Silent Cries

Chapter 14

Navya sat on the small balcony of her rented room in Nainital, the cool mountain breeze ruffling her hair. She was scrolling through her Instagram feed, hoping for a distraction from the constant ache in her heart. As she absentmindedly swiped through the posts, she suddenly froze. There, on her screen, was a picture of Dev and Heena at what appeared to be a sangeet ceremony. The photo was dated a year back.

Dev looked genuinely happy in the picture, his eyes sparkling as he held Heena close. A sharp pain pierced Navya's heart. "They must be married by now," she thought, her fingers trembling as she zoomed in on Dev's face. His happiness was unmistakable.

Navya’s mind wandered back to her own wedding day with Dev. She remembered the cold, indifferent look on his face as they went through the rituals. He had barely spoken to her, his anger palpable. The memory was like a dagger to her heart, twisting painfully.

Navya's mind drifted back to her wedding day, the vivid memories flooding her senses.

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**Flashback: Navya and Dev's Wedding Day**

The wedding venue was adorned with marigold garlands, shimmering lights, and the sweet fragrance of incense wafting through the air. Navya sat in the mandap, her heart pounding with nervous excitement. She wore a rich red lehenga, intricate gold embroidery gleaming under the bright lights. Her hands were adorned with henna, the deep brown patterns symbolizing love and prosperity.

Dev approached the mandap, dressed in a traditional cream sherwani, his expression stern and unwelcoming. As they exchanged garlands, he barely looked at her, his jaw set in a grim line. The crowd around them cheered, oblivious to the tension between the bride and groom.

The priest began chanting the sacred mantras, guiding them through the rituals ,  but seeing dev's face the priest asked 

Do you, Dev, take Navya to be your  wedded wife?" the priest asked.

Dev’s response was almost a grunt, "Yes."

Navya forced a smile, hoping against hope that things would get better. But as the ceremony progressed, Dev's demeanor didn't change. He performed the rituals mechanically, his mind clearly elsewhere. As they took the seven vows around the holy fire, each step felt heavier for Navya, knowing that Dev's heart was not in it.

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Navya blinked back tears, the memories flooding her mind with painful clarity. She remembered how Dev had treated her throughout their seven years of marriage, each moment etched into her heart like scars.

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**Flashback: During Pregnancy**

Navya sat on the edge of the bed, cradling her growing belly. She was eight months pregnant with Ayaan and was feeling particularly emotional. She looked up as Dev entered the room, his face hard as stone.

"Dev, can you please help me get some water?" she asked, her voice soft and pleading.

He glanced at her briefly before turning away. "Get it yourself. I'm not your servant," he snapped.

Tears welled up in Navya's eyes, but she bit her lip, not wanting to provoke him further. She struggled to her feet and made her way to the kitchen, her heart heavy with sorrow. Every step she took was a reminder of how alone she felt, even with her husband in the same house.

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**Flashback: After Ayaan's Birth**

Ayaan was only a few months old, and Navya was exhausted from sleepless nights. One evening, she tried to soothe a crying Ayaan while Dev sat on the couch, watching TV.