Love Unexpected

CHAPTER 11

Author's pov ~

The night had finally drawn to a close, and the last of the guests had departed, leaving the house in an eerie stillness. Siya sat curled up on the edge of her bed, her knees pulled tightly to her chest as she struggled to stifle the sobs that wracked her body. The quietness of the night only amplified the turmoil in her mind. Dhruv’s behavior had cut through her like a knife, but what hurt even more was the absence of the one person she had desperately needed by her side. Ashwin went out in anger. And Aarav had walked out, even when she begged him not to, leaving her to drown in her thoughts.

Outside, the brides waited patiently, unaware of the storm raging inside Siya’s room. The door creaked open, and her grandfather entered first, followed by Ashwin, Lakshay, her tauji, and Raman. They all paused at the doorway, concern etched on their faces. Behind them was Sudha, who gasped when she saw Siya’s devastated state.

Without a second thought, Sudha rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Siya and pulling her into a tight hug. “What happened, beta? Why are you crying?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Siya’s sobs grew louder as she clung to Sudha, unable to form words. The pain, the confusion, the sense of abandonment—all of it crashed over her in waves. Ashwin stood at the doorway, his expression now shadowed with worry as he watched his sister break down.

Suddenly, Siddharth’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “What were you doing there? What was the reason that you were meeting him alone in the house?” His face twisted with anger, a fury so intense it seemed like he would destroy the first person he saw.

Siya looked up, her tears blurring her vision, stunned by her grandfather’s reaction. Even in her devastated state, she was amazed at how quickly he turned on her without a second thought.

Ashwin remained silent, but his thoughts churned. He had learned about Siya’s past with Dhruv from Sanvi during the mehendi ceremony. He had kept quiet, hoping Siya would tell him when she was ready. But now, seeing his sister like this, he knew he couldn’t stay silent any longer. Siddharth would be ready to destroy everything if he learned the full truth—and it was all Ashwin’s fault.

“I told her to meet him,” Ashwin said, his voice hard with anger at himself.

Siddharth turned toward him, his eyes blazing with pure rage. Without warning, he slapped Ashwin hard across the face. “I told you before to protect your sister, not to put her in danger! Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?” Siddharth roared.

Ashwin didn’t flinch. He looked downward, fists clenched tightly at his sides, absorbing the pain silently. He felt he had failed Siya, and now, they all had to face the consequences.

Sudha stood up from the bed, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Ashwin. Siya, still reeling from the sudden violence, turned her gaze to Ashwin, worry etched on her tear-streaked face. She tried to defend him, her voice trembling, “It wasn’t his fault—”

“Tumhe bolne ki koi zarurat nahi hai! Dekh liya hai humne tumhe aur tumhari harkato ko. Bas ho gaya ab!” Siddharth roared, his eyes still locked on Ashwin, but his words cutting deep into Siya.

“Now you’ll do whatever I say,” he added, turning his gaze toward Siya, his voice cold and commanding.

The room fell into a tense silence as everyone looked on with concern. Ashwin remained still, his eyes fixed downward, while Siya’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

*He said he’d do everything for me, but in the end, nothing changes,* Siya thought bitterly, her heart heavy with disappointment.