Broken I

50

ARNA

He is so hard to resist him.

I was sitting on his lap while he slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. The sight of him like this, so serene and vulnerable, tugged at my heart. I couldn't help but play with his beard, feeling the rough texture beneath my fingertips, and twist his moustache gently.

"I love you, Hridhan," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "So much. Evalo nu theriyala... maybe aalaka instruments kooda illa nu neaikuren... na eppo ippidi aananu theriyala but ungala vittu kooda ennala irukka mudiyathu..." My words were a soft confession, an intimate secret shared only with the quiet night. 

I leaned in and pecked his lips, feeling a spark of warmth and connection.

I longed to shout my love for him to the world, to let everyone know what he meant to me. And tomorrow, I would. Tomorrow would be the end of my facade.

I would tell him the truth : that I am a prostitute's daughter, and not a prostitute myself. That despite my past and the shadows it cast over my life, I had found something pure and real in him.

I never thought love was destined for me. I never believed I could love anyone like I love Hridhan. But here he was, the center of my world, the person I couldn't imagine living without.

I dreamed of our future together, of children with his eyes and my stubbornness, of a home filled with laughter and love. I didn't know if I could be a good mother, but I knew Hridhan would be the best father. His kindness, his strength, his unwavering love – all of it would make our family whole.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, my phone began to vibrate, shattering the stillness. I carefully moved Hridhan's hands, which were draped over me protectively, and reached for my mobile. 

"Hello, Mrs. Hridhan, everything you said is ready. Do you want me to do anything else ?" Damini asked, her tone making me giggle.

"No, Ms. Damini, thanks for the help," I replied.

"Do you see my knife ?" she asked abruptly.

"Seri seri vapas," I said, almost pleading.

"Mam, there is a parcel for you," a male voice interjected over the call.

"From ?" Damini questioned, her tone sharp.

I couldn't hear the response, just a murmur.

"I asked you something," Damini's voice was now strict and demanding.

More mumbling followed, then I heard her snap, "Fuck off. I am not a toy to buy nor the fragile girl to play with"

There was a pause, then she spoke to me again, "I will talk to you later, Arna. Let me know if you need anything," and with that, she disconnected the call.

I stared at the phone screen, shaking my head in disbelief. Damini has never been the soft type. She knows me well, but I realize how little I truly know her.

No one is entirely happy in this world. Everyone has their own problems. Even with a great family and brothers to protect her, Damini faces her own struggles.

I admired her strength, her resilience. But I also felt a pang of sadness. Damini, for all her toughness, carried burdens that no one could see.

She fought battles that no one understood, and while she knew me inside out, I felt a growing determination to understand her as deeply. To be there for her, just as she has always been there for me.

I felt a hand wrap around my waist. His familiar cologne hit my nape as I turned around and placed my lips on his.

"You have become my addiction," he whispered, deepening the kiss.

"You are mine," I murmured back.

We pulled away when I was out of breath, and he placed a tender kiss on the tip of my nose.

"Enga poita ?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

"Thookathula kandupudichingalab?" I asked in surprise.

"Ama... enga pona ?" he repeated, his concern evident.

"Na enga poga poren Hridhan. Phone pesa vanthen," I replied.

"Ohh," he said, hugging me tightly, almost as if he was afraid I might disappear.

"Enna achu ?" I asked, rubbing his back gently, feeling the tension in his muscles.

"Illa... onu illa..." he said, but I wasn't convinced.

"Hridhan," I pressed softly.

"Hmm," he responded, his voice a mere hum against my shoulder.

"Yen aachu nu sollunga," I insisted.

"Nalaiku office," he finally admitted, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ponga," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Na pola," he said, but his grip on me tightened.

"Yen ?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Hmmhmm," he shook his head in disapproval, his eyes closing for a brief moment.

"Enna ? Office polaya ?" I asked, trying to understand his reluctance.

"Illa ponnu," he said, his tone serious yet affectionate.

"Aprom enna ?" I asked, curious.

"Krithi irukkala ?" he asked.

"Ama, unga intern thana ?" I replied, wondering where this was going.

"Han, ava enna sonna theriyuma ?" he continued.

"Enna sonna ?" I asked, intrigued.

"Nee romba sweetnu," he said, his face showing a hint of confusion. He should be happy, but something seemed to be bothering him.

"Athuku enna ?" I asked, trying to understand his concern.

"Na romba strict aa irukkanu sollita. Na avalo strict aa irukken ?" he pouted, looking genuinely puzzled. I couldn't help but press my lips together to hide my amusement.

He is such a cutie pie.

I pinched his cheeks, shaking his head playfully. "Illavae illavae en thangamae," I said affectionately.

His eyes brightened and he smiled, his earlier face totally disappeared. 

Later, I checked if the arrangements were correct. I didn't want to mess up anything tomorrow. I hadn't planned anything grand—just me and him, that's it. I would finally reveal my true self to him.

The next day, I sent Hridhan to the office and was about to start getting ready when my phone pinged continuously. When I opened it, messages from an unknown number startled me.

The first message read: "Your sweet little sister is having an affair with someone." Attached was a video that made me drop the phone from my hand.

It's Damini's brother.

The unknown number sent another message: 

Hope you enjoyed the gifts, Arna. 

Monika 🔥

It wasn't about Monika that hurt me; it was my Aradhya. The thought of her being involved in something like this with Damini's brother hit me hard. I felt a surge of emotions—confusion, betrayal, and a deep, aching sadness.

I picked up the phone with trembling hands, my mind racing. Why would she lie to him ? And how could Aradhya be involved in something like this without me knowing ?

I needed to think, to process everything. But all I could feel was a rising sense of panic.

________________

Next chapter is no near soon 🚶🏻‍♀️

Anyway make your heart strong 👍🏻