[FEATURED IN WATTPAD INDIA PROFILE]
❝Pioneering the art of constructing love, my Kanmani.❞
Xavier teased her skin, slowly caressing her cheeks and her lips trembled.
❝You don't dare!❞
And he kissed her.
------
When he had compromised his dreams and...
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"Karthik!"
Krithika ran to her brother and hugged him. "Dei, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing about how I am or how my life's going?" Karthik retorted, shaking his head. "You're just bothered by my presence here in your holy hostel?"
Smiling, she gently slapped his cheek. "Ae, poda!" she chided. "You didn't inform me you'd be here in Chennai. I'm just surprised."
Karthik Ashok, her only brother, was nothing like her in appearance. Towering over her at five feet eight inches, with a light brown complexion, soft wavy hair, and a beautiful pair of large black eyes, he truly justified the name of Lord Murugan—the handsome man.
It wasn't just his looks; he lived up to the name Karthik in spirit too—a funny, cheerful guy who made every environment around him merry. He was a man of happiness, sharing it selflessly with everyone.
"Amma sent you these sweets," he said, pushing a steel tiffin box into her hands. "She tried calling you on your birthday, but as always, you didn't bother answering."
Krithika pressed her lips together and began fiddling with the ends of her kurti. Was she still bitter about her mother's silence during the time her father had hurled insults at her, calling her a worthless, disdainful daughter? Absolutely.
She had needed just one person to support her dreams, to stand by her. She had expected no one but her Amma to be her backbone. But alas, it had been a cruel joke. Her mother had turned her back on her while she cried, silently endorsing her father's venom.
That day had become a core memory, etched forever in her mind—a reminder never to trust anyone again. Even the woman who had brought her into the world had betrayed her, leaving her to struggle alone. Forgive? Never. Forget? Impossible.
But you trust Xavier.
He has earned it.
Karthik took her hand in his. "She's bound by society and people, Akka," he said, his fingers trying to calm her. "Her husband is her world. Don't punish her for choosing her life over yours. It's survival for her."
Snatching her hand away, she muttered, "If you're here to vouch for her betrayal, then stop with your bullshit. The only thing Appa hasn't done to her—or me—is abuse us physically or sexu—"
"Akka..." Karthik cut her off. "Appa is not a great man, I agree, but he isn't vile."
She scoffed. "The prince doesn't know the cruelty of the king. He's just a father to you, Karthik." Blinking back tears, she added, "How about we don't talk about them?"
"Sure. Whatever my Akka wants." Karthik flashed his brightest smile, so genuine it reached his eyes. She wondered how her ogre of a father had managed to produce such a gentle son.
He slapped her shoulder. "Get ready. We can go to the beach. Isn't that your Saturday routine?"
"Do I not look ready to you?" she scrunched her nose. "This is my decent outfit. Don't start lecturing me about reconsidering my wardrobe choices."
"I won't. I'm used to you being beautifully ugly," he said with a wink, earning a light punch from her.
"I missed you."
"I missed you," he mimicked in a cry-baby voice. "Nonsense. I know you want to get rid of me, but sorry, Akka. I'm a permanent parasite in your life. You'll have to bear this leech forever."
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Do tell me what you feel about this and the upcoming chapters, always open to positive criticism.
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