Shiddat

Chapter 41

As the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, Ananya stirred awake, the warmth of the sun tracing gentle paths across her face. As she shifted, she felt a weight wrapped securely around her waist—a hand, holding her in place with a quiet but possessive grip, as though afraid she might slip away. She glanced down, her gaze landing on Arjun's arm, firm yet relaxed, holding her close even in sleep. Her breath hitched, her thoughts whirling as she observed the sleeping figure beside her, his features softened in the early light.

Why did he pull her close in the dark, only to withdraw into himself in the daylight? She couldn't understand him—what he truly wanted, the walls he built around his thoughts. Even now, with his arm anchoring her, there was a guardedness that left her yearning to know the man he kept hidden beneath layers of silence and restraint.

After a few silent moments, she attempted to slip free, but before she could fully rise, his hold tightened. She felt herself being drawn back, and a rush of warmth trailed across her neck as his face nuzzled closer, breaths fanning over her skin in a way that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. The sensation was new and unfamiliar, leaving her with a rush of vulnerability she wasn't used to. His unconscious gestures were both possessive and tender, a quiet whisper of emotions he kept locked away when awake.

She swallowed, her heart racing as her own emotions stirred, somewhere between anticipation and confusion. She was hesitant to break the moment, yet an unspoken need to confront these feelings began to rise. She wanted to face him awake, to ask him, perhaps demand answers about what lay between them.

But for now, as he lay wrapped around her, she allowed herself to be held just a little longer, letting herself feel the warmth and weight of his presence, even if only for this quiet morning.

Arjun woke slowly, feeling the soft warmth beside him. As he blinked the sleep away, his gaze fell upon Ananya's face, peaceful and close, with soft strands of hair framing her features. In this quiet, unguarded moment, he felt an unusual sense of calm wash over him. His fingers itched to trace the delicate contours of her face, to reach for the part of her he always kept just out of reach. Yet even now, the question tugged at him: who was responsible for the gifts she'd received? Who had dared to send them?

The thought lingered, intruding upon the peace of the morning. Someone was trying to get close to her, and he had no intention of letting that happen. But beneath the possessiveness, a flicker of something else stirred—an unsettling doubt. He wondered if she knew who the sender was and why she hadn't told him. He couldn't quite ignore the silent worry that twisted in his chest, leaving an ache he couldn't define.

After a few minutes, he gently pulled his arm away and slipped out of bed, casting one last glance at her sleeping figure before moving toward the bathroom. As he prepared for his gym session, he pushed down the unease and slipped into his usual controlled demeanor, bracing himself for the day ahead.

In the gym, he ran into his younger brother, Rohan. With one look, Rohan noticed the tension in his older brother's stance, the faint crease in his brow. "Is something bothering you, bhai? You don't look yourself this morning," Rohan remarked casually, his gaze questioning.

Arjun shook his head, a practiced answer ready. "Nothing, just some pressure from a new project. Trying to get it sorted."

Rohan gave a slight nod, clearly unconvinced yet understanding. His brother knew him too well; he wouldn't press if Arjun wasn't ready to share. And today, he needed the space to unravel his thoughts on his own. The thought of someone else's intentions toward Ananya gnawed at him, as well as the unspoken feelings he guarded within himself.

As he focused on the steady rhythm of their workout, Arjun made a quiet promise to himself: he would get to the bottom of this. Ananya was his, even if he hadn't yet found the words to tell her.

As everyone prepared to leave after breakfast, Ananya and Maya headed toward the car, chatting about the day ahead. But before they could get in, Arjun stepped forward, gesturing to the driver. "I'll drive today," he said, holding out his hand for the keys.

Both women turned to him, surprised. Arjun rarely offered to drive them anywhere himself. Maya raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, look who's turning into quite the romantic this week," she teased, nudging him with a grin.

Ananya felt a warmth in her chest, a small flicker of hope mixed with surprise. But as she glanced at Maya's knowing look, a different thought clouded her mind, cutting through the fleeting joy. Did Maya tell him? Did he know about the gifts she'd been receiving at the office? Her gaze drifted to Arjun, searching his expression for a hint of awareness or concern, but his face was as impassive as ever.

A hollow ache began to form as she looked away, her heart sinking. If he knew, wouldn't he have asked her by now? Wouldn't he have wanted to know who was leaving her these notes and gifts, showing interest in her? But no—he had said nothing, and that silence settled heavily upon her, feeling like a kind of dismissal, as if she were not worthy of even a question, let alone his concern.

A mixture of confusion and hurt swirled within her. She had longed for him to notice, to care, but his silence felt like a wall. Did she mean so little to him that he could overlook even this? The thoughts churned as she got into the car, her heart conflicted, each beat reminding her of the closeness she yearned for and the distance that always seemed to stretch between them.

As Arjun drove, Ananya sat in silence, watching the world blur past her window, wondering if he would ever see her beyond the roles they'd been placed into, beyond the expectations of a marriage bound by family duty.

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