated by Modi's. They slapped her continuously taking turns, stomping on her feet, grabbing her hair and arms. Maalkin said Mrs Modi didn't deserve to be the daughter-in-law of the Modi's, she didn't deserve to be your wife, she didn't deserve to wear such expensive clothes and jewellery--"

" No! No! No! Kaka, stop! Stop! Please, stop! No!" Aashna was frantic, shouting and pressing her ears with both hands like it would physically make Madhav's voice disappear. Aarav held her arms, forcefully removing them from her ears. Aashna was sobbing like a baby. The sight squeezed his heart. He pulled her into his arms, hiding her in his embrace. "Maalkin harshly choked Mrs Modi before snatching the necklace from her neck. Maalik sahab then dragged Mrs Modi to the basement and tied her up, announcing her to be locked there until morning as her punishment."