Chapter 15

PREVIOUS CHAPTER…

just beyond the corridor, hidden in the shadows, a pair of eyes lingered. Eyes burning with envy for Shanaya… and a dangerous obsession for Kiaan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KIAANS POV…

I had a feeling I knew the person and his intention but I won't let anyone hurt my Noor.

I looked at Noor who was holding the edge of the kitchen counter and trying to even her breath after the thing I was doing with her.

I went back to her and hugged her back while keeping my chin on her  head .I leaned towards her ear and whispered “ Tum sabke liye kheer banav mai bhara jatha hu.... par mujhe kheer se zyada kuch aur sweet khana hai” She was trembling in my hold.
[You make kheer for everyone i will go out.... but I want to eat something more sweeter than kheer]

She turned her head towards me but realized the distance between us so she turned back and whispered “kaunsa sweet apko pasand hai boliye mai wahi banathi hu”
[ which sweet you like say i will make that only]

If I was not standing this close to her I wouldn't be able to hear her at all .

“Woh mai tumhe room mai batavuga abhi nahi.”She nodded and I left not before giving her a kiss on her forehead.
[That I will tell you in the room not now]

I went directly to my study room ,as I entered I saw my father and chachu already sitting there. I went and took my seat on the chair .

My father began with “ how is shanaya doing?? Is she comfortable with you?? Will you be able to take care of her, if you can't then I will take care of my daughter ? ….” Before he could say anything else I stopped him and said

“ she is doing fine with me and is comfortable. I can take care of my wife. I don't need you to take care of my wife, okk…” I know it came out rude but I was not here to discuss my wife but the threat that is lingering around us.

“Why is she here” the moment the words came out my fathers face that was red with anger because of the way it talked to him suddenly paled out.

“ I don't understand whom you are talking about” he said , diverting his eyes from me not even trying to look at my side, not just him but my chachu also.

“If anything happens to my wife no one will be worse than me and I will make sure they all suffer,I won't let them die I will torture them to the extent were they themselves will ask for death and will not give them that.”

I stood up from my chair and was going to walk out when I heard a loud sound from downstairs.

I didn't look at my father or chachu. I ran and opened the door and went out running towards the sound from where it came.

I could hear some footsteps coming from behind me .I didn't need to guess who it was.
As we three descended the stairs, the air around us grew heavier with every step.

The scene that unfolded below was enough to make my blood boil.

There stood my Noor, her delicate frame trembling, eyes fixed on the floor as silent tears slid down her flushed cheeks, dripping onto the edge of her saree.

She looked small, fragile......like a flower caught in the storm.

Across from her, Ruhi stood rigid, her fists clenched at her sides, chest heaving with unrestrained fury.

Rage burned in her eyes so bright it was almost suffocating, her whole body shaking as though she was seconds away from exploding.

On the other side, Maa and Chachi exchanged anxious glances, their faces etched with worry and helplessness, unable to step forward, unable to calm the fire spreading in the room.

And then… there was her. The intruder. Standing tall, lips curled into a sharp smirk, her gaze fixed shamelessly on my Noor.

The satisfaction dancing in her eyes made it clear....she was enjoying every second of Noor’s pain.

The tension was palpable, thick enough to choke on, every unspoken emotion hanging in the silence like a blade ready to fall.

SHANAYA POV…

As he left,I was still not able to breathe properly because of the things he did and said,a part of me was still thinking it was a dream as…

Looking back at three days ago I was the unwanted brat that no one wanted but now I have a family looking after me.

I don't want to raise my hopes up by thinking about it. Maybe they are acting like this now but afterwards they will understand I was just a curse or a burden that they want .

I need to keep myself safe ,for that I need to be financially independent so that if in future they abandon me or throw me out of their palace.

I don't need to go back begging to my family. Well not really by family but my biological parents that would just make things worse for me.

I need to go back to my workplace but not without telling him. I need to take his permission for the job.

Then my in- laws , only if they are ready then only I can work for that I need to make sure they don't hate me.

As I was thinking about these things I finished making kheer and transferred it to the serving bowl.

And set it on the dining table.

As I was going out of the kitchen I saw ruhi standing there with a grin on her face.

“ Bhabhi apne kheer banaliya kya” I smiled at her, who was looking at me as if she was a child waiting for her mother to give her chocolate after coming back from shopping.
[ bhabhi did you make kheer??]

I just nodded to her question and was made my way towards the dining table to keep it and she was trailing behind me to look at the kheer that I just prepared “ Bhabhi mujhe na taste karna” how could I say no to such cute face i nodded my head
[ bhabhi i wanna taste it please]

I went back to the kitchen and she was following me there while holding my saree pallu like a kid.

I took a small bowl and spoon and went back to the dining table where she sat on the chair.

I started serving her kheer as I was doing it. I could feel a strong intensity. It was not jii because it was making me uncomfortable. Then I heard the voice behind me “ arre Maa dekho Kaun hai ye”
[ mother, look who is here]

I looked up and saw the nightmare walking along with a sparkle or evilness behind them but wait a second what the fuck are they doing in this house don't tell me they all know each other if yes then I need to make myself out of this place.

I kept my eyes lowered, my tears refusing to stop even though I begged myself not to look weak in front of them.

But the moment I heard that laugh.....mocking, cruel, and laced with poison...my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

“Arrey… yeh toh wahi hai na?” Her voice sliced through the air, dragging my past out like a dagger. “Sabko pata bhi hai tumhari kahani? Ya abhi tak masoom banti phir rahi ho?”
[ isn't she the one]  [does everyone know your story? Or you are still acting innocent]

My chest tightened, every word hitting harder than the last. My fingers dug into my pallu, clutching it against my waist as if I could hide behind it, as if the cloth could shield me from the venom in her eyes.

I wanted to scream, to tell her to stop, but my throat betrayed me. No sound came out....only a trembling sob that slipped past my lips.

I was able to hear the heels sound coming towards me,I also knew she was standing right infront of me.

“You don't deserve to be here, the same way you didn't deserve to stay alive....Your parents thought you as a mistake which is not false. You are the black sheep of the family. A black spot that is not going away no matter what we use.Bitch, how dare you take my place in kiaans life.”  the tears didn't stop rolling from my eyes,– her each worse stricken harder than the previous one.

Then I heard “ ap humari bhabhi se yesi baat kaise kar sakthi ho. Abhi bhaiya ayege tho apki kaier nahi.” Ruhi shouted at her ,but she didn't say anything but made her way towards her.
[ how dare you to talk to my Sister-in-law in that way, wait if my brother comes it the end for you]

I am so weak that I didn't even look at her when she was in front of me nor was I able to look at her now that she made her way towards my sister-in- law.

“ arre tumhari ye jo bhabhi hai na, kiaan ke liye layka nahi hai..
arre iske Maa baap hi isse pyaar nahi karthe, apke bhai ko ye pasand nahi hai , woh toh bas iss par Taras khake isse shaadi Kiya hai....warna wo is jaise se muh bhi na dekhe” Ruhi got so anger that she threw the bowl in which I had served her kheer for tasting....making a loud sound causing my in- laws to come.
[Your Sister-in-law, kiaan doesnt deserve her, her own parents dont love her, kiaan just felt pity on her so he married her .. if not why would he even look at her]

She was smirking. I knew that I was able to feel her cunning smile looking towards me.

Then came a voice from upstairs “ ye kya chal raha hai yaha par”  jii had come i know he was coming towards me but I didn't look up after knowing i was a burden to him I don't think I deserve to be with him, he deserves someone more confident and bold ..... someone like her.
[ What the helll is happening over here]

Did I come in between them? Was I just a pitiful person to him? That explains why he was always touching me, he wanted my body. He just wants my body . He doesn't want me. I am just a body to him.

AUTHOR'S POV…

His jaw tightened as he looked at Shanaya’s trembling figure. Her thoughts were screaming so loudly in her silence that he could almost hear them“Did it come in between them? Was I just a pitiful person to him? He just wants my body… I am nothing more than that.”

Something inside him snapped. His eyes turned cold as he shifted his gaze to the smirking mother and daughter standing opposite. His voice was low but laced with enough threat to freeze the air.

“Ek cheez apni zindagi bhar ke liye yaad rakh lo… jo bhi dard uski aankhon mein tum dono ki wajah se aaya hai, uska hisaab tum mujhse loge. Agar dobara uska past usey chhune ki koshish bhi ki… toh main tumhe wahi jawab doonga jo tum deserve karti ho.”
[remember this for your whole life, if I see any pain in her eyes then I will be the one to whom you all have to answer, and if her past wants to touch her then I will answer in a way that they deserve]

The silence that followed was heavier than steel. He didn’t give them another glance before stepping forward and holding Shanaya’s hand firmly. Without a word, he pulled her upstairs into their room.

Inside, he shut the door and leaned against it, his eyes never leaving her tear-streaked face. She was shivering, trying to turn away, but he cupped her chin and forced her to look at him.

“Tumhare dimaag mein jo chal raha hai, usse turant nikaal do, Shanaya,” he whispered, his tone softer now, layered with raw desperation.
[Whatever is going inside your brain,remove it right away]

“Tum meri liye sirf body nahi ho… tum meri rooh ho. Tum meri saans ho. Tumhe yeh lagta hai main tumhe chhod dunga? Toh jaan lo… main tumse kabhi peecha nahi chhodne wala.”
[ you think you are just a body to me .... you are my soul,you are my breath. You think i will leave you then remember this i wont ever leave your back]

Before another sob could escape, he surprised her....he leaned down and kissed the tears right off her cheeks, one by one, until her eyes fluttered shut in shock.

Then he pressed his forehead to hers. “Ab aur royi toh… mujhse bardaasht nahi hoga,  jaan.”
[If you cry more then I wont be able to tolerate]

She hiccupped, still shaky, but the warmth of his words wrapped her in a shield she didn’t know she needed.

Slowly, her breathing calmed, her tears drying against his chest.

He carried her with him towards the bed.

He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Shanaya gently onto his lap as though she were the most fragile thing in the world.

She resisted for a moment, still shaken from the words thrown at her, but his arms wrapped around her with such quiet determination that she melted against him.

Her head rested on his chest, the steady thud of his heartbeat grounding her.

His palm moved slowly over her back, not to ignite desire, but to soothe the storm inside her.

“Don’t,” he murmured, lowering his face to her hair. “Don’t let their poison become your truth. You’re mine, Shanaya… in every way that matters.”

For a while, silence filled the room, broken only by her uneven breathing.

Then, his gaze fell on her hands resting against his shirt. The rich mehendi still decorated her palms, dark and beautiful. A small smile touched his lips.

He took her hand, stretching it gently, his thumb brushing over her skin as though searching for something hidden.

And then he saw it.

His name as jii....disguised in careful strokes, nestled between the designs.

“You…” his voice dropped lower, amused yet possessive, “…you wrote my name here as jii.”

Her lashes fluttered, her cheeks burning, and she instantly tried to pull her hand back.

But he caught it, holding it firmly, his eyes locked on hers. “So you gave me a place in your skin even before you dared to say it aloud.”

Her lips curved despite herself, and she hid her face back in his chest, her warmth spreading against him. He chuckled softly, kissing the crown of her head.

“Then where’s my gift?” he whispered near her ear.

She blinked up at him, confused. “Gift?”

“ Haa Maine apna naam dunda hai, ye dekho ye raha “jii”....”  He showed her again, making her shy.
[Yes, I just searched my naam, look its here "jii"]

She looked up at him shyly, her lashes still wet, and the leaning forward placed the softest, sweetest kiss on his cheek.

He froze for a moment, then chuckled, shaking his head. “Mujhe lagta hai… mujhe bhi apna gift dena hoga.”
[ I think I should also give you the gift]

Satisfied, he shifted her gently to the side and walked to the closet. From a hidden drawer, he pulled out a small velvet box.

Returning to her, he knelt down in front of where she sat, opening it slowly. Inside, a delicate golden waist chain shimmered, catching the light.

He looked up at her, eyes dark and tender. “This… is for you. My gift, my claim, my promise.”

Shanaya’s eyes widened, her hands trembling as he slowly knelt down, clasping it gently around her bare waist where her saree curved in.

His lips brushed just above the chain, a lingering kiss that made her gasp. “Yeh meri taraf se… tumhari muh-dikhayi,” he murmured against her skin.
[ its a gift from my side]

Shanaya’s cheeks burned crimson, her heart hammering so loud she was sure he could hear it.

She quickly pulled the edge of her pallu to cover herself, but her lips curved into a small, shy smile.

Still, the unease lingered. She swallowed hard before finally whispering, “jii… mujhe kuch poochna hai.”
[ jii... I want to ask something]

He tilted his head, his thumb caressing her knuckles. “Kya?”
[ what]

Her eyes lifted hesitantly to his, voice breaking just slightly
.
.
.
.
“Risha… kaun hai?”
[ who is risha]

———————————–—–———