SoulMates

chapter 8

The house is quiet, and Kabir sits in the study, surrounded by paperwork. The weight of responsibilities is pressing down on him-family matters, work, and managing the household. He's been trying to keep everything together, but lately, it feels like everything is slipping out of his control. The tension in his chest is growing, and the constant pressure is starting to wear him down.Kabir's mind is buzzing with thoughts as he reviews documents, his frustration mounting. His hands tighten around the papers as his mind wanders-back to the living room earlier, when Anya was laughing with Sid.

The sound of her laughter echoes in his head, and though he tries to shake it off, the feeling lingers.He frowns, staring down at the papers but not really seeing them. Instead, his thoughts drift back to Anya-how effortlessly she fits into the household, how easy it is for her to connect with Sid. And then there's him, constantly weighed down by responsibilities, always trying to keep things in line. It irritates him, the way she seems so carefree.

Kabir (thinking, frustrated): "She doesn't understand. She doesn't know how much pressure I'm under."He leans back in his chair, rubbing his temples. The stress is gnawing at him, but there's something else too-something he doesn't want to admit. Jealousy. Not just because Sid and Anya seem to get along so well, but because Anya seems to live without the heavy burdens that constantly drag him down.
Kabir (muttering to himself): "It's not that simple. She doesn't get it."Just then, he hears soft footsteps outside the study. He looks up just as the door creaks open, and Anya steps in, holding a cup of tea. She pauses when she sees the tension in his posture.
Anya (softly): "You look stressed. I thought you could use this."Kabir glances at the cup in her hands, and though he appreciates the gesture, his pride and the simmering frustration inside him won't let him accept it easily.

Kabir (curtly): "I don't need tea. I need to focus."Anya raises an eyebrow at his tone but steps forward, setting the cup down on the desk anyway.
Anya (calmly): "You're always working, Kabir. You're going to burn yourself out."Kabir doesn't respond, his jaw tight as he goes back to his papers. But Anya lingers, sensing there's more going on beneath the surface. She crosses her arms and studies him for a moment, noticing the tightness in his shoulders, the way his hands are gripping the papers a little too hard.
Anya (gently): "What's really going on?"Kabir's eyes flick up to meet hers, a flash of irritation in them.
Kabir (snapping): "What do you think is going on? I have responsibilities. Things that actually matter."Anya takes a small step back, surprised by the sudden harshness in his voice. But instead of snapping back, she stays calm, understanding that something deeper is bothering him.
Anya (quietly): "I wasn't saying they don't matter. I just... I've noticed how tense you've been lately. You don't have to carry everything alone, you know."Kabir looks away, his fingers tightening on the papers again. Her words cut through the noise in his head, but he doesn't want to admit that she's right. He's spent years keeping everything under control-why would she, someone who's only just come into their lives, understand the pressure he's under?
Kabir (gritting his teeth): "You wouldn't understand, Anya. Not everything can be fixed with a carefree attitude and a smile."Anya frowns slightly, sensing the undercurrent of something more in his words.
Anya: "This isn't about me, is it?"Kabir hesitates for a moment, his jaw clenching as he struggles to find the right words. He knows he's lashing out, but the combination of stress and jealousy is muddling his thoughts.
Kabir (quiet, almost bitter): "You and Sid... it's easy for you two. You laugh, make plans, talk about things like trips. Meanwhile, I'm the one left here holding everything together. It's... frustrating."Anya tilts her head slightly, starting to understand. She's caught off guard by the mention of Sid, but she doesn't let it show too much.
Anya (softly): "You're jealous."Kabir scoffs, turning away from her and pretending to go back to his work, though his hands remain frozen on the papers.
Kabir (defensive): "I'm not jealous. I just don't have time for all these distractions."Anya steps closer, her voice gentler now as she tries to get through to him.
Anya: "It's not a distraction, Kabir. You're allowed to take a break. You're allowed to have a life outside of all... this."Kabir's eyes narrow as he turns back to her, his frustration bubbling over.
Kabir (angry): "You think I don't know that? You think I don't want that? But I can't afford it, Anya. While you and Sid are off enjoying yourselves, I'm the one who has to make sure everything doesn't fall apart."Anya is quiet for a moment, watching the way Kabir's shoulders are tense, his voice filled with stress and frustration. She sees it now-it's not just jealousy. It's the weight of his responsibilities, the fear of losing control, of not being enough.
Anya (softly): "I get it. You feel like everything is on your shoulders, like if you let go, everything will crumble. But it won't, Kabir. You're not alone in this."Kabir doesn't respond immediately, his chest tight with the pressure of everything he's been carrying. He wants to believe her, but the weight of his responsibilities and the constant need to be in control have left him feeling trapped. He clenches his fists, staring down at the papers in front of him, feeling like they're all closing in on him.