Shattered Hearts: A Journey Through Darkness and Redemption

[6] The Tension of Proximity

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Ishitha's POV

As I watched Aadarsh eat, my mind drifted back to our conversation. 

It was strange, almost surreal, to have such a relaxed interaction with him. 

He seemed a bit more open, a bit more human. 

Despite his stern exterior, there was something different in his demeanor tonight. 

He enjoyed the food, that much was clear, but he didn't express it directly. 

I could tell by the way he savored each bite, the small, almost imperceptible changes in his expression. 

It was a rare moment of vulnerability that caught me off guard.

I knew better than to trust Aadarsh. 

He was a master of manipulation, always wearing a mask, showing only what he wanted others to see. 

His eyes, though, betrayed a flicker of something deeper.

Loneliness, perhaps? 

Maybe he had spent his entire life yearning for love and connection but had been denied it, shaping him into the cold, controlling man he was now. 

But how could I truly judge him? 

When I knew nothing about him?

I knew I had to be careful. 

Aadarsh was dangerous, and he played his cards close to his chest. 

Yet, despite the caution I needed to maintain, I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. 

What kind of life had he lived to become this way? 

Was he always so guarded, so detached?

As he ate in silence, I studied him discreetly. 

His face was a mask of indifference, but his eyes told a different story. 

There was a depth of emotion there, something raw and unspoken. 

Perhaps, if things could have been different for him. 

Maybe he could have known love, companionship, and trust. 

But that was not the reality we were in.

And as the dinner ended, I cleared the table. 

Aadarsh finally broke the silence. "Wifee," he called, his voice carrying a tone that made me shiver.

I turned to him, my heart skipping a beat. "Yes?"

He motioned for me to come closer, patting the space beside him on the couch. "I want you to move into my room."

The words hit me like a jolt. 

I hadn't expected this at all. 

Yesterday, he let me sleep in a guest bedroom as I was drained and exhausted. 

But, now, the prospect of moving into his room caught me completely off guard.

"But why?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. 

"I'm perfectly fine here."

Aadarsh chuckled softly, "Remember, we're husband and wife. It's normal to share a room."

There was a playful teasing yet commanding edge to his tone, and I could feel the intensity of his gaze as he studied me.

"I'm not sure if it's a good idea," I said, my voice wavering slightly.