𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐘

●6 Hard feelings

They pulled up to the Malhotra mansion, its grand façade illuminated in the soft glow of the moonlight. Tara sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, but her mind was far from peaceful. The weight of the past three years hung heavily on her heart, and now, as she returned to this place—her new home, her new life—revenge was the only thing on her mind. Every breath felt heavy with the burden of the memories she couldn’t erase.

Rishabh, however, couldn't stop looking at her. The silence between them was thick, loaded with words they hadn’t spoken, with truths they hadn’t yet faced. His thoughts, unlike hers, were softer, almost hopeful. He wanted to give her the best of everything, to replace the bitterness of their past with moments she would cherish. But would she ever let him? He wasn’t sure.

They finally arrived. Standing outside the mansion, the air around them was cool, a gentle breeze ruffling Tara’s hair as it brushed past them. The night was eerily quiet, the silence between them even more pronounced in the stillness of the moment.

Maya Ji appeared at the door, her face lit with a warm smile, holding a pooja thali in her hands. Beside her, Tanvi stood with a kalesh, her eyes flicking back and forth between Tara and Rishabh, as if trying to gauge the tension in the air.

"Now, kick the kalesh with your right foot," Maya Ji instructed, her voice soft but firm, pulling Tara out of her thoughts.

Tara blinked, her body moving automatically as she kicked the kalesh, but her mind was far from the present moment. But in her distraction, her foot twisted beneath her. A sharp pain shot through her ankle.

"Ahh!" she cried out, her body pitching forward, but before she could hit the ground, Tanvi’s hands caught her just in time.

"Are you alright?" Tanvi’s voice was full of concern as she tried to steady her.

"Ow! My ankle hurts really badly," Tara whimpered, her face twisting in pain.

Before anyone could react, Rishabh was by her side. Without a word, he swept her up into his arms, cradling her as if she weighed nothing. His family watched, shocked by the suddenness of his actions. But Tara? She was too stunned to speak. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her, but instead of resisting, she remained quiet. She didn’t want to cause a scene. Not yet.

Still, she gave him a cold, hard glare, one filled with all the anger she had been harboring for years. But did it affect him? Of course not. He held her as if she belonged there.

---

Tara's POV

This is the last place I want to be—wrapped in the arms of a man I despise more than anything. It’s almost laughable how absurd this situation is. If I wasn’t so angry, I might have found it amusing. But instead, all I feel is rage simmering beneath my skin.

I’m in his arms, again. How poetic. The man who destroyed me, who made my life a living hell, is now holding me like I’m something precious. How ironic. My eyes locked on his face, searching for something—some sign that this was all an act, that he wasn’t really this calm and composed. But no, his expression remained steady. He wasn’t bothered at all by my coldness. He carried me upstairs in silence, as if this was normal, as if we hadn’t been at each other’s throats for the past three years.

He pushed open the door to a room—a room I was apparently expected to share with him now. I looked around, my anger momentarily softened by the beauty of the space. The walls were painted in calming shades, the bed large and luxurious, and in the corner, an elegant balcony overlooked the gardens. I hated that I found it beautiful. It felt like a betrayal to myself.

He laid me gently on the bed, his hands lingering for a second longer than necessary. I watched him as he moved to the foot of the bed, reaching out to touch my injured ankle.