Vows of contract

Explanation

Avika was in her room, carefully arranging her clothes in the her walk-in-wardrobe. She moved with purpose, trying to focus on the task at hand and push away the lingering discomfort from earlier. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of fabric.

They arrived here few hours ago and unexpectedly sleep was far away from Avika. Not to mention she not saw her husband since she arrived here. Some maid told her he went for some work.

As she reached up to place a dress on a high shelf, the door to room suddenly swung open. She walked to room and startled slightly, to see Anirudh standing there, his expression dark and cold. "Anirudh," she said, her voice catching slightly. "You got your work done ?"

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. His presence filled the room, and Avika felt a shiver run down her spine. He didn't answer her question; instead, his eyes roamed over the room before settling on her.

"I was just setting up my things," she explained, her voice quiet. "Trying to make this place feel a bit more... like home."

Anirudh took a step closer, his gaze intense. "Home," he repeated, the word sounding foreign on his lips. "You think you can make this place your home?" Avika swallowed hard, her heart racing. The air between them was charged, and she found herself unable to look away from his penetrating stare. "What do you mean ?" she whispered.

He took another step closer, his proximity overwhelming. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, mingling with the cool air of the room. Her breath quickened, and she felt an inexplicable pull towards him.

"You know very well what I meant" he reached out, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. The touch was unexpected, sending a jolt of electricity through her. She looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. They were so close, their breaths mingling, and Avika could see the conflict in his eyes. She could almost hear her own rapid heart beat.

Avika felt her heart race as Anirudh stepped closer, the intensity in his eyes making her breath catch. His hand brushed against her cheek, and she couldn't help but lean into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed.

He leaned in, their lips almost touching. Her eyes fluttered closed, anticipation and hope swirling within her. She felt his breath on her skin, warm and inviting. This was it-they were going to kiss.

But sound of his mocking laughter cut through the air, and her eyes flew open. Anirudh stepped back, clapping his hands slowly. "Well played," he sneered. "You are really good at acting. But drop this act now."

Humiliation washed over her, hot and suffocating. Her heart sank, the brief flicker of hope extinguished. She felt exposed, her vulnerability laid bare for him to mock. The amount of hurt she felt was nothing she ever felt before.

"Anirudh, I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, her voice trembling. Anirudh's cruel smile deepened. "Don't insult my intelligence. You think you can fool me with this innocent act? It's pathetic." Avika stood to her ground while tears made way to her face.

"Stop acting. I know what you have been doing behind my back. Your planning your trap everything, I know everything." He said looking into her eyes directly. A sob left her mouth while she brokenly still stared at him not understanding abit.

"What are talking about" she whispered, her voice merely audible. Anirudh let out a dry chuckle before he storm out of the room in rage. Avika kept standing there, her world spinning. She left so confused on hearing accusations. Act? Plan?Trap?..

She slowly walked to the window and sat on the chair beside it, trying to collect every point. When the door to her room burst open. Anirudh stormed in, his expression thunderous, clutching a stack of photographs and envelope in his hand.