Disclaimer

This chapter may have some emotionally triggering scenes, and please don't get influenced by any of the scenes. It's completely a work of fiction. Thankyou.

Bua ji and her son had arrived by the time I came downstairs in the evening. I touched her feet and took her blessings before heading to the kitchen to help maa and chachi maa with the chores.

She was a bit different from the other family members; the way she looked at me felt strange—almost as if she wanted to say something but chose not to. What was that look for? Unable to understand her unsaid words, I quietly made my way toward the kitchen.

"Shree, you got up this early?" maa asked as she saw me entering.

"Yes. I had enough rest, maa..." I replied, though the truth was I hadn't been able to sleep at all. Those haunting thoughts kept me awake the whole time.

They didn't question me further, and I busied myself with the chores. But suddenly, I felt someone's gaze on my back. Turning around, I found Rahul standing there. He was practically ogling at me, his stare making me uncomfortable to the core.

Before I could react, the doorbell rang. Grateful for the distraction, I ignored him and walked toward the door.

I opened it—and there he was. Ansh.

His black eyes met mine, holding something I couldn't quite read... longing? His face looked tired, his eyes dull. My heart clenched at the sight—it was all because of me.

I broke the eye contact as soon as I felt that familiar, unsettling stare burning into my back again. Rahul.

Without another glance, I turned on my heels and went back into the kitchen to help with dinner preparations.

Once we all had dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.

I excused myself, saying I had forgotten to fetch water. As I made my way to the kitchen, I heard footsteps following me. The faint sound grew closer, and with it came the familiar warm scent of Ocean—the perfume Ansh always used.

It must be him, I thought, my lips curving into a faint smile as I continued walking.

But soon, that warmth was replaced by a chill that gripped my spine. My heart stopped for a moment when I turned—and saw Rahul instead of Ansh.

My pulse quickened. He was hovering dangerously close, his eyes dark with a filthy desire. His very presence made my skin crawl. Disgusting. My stomach churned in fear, but I refused to show it.

"By the way, you look very hot, Bhabhi ji... I'm now jealous of Shivansh," he sneered, stepping closer and running his fingers along my bare shoulder.

"How dare you touch me?" I snapped, shoving him away with all my strength.

"Hey, wait... let me take a deeper look at you," he said, pinning me against the wall.

The cold surface pressed harshly into my back as sweat beads formed on my forehead.

"Don't you dare, Mr. Jaiswal..." I warned, masking my trembling fear with a steady voice.

But he didn't listen—his shadow loomed over me. Without thinking twice, I brought my knee up and kicked him hard where it hurt most. It was the only survival instinct I could rely on at that moment.

Rahul muffled a scream, bending over in pain. I didn't wait—I used the chance to run, my heart pounding as I rushed toward the room.

"Kavya, are you okay?" Ansh asked the moment I entered, his voice filled with concern.

"Y-Yes, I just... saw a lizard," I lied.

I didn't want to trouble him. Rahul would leave in two days anyway. And besides... would he even believe me over his brother?

He glanced at me once more, worried, but didn't question further.

Soon, sleep took over—but the past didn't leave me even there.

Flashback
A man in dark, standing on a stool with a noose tied around his neck. I was banging hard on the door, trying to stop him. But soon, I heard the clang of something heavy falling to the floor. I ran to the window and froze, only to see a lifeless body hanging right in front of my eyes.
End of flashback

"No!" I woke up with a scream. My entire face was drenched in sweat, and my body shivered just from that memory.

"Princess, is everything alright?" I heard his concerned voice. My hands involuntarily curled around his shirt.

"Kavya, what happened?" he asked softly, rubbing my back.

"Everything will be okay... I'm right here. Tell me what happened..." he murmured.

I took a shaky breath and regained some control over my emotions, abruptly rushing to the bathroom. He looked confused but didn't ask further questions. I muffled my cries by pressing a hand against my mouth.

I collapsed onto the floor, crying silently, my fingers clutching the S pendant on my mangalsutra. I'm sorry, Ansh. I'm disappointing you so much, but I don't know how to tell you all this. I'm sorry, Ansh. I'm so sorry.

I cried until I ran out of tears, my eyes burning and swollen from the ordeal. I didn't notice when sleep finally took over.

The next morning, sunlight filtered gently over my face, waking me. I had fallen asleep on the bathroom floor. I quickly got up and freshened myself before Ansh could notice I hadn't come out.

I got ready and stepped out, only to find him asleep on the couch in a sitting posture. My heart ached at the sight—he must have been waiting for me.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the loud hum of his phone breaking the silence. He jerked awake and, without wasting a moment, answered the call.

He went out to the balcony while I put sindoor in my hair partition, tied my hair into a loose bun, and made my way downstairs.

"Kavyashree, can you make poha today? I've heard you make very tasty poha..." bua ji said, setting her teacup on the teapoy.

"Sure, bua ji..." I replied with a soft smile and walked toward the kitchen.

There, I met maa and chachi maa, who greeted me with a warm good morning hug. As requested by bua ji, I rolled up my sleeves and started preparing poha.

I was setting the table for breakfast when Ansh entered the kitchen.

"Maa, I've an emergency meeting with the Home Ministry," he said to maa, but his eyes were locked with mine.

He's still trying to talk to me... indirectly. Why is he putting in so much effort for me? I don't even deserve one percent of what he's doing.

"Okay. But have breakfast before you head out for office," maa said, patting his cheek gently.

He nodded and headed to the dining hall. Once he finished his breakfast, he left for the office, and we all got busy with the Diwali preparations.

Diwali was tomorrow, and my parents were also invited for the Puja. All the elders went out for some last-minute shopping, while Ritu was busy with her studies in her room and bua ji was resting in hers.

I was in the dining hall clearing the dishes when a familiar scent filled the air. But this time, the presence behind it wasn't warm. My gut twisted in warning.

I turned—and there he was again. Rahul. He had used my husband's perfume to trick me.

"Hi, Bhabhi ji..." he said, running his hand over my bare shoulder. A cold shiver ran down my spine.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Jaiswal?" I asked, holding my chin high, refusing to show the tremor inside me.

"I said hi to you... and you're asking me why I'm here?" Rahul said, taking a step forward.

"Stop—stop right there..." I warned, my back hitting the chair.

"You asked me, no? Why am I here?" he said, trapping me between his arms. "I'm here for you, darling..." he whispered, his fingers brushing against my face.

A fresh, stronger wave of disgust washed over me. How can he behave so cheap with his own brother's wife? How filthy can one be?

"W... what are you saying?" My voice barely came out, weak and trembling.

"I said, I came here only for you, darling..." he repeated, a smirk curling at his lips—one that shook me to my core.

My knees felt weak; for a moment, I thought I would collapse. But I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. Summoning every ounce of strength left in me, I pushed him away and ran straight to my room.

I locked the door behind me and collapsed to the floor, curling up my knees to my chest. Tears streamed freely down my cheeks until I had none left to shed.

Why is this happening to me? What have I done to him? Why is he being so filthy with me? I can't take this anymore...

My stomach churned in disgust, and I ran to the washroom. I threw up everything I had eaten since morning. My body trembled—I couldn't take it anymore.

"Shree, are you there inside?" I heard chachi maa's voice. They must have returned from the market.

"Y-Yes, chachi maa. I'm coming," I replied quickly.

I splashed cold water on my face, masking the turmoil raging inside me. Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I opened the door.

"Shree, tu thik to hai na bacche? Teri aankhen kyun suji hui hai?" (Shree, are you alright, child? Why are your eyes swollen?) chachi maa asked with concern.

"Haan chachi maa, meri aankh lag gayi thi... isiliye shayad." (Yes chachi maa, I must have dozed off... that's why maybe.) I said softly.

"Oh. I'm sorry, betu. You sleep..." chachi maa said gently.

"No, chachi maa. What happened? And how was your shopping?" I asked, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.

"Shopping went well. But I had come here to tell you—can you and Ritu go and get the lights from the storeroom? The electrician will be coming anytime," chachi maa said, squeezing my palms.

"Yeah sure, chachi maa," I replied.

"Thank you so much, mere bacche," (my child) she said, kissing my cheek affectionately.

A small smile crept over my lips at her gesture. She gave me a gentle smile before descending the staircase.

I walked to Ritu's room in the adjacent corridor.

"Hi, Ritu," I said, knocking softly even though the door was open.

"Oh hi, Bhabhi," she said, looking up from her notebook. "What made you come here? You could've just called me," she said, removing her headphones.

"Chachi maa has asked us to take out the lights for Diwali. Can you come along with me?" I asked, leaning against the door frame.

"Sure, Bhabhi. Let's go," she said with a wide grin.

Together, we made our way to the storeroom. After nearly an hour of searching, we finally found the lights. We tested each one, keeping aside the working ones.

Suddenly, Ritu's phone buzzed.

"Bhabhi, I'll take these lights. You check the left ones," she said before walking out of the storeroom.

I nodded and got back to sorting the remaining lights. A few moments later, I heard the thud of the door closing.

"Ritu, only one of the lights is working. You can take it—I'll keep the rest back in place," I said, still facing the other side as I cleared the mess.

"Wow. I see," came a heavy voice.

I froze. My body went rigid as I turned around. It was him again—Rahul.

Why is he following me everywhere? What does he even want from me?

"What—what are you doing here?" I asked, getting up from the floor.

"I'm here only for you. Why else?" he said, closing the distance between us in a few strides. "And what a perfect timing... you're alone, and I'm also alone," he added with a wicked grin.

"Don't dare to touch me," I warned, my voice trembling slightly.

"Try how much ever you can, Bhabhi ji, but I'll get whatever I want... and from you only," his grin widened.

"Mind your words, Mr. Jaiswal. I'm your brother's wife," I said firmly, masking the fear rising inside me.

"So, you're not going to agree?" he asked, his voice turning deadly low—it sent a shiver through me. "You know what will be your punishment?"

He grabbed my face in one palm, his rough fingers digging harshly into my skin.

"You can't do anything," I said, refusing to give up.

"You're playing with fire," he hissed. "I'll be here for two more days... and many things can happen in two days."

His grip tightened, his nails piercing into my cheeks.

"Leave me!" I shouted, pushing him away with all my strength. His back slammed into a shelf with a loud thud.

He started walking toward the door, and before I could understand what he was up to, he turned back and shut the door with force—locking it from the outside.

I froze. For a moment, the world around me stopped. Then, panic took over. My claustrophobia kicked in, and everything in the room felt like it was closing in on me.

I ran to the door, pounding it frantically.

"Is someone out there? Ritu! Please open the door!" I screamed, my voice finally escaping my throat.

I kept banging, but no one could hear me—the storeroom was in the basement.

My trembling fingers clutched the S pendant around my neck. Ansh... please. Where are you? I need you...

Tears streamed down my cheeks, my breaths turning ragged—until suddenly, everything went blank before my eyes, and I collapsed to the ground with a thud.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

I reached home in the evening, only to find the entire family in panic mode.

"Ritu, what happened?" I asked, concern lacing my tone, while my eyes still searched for her. Where was she? A corner of my heart whispered she was fine and safe in her room—but my heartbeat quickened with every passing second that I didn't see her anywhere.

"Bhai..." Ritu's voice trembled as she spoke. "Bh–Bhabhi... is not to be seen anywhere in the house..." Her gaze dropped to the floor.

"What? Where did she go?" I tried to keep my tone calm, but the mere thought of her being harmed made my heart race.

"Did you try calling her?" I asked quickly.

"Yes, but her phone was in the room itself," Ritu replied, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Where could she go, Ritu?" I muttered, running a palm over my face.

"I–I'm sorry, Bhai," she whispered, guilt weighing down her tone.

"I'm sorry, baccha. I overreacted," I said softly, noticing how guilty she looked. What was Ritu's fault in all this?

"No, Bhai. I'm sorry. It was my fault... I shouldn't have left her alone and gone to take that call..." Her tears finally spilled freely.

"Where did you see her last, baccha?" I asked gently.

"Storeroom," she admitted in a whisper.

"Thanks. Don't worry. It's not your fault," I said, trying to console her.

I walked down the hallway, panic tightening in my chest with every step I took toward the storeroom. I was praying silently—please, let her be safe.

My heart twisted painfully when I opened the storeroom door—she was there, lying unconscious on the cold floor.

"Kavya, open your eyes, princess," I whispered, gently patting her cheek.

"Shivu!" Maa's voice came from behind as she hurried in. "Shree, what happened to her?" Panic flashed across her face.

"Maa, she was locked in here... I don't know for how long..." I said, my voice low and trembling.

"Shivu, take her to the room. I'll call the doctor," Dad said firmly as everyone else gathered around.

I nodded and scooped her up into my arms, careful not to hurt her even by my touch. Her body felt so frail, so still.

As I carried her upstairs toward my room, my heart clenched painfully. Kavya, what happened to you?

Her face was completely drained of energy—it made my chest tighten until it hurt.

I laid her on the bed carefully and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. Soon, the doctor arrived, gave her an injection, and left after checking her vitals.

A few moments later, her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light of the room. But instead of relaxing, she curled up, pulling her knees tightly to her chest as tears began streaming down her cheeks.

"Kavya, what happened?" I asked softly, moving closer to her.

"Do–don't come near me, Ansh..." she whispered, her body trembling.

I froze in place, unable to comprehend what she was saying.

"Who... whoever gets attached to me... leaves me..." she added, her voice breaking.

What is she saying? And why? My heart clenched painfully at the sight of her—so fragile, so terrified.

"Princess, relax. It's me... your Ansh..." I said gently, pulling her into my arms, hoping to calm her down.

"No. No... please... please go away, Ansh..." her voice cracked, tears flowing freely down her face.

"Calm down, princess," I murmured, rubbing her back to soothe her.

"Ansh, please go away... or else you'll also get hurt. Please go away..." she sobbed, pushing me away with all her strength.

"No. I won't." I held her tighter, refusing to let go.

And that's when she broke down completely—crying her heart out in my arms.

"Princess, what happened?" I whispered again, but she didn't respond. I lowered my gaze, only to find her unconscious in my embrace once more.

Gently, I laid her back on the bed, tucking the blanket around her. My chest felt unbearably heavy. After a deep breath, I went to take a quick shower, trying to calm the storm raging inside me.

My mind raced back to the doctor's statement — "She has claustrophobia... you shouldn't leave her in dark places like that."

She has claustrophobia... and I didn't even know. Six months of marriage, and I had no idea what she's been going through. What kind of husband am I? I claim to love her, yet I don't even know her fears.

The next day was Diwali. I tried to sleep that night, but my mind wouldn't stop spinning with those thoughts.

The next evening

The Singhania Mansion buzzed with Diwali's excitement. Lights glittered from top to bottom, bathing the house in a golden glow. Ritu and Kavya were busy making a rangoli, while Dad, Chachu, and I decorated the house with flowers.

A few moments later, all the ladies came out, dressed like goddesses. But my eyes—my heart—found only one face.

She was wearing a red silk saree, her beauty radiant in its simplicity. The emerald set she wore caught the light perfectly—the same one I had bought for her. I had asked Maa to hand it over to her, and she had actually accepted my gift, even if indirectly.

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

"Now you people also go and get ready..." Chachi Maa said, her voice breaking my trance.

We all agreed to her orders and headed to our rooms. Kavya had already laid out my white kurta and pants for the evening. That simple gesture warmed my chest.

A few minutes later, I got ready in that outfit and made my way downstairs, feeling her presence even before I saw her again.

l these emotions, my heart still echoing the tremors of fear and longing... Dewdrops, can you feel it too? 🌙✨ The way the light dances on her red silk, how every thread of her presence seems to weave itself into the very air I breathe. I wonder... do you ever notice how some hearts carry storms behind a quiet smile? 💔🌸

Sometimes, I wish I could hold time in my hands—freeze this moment just to watch her laugh, just to see her safe and alive, untouched by shadows. But life... life moves too fast, and fear sometimes visits even the brightest corners. Yet, even in fear, even in trembling, even in tears... love whispers quietly, softly, relentlessly. ❤️💫

Tell me, my dewdrops, have you ever felt a fear so sharp it clings to your soul, yet a love so deep it refuses to let you fall? 🌧️💖

And now, I wonder...

Which should I face first, the shadows of fear, or the light of hope? 🌑🌅

Dewdrops, if you were in her place, how would you gather the courage to rise from the darkness? 🌺🕊️