YOU AND ME

Ayush

I slam the bathroom door behind me, but Raj, of course, follows. Always sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. I grip the sink, trying to keep my head clear, but Raj's voice cuts through the silence.

“Listen to yourself!” He’s yelling now. I grit my teeth. “She literally risked her life to save you every time! Every damn time. And here you are, acting like she means nothing.”

I whip around, frustration boiling over. “I don’t want to hear this, Raj. Just leave me alone.”

But he’s relentless. “The first thing you did when you woke up was ask about Amina. You say you hate her, but you’re always thinking about her. You guys are ridiculous. Just talk! Do something other than fighting all the time.”

I glare at him. “We’re not doing this again. I hate her. She ruined this family. My mom was right about her all along, and I was too blinded by some so-called love to see it.”

“Love, huh?” Raj smirks, crossing his arms. “Sounds to me like you still love her, bro. No matter what happened.”

“Whatever, Raj,” I mutter, turning my back to him. “Just go.”

As I step into the shower, I let the hot water rush over me, hoping to drown out the noise in my head. But all I can think about is Amina. Her face flashes in my mind, the way she looked at me when I was in chains, her eyes full of fear—not for herself, but for me.

And then there’s the slow dance. That damn dance. Her hand in mine, her body close to me, the way she felt so right in my arms. I mouth the words I love you in the water, and instantly, I hate myself for it.

“No. Don’t be weak, Ayush,” I growl under my breath, scrubbing my face with my hands. “She destroyed everything. She doesn’t deserve your love.”

I see Vikram every day now. Every time I turn around, he’s there, talking to Amina, making her laugh. It’s driving me insane. One night, I’ve had enough. I corner her, my voice sharp and cold.

“Our marriage isn’t even over,” I snap. “We haven’t talked about divorce, and here you are throwing yourself at another man.”

Amina’s eyes blaze with fury. “I told myself I would never raise my hand to you, Ayush. But don’t push me.”

I step closer, the jealousy clawing at my chest. “I can’t believe you. Parading around like you’re single when you’re still my wife.”

She shakes her head, her voice low but cutting. “I won’t let you get under my skin. Not anymore.”

We’re at a business meeting the next day, foreign investors everywhere. I have to act like everything is fine. But when I see one of the investors pulling out a chair for Amina, his hand brushing her waist, something snaps inside me.

Before I can stop myself, I’m there, sliding between them, my hand possessively on her waist. “If you don’t mind,” I mutter, glaring at him.

Amina leans in close to my ear, her voice a whisper. “Don’t touch me.”

I whisper back, my grip tightening. “Remember, you’re mine. No one else gets to touch you except me.”

She pulls back, her eyes icy. “I was yours. Now you’re nothing to me.”

---

Later, back in the room, we’re fighting again. It’s like it never stops. I pace the floor, my fists clenched. “You’re letting every man touch you, every chance you get, Amina! The Amina I knew would never—”

“The Amina you knew is dead,” she cuts me off, her voice cold and final. “Get over it. Don’t you dare say I’m yours. I am not yours anymore.”