Unveiled promises

.08.

|RUHI|

×Manipulating the manipulator×

"I hope you’re happy to see your parents," Aarav said as he settled into the car beside me. I could sense how hard he was trying to uncover my vulnerable side.

I managed a smile. "I was happy until I found out you were coming along," I replied, the bitterness seeping through. His mother had insisted it was a tradition to visit home with him, and here we were, heading to a place I dreaded.

"We can skip it if you’d prefer," he offered, and I shot him a glance. Could he really read my mind? I didn’t respond.

"Mr. Sehgal won’t mention anything to my parents, I promise," he added. "No, I want to go. I need to collect some things," I said, trying to mask my unease.

"As you wish," he replied, turning to his phone as I gazed out the window. To the outside world, our ride must have seemed luxurious, but inside, it felt like a suffocating cage.

When we arrived at what was supposed to be my home, my parents were waiting outside. I stepped out carefully in my floral maxi dress, holding it up slightly.

Aarav greeted my parents while I stood there, numb. I felt no connection to this place. I didn’t belong here.

"Ruhi, how are you?" My mother stepped forward, wrapping me in a hug.
"I’m good," I said, forcing a smile while she beamed at me.

They welcomed us inside, and I scanned the walls, noticing the emptiness. There were no photos of me, no paintings I had made.

"Where are my pictures and paintings?" I asked, my voice steady but my heart sinking. My mother chuckled, her discomfort palpable.

"Oh, we were thinking of renovating that area, so we moved them," she said, avoiding my gaze.
"To storage, I assume?" I replied, eyeing my father, who seemed indifferent.

"Don’t dwell on trivial things. Aarav, please sit," my father instructed, dismissing my concern.

"I don’t see her paintings as trivial; they matter," Aarav countered as he took a seat.

"I didn’t mean they were useless, just that the timing isn’t right," Dad said, trying to clarify.

"She can speak her mind whenever she wants. I want her paintings and everything that belongs to her delivered to our place," Aarav insisted, his tone authoritative.

Why is he pretending to care when we all know the truth?

Inside, I felt a swirl of confusion and anger. I wanted to scream, to show my hurt, but all I could do was stand silently, caught between two worlds—one that claimed me and one that I was trying to escape.

"Aarav a minute." My father called him. "Ruh, coming in a minute." He said and I didn't respond. My mother was inside the kitchen so I thought to see what Aarav and dad talking about.

I was at some distance when I saw dad saying something to him. Getting a little close I could hear them.

"I still didn't got the things you promised." Dad said and I kept standing there.
"You didn't did what I wanted. I told you not to treat coldly and what you are doing?" Aarav said to him in cold voice.

"That was not in the deal." Dad replied and my heart sank at the realisation. They are talking about me.

"Do you take me for a fool? I won't tolerate any disrespect towards my wife—never speak to her like that again. You will get whatever you want." Saying Aarav turned to my side. I wanted to move but I felt like my body freezed.