The air was tense, suffocating, as the night grew heavier in the village.
The engagement was over, but Kavya's mind was a whirlwind of emotions.
She couldn't process the events the way her life had taken an abrupt turn, the way Vijay had claimed her, the way his kiss had left her utterly confused.
She felt good...
Was it wrong...
Vijay, on the other hand, didn't let go of her hand even for a second.
His grip was firm, protective, as if daring anyone to come near her. His presence was overwhelming, yet oddly comforting.
Kavya's family, shocked into silence, stood in one corner, glaring at the couple, while Vijay's grandparents sat with worried expressions.
His grandparents are already informed to his parents and they are on their way back...
Kavya stood silently, still trying to process what had happened.
Her engagement, her future, everything had turned upside down.
And Vijay, the man everyone warned her about, was now the center of it all.
The loud sound of a car outside made everyone turn toward the door.
Vijay's parents had arrived. His father, a powerful man, walked in with heavy steps, anger radiating off him.
Without a word, he marched straight to Vijay and slapped him hard across the face.
"How dare you ruin this engagement?" his father shouted.
"Do you even realize what you've done?,"
" Did you even ask her what she wanted?
" Or did you decide everything for yourself?"
Vijay's face stayed to the side where the slap landed, his jaw clenched tightly.
Slowly, he turned to face his father, his eyes blazing with fury.
His grip on Kavya's hand tightened, almost like he was afraid someone might take her away.
"You think I'm selfish?" Vijay growled, his voice low but shaking with anger.
"Yes, I am. I am selfish when it comes to her.,"
"But you, you're no different. What did you do?,"
"You lied to me. You told me you'd talk to her family, but instead, you let her get engaged to someone else!,"
" You hid everything from me, and then you had the audacity to tell her how terrible I am!"
His voice rose, filled with pain and rage. Kavya flinched at the intensity, but he didn't notice.
His entire focus was on his father.
"I've made mistakes," Vijay admitted, his voice trembling now.
"But I love her. I wanted to change for her. You didn't even give me a chance! And you... ,"
"You were ready to destroy my happiness, her!!,"
Kavya felt her chest tighten. His words, his anger, his desperation, it was all too much.
She had never seen someone so fiercely protective of her.
Vijay turned to her then, his eyes softening when he saw the fear in hers.
His thumb brushed her knuckles gently as he made her feel wanted.
Kavya's eyes filled with tears. For years, she had been used to people deciding everything for her, her father, her stepmother, everyone.
