Fated To Love You

Chapter 98

"Ab keh rhi ho to hoga," Sumedh said with a small shrug, avoiding a direct answer.

Himani frowned, sensing his reluctance. "Ye kya baat hui? Seedha seedha bolo?" She demanded, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

She took a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta. "Haan, starting mein homework vagerah nahi karti thi kyunki... energy hi nahi hoti thi kuch bhi karne ki," she admitted, her voice slightly trembling. "Raat raat bhar so nahi paati thi ye soch sochke ki why me? Maine aisa kya kiya tha?"

Her eyes glistened as she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hua wo ek hi baar tha... but I could feel it happening every single day. I can never forget that." Her throat tightened, and she blinked rapidly to push back the tears threatening to fall.

She forced a weak smile, but the sadness in her eyes remained. "Is sab mein khud padh leti thi, wohi bohot badi baat thi... homework vagerah koi mayne rakhta nahi tha mere liye us time. I was just always... lost." Her voice cracked slightly at the end. "I was doing the best I could."

Sumedh watched her silently, his gaze softening with understanding, but before he could say anything, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Aur jo aaj ka homework bhi nahi kiya tha?" His tone was light, but there was an unmistakable concern beneath it.

Himani scoffed, wiping the corner of her eye with her knuckle before crossing her arms tightly against her chest. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced away. "Aapko toh sab pata hi hai. Lekin nhi... aapko toh mujhe punish karne mein hi maza aata hai," she muttered under her breath, her tone laced with frustration.

Sumedh's brows knitted together as he sighed. His voice was softer this time, almost hesitant. "Bilkul bhi nahi... haan... sirf ek baar... jab hum dono ka jhaghda chalta tha... tab," he admitted, stealing a glance at her.

Himani let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head. "Wo I know... par main toh jhagda nahi karti thi. Aapko hi lagta tha," she said, her voice tinged with an unspoken sadness. She played with the hem of her sleeve before tilting her head slightly. "Vaise, agar aaj bhi humara relationship vaisa hi hota toh aap kaise react karte meri pregnancy pe?" Her eyes met his, searching for an honest answer.

Sumedh leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable for a moment before he exhaled. "Reaction toh dekha tha tumne... uss time jab Aai ne pregnancy ke baare mein bataya tha," he said with a small smile, recalling the moment.

Himani sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. "Main toh kasam se bohot darr gayi thi..." she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Aapko bilkul face nahi kar paati thi. Tab toh honestly mujhe laga tha ki agar maine thoda bhi kuch galat kiya, toh shayad college ke saath-saath ghar par bhi maar pad jaayegi." She let out a shaky breath, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. "Samajh hi nahi aa raha tha kya karun. Mujhe laga tha sach bataungi toh aapko lagega ki bas bahana bana rahi hoon... kya kuch nahi aaya tha dimaag mein..."

Sumedh's expression softened, a flicker of concern in his eyes. He watched her quietly for a moment before asking in a hushed tone, "Tumhe dar lagta tha meri maar se?"

Himani slowly lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes reflecting vulnerability. Without a word, she nodded innocently, her lips pressing together as she swallowed hard.

Himani let out a small, humorless chuckle, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the bedsheet. "College mein toh chalo aadat hi ho gayi thi... but I thought ghar mein bhi pad jaayegi... aur..." She hesitated for a second, her voice quieter now, "main kuch kar bhi toh nahi sakti thi agar aap maarte bhi toh..."

Sumedh's brows furrowed in confusion. "Kyu?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Himani let out a dry sigh, looking away. "Aap kaunsa sun lete meri?" she said with a small shrug. "Aur... fir mere Aai Baba bhi yehi bolte ki koi baat nahi, hota hi hai... bla bla..." Her voice held a mix of frustration and helplessness, as if recalling past conversations that still stung.