Arjun's POV
As I carefully laid Shruthi on the bed, a soft sigh escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but feel the pressure of the incident weighing heavily on her delicate frame. The room now held the echoes of her silent struggle, and I found myself grappling with a surge of protectiveness.
Noticing that she wasn't wearing a top, I fetched one of my t-shirts from the closet. Gently draping it over her, I tucked her in. The room, bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp, bore witness to the vulnerability she had entrusted to me.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, my gaze lingered on her serene face. The lines of worry etched in her features hinted at the ordeal she had faced outside. A torrent of conflicting emotions surged within me, a mixture of anger at the unseen threat that had shaken her and frustration at myself for my inability to shield her from it.
As I looked down at her, clad in my oversized T-shirt, I couldn't help but marvel at the resilience she displayed even in her slumber. Yet, a nagging regret gnawed at me. She had insisted on home at night alone, asserting her independence, but my heart yearned to have been there for her, to chase away the demons that were part of this cruel world.
"You're safe, Angel. I won't let anything harm you," I vowed softly, my words a solemn pact to vanquish the fear that had dared to encroach upon her peace.
I leaned down to press a gentle kiss upon her forehead. Yet, as I rose up from the bed to do something aboutconfronting the cruel demon that had crossed her path, her hand curled around mine, a silent plea anchoring me in the cocoon of our shared vulnerability.
"Arjun, stay," her drowsy voice murmured, a plea that echoed through the room. Unable to resist, I settled back onto the bed beside her, my fingers entwining with hers. "I'll be here, Shruthi. Always," I reassured, the weight of her trust guiding my commitment.
In that quiet moment, I became both the guardian of her dreams and the avenger of her nightmares. The room enveloped us in a hushed silence, and as she nestled into my embrace, I held her close, determined to be the wall that shielded her from the memories of the night.
Once I was sure she was fully asleep this time, I pulled myself away from her even though that was the last thing I wanted to do right now. I looked around the night stand looking for something until I found it.
My fingers danced over the phone's screen, navigating through the passwords and apps. I knew her password since it was the same from her first phone. I hesitated for a moment, conflicted about invading Shruthi's privacy, but the haunting images of her distress propelled me forward.
I opened the phone app and scrolled through her call log until I found the most recent number. I sent that number to myself and that's when I saw how she saved my contact as.
'Paithiyam'
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at Shruthi's saved contact on my phone. A rush of nostalgia and warmth enveloped me when I saw that she had labeled me as "Crazy" - a term she playfully used during our younger years, a time when our connection was marked by innocent banter and carefree lifestyle.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and a surge of happiness coursed through me. It was a subtle reminder of the enduring bond we shared, a connection that now was starting to rebuild. She stopped calling me that now and it hurt me more than I'd like to admit.
The weight of recent events momentarily lifted, replaced by the joyous realization that, despite the challenges we faced, the essence of our connection remained intact.
With a deep breath, I dialed Nirmal's number. The call connected, and I wasted no time, my words tumbling out with a fervor that mirrored the storm within me.
"Nirmal, I need your help with something", I spit out.
"Arjun it's 3 in the morning, I'm getting my beauty sleep. Don't call me again. Good night", he said groggily.
"This is serious Nirmal. I'm not fucking with you. Something happened tonight, and I need to know who this number belongs to," I explained, my tone and choice of words reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Oh shit what happened?", he asked suddenly alert.
I briefly explained to him whatever Shruthi told me and explained what I needed from him. The first thing he asked me after I was.
"Is Shruthi ok? ", concerned about her well-being.
"No she's pretty shaken up and the bastard is going to pay for hurting her", I said glancing at her sleeping form.
Nirmal, responded with a calm assurance, "Arjun, I got you. Just send me the number, and I'll see what I can find."
I quickly texted him the mysterious number. As I awaited his response, a swell of conflicting emotions surged within me, anxiety, anger, and an unwavering determination to protect the woman who was the anchor of my life.
The seconds stretched into minutes, each tick of the clock amplifying the weight of the unknown. Finally, Nirmal's message illuminated the screen, a lead that would help me track down the bastard.
Armed with newfound information, I steeled myself for the path ahead. I mentally concocted a plan to teach the guy a lesson that he wouldn't forget in this lifetime, and I slide back into the bed with Shruthi satisfied that I'll be taking revenge for the pain he caused her.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on our bedroom. I woke up to find Shruthi, looking pale and unwell. Concern flooded my senses as I watched her struggle to sit up, her discomfort evident. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice laced with worry.
Her feeble nod attempted reassurance, but her condition was apparent. The fragments of memories from the previous night lingered, and it was my responsibility to ensure she felt better. I couldn't shake the guilt for not picking her up, knowing she'd been through a distressing experience.
As I tended to her needs, the worry on her face mirrored my internal turmoil. In the other room, Lea somehow sensing that something was off knocked on our door repeatedly.
"Arjun, what's going on? Why does she look so unwell?" Lea questioned looking at Shruthi, her worry evident in her voice.
"Unnaku epdi theriyum etho aachunu?", I asked confused.
"Normalah Saturday leavena Anni inneram kizha vanthurupaanga aana innaiku innum varaleyenu paarthen", she said shrugging.
I sighed, momentarily contemplating how much to share. " Shruthiku odambu Seri illa. Olunga thoongama nethu stress aanthunaala. Naa paathukuren avala, nee kavala padatha."
(She's not feeling well, it's just a bit of stress and lack of sleep. I'll take care of her, you don't need to worry.)
Lea scrutinized me, her protective instincts kicking in. " Pakkava? Namba venumna anniya hospital alachitu polam"
(Are you sure? Maybe we should take her to the hospital)
"Pakka than, avolo seriousah onnum illa. Rest edutha Seri aayirum", I assured, glancing back at Shruthi, who was now lying down with her eyes closed.
(Yes, it's not that serious. She just needs rest)
Lea, still unconvinced, reluctantly nodded. "If you need anything, let me know."
"I will, thanks," I replied, appreciating my sister's concern while knowing that, for now, he needed to focus on nursing Shruthi back to health. Lea left the room, leaving me to attend to Shruthi.
As the morning sun streamed through the windows, breakfast began with an air thick with unspoken tension. My father's disapproving gaze fixated on Shruthi, his voice laden with judgment as he criticized her for not taking care of herself when she was a doctor herself.
Sensing the palpable discomfort, I couldn't stand idly by. "Appa can you just leave her alone. She is already sick and you are just adding on to her stress", I said with a final tone.
Everyone at the table looked at me with surprise in their eyes but I only looked at Shruthi.
I met Shruthi's eyes with a reassuring look, as if to say, "I'm here, and we'll get through this together."
I subtly reached out, my fingers gently brushing against hers under the table, a silent gesture meant to offer support and reassurance.
"Whatever it may be. If she can't even take care of herself, how can she take care of her patients if she even gets any!", my father spit out.
"Appa, I have to disagree," I asserted, my voice carrying a firmness that defied the traditional expectations hovering in the room. "Shruthi is a successful doctor, and she has every right to pursue her dreams."
His stern expression clashed with my conviction, setting the stage for an unspoken clash of values within our familial structure. My father, entrenched in societal expectations, questioned her commitment to both profession and family. Yet, I was resolute in my defense, highlighting Shruthi's achievements and her right to lead a life aligned with her aspirations.
Father's tone sharpened, "Arjun, you're letting her run wild. What about your duties to the family?"
Shruthi, though undoubtedly strong, looked to me for support. It was obvious that she was too tired to handle all this so soon after the incident.
I stood my ground, "Appa, our duties have evolved. Shruthi has her own career, and it's just as important as mine. We share responsibilities."
The tension escalated, words becoming sharper with every exchange. My defense of Shruthi grew more impassioned, knowing how much she sacrificed to get here right now, to reach her goal by following her passion.
Pa, now visibly angered, declared, "This modern thinking will ruin our family reputation!"
I countered, "Our family's reputation should be built on respect and support for each other's dreams. Shruthi is an integral part of our family. And please remember the fact that you too have a daughter who dreams to have a successful career in life."
In the end, my words lingered, a subtle reminder that our partnership rested on equality, mutual respect, and the unwavering belief that her dreams were as valid as anyone else's.
After breakfast I brought Shruthi upstairs to rest, and it was obvious that my father's words had upset her. I told her to pay no heed to his words and that he was a sadist who liked ruining others life and dreams.
After she drifted off to sleep from the exhaustion I went down the stairs to see Pa reading his newspaper in the living room as if the whole argument didn't happen just a few minutes ago.
"Why do you always have to scold her, Appa? She's a successful doctor, following her dreams", I questioned him.
"Useless! She can't even take care of herself. Should be at home, doing house duties like a good daughter-in-law", he said in disgust putting down his newspaper.
"She can work and be whatever she wants. She's a brilliant doctor, and I won't let you undermine her achievements", I countered.
"She's careless! Doesn't even know how to manage her health. Useless doctor!", he shouted angrily.
"Enough, Appa! I won't let you disrespect my wife. She's not useless, she's my strength and a respected professional", I said seriously with a tone of finality.
"You're defending her because you're blinded by love. She needs to learn her place here", he argued ridiculously.
"Her place is wherever she wants it to be, and I won't let anyone dictate otherwise, so keep your opinion to yourself", I said ending the conversation.
Ma who was standing there scolded me, "Arjun do not talk to your appa like that!"
I glared at her, "Ma you didn't have anything to say when he was talking all that shit about Shruthi just now but now you're suddenly interested? Just shut up please."
Pa got up in a swift move and took a step towards me, "How dare you talk to your mother like that? Apologize to her right now "
I let out a humorless laugh and pointed out, "This! This is exactly what I was doing a couple minutes ago. You are allowed to defend your wife even if it is your son talking bad about her but I'm not supposed to defend mine just because it's my father talking bad? You say I'm blinded by love but are you not too? How is it fair when you are the victim and I'm not. I rather be blinded by love then be a heartless hypocrite like you. At least Shruthi saves other people's life's and not ruin them like you do. "
Without another word, I took a step back leaving my parents in shock and went up to my room. There Shruthi was sleeping peacefully and I left her to get some rest and went to my cabin to work as she got some rest.
Throughout the day, I became Shruthi's caretaker. Fetching water, adjusting pillows, and offering soothing words became my tasks. Her gratitude, expressed in fleeting smiles amid discomfort, fueled my determination to provide the support she needed.
As night fell, I juggled reassuring Lea while protecting Shruthi from the details of the previous night. My sister's concern was genuine, but I preferred to navigate our way through this privately.
In the quiet of the night, Shruthi hesitated before finally expressing her gratitude.
"Arjun, I... I just wanted to say thank you. You know, for everything today"
Smiling I reassured her, "It's alright, Shruthi. You don't have to thank me. I'll always be here for you."
"I know, but still. It means a lot. I was scared, and you... you made it better."
"Well, that's what husbands are supposed to do, right? Take care of their wives. Now, try to get some rest. I'll be right here", I said as matter of factly.
"Thank you, Arjun. I'm lucky to have you", she replied smiling weakly.
"No need to thank me. Get some sleep, and we'll face whatever comes together", I reassured her one last time as she drifted off to sleep.
I was still behind on a lot of deals and meetings that I had missed in the last 3 days so I went back to my cabin to sort those out. I guess I was really tired because I fell asleep and I didn't realize until I heard Shruthi's screams from our room.
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How was the chapter?
Hello lovess, this is a shorter chapter than the ones before, but I hope it was good and you guys enjoyed it. Show your support by commenting and voting! Thank you to everyone!
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Words: 2480