You own my heart ( short story series)

Part-5

I'm prepared for those glares 😅. You might feel like throwing a few virtual chappals at me when you start, but I promise, by the end, you'll be on the edge of your seat! 😏🔥

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Bondita's eyes fluttered open slowly, her mind still hazy from the remnants of sleep. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the darkness around her, her heart immediately sinking at the strange feeling of emptiness beside her. Anirudh wasn't there.

Her heart raced as her eyes darted around the room, confusion creeping in. Wasn't she wrapped in his arms last night? Her body had felt so safe, so cherished. But now... where was he?

She sat up abruptly, her head spinning. Something felt wrong—terribly wrong. Her breath hitched in her throat as she scanned her surroundings. This wasn't her room. It was unfamiliar, unsettling.

She turned her gaze to the side, and to her shock, Chitra, Shobha kaki's daughter, lay peacefully beside her on the master bed. Bondita's heart thudded painfully in her chest. How? Why? Her thoughts raced. Wasn't I with him?... my pati babu... I confessed to him last night, didn't I? He accepted me... he did... Or... or was it all just a dr....dream?

Her lips trembled, and her hands shook as she fought the overwhelming surge of panic. Tears welled up in her eyes, her throat tightening. Was it all in my head? The warmth, the intimacy of his embrace, the way he had looked at her so deeply... could it all have been a cruel trick of her own mind?

She had to confirm. She couldn't bear this uncertainty.

"Chitra..." Bondita's voice came out as a soft, desperate whisper, shaking her gently awake. "Chitra, how did I get here?" Her words were trembling.

Chitra stirred, blinking sleepily. "Boudi... what are you talking about?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes, confused by Bondita's distress. "You slept here, remember? We were talking so late into the night... and I guess we both didn't realize when we fell asleep."

Bondita's heart was pounding, her pulse loud in her ears as Chitra's words echoed in her mind. Slept here? But she remembered the warmth of Anirudh's arms, the way he had held her so tenderly after she bared her soul to him. Her confession of love wasn't a dream, was it? It couldn't be. No, she felt it. The slow, steady beat of his heart against her cheek. His eyes—those deep, intense eyes—had looked into hers like he had understood her in ways no one ever had.

She forced herself to swallow the ache rising in her throat, pushing away the confusion. She couldn't afford to break down, not here. Not now. Everyone in this house, though warm and friendly, was still unfamiliar. How could she tell them what was swirling in her heart when she couldn't even tell him?

Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, her fingers trembling ever so slightly as she brushed her hair away from her face. Chitra's concerned voice broke through the fog in her mind, pulling her back to the moment.

"Boudi... are you okay? Is something wrong?" Chitra's soft, sleepy voice was laced with worry.

Bondita forced a weak smile, shaking her head. "No, Chitra. Everything's fine. You go back to sleep. Brides need their beauty rest, after all. I'll just take a bath and go downstairs to help with the preparations," she said softly, trying to steady her voice.

Chitra, still half-asleep, smiled and nodded, closing her eyes again as Bondita quietly slipped out of bed. But as soon as she stepped out into the hallway, her facade crumbled. Her chest felt tight, and her thoughts were in disarray. She had to know what was real, what wasn't. And that meant she had to face him, even if she didn't want to.