Born to Love You

23- Friend

Aru's Pov:

As soon as I stepped inside my room, I felt the weight of everything crash down on me. The suffocating silence, the strange emptiness of this place—it was unbearable. My chest tightened, and I wanted to scream, cry, just let it all out. But I couldn't. Not here. Not in this place that wasn't even mine, not really.

I missed home so much it hurt. I missed the warmth of my family, the familiarity of it all, where everything made sense, where I wasn't just someone's wife, someone's possession. Here, it felt like I was drowning in this forced life, gasping for air while trying to hold onto the pieces of myself that were slipping away.

Aditi had been messaging me constantly. Checking in, making sure I was okay, asking how he was treating me. I stared at her texts for a long time, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. She cared so much, and I wanted to tell her everything, pour my heart out. But I couldn't. How could I even begin to explain the mess that had become my life?

I typed back a quick response: "I'm fine, Aditi. Just getting used to things. He's... fine." It was a lie. But a necessary one.

If only she knew the truth, knew the things I couldn't say out loud. She'd be horrified. She'd be angry. And maybe she'd want to help, but what could she do? What could anyone do when I was bound to him in every way? The thought made me sick.

I threw my phone onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and I fought the urge to cry. Crying felt too easy. Too vulnerable. And if I started, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stop.

*

The next morning, I got up early again, just like yesterday. It had become my little routine, a way to avoid him as much as I could. The earlier I got ready, the more time I had to myself, away from his cold presence.

After getting dressed, I headed to the kitchen where Swetha aunty was already busy preparing breakfast. Despite her constant protests, I insisted on helping her, chopping vegetables and setting the table. She kept telling me to sit and relax, but honestly, I needed the distraction. Helping her made me feel a little more... grounded. She was like a mother figure in this suffocating place, and I was grateful for her warmth, even though it was completely unexpected from someone who worked for him.

As we chatted, I realized just how much I enjoyed talking with her. She had this calmness about her that reminded me of home. Her stories about life, and even the small moments, made me forget—if only for a while—that my life had taken such a strange turn.

But in the back of my mind, I was scanning the house, hoping not to bump into him before I left for college. I didn't want another icy stare or another remark that left me feeling powerless. He hadn't shown up for breakfast yet, and I was secretly hoping he wouldn't.

Swetha aunty must have noticed me glancing around because she smirked, stirring the pot on the stove. "I know you're missing him," she teased, her voice warm with a hint of mischief. "It's just a business trip for few days, dear. He left early, he'll be back soon."

I nearly choked on my breath, barely able to suppress a laugh. Missing him? The thought was so absurd I had to mentally laugh at it. I wanted to escape his presence, not run toward it. But I smiled back at her politely, knowing she meant well.

"Yeah... sure," I replied with a soft chuckle, giving her a small smile while I stirred the eggs. If only she knew how much I didn't miss him.

After setting the breakfast on the table, I sat down and ate peacefully knowing he wouldn't show up. I thanked Swetha aunty for the meal, grabbed my bag, and waved her goodbye.