Hello everyone!
I'm absolutely thrilled to share that our journey together has reached a milestone - 100k reads! Your support, feedback, and enthusiasm have been the heartbeat of this story. Each read, each comment, each vote has meant the world to me.
Thank you for taking this adventure with me, for embracing Atharva, Anisha, Maisha and their journey.
Here's to you, dear readers, for being the heart and soul of this journey. Your presence brightens every chapter, and I'm endlessly grateful for each and every one of you.
Love and gratitude <3
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Third Person's POV
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Atharva's blazing eyes met theirs, and an uncomfortable silence fell upon the room as all those guilty felt their throats going dry. The weight of his gaze bore down on them, piercing through their pretenses and laying bare the truth they had tried so hard to conceal.
Aparna shifted uncomfortably under Atharva's intense scrutiny, his usual air of arrogance faltering in the face of her brother-in-law's unrelenting stare. Rashi exchanged a nervous glance with her daughter-in-law, her facade of confidence crumbling as she struggled to meet Atharva's eyes.
A collective unease settled among everyone present. Atharva's anger was a forewarning of impending chaos. Each person could feel the weight of his anger bearing down on them, casting a shadow of tension. They couldn't help but wonder what had triggered his wrath, silently praying that they wouldn't find themselves in the crosshairs of his fury.
Anisha, too, could feel the weight of Atharva's anger like a tangible force, sending shivers down her spine.
Looking at Atharva, his veins bulging with pent-up rage, she felt a surge of fear grip her heart. She had seen this side of him before, the side that brooked no defiance and demanded justice at any cost. Though he may be the epitome of kindness and softness in her and Maisha's presence, Anisha knew all too well the terrifying power of his anger when provoked.
The silence in the room was shattered by the innocent voice of Maisha, her gentle yawn piercing through the heavy atmosphere. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she reached out to Atharva, her small hand grasping his. "Papa, it's sleep time," she spoke softly, her innocent tone unaware of the storm brewing within Atharva.
Suddenly, a wave of realisation crashed over Atharva. He was on the brink of losing his temper in front of Anisha and Maisha. Panic surged within him. What would they have thought of him? What if his princess had gotten scared? And what if Anisha hadn't liked it? The possibility filled him with dread. He couldn't bear the idea of causing fear or disappointment to the mother-daughter duo.
He closed his eyes briefly, counted till ten, then opened them, trying to disappear the traces of anger from his eyes. Bending down, Atharva pressed a soft kiss on Maisha's forehead. "Princess, will you sleep with your Mamma tonight?" he asked gently, his voice tinged with affection and apology.
"No, I want Papa," Maisha replied stubbornly, her determination shining through, as she clung to Atharva.
Atharva replied with a gentle smile, "Okay, let's go!"
Scooping Maisha up into his arms, he felt her tiny arms wrap around his neck tightly. Together, they made their way upstairs, with Anisha following closely behind.
In the room, Anisha assisted Maisha in changing her clothes, then watched as Maisha excitedly ran towards Atharva, holding a book.
Anisha gently intercepted Maisha. "Baby, where are you taking this book?" she inquired softly.
With wide-eyed innocence, Maisha replied, "Papa will tell me stories, mamma!" her voice filled with anticipation and excitement.
Realising Atharva's simmering anger, Anisha intervened gently. "Baby, not today. Papa will tell you stories tomorrow," she said, her voice soothing yet firm.
"Please, no Mamma today," Maisha whispered softly.
Anisha attempted to persuade her daughter, her tone gentle yet imploring. "Baby, please listen to mamma," she urged, hoping to soothe Maisha's disappointment.
Reluctantly, Maisha gave in, her expression crestfallen as she accepted her mother's request. With a heavy heart, she made her way to Atharva, who stopped scrolling through his phone upon seeing her coming.
Atharva turned his gaze towards Maisha, and noticed the unmistakable sadness etched upon her young face. Her usually bright eyes were downcast, a hint of moisture glistening at the corners. A small frown marred her features, and her lower lip quivered ever so slightly.
Immediately, he swept her into his arms. With gentle caresses, he stroked her hair, his voice filled with concern as he questioned, "What happened, my pretty princess?"
Maisha's eyes met his, and she shook her head softly, indicating that nothing specific was wrong. Sensing her reluctance to speak, Atharva called out to Anisha, his concern evident in his voice. "What's wrong with her?" he inquired, turning to Anisha for an explanation.
Anisha quickly replied, trying to dismiss his concern, "Nothing."
Atharva gently held Maisha's tiny face in his hands, meeting her eyes with a tender gaze. "Princess," he began softly, "if you don't tell Papa why you're sad, how will Papa know how to make it better?" he asked.
Maisha pondered for a moment, her tiny brows furrowed in thought. Then, with a soft plea in her voice, she requested, "Papa, will you read me a story? Please!"
Atharva planted gentle kisses on her cheeks, his heart swelling with affection. "Of course! Come on!" he replied warmly.
Maisha's face lit up with joy, her excitement palpable. "Really, Papa?" she exclaimed eagerly.
Atharva nodded with a smile, his heart warmed by her enthusiasm.
In a burst of excitement, Maisha bounced in his arms, her laughter filling the room. "You're the best Papa!" she exclaimed, kissing his cheek.
Atharva's laughter joined hers, echoing with happiness as Anisha looked on, a warm smile on her face.
"I'll bring the storybook," Maisha declared as she darted away, her excitement evident in every step.
"This sudden love for storybooks, where did it come from?" Atharva asked, his curiosity piqued as he turned to Anisha.
Anisha chuckled softly. "Well, when we stopped at the store earlier, where we got the photo frame, she spotted it there and insisted on buying it," she explained, "apparently, Vanya's Papa tells her stories from a storybook every day, so how could Maisha's Papa not do the same?"
The four-year-old girl cuddled closely with Atharva, her tiny form seeking warmth in his embrace. With a gentle smile, he began to narrate the first story from the book, his voice appearing soothing and gentle to the little girl.
After ensuring Maisha was asleep, Atharva gently covered her with a blanket and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. As he stood up to go downstairs, Anisha's voice stopped him.
Anisha recalled seeing Aparna within earshot during her conversation with Ananya about her peanut allergy. However, she found herself at a crossroads, torn between conflicting thoughts. She couldn't make up her mind about what to think.
Sometimes, Anisha couldn't shake the feeling that Aparna might have acted knowingly, fueled by her deep-seated animosity towards her. Yet, she questioned whether Aparna would truly go to such lengths to harm her. Other times, she considered that it could have been an unfortunate accident, maybe, just maybe, Aparna was unaware of her allergy.
She didn't want Atharva to act impulsively and potentially regret his actions later, especially, for her.
"Mr. Raichand, is your anger because of what happened to me?" Anisha asked softly.
"About that, you should just let it go..," she began to speak, but was interrupted before she could finish her sentence.
Atharva interjected firmly, "You don't think much! You have had quite a day. Just, go to sleep."
"No, I'll come with you," she stubbornly insisted.
Atharva refused firmly. "No, it's late. You need rest."
"But..." she attempted to speak, only to be firmly silenced. "No buts. Stay here and go to sleep," Atharva insisted, his tone leaving no room for further discussion.
Anisha, scared of her husband's wrath, reluctantly acquiesced, her heart heavy with unspoken worries.
Atharva closed the door to the room and descended the stairs.
Downstairs, Atharva instructed Nina to gather everyone in the living room.
Aparna and Rashi exchanged guilty glances as they heard Atharva's summon. Their hearts raced with apprehension, thinking if their action had been discovered by Atharva.
The rest of the family members looked on with confusion, unsure of what was happening and why they were being called.
All of them gathered in the living room to find Atharva seated on the long sofa, his posture exuding an aura of simmering intensity. His jaw was set in a firm line, his eyes ablaze with controlled fury as he tapped his foot impatiently.
Rajveer's voice cut through the tense silence, his frustration palpable as he fumed, "What is it, Atharva? Why are you troubling us late in the night? Why have you called all of us here?"
He continued, "Whatever it is, we'll talk about it tomorrow. Let's all go to sleep now."
However, Atharva's response was sharp, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he retorted, "No, we'll talk about it now. I won't wait until tomorrow."
Atharva's eyes narrowed as he pointed directly at Rashi and her three daughters-in-law, his voice cold. "Who made the halwa this morning?" he demanded, his tone dripping with intimidation.
"What do you mean by that, Atharva?" Rajveer interjected, his voice defensive. "I've already told you, my family has nothing to do with what happened to your wife."
Rashi, too, was quick to defend herself. "Yes, what do you mean by that?" she demanded, her tone challenging. "Aren't we allowed to cook what we want now?"
Atharva's gaze remained unwavering, his tone firm and commanding as he reiterated his question. "Neither did I accuse anyone," he stated, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority. "Nor do I want to hear your explanations. I simply asked a question, and I expect an answer. Who made the halwa this morning?"
Met with silence, Atharva's impatience grew palpable as he glanced around the room, his eyes narrowing in frustration. "Come on, hurry up," he urged tersely, the urgency in his voice leaving no room for further delay. "My wife must be waiting for me."
He whispered to himself, his tone tinged with worry and frustration, "I don't know if that stubborn woman listened to me and went to sleep or not. God, just don't bring her here!"
He spoke again with a sense of urgency, "Speak, guys!"
Rashi then stepped forward, her voice defiant yet tinged with unease. "I did. I had made it," she admitted. "It was Diwali, we wanted to have something sweet. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, chachi! Absolutely nothing!" Atharva's voice cut through the air, his tone cold and unwavering. "Now, the next question," he continued, his gaze piercing as he addressed the group, "Who added peanuts to it?"
Rajveer stepped forward once more, his voice tinged with irritation as he spoke in defence of his family. "Atharva, I've already told you, we had nothing to do with what happened with your wife," he asserted firmly. "That was just an unfortunate accident."
Rashi jumped up, her voice tinged with desperation as she lied, "The halwa had no peanuts in it. You can ask Aparna, Ritika, or Ishika. It didn't have peanuts."
"Stop blaming us, Atharva!" Rajveer bellowed once again, his frustration boiling over as he vehemently defended his family.
"Aparna," Atharva's voice carried a tone of accusation as he addressed her directly. "Did the halwa have peanuts in it or not?" His words were accompanied by a piercing gaze, his eyes boring into Aparna as he awaited her response, his patience wearing thin with each passing moment of silence.
Aparna hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around the room before she responded, "No, there weren't any peanuts in the halwa."
Atharva's gaze remained fixed on her, unmoved by her denial. "I see," he replied cryptically.
Atharva's expression remained unreadable as he motioned for someone to come forward. The head cook of the family came there.
Atharva addressed him, "Did Aparna ask you for peanuts?"
The cook hesitated, casting a wary glance at Aparna before nodding reluctantly. "Yes sir, she did. Last night, she had asked me where the peanuts are generally kept in the kitchen. When I gave her the jar, she had taken a handful of them."
"Was he lying, Aparna?" Atharva's voice cut through the tension.
Aparna hesitated, her mind racing as she searched for a way to deny the accusation. But before she could speak, Rajveer interjected fiercely. "What does that mean, Atharva? You are insulting me! You can't accuse my daughter-in-law of anything with this!"
Raman, Aparna's husband, joined in, his voice pleading. "Exactly, bhai! Please stop all this. Aparna would never harm Anisha bhabhi," he insisted, his words filled with desperation as he sought to defend his wife.
Atharva's gaze remained fixed on Aparna, his voice cold and unwavering as he questioned her further. "What did you do with those peanuts, Aparna?" he demanded, his tone brooking no evasion. "The kitchen staff told me you don't like peanuts at all," he continued, his words a damning indictment. "You always make them remove peanuts from any dish they add peanuts into. So why would you take them last night?"
Aparna shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, feeling the weight of the accusation bearing down on her. Sensing her distress, Rashi nudged Rajveer, who came to Aparna's defence once again.
"So, do we need to give you every detail of things we use from the kitchen?" Rajveer retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. "What is wrong with you, Atharva? You can't treat us like this!"
"Why are you getting so agitated, chacha?" Atharva spoke. "I am just asking simple questions. If your dear daughter-in-law has nothing to hide, then there should be no issue with providing answers to my simple questions."
He asked again, "Aparna, what did you do with those peanuts?"
Aparna hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice tinged with feigned innocence. "I ate them last night," she claimed, her words sounding unconvincing even to her own ears.
"Sure?" Atharva's voice came through.
Aparna nodded hesitantly.
"But a kitchen staff told me she was cleaning the kitchen when you sent her out, and when she came back, she saw some crushed peanuts in the food processor," Atharva revealed, his tone accusing as he confronted Aparna with the evidence against her, "so, you see."
"Well, I had somebody tell me that peanuts go well with halwa, so I thought I'd try them," Aparna spoke, her voice lacking conviction as she offered her explanation.
"I see," Atharva spoke, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And, you thought of feeding the first spoon of that halwa to my wife, whom you supposedly hate," he continued, his words laden with accusation as he laid bare the absurdity of Aparna's claim.
Rashi spoke up, her voice firm with conviction. "This doesn't prove anything, Atharva," she asserted. "Even if Aparna added peanuts into the halwa, she isn't responsible for your wife's condition. When you, as her husband, were unaware of her allergy, how can Aparna know?"
"Exactly. It was Diwali, and I just wanted to set things right with her," Aparna interjected, her voice tinged with remorse. "I was foolish to not like her before, but now, she is family, your wife."
"So good you are," Atharva taunted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But, don't you think it's quite ironic that the first good thing you do for my wife ends up harming her?"
The room fell silent, the weight of Atharva's words hanging heavily in the air. Aparna's expression faltered, her eyes darting around the room as she struggled to find a response.
Rashi glanced at Aparna, her own expression a mixture of concern and uncertainty. She knew that Atharva's words had struck a nerve, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the unintended consequences of Aparna's actions.
Aparna took a deep breath, summoning all her courage as she prepared to respond. "Exactly, I…I don't know how it happened. Trust me, Atharva bhai, I would never intentionally harm anyone."
"It's all done now. Just let it go, Atharva. What happened was an accident," Rajveer spoke.
"Let it go? Do you consider me a fool?" Atharva's wrath erupted in full force, his voice laced with hot, intense fury that sent shivers down everyone's spine. He banged the table hard, the sound echoing through the room. "My wife was harmed in front of my eyes, and I let it go. Never!"
"Atharva, stop all this! Aparna wouldn't intentionally harm your wife. It was an accident, just let it go," Rajveer reasoned again.
"I don't care!" Atharva's voice erupted like a volcano, his anger boiling over in a fiery torrent of emotion. He went ahead and stood in front of Aparna, his eyes blazing with mad fury as he demanded answers.
"Did you or did you not know of Anisha's allergy?" he asked, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Do not try to lie."
Aparna quivered under his intense gaze, her heart pounding with fear as she struggled to form a response. But, before she could utter a word, Raman stepped forward to her defense.
"Bhai, please," Raman pleaded. "Aparna wouldn't knowingly put Anisha Bhabhi at risk. It's a mistake."
But Atharva's anger remained unrelenting, his fury burning bright as he kept his gaze on Aparna. "Answer me," he demanded, his voice a low growl. "Did you know?"
Meeting Aparna's silence, Atharva's voice grew cold and calculated. "Honestly, I don't care about your answer," he declared, his words carrying the weight of his resolve. "Your actions caused my wife harm, and you'll have to suffer the consequences, whether you did it incidentally or accidentally."
After a brief pause, Atharva's eyes gleamed with a sinister glint as he spoke again. "Yes, you troubled my wife. How about I trouble your husband?"
Aparna's heart raced with fear, her mind swirling with dread at the thought of her husband becoming a target of Atharva's wrath.
Rashi's voice pierced through the tension, a desperate plea for mercy. "Atharva," she screamed.
"Don't speak a word," Atharva growled, his tone sharp and commanding.
But Rashi refused to stay silent. "How can you be so cruel?" she cried out, her voice trembling with disbelief and anguish.
Atharva's chuckle cut through the air like a knife, his laughter tinged with malice. "Just because I turned a little soft in front of my wife and my daughter, it seems like you guys forgot how cruel I can be," he remarked coldly. "So, how about I..."
Before Atharva could finish his sentence, Aparna's voice, barely audible, broke the silence. "I...I did," she confessed, her words heavy with guilt and regret.
"Louder," Atharva spoke coldly, his demand cutting through the heavy silence that had settled over the room.
Aparna's voice trembled as she spoke, her admission barely above a whisper. "I did. I knew of Anisha's allergy," she confessed.
The room sank into an oppressive silence, each person grappling with the weight of Aparna's confession.
She immediately spoke up, her voice trembling with desperation. "But I didn't know it could cause this huge harm," she pleaded, her words laced with regret and fear.
"Huge or little, who gave you the right to cause harm to my wife?" Atharva's voice cut through the air like ice, his words carrying a weight of accusation and indignation.
"I am sorry..." she cried, her voice choking with tears and remorse.
"Thank your luck or whichever god you pray to, that first of all, you are a woman, and second, you are the daughter-in-law of this family, otherwise it would have been my fingers and your throat, and nobody could have been able to protect you here," Atharva spoke with a chilling calmness, his words carrying a weight of undeniable threat.
The room fell silent, the gravity of his words hanging heavily in the air, as Aparna trembled under the weight of his anger and the ominous implications of his warning.
"I am sorry. I really am. But, I was just angry and upset. She was getting everything. You and dadi were putting her up on a pedestal. Why? What did she do to deserve it? It was my chance to sit for Diwali pooja, so why did she? Why should she and her daughter get everything? They don't deserve it!" Aparna's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and bitterness as she poured out her grievances, her words tinged with resentment and envy.
"I did that so that she gets a little sick, and can't sit in the Diwali pooja," Aparna admitted, "I wanted her to suffer, to feel what it's like to have something taken away from her for once. She doesn't deserve anything she's getting here."
"Who is she to bask in the glory of the RaiChand Empire?" Aparna spat, her tone seething with contempt. "You gave away so many shares and so many things to her daughter, for what? She's not even your blood, Atharva bhai. Anisha is an outsider, a mere interloper who waltzed into our family and started reaping the benefits as if she owns the place. Well, I refuse to sit idly by and watch her take what rightfully belongs to us. I refuse to let her and her daughter walk all over us while we're pushed aside like insignificant nobodies. I.."
Atharva's voice sliced through the air like a blade, cutting off Aparna's tirade with its cold authority. "Enough. You were angry, upset, jealous, bitter, envious, and for that, you dare toy with my wife."
Atharva's words carried a steely resolve as he addressed Aparna's accusations head-on. "You ask why Anisha should get all this. Did you forget who all this belongs to? You seem to, so I'll give you the answer. Her husband!"
Atharva's voice was low and menacing as he delivered his chilling words, his eyes flashing with a primal intensity that sent shivers down Aparna's spine. "And, I'll give you an even better reminder today. For everything you did to my wife, I wish I could give you back ten times. I wish I could just wrap my hands around your throat, to feel the bones beneath my fingers, to squeeze until your breath catches in your throat, to let you realise how it feels to lose your breath, to gasp for air as your lungs burn with agony."
Aparna stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as the full force of Atharva's wrath crashed over her like a tidal wave. She dared not meet his gaze, knowing that the fire burning in his eyes was a reflection of the seething rage that consumed him.
"Anyways, your fate is sealed now," Atharva declared. The room fell into an uneasy stillness as everyone waited with bated breath to hear his next words.
"Get out!" Atharva's command rang out."You can't stay here anymore," he continued, his tone unwavering. "Pack your belongings and leave."
"And that's not all," he continued, his tone turning icy. "All the privileges you once enjoyed in this household are being stripped away. The 2% shares Dadi gifted you of the Raichand Empire? Transfer them back to her. You no longer have any claim to them."
The shock in the room was palpable, each person frozen in place as Atharva's words reverberated through the air. Aparna stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide with disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the reality of her situation.
Rajveer and Rashi's voices cut through the tension in the room like a knife, their simultaneous call of "Atharva..." filled with urgency and concern.
"Not a word," Atharva's voice cut through the room with a cold finality. His eyes narrowed as he spoke aloud. "Nina, make sure that by tomorrow morning, this woman is gone. And Raman," he continued, turning to Aparna's husband, "I won't stop you. If you choose to follow your wife, then so be it."
"Anyone who has complains with my decision or hasn't understood who Anisha is," he declared, his tone unwavering, "is free to join them on their way out."
Saying everything he wanted, Atharva made his way towards the stairs. However, Rashi hurried to stop him, positioning herself in his path. "Atharva, you can't do this!"
Atharva's words dripped with sarcasm as he addressed Rashi, his tone laced with a biting edge of disdain. "Oh, dear chachi, I forgot about you!" he exclaimed, his voice thick with mockery. "I was completely unaware of your love for cooking, since you made halwa early in the morning for your daughter-in-law."
He paused for effect, his lips curling into a sneer. "So, how about you begin cooking for everyone from now on?" he continued, his words dripping with scorn. "No, no, wait, wait. I can't afford my wife and my daughter eating your cooking. God knows what harm you might bring them."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips as he taunted Rashi, his eyes flashing with contempt. "So, you cook for your family, your husband, your three daughters-in-law—oh, sorry, one is leaving, so two—and your sons," he declared, his voice dripping with derision.
Turning to leave, Atharva paused as Rajveer's voice rang out from behind, a note of urgency in his tone.
"Atharva, you can't do this!" Rajveer's voice reverberated through the hallway, laced with anger and desperation. "You have got no right. You can't throw my son out for that woman of yours!"
Atharva's sneer deepened as he turned to face Rajveer, his eyes ablaze with defiance. "I have no right?" he retorted, his voice dripping with scorn. "You are forgetting whose house you are standing on. This is my house, and my wife's and daughter's home."
Rajveer's voice quivered with indignation as he stood his ground, refusing to be cowed by Atharva's arrogance. "It may be your house," he began, his words laced with determination, "but you can't forget that Rashi and I have taken care of it ever since your parents died and you took over. Show some respect and kindness for that! You can't just throw my son out."
Atharva's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer as he met Rajveer's gaze head-on. "Yes, chacha," he replied, his tone dripping with disdain, "you took very good care of this house by mortgaging it and trying to sell it years ago—the house my parents made with their blood and sweat."
He took a step closer, his eyes flashing with a cold fury. "I am already showing all my respect and kindness by letting you stay here," he continued, his voice like ice, "don't expect anything more."
Aparna's voice quivered with desperation as she pleaded with Atharva, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please, Atharva bhai," she implored, her words choked with emotion, "don't do this to me. I beg for your forgiveness. I know I've made a terrible mistake, but I promise I'll make it right. Please, give me another chance."
But Atharva's expression remained cold and unyielding as he met her gaze. "Nothing you say or do can make me forgive you," he replied, his voice devoid of compassion. "Don't make me forget all my humanity by asking for something you don't deserve."
Aparna's voice trembled as she made her offer, her eyes pleading for mercy. "Anisha, I'll ask forgiveness for her," she whispered, her tone heavy with remorse.
But Atharva's response was swift and decisive. He held up a hand to stop her, his expression hardening with resolve. "Stop," he commanded, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "I don't even want your shadow on my wife. Just, get out!"
Rajveer confronted Atharva once more. "You're destroying our family for a woman who doesn't even consider you her husband," he accused, his words heavy with accusation. "A wife who doesn't even call you by your first name. Does she even let you be her husband? Or are you just someone she uses as she wants?"
Atharva's jaw clenched with barely contained fury as he glared at Rajveer, his voice low and menacing. "Rajveer Raichand," he growled, each word dripping with a venomous intensity, "you may have crossed a line today, but don't you dare cross it again. Don't you dare question the purity of my relationship with your filthy mouth ever again."
"The woman you are speaking of," he continued, his voice rising with righteous indignation, "you have no idea how precious she is to me. You have no idea what she means to me, and to what lengths I am willing to go to protect her."
With that, he walked away upstairs.
Atharva stood outside his bedroom door, he took a moment to collect himself, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath as he tried to control his anger.
With a steadying exhale, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, and saw Anisha sitting on the sofa.
"Why didn't you sleep?" Atharva inquired, his voice soft with concern as he faced her.
Anisha met his eyes, her own expression troubled as she searched his face for answers. "Mr. Raichand, what happened downstairs?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"Nothing," he replied, his tone measured as he sought to reassure her.
"Nothing happened, then what were you doing all this time?" Anisha pressed, her tone insistent as she sought answers from Atharva.
"Anisha," Atharva began, his voice firm.
"No, don't Anisha me," she insisted, pointing her finger at him, "I might have been scared of you earlier, but not anymore. Just tell me everything."
Her brow furrowed in concentration, her eyes widened, her lips pressed into a thin line as she awaited his explanation. Despite the gravity of the situation, she appeared too cute, trying to appear serious, making Atharva want to pinch her cheeks.
"Nothing happened, Anisha," he spoke with all the softness.
However, before he could take another step, Anisha's hand reached out to grasp his wrist, halting him in his tracks. Atharva turned back to look at her, his gaze lingering on her hand as it rested gently on his wrist.
She spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper, "Nothing happened, pakka na?"
Atharva met her gaze, his expression softening as he nodded in affirmation. "No, nothing for you to worry about," he assured her, his tone gentle yet firm. "You don't need to dwell on these things. Leave all the worries to me. Just relax and take care of yourself."
He then smiled at her. Just then, realization washed over her, and she released his hand, sinking down onto the edge of the bed.
Atharva paused, turning back to face her with a playful glint in his eyes. "By the way," he teased, a smile playing at the corners of his lips, "you were scared of me earlier, but you aren't now? What changed?"
She smiled softly as she said, "A lot of things."
"Like?,"Atharva queried.
Anisha said, "Nothing, go where you were going."
Seeing her smiling, Atharva smiled and walked to the washroom.
When he came out, he saw Anisha lying on the bed. He walked towards the sofa when he heard her speak, "Mr Raichand, good night."
"Good night, Anisha," he replied, his voice gentle.
Later that night, Anisha felt thirsty. Blinking away her sleep, she sat up, reaching for the jug of water beside the bed. As she drank, her gaze wandered and she noticed the empty sofa where Atharva had been sleeping. Confusion knit her brows as she scanned the dimly lit room, searching for him.
Pushing herself up, Anisha's bare feet padded softly against the floor as she approached the bathroom, hoping to find him there. However, the room was vacant.
She then ventured out onto the balcony, where she spotted him sitting in the grass near the jasmine garden, alone.
Without hesitation, Anisha rushed downstairs. Her footsteps echoed softly as she descended the stairs, her heart pounding with worry. Stepping out into the garden, she felt the cool night air enveloping her, sending a shiver down her spine.
Despite her uncertainty, Anisha's concern for Atharva drove her forward. With determined steps, she made her way towards him, noting the furrow of his brow and the tension in his shoulders as she drew closer.
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Another update!
Hope you liked it. It doesn't have enough Atharva - Anisha scenes, but I'll try to make up for it in the next chapter.
Do remember to drop your votes and comments!
See you in the next chapter!