MY AVERAGE LIFE

Part 49

Sharath Pov:

I'm glad Shivani doesn't care that I'm not "in love" with her but obsessed—which I've been saying from the start. Everyone else insists it's love, but no, not her. Thank God she doesn't compare my feelings to love, because I know love isn't enough to keep a relationship alive forever. It's never enough. I know that better than anyone. She gives me peace, comfort, and calm—things I haven't felt in a long time. She's become my everything, and  without even realizing it.

The rest of the day went smoothly, with us teasing each other while doing some work.

Next Day:

I was waiting for Shivani as usual, but something felt off. She was late. That never happens. Ten minutes passed. Still no sign of her. My hand was already on my phone to call her when it rang—her name lighting up the screen. I answered immediately, but my blood ran cold at the sound of her voice. She was crying, her words shaky and broken.

"Sh-Sharath..."

"Shivani, what happened?" I asked, already racing toward her apartment. My heart pounded as I heard her gasp through the phone.

"Akhil is here," she sobbed, her voice trembling. That bastard. I swear to God, if he's hurt her...

"I'm coming, baby. Don't cry, I'm on my way." I took the stairs two at a time, pushing past people without even thinking. The thought of her crying—of her scared—was driving me mad. By the time I reached her building, I was running full speed, my mind racing with what I'd do to him when I got there.

When I reached her apartment, the door was open. A broken vase and blood splattered the floor. My heart raced, every inch of me on high alert. Where is she? I scanned the room, but there was no sign of Shivani.

"Baby, where are you?" I shouted, my voice cracking.
"Sharath..." Her voice came from behind a door, faint but there. I rushed toward it, banging my fist against the wood.

"Shivani, it's me. Open the door." My voice was desperate, the tension unbearable. Slowly, the door creaked open. When I saw her, my heart shattered into a million pieces. She was trembling, her face streaked with tears. Red marks covered her jaw and arms—handprints. My blood boiled. That bastard.

I was about to check her over for injuries when she threw herself into my arms, clinging to me like her life depended on it. I hugged her back, whispering anything I could think of to calm her down, to stop the shaking. When she finally started to breathe normally again, I pulled her away just enough to look at her.

"Where are you hurt? Show me," I demanded, my eyes scanning her for any signs of blood.
"I'm fine now," she whispered, still holding onto my hands.
"What do you mean you're fine? I saw blood."
"It's not mine. It's Akhil's."

As soon as those words left her mouth, I picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently before pulling her back into my arms. Only I know how I felt running up those stairs, imagining the worst seeing the blood. I would've died if I hadn't found her safe in my arms. I was relieved and proud that the blood wasn't hers but Akhil's.

Once I felt her relax in my arms, I leaned back and asked, "What happened, baby? Tell me." She buried her face in my chest, her grip on my shirt tight as I ran my fingers through her hair, silently telling her it was okay to talk.

Flashback (Shivani's POV):

I was almost ready, just grabbing my keys, when the doorbell rang. I frowned, wondering who it could be. Was Sharath getting impatient because I was two minutes late? I giggled at the thought and opened the door, expecting to see him. But my smile dropped the moment I saw who it really was.

"Akhil," I spat, stepping back in shock. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he pushed past me, barging into my apartment forcefully. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I yelled, but he ignored me, grabbing my arms with a force that made me wince. His grip was so tight, it hurt.

"Did you really get engaged, or are you lying for your friend?" His voice was cold, his fingers digging into my skin. I tried to break free, but he only tightened his grip.

"It's none of your business," I snapped, struggling harder, but he didn't let go.
"I shouldn't have listened to her," he mumbled, more to himself than me. "We could've been happy by now. All because of that bitch."

His grip was starting to feel unbearable. My skin burned where his fingers dug in. "Let go of me, you idiot!" I shouted, shoving him as hard as I could. He staggered back, but before I could react, he grabbed my jaw, his hand squeezing so tight I thought my face would break.

"Let go? No, I'm not making that mistake again," he growled, his face inches from mine. "We'll start fresh. I always liked you heck with like I love you. If it weren't for her, you'd already be mine."

"I will never be yours," I hissed through gritted teeth, trying to pull away, but he slammed me against the wall, holding my jaw in a death grip.

"You will be mine," he whispered menacingly.
"I belong to Sharath," I said proudly, tears streaming down my face, but I refused to back down.

"He came between us. But he won't last long. First, let me kiss you—I've wanted to since the first time I saw you."

He leaned closer, and my heart pounded in fear. I screamed, crying out for him to stop, but he just kept coming. Then I spotted the vase on the table beside me. Without a second thought, I grabbed it and smashed it against his head. He let out a pained shout, stumbling back, and I took the chance to grab my phone and lock myself in the room. My hands were shaking as I dialed Sharath's number.

Back to Present (Sharath's POV):

I held Shivani tightly, brushing her hair as she finished telling me what happened. I could feel my blood boiling beneath my skin, but I forced myself to stay calm—for her sake.

"Akhil is a dead man," I whispered, my voice low and dangerous.