Sanaya stood by the entrance long after Abhimaan and Abhiraj had disappeared into the study. The weight of their conversation still lingered in the air, thick with secrecy and tension. Though Abhimaan had said it was "nothing to worry about," his tone told her otherwise. She knew something was happening, something beyond her reach, but what? It wasn't just business. The way they spoke, the urgency-it felt like something far more dangerous.
Sanaya decided not to dwell on it for now. She had made a promise to herself earlier at the temple, a vow to give this marriage her all, even if the path seemed impossible. For now, she would focus on that.
As she moved through the estate, heading to her room to gather her thoughts, she heard a voice calling her from behind. Turning, she found Pihu standing there with her usual bright smile.
"Bhabhi, there you are! Come with me. I need your help with something."
Sanaya's heart lightened at the sight of Pihu. Despite the coldness from Abhimaan, Pihu had become her lifeline in the house, always pulling her into her world of laughter and lightheartedness. "What is it?" Sanaya asked, genuinely curious.
"I'm planning something for Viraj Bhai, something fun. You know how much he loves pranks, and I figured, why not team up?" Pihu's eyes gleamed with mischief as she dragged Sanaya toward Viraj's room.
Sanaya chuckled softly, glad for the distraction. "What exactly are we planning?"
"Well, you'll see. Just follow my lead."
The next half hour flew by in a whirlwind of giggles and light-hearted chaos as Pihu explained her grand plan to prank Viraj. It felt good, joining in on something simple and fun, free from the heavy tension of her relationship with Abhimaan. For a moment, it felt like she was truly part of the family.
As they finished up, Pihu stood back to admire their work, hands on her hips, clearly proud of herself. "He'll never see this coming!"
Sanaya laughed, a genuine laugh that she hadn't felt in days. "I don't think he will. You've really thought this through."
"Of course! Now, we just have to wait for him to get back from his meeting."
But before they could continue the conversation, a sound echoed through the hall-a voice, deep and commanding. Abhimaan.
Sanaya froze for a moment, the warmth from her time with Pihu instantly replaced with the cold, hard reality of her strained marriage. She wasn't ready to face him yet, not after the distant way he had dismissed her earlier.
"I think I'll head back to my room," she said softly, trying to retreat before he saw her.
"Bhabhi, don't let him scare you away. You should stand your ground," Pihu said, her words full of encouragement.
Sanaya smiled at Pihu's attempt to lift her spirits. "I'll try."
She turned to leave, but as she walked down the hall, she couldn't help but glance toward the study. The door was slightly ajar, and from the crack, she could hear Abhimaan and Abhiraj speaking in low, hushed tones. Curiosity tugged at her, but she knew better than to intrude on their conversation. Whatever it was, it was clear they didn't want her involved.
Sanaya's steps quickened as she made her way upstairs. But even in the quiet of her room, the heavy feeling of being an outsider lingered. She had hoped for some progress today, some shift in her relationship with Abhimaan, but instead, the distance felt more profound than ever. She knew there were parts of his life he wouldn't let her into-parts that seemed to be tangled with shadows she couldn't yet understand.
---
Later that Evening
The rest of the day passed quietly. Sanaya spent most of her time in the garden, trying to clear her mind. She needed to focus on herself, on finding her place within this family. The silence between her and Abhimaan couldn't last forever, could it?
As the sun began to set, Sanaya found herself sitting in the garden, watching the fading light. The cool breeze brought a sense of calm, but it didn't last long. From the corner of her eye, she saw a figure approaching. It was Abhiraj.
"Bhabhi," he called out softly, his deep voice cutting through the stillness of the evening.
Sanaya stood, offering him a small smile as he approached. "Abhiraj Bhaiya, what brings you here?"
He gave her a casual shrug, his usual intensity softened as he spoke to her. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Sanaya's brows furrowed. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Abhiraj hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering to the house before returning to her. "There's a lot going on right now. With Abhimaan, with everything. I know it hasn't been easy for you."
Sanaya's heart sank. Even Abhiraj, who was so often consumed by business, had noticed the tension between her and Abhimaan. She didn't know whether to feel comforted or more exposed.
"I'm... managing," she said quietly. "But you're right, it's been difficult."
Abhiraj nodded, his expression unreadable. "Give him time, Bhabhi. He's not an easy man, but he's not without feelings."
Sanaya bit her lip, unsure how to respond. She wanted to believe that, wanted to believe that beneath Abhimaan's cold exterior there was something more-something that could make this marriage work. But the longer she stayed in this house, the more impossible it seemed.
Before she could speak, Abhiraj's phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "I have to go. Business calls, as always."
Sanaya nodded, watching him walk away. As she stood alone in the garden, the weight of the day pressed down on her once more. Abhimaan and Abhiraj's world was filled with things she couldn't understand, and as much as she wanted to break through the walls between them, she couldn't shake the feeling that something much darker lay beneath.
---
Nightfall
As the house settled into the quiet of the night, Sanaya lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts spun in circles, unable to rest. Abhimaan still hadn't come to their room, and once again, she felt the heavy loneliness that had been her constant companion since their wedding.
But just as she was about to drift into an uneasy sleep, the door creaked open. She sat up quickly, her heart racing as she saw Abhimaan step inside. His face was hard, his eyes darker than usual, as though the weight of whatever had been happening earlier still clung to him.
Without a word, he crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.
Sanaya wanted to ask him what was wrong, to bridge the gap between them, but before she could say anything, he spoke, his voice low and rough.
"There are things you don't know, Sanaya. Things I can't tell you."
Her heart sank at his words, but she stayed quiet, letting him continue.
"I'm trying to protect you from my world," he said, his fists clenched in his lap. "But it's not easy."
Sanaya reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "I didn't ask for protection, Abhimaan. I just want to understand."
He turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers, and for the first time, she saw something other than coldness. She saw pain, frustration, and beneath it all, something deeper-a vulnerability he had tried so hard to hide.
"Maybe one day you will," he said softly, before standing and leaving the room once again, leaving Sanaya alone with the shadows of their strained marriage.
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