Protect my heart

c h a p t e r 6

Happy reading!

ANIKA'S POV

I have been sitting on his bed. I am in his bedroom. It has changed a lot. Obviously, he's not a kid anymore. Everything has changed here, everyone has changed. I loved being here. This was my second family. I have spent so much time here, in childhood, among these people, but somehow they feel like strangers. I look around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The walls, the furniture, all look the same, but the air feels heavy with tension and the memories of the past weigh on my heart.. I can hear murmurs coming from the living room, voices hushed in conversation.

I get up from the bed, feeling restless. But as soon as I walk towards the door, it opens and Aarav walks in.

His eyes widen when he sees me standing there. I can see the flicker of surprise and confusion on his face, but it's quickly masked by a flicker of irritation.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, his voice betraying his annoyance.
"Why did you marry me?" I whisper, taking a step back, feeling suffocated, "you've upset your family." tears sting my eyes, "just for some damsel in distress?" I whisper yell, not wanting anyone to hear but also to make my point clear, he was wrong, his decision was wrong, my voice trembling with anger and pain.
"You didn't had to marry me out of pity Aarav." A sob escapes my mouth. His expression falters for a moment, the annoyance giving way to something softer, something I can't quite understand. But then his face darkens again, and he steps closer, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Don't talk about yourself like that!" he yells, his voice booming in the small room. He grabs my arms forcefully, and I wince, the pain mixing with the anguish in my heart. "And I don't need to answer you," he growls, his grip tightening. His face is inches from mine, his features twisted in anger. His jaw is clenched, and his eyes are dark, almost black with rage, "it's only for 6 months. stay out of my way and we'll both have no problems." The veins in his neck stand out, and his breathing is heavy, like he's trying to control an inner storm. I have never seen him this angry, not with me at least. The force of his emotions is overwhelming, and for a moment, I feel a flash of fear.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, he lets go of me and takes a step back. He looks at me one last time, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and something else, something I can't quite place.
Without another word, he turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my pain.
I stand there, my arms aching where he grabbed me, my heart pounding. After a few moments, I move towards the closet. My luggage is already there, neatly placed as if mocking the chaos of my life. I pull out some clothes, I need to get out of this lehnga, I feel so stifled. It's as if my skin is burning in this wedding outfit. I start undoing my hair. I opted for minimal make up because I wasn't really excited for this wedding it was kind of forced on me by Vikram and now I am in a contractual marriage with Aarav. I chuckle at my observation, wow, I have lived two book genres almost in a day. I change into a simple salwar kameez, the familiar softness of the cotton and the familiar smell of my home, bringing me a small measure of comfort. I step out of the closet, thinking ways to how I will face Aarav now. But he's nowhere to be seen in the room, I guess he didn't come back. Not that I want to see him, it's just it's too late and he must be tired. I sit back down on the bed, my thoughts swirling. There's pin drop silence, it seems like everyone outside have gone to their respective rooms.

Aunty was so upset, I hate seeing her sad. When I was young and used to come here with Aarav after school, she used sit and gossip with me because her son obviously wouldn't, he would just sit there shaking his head in disappointment but I knew deep down he loved it. And now she won't even look at me. Dadu never let me miss my grandparents, Rudra bhaiya was very scary, dadu always saved me from him, not that he did anything, it's just his aura was so intimidating, even when he was a child, I don't know if he still is intimidating or not, didn't see him earlier in the living room, but he has a very beautiful wife. She's seems sweet and kind and the way Aarav was reacting around I feel she holds a special place in his heart and it's very rare thing to happen, to melt Aarav's heart. I didn't see Aditi, I miss her too. A soft smile appears on my face, remembering how we used to hang up on Aarav and how annoyed he was with us. His father was also nowhere to be seen.

This was my happy place, and now it just feels wrong to be here. Aarav loves his family, he always has, and now they're upset with him because of me. I curl up, hugging my knees to my chest, and let the tears flow freely. The weight of the situation presses down on me, and I can't see a way out.

I feel shaky and vulnerable. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my breathing, and push myself on the bed. He won't come tonight. I never want to hurt him, even he has caused me pain, I have always wanted for him to be happy, and now he's stuck with me, far away from happiness. I've ruined his life, and there's no way to fix it. Except if I run away. But where will I go? My mother won't let me come back. And I don't want to stress her in any ways that would affect her health. There's no way out of this.

Why bholenaath. Why me? I deserved a little happiness.