Two lives, one promise
Maya Bhatia and Ayaan Ahuja were bonded together; their lives were predestined to be together from the moment of their birth. However, a single choice altered the course of their entire existence. Rather than taking their time...
The room was a warm cocoon of comfort, wrapping us in the gentle embrace of shared contentment. Ayaan and I lay side by side, our bodies curved into each other, our limbs a tangle of affection. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow from the streetlights outside casting a serene halo around us.
"Stop playing with my hair", I whined trying to focus on my work, as I feel his shift next to me, leaning up and pressing his lips to my neck.
Putting my hand on his jaw I try to push him away, "Ayaan", I groan, closing my eyes as he bites down on my jaw. Curling my hands onto his face I pull him closer and kiss his lips gently making him smile wide as a ocean. Taking the books from my hands he puts them away and bends me back on the bed climbing on top of me, a giggle leaves my mouth as he presses continues kisses on my lips. Sighing, he gives me a sweet smile before bending down and capturing my lips into his, kissing me with great passion. Moaning into his mouth, I bury my hands into his curly hair enjoying this closeness between us.
A piercing scream cut through the silence, jolting us all upright. My heart raced, a cold dread settling in my chest. I exchanged a worried glance with Ayaan, his eyes wide with alarm. We scrambled out of bed, the cool air hitting our skin like a shock.
"What was that?", I whispered, my voice trembling.
"I don't know," Ayaan said, already moving towards the door. "Stay here."
But I couldn't just stay. Something deep within me propelled me to follow him. Together, we rushed out of the room, my mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. As we reached the landing, I saw Dev standing by the stairs, his face pale and eyes wide with terror, staring down at something.
"Dev, what's going on?", Ayaan demanded.
Dev didn't answer. He just pointed downstairs, his hand shaking. Following his gaze, I saw what had him rooted in place.
In the living room below, chaos reigned. Ayaan's father was yelling, his voice a harsh, unrecognizable roar. His mother was on the floor, shielding herself, her sobs piercing through the anger.
Ayaan pushed past Dev, his face set with determination. "Stay back", he ordered us, but I couldn't. I couldn't just stand there.
As Ayaan reached the bottom of the stairs, his father turned, his face contorted with rage. "Stay out of this, Ayaan!", he bellowed, his hand raised threateningly.
"No, Dad!", Ayaan shouted back, his voice breaking. "You need to stop!". This was my first time seeing Ayaan shaking woth anger, his eyes were sharp as he threw daggers at his father and this is also my first time seeing papa like this.
I reached Mama, her frail form trembling. I knelt beside her, gently pulling her into my arms. She clung to me, her sobs wracking her body. "It's okay," I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're safe now."
"Get off her!", his father shouted, but Ayaan stepped between us.
"Dont you dare go near them!", Ayaan said, his voice firm despite the fear in his eyes. "You need to calm down, Dad. This isn't right".
His father lunged, but Ayaan held his ground, pushing him back with all his strength. "Go to your room, now!".
For a moment, it seemed like his father would lash out again, but something in Ayaan's eyes must have reached him. He stumbled back, muttering under his breath. Ayaan followed him, steering him towards the back of the house.
With Ayaan gone, I focused on his mother. "It's okay", I repeated, stroking her hair as she wept. "Everything's going to be okay".
She shook her head, unable to speak through her tears. I held her tighter, wishing I could take away her pain.
Minutes later, Ayaan returned, his face a mask of worry and exhaustion. He locked the door behind him and hurried over to us, kneeling beside his mother. "Mom, are you okay?".
She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen. "Ayaan," she whispered, her voice cracked and broken. "Why... why is this happening?".
Ayaan pulled her into his arms, his own tears falling freely now. "I don't know, Mom. I don't know".
I watched them, my heart breaking for the family I had come to love as my own. I reached out, placing a hand on Ayaan's shoulder. He looked up at me, gratitude and pain mingling in his gaze. My heart ached to see him in pain, to see Mama in pain.
Dev appeared at the top of the stairs, his faces pale and drawn. "Is... is everything okay now?", he asked hesitantly.
Ayaan nodded slowly. "For now. But we need to figure out what to do next".
His mother pulled back, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm so sorry you had to see that".
"It's not your fault, Mom", Ayaan said softly. "None of this is your fault".
We sat together in silence for a while, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall and the occasional sob from Ayaan's mother. I felt a surge of helplessness, wishing there was more I could do.
Finally, Ayaan stood, helping his mother to her feet. "Let's get you to bed, Mom. You need to rest."
She nodded, leaning heavily on him as he guided her towards her room. I followed close behind, ready to help if needed. Once she was settled, Ayaan and I returned to the living room.
"What now?", Dev asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ayaan ran a hand through his hair, looking more exhausted than I had ever seen him. "I don't know, Dev. But we can't let this continue. We need to get Dad some help".
"And Mom?", Dev asked with his voice filled with concern.
Ayaan glanced at me, then back at his brother, "We'll take care of her. Together, we'll get through this".
As we sat there, the three of us united in our determination to protect the family, I felt a flicker of hope. The night had shattered, but perhaps, with time and effort, we could piece it back together.
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