"You are the only ray of light in the midst of my darkness."

Atharva had become so numb after hearing Aahana’s words that, instead of going to the office, he went back to his room and locked himself inside.

Then he did something he wasn't supposed to do.

He injured himself again.

He was so tired of women toying with his emotions, he couldn't take it anymore. He didn't know why she said those words. Did she really feel something for me? But how could she?

He slowly slashed his wrist with a blade and poked needles in his skin. Blood poured out and he sat there on the floor watching his left hand with a satisfied look.

He brought the blade to his right hand but the sound of a knock on his bedroom door halted his actions. Frowning, he waited for the person to go away but whoever was outside was as stubborn as him and kept banging loudly.

Aahana.

His eyes widened and he quickly threw away the blade and needles inside a box and slid it under his bed and bandaged his cuts before pulling a full-sleeved blue shirt over his head.

He swung the door open and sure enough there stood Aahana who was about to knock on his face but retracted her hand away, blushing slightly.

"Um...Sorry" She mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"What do you want?" He snapped and leaned on the nearby wall.

"You," She blurted and blushed a deeper shade of red. "I mean to go to the nightclub with me."

"You and nightclub?" His eyebrows shot up in mild surprise. He never thought a miss goody-two-shoes would do clubs.

Aahana looked down at herself and back at him. "Why can't I go?"

That’s when he noticed her. Aahana was in a tight black halter dress that reached her mid-thigh and flaunted her long legs. She had done smokey eyes that enhanced her brown orbs and applied matte red lipstick. He gulped and looked away."Why do you expect me to go with you?"

"You have to." She told him sternly and walked past him into his room, settling on his king-size bed.

"What the- Get out of my room."

"I am your wife, Atharva." She smiled sweetly. "Now go change into something casual."

"I don't have anything casual. Now get out."

"I'll help you." She jumped out of the bed and rummaged through his closet.

"Aahana. Get out." He repeated impatiently.

"Here." She handed him a white V neck T-shirt and faded blue jeans. "Go change."

"I won't." He tensed, seeing the T-shirt. He couldn't wear that. She would see his cuts.

"And oh! About the new cuts you've made, do it again and see what I'll do." She wasn't sure if he had really done it but she'd seen few drops of blood on the floor near the leg of his bed when she entered inside. To say she was angry and upset with him would be an understatement of the century, but she calmed herself from bursting in front of him.

His mouth parted in shock but he concealed it with a scowl and snatched the clothes from her hand but instead of heading to the bathroom to change, he started unbuttoning his shirt there, right in front of her virgin eyes.

"What are you looking at? Turn around." He arched his brow at her gaping face.

She immediately shut her mouth and did as she was told.

"Done," he grumbled. She whirled around and nodded appreciatively, giving him a once over before handing him his black leather jacket.

He sighed in relief when his wounds were hidden under the sleeves, and after combing his fingers through his hair, he gestured towards the door with a jerk of his head.

She nodded and followed after him to his car. The engine roared to life and they were off.

Aahana turned on the radio and kept her eyes trained on Atharva, a joyous smile plastered on her face.

She didn't care if he didn't love her back. He interested her and therefore, she was always going to love him. She'd silently watch him eat and that'd be enough. She'd see him all annoyed at her and that'd be enough. She'd hear him groan and curse and the sound of his voice would be enough.

Because it was he who had made her feel something she never had felt before. Love.

She had encountered several men in her father's business party. They had tried to steal her heart but nobody succeeded until he came into her life and stole it with no intention of loving her back. It wasn't his mistake though, because he did nothing but behave off and distant.

She should have stopped herself the very first time she had feelings for him but she couldn't. She had already fallen, hard and deep.

He would always be around her and she needed nothing more than his presence.

"Stop it." She jumped in her seat and blinked.

"Huh?"

"Stop staring at me like that." He said through clenched teeth.

She smiled broadly. "You are my husband and I love you. So why can’t I?"

He winced visibly at the use of L- word and groaned, shutting his mouth.

They pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car. They looked like some models as they walked inside and it didn't go unnoticed by people as they wouldn't stop staring at the two.

She spotted Jay and Dinesh in the corner of the room, away from lights and music. They were seated on a red couch, drinking and laughing.

She pushed through the crowd and made her way towards them, clutching Atharva's hand in hers.

"Hey." She grinned and hugged both of them.

"Finally you both are here. I thought you ditched us."

"Nah...dressing took a little time," Aahana answered distractedly as she sat opposite them with Atharva. 

"Hey, 5 minutes left for your birthday to get over. So one last time- Happy Birthday." Jay shouted over the loud music and clinked his glass with theirs before gulping the liquid down his throat.

Aahana shook her head and grinned, taking a sip of her own drink. "Yep. Thanks for the gifts." 

"We just hope you liked them," Dinesh said, leaning his head against Jay's shoulder.

"Yep. I loved them."

"Cool. Now let's do some dancing." Jay said and stood up, pulling Dinesh with him before staring at Aahana and Atharva expectantly. "Come on."

"We will join you later. Go ahead." Aahana assured him.

They nodded and disappeared.

Aahana leaned back on her seat and stroked his palm with her thumb. "Are you okay?"

"No." He answered truthfully and tried to put some distance between them but she didn't leave his hand and kept it firmly on her lap.

"You are too tense. Take deep breaths and relax."

He glared in her direction. "Shut up. And let me go."

"We are leaving but later. Now we are playing 20 questions."

"Bu-"

"Shh," She placed a finger on his lips and shook her head. "We.are.playing."

He took a shaky breath and nodded hesitantly, his eyes focused on the table in front of them.

"Favourite color?"

"Black. Your?"

"Blue." Aahana grinned when he compiled. "Do you have a crush on anyone?"

Atharva thought for a moment. "Yes. I had."

"Who?"

"My turn. How many relationships did you have before marriage?"

"None."

Atharva found it hard to believe and he couldn't hide the surprise reflecting on his face.

Aahana chuckled and pinched his cheeks. "Who was the crush?"

"Her name is Arshi. I was 11 at that time."

"Ohh." He was a child at that time but the girl had managed to drill herself in his heart and knowing he remembered her till now, made her stomach twist.

"Why do you love me?"

Aahana smiled at the question. "I don't have an exact answer. It just happened. I couldn't stop myself. You made me fall for you. Did that make any sense?”

Atharva rolled his eyes but didn't say anything more. Silence fell over them and they just stared at each other.

"Ask me."

"Huh?"

"Tell me how pathetic I am."

"What are you saying?"

"I know you want to know about my past. So why beat around the bush?"

Aahana gave him a small smile and leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear as she spoke. "What if I tell you I don't want to know anything because I already do?"

He couldn't breathe after that. "Y-you do?" He stuttered, feeling dread wash over him as he waited for her answer.

"I do." She pulled away and confirmed, her eyes searching his. "I guessed it."

"Do you want to leave me then?"

"No, I am not leaving. I love you, and I will stay with you."

His face hardened. He didn't feel the same this time when she said those words. He felt angry at her. "I don't want your pity." He hissed and stood up.

She placed a hand on his arm, but he flinched and backed away.

"I don't pity you." She snapped, glaring at him. "I love you, dammit. I admire you for your strength. You are strong."

He laughed humorlessly.

“You don’t believe me?” she cried and tugged at his collar, pulling him closer. “You have gone through so much in the past, and it is haunting your present, but you are standing here, aren’t you? You took Saxena Enterprises to the top. You are the most successful man. All this wouldn't have been possible without your courage, so don’t give me the crap that you are pathetic. I won't tolerate it.”

"You don't know what you are saying." He breathed, his eyes shut tightly.

"Come on, Atharva, don't let her get to you. We will fight together, trust me." Her face softened and she gave him a tender smile, caressing his cheeks gently.

"But I'll never be okay."

"It's okay to not be okay."

His eyes fluttered open and locked with hers, a pained expression on his face. He was lonely all his life and nobody helped him. He made several attempts himself but all were futile. Now suddenly she came, a ray of sunshine and hope.

He could see the honesty in her eyes and he wanted to trust her.

"I trust you." He finally gave in to her.

Oh god, yes! Atharva finally trusts Aahana. I was so waiting to write that line!🥺Anyone cutting onions or is it just me? 👉👈