Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*YOU ARE MY HUSBAND NOT HER'S *

***author's pov***

Rudra descended the stairs, his heart heavy with a mix of anger and longing. As he entered the kitchen, his breath caught in his throat. Aayara was busy working, her silhouette framed by the morning light streaming in through the window. The red saree she wore hugged her curves perfectly, the way it flowed around her made her look ethereal. The mangalsutra around her neck and the sindoor in her hair were stark reminders of the bond she now shared with his brother.

Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he watched her, an ache in his chest that felt insurmountable. If only she knew how deeply he loved her, how he wished things could be different. She was meant to be his—his heart and soul—but now, she was bound to Arjun.

Aayara turned slightly, catching sight of him. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Good morning, Rudra. Would you like some tea?”

He nodded, struggling to find his voice. “Yeah, that would be great.” As she moved around the kitchen, he couldn’t help but admire her grace, the way she seemed to light up the space even amid the tension that hung in the air.

“Everything okay?” Aayara asked, her tone gentle, sensing something off about him.

“Just... tired,” he replied, forcing a smile that felt foreign on his face.

Inside, he was torn apart. Every glance at Aayara felt like a reminder of what he had lost. With every movement, the reality of her marriage to Arjun weighed heavily on him. Would he ever be able to let go? Would he ever stop yearning for a love that was now just out of reach?

As she poured the tea, he fought to keep his emotions in check, knowing that any slip would expose the depth of his feelings. Instead, he focused on the moment, trying to memorize every detail of her presence, knowing it might be the closest he ever got to her heart.

As Aayara handed Rudra the cup, her fingers brushed against his skin, sending a jolt of electricity through him. He felt his heart race at the simple touch, a reminder of the closeness they once shared in another time, in another world.

“Here you go,” she said softly, her gaze meeting his for a brief moment. The warmth in her eyes made him forget his pain, even if just for a second.

“Thanks,” he managed to say, taking the cup but lingering on her touch longer than he should have. He watched as she settled across from him, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You seem... distant,” she noted, tilting her head slightly, the strands of her hair falling gently over her shoulder.

Rudra took a deep breath, wishing he could reveal everything that weighed on his heart. “I’m fine, just... a lot on my mind,” he replied, trying to keep his tone casual.

She nodded but didn’t seem convinced. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here,” she offered, her voice sincere.

For a moment, he considered opening up to her, to confess his feelings and the turmoil raging inside him. But the fear of losing her completely, of crossing that fragile boundary between friendship and something deeper, held him back.

“Really, Aayara, it’s nothing. Just work stuff,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She watched him closely, her concern evident. “Okay, but remember, you don’t have to carry it alone,” she reassured him, her kindness piercing through his walls.

Rudra nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He wished he could lean into her, confide in her about the chaotic feelings swirling inside him, but he knew that vulnerability could risk everything. Instead, he took a sip of the tea, relishing the warmth it provided, both from the cup and the fleeting connection they shared.