I am his Bride... { an Indian BL saga }

Ashtamangala (Part 2)

Ashwin glanced around the room with a mix of curiosity and concern. The space was impeccably clean and neatly organized. The walls were painted in a calming blue with pink accents. At the center was a queen-sized bed, dressed in pastel pink bedsheets and adorned with a collection of pillows and soft toys. The room also featured a vanity cluttered with makeup and hair products, and a study table holding clay models and art supplies. In one corner, canvases covered with cloths hinted at creative endeavors waiting to be uncovered.

Divyansh, still in the guise of his sister Divya, had just closed the door behind them. He urged, "Baithiye na." (Please sit.)

Ashwin hummed, following her words to get on the bed and called out, "Divya..."

It broke the young boy to bits whenever Ashwin called him by his sister's name, reminding that he was the imposter. "Ji..", he replied as he went closer, after hesitating for a moment, fiddling nervously with the pallu of his saree. It had slipped down due to his father's assault, revealing more of his pectorals, but he hadn't noticed it yet.

Ashwin, looking up, saw the saree falling and immediately looked away, his attention shifting to the window. "Pehle apni saree thik karo," (Fix your saree first) Ashwin said, trying to maintain his composure.

Divyansh quickly adjusted it, his cheeks flushing.  "Ab thik hai.... Aapki hi patni hun... Aap chahe toh dekh sakte hai," he murmured, almost in a whisper. (It's done. I'm your wife, if you want to, you can look.)

Ashwin's patience was wearing thin. "Wo sab abhi kya tha? Tumhare papa tum se aese baat kyun kar rehe the?" (What was all that about? Why was your father speaking to you like that?) He asked, ignoring what she said: unable to reply, it was a territory he was not ready to explore, not yet.

Divyansh lowered his gaze, unable to offer an explanation. His parents had always adored his sister, and the discrepancy in treatment had become a source of silent suffering for him. He had bore it these years, but now it was getting out of hand, for it was trying to blow his cover!

Ashwin's frustration grew. "Divya maine tumse kuch pucha hai... tumhare parents to tumse bhot payar karte the... toh phir yea sab kya hai?" (Divya, I asked you something! Your parents love you. So why is this happening?)

Divyansh, feeling cornered, stammered, "W-woh papa b-bas thoda gussa ho gaye the... M-main a-aapka thik se d-dhyaan nahi rakh rahi isliye.... I promise I'll do better..." (T-That.. Papa just got angry because I am not taking care of you properly. I promise I'll do better.) 

Ashwin, visibly angry, glared at her and demanded, "Main tumhe pagal dikhta hoon? Sach batao ke baat kya hai?" His voice grew sharper as he added, "I don't think it's about you taking care of me." Rising from his seat, he stood tall, towering over her. (Do I look like a fool? Tell me what is happening?)

Divyansh stepped back until his back hit the door, shaking his head nervously. "Chodiye na, kyu itna bura man rahe hai aap!" he said, his voice tinged with unease. (Leave it, why are you getting so offended!)

Ashwin clenched his fists, his thoughts storming inside him. He wanted to say, "Because he was treating you, my wife, so poorly," but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he muttered bitterly, "Leave it... do whatever the fuck you want... why do I even care?" With a frustrated sigh, he sank back onto the bed, his gaze distant and heavy with unspoken emotions.

Divyansh stood quietly by the door, unsure of what to do next. His stance reflected hesitation, as if waiting for instructions. Ashwin's patience finally snapped. "Ab udhar bhoot bani khadi mat raho! Go and do your work," he barked, grabbing his tablet to distract himself with work. (Now don't stand there like a ghost! Go and do your work!)