Marriage In Echo

15

Chapter 15

Karan anxiously walked in front of the house, occasionally running his hand through his hair. He had woken up to an empty house with his wife nowhere in sight. His heart raced as he watched Tiya's frail figure walking with Rani's support, carrying a brass Puja plate. Relief washed over him as he realised she had gone to the temple, a ritual she observed every Monday. Rushing towards her, he scooped her up in his arms, her small form feeling lighter than ever.

Setting her gently down on the couch, Karan tried to mask his concern with a smile, but Tiya's cold words pierced through his facade. "I am not invalid, Mr. Shekhawat," she said, her tone icy. "I am alone, and I am enough."

Karan's heart sank at her words, the weight of her pain and isolation crushing him. He knelt down in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Tiya, I know you are strong," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "But you don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you, every step of the way."

Tiya's eyes softened slightly as she looked into his, but the walls around her heart remained intact. "I appreciate your concern, Karan," she said softly, "but this is my life. I have always done things on my own. No one has ever been by my side."

Karan felt a lump form in his throat as he realised the depth of her resolve. He longed to take away her pain, to carry her burdens for her, but he knew he couldn't force her to accept his help.

Gently squeezing her hands, Karan nodded. "I understand, Tiya," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But please remember, you don't have to face this alone. I love you, and I'll always be here for you."

Tiya smiled. “Where were you when I lost my child? In the office thinking about how beautiful your life would have been with Sanjana? ” She asked. Karan was at a loss of words. “Don't force me to say things I don't want to Karan.”

Her words pierced through Karan's heart like shards of glass. "Tiya, I—" he began, but she cut him off with a bitter smile.

"Save it, Karan," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "I don't want to hear any excuses or apologies. I just want to live out my last days in peace."

Karan's throat tightened as he struggled to find the right words to say. He had been consumed by his own pain and regret, but now, faced with Tiya's raw honesty, he realised the depth of her suffering and the hurt he had caused.

"I'm sorry, Tiya," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know I can never make up for what I've done, but please know that I love you.” He finally managed to confess.

Tiyas’ heart momentarily paused. The words she had eagerly wanted to hear all these years. Her smile softened slightly at his words, but there was still a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“When will you leave?” She asked, her eyes almost watering. “I will never leave, Tiya. I will sleep outside your house if that's what you want.” He said, holding her hand gently.

Tiya shook her head, “You don't love me Karan. You only love the fact that I loved you madly.”

Tiya's words hit Karan like a bolt of lightning, leaving him speechless for a moment. He struggled to find the right words to respond, but Tiya's eyes bore into his with a mix of sadness and resignation.

"Tiya, that's not true," he finally managed to say, his voice cracking with emotion. "I love you, more than anything in this world. I know I haven't always shown it, but please, believe me when I say that my love for you is real.”

Tiya looked away, her expression unreadable. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Karan," she said quietly. "All I know is that I can't keep living like this, in constant fear of what tomorrow will bring. I know death is around the corner…I need to find peace, and I can't do that with you hovering over me all the time."