Shadowed Desires

Chapter 22

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Same Day

Atharv and Abhinav stood face to face. Atharv was at a loss for words to explain his actions, while Abhinav looked at him with unmistakable disappointment in his eyes.

Abhinav kept tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for Atharv to say something. Finally, Atharv spoke,
"Agar koi woh blame apne sar nahi leta, toh Kritika ka political career khatam ho jaata iss blame se. Aur jaldi se yeh pata karna aasan nahi tha ki yeh sab kisne kiya."
(If no one had taken the blame, Kritika's political career would’ve been destroyed, and it wasn’t easy to find out who actually did it so quickly.)

Abhinav replied,
"Isliye tumne apna sapna tod diya uske liye? Usko toh farq nahi padta ki tum haaro ya jeeto, aur tumhare saath kuch bhi ho. Aur tumne apni zindagi barbaad kar di us ladki ke liye jiske saath shaadi tumhare liye sirf ek samjhauta thi."
(So you gave up your dream for her? She doesn’t even care whether you win or lose, or what happens to you. And you ruined your life for a girl you only married out of compromise.)

Atharv said, “I can't explain anything to you right now. The situation is too complicated.”

Abhinav looked at him sternly and said,
"You wanted to marry her to get Dev Chauhan’s weak nerves under control. But now, she has become your weakness. And I told you—the day she becomes your weakness, it will mark the beginning of immense destruction we’ll all witness."

Atharv was seething with frustration, to the point that he almost yelled at his own father. But he forced himself to stay composed and silently walked away.

Moments later, he entered his room where Kritika sat silently on a chair.
Atharv asked, “Did you take your medicines?”
Kritika didn't respond and walked in another direction.

“I’m asking you something,” he said again.
Still, Kritika remained silent despite his efforts to communicate. Atharv gently held her hand and turned her toward him, though she tried hard to avoid him.

Kritika snapped, “What the hell is wrong with you, Atharv?! You’re out of elections because of me. Your entire political career is at stake, and all you care about is whether I took my medicines?”

Atharv replied, “This isn't something important right now—we can talk about it some other day.”
Kritika retorted, “Either answer my question or I’ll leave you forever. Just tell me—why did you sacrifice your dream to protect me?”

Atharv grabbed her shoulders, staring into her eyes, and spoke in a raised voice, “You want an answer? Then listen—I’m insane in love with you! I will sacrifice everything to protect you. This isn’t obsession, it’s devotion. I’ll love you—whether you're at your worst or I’m at mine.”

Kritika stood numb, stepping back from his overwhelming confession. Atharv realized he had just confessed feelings buried deep within his heart.

She whispered, “Do you even realize what you just said?”
Atharv took a deep breath. “I know I said it in the heat of the moment. But I meant every word—I do love you. No matter how hard I try to deny it.”

Almost screaming, Kritika said, “Please leave. I don’t have the courage to continue this conversation. Please, for God’s sake, just go.” She folded her hands before him.

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Time Skips…

Everyone was downstairs when Kritika slowly descended the stairs.
Abhinav looked at her and said,
"Iss ladki se keh do nikal jaaye meri nazron ke saamne iss ghar se."
(Tell this girl to get out of my sight and leave this house.)