THE IInd DECISION

38. Realisation

Ayan Pov:-

A sharp beam of sunlight hit my face, pulling me out of a restless sleep. My vision blurred as I tried to piece together the remnants of my consciousness. I groaned, holding my head, feeling the weight of a headache, and something else—my left hand, wrapped in a blood-stained cloth. Panic set in as I sat up on the sofa, realizing the entire room was in disarray. A broken glass pot lay shattered on the floor, and other objects were strewn across the room as if a storm had torn through it.

I looked down at myself, still dressed in my suit and shoes, and immediately my gaze shot toward the bed. She wasn't there. A wave of dread crashed over me. Where is she? The question echoed in my mind as I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky beneath me. I needed to clear my head—fast.

I stumbled into the bathroom, stripping off my clothes, and stepped under the cold shower. The icy water hit me like a punch to the chest, but it wasn't enough to numb the flood of memories that came rushing back. Her eyes—those black, tear-filled eyes.

Oh my God, what did I do? Was she crying?

Her voice echoed in my mind, her sobs overlapping with the harsh things I said, the accusations, the cruelty. What did I say to her? What did I do?

"Tumse thoda sa baat kya kar liya, tumne to haq jatana shuru kar diya!"

Another voice came, colder, more detached: "Don't forget, Aashi. This is a contract marriage. We only know what happens behind closed doors."

I ran my hands through my hair, wet from the shower, frustration and guilt swirling in my mind. What was happening to me? What had I done?

I shut off the water, grabbed a towel, and rushed towards the wardrobe, yanking out a shirt and pants in a hurry. As I pulled out my clothes, something fell from the cabinet—a box, wrapped like a gift. I bent down and picked it up. There was a note attached:

"Happy Birthday Ayan! May God give you lots of mint chocolate ice cream on your special day. I hope you like your gift!"

A smiley face was drawn at the end of the note. My heart clenched as I opened the box—a sleek black watch and cufflinks shaped like ice cream. A sad smile crept onto my face. This was the first time someone had gifted me something. I gently placed the box back in the cabinet and hurried out of the room, shouting for her.

"Ashi!" No response. "Ashi!" My voice echoed through the empty house. I stormed down the stairs, grabbing one of the servants.

My voice was rough, desperate, but the servant just looked at me, silent.

"Where is my wife?" I demanded again, my grip tightening.

He stayed silent, and then I heard my mother's voice from the stairs. I turned to see her standing there, her expression cold and indifferent.

"She left."

I blinked in confusion. "Left? What do you mean she left?"

"We don't know where she went. Ayan, we need to talk—how could you let her make you sign such a foolish contract?" Her voice was casual, like this was nothing but a business matter.

 I pulled out my phone, frantically scrolling through my contacts until I found her name: "Mint Chocolate." I called once. Twice. Three times. No answer.

Riya appeared, holding Ashi's phone. "Bhai, she left her phone." The tension in my chest grew unbearable.

"Riya, call her friends, her mother—anyone she knows!" I barked, turning towards the door. A servant stood ready with a tray of keys. I grabbed one, ready to leave when my mother's voice stopped me.