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CHAPTER 18

AAVYA RAJAWAT

“The rule book.” I replied as Vihaan shifted his eyes to the red book I was holding. He takes a moment longer than usual, judging and assuming the thing I might have added in the book. There's a high chance he might be judging me, but I don't think I’ll feel bothered by his sudden judgement.

My eyes slipped to the partition of his abs, water trickling down his chest and I moved my eyes from his chest to his face making sure I don't act like a creep.

“Rule book?” Putting one leg on the other, he blinks his eyes before looking at me. “You are still that school nerd with a notebook and pen. I remember you used to write everyone's name—damn, scary scary!” I scoff at his response, not moving the notebook from in front of him.

“Yeah, and you are still that backbencher who would make fun of people and take it as pride.” I respond with a sarcastic smile however Vihaan doesn't smile.

“This rule book is a clear indication that you are going to continue our relationship?” I furrowed my brow, my hands still clenched around the red book as I spoke. “I didn't know we had a relationship.”

He nods slowly, standing on his feet before taking a step closer to me. I gulped the lump in my throat as his piercing gaze pinged my sight. The urge to step back took over me but If I did so, that would leave an imprint that he has some effects on me and I'd rather drink bitter gourd juice thrice a day then push Vihaan in delusion.

Because as much as I remember, enjoy everything you wish except for—Vihaan’s unnecessary attention.

He walked past me and I rolled my eyes, ready to turn around and continued talking about the rule book while I felt his presence behind me. “We have an interesting relationship, Mrs. Suryawanshi. Wanna know?” He held my shoulders before turning me and I shot him a glare.

Just when I was about to allow words to spit out of my mouth, my eyes fell on the mirror behind him. Vihaan's broad shoulders and back are—-“You see that? The vermilion in your hairline and the mangalsutra around your neck is…our relation,” He speaks, letting his hand fall off my shoulders while I continue to stare at my reflection hoping for the two things to disappear from my life.

I was never meant to be Vihaan’s wife, not even before my father hit him with his car and not after I left him on his lowest. This is exactly what Vihaan doesn't deserve, he doesn't deserve someone like me.

“Even if someday you walk around without these two things on your body it wouldn't change that you are my wife. You know why? Because there's a thread connecting us both right from when we both took rounds around the holy fire,” I flinched a little, almost unnoticeable for anyone and it's then I realised he is sitting on the bed again.

“No matter what, you are mine, as much as I am yours and that's the divine relationship we share, my dear wife.” He completed it with a smile. My chest rises and falls before my hands clenched around my hold on the book.

“You married me to make my life hell, but don't you think If I leave you, my life will be more of a disaster? You’ll enjoy every bit of that.” I speak.

He looked at me, the corner of lips pulled into a smile as he said. “Which husband will find fun in their wife's pain? I am angry at you, Aavya. My anger towards you is valid because you left me, with no justification, no clarification and when you finally showed up after years—instead of giving me a justification, bomb, you decided to marry an asshole.”

My hands wrapped around my body as I spoke. “You say, I ruined your life—everything for you, so does my justification really matter? Does my decision to marry someone even matter to you? You are very well aware about my company's condition and how important it is for me to inherit my grandfather's company. So, for a person to hate me unconditionally—you should try your best to make sure I am bankrupt and not inheriting the company.”

He stands on his feet walking towards the wardrobe before pulling out a pair of grey trousers. “Not every hate is meant to be shown, wife,” He slid his legs inside the pants fixing it before pulling out the towel and tossing it into the laundry bag.

I expected him to wear a shirt but instead he walked towards the table and picked up his glasses. “Vihaan,” My words came out as a pledge and I sounded like a beggar begging him to let go of something that will give him more pain.

“Do you want to divorce me? Then you get bankrupt, lose your inheritance and then what?” He walked in my direction and I couldn't process, maybe the way he was walking towards me, towering me and caging me with his gaze or maybe the tone of his voice was a reminder that he wasn't wrong.

As much as I love my grandfather, I can't deny that he's a man of his words. He’ll actually hand over the company to my family if he feels I aren't working on his words.

“We got married and you definitely don't want your grandfather to hand over the company to your selfish family.”

Once he was standing close enough that I doubt air would pass from between us, he lifted his hand holding the strand of my hair and locked it behind my ear. His smell fills my lungs and I’ve never found someone’s presence worth making me stop my breathing but unfortunately my husband can. My breast was touching his chest and something electric ran through my spine, it shouldn't—perhaps it's just the side-effects—

“Whether you divorce me or you don't, I'll forever treat you as my wife and I’ll never find happiness in my wife’s fall. Get that? Hm?” I gulped at his words.

“Hate and respect doesn't go altogether, Vihaan.”

“Then maybe I’ll respect you all and hate you all. I can do a fifty fifty show for you. Before poking his bare chest with the notebook, pushing him until there's at least a few steps difference between us.

“Maintain distance if you love your body,” I say and his eyes slide to the notebook connecting his body from mine. “And what if I don't love my body? Then can I just stick to you?”

“Eww, Vihaan. Such a cheap line.” He looked at himself, his fingers rubbing his jaw as he nodded.

“Right, it was indeed bad. Why would I stick to you? Eww, I remember once your friends and you played with spoiled tomatoes and I can still see those stinking things on you.” I narrowed my eyes, anger marrying my expression.

“For your general knowledge, you were also in the list,” I broke his bubble.

He fixed his glasses with his index finger. His biceps toned like his abs as he speaks. “You had four spoiled tomatoes, splashed on your tee, come on, I only had one.”

“Doesn't change the fact you didn't wash your hand before eating the snacks. The dirt must be doing a party in your tiny stomach.”

“Since you are so concerned about my general knowledge, how about I tell you I even helped you peel oranges with the same hand—gudiya.” My eyes widened as I took a step towards him, notebook still working like a boundary in between us.

“You are such a—annoying jerk I’ve even met–”

“Thank you and welcome.” I grinned at his comment and he grabbed the notebook I was holding but I didn't let it go. “At least give it to me so I can read it.”

“Only if you agree to the terms.” I say with a smirk.

“What are you? Class monitor?”

“Unfortunately, your wife.” I bit my tongue the moment this word slipped and the corner of his eyes lit up before he nods.

“At least you agreed that we are married.” He speaks before dropping his hand and walking towards bed. “Marriages are called marriage when both people tied are happy, the one we share is a compromise—” He cuts me off midway, removing his glasses.

“I wouldn't adore if you call our relationship a compromise. Besides that, i thought we were both happy with this marriage.” I chuckled at his words, walking towards him only for him to sit comfortably on the bed.

“Happy? From which angle do you think I am happy?”

“Mind turning around and giving me a 360° view?” His annoying answers only added fuel to my anger. “Your brain needs a 360° wash, fucking be serious Vihaan. We aren't playing a cricket, it's goddamn marriage. Do you understand the weight of this situation? You and me, we’re tied together in a knot I never wanted and I believe same goes to you—”

“What do you want from me?” He asked, picking up a white file from the bed and flipped through the pages.

“Two years,” He moved his head towards me, his eyes still on the paper before, slowly and smoothly it slipped to me and that electricity ran again. His jaw clenched, the veins of his forehead popping.

“I just need two years of marriage. I know you hate me and I’ll never ask you to forgive me for whatever my family and I did to you. I promise you the day I inherit the company of my grandfather, I’ll make sure you never get to see my face again.”

He continues to look at me, calculating something that I can't understand and it takes me a moment longer to understand him. He must be thinking about if this will give him any profit or maybe something else. Come on, just give me a damn answer, I am not a patient human.

“What if two years are enough for you to change your decision?” He says finally breaking the silence.

“Impossible. You’ll never get to see me in two years,” I speak, earning a nod from him as he forwarded his hand, gesturing to the red notebook. “Let's see the demands of my wife,”

I crossed my arms across my chest. “Might’ve skipped the classes where the teacher taught us the difference between demands and rules.” I didn't forget to throw a smile at the end. Be polite.

“Your, your husband was a good boy in school.” I chuckled at his response, my hands on my hips as I forced a smile. Vihaan chuckled at me, shaking his head before he drove his eyes towards the page as he read the rules loud.

“Rule number one: Both parties are not allowed to take interest in each other's life,” He nodded, lifting his gaze and looking at me. My hands still on my hips while my gaze on him. Vihaan's eyes moved from my eyes to towards my hand and I saw Adam's apple bobbed visibly betraying his calmness and I moved my eyes to follow his gaze.

The thing was simple, he wasn't looking at my hand but,

My waist.

Before I could speak something, he slid his eyes back to the notebook and I dropped my hands from my hip looking at him as he read further. “Rule number two: No touching each other,” He chuckled, lifting his gaze to my face as he spoke.

“By default you thought I was dying to touch you? Delusional much, Mrs. Suryawanshi?” I rolled my eyes as I took a few steps back, dragging the chair in front of him so I could take a seat.

Once I sat on the chair, I found his gaze on me. “Answer me or I’ll not read further.” He speaks and I geez. “Don't tell me you were,” He paused, the rule book kept aside as he interviewed his fingers and leaned towards me until our faces were inches apart. “Thinking about doing things that happen between couples?” He whispered.

My eyes slipped to his lips for a fraction of seconds before I slid them back to his face. “What…do you..mean?” I hesitated and he leaned a bit more. Our noses were almost touching each other.

“Exactly what you are thinking, Mrs. Aavya Vihaan Suryawanshi.” My eyes widened a little and I could see his pupils contract. “Shut up. I added this because last time when I made a contract with Saathvik, I didn't add this and he—” He nodded, his jaw tightened before he sat straight picking up the book and looking at it. It's then I realised I was holding my breath so far.

“Rule number three: No expectations of emotional support.”

“Rule number four: No sharing a room when we are outside Suryawanshi palace.”

“Rule Number five: I give full freedom to Vihaan to have physical relationship with anyone he wants,” He lifts his face looking at me, clearly not happy and pissed off before he speaks.

“This,” he paused, patting on the paper with his knuckles as he spoke further. “I think you accidentally added “full” instead of “no” wife?” That wife, it just sounds so different, like he was reminding me who I am to him.

“No, It wasn't a typo,”

“I'd rather think it was a typo.” He replied before looking back into the book.

“Rule number six: You are not allowed to walk shirtless,” His eyes widened as he looked at me. “What the heck is this? No, I find this comfortable.” He raises his voice keeping the book aside and folds his hands across his chest.

“Excuse me mister, do you have any idea how weird this is? To look at you roaming around shirtless? What if I do the same and roam around shirtless?” I bit my tongue, regretting my words and he looked at me.

“I’ll..enjoy. I mean which husband won't. Actually we can do this, we’ll both roam around shirtless and we’ll remove the house helper and yes, I’ll do the household work. I promise.” I instantly stand up from my chair keeping my palm on his mouth as I speak.

“Do you have any idea we are at your home? What if someone hears us and thinks…nasty?” I whispered and he raised his hands in surrender. I drop my hand from his mouth as he speaks. “Wife, wife—you just broke a rule. No touching rule…remember?” I narrowed my eyes, dropping my body on the chair as I fix my hair.

“That wasn't intentional, just your words made me do so—also, if you wish you can add your rules too.” I stand on my feet, turning and walking outside the room.

CHAPTER 19

AAVYA RAJAWAT

“I am late for the explanation, Harshvardhan ji. I am very well aware and understand how difficult it is for you to accept my granddaughter but marriages in our culture have never taken contribution in divorce,” My grandfather paused on his words. His hands lying on his lap as he looked at Vihaan’s father who is sitting on the couch opposite him.

Vihaan’s mother is standing behind him. Her expression neutral but I know, I know she is pissed off from grandfather's presence but not more than mine. “Our culture also doesn't promote this kind of marriage. Family has been the priority and we got the news through news channel.” Vihaan's mum speaks, I lowered my gaze to my hands, picking on my nails.

“Grandfather had nothing to do with this, Maa. I decided to marry her or that stupid culture of hers wouldn’t break. That culture was a like a chain, and your daughter-in-law broke it successfully,” Vihaan steps down the staircase leading to the drawing room where everyone was sitting at.

My lips parts the moment I saw him, he was no more half naked but rather dressed up in a black suit. He stood straight, filled with confidence. A crisp white shirt peeking from beneath the black suit was paired up with a black tie around his neck. The dark trousers, stopped right above his well polished shoes. His hair set back in a perfect line though a strand slipped out of the line but rather it made him look handsome.

“Vihaan,” Grandfather stands on his feet, followed by Harshvardhan uncle before Vihaan stood infront of him. “Please, grandfather. You should be seated. Don't make me embarassed.” Grandfather smiled, taking a seat as he speaks.

“After Aavya’s father died in a car accident and her mother married my younger son, I've always seen my grand daughter stay in loneliness, she’s never been a part of anything and I would request you to not give her punishment of sin she hasn't committed,” My vision blurred with tear but I blinked them away taking a few steps towards him.

I've always made sure to not be in a vurneable state in front of anyone, to never let anyone know the wounds–no matter how close they are. Once I broke down infront of someone and ever since then I couldn't collect the pieces of myself.

Once grandfather felt my presence he lifted his head looking at me as he says. “Kabir Rajawat, her father hit Vihaan with his car years ago and look at K-karma, he died in a car accident,” I was fifteen when I saw my mother getting married with my father's brother.

She said he cheated on my mother, he gave her pain she never deserved and for my welfare, she married his brother. “I hope Harshvardhan ji and Aarti ji, you’ll accept her as your family member and both Suryawanshi and Rajawat would look forward for a new phase of life…forgetting about everything that happened in past.” Vihaan was about to speak something when his mother broke her silence.

“Wish it was that easy, Rajawat ji but the sight of my son covered in blood is still fresh in front of my eyes. Forgiving the blood that caused harm to my son is something way too difficult for me.”

Disappointment and pain covered my grandfather's face as he forced a smile that spoke one thing—pain as he walked towards the couple. He lifts his hands, trembling as he joined them. He has never done this before, no matter what. My eyebrows relaxed as I took a few hurried steps towards him, not bothered about the cast and the moment I held his hand, I felt a hand on top of mine.

My eyes moved to the owner, only to find Vihaan looking at me with surprise. I shouldn't feel shiver because of his bare touch and yet I felt—so wrong. “Please, give us a chance and I promise you’ll find loyalty from our side, Aarti ji. I cannot ease the pain my son caused for you—but I assure, his daughter is different.” He says, his eyes filled with tears and it just breaks my heart to see my strength shedding tears.

“You don't have to do this grandfather,” Vihaan says.

“Yes, Rajawat ji. No matter what, you shouldn't join hands in front of us.” Vihaan's father said and his mother nodded. I dropped my hands, turning towards the couple as I joined my hands, my gaze low as I spoke.

“God creates situations in a way to test humans, Grandfather and I had no intention to hurt you and I believe Vihaan loves you both a lot to even think about hurting you both by his words,” I lift my gaze looking up to meet Uncle’s eyes.

“Uncle, when I was kid, I was afraid of you because you were the king but as I grew up with Vihaan around your family, I realised you were the strength of the family, holding everyone together and not allowing a single person to fall apart. A few situations were caused where I saw you fall apart, but you were strong enough to make sure no one from the family falls,” Uncle continued to look at me and I dropped my eyes shifting to Aunt.

“You were always the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on. Not just the external beauty but by heart as well. I also know you hate me and your hatred towards me is justified. I won't be asking for a second chance but at the same time I can't force myself on this family, not when my presence is the cause of everyone's pain,” I lift my eyes, a shiver zipping down my spine as a tear slipped down my eyes.

“I’ll ask my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers,”

“Aavya!” Vihaan speaks, his voice calm but yet I could feel the venom dripping from his voice. Ignoring him, I lifted my gaze looking at his mother who was standing still before I turned to face grandfather.

“Dadaji, I need to talk to you.”

✧

“You can't just force anyone, grandfather.” I spoke, my voice firm as he looked at me. His eyes tensed but his jaw clenched indicating his disappointment from my decision. I walked towards him, who was sitting on the couch in Vihaan’s room.

“Grandfather, you know I’ve never said this, but despite having my mother, father and a younger sister—it's only you, who have loved me like a grandfather, a mother, father and as friend,” I speak, but he doesn't look at me so I cupped his cheeks, making him turn his face to me as I say.

“I don't want to be the reason why you have to hang your head low but rather your strength, I want to be the reason for your strength.” He yanked my hands as he spoke. “You always have my support but you know well I’ll die before you—you have been alone all this years and I know Vihaan will keep you happy—”

I stood on my feet, turning my face as my eyes fell on Vihaan’s photo hung on the wall. My eyes turned soft, my racing heart soon hugging the calmness as I spoke. “You are being greedy for your blood’s happiness, grandfather. You aren't wrong, but does that blood even deserve it?” My eyes flooded with tears, before I blinked them away.

“I don't want to force them. I want a family, not the replica of what I already have—about Vihaan, do you really think he’ll forget everything he got from our family, Dadaji?” He stands on his feet, his gaze firm and cold.

“So you’ll divorce him?” He asked and I nodded.

“Yes, because I don't want to torture his family anymore. We had enough grandfather, now it's time for us to move on and give them peace.” He looked at me and I lowered my gaze feeling like a culprit.

“Very well done, remember once you get divorce from Vihaan, I’ll sign over the company to your greedy family. Are you okay with it?” My hands clenched in a ball, my nails digging into my palm as my throat dries thinking about it.

This company was started by my father, Mr. Kabir Rajawat, and he always wanted his kids to inherit this but giving it to his brother Suresh means, he’ll destroy it all for his own benefit without even thinking about how hard it took his brother to make it. I hate it all and yet I am helpless.

“Look at me gudiya,” I shift my gaze to look, a soft smile planted on his lips as he speaks. “Situations aren't in our control nor humans but there's always a very thin line in between hate and love. These people downstairs, don't hate you. They are angry and trust me beta, they’ll all love you once you spend time with them.”

“Do you really think Aarti Aunty will ever love me? Ever give me the respect of her daughter-in-law? I mean—really?”

He looks at the wall, speaking further. “You are not ready to give it a try.”

“I..” I paused, words feeling heavy on my throat but leaving them would rather become a poison of us. “I am not ready to give them the pain they feel because of looking at me. It's high time grandfather, we should go back to the place we belong to and not here.”

“No! You’ll stay here.” He fought back and I smiled at him. “Why are you making things difficult for them just for your granddaughter’s happiness? I don't want to beg anyone to love me, you know that, I don't want that, that's granted to me because of pity—but rather because I deserve that.” I say calmly, the least I expected was to sound calm but I had to.

“You'll divorce him and destroy your father's company?”

“Yes, I’ll divorce him.” Grandfather took a few steps away towards the door when his sharp voice filled with disappointment reached my ears. “Pack your stuff, I am waiting for you in the car.”

✧

I still remember the way Vihaan hugged me at my father's funeral, despite losing a lot because of the man who never left my hands for those couple of days. My father, Kabir Rajawat was a cheater, he had extra marital affairs—and I still remember how my mother told me this thing right in front of his body.

“Your father is a cheater, fucking slept with numerous woman!”

The whole place filled with gasps and whispers. People questioning our family, our morals. “Aavya!” I flinched, the cloth that I was holding in my hand slipped to the ground instead of the bag and I looked at Vihaan standing on the doorstep.

He’s still in the black suit as he walks towards me before I sit on the bed edge and pick the cloth I dropped on the floor, tossing it into the bag. “I need to talk to you.” He speaks, his voice sending shivers.

“I am hearing from you already.” I say, walking towards the wardrobe and pulling out the dress from the hanger when a firm grip on my upper arm made me turn. An angry Vihaan welcomed me before he pushed me towards the wardrobe, my back hitting the smooth surface of the door.

“What is this? You said you can divorce me?” He spoke and I narrowed my eyes, my eyes slipped to the side of my upper arms where he was holding me. I tried to wiggle free but it only made him tighten his hold on me.

Snapping my eyes shut, I try to calm myself as I speak. “Vihaan…y-you are breaking the rule–” he cuts me off midway.

“Fuck those rules. You answer me, do you really think you can get rid of me, Aavya!?” I looked at him, his eyes pinned to mine. “I don't want to continue the marriage so yes, I’ll look forward to divorce.”

“Even if it means losing Kabir uncle's company?” He asked, sarcasm dropping his words. Vihaan has never been like this, like this angry as much as I remember but perhaps, this is something he leant after my departure.

“Yes.”

“You have..lost your mind. I am not going to divorce you so the only way you get to get rid of me is when I die.” He speaks.

“I cannot force your family or you to love me, to approve of my presence when my name causes you pain. I have self realisation and self respect.” His hands slipped to my face, cupping my cheeks as his eyes turned soft and glittered—-with tears.

“Look into my eyes, Sunflower. Do you really think I hate you? That your presence causes me pain? Do you? Being angry with you is another thing, having the desire of hating you will itself end the life of mine. Even if you put a dagger in my chest, my heart will still beat for you and you are talking about being in pain?” He was so close that our nose brushed, his words breaking a wall of me that will ultimately give him infinite pain and I am not signing up for that.

Placing my hand on his chest, I pushed him away from me. Running my hand into my hair, I sniffed before walking out. Vihaan follows me like a shadow but I am not going to give him what he wants. “You are not even going to answer me?” He asked and I stayed quiet.

“Aavya!” He grabbed my arm, turning me towards him as he says. “You're running away from me again?”

“I told you, I’ll say again. I am not signing up for the pain your family gets the moment they see me. Accept it if you like it or don't.” And I zip the bag, before dragging it along with me.

✧

I looked at the bag kept on the floor of my room. The whole ride from Vihaan’s place to mine was silent. Grandfather didn't speak a word, he just shut his eyes and pretended to sleep while my thoughts were lingering on Vihaan.

Now I am back to the place I should be. The haveli. My family has already left the place and now this room brings back the sight of the night Vihaan and I spent together. It's for his betterment, Aavya.

A sharp pain strikes my head and hand clenched at the side of my head trying to ease the pain but instead it gets tense. It must be because I am thinking about him. The stress is making it difficult for me.

Dropping my body on the bed, I closed my eyes, the pain so intense that it felt like someone was playing numberus drums in my head all together. Sleeping was a good option but I doubt if I’ll even be able to sleep.

I’ll pray for Vihaan’s wellbeing.

For his family,

For grandfather….

✧

My eyes flutter open as I turn my face to the side and look at the wall clock. It was 9 pm at night indicating that I slept for more than 6 hours. Standing on my feet, I walked outside the room, passing through the corridors to search for my grandfather but he was neither in his room, nor in the courtyard.

“Have you seen grandfather?” I asked one of the house helpers but he shook his head and I walked upstairs. My feet lead me to the room no one steps in. My father's room and something inside me opened the door. I thought maybe it would be dirty, like every time I came here but to my surprise it wasn't dirty.

Stepping inside the room, I sat on my father's bed, i remember every time he would ask me to lay my head on his lap and tell me a story. I lifted his photograph, my hands brushing on his photo as a smile appeared on my face.

“I miss you so much, Papa, and I hope we’ll meet soon.” The door of the room opened and I looked at my grandfather standing. He was holding a paper in his hand, his face lost all its colours. “Are you okay, Dadaji?” I asked and I saw his chest rise and fall.

Keeping the photo on the table, I took a step towards him when he speaks. “This report….it says…y-you have brain tumour.”