MY AVERAGE LIFE

Part 55

Shivani Pov:

These past two months have been nothing short of surreal. Sharath and I have grown closer in ways I never anticipated. There's a certain rhythm to our days now, a sense of quiet intimacy that sneaks into the simplest moments. Like the time, a week after I moved in, when I found out the second bedroom was spotless—no trace of the "mice and cockroaches" Sharath had warned me about. I remember confronting him with a raised eyebrow, my hands on my hips, trying to figure out why he lied.

"Sharath," I had asked, barely able to hold back a smile, "Why did you tell me the other room was a mess? I would've slept there!"

He had the audacity to smirk as he approached me, pulling me into his arms, his voice low and teasing. "I just wanted to have you close. Wanted to cuddle you every night."

My face had heated up immediately, and even now, the memory made me blush. That's just how he was—shameless, sweet, and so matter-of-fact about his affection. Over time, I had come to realize that Sharath wasn't someone who spoke love in flowery words. He showed it in the way he always made sure I was comfortable, how he held me close in his sleep, how he cared for me without needing to declare it.

And now, here we were, two months later, sitting in the office. It's hard to believe how fast the time had flown by. I was finishing up some work while Sharath was in the conference room, handling a meeting that had dragged on for over an hour.

Everything was calm until she walked in.

Sharath's mother.

The air instantly felt heavier the moment she stepped into the office. Her disapproving eyes scanned the room before landing on me.I dislike her, in fact, I hate her for what she said to Sharath. However, out of respect for Sharath, I stood up politely.

"Ma'am, Sharath is in a meeting right now. He should be done soon. Would you like to wait?" I offered, trying to sound professional despite the anger I am felling now.

She didn't waste a second before launching into her usual tirade. "You think you're clever, don't you? Trapping my son like this," she spat, her tone filled with venom. "What kind of girl like you even deserves someone like Sharath? It's obvious what you're after—his money."

Her words stung, but I stayed calm, trying to let them roll off me "Ma'am, I'm not with Sharath for money. We care about each other, and that's what matters."

She scoffed loudly. "Care? Has he even said 'I love you' to you? I know he didn't. He's not with you for love. He doesn't even know what love is! you're nothing more than a passing fling for him. You should be ashamed—clinging to a man who's never going to feel that way about you and I don't know what he sees in u."

Her words stung, but it wasn't for the reason she thought. I wasn't upset about Sharath not saying "I love you." Those words weren't the measure of our relationship. What bothered me was the way she belittled him, as if he was incapable of feeling anything at all.

I couldn't let her keep talking like that.

"Do you even know what love is?" I interrupted, my voice steady, though my patience was thinning fast. "You're so fixated on those three words, but love isn't about saying 'I love you' every day. It's about commitment."

She narrowed her eyes, probably not expecting me to stand up to her like this, but I kept going, my tone firm but calm.

"I don't believe in love that comes and goes with every whim. I believe in the kind of commitment Sharath shows me every single day. He may not have said those words, but he doesn't have to. His actions speak louder than anything. We're committed to each other, and that's what matters."

Her face contorted in anger, but I didn't stop.

"And frankly, I don't know what Sharath sees in me either," I said, my voice soft but pointed. "And I am lucky to have not because of money but he's such a great guy. But then again, you wouldn't know how great he is, would you? Because to recognize greatness, you have to be on the same level. If one is trash all they can see is trash."

There was a pause as she struggled to find a comeback, her eyes blazing with anger but her mouth unable to form a response. I took a step forward, lowering my voice just slightly, adding a sarcastic edge. "And just so we're clear, I don't appreciate anyone—anyone—defaming Sharath. Not even u."

I watched as the color drained from her face, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and humiliation. She had come in here expecting me to shrink under her insults, but I wasn't about to let her tear Sharath down, especially not in front of me.

Before the tension could escalate any further, the conference room door opened, and Sharath stepped out, his expression softening when he saw me. He had no idea what had just happened, and I preferred it that way. His mother, clearly flustered and too angry to argue further, stormed into his office room without another word.

I sighed, releasing the tension I'd been holding in, my hands shaking slightly from the confrontation. But as Sharath walked toward me, his familiar, comforting presence grounded me again. These two months had brought us so much closer, and as I looked at him now, I knew one thing for certain—I would always stand by his side, protecting him from anyone, even if that meant facing his own family.