Together Forever

Chapter 30

Anika's POV

The slap landed hard against my cheek, the sting of it both physical and emotional. I stumbled slightly from the impact, but Uday was there in an instant, his arms steadying me before I could fall.

"Anika!" Uday's voice was sharp, his tone laced with anger. I could feel him tense beside me, ready to retaliate, but I quickly placed a hand on his chest, silently asking him to stay calm.

Piya and Akshit had arrived at some point, and I could see them standing in the background, their faces reflecting shock and uncertainty.

My mother's voice cut through the air, trembling with rage."Didn't you feel even a little shame, Anika?"

Her words sliced through me, but before I could respond, she continued, her voice growing louder. "Did you not think of your parents even once?"

I stood there silently, my head bowed, the weight of their anger pressing down on me.

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Uday's hand tightened around mine, his presence grounding me even as my world seemed to crumble around me.

The sting of my mother's slap still burned on my cheek, but the ache in my heart was far worse.

My father finally broke the silence, his tone harsh and laced with disappointment."What will we tell Aarav's parents? That our daughter got married without telling us? And to the very man we warned her countless times to stay away from?"

Uday opened his mouth to respond, but my father's sharp voice cut him off before he could speak. "Not a word from you! This is all your fault. You manipulated our daughter!" He roared, glaring at Uday.

I felt Uday tense beside me, his grip on my hand tightening as he took a step forward, but I quickly placed a calming hand on his chest, silently pleading with him to stay calm.

"Dad," I said, my voice trembling, but I forced myself to meet his furious gaze. "The man you are speaking to like this is my husband."

My father's expression darkened further, his anger boiling over. His eyes flashed with betrayal as he stepped closer to me, his hand rising in the air.

I knew what was coming. I could see it in his eyes. He was going to slap me, and I braced myself, my eyes fluttering shut as I prepared to take the blow.

But it never came.

Instead, I heard a sharp sound, the sound of movement and felt Uday step in front of me. When I opened my eyes, I saw that he had caught my father's wrist mid-air, stopping the slap just inches away from my face.

"That's enough," Uday said, his voice calm but filled with a quiet fury that sent shivers down my spine.

His eyes locked onto my father's with unwavering determination. "She is my wife, and I won't stand by and let anyone lay a hand on her. Not even you."

My father tried to yank his hand back, but Uday's grip remained firm. "Anika is no longer just your daughter. She's my responsibility now. I respect you as her father, but I won't allow anyone to hurt her, not even for a second."

The tension in the room was palpable, the silence deafening. My mother stood frozen in place, her hands trembling as she watched the scene unfold.

"Leave my hand," my father growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Uday hesitated for a moment but finally let go, stepping back and positioning himself protectively in front of me. "I didn't come here to fight," he said firmly. "I came here because Anika wanted to. She loves you both and wanted your blessings. But if you can't accept our marriage with love, at least treat her with the respect she deserves."