Tangled Ties

Sweet Dreams, Bitter Truth

The morning sun filtered gently through sheer white curtains, painting soft golden stripes across the wooden floor.

Siya stirred beneath a cotton blanket, warmth cocooning her from all sides. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the gentle glow filling the cozy room. Wooden beams ran across the ceiling. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mingled with the crisp scent of pinewood and something sweet… maybe cinnamon?

She smiled.

It was peaceful — too peaceful to be real.

And yet… everything felt so right.

She glanced at the oversized shirt clinging to her frame. It was clearly not hers — the sleeves too long, the fabric smelling faintly of him.

Avyansh.

She got up, feet landing softly on the warm floorboards as she padded across the small but beautiful cottage bedroom. A fluffy white rug lay near the bed, a stack of books on the windowsill, and a photo frame beside the lamp — it was them, laughing, her head thrown back, his arm pulling her in close.

She followed the smell of breakfast into the open kitchen, where sunlight flooded the space through tall windows. There he stood — back to her, wearing a plain black t-shirt and grey joggers, flipping something on a skillet.

“Is that…” she sniffed, grinning, “aloo paratha?”

He turned, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re up.”

His voice was soft, his expression easy. No tension, no biting sarcasm — just warmth. It wrapped around her like sunlight on cold skin.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the kitchen doorframe. “Waah waah Mr Singhania, something special?”

“Yes Mrs Singhania-” he said, flipping the paratha with practiced ease. “You are.”

Siya heart skipped a beat. “Chaliye chaliye, makhan parathe pe mariye, mujhe nahi.”

“Thats not makhan, thats my ubalta hua love.” He turned off the gas and placed the hot paratha onto a plate, already set with chutney, curd, and salad. “Jo aab ubal ke girne ko ready hai.”

She chuckled, slipping onto the high stool at the kitchen counter. He placed the plate in front of her, then leaned down — just for a moment — brushing a kiss to her temple.

Her eyes closed instinctively.

It felt like home.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Why are you being so nice to me today?”

He paused. His hand brushed her cheek, fingers lingering. “Because you’re here. Because I can breathe again.”

She swallowed hard, blinking. “But what if I leave again?”

His smile faded slightly, but he nodded. “Then I’ll drag you back and tie myself to you.” Siya chuckled at his response.

He poured her coffee, placed it beside the plate, and took the stool next to hers. For a few minutes, they sat there in silence — a warm silence. She ate. He watched her. Her anklet jingled softly every time she swung her foot.

“How did we get here?” she asked softly.

“You finally stopped running-” he said. “And I finally stopped pushing you away.”

She smiled, placing her hand over his.

His fingers curled around hers instinctively.

“I wish this was real.” she whispered, staring at their intertwined hands.

He tilted his head, amused “Who says it’s not?”

And just as she leaned in, her forehead brushing his, her heart full and quiet and… safe—

SPLASH!

Ice-cold water hit her face like a punch.

Her lungs seized, her body jerked, and the soft morning light was gone.

She gasped.

The cozy kitchen disappeared. The scent of coffee and parathas replaced by rust and rot. Her fingers clutched concrete, not cotton. Her skin shivered from the sudden cold.

It was dark.

A yellow bulb flickered overhead, and her vision blurred from the sting of water.

She coughed, trembling, drenched — confused.

And then she heard it.

Heels clicking slowly.

A silhouette emerging from the shadows.

Siya blinked hard, water dripping from her lashes as the figure stepped under the bulb.

And when she saw the face — again....

Her blood ran cold.

“R-Renu Bua…?”

There she stood. Hair tied in a tight bun, maroon saree perfectly pleated, arms crossed, and a cruel smirk painting her lips.

“Good morning, Siya.” she said mockingly. “Did you sleep well in my hospitality?”

Siya froze. Her throat was dry despite the water. Her brain raced to catch up.

Renu stood before her like a vulture who had waited for years to strike.

“Why…” Siya croaked. “Why you?”

Renu clicked her tongue. “Because no one sees what I deserve, what I’ve been denied all these years.”

“I don’t understand—” Siya began, panic rising.

“You will-” Renu interrupted coldly. “Very soon.”

She leaned down, inches from Siya’s face, her voice like venom. “You took something that was never yours, Siya. And now... I’ll take everything that’s yours.”

Siya’s breath caught.

Whatever dream she had just left — of peace, of love, of Avyansh — was gone.

All that remained now was fear.

And the terrifying truth that she was not just missing.

She was being hunted.

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Enjoy ✨️😭🤧