Anaya-His heartbeat

Chapter-24

Shivarths pov

My body felt like it was one big bruise as I slipped into my wedding attire. Every ache reminded me of last night's dancing, of the laughs and music, of the carefree joy that had somehow seeped into me against my own will. I wasn't supposed to feel like this, but the thought of Anaya brought a warmth that kept creeping up, filling parts of me that I'd long forgotten even existed. Was it possible that I'd begun to like her? I wasn't ready to admit it, but something had shifted in me. For the first time, I could see a future-a fresh start with someone who might actually understand me. And somehow, that scared me more than anything.

I knew there was one thing I couldn't ignore anymore, though: my father. The man who had been nothing but a distant, cold figure, especially over the past years. Today, I needed him to be more than that. Even just a few words of acknowledgment, a slight nod of approval... something. Anything. I felt myself holding on to that faint hope as I approached his study.

He stood by the window, back turned, as if the world outside was more interesting than his son's wedding day. I forced myself to clear my throat, stepping into the room.

"Dad," I started, trying to sound steady, though my voice came out shakier than I wanted. "Today's... today's my wedding day. I thought maybe... I don't know, maybe we could set things aside and just... be here."

He didn't even turn around. I could see his reflection in the window glass, his lips pulling into a grim line as he finally responded, voice like ice.

"Be here for what, Shivarth?" he asked, with a slight sneer. "You want me to act like some sentimental father? Be proud and give you my blessing? Because this wedding means nothing. It's business, that's all."

His words hit harder than I'd expected. I clenched my fists, struggling to keep the hurt from showing. "I know it's business, but... can't it mean more than that? Just this once?"

Finally, he turned to face me, his expression sharp and unyielding. "Love, happiness, family-they don't matter here. I thought you would have learned that by now. This wedding is for the Oberoi name, for keeping our reputation intact and nothing more. You need to remember that."

My chest tightened, and I felt like I was barely holding myself together. "Maybe... maybe that's true for you. But it doesn't have to be for me."

His face twisted, and I could see the anger flash in his eyes. "You think you're different? You think this marriage will be some fairytale?" His tone dripped with disdain. "Did you forget what your mother did? I gave her everything, Shivarth. My loyalty, my love-everything. And she betrayed me. She left, without a second thought, after everything I did for her."

I staggered, his words punching holes through whatever fragile hope I'd been holding onto. I couldn't look at him, couldn't let him see the emotions clawing their way up my throat. "That was her choice, not mine. I'm not her, and neither is Anaya," I whispered, almost to myself, desperate to believe it.

But he didn't relent. His face hardened, lips pressed into a thin line. "You think you're immune? Love is weakness. It's fleeting, and it only leaves you broken. You'd be a fool to put your heart into this marriage. Trust me, Shivarth. She'll break you, just like your mother broke me. And when it happens, I won't be there to pick up the pieces."
My whole body ached, a dull, relentless throb that seemed to echo the conflict inside me. I should have been filled with happiness, or at least something close to it, but my thoughts kept pulling me back-to my father, to the look in his eyes that always seemed colder than it was proud. Today, of all days, I wanted him to be there for me, even just a bit. My father... the one person I'd tried so hard to reach but could never quite get through to. And yet, here I was, knocking on his door, hoping he might, for once, show that he cared.