Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*THE BROKEN BOND*

***AUTHOR'S POV***

As Aayara lay in bed, the gentle pull of sleep began to envelop her. Just as she was drifting off, the door creaked open, revealing Arjun. He stood in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway light. Aayara's heart raced, but she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Arjun stepped inside, unsteady on his feet, the sharp scent of alcohol wafting through the air. Aayara could hear him mumble something under his breath, and she felt a rush of anxiety as she lay still, praying he wouldn’t notice she was awake.

He paused beside her bed, and Aayara could feel his gaze on her. The silence stretched between them, heavy and filled with unspoken words. She held her breath, hoping he would turn away, but instead, he sighed deeply. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his movements.

Finally, he turned away from her and walked to the window, looking out into the night. Aayara opened her eyes just a crack, watching as he leaned against the sill, his expression a mix of contemplation and weariness.

After a few moments, he turned back to the room and approached the bed. Without a word, he climbed in beside her, his body cold and distant. Aayara felt the familiar warmth of his presence but also an uncomfortable emptiness. Unlike the nights before, he didn’t reach for her or pull her close. Instead, he lay on his side, facing away from her.

Aayara’s heart sank as she realized he was shutting her out. She missed the possessive hold he would usually wrap around her, the warmth that made her feel cherished and safe. Instead, she felt a growing chasm between them, a silence filled with unspoken tension.

She shifted closer, hoping to bridge the gap, but he remained motionless, the distance between them palpable. Aayara wrapped her arm around him, seeking connection, but he didn’t respond, leaving her feeling more alone than ever.

As the clock ticked in the darkness, Aayara drifted into a restless sleep, her mind swirling with confusion and longing, wondering how they had ended up like this.

As the night wore on, Aayara lay there, her heart heavy with unfulfilled yearning. Just when she thought all hope of connection was lost, she felt a change in Arjun's demeanor.

In his sleep, he turned toward her, instinctively wrapping an arm around her waist. Aayara's breath caught in her throat, warmth flooding her as she felt his familiar embrace envelop her. It was a reflexive gesture, a habit forged from the countless nights spent entwined together.

He nuzzled closer, pressing his lips against her temple in a slow, tender kiss, as if his subconscious was trying to bridge the emotional distance that had formed between them. Aayara felt her heart swell at the unexpected affection, her body relaxing against him as she snuggled deeper into his hold.

In that moment, it felt as if the walls built by his anger and frustration began to crumble. Aayara closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the warmth of his presence. She wished desperately for this moment to last, to turn into something more than a fleeting gesture.

The warmth of his body against hers ignited a flicker of hope within her, a belief that maybe, just maybe, he still cared despite the turmoil that surrounded them. She held onto that thought as she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, nestled safely in the arms of the man she loved, unaware of the complexity of emotions stirring within him even in his dreams.

As Aayara nestled deeper into Arjun’s embrace, a familiar warmth enveloped her, but her smile faltered when a sudden realization hit her. The scent of his skin was intermingled with a fragrance she couldn’t ignore—a sweet, floral perfume that was definitely not hers.

A wave of confusion and betrayal washed over her. The gentle kiss on her temple now felt like a cruel reminder of the distance between them. Memories of the party and Arjun's lingering tension surged back to her mind, along with images of the woman who had graced their home earlier that day—Akriti, Arjun's ex-girlfriend. The scent was unmistakably hers.

Aayara's heart raced, her mind battling with doubt and insecurity. She tried to convince herself it was just a lingering scent from the evening, perhaps from a business meeting or an event he had attended. But as she inhaled again, the sweetness felt like a taunt, a reminder that Arjun had a past she could never fully penetrate.

She pulled back slightly, wanting to look at him, wanting to confront the silent storm brewing in her heart. But as she gazed at his peaceful expression, she felt the weight of her vulnerability. What if he had been with Akriti? What if he still had feelings for her?

Aayara’s chest tightened as she fought back tears. Why couldn’t she just trust him? She wished desperately to believe in the moments they shared, in the way he wrapped her in his arms. But the scent was a powerful intruder, and doubt seeped into the cracks of her heart, threatening to unravel the fragile bond they had begun to rebuild.

Silently, she turned her head away, attempting to block out the scent, to reclaim the warmth of his embrace, even as the shadows of uncertainty loomed large. She felt the sting of tears prick her eyes but blinked them away, refusing to let sadness overwhelm her.

As she drifted off to sleep, Aayara clung to the hope that the connection between them was still strong enough to withstand the ghosts of their pasts, even as the faint scent lingered in the air, an unwelcome reminder of what she feared might come between them.