When Annika, a science graduate, agrees to an arranged marriage chosen by her parents, she finds herself wedded to Shivaay Oberoi, her law professor with whom she had a rocky start. As they navigate the ups and downs of their new relationship, they...
"Don't leave me ever." She mumbled. "I have never trusted anyone more than you. So-"
"I have faith in your trust."
As Shivaay continued to drive into the night the city transformed around them casting long shadows that mirrored their emotions. With each passing mile, he reminded Annika of their shared journey the trials they had already faced and overcome together. He emphasized the strength of their bond a beacon of hope in the darkness assuring her that she need not navigate the treacherous path alone.
In that car, amidst tears and fragments of heartache, they found solace in one another's presence their words serving as a comforting blanket over their wounded souls. And as the car rode on through the night Annika slowly began to grasp Shivaay's message - that their relationship infused with patience and compassion had the power to heal even the deepest scars.
____
Shivaay sat in his favourite armchair in the living room, knowing that no one was at home, the room filled with a slightly hazy cloud of smoke. The faint smell of tobacco hung in the air as he took a long deliberate drag from his cigarette. As he exhaled his mind drifted back to the recent visit to his wife Annika's parents- for Smith's engagement.
He remembered how Annika's parents welcomed them with arms open while they had been excited to see their daughter nevertheless something had seemed off. Annika had been distant, even though she revealed most of the happenings, her usual vibrant energy dimmed her laughter hollow. Shivaay couldn't help but worry about what had happened during their time together.
As Shivaay continued to smoke he was caught off-guarded at the moment the main door knob twisted and then was opened wide. Then unfortunately to his misery, Annika walked in with bags of shoppers then a fraction of a second later their eyes met and Annika caught him in the act.
The red-hued cigarette holder had been a giveaway and Shivaay knew there was no hiding it now.
Her eyes widened in disbelief her voice barely above a whisper "Shivaay! I have never seen you smoke before. Didn't you tell me you left smoking and drinking years ago?"
"Drinking yea. But smoking is a little hard." Shivaay couldn't help himself from chuckling his laughter filled with memories and secrets. He knew he had hidden his smoking habit well, safeguarding his lighter and cigarettes in clever hiding spots throughout their home.
But Annika as always had managed to discover his secret. Shivaay was proud of hiding this for six long months, considering with regards to Annika.
He took another drag from his cigarette allowing the smoke to swirl around him and threw it into the dustbin as he replied "Well my love there are many things about me that you are yet to discover."
Tossing a mouth freshener into his mouth, he waved his palms around the smoke, making it disappear.
Annika crossed her arms with a playful glint in her eyes "Oh really? And do tell Shivaay what else have you been hiding from me?"
Shivaay leaned back in his chair with a mischievous smile creeping onto his lips. He recounted the secret spots where he had hidden his lighter and cigarettes each location carefully chosen to keep them away from prying eyes.
"In the drawer of kitchen cabinets, bookshelf beneath the stack of dusty Indian penal code, book." He revealed with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "And the pack of cigarettes? Well, that's hidden behind the loose floorboard in our bedroom closet."
Annika's eyes widened a mix of surprise and admiration in her gaze. "I can't believe you've managed to keep all this hidden for so long. You truly are full of surprises Shivaay."
He grinned and took Annika's hand in his intertwining their fingers. "Well, my wife even after all these weeks and months there's so much more to discover about each other. This is just the beginning."
The room filled with a comfortable silence as Shivaay extinguished his cigarette but the memory of that moment lingered in his mind. He knew that his secrets and hidden spots were symbolic of the vast depths of their relationship a never-ending exploration of love trust and a hint of mystery.
___
Йой! Нажаль, це зображення не відповідає нашим правилам. Щоб продовжити публікацію, будь ласка, видаліть його або завантажте інше.
This is a filler type.
How is it? Well, I have a piece of good news, that I shall update every Wednesday.
The votes in the last chapter were a little disturbed, and I hope you all shall compensate in this chapter. This would boost my confidence and encourage me to move further.
Let's get more than 90 votes! Let's go
Also, I'm confused regarding the length of the book. How do you all want it?
