The Emotional Thread

Arnav had married Khushi thinking he had finally found someone who could see beyond his mask. Someone who could touch the lonely boy he buried under years of responsibility. But Khushi... she brought her light into the family and left none for him.

She smiled, laughed, served food, celebrated every small event-but not with him. She became the darling of the family, the embodiment of a perfect daughter-in-law. He watched her laugh with NK, tease Nani, hug Payal. But when she turned to him, it was always about someone else.

"Arnav ji, did you talk to Akash? He's feeling low."
"Arnav ji, can we plan a surprise for Nani?"
"Arnav ji, NK is so funny, na? He always cheers everyone up!"

And Arnav... he nodded. He always nodded.

No one knew how often he woke up in the middle of the night, reaching for warmth, finding only cold sheets. No one noticed the way his eyes lingered on Khushi when she danced around others but avoided his gaze. He tried to speak. Once. Twice. A hundred times. But the words choked in his throat, strangled by the pride and pain he never let anyone see.

Because Arnav Singh Raizada wasn't supposed to need anything.

But he needed someone. He needed to be heard. Chosen. Prioritized.