His Lost Heartbeat

Chapter 37

Par Aadhya ke mann mein bhi toh…” she paused, her breath unsteady,
“aap hi hain…”

The words lingered between them, fragile, honest, and quietly undeniable.

For a moment, Anirudh could not speak.

Her words settled inside him slowly, like warmth spreading through cold veins. He did not understand it,this sudden lightness in his chest, this quiet flutter that made his heartbeat stumble. There was no reason, he told himself. He was only relieved. Only glad that she was not afraid. Only grateful that she trusted him.

And yet, the feeling refused to remain that simple.

Something softened within him, something he had unknowingly kept guarded. Her hesitant admission, spoken without looking at him, made his heart respond in a way that surprised him. It felt… right. Comforting. As though a weight he had carried for long had been lifted without him realizing when it had settled there in the first place.

He did not think of it as happiness, yet his lips curved ever so slightly. He did not think of it as longing, yet his chest felt fuller than before. The flutter within him was unfamiliar, almost unsettling but not unwelcome. It reminded him of warmth after a long winter, gentle and sudden.

Anirudh told himself it was nothing more than relief. That he was only content knowing she was safe, that she did not reject him, that she still chose his presence.

But deep inside, something had already begun to awaken.
He simply did not have a name for it yet.

“To…”

He cleared his throat, as if the words had lodged themselves there, refusing to come out.

“Main Kaka ko bheju tumhare ghar… rishta lekar?” The question left him unsure, fragile, as though it could break the moment it touched the air.

A shy smile found its way to her lips before something unseen held her back. The smile faded. Her eyes lifted to him, searching.

“Kyun?” she asked softly.

“Kyun?” he repeated, almost reflexively, as if the question had turned back on him.

“Aap kyun mujhse shaadi karna chahte hain?”

Her voice was steady, but her heart was not. She needed the truth.

“Kyun..shaadi matlab…” he faltered. “Abhi tumne kaha tha ki..”

“Maine apni marzi ka kaaran bata diya hai, Barrister Babu,” she interrupted gently, yet firmly.“Ab main aapki marzi ka kaaran jaana chahti hoon.”Her gaze did not waver “Aap kyun shaadi karna chahte hain mujhse?”

“Tum… patni ho meri, Mishti,” he said at last, the answer rising from habit more than understanding.

“Patni,” she repeated, almost to herself.

“Woh rishta jo samaaj ki wajah se juda tha… ek zimmedari ke roop mein.”She paused, pain softening her voice.“Aapne apni zimmedari poori kar di hai na?”

“Par woh rishta toh ab bhi hai,” he replied, clinging to the truth he knew.

She said nothing.Only lowered her eyes, a tired sigh slipping out, as if that silence itself was an answer.

“Kya baat hai, Mishti?” he asked, unease creeping into his chest.

“Shaadi nahi karna chahti mujhse?”

“Kya sirf meri chah kaafi hai?” she asked quietly, finally looking up.

“Aapki marzi ki koi keemat nahi?”