vartik said it!

He gave a nod and walked upstairs, his strides slow, deliberate. The sherwani across his back shifted with each movement, the embroidery catching faint light, and yet—his presence felt darker than the night outside.

I followed, but every step felt heavier than the last. My chest tightened, my stomach churned. This wasn’t going to be easy. It was going to break me , feeling a swirl of thoughts about how I was going to manage this. Was it going to be easy? Definitely not!

Was it important? Absolutely. Clenching my fists, I nodded and stepped toward the my room , bracing myself for what lay ahead.

As I entered my room, he was already there, facing away from me . Standing near the window, one hand tucked behind his back. The tension in the air shouted for me to leave, but I couldn't; I simply wouldn't.

I approached him and shut the door, ensuring no one else was around. When I turned to look at him, his eyes were fixed on something in the distance. My gaze followed his, landing on a photo frame that captured a moment with me, Vartik, Radhika, and him, three of us laughing together, even though he was being his usual aloof self, holding my hand while looking away. I remembered how he didn't want to take that picture, but we insisted.

I quickly brushed the memory aside and cleared my throat. He didn’t turn , He didn’t acknowledge me. The silence in the room pressed against my chest until I could hardly breathe.

Finally, his voice cut through. Cold. Detached. “Talk.”.. making a shiver run down my spine.

I froze for a second, my palms sweaty and my body trembling. Is it always so cold in here? I thought, realizing the chill in the air.

Still, he didn’t look at me. He kept staring at the frame, as though the picture amused him more than my trembling presence.

“I—I need to discuss something,” I stammered, focusing on the floor and trying to wipe my sweaty palms on my sharara. My throat closed. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think.

“Well?” His voice was low, dangerous. “What is it?”

“You’re getting married tomorrow,” I said, my voice shaky. It came out as a whisper, but I was close enough that I knew he heard me.

That made him turn. Slowly. His eyes—dark, piercing, unblinking—landed on me. “Look at me,” he commanded. I didn't, i couldn't. Without wasting another second he moved forward ,in a strand he was infront of me , very close . Great that's a perk when you have long legs .

My gaze are still darted on the floor, but then his fingers caught my chin. Firm. Unyielding. He tilted my face up until I had no choice but to stare back.

The intensity of his eyes stole the air from my lungs. My body went rigid. My lips parted, but no sound came. I suddenly felt scared, unable to breathe, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

“You—I mean, the marriage... it’s not what you think,” I managed to say. My legs quivered and felt like they might give out; I needed something to lean on, and my heart raced like crazy.

One corner of his jaw flexed. His grip on my chin tightened slightly, enough to remind me who held control here. “mhm” he hummed.

I froze, panic clawing up my throat. His stare didn’t waver—it dug into me like knives. My heart pounded so violently I swore he could hear it.

“Radhika…” I whispered, my voice breaking. “…Radhika and Vartik… they’re in love.”

His eyes darkened further, though he didn’t speak. He just stepped closer, his height overwhelming me, his presence suffocating me.

“The marriage... they... they asked me to be...” I stammered, but the words wouldn’t come out. My voice cracked, and tears blurred my vision. My knees trembled. I could barely hold myself upright. I turned in a fast motion ...Just as I was about to bolt for the door knob, a pair of strong hands gripped my waist from behind, pulling me back.

He leaned in closer—way too close. I could feel his breath on my neck. “Go on,” he whispered on my ear, and despite his few words, I understood I needed to finish what I started.

Tears threatened to spill. My lips quivered, words tumbling out in fragments. “They… they want me to… to be your bride.” regretting every word I had just said. I felt numb. For what felt like an eternity, all I could hear was his breath on my neck as my heart pounded against my chest, threatening to leap out. Somehow, though, it stayed put.

“And you agreed?” The words were calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that carried storms beneath. His grip on my waist tightened, as if he knew I might collapse any second.

“Talk,” he urged, this time with an edge of eagerness.

I wanted to collapse, but I forced out a nod. My voice was barely audible. “Yes.”

“Why? ... why would you marry me in  your sister?” he asked, his tone intense. I couldn’t see his expression, but I could sense his anger.

The word shattered me. Why. Why. Why. It echoed in my head until my chest hurt. “Because Vartik said I could divorce you in a year!” I murmured.

The moment the words left me, everything stilled. His chest rose once. Slowly. His jaw clenched so hard I thought it might break , I could feel it as his jaw was touching my face slightly but enough for me feel it .

“Vartik… said it?” His voice thundered, each word slicing the air.

I flinched, nodding quickly, fear rushing through me like ice.

His nostrils flared. His fists clenched. The silence between us was louder than any scream.

Then—without a word—he released me.

He turned, his sherwani brushing against me as he stormed toward the door. His steps were heavy, deliberate, echoing with fury. When the door slammed behind him, the walls seemed to shake with his anger.

I stood there frozen, the air knocked out of me, my hands still trembling. The taste of fear lingered on my tongue, bitter, suffocating. My knees gave in, and I collapsed onto the bed, my chest heaving.

And then? , i waited for the storm to arise. Silence , silence was all i could feel . The kind of silence you feel before a storm arises .....

Authors note.

Sorry for the old mistake , i actually had drafted the story , so when I paste it here , the last chapter was copied here on the new chapter.

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