The Veiled Hearts

🌹Echoes of Defiance 🔪

I stepped closer to Avni and Aarav. "I don't love anyone," I said firmly.

Avni raised an eyebrow. "The protection you're giving? That's usually what a man does for his woman."

I shot Aarav a glare. "Did you put this nonsense in her head?"

Aarav nodded proudly, just as his phone buzzed. "Excuse me, urgent call from the hospital. Avni, continue with your interrogation," he said casually, stepping out to the balcony.

Avni turned her excited gaze on me, but I ignored it and reached for my watch on the table. I already knew where this was going.

She bounced next to me, clearly enjoying this. "Bhai, you love her. But I don't think you can marry her. Your future wife is sitting in the living room! But wait-" she grinned, "we can make your life like a Wattpad couple!"

I facepalmed, cursing Aarav under my breath. "Whatever Aarav told you is technically true, but he definitely added some spice just to make you happy. My life is not some fictional Wattpad story."

Avni shook her head, undeterred. "Aarav bhaiya didn't add anything. You do love her."

I sighed, the frustration mounting. "Listen, Avni, I'm exhausted. I've slept eight hours in the last two days. It's been a long day, and I have to be downstairs in 15 minutes. So please, move aside."

I brushed past her, heading to unlock the door, but Avni's words stopped me in my tracks.

"Bhai, you're not wrong to protect someone. But remember, you're not alone. Me and Aarav-we're with you, whether it's living room drama or real-life drama."

I turned back, feeling the weight of her words. This was the same room where, years ago, she had fallen off the bed and we were locked inside. Now, it felt like I was the one falling, and she was the one standing beside me, just as I had stood beside her back then.

I hummed in acknowledgment. Aarav re-entered the room, and Avni, always the uniter, wrapped her arms around both of us. "Let's go! Time to face the queen of Singhania Enterprises."

Aarav and I both smiled, and we headed toward the stairs. As we reached the living room, Avni dropped her hold on us, her face paling with sudden fear. Aarav whispered, "I will surely add sleeping pills inside this Dragon's food today."

Avni chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile by knowing the fact he was calling dadi a wild dragon who unleashes fire out from her mouth. But then I noticed Maa glaring at me, so I quickly sat next to Chachu while Avni and Aarav settled onto the sofas near Maa and Chachi.

I leaned closer to Chachu, noticing Dadi was still deep in conversation with the priest. "You handled everything?" I asked quietly.

Chachu turned to me with a proud smile. "All taken care of."

I sighed in relief, but as usual, peace in my life lasts about two seconds.

"The marriage has been fixed for seven days from now," the priest suddenly declared, his gaze shifting toward me.

I immediately whipped my head toward Chachu, my eyes wide with shock. He murmured under his breath, "Maa wanted to set the date for tomorrow, but I convinced her to push it. Now, just look ahead."

Aarav and Avni were both staring at me, as were Maa and Chachi. The only people who seemed genuinely pleased were Tanya and her mother. Anger surged through me, and I abruptly stood up. Chachi tried to pull me back down, her hand tugging at mine, but I ignored her completely.

Dadi's eyes narrowed as she addressed me. "What is the matter?"

I was boiling over with frustration. "I'm 25 years old! How can I get married so soon? Just because I've agreed to things in the past doesn't mean I'll accept everything thrown at me, especially when it goes against my will."

I sighed, trying to regain my composure, but the words kept spilling out. "I have urgent meetings, piled-up work-so much to handle. I can't just-" I stopped myself, realizing I had said enough to provoke Savitri Singhania.

The room fell silent. Everyone was watching me, but I kept my gaze fixed on Dadi. She stared back, her voice cold and resolute. "It is my decision. You will be married in seven days, or you will face the consequences. People were injured because of the childish test you insisted on conducting in a sacred place-the temple."

I gritted my teeth. "Yes, I wanted to conduct a test. How can I trust someone close to me when I don't even know them?"

Dadi stood up, her face hardening. "You can! You trust by having faith."

I shook my head, my voice sharp. "We pay the price for faith and trust, Dadi. That's why Dad is in the hospital."

Dadi's hand twitched, ready to strike me, but Chachu quickly stepped in front of me, shielding me. "Maa, no," he pleaded.

"Move aside, Subhash!" Dadi snapped.

Before the tension could escalate further, a voice interrupted from the doorway. "Yash beta, I know this marriage is sooner than expected, but it's for the best. You and Tanya will have time to get to know each other."

I turned toward the voice, immediately feeling a wave of discomfort. It was Tanya's father, Aman, and something about him had always felt off to me. He walked in with an air of confidence, touching Dadi's feet in respect."

Thank God you're here, Aman," Dadi said, her tone softening.

Before I could respond, Chachu's phone rang, and he quickly excused himself from the conversation. Aman uncle sat down, guiding Dadi to sit beside him, as if settling into control.

Tanya stood up and moved closer to me, leaning in to murmur softly near my ear, "Yash, please be calm. Isn't it good if we get married early?"

I clenched my fists, my anger bubbling to the surface. Just as I was about to snap at her, Chachu's voice cut through the room, stopping me in my tracks.

"Bhaiya has woken up."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Dad... woke up? After 30 days?"

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