Diya pov

Love or due to the effects of medicine, I don't know what made me stay awake at midnight staring at the grown kid hugging me without hurting my injury, I slowly started to stroke his soft dense hair. He started to lean forward encouraging me to continue my work.

Slowly my hands moved to his bearded cheek and caressed it feeling the roughness from it, "don't you have time to trim it?" I asked in a slow voice, he stirred faintly, unexpectedly his tired eyes bored into mine making me gasp in shock.

He took my hands from his cheek and placed it back on his hair, getting his words, again I stroked it softly as he closed his eyes in soft pleasure and opened them slowly looking at me.

"Sleep" his straight words might come as ordered but the softness in his eyes made me look at him without second thoughts.

"I can't sleep" 

------

"won't you ask me why?"

"why?" his sleepy voice made his voice so earful to hear.

"I am frightened this might be dreamlike all these weeks" every day I would dream of him beside me hugging me close to his heart.

When he remained silent I continued further, "you were there every day when I wake up and when I fall asleep" I looked at him keenly observing his facial expressions, "have i ever been in your thought?"

"let's not talk about past of future Diya," he said stroking my hand.

"then tell me the truth Arj... Mr. Verma, why did you kissed me?" his silence is the only thing I got again.

I hissed in pain when I tried to face away from him, but he stopped me by placing his hands again on my waist turning me softly to his direction, "you know the answer for your questions Diya"

I shook my head, "No. I don't" he chuckled softly after my immediate response I longing to hear it from his tongue.

And I melted in that smile, "I don't want to lose you too" the smile I had on my heart wiped off immediately, "that's now the answer I know"

He sighed and wiped his face with his one hand while the other one still rested on my waist not letting me go, finally coming out of his deep thoughts, "I missed..." leaning forward he kissed both my eyes, "these eyes..." looking into my eyes like intaking me.

My lips curled down sadly, "there is nothing in my eyes" 

Rejecting my statement he shook his head, "these eyes speak a lot than your lips do"

After a long time, we are having a heart to heart talk, immersing me in his deep eyes more and more, "Advik told you you are hiding something from me" 

"let's sleep," he said closing his eyes I stopped him by holding his hands, "I don't know what you are avoiding Advik or this topic but I need to talk about it.

The first time when I meet Advik, I saw the playfulness in his eyes, nothing revenge or vengeful. He talked to me casually but when he came to know my father he was a completely changed man. The anger I saw in his eyes if not for my father or me but veritably for making his brother cry in depression for days.

His way of showing his anger is wrong but not even a second he tried to move away from me even the peoples around him mortified him and that day it's me who went out without informing anyone what is fair in punishing him when he has no mistake on his side?"

He took a deep breath but I again resumed, "The admiration and love when he sees you is a new thing for me, even that look didn't reach your parents from him. He loves you a lot Arj... Mr. Verma" he gritted his teeth throwing a fire.

"Stop calling me Mr. Verma" annoyed at him, "I have talked much and this Mr. Verma is the thing you heard?" he laid straight facing the ceiling releasing me from his hold, "I will think about it but not now"

"Why not now?"

"He needs to understand apart from his cheerful, naughtiness there is much more essential in the world to be alive from the enemies his brother and father earned" he nearly shouted, "He is my brother okay? I have more care and rights over him. He needs to keep awake and aware of the problems around him, not every time I have to keep guards around him"

"but it's the harsh way to make him realize it"

"Trust me Diya, my silence will make him understand more, and not anyone other than you can acknowledge it" I nodded my head.

"And please hear it patiently Arjun, whatever the problem you have please share it with me. We can face it together. This day gave me the confidence which I lost these days but I am feared to be back to position one. I can't bear the pain and your silence again. It's killing me" he stood up from the bed and glanced at me, "time will answer your questions" taking his blazer he started to walk to the door.

Not minding my injury and the sharp pain I ran after him stopping by holding his hands, "I won't ask you anything but answer my only one question"

Getting answers from his eyes I asked him, "the hugs and kisses. Are they real?" I begged him with my eyes to answer me but when the slight love from his orbs disappeared and turned into emotionless I left his hand.

Nothing changed between us.

The pain in me made me stand still, what should I take this silence as? Everything felt real.

A question raise inside me, 'You are betrayed again???!!!' the man who went out was now again in the room.

Lifting me off the floor he made me sit on the bed, I blinked at him to hide my tears, kneeling on my level, "look around you Diya, don't you find everything fishy?" 

Instantly I shook my head, "nothing much fishy than you" and a tear rolled down.

Wiping it he took my hands in his, "keeping you away is the only way to protect you"

"My life is not important to me by being away from you Arjun. My only source of happiness is you. What life will I live by keeping you in distance? 

Tears are the only gift I am getting" his thumb caressed my cheek, "do you believe me?"

They kiss and the hand which is wiping my tears gave me back the trust I lost, "yes"

"Then wait for me" I hugged him letting my tears fall, "how long Arjun? I feel lonely without you. Whatever love and affection I am getting from your family is vain without you in it. I am slowly breaking into pieces with only pain" his arms around my waist tightened making me winch in pain on my shoulder.

"Sorry" his grip loosened, but I don't understand what that sorry is for.

"You're sorry won't wipe the pain you gave the day after our wedding" whatever the situation or whatever love he shows me, that morning inked in my heart painfully. 

Swiftly he moved away from me, "try to get a tip from your father. He is an expert it wiping off things" his strong words beat my heart painfully, I can't speak nothing seeing him walk out of the door.

'I never told my father to wipe a family Arjun' lying on the bed crying even the whole night passed never leaving me to surrender to sleep.

Still, he is not understanding the fact my broken state never mattered to my father.

.

.

.

.

After freshen up I slowly walked down to the kitchen to fetch water. The whole path house seems to silent. Strange.

After fetching water in the Jug, I saw a maid coming with a smile on her face. I called her hesitantly, "umm... where are others?" 

"All of them are in the living room mam"

"Okay thanks and have you seen Advik?"

"yes mam, sir is in the outhouse back of the garden" thanking her I headed towards the living room. 

I went to the living room which is filled by now, with women standing around the sofas hiding the peoples in the center.

Getting closer I saw a few new faces, but the smile on their face is brightening the living room, Yaashvi stood there with a scowl on her face thinking something deeply angrily.

I patted her shoulder trying to get her untearable attention to me, throwing my hand from her she again concentrated on the show, so again I called her. This time when her eyes landed on me her eyes widened in shock.

"What are you doing here? let's go" her voice made Manya also turn towards me and their expressions mirrored each other.

Something is fishy.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah Diya bhabhi. Everything is completely fine. Right Yaashvi?" Manya said nervously scolding Yaashvi with her eyes to say 'yes' and Yaashvi did the same.

Ignoring their words I looked at Arjun who was smiling next to him talking with her happily. I can finally see the laughter on his face after months, but something in me pained knowing I can't be the reason behind the carefree smile.

Shrink face narrowed eyebrows, anger is the only thing me and my family gave him.

Next to the girl, I saw a lady talking with Krithiga aunty and grandma, the person before me whose back is facing me seems familiar. 

"Why are you looking at them like this? let's go up, doctor told to not stress yourself" Yaashvi's angry voice irritated me, glaring at her I glanced back to the guests.

"such a good memory it is uncle even yesterday I am discussing it with my son" my eyes widened. It's Mr. Gurjar's voice and the person next to him is his son.

My eyes again went to Arjun and the girl beside him. She is Meera, the girl who he said he is in love with.

'Do you trust me?' 

'Wait for me'

His phrases from last night made me blink my eyes getting from the train of thoughts.

"I trust him Vi" even my words directed to Yaashvi my eyes are fixed on him.

"Bhabhi..." "Diya" both Manya and Kiruthiga aunty called me at the same time, I turned to his mom and felt a strong gaze on me apart from the whole family's stare.

"Yes aunty"

"come here Diya" she gestured to sit beside her making space for me.

Slowly I sat beside her greeting the guests avoiding Meera's father and brother's confused stare.

"She is Diya, Arjun's..." I interjected here, "friend" earning sharp glares from the whole family while I not even by mistake see Arjun, "I am his friend" I felt hard to talk with them with the whole family eyes on me.

"Diya" I stopped grandma by placing my hand on her, begging her to maintain my lie.

"I have seen her with Arjun in one of the meetings," Mr. Gurjar said smiling eagerly at me, more like thanking for not coming between her daughter and Arjun.

"hi Diya, I am Meera" she extending her hand which I accepted her gladly, "hope you are doing well, Diya. I was there while hearing your illness but can't come to visit you"

She is the girl whom he is with at the time Advik called him.

Despite replying to her, my eyes roamed on her beauteous features, her big doe eyes with perfect trimmed thick eyebrows giving perfect look to her eyes, the small nose gave her face aglow, perfect natural pink lips and supermodel shaped body with a stunning red sleeveless top and ripped jean. She is beautiful and perfect for Arjun.

But also I realized even if his love for her is true, they both deserve each other... by outlook, by status, by family.

Hiding my sadness I smiled at her, "It's okay. Thank you for your concern and I am fine now"

"So Dev, I came here to enjoy the few days of my holiday with your family, let's celebrate it with good news" Meera's father gained the whole family attention from me.

"What?" Dev uncle asked him without any interest in his tone, "Arjun and Meera's engagement" 

My heart stopped beating for a minute making me breathe hard, sensing my state Kiruthiga aunty quickly caressed my back up and down.

"not now uncle. I have some important deals to deal" Arjun said firmly, "even Meera is okay with that" Meera nodded at her father.

Her father's face fell, "don't make it much long Arjun. You always have much business to deal with"

"I can understand but don't worry this time it won't take long"

For the first time, I lingered my gaze on Meera and Arjun where both are still talking with each other. Arjun teasing her and she is hitting his hand playfully with a huge blush.

Why can't I do this? Whatever reason I am trying to cheat my heart, still it's painful seeing my husband with another girl. And it kills me.

"I am tired grandma" not knowing what to answer me she nodded halfheartedly. I went to the back of the door wiping my warm tear which dripped down to my cheek.

Straight away I went to Advik, who is now playing a game on his mobile without interest, "someone forgot about me" she chided.

Hearing her voice he quickly turned to her direction with repose but quickly covered with a roguish smile, "who would like to see that sleepy face whole three days. It looked horrible"

I laughed at his facial reaction, "you have a big mouth Advi..." she said hitting his hand playfully.

"Nah. Stating the truth. By the way, I heard the stunt you pulled in"

"That's quick. Who is your telecasting team there?"

He showed his mobile, it's live going into the living room. I blinked my eyes, "you are watching them through the camera?"

He nodded, "with voice" I pinched his hand hard, "what habit is it? Ah? turn it off"

"Hey it's paining Diya" I was not in the mode to let him go, "how will I know what is happening when I was thrown out of the house?" I looked at him aghast, "Arjun?"

"yep. Your stupid husband. See now what he is doing" I looked in and saw her laughing holding his shirt collar by placing her head on his and his arms around her shoulder.

"they look like a perfect pair right?" I glared at Advik, "your brother should have given you big punishment"

He laughed, "if you want to give me punishment then bring your friend"

Hitting him, "don't talk about her," I said, "okay okay," he said rubbing his hand where I hit him.

"We both talked" 

"what how to celebrate his grand wedding with Meera?" my angry lunch made him sigh in irritation, "then why the hell did you told them you are his friend" 

"Cause, I trust him"

"Shit with your trust Diya, his father is now planning to do their wedding here," he said running his hands on his hair frustrated,  "do one thing. Go and arrange his room for their wedding night"

"Speak one more word, I will remove all your teeth" I whispered angrily, "I will speak more. Do whatever you can do" he started to walk to the garden and I followed him, "If I am fine with my hand I would have torn your cheek"

He looked at me 'you can't even slap me' it's a mocking look and again started his walk, "Advi listen"

"Go, I am not in the mood to talk about your stupid talks"

"he opened up to me" he did not appear to be too pleased with my statement.

"what like how he is bringing Meera here?" how I want to slap his irritating scowl.

I groaned in irritation, "stop giving stupid comments, he told me to wait for him" 

"for how long? Until he gives birth to Meera's child?"

Unable to control my frustration I took a stone from the ground and throw it hard on his back as he cried out in pain, "God, I have never seen such an irritating fellow in my life as you"

"I surrender, now tell me what did he said?"

"he told me to have trust in him. I will wait for him. But you were about to say something that day in the woods" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, my brother is being threatened by your life" I blinked and blinked and again blinked.

Is this why I had been shoot?

"Who?"

He averted his eyes from me, "don't know Diya, might be someone from your father's past. But this person is seriously keen to take your life and Bhai (Arjun) is also suspecting that someone might have known about your marriage and threatening him"

"Isn't it looking like a film scene?"

"It's business Diya, there are much more you can see other than filmy scenes" his eyes bored into mine, "the reason to take you here is to keep you safe with our family and village. But there is something worse than this" his voice is hoarse like controlling his anger more than he could.

Somewhat the whole things feared me, "someone stabbed bhai five days back" 

Without thinking twice I tried to run inside the living room but when I didn't find Arjun, quickly I ran to his room with continuous tears falling down my cheeks, the thought of someone stabbing him, him groaning in pain, his unstable state. I can't think of my life without him.

Why did he hide it from me?

When I heard he was stabbed I lost my all control

When I was about to enter the room I heard his voice. Soft voice, "sorry madam, I won't do this mistake again"

"I am not an idiot to believe whatever you say Arj, you are again making up excuses" Meera's rightful voice made him chuckle softly.

There he is sitting on the bed without a shirt with a soft smile playing on his lips but the cut does seem deep and she is standing next to him applying medicine to his injury on the stomach.

The pain of seeing some girl treating him hurt me on one side and another side, it hurt me brutally. I stood by the door without disturbing them.

"yesterday night I messaged you to aid it again still you didn't do it. Is your work much more important to you than your health? What if it gets infected?"

He pinched her cheeks playfully, "I have my Meeru with me for helping me" it hurts. Deeply.

"I will kill you Arj, stop using your tricks" he hissed in pain, I was about to take a step in hearing his pain, for a second I felt I was hurt but when he holds her hand hard to bear the pain I was unable to move.

He gave her, to hold and to treat. What my work will be like now?

"It stinks Meeru. Careful" he hissed once again as she is doing it wantedly, "it has to Arj, now tell me will you take care of yourself?"

Again she pressed the alcohol touched cotton on his injury he hissed out again as I closed my eyes holding the door hard to hiss loud, "I won't"

Again another long touch on the injury, "will stop smoking these irritating cigarettes'?" he nodded closing his eyes. Pain in his face crushed my heart.

"good, now as you promised to take me out today, buy me lunch and cook for me at night"

"okay" he prayed her holding his both hands, she laughed at him and shook his head holding his hair.

Unable to stand here anymore I wiped my tears and knocked on the door, seeing me Meera called me in, I looked at him, seeing me he slowly started to button up his shirt which hurt me more. When he can stand shirtless in front of Meera then why not in front of me?

Quickly I looked down and moved to the table near the bed and take all my medicines.

"Let me help you," she said but I ignored politely, "it's okay" my only target is to not break down now and to help me he didn't speak a word not stopped me, without lifting my eyes from the floor I quickly went out of the room.

After reaching our old room I broke down again not knowing what to do with my future, even a part of me still wants to trust him it also says I need to accept whatever is happening.

Hugging my teddy thinking it as my mom I cried out my heart, 'wish you are here maa, I don't know what to do' I choked the hell-like pain which my shoulder injury and heart are offering.