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Chapter 25 :
10:45 p.m.
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Maa had told me that Dhruv wanted to meet me after dinner. So she brought me to the guest room on the ground floor where he sat silently, facing the sliding glass door.
Cutting through the awkward silence, I spoke slowly, "You wanted to see me?"
After a moment of silence he spoke, "Why did you marry him?"
I knew this was coming.
Looking down at my lap, I fiddled with the edge of my pallu, finding words to answer him. I can't tell the truth, for he might doubt something that won't be favourable for the situation I'm already stuck in.
"It was an arranged marriage", I replied hoping to buy him with my blatant lie.
He scoffed, "Bhai had told maa that both of you were in a relationship before marriage for three years. Do you still think that I'd believe your lies?"
My head shot up at his direction, only to be met by his blank face. Those emotionless orbs stared at me, hoping for the answer he wanted to hear. But I couldn't do that.
"It's a long chain of events but I can't tell you right now. I'm sorry", I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Did he force you to get married?", he asked.
I remained silent, staring straight into his eyes before I replied, "It was my decision to marry him."
He nodded while looking away.
"Do you still love me?", his sudden question caught me off-guard.
I knew he was full of questions and I was ready to answer whatever I could but this one was the hardest to answer.
I didn't know what to answer. I still had feelings for him even after all these years but I can't admit it. If I do, things would get messier. I've already sacrificed a lot and sacrificing my feelings won't be a big thing if it saves some lives.
I made the mistake of loving and now I'm paying for it. My heart clenched just by the thought of denying of loving him. I knew he still harboured feelings for me but the web we're tangled in, doesn't have any place for feelings.
"No", I replied, gulping down the aching lump in my throat.
He nodded again.
"Just a few years ago you were going to be my wife and now, all of a sudden, you're my bhabhi. So many things changed, people changed, while I was in a deep slumber", he spoke calmly, yet, pain laced his voice.
I remained silent, staring at his face tilted towards the glass doors. I couldn't bear the sight of him sitting on that wheelchair. The man who used to walk confidently on the runway, was now sitting on the wheelchair helplessly.
