I feel guilty for raising my voice at her.
I shouldn't have scolded her.
She waited for me late into the night,
dinner untouched, still hoping I'd come.
She was everything a wife could be.
Too perfect, perhaps, for someone like me.

The way I admire her,
it frightens me.
Getting closer feels like stepping into the fire.
I like her, more than I can admit.
But I don't want her tied to this grumpy soul.
She deserves more than this,
more than a life with a man like me.
She is my fairy,
but I can't be her happily ever after.

--From Ishaan's diary written after ten month of marriage.

Tara's POV

I closed the diary with a heavy heart as I heard Rivan's voice. We had planned to go to Dhruv's hockey match earlier, so I quickly pulled myself together.

We arrived at the stadium together and spotted Dhruv warming up with his teammates. He approached us, and I smiled, but he didn't smile back. Instead, he grinned and hugged Rivan.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"Friends don't say sorry to each other," Dhruv pouted.

"Okay, then show me that smile. Say 'cheese!'" I teased.

"Cheeseeeee!" Dhruv beamed, pulling me into a side hug.

"Selfie time!" Rivan exclaimed, standing beside Dhruv with his phone.

We took a few photos together, laughing, but then Dhruv's coach called him back to the field.

"All the best, Captain Dhruv!" I cheered as he jogged away.

Rivan and I sat in the stands among the audience, watching Dhruv play aggressively on the field. In the first quarter, Dhruv's and opposite teams ended with no one scoring a goal. I was absorbed in the game until I saw Mahira and Ishaan standing beside me and Rivan.

For a minute, their presence made me stupefy.

"What are you doing here?" Rivan asked Mahira and Ishaan, surprised.

"Come on, it's my brother's match! Pathak and Divan Industries are sponsors for his team," Mahira explained, gesturing for Ishaan to sit down.

I avoided looking at Ishaan. I refused to make eye contact. He sat next to me, and Mahira sat beside Ishaan. I immediately wanted to leave the stadium.

I didn't want to watch the game with beside Ishaan and his so-called girlfriend, Mahira. I glanced at Rivan, and he understood my feelings, nodding slightly.

We both stood up together. I barely took a step before Ishaan caught my wrist.

"I knew Dhruv's match was boring, so that's why you two are leaving, right? Mahira and I will come along with you," Ishaan smirked, making my heart pound.

"We're not leaving," Rivan said sharply, pushing Ishaan's hand off me.

We sat back down, but I couldn't focus on the game. I felt his gaze on me the entire time.

The second quarter ended with no goals scored, but the match started getting interesting.

During the five-minute break, Mahira commented, "I think Ajay will score a goal for our team."

"No, Ajay is good, but Dhruv will score first. He's more talented than Ajay," Rivan said, backing Dhruv.

"Yes, you're right. Dhruv has the ability," I added in support.

"You're wrong. Ajay will score the first goal," Ishaan said in his deep, hoarse voice.

"Dhruv will put in the first goal for the team," I replied, meeting Ishaan's eyes for the first time.

"Challenge!" Mahira declared as I noticed Ishaan smirking.

"Dhruv! Dhruv!" Rivan and I started cheering wildly. We hollered his name multiple times like mad people, and even though Dhruv couldn't hear us, people around us probably thought we were crazy.

Seven minutes into the third quarter, Dhruv scored the first goal for his team. The stadium erupted in cheers as Rivan and I jumped up in tremendous joy, exchanging a quick high five.

Mahira didn't seem upset. She clapped for Dhruv's goal. When I looked at her, she offered me and Rivan a high five, which we accepted.

Then I noticed Ishaan staring at me, watching my every move. The way, Ishaan looked at me made me feel like he was still in love with me. For a moment, the world around us slowed as we locked eyes.

"You won the challenge, but I predict Ajay will score at least two goals for the team," Ishaan said, as Rivan shook his head in mock disbelief.

"Ajay hasn't even scored one goal yet. Dhruv will rack up plenty more points for the team," Rivan shouted, trying to be heard over the crowd's cheers.

"Ajay has stamina. Dhruv doesn't. Ajay will score more than two goals," Ishaan insisted, praising Ajay.

"Challenge!" I declared, locking eyes with Ishaan again.

The third quarter finished in the game, with the opposing team scoring a goal. Now the score was tied. The fourth quarter began, and the game grew more intense for the audience and the players.

Rivan told me that he needed to go to the restroom, and Mahira stood up to go with him.

"Tara," Ishaan called my name.

I glanced at him, waiting for him to speak, but he hesitated. His lips parted and closed again. He swallowed hard and sighed deeply.

"Why did you post the pictures of us at the park on Instagram?" I asked, unable to hold back any longer.

"So, you have a secret account to stalk me on Instagram? Are you fascinated with me, huh? I'm impressed," Ishaan smirked, leaving me speechless.

"Don't change the subject. Why did you do that?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

"Because I looked good in those photos, so I posted them," he said, a mischievous smile, playing on his lips.

"You shouldn't have. Dhruv felt bad about it. And we're getting divorced in 25 days," I said softly, as Ishaan placed his fingers gently on my lips.

"You're like a reminder app," Ishaan confessed, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes.

He didn't like me constantly reminding him of the divorce.

"Remove the photo of us from Instagram," I whispered.

"No, I won't," he replied, his determination frustrating me.

The crowd roared, signaling that Ajay had scored a goal. I barely paid attention to the match anymore.

"After the divorce, you'll remove the photo anyway. Why not just do it now?" I mumbled.

"I won't remove that photo, not now, not ever," Ishaan said firmly.

"Ishaan, please," I murmured.

"You're concerned about what others think about that photo, about what society says. But what about your feelings?" he asked.

I didn't answer.

"You liked it," Ishaan said, finishing my sentence for me as we speculated Ajay scored another goal.

"You won the challenge," I said, changing the subject as Ishaan smirked.

The game ended, and Dhruv's team won with a three-point lead. I looked around for Rivan, but he was nowhere to be found.

I spotted Mr. Nikhil Divan and Mrs. Rachana Divan waving at me from a distance. Deciding to greet them, I glanced at Ishaan, who seemed absorbed in his phone.

Seizing the opportunity, I walked over to them.

"Aunt! How are you?" I beamed, hugging Mrs. Rachana.

"I'm fine, dear!" she said warmly.

"What's going on between you and Ishaan?" Uncle Nikhil asked though Aunt Rachana shot him a warning look.

"Uncle, nothing," I mumbled.

"Ridiculous! You two are divorcing, but you're going on dates with him?" Uncle teased, though Aunt quickly whispered for him to stop.

"Not today," Uncle muttered to Aunt. 

"Ishaan's frustration hit a new high after you left the house. He broke 50 coffee mugs, 26 plates, and 10 flower vases."

"Shyam, poor thing, has been slapped by him at least twenty times," Aunt added, shocking me.

"I'll talk to him," I said, watching Dhruv approach us.

"No need," Uncle whispered as Dhruv got closer. 

Dhruv hugged Uncle Nikhil and Aunt Rachana. Dhruv had a good bond with them. Aunt playfully pulled Dhruv's cheeks, reminding me of Ishaan's childhood charm and playful attitude.

Whenever Aunt used to pull Ishaan's cheeks, he would make a fake pout that quickly turned into a smile. Nothing can compare to his million-dollar smile, which I miss so much!

My moment of reflection changed. I noticed Dhruv approaching me. Sensing the situation, Uncle and Aunt left the area with a smile.

Dhruv intertwined his fingers with mine, his happiness at its peak.

"I dedicate this victory to you," Dhruv smiled.

He gently pushed the strands of my hair behind my ear, and I grinned back at him. His victory and celebration filled me with happiness.

 I felt him admiring me as our interlocked hands moved toward his lips. He planted a kiss on my knuckles.

"You're my lucky charm," Dhruv confessed, making me giggle.

"You're so dramatic," I teased, and he chuckled.

Suddenly, I felt my left wrist being clenched. I turned to see Ishaan standing there, his face full of rage.

"What's happening?" I panicked.

"Tara, Rivan is waiting for you outside. Let's go," Ishaan said sharply, tugging me towards him.

At the same time, I felt Dhruv pulling me in the opposite direction.

 I was caught between them like a rag doll in a tug of war, my arms stretched painfully on either side.

"Ouch!"

A sharp, searing pain shot through my wrist as each man pulled harder. 

The bones in my hand felt like they were grinding against each other, and I heard a sickening crack that made my stomach lurch. 

Tears sprang to my eyes, but neither of them seemed to notice.

"Stay away from Tara. You have no right over her!" Dhruv shouted, his grip tightening like an iron vice around my right wrist.

 I could feel my pulse throbbing against his fingers.

"Tara is still my wife. I can do whatever I want with her," Ishaan snarled, his grin laced with bitterness. 

His grip was just as fierce on my left wrist, sending waves of pain up my arm. People around us had stopped to stare, their faces a blend of concern and morbid curiosity.

My shoulders felt like they were being wrenched from their sockets. Each heartbeat sent fresh jolts of pain through my arms. 

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat as another wave of pain crashed through me.

"She won't be yours for long!"

"Don't come between me and Tara."

Their voices echoed in my ears, but all I could focus on was the excruciating pain. My wrists were on fire, and I could already see angry red marks forming where their fingers dug into my skin. 

The world started to spin slightly, dark spots dancing at the edges of my vision.

Neither seemed to care that they were treating me like property rather than a person, too consumed by their testosterone-fueled showdown.

My hands had become the battlefield for their ego war, and I was just collateral damage.

"Dhruv, you have a meeting with the sponsors and coach," Ajay's voice cut through the tension like a knife.

Only then did Dhruv finally release my wrist. The sudden absence of his grip made me stumble slightly, and I quickly pulled my other hand free from Ishaan's grasp. 

My wrists throbbed in protest as I cradled them against my chest, the skin already beginning to bruise in the shape of their fingerprints - physical reminders of their thoughtless actions.

As Dhruv walked away, I turned to Ishaan, my voice trembling with a mix of pain and anger. "What was that about?"

He simply gestured for me to follow him towards his car. I looked around for Rivan, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Wow! Mr. Divan, you lied to me," I grunted as Ishaan handed me his phone.

I took it and saw Mahira's name flashing on the screen. Her voice came through the speaker.

"Hey, Tara. Rivan and I have arrived at the exhibition near the hockey stadium. Join us soon with Ishaan," Mahira said before disconnecting the call, not giving me a chance to reply.

Once we reached the exhibition, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was heavy. Ishaan gazed at the food stalls.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

I shook my head, 'no.'

I tried calling Rivan, but his line was busy. I walked beside Ishaan, searching for Rivan and Mahira in the crowd. As we walked, our hands brushed against each other. 

Ishaan's fingers lightly touched my palm, something he had never done during our marriage. His romantic gesture made me fearful contemplating that our relationship wouldn't last long. 

Yet, my fingers felt comfortable in his grasp, and I liked it.

When Dhruv held my hand earlier, it felt different, more like a friend. But this... this felt different.

Ishaan intertwined his hand with mine as we navigated through the crowd at the exhibition.

"Ishaan!" I called out, making him focus on me.

"What is this?" I asked, gesturing to our intertwined hands.

"Adalert," he said.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused.

"Advance alert! Rivan and Mahira are missing. What if I get lost in the crowd? That's why I'm holding your hand," Ishaan smirked.

"Mr. Divan, we are getting closer. We shouldn't," I confessed, my heart heavy.

"Why?" His eyes darkened with a mix of emotions.

"You know the reason. We need to stay away from each other," I said, trying to hold back my feelings.

"You're reminding me again," Ishaan's voice tinged with frustration.

"In three years of marriage, we were never close. You were always working, and I focused on my studies. But now, after announcing our divorce, we're suddenly getting closer. This isn't good for either of us," I explained.

"I missed you after you left the Divan mansion with Rivan." Ishaan's shaky voice caught my attention.

"What! You... are...  blabbering." I stammered, not knowing how to respond.

I started walking faster, not even realizing that our hands were still intertwined. Ishaan, however, remained frozen. My sudden movement caused me to stumble, but his other hand caught my waist, pulling me against his firm chest.

I found myself so close to him that I could hear his heartbeat.

"Tara, I missed you," Ishaan said with surprising confidence, his words making my pulse race in my ears.

Let me know your views on the fifth chapter in the comment section.

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The sixth chapter will be out tomorrow. Bye. Good Night.