YOU AND ME

Amina

The call with my family ended, but their voices lingered in the air, carrying me forward. My mother, fiercely protective. My father, always calm and reasoning. Zuri, with her unwavering confidence in me. My brother, worried but trusting I would handle it. I felt their support like a shield, but the battle with Kavya and Ayush’s mother was still very real.

I took a deep breath, glancing at Ayush across the room. His eyes were tired but steady, a silent promise that we would get through this. It was his mother’s interference that hurt the most, the way she seemed to ignore my presence, pushing Kavya closer to him every chance she got.

“Amina,” Ayush’s voice broke the silence, his tone gentle but firm, “I know it’s hard. I’m going to talk to my mother. Kavya can’t stay here forever.”

I nodded, but deep down, I knew this wasn’t just about her living in our house. It was the way she moved through our lives, trying to weave herself into the cracks, making me question my place in Ayush’s world.

---

Later, as we sat in the kitchen, preparing for a family dinner, I could feel Kavya’s eyes on me. She was always watching, waiting for a misstep. I could see it in her fake smiles, in the way she clung to Ayush’s every word.

"Ayush, do you need help with the presentation for tomorrow? I know how important it is for you." Her voice was syrupy sweet as she leaned in just a little too close.

I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on chopping vegetables, but Ayush’s response made me smile inside.

"No, Kavya. Amina and I have it covered, thanks." He didn’t even look up from his laptop as he dismissed her.

Kavya’s expression faltered for a moment, her eyes flicking to me before she forced a smile. "Of course, let me know if you change your mind." She floated out of the room, but the tension lingered like a shadow.

Ayush reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. “She’ll leave soon, Amina. I promise.”

I squeezed his hand in return, feeling the weight of his words. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that our love was stronger than any of Kavya’s schemes. But there was always that voice in the back of my mind, whispering doubt.

---

It wasn’t long after that the real danger began. It started subtly, with small things — like the screws on my workout machine coming loose. I would have been hurt if Ayush hadn’t walked in at that exact moment. His arms wrapped around me, steadying me as I stumbled back.

"I’m fine," I whispered, though my heart was racing. "But someone tampered with it. Ayush, it was Kavya. I know it."

His jaw tightened, and I could see the frustration in his eyes. “We’ll fix this, Amina. She’s not getting away with this.” His voice was low, protective. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, the safety that came with it.

But despite his reassurances, the next few weeks were a game of cat and mouse. Kavya’s sabotage became bolder. I started checking everything twice, three times. Doors left unlocked. Strange texts sent to Ayush’s phone. And still, his mother refused to see the truth, blinded by her affection for Kavya, who was always playing the victim.

---

One evening, after another particularly tense dinner, I retreated to our bedroom, exhausted. I stood in front of the mirror, running a brush through my hair, trying to steady my breath. The reflection showed my tired eyes, but also the fire that still burned within me. I wasn’t going to let Kavya win.

Ayush stepped into the room behind me, his presence grounding me as always. Without a word, he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His lips brushed the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

“We’ll fight her together,” he whispered, his voice low, filled with promise.

I turned to face him, my hands resting on his chest. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside the room didn’t matter. It was just him and me. His lips met mine in a slow, deliberate kiss, full of the unspoken emotions between us. Every kiss, every touch, was a reminder of the strength we had together. No matter how hard Kavya tried to tear us apart, we always found our way back to each other.

---

But the true danger came one morning when I was driving to a meeting. The brakes on my car failed without warning. My heart pounded as I swerved, barely avoiding an accident. I managed to steer the car off the road, my hands shaking as I gripped the wheel. It wasn’t an accident. I knew that. I knew it the moment I felt the brakes give out.

Minutes later, Ayush and Raj pulled up behind me, their faces pale with fear. Ayush rushed to my side, his hands gripping my arms as if to make sure I was really there.

“She did this, didn’t she?” Ayush’s voice was low, dangerous. His eyes were dark with anger, his protective instinct roaring to life.

I nodded, still in shock, but grateful to have them there.

“We’re not letting her get away with this,” Raj said, his voice steady, but I could hear the edge in it. “She’s gone too far. We have to stop her before she tries something worse.”

---

Days passed, and despite everything, Ayush and I kept fighting. Together. Kavya’s desperation only fueled our determination. Every challenge, every attempt to hurt me, only made us stronger, more united.

And then came the night of the award ceremony.

I stood before the mirror, draped in the stunning saree Ayush had chosen for me. The fabric flowed over my body, the intricate embroidery catching the light. It was both traditional and modern, just like me. I admired the way it hugged my frame, the soft golden hues shimmering against my skin.

Ayush entered the room behind me, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his hands resting on my hips as he leaned in to kiss my shoulder.

“You look breathtaking,” he whispered, his voice full of pride and love.

I smiled, feeling his warmth, and turned to face him, my heart swelling with emotion. "Thank you. I’m nervous about tonight."

Ayush cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. "You’ll be amazing. I’m so proud of you, Amina. Everything you’ve achieved, despite everything. You deserve this."

He kissed me then, slow and sweet, and in that moment, I knew that no matter what Kavya or his mother tried, they couldn’t touch what we had.

The ceremony was a blur of applause and congratulations, but what stayed with me was the pride in Ayush’s eyes as I accepted the award for Businesswoman of the Year. His love, his belief in me —