Silent Longing

Chapter 1

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Author's Pov

Location - Iyer Household

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In the heart of Hyderabad, the city was just beginning to stir. The sun's first rays filtered through the tall buildings, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling streets. Trisha Iyer's house, located on a quiet lane away from the city's chaotic heart, was an oasis of calm – or at least it usually was.

This morning, however, was anything but calm. Trisha's alarm had failed her, leaving her with a frantic rush to get ready for work. She darted around her home, a picture of hurried efficiency, grabbing a toast here, her handbag there, all while trying to comb her hair and find her missing shoe.

"Why today?" she muttered under her breath. Today of all days, when she had an early appointment with a new client, her alarm decided to malfunction. Being a psychologist, punctuality was something Trisha prided herself on. Her clients depended on her not just for her expertise, but for the stability and reliability she offered in their often turbulent lives.

She glanced at the clock on her living room wall and felt a pang of anxiety. 8:45 AM. She was supposed to be at the clinic by 9:00 AM, and with Hyderabad traffic, that was increasingly looking like an impossible task. She slipped into her shoes, grabbed her keys, and dashed out the door, hoping the traffic gods would be kind to her.

Trisha's life was usually well-organized and calm, a reflection of her inner serenity. But today, as she navigated her car through the throngs of vehicles, honking horns, and jaywalking pedestrians, she couldn't help but feel a small storm brewing inside her. She prided herself on helping others find peace, yet here she was, feeling the exact opposite.

As she waited impatiently at a red light, her thoughts drifted to her family. Her father, Vishwanath Iyer, always had a piece of advice for every situation, and her mother, Sandhya, would have packed her a tiffin to make sure she didn't skip breakfast in her rush. Her brother, Pranav, would probably laugh at her predicament, offering to drive her to work, albeit with some teasing.

The light turned green, snapping her back to reality. She accelerated, weaving through the traffic with practiced ease. Her clinic was a sanctuary for many, a place where they could unburden their troubles. As she finally pulled into the clinic's parking lot, a wave of relief washed over her. 9:05 AM. Not too bad, she thought, considering the circumstances.

With a deep breath and a practiced smile, she stepped into the clinic, unaware that today would mark the start of something far darker than she ever imagined. This day would bind her fate to a man with shadowed intentions and a moral code as elusive as his secrets. It would unravel the safe world she'd built, forcing her to confront the perilous line between trust and betrayal, and the dangerous allure of a man who walked that line with ease.

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Location - Varma Household

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Meanwhile, on the other side of Hyderabad, Vikram Ved Varma was already up and running, adhering to his meticulously planned routine. The Varma residence, an elegant mansion that exuded both opulence and history, was a testament to the family's wealth and prominence. Vikram's room, however, was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the rest of the house – minimalist, organized, and devoid of unnecessary luxuries.

He woke up at 5:00 AM, as he did every morning, beginning his day with an intense workout. The gym in his home was equipped with state-of-the-art machines, but Vikram preferred the basics – weights, a treadmill, and a punching bag. The rhythmic thud of his fists against the bag was both a physical and emotional release, a way to channel the inner turmoil he rarely showed to the world.