The Arranged Heart

broken

★AUTHOR POV★

Max became her loyal companion as the day went on after Aayansh left for work, max playful antics momentarily lifting her spirits.

Together, they explored the garden, where the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. Saanvi found herself sitting under the large mango tree, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns in the grass while Max rested his head on her lap.

"You know, Max," she murmured, her voice soft. "Sometimes, I wish life could just be this simple. No chaos. No past. Just... peace."

The dog responded with a small bark, his tail wagging as if agreeing with her.

Lunch with the family was another effort to lighten the atmosphere. Chachi and Harshit's endless banter made everyone laugh, while Dadaji shared a few nostalgic stories. Still, Saanvi felt the absence of her usual comfort. She had grown used to Aayansh's presence and couldn't shake the emptiness she felt without him.

*****************

By mid-afternoon, Anish arrived, his presence bringing a mix of comfort and concern. Saanvi was sitting in the living room with Akshara when he entered, his expression softening as he saw his sister.

"Bhai!" Saanvi exclaimed, surprised. "Why are you here?"

Anish gave her a pointed look. "Do I need a reason to check on my baby sister?"

Akshara giggled. "I told him to come. He's been worried about you."

Saanvi sighed, shaking her head. "Bhai, I'm fine. You didn't have to-"

"I did," he interrupted, sitting beside her. "You might be married now, but you're still my responsibility."

His tone was gentle yet firm, and Saanvi felt a lump form in her throat. Before she could respond, Chachi appeared with tea and snacks, urging Anish to relax and enjoy himself.

Later Anish and Saanvi left for the garden for a walk

"You've been off ," Anish remarked.

Saanvi glanced at him, offering a small smile. "Just... thinking."

Anish nodded, his tone light but concerned. "About the chaos we call life or the chaos we don't talk about?"

Saanvi chuckled softly, though her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. "Maybe both."

He sat beside her, his usual teasing demeanor replaced with sincerity. "princess, you know you don't have to face everything alone, right? You've got people who care about you-me, this crazy family, and even Aayansh."

Her expression faltered at the mention of Aayansh, but she quickly masked it. "I know. It's just... hard sometimes."

Anish placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hard is an understatement. But you're strong. And don't forget, you've got me too. As annoying as I might be, I'm here for you. And soo tell aaynsh about mafia work"

She remained silent listening to the last sentence

*******************

By the time dinner rolled around, Saanvi had managed to push her worries aside enough to join the family at the table. The atmosphere was lively, with Harshit cracking jokes and Chachi offering second helpings to everyone.

Dadaji chimed in with a story from his youth, earning a chorus of laughter from the younger ones.

The sound of the door opening startled everyone. Aayansh stepped in, his expression unreadable, yet his body language radiated tension. He closed the door softly behind him, but the atmosphere in the room was anything but gentle.