The Rathore's Family

Healing Days

I covered myself with a blanket as I lay on the sofa, trying to avoid any confrontation. I heard his footsteps stop abruptly as he entered the room.

Under the blanket, I felt suffocated—not because of the heat but because of the heavy silence that hung in the air.

"Come to bed," I heard him say after a moment.

Oh, really? Is it that easy? I thought, biting back a scoff. You’ll see who your wife is now. Let’s see how it feels when someone doesn’t listen to you.

My face was probably turning red from lack of air, but I refused to come out from under the blanket. If I moved now, I’d just end up agreeing with him, falling into his rhythm again. Better to suffocate here than give in so easily.

Suddenly, I felt his hand on me. Instinctively, I tightened my hold on the blanket. He hesitated, then stopped, probably deciding to leave me alone. So much for your love—you couldn't even wait a little longer. I smiled inwardly, convinced I had won this round.

But before I could relish the victory, I felt myself being lifted.

"What?!" I nearly screamed, throwing off the blanket, only to find myself in his arms. His smug smile made my heart race.

"Done with sleeping?" he teased, setting me down gently on the bed.

I glared at him. "What is this? Who do you think I am, just picking me up whenever you feel like it?"

He leaned in, his expression playful yet challenging. "But you were sleeping, right?" he asked innocently.

I tried to sit up, but he pressed a hand on my shoulder, making me lie back down.

"What are you doing? I don’t want to sleep here with you," I protested, glaring harder.

He raised an eyebrow, his smile turning mischievous. "I don’t want to sleep either. Let’s do something else then, since you don’t want to sleep."

My eyes widened in shock. "Wha—what are you saying? That’s not what I meant!"

His grin only grew wider, and he lay beside me, pulling me close by the waist. His eyes bore into mine, intense and unwavering.

"Jyada he duri nhi bana rahi hain," he said softly.

I looked away, my voice trembling slightly. "Aap khud hi mujhe dur kar dete hain. Usse accha hai ki main khud doori bana lun."

His expression shifted, the playfulness replaced by something deeper, almost pained. He leaned back, his hand still on my waist. "Aur tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ki main tumhe khud se dur karunga ?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "Because you did."

Silence stretched between us, heavy and unbroken. Neither of us spoke, yet his warmth and presence beside me felt comforting in a way I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in a long time.

Lying there, I remembered how he used to message me daily, how he would call me at night just to hear my voice. Had he missed me as much as I missed him? When he lay in this bed alone, did he ever think of me?

My anger hadn’t disappeared—it still simmered beneath the surface—but it was weaker now. I wanted answers, to know why he had made the choices he did. We had barely begun to build the life we dreamed of, only for him to send me away. Did he really think his problems would vanish by keeping me apart from him?

"Why didn’t you answer my calls?" His voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked up, startled. His gaze was fixed on me, serious and searching.