𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐲

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖

Ignorance is bliss. I can't even begin to describe how much I relate to these words right now. Ignoring his existence feels like a sweet, soothing escape from the chaos.

I know he did that for me. It's his way of showing he cares, even if it's tangled up in frustration and pain.

This is part of who I am—I've always wanted to hold my head high and make my own decisions. And, as always, that stubborn independence has led me into trouble.

I've consistently made choices my parents didn't approve of, and that's caused so many problems between us.

Now, Ruhaan wanted me to keep my head high and make my own decisions too. But this required my explicit consent.

It's a marriage, not a game where he can literally make decisions for both of us.

He might have been right in his own way, but that's precisely what's eating at me now.

Let's consider that he made that decision for me. What about his words afterward?

How could he?

I didn't give a damn about his feelings? I had begged him on my knees, pleading with him to listen, to not end things between us.

I had humiliated myself, begging him to hear me out, even as he disrespected me in front of everyone.

"Anya, smile," Aradhya said as she wrapped me in a hug, and aunty captured the moment with her camera.

It was aunty's idea to take these pictures so she could post them online. To be honest, she's a social media giant, always looking for the perfect shot.

She appears happy, or at least that's the facade she maintains online.

Ruhaan had been in the living room for what felt like an eternity, doing who knows what. Then aunty, eager to get her photos, went to fetch him and returned after ten minutes.

So, either he got a talking-to or they had a serious conversation.

I can't be sure, but since then, the way aunty is looking at me—it feels like she knows we haven't resolved anything and that Ruhaan spilled the details to her.

Oh god.

I need to stop overthinking.

"Ruhaan, go, I'll take the picture. You both look so adorable today," aunty said, and my heart sank. My breath felt like it was trapped, and color drained from my face.

Yet, I managed to muster a smile as Aradhya went to stand beside her mom. Ruhaan came over and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

I've always wondered how I fit so perfectly in his embrace. It feels like we're made for each other, even though the reality is far from that.

"Anya, rest your head on his chest, just like that... Perfect," aunty directed, and I awkwardly followed her instructions, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Sharmao mat," Ruhaan whispered softly, and I felt a storm of butterflies in my stomach. (Don't be shy)

I chose to ignore his words again, forcing a smile as aunty snapped the pictures.

"Jaana, please forgive me. I'm sorry," he whispered again, and the heat of embarrassment spread across my cheeks and neck. I bit my inner cheek, struggling to keep myself from smiling despite the swirling anger and confusion.

"You both look so good together, oh my god," Aradhya said with a giggle, her voice a bright spot in the midst of my turmoil as aunty went away to receive a call.

"Mummy, tell bhaiya to take a picture with me. He's making such a fuss," Aradhya complained about Ruhaan refusing to take a picture with her. (Mom, tell him to take a picture with me)

Aunty, engrossed in a call, ignored her, and Aradhya's pout was so adorable I couldn't resist saying, "Just take the picture with her, Ruhaan."

"Only if you'll forgive me," he said with pleading eyes, making me roll my eyes in frustration.

"You'd look good rolling your eyes in bed with me," he whispered in my ear, making me stare at him, wide-eyed and stunned.

"Shut up and take the picture," I told him, a mix of exasperation and reluctant affection in my voice. He grinned at me, his charm unyielding, and took the picture with Aradhya, while I tried to hold onto my composure.

"Thanks Anya, it's very pretty," she said as she took her phone from me and left the room.

Awkward silence.

Too awkward.

I turn around to see him staring at me, resting his face on his palm with a peaceful, a really peaceful expression.

"Kya soch rhe ho?" I asked him, giving him a disgusted look. (What are you thinking about?)

"Ki tum itni pyaari kese ho," he said as he walked towards me and hugged me. (How are you so perfect)

What?

I'm sure he got a good one from aunty.

I bit the inner walls of the cheek to keep myself from smiling as I'm sure my face turned red.

Oh my god.

He is so cute and perfect and I don't know.

And you wonder why you are in love with him.

–

"Come for dinner soon, okay?" Aunty said as she hugged me warmly before moving on to Ruhaan. She whispered something in his ear, and I saw him stiffen for a moment before he eventually nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Anya, wait. I have some information on the hospital case," Rudra said, rushing towards me and handing me a pendrive. He flashed a grin at Ruhaan, who looked like he was ready to burst into flames.

"Um, thanks, I guess," I replied, shaking hands with Rudra, while Ruhaan's eyes burned with a mix of anger and frustration.

Okay, there's definitely some tension here.

"We'll take our leave," Ruhaan announced, his voice clipped as he intertwined his fingers with mine and led us toward the exit.

What a fucking day.

I'm exhausted from this endless drama—pretending everything is fine when it's clearly not.

I'm fed up with the charade of normalcy when nothing is okay.

Nothing is as it used to be.

Seeing Rudra has clearly set me off. I don't even care what triggered me or why.

Throughout the entire car ride, we sit in silence as Ruhaan takes a call from his assistant.

Thank god for that.

"Enough of this act, Ruhaan," I mutter under my breath once we reach my apartment and retreat into my office, burying myself in work to escape the mess of emotions swirling inside me.

-
She will be drunk next chapter me.
Convince to me upload