Transgressions (Arshi Shorts)

Fire & Feral (HoH) 18+

Mature version of Chapter 28 - Head over Heels

Trigger warning; please skip the following if you prefer to read the 'softer' alternative in the main story.

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🎶 Done for me - Punch

Khushi's gaze lingered on the vast, open sea as wave after wave relentlessly crashed against the shore where she sat cross-legged. The cool night air caressed her bare skin, the oppressive heat of the day fading into nothingness, as if it had never been.

Her black dress shimmered in the dim light, the sand stubbornly clinging to the fabric, reflecting the moon's pale glow. She absentmindedly brushed at it, her fingers gripping the fabric harder with each swipe, as though trying to rid herself of something more than just sand.

Nature's symphony played on—the wind, the waves—yet her mind spun in chaotic disarray, every thought at odds with the serene calm that surrounded her.

Her fist dug into the sand as a torrent of thoughts stormed through her. The nearly empty bottle of wine lay discarded beside her, its dark exterior mocking her frustration.

She wanted to break it—had tried. She'd slammed it into the ground over and over, but the bottle barely cracked, her anger dissipating with each failed strike, leaving behind only the crushing weight of unresolved fury.

The silence of her private sanctuary shattered as light suddenly flooded the space, the patio doors swinging open.

"Khushi!!"

She didn't care to acknowledge the panic lacing his voice. She could hear Arnav's footsteps pacing the deck, back and forth. Her teeth ground together, and she refused to make her presence known. If their marriage was truly over, then why should he care?

A firm grip suddenly landed on her shoulder—Arnav's hand, pulling her out of her thoughts. She jerked away from him, wrenching herself free as she sprang to her feet, though clumsily, her balance wavering.

"What?!" she barked, her voice trembling slightly. She had never been this furious in her life. A small, rational part of her tried to reason with her, but she pushed it away with a growl of frustration.

Arnav sighed and raised his palms in the air as a peace offering, which did nothing to stem her wrath. She swayed a little, angrily brushing her hair off her face.

Arnav stared at her. "Are you—" His gaze then landed on the discarded wine bottle, its contents ominously empty. Understanding flickered in his eyes.

"Khushi... we're both pretty drunk. Please, let's head back inside—"

"No!" she yelled, her voice cracking slightly.

"What is it that you want, Khushi?" Arnav asked, his tone heavy with exhaustion. "You've never had alcohol before, trust me, it's best if we—"

Khushi let out a bitter laugh, the sound almost mocking. "I feel grreeeat, no thanks to you!"

"Khushi, please—not right now," he pleaded, his hand outstretched as though trying to bridge the distance between them.

"It's always about you, isn't it?" she hissed, angrily brushing away the tear that had escaped despite her best efforts. "You this, you that—you're way or the highway!"

He stiffened, hurt flashing in his eyes, but he held his ground. "What do you want me to say?" he demanded, his voice shaking with frustration. "This isn't the time! We'll talk about it first thing in the morning!"

"You left!" The words spilled out of her mouth, sharp and painful. She bit her lip to stop the sob that threatened to break through. "That's what you always do, your first response to a confrontation is to walk away. You never care what's left behind. How do you think that made me feel? How do you think it makes anyone feel when you just disappear?"