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Kabir and Erica reached the ancestral place of worship—it was situated quite far from the city. They performed the puja and all the rituals in silence. Afterward, Kabir drove them back home. Neither of them spoke during the entire ride. Kabir wanted to initiate a conversation, but Erica didn’t offer any response or opening.
About an hour into the journey, Kabir’s car broke down. The mechanic checked it and informed them that it would take some time to fix.
“It’s already evening. You both should look for a nearby resort to rest for a while. I’ll call you once the car is ready,” the mechanic suggested.
Kabir and Erica agreed and found a nearby resort nestled on the outskirts of the city. It was peaceful and scenic. As they approached the reception to book a room—
“Hey… Kabir,” a voice called from behind.
Kabir turned to see Samaira. He gave her a curt smile, but she stepped forward and initiated a small hug. He didn’t like it, but chose to ignore it.
“How come you’re here, Kabir?” she asked casually.
“Just some work. How about you?” he replied with professional detachment.
“I’m here for a land deal,” she answered slowly, her gaze shifting subtly toward Erica.
“Oh… Samaira, meet my wife, Erica. Erica, this is Samaira—our business associate.”
“And also his batchmate from college,” Samaira cut in quickly.
“Hello,” Erica said politely, offering a small smile.
Just then, Kabir’s phone rang. He excused himself, leaving the two women alone.
Samaira took her time to scan Erica from head to toe, making her visibly nervous.
“So… you’re Anay’s ex-girlfriend?” she asked, her tone laced with mockery.
“Excuse me?” Erica said, clearly offended.
“Oh, don’t act innocent. I know all about you. Kabir told me how he was forced to marry you.”
Erica was taken aback. She didn’t know how to respond.
“You know… Kabir and I are very close. He shares everything with me. Poor Kabir! He’s regretting this marriage so much. And who wouldn’t? I mean, being Anay’s ex is more than enough reason to feel that way, right? But because of his reputation, he’s bearing it,” she said, rolling her eyes.
Tears welled up in Erica’s eyes. Kabir said all this?
“Actually, you know what—Kabir is extremely allergic to middle-class people like you. He prefers someone from his own class. But now, look at him… stuck with you. So sad!” Samaira said with a fake pout.
“I know you must be thrilled. I mean, one minute you were marrying Anay and the next—you hit the jackpot with the Kabir Randhawa. It’s obvious! But sadly, all you have is his name. Like a trophy wife. He doesn’t feel anything for you.”
She smirked. “I mean, don’t get me wrong—but think about it. How would I even know all this if he hadn’t told me himself? It’s not like I was spying on his life. He shared these things with me.”
Then, as if her words hadn’t cut deep enough, she added with fake sympathy, “Trust me, as a woman, I actually feel really sad for you.”
Erica’s heart shattered. She felt like the ground beneath her feet was collapsing. Words refused to come out of her mouth.
Just then, Kabir returned. Samaira greeted him with a bright, casual smile, as though nothing had happened.
“Kabir, if you don’t mind… I’m here for a few more hours. We could discuss our project in the lounge?” Samaira offered sweetly.
Kabir considered it. He didn’t have much to do in the room anyway, so he nodded.
He asked room service to escort Erica to their room while he walked away with Samaira. As they left, Samaira whispered something to him, and Kabir smiled.
Erica stood there, watching him walk away—no explanation, no glance back. Just a smile… a smile he had never once given her.
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An hour later, Kabir returned to the room. He opened the door to find all the lights off. He flipped the switch and saw Erica standing near the balcony, bathed in moonlight. She didn’t turn around, even after hearing him enter.
Kabir removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves as he walked toward her.
“Why are you standing here in the dark?” he asked gently.
She remained silent.
“Erica?” he said again, placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her to face him.
Her face was red—like she had been crying for hours. Her eyes shimmered with pain.
“Erica, what happened? Why are you crying? Is everything alright?” he asked, concern pouring from his voice.
She tried to pull away, but he held on.
“Erica, tell me what’s wrong, baby. Has someone said something to you? Please, tell me,” he pleaded, trying to wipe her tears.
She pushed him back suddenly.
“Don’t come near me!” she shouted. “Why are you acting so concerned, huh? Don’t you find me disgusting now? And who’s forcing you now for all this?”
“Erica!” Kabir said, trying to stay calm. “What’s gotten into you? Why are you shouting?”
And that was the moment Erica broke.
“You’re hurting me, Kabir. You’re hurting me beyond measure. I’ve started hating myself. I feel like I’m a burden… impure… I’m disgusted by my own self, Kabir. And it’s all because of you. All because of you!” she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Please leave me, Kabir. You think I’m not worthy of you, right? So just divorce me! I beg you. I can’t live like this, Kabir. These questioning eyes of yours… they’re tearing me apart. I’m not your standard, right? So get rid of me and find someone better—someone you think you deserve!”
Her voice cracked, and her sobs deepened.
“Everyone says you’re a powerful man—no one can force you into anything. Then why was I forced on you, Kabir? Why? I know you think I was… I was… sleeping with Anay. And no matter how much I try to make you believe otherwise, you’ll never trust me.”
She broke into a sob.
“And it hurts, Kabir. It hurts. Whatever you say, it affects me. Your accusing eyes kill me. Please, I beg you… leave me, Kabir. Please…”
She joined her hands in a desperate plea.
Kabir immediately took her hands and brought them down, placing both his palms gently on her cheeks, wiping her tears with his thumbs.
“Erica… did Samaira say something?” he asked, his voice low but serious, looking straight into her eyes.
Tears still streamed down her cheeks. She looked at him for a few seconds—something unspoken passing between them—before turning her head away, not answering.
“You are my wife, Erica. Nothing in this world can separate you from me. And if Samaira said anything to hurt you… trust me, I *won’t* leave her,” he said firmly.
“Why would she need to say anything… isn’t it what you feel about me?” Erica asked bitterly, trying to move away from his touch.
“And how do you know what I feel about you?” he said, leaning in slightly, his grip on her face tightening just enough to make her pause.
YOU ARE READING
IT WAS MEANT TO BE HIM
General Fiction"𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕨𝕟𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 , 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖" ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Neither she loves you nor she belongs to you" her ex fiancee shouted in anger. He stoo...
