𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞 || @𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙨||

.Chapter-26. Video Call

4300+ words

Esase zyaada tujhe aur kitana kareeb lau mai,
 ki tujhe dil mein rakh kar bhi mera dil nahi bharata.
 teri mohabbat se maine ek baat sikhi hai,
 tere saath ke bagair ye duniya phiki hai.

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Ashwin's pov:

As I roused from my slumber, my mind immediately raced to the safety of my family in Mumbai. The recent turmoil and unrest had left me on edge, and the need to ensure their well-being consumed my thoughts. Fumbling for my phone in the dim light of dawn, I began a series of frantic attempts to reach Viyaan, my brother, who I trusted to keep me informed about the situation back home.

With each failed call, my anxiety mounted, gnawing at the edges of my composure. The weight of uncertainty bore down on me heavily, and a sense of dread threatened to overpower my rational thoughts. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as I persevered in my attempts to establish contact, my heart pounding with each unanswered ring.

Finally, a surge of relief washed over me as Ashlyn's familiar voice greeted me through the phone. Despite the grogginess in her tone, her presence offered a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "Hello?" she murmured sleepily, her voice a lifeline amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

"It's me, your husband," I responded urgently, my words infused with a mixture of concern and impatience.

Ashlyn's response was laced with confusion, her sleep-addled mind struggling to comprehend the urgency in my tone. "Husband who?" she queried, her tone soft and muddled with drowsiness.

Exasperation crept into my voice as I reiterated my identity, the tension of the situation amplifying my impatience. "Main Ashwin bol raha hu! Phone kyun nahi utha rahi thi? (I am Ashwin! Why weren't you recieving up the phone call?)" I pressed, my frustration palpable.

Ashlyn's explanation, though delivered with characteristic nonchalance, provided some measure of reassurance. "Vo, main kisi kaam se soori thi, (well, I was sleeping )," she offered, her words punctuated by a sleepy yawn.

Suppressing a sigh of frustration, I refocused my attention on the matter at hand. "Viyaan kaha hai? (Where's viyaan?) " I inquired urgently, my concern for my brother eclipsing any annoyance I felt towards Ashlyn's casual demeanor.

Ashlyn's response was swift and matter-of-fact, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to my own frantic state. "Apne room mein so raha hoga. Ab mujhe bhi sone de. Bye, (Must be sleeping in his room. Now let me sleep too.) " she concluded, bringing our conversation to an abrupt end.

As the call ended and I set my phone aside, a wave of relief washed over me, momentarily dispelling the cloud of anxiety that had gripped me. Despite the frustration of the conversation and the lingering uncertainty about the situation in Mumbai, knowing that both Ashlyn and Viyaan were safe provided a measure of solace.

In that fleeting moment of respite, I allowed myself to exhale a sigh of relief, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as the weight of worry lifted, if only for a moment. The knowledge that my loved ones were unharmed offered a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, a reminder that amidst the storms of life, there remained pockets of calm and reassurance.

Despite the momentary relief I felt knowing that Ashlyn and Viyaan were safe, I couldn't help but acknowledge the disconnect between my thoughts and my feelings. While I had referred to Ashlyn as my "loved one," the truth remained that my emotions toward her were, at best, neutral.

It was a realization that gave me pause, prompting me to reflect on the complexities of our relationship and the intricacies of human emotion. Despite our marital bond, there was a distinct absence of deeper affection or attachment on my part, a fact that lingered in the back of my mind like an unresolved question.