SHREYA'S POV

I went down to prepare breakfast for us. Madhu Masi was already present in the kitchen.

The thing told by him about her came to my mind. But I cannot judge her for that because at that time she was helpless too.

"Is everything fine beta?" She asked me

"Yes"

"Actually baba has never been so late for office and when I came here the lock of the room was also open." She said worriedly and pointing towards that burned room.

"There is nothing to worry about. Everything is fine. We are hungry. I need to prepare something to eat" I said

She nodded and gave me space.

I moved towards the kitchen isle. I decided to prepare something heavy because we haven't eaten anything from yesterday's lunch.

I took the boiled potatoes and crushed them. And prepared sandwiches of two types. One was spicy that was for me and the second was less spicy for him. I poured the juice into the glasses and set everything on the table. He came down and took a seat in front of me.

"Do you want to make me Jethalal?" He asked me

(Jethalal is an actor of an Indian comedy show with a big belly)

"Jethalal? Why?" I asked

"You serve me oily and fried food daily," he said looking at the sandwiches.

I started to laugh

"Hell yes, just imagine how would you look with Jethalal's belly and charlie Chaplin's mustache"

I started to laugh more loudly and he gave me 'Iska badla liya jaega ( I will take revenge of this)' look.

I stopped laughing and started eating our breakfast silently. The way he was eating it was clear that he was very hungry. He broke the silence when he was already done with breakfast and I just ate half of it.

"Kya chuiya ki tarah chota chota kha rahi ho? (why are you eating small bites like a mouse?)"

My hand stopped midway and mouth remained open after listening to his words. Did he say chuiya?

No, no, no, it is just a coincidence.

I moved my hand up and put that bite in my mouth.

"Oh, I forgot this is what exactly you are" my mouth stopped munching the bite.

I looked up at him.

"This is your nickname, right?" He asked

"How do you know?"

"I know everything about you, chuiya," he said in a teasing tone.

"Don't call me that" I shouted at him.

"Ok, I will not call you"

He paused

"Chuiya!"

I took a spoon and threw it on him. He scooted away and I missed the shot.

"Control yourself wild chui..." I glared at him and he left the word midway and started to laugh. His voice was echoing in the whole hall.

All the staff members collected around us like there was some kind of show going on. All of them were looking at him in awe. Madhu Masi was just looking at her laughing face with pure affection.

He stopped laughing by looking at the audience of the show. He realized what he was doing. Because you know laughing in public is a sin for him.

"What? I don't pay you to stand idle. Just do your work" he shouted and everyone rushed for there work.

He was back in his demeanor. And I won't deny that I still hate and fear this side of him.

"Ok, I am done. I am leaving for the office. Take care of yourself" he said and stood up to move towards the gate.

He was in the same form so I decided to lighten his mood.

"Hey, wait," I said and ran behind him.

He turned. I looked around and there was no one present there.

I raised to my tiptoes, took his face in between my palms, and pecked his lips.

"Come soon," I said and he smiled

After that, he left and I went to the kitchen.

"Thankyou beta," Madhu Masi said

"Why?"

"I have seen him laughing after 20 years. Thanks for making him live his life again" she said with little tears in her eyes.

"It is ok, as a wife this is my duty" I smiled

"I am glad that you both decided to change yourself and start your life as husband and wife"

I smiled

"I am living with so much guilt in my heart. Because somewhere I am responsible for his condition" she said.

"The things that happened were not in your control Masi. You too were helpless at that moment. Anyone in your position has done the same" I said and she looked down.

"It was past. We cannot change it. Just live in the present. Enjoy these little moments and think about how we can make our future better. Just move on" I said and she hugged me tightly.

She always reminds me of my mother. How much I miss my mother's hugs.

Her phone rang.

"Hello," she said

I pour water into a glass to drink.

"Oh! I would be able to return by 8:00 only" she said sadly and cut the call.

"What happened?" I asked

"Nothing"

"You can tell me if there is any problem," I said to her while putting my hand on her shoulder.

"My daughter has come to visit me and she has to board the train within a few hours. So she was asking if I could meet her at this time"

"So, what is the problem? Just go and meet your daughter" I said

"But you? I cannot leave you alone here for the whole day" she said

"Don't worry about me. Your home is just within walking distance from here. I will call you if I got any problems. You can come running to me to save me" I said and laughed.

"But"

"No buts and ifs. Just go. This is my order." I said sternly and pushed her out of the kitchen.

She smiled and left.

I decided to call Mumma to cut the time. We talked for around two hours. I slept after the cleaners were done with their work and left the mansion.

I woke up at 5:00 PM. I walked a little but I was getting bored. So I just started preparing dinner. I was a little hungry but I decided to eat with him.

It was around 6:00 PM and I am done with everything. There are still 2 hours left in his return.

Huff!

I wonder how he had managed to live in this huge mansion all alone for so many years.

I went out in the garden to explore it. A cold wind was blowing which was giving so much peace to my heart. I closed my eyes and inhaled the fresh air. There was no one except me and the guards. I went further into the garden to admire the beauty of flowers and plants.

After a few minutes, I felt a tap on my shoulder and my heart almost jump out of the chest. I turn around to find none other than.....

Shaurya?

What is he doing here? And how the guards allowed him in?

"Hello, Shreya," he said and extended his hand for a handshake

I folded my hand denying his offer of a handshake.

"Mrs. SHREYA. ATHARVA. SINGHANIA"

I corrected him, emphasizing each word and saying loud enough to make him clear.

"Ooooooooooooo, I see," he said

His facial expressions immediately changed from a soft to devilish. He started to smirk like a devil.

"So you accepted him as your husband"

I said nothing. He started to walk around me.

"That means the task is going to be a tough one. It's ok. I love the hard way" he chuckled.

"Get the hell out of my house" I shouted at him and pointed towards the exit.

I cannot tolerate him even for a minute. I don't like him from the very first day we met and after knowing the truth I just hate him. He exhales negative vibes.

"I will, I will but not without you," He said

"What?" I asked all confused.

He smirked.

"Let me clear all the confusion. I am here to take you with me" he said casually.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"No, actually I thought that you want to be free from the cage of your husband. I tried to talk with you many times but I didn't get the chance because of your husband. So I was here as your savior"

He paused

"But no, I think my brother has already turned the table. Now you like him too. Hmm...interesting. It would be more fun. Haha," he laughed like a monster.

"Just stop your nonsense and leave the place now" I shouted

"Hmm...feisty much. So this was the thing that attracted my brother towards you? You acted all innocent and pushed him away from you so that he attracts to you. Huh, I know all the tricks of golddiggers like you"

How could he say that to me?

"Do you know the black magic? I wonder what spell have you used on him that he is going head over heels on you. When he can have any model with just a flick of his finger, he chose you to marry. Why? I want to explore that. How did you manage to make him fall in your web? By this innocent face or by warming his b.."

"Just shut your filthy mouth and get out from here right now, if you want to go in one piece," I said.

Tears were pricking up in my eyes after listening to his words.

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me it is time to leave"

He looked at his watch and grab my wrist.

"Let's go before your husband returns," he said dragging me.

"Leave my hand. I am not going anywhere with you" I said while gluing my feet to my place.

"Don't worry I will return you here but after having little fun with you and lots of money from my so-called brother" he said and dragged me

"Security, security" I screamed with all my might.

"Hahaha....what do you think I am such a weak player? There is no one to listen to your cries. Scream as much as you want"

He said and again dragged me but I bite him on his hand and ran towards the mansion.

He came behind me and put a handkerchief on my mouth and circled his other arm around my waist to hold me at the place.

"I was going easy on you but I think you like the hard way. But I am ok with both of them" he said

I was struggling in his clasp, holding my breath, and using my hands to remove his hand from my mouth.

"Breath baby girl, breath and everything will be alright," he said

I didn't breathe.

I folded my right leg back and kicked him in his balls exactly where it hurts the most with all my strength and dabbed my right elbow in his stomach.

His grip loosened, I took the opportunity and ran towards the exit inhaling oxygen as much as I can.

When I reached the gate there was only one guard lying on the floor unconscious. Where are the rest of them?

I heard a sound of shuffling and I looked back to find him running towards me.

"You bitch" he shouted

I picked up my speed. But he was too fast to grab me by my hair and pulled me in. It felt like he will pull all my hair from the scalp.

"Atharva" I screamed out in pain.

He put that handkerchief again on my mouth. This time more tightly and grabbed my neck from the other hand chocking me.

"No one will come to rescue you. Not even him"

I moved my leg but he stomped his foot on mine restraining any movement. That hurts because I am barefooted.

I put my hand over him to remove his hand from there. But everything was going to vain.

Tears started to roll down my eyes. It was getting very difficult for me not to breathe.

Atharva where are you? Please come fast. I was just praying for his return.

"Breath," he said and tightened his grip around my neck.

There was no energy left in my body. My legs were wobbling and I was standing only because of his support. My whole body was in dire need of oxygen. I can feel my eyes becoming heavy.

"Inhale" he whispered in my ear.

And I inhaled.

I inhaled for my dear life!

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I am really very sorry for updating late. That's not my fault. Wattpad was glitching. But I have updated on Saturday only. Hehe. Hope you like it 🙂

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