Chapter 25 :

10:45 p.m.

Anika's POV

Maa had told me that Dhruv wanted to meet me after dinner. So she brought me to the guest room on the ground floor where he sat silently,  facing the sliding glass door.

Cutting through the awkward silence, I spoke slowly, "You wanted to see me?"

After a moment of silence he spoke, "Why did you marry him?"

I knew this was coming.

Looking down at my lap, I fiddled with the edge of my pallu, finding words to answer him. I can't tell the truth, for he might doubt something that won't be favourable for the situation I'm already stuck in.

"It was an arranged marriage", I replied hoping to buy him with my blatant lie.

He scoffed, "Bhai had told maa that both of you were in a relationship before marriage for three years. Do you still think that I'd believe your lies?"

My head shot up at his direction, only to be met by his blank face. Those emotionless orbs stared at me, hoping for the answer he wanted to hear. But I couldn't do that.

"It's a long chain of events but I can't tell you right now. I'm sorry", I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Did he force you to get married?", he asked.

I remained silent, staring straight into his eyes before I replied, "It was my decision to marry him."

He nodded while looking away.

"Do you still love me?", his sudden question caught me off-guard.

I knew he was full of questions and I was ready to answer whatever I could but this one was the hardest to answer.

I didn't know what to answer. I still had feelings for him even after all these years but I can't admit it. If I do, things would get messier. I've already sacrificed a lot and sacrificing my feelings won't be a big thing if it saves some lives.

I made the mistake of loving and now I'm paying for it. My heart clenched just by the thought of denying of loving him. I knew he still harboured feelings for me but the web we're tangled in, doesn't have any place for feelings.

"No", I replied, gulping down the aching lump in my throat.

He nodded again.

"Just a few years ago you were going to be my wife and now, all of a sudden, you're my bhabhi. So many things changed, people changed, while I was in a deep slumber", he spoke calmly, yet, pain laced his voice.

I remained silent, staring at his face tilted towards the glass doors. I couldn't bear the sight of him sitting on that wheelchair. The man who used to walk confidently on the runway, was now sitting on the wheelchair helplessly.

Blinking away the tears forming in my eyes, I bit on my lower lip, holding back my sobs. Closing my eyes, I lowered my head, tightly holding onto my saree, preventing myself from crying.

"Take it out", I shot up my head when I heard him speaking.

He was sitting very close to me infront of me, his eyes softly staring at mine. I didn't even know when he came near me.

But his words seemed to break the limit of my silence as I broke down.

Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me closer to his chest as I fisted my hands on his shirt, crying my heart out.

He was and still is the sole reason and person I can rely on.

The ache in my heart increased with each sob growing louder.

"No one will hear, cry as much as you want. I'm here", he spoke caressing my hair as I sobbed louder.

He's here, he always was there for me. Even after what I did to him and whatever he saw today, he's still here for me. Those two words consoled my heart. He understood me even when he didn't know the truth. He, himself was hurt yet, he wants to comfort me.

He's my healer. No more as a lover, but as a brother.

Things weren't same anymore. But it was what it was.

Several minutes passed until my sobs slowed down. Detaching myself from him, I wiped away my tears. My gaze fell on his white shirt, now stained with my tears.

"I'm so sorry. I-I stained your shirt", I spoke with my broken voice touching the stains.

"If it's you who stained it, then I'm ready to get stains everywhere", he replied softly, holding my hands in his.

Letting my eyes meet his, I stared at him. He still loved me, still held that soft spot for me that made my heart ache.

"Why do you still love me?", I whispered.

"It's the same answer that I used to give. I love you because it's you. I don't need reasons to love but still I have reasons to prove why I love you. You exist in my life, you make me complete, you make me feel things I never felt and that's why I love you. I have so many reasons to love you that won't end in this birth. Just know that I love you, love", he spoke cupping my cheeks.

Tears welled up in my eyes again as I exhaled a shaky breath.

Everything that existed between us now felt so wrong. I didn't want to think about anything or anyone else but us. After all these years, we've met each other. Today I was able to genuinely cry my heart out. Even if just as his friend.

Because no matter what existed between me and Arnav, I was still someone's wife and I knew my limits.

Closing the distance between us, he suddenly leaned in, capturing my lips in a passionate kiss.

I froze. My eyes widened in sheer shock, my breath caught in my chest. This wasn’t supposed to happen—not him, not now. My heart pounded furiously against my ribs, torn between disbelief and panic.

But as his lips moved softly against mine, the past threatened to break through the walls I had built. A sting of tears escaped my eyes before I could stop them. His touch—his warmth cupping my face—was too achingly familiar. For a fleeting second, it felt as if time had reversed, as if nothing had changed between us.

Yet I couldn’t move. I couldn’t let myself respond. My heart tugged painfully, but my mind screamed louder. This is wrong. So wrong. The invisible line drawn the day I married Arnav stood tall between us, unshakable. With trembling resolve, I pushed him away.

I shoved him back with both hands, forcing space between us. My chest heaved, anger replacing every trace of weakness.

"What the hell are you doing, Dhruv?" My voice came out sharp, trembling with outrage. "You can’t just—just kiss me like that. I’m your brother’s wife now. You have no right."

His eyes searched mine desperately, but I refused to waver. I took a step back, as if to build an invisible wall between us.

"You were supposed to respect me," I continued, my tone cutting. "Respect us. Whatever we had—yes, it mattered once. But it ended the day I married Arnav. That boundary isn’t something you can just ignore because you feel like it. You’ve crossed a line, Dhruv."

He clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists. "But I still—"

"Don’t," I snapped, cutting him off. "Don’t say it. Because no matter what you feel, it doesn’t change reality. I’m his wife. Your bhabhi. And if you truly respect me—or even yourself—you’ll never do something like this again."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between us. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his eyes dark, unreadable.

I took a deep breath.

I forced myself to look back at him. My voice came out soft, but it carried a sternness I couldn't shake off.

"Dhruv… in these five years, everything has changed. We’ve gone too far in different directions. What we had—it was beautiful, but it’s over. The present cannot be undone. Please, try to understand me."

It wasn't about losing him anymore. I'd lost him the day I didn't look back at him, years ago. He was someone else to me now—my brother-in-law.

Holding my hands tighter against his skin, he asked hoarsely, "Why are you doing this? After all this time, we’ve met again. Tell me… do you love him?" His voice cracked with longing, and it nearly shattered me.

I shook my head firmly, though my tears betrayed me. "It’s not about loving someone, Dhruv. It’s about what’s right. I’m doing this for your good. We cannot be together again."

His expression darkened, his tone sharp. "Then why? How can anything be good for me when you don’t even want me back?" He pulled my hands away, frustration flickering in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I reminded him, "Because I’m married now. Married to your brother. That makes me your b-bhabhi, Dhruv."

*You were supposed to respect me," I continued, my tone cutting. "Respect us. Whatever we had—yes, it mattered once. But it ended the day I married Arnav. That boundary isn’t something you can just ignore because you feel like it. You’ve crossed a line, Dhruv.*

He clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists. "But I still—"

"Don’t," I snapped, cutting him off. "Don’t say it. Because no matter what you feel, it doesn’t change reality. I’m his wife. Your bhabhi. And if you truly respect me—or even yourself—you’ll never do something like this again."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between us. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his eyes dark, unreadable.

Then his lips curled into a bitter smile. "Husband, huh? The one who still clings to his ex-fiancée?" His words dripped with mockery.

My jaw tightened, heat rushing through me, but this time it wasn’t from shock. It was from anger. "Don’t you dare speak about Arnav that way. Whatever is between me and him is ours to resolve. He’s your brother. He’s stood by you all your life, and he deserves more than this mockery from you."

He scoffed, turning away as if he couldn’t bear my words. "Fine. I’ll stay away from you then, bhabhi," he spat, emphasizing the word with venom.

The bitterness in his tone cut deeper than his kiss ever could. He had once been my safe place—someone who never mocked, never disrespected me. But now, he had crossed both boundaries and trust.

Without giving him another glance, I turned and left, my heart heavy but my steps firm.

Soon after, everyone left as I headed to his room.

Standing infront of the vanity, I started taking off the hair pins from my hair before taking off the safety pins from my saree. Once I had undone the pallu, I turned around only to collide with a hard surface.

Opening my eyes, I looked up to meet his burning gaze on me. When did he come?

Maybe he came when I was taking out the pins from my saree while closing my eyes.

Stepping aside, I tried to walk away but he pulled me back prior to closing the distance between our chests.

I was perplexed at his sudden move as I widened my eyes. My palms rested on his busts, stopping myself from colliding with him.

"Why'd you do that?", I asked.

"Don't you think you're breaking the rules?", he asked properly wrapping his arms around my waist.

I frowned, "What did I do now?"

He chuckled, "Don't you think it's wrong to kiss your brother-in-law?", he asked taking me aback. I didn't know he'd see us. But I wasn't at fault because Dhruv had taken that sudden move. But if I try to tell this to him, he'd blame me at the end somehow.

"It's none of your concern", I replied trying to pull away from his grip.

"Don't.move.", he spoke, warning lacing his tone.

I glared at him before stopping my movements as I spoke, "If you're here for your bullshits, then leave me. I don't have time for that. Go to Arshi", my tone stern.

He smirked, but his eyes darkened.

"It is your concern, doll. You shouldn't involve yourself in infidelity that too with your brother-in-law", he spoke, more of mocking me.

My teeth clenched at his words.

"Don't spit out nonsense without knowing anything. The bond we have is something you can never have with me", I spoke finally pushing him away with enough force to make him stumble back a bit.

"Oh sure doll. I'm spitting nonsense but my eyes saw how you were so desperately kissing him and were so lost in your lust that you had got driven away by. Maybe you forgot but it was you who has cheated on him and all that just because of your lust. Couldn't stop yourself behaving like a slut—", I slapped him. The tight slap across his face stopped him from yelling further.

His words infuriated me, a stinging pain pierced across my heart. The slap was too hard, it's sound echoed in the room.

"Don't you dare to label me without knowing anything. Speak further and I won't hesitate to slap you once more", I spoke, my voice shivering with anger.

My breathings were ragged because of the anger bubbling in my chest, my pulses quickened, my hand itching to slap him more.

He stood there, his head tilted as he breathed heavily. The silence in the room was shattered by the sound of our heavy breaths.

As my gaze kept stuck on him, my heart slightly shook foreseeing his anger showering down on me but I stood my ground, ready to face whatever awaited for me. I can't cower away everytime I give him the return treatment for him crossing his limits. He needs to learn how to behave even if he hates me.

He stood back straight, slowly touching his cheek before cracking his neck. Moving his shoulders, he adjusted his office coat before he started to walk out of the room.

I remained silent, conconfused by his sudden silence after I hurt his ego.

His steps halted suddenly, as he tilted his head towards me, who was standing at his back now.

"Don't.move.", were the only words he spoke before walking out of the room.

I felt relieved that he didn't do anything but I feared his silence. His silence can never ever be a good sign. No matter how much strong I try to stay, he finds my weak spots to punish me.

Sighing, I changed my saree into black silk nightdress set once I had taken a cold bath. Combing my hair, I simply did my short night routine before I sat down infront of the window by the bed. I didn't obey to his order of making me stand like a statue because he can't control me like a doll.

It was large and had a seat at its base. The place was very comfortable to sit  while locking oneself away from the outer world.

The open window gave the best view of the night sky from the fifth floor. The lower floors as usual had his office and all the business related things.

As I stared at the starry sky, the moon looking down at me with the clouds, my thoughts roamed around the fact that I was living with my own death.

He's a leading mafia, a heartless killer who wouldn't think twice before boring down holes in a person. His hands would always bathe in the victim's blood. The life written by God, would be erased by him.

Screams of agony would give him peace, while I run away from those painful screams. Those heartfelt cries would echo in my heart, surrounding me with all the haunted memories I've locked inside my heart. Everyone has demons inside them. People like Arnav work with those demons while people like me, because of their fate, end up surrendering to their demons. We are controlled like dolls. I used to fight against them but as time rolled down, I weakened giving rise to those hungry brutes.

He had promised to hurt me as much as he can, till he quenches his thirst of revenge for his brother but I might die before that. He has his enemies all around and they're other monsters form hell too. Their lusty gaze and bloody thoughts are too disgusting for me to think about. I don't fear his enemies, for he'd go any extent to save me from them. He'd never let them put a single scratch on me because he'll be the one to ruin me later on.

He's my protector infront of the world,  but behind the doors, he's the only one who's shattering my soul piece by piece.

My thoughts were halted by the sound of door opening as I tilted my head to see who had entered the room.

It was him only. He was dressed in the same office attire as before, in all black, just the coat was missing.

Striding towards me, he held my right wrist before pulling me up as he started dragging me.

I was perplexed at his sudden behaviour once again.

Not coming to any conclusion behind this, I was about to ask when he spoke, "Not a word doll, not a word. You dared to raise your hand on me so I need to give you the return gift right?", his voice deep as a sinister smile curled up on his lips. My eyes widened as my thumping heart betrayed me.

I gulped down predicting the possible consequences he'd make me face but my messed up mind couldn't't even think straight.

I didn't speak or protest, for he'd turn deaf like last time and would punish me anyways.

Silently letting him drag me, I noticed him walking towards the end of the corridor, two matte black metal doors coming into my view.

A small digital screen was fixed to the wall by the metal doors displaying the number 5 on it. They were lift doors.

As he stepped closer, the door opened welcoming him and me, a bodyguard in all black stood inside.

Entering the space, he stood straight making me stand at his back, my right wrist still in his tight grip. He was pressing onto my wound. Feeling the burning sensation intensifying, I hissed as I spoke slowly, "Arnav, please leave my hand. It hurts", I pleaded.

He didn't even move.

I looked down as tears filled my eyes. I felt frustrated by the fact that I'd tear up like a weak person all the time whenever I'm hurt. Tears aren't weakness but they for sure reveal the vulnerabilities. And I hate it.

I hate revealing my vulnerable side which he easily takes out everytime. Despite my numerous opposition to his controlling nature, I've always ended up surrendering to him because he pressed on my weak spots.

The lift stopped with a sound as I glanced at the digital screen at the top of the doors, it displayed the letter B.

We're in the basement?

My heart palpated rapidly as he strode out with me being dragged. The guard in the lift came out too before following us.

The ground beneath me was made of concrete, unevean and broken. As I was barefoot, those small concrete pieces hurt my feet as I tried to slow down. But he was striding away. Being unable to match with his pace, I stumbled before falling on the ground as my right foot accidentally got stuck in a bit deep broken part of the ground.

I felt embarrassed because of the presence of a bunch of bodyguards, who stood still even if without looking at me.

Once I used to walk with pride, my self esteem high as my head, but now, I'm a mere vulnerable woman.

As I crowched down holding onto my bruises feet, I felt myself being pulled up before he threw me on his shoulder, walking away after that.

"I can walk Rai Mehrotra", I yelled punching his back, frustration and anger bubbling in my chest because I got hurt. Whenever I used to hurt myself accidentally, I'd get frustrated because of it. I believed I was clumsy and I needed to be more focused. This is how I've maintained a composed image infront of the world.

He didn't reply but kept walking ahead before his steps halted infront of a wide brown polished door.

I couldn't see anything anymore because I was facing his back side, hanging down from his shoulder.

There was complete silence in the wide place which I knew was the basement, after the sound of Arnav's and his men's footsteps halted.

An electric sound resounded followed by another smooth electric sound before he moved again.

My eyes roamed everywhere examining the place.

It was a very wide place, floor made of black marble and walls were in matte black unlike the hall that we passed by a while ago—white walls and grey concrete unevean floor.

Many recessed lights and tall floor lamps illuminated the wide place, yet, its creepiness crept up my bones.

Everything in the place spoke secrets among themselves, some secrets that would traumatize a normal being. Such bloody secrets which are better if kept hidden.

He let me down on my feet, as a hiss left my lips because of the bruises on the palm of my feet.

Adjusting my dress, I looked around to find guards all around the basement room. It was just me who wore casual clothes, the odd one out.

He walked behind me, before circling his arms around my waist.

"This is the punishment for kissing my brother", he whispered, his hot breaths fanned against my nape.

I gulped.

My gaze fell on a man sitting infront of me, tied to the chair he was seated on. His mouth was taped, hands were fixed on the table with metal cuffs fixed to the table. As my gaze fel