Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-5: Homecoming & A New Resolve

As the day progressed, Inaara tried to stay as invisible as possible. She busied herself with unpacking her things in the closet, careful to stay on “her side” of the room. The closet was enormous, like everything else in the mansion, filled with expensive suits and tailored shirts that spoke of Atharv's meticulous nature. She noticed how everything was organized—colors arranged from light to dark, shoes perfectly aligned, ties neatly rolled.

He’s not just a perfectionist. He’s obsessive. She sighed, knowing she had to tread carefully.

When night fell, Inaara found herself once again in the large, intimidating room she was now forced to share with Atharv. He was already there, sitting on the bed, reading through some documents. His cold demeanor hadn’t changed since the morning.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She didn’t want to provoke him, but there were things she needed to understand—about this house, about their arrangement.

“Atharv,” she began cautiously, “I just wanted to know… how do we move forward from here?” He didn’t even look up from his papers. “We’ve already discussed this. You do what you want, but don’t interfere with my life.”

Inaara swallowed her frustration. “I’m not trying to interfere. I just want to understand what’s expected of me here.”

Atharv’s eyes finally lifted from his documents, and he stared at her with an icy glare. “What’s expected of you is to stay out of my way and not embarrass this family. That’s it. Now, if you’re done with your questions, I have work to do."

Inaara sighed softly, her shoulders slumping as the weight of his words settled over her like a heavy cloud. Her eyes, filled with a quiet resignation, drifted across the room.

She wasn’t angry, nor was she sad—just tired. Tired of the unspoken tension, of the feelings she couldn’t quite voice, and of the distance that seemed to grow with every passing day.

Without another word, she sank onto the couch, curling her legs up beneath her as if seeking comfort in its embrace. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the fabric, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t stop, though she so desperately wanted to. The room felt colder, lonelier, and before she knew it, her eyelids grew heavy, surrendering to the exhaustion that had been building for days.

Sleep took her swiftly, her body finally giving in to the quiet escape it needed.
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**Next Day**

The journey back to her childhood home felt surreal for Inaara. The familiar streets, the corner shops, the laughter of children playing outside—all of it filled her with a bittersweet nostalgia. The car rolled to a stop in front of the Sharma house, and Inaara felt her chest tighten with anticipation. She was finally home after everything—the grand wedding, the whirlwind of rituals, the cold interactions with her new husband, and the imposing Rajvansh mansion.

This was where she belonged, where she felt free and unburdened. As she stepped out, a rush of emotions surged through her, and her eyes misted over.

Her family was gathered at the entrance, and their smiles warmed her heart. The Rajvansh mansion, with its grandeur and suffocating formality, seemed a world away. This was her home, her sanctuary, and the place where she had always found peace.