Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER-47

 okay so i know chapters may not be upto the mark as getting back to the track takes time right but yeahh  i will make sure to give you good chapters  and be ready for heart wrenching plot

SHIVARTH 

It was early morning at the Oberoi mansion, but the house felt unusually quiet. I stirred awake, my eyes opening to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains. I turned to the side instinctively, only to be met with an empty space where Anaya usually lay. The absence of her warmth hit me harder than I expected. She had gone to her father's house for a two-day stay, and this was the first morning I had woken up without her since our marriage.

Restlessness clung to me like a shadow. The previous night had been a battle between my pride and the strange hollowness I felt in her absence. Tossing and turning hadn't helped, and now, the first thing on my mind was her. I had spent years mastering the art of controlling my emotions, yet a mere two days without Anaya had unraveled me in ways I couldn't explain.

Sitting up in bed, I reached for my phone. My thumb hovered over her number for a moment, doubt creeping in. "What if she's still asleep? Or busy with her family?" I hated how unsure I felt. But the longing to hear her voice was stronger than my hesitation. I pressed the call button before my overthinking could win.

The phone rang, and with every passing second, my heartbeat grew louder. By the third ring, she picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft and groggy, and my chest tightened at the sound. I could almost picture her rubbing her eyes and sitting up in bed, her hair messy but perfect in my eyes.

"Good morning, Anaya," I said, my voice softer than usual.

There was a brief pause on the other end. "Shivarth?" she asked, her tone laced with surprise. "Is everything okay?"

I chuckled lightly, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "Everything's fine. I just... I couldn't sleep last night." I hesitated for a moment before adding, "It's strange waking up without you."

Her voice softened. "You... missed me?" she teased, trying to mask the fluttering in her chest.

"Don't let it get to your head," I shot back, a hint of playfulness in my tone. But then, softer, I added, "I did miss you."

The sincerity in my voice left her momentarily speechless. Shivarth Oberoi wasn't one to openly express his emotions, and this rare vulnerability made her feel cherished.

"I missed you too," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

I exhaled, a weight lifting off my chest at her words. "What's your plan for the day?" I asked, trying to sound casual but genuinely curious.

"Spending time with Papa and my brothers," she replied. "Why? Are you planning to kidnap me back?"

I smirked, leaning back against the headboard. "Tempting thought. But no, I just... wanted to hear your voice."

Her cheeks flushed, and I imagined her blushing on the other end of the line. "Well, you've heard it now," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Happy?"

"For now," I replied, my tone carrying a hint of mischief. "But don't make a habit of leaving me alone. I'm not as strong as I look."

She laughed softly, the sound filling the emptiness in my room. "Noted. I'll see you tomorrow, Shivarth."

"Tomorrow feels like an eternity," I muttered under my breath, then quickly added, "Take care, Anaya."

"You too," she said, her voice warm.

As the call ended, I stared at my phone, a small smile playing on my lips. The restlessness that had plagued me since last night was gone, replaced by a strange sense of calm. I realized that Anaya's presence had become more than just a part of my life—it had become a part of me. And though I would never admit it outright, the thought of her returning home made my heart feel lighter . I leaned back, trying to shake off the thought, when my phone buzzed again. The number was unfamiliar. For a second, I debated ignoring it, but my finger swiped the screen on instinct.

"Who's this?" My voice was clipped, irritated."Shivarth," a voice said, smooth, too familiar for comfort.It hit me immediately. Kavya.A surge of anger shot through me, hot and unrelenting. I tightened my grip on the phone, my jaw clenching. What the hell was she doing, calling me now? After all this time?"Why are you calling me?" I said, my voice sharp, cutting, but my mind was already racing. Did she think she could just waltz back into my life? Into our lives?She said something, her tone dripping with false sweetness, but I barely registered her words. My blood was pounding too hard in my ears. The thought of her meddling—of her even thinking she could insert herself into my world again—was enough to make my fists curl.I stood, pacing the room as the rage built. "Don't call me again," I snapped, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Whatever you're planning, stop. Stay out of my life. Stay out of Anaya's life. Do you understand?"The silence on the other end was satisfying, but I didn't wait for her response. I hung up, throwing the phone onto the desk.My chest heaved as I stared at the screen, the urge to crush the phone under my heel overwhelming. Kavya's audacity to show up now, just when I was trying to piece together something with Anaya, made my blood boil.I sat back down, running a hand through my hair, trying to steady my breathing. She wouldn't win. Not this time. I wouldn't let her touch what little peace I had. And I sure as hell wouldn't let her poison Anaya's life.Let her try. I'd make sure she regretted it.