"Your kiss peels off my pain and your embrace keeps me warm."

How is it that you are the most feared CEO of a successful company but you get tongue tied around your wife? Atharva was rendered speechless yet again.

Does she know how those words affect my heart?

He didn't hear the door burst open and people cheer happy anniversary because he was in a bubble of his own world.

What she was doing was very wrong. She couldn't come to him and say I love you just like that nor could she say those honeyed words which melted his heart every time against his mind's protest.

He was brought back from his chain of thoughts when a hand tugged at his arm and pulled him from behind the pillar. He could tell it was Aahana from the gentleness of the hold.

They paused in front of Aahana's parents, and she hugged both of them happily, a huge grin adorning her features. "Happy Anniversary! I am so sorry for wishing you this late."

They smiled at her through unshed tears. "It's okay, sweetie. Thank you."

Atharva watched them silently and felt his heart constrict painfully. Why couldn't I have a family like this? He forced a smile on his face and wished them as warmly as he could and though they didn't sense his inner turmoil and smiled, Aahana very well could see through him and gripped his hand, lacing her fingers with his and giving a gentle squeeze.

"Aahana told us that you were busy and couldn't attend her birthday celebration." Geetanjali, Aahana's mother, smiled as she saw their little moment.

"Er, yeah. Work is very hectic."

Aahana knew Atharva was getting uncomfortable as time ticked by so she politely excused themselves, telling them was starving and wanted to try the food already.

Her parents laughed and let them go.

Atharva heaved a sigh of relief as they securely reached a table far away from the crowded sight. He slumped on the chair and waited for Aahana who came in a few seconds with their plate of food. She sat on the chair beside him and handed him a glass of water.

He nodded in thanks and gulped it down his throat before they both proceeded to eat silently. But suddenly Atharva stiffened and his spoon slipped out of his fingers and onto the plate. He wiped his mouth with a tissue and stood up at the speed of lightning.

"I am leaving." He announced and took a step forward but Aahana held his arm and stopped him from moving.

She gave him a questioning look and he gestured towards the door with a tilt of his head. She followed his gaze and understood why. Saxena family was here, more so Urvashi was here looking around for someone and if Aahana wasn't wrong, she knew that someone was Atharva.

She cursed Naina inwardly for she hadn't mentioned they were coming but again she should have known herself as they were a part of the family now. They hadn't come to her birthday because of Nisha's new boutique inauguration party and she hadn't thought they'd be here tonight.

"We are not leaving." She said firmly, looking straight into his eyes. "Show her you aren't the same Atharva. You are a lot more stronger and a lot more confident like rock and you won't break this time because you have put the broken pieces differently."

He shut his eyes and breathed. "It's not as easy as it sounds. I can't."

"I'll be there with you." She smiled and after a moment or two of contemplating, he sat back on the chair. Aahana started talking animatedly just to keep him distracted but she could see his eyes wander in Urvashi's direction now and then.

He was nodding at her, but he wasn't listening to a word she was saying.

"Atharva will you breathe?" She handed him another glass of water but his hands were shaking too much to even hold the glass properly.

And then he saw her walking in his direction with a surprised look. "Baby? I didn't know you were coming."

His jaw ticked and breathing turned uneven.

"Of course we were coming. This is my parents' anniversary, remember?" Aahana said sweetly and got up from her chair to touch Urvashi's feet when all she wanted to do was slap her.

"Oh yes." Urvashi smiled. "So when did you come?"

"Around an hour ago, and we will be leaving in a few minutes," she said, glancing at Atharva from the corner of her eyes. He looked paler than before.

"Oh, so soon? I haven't met my son," Urvashi said, sadness leaking from her voice as tears glistened in her eyes. "Can I talk to him for a moment?"

Aahana wanted to say no, but she knew Urvashi would keep pestering them like a sticky worm. She shrugged casually. "Sure."

"Baby come with me." Urvashi grabbed Atharva's hand and he felt a sickening feeling develop in the pit of his stomach. Goosebumps dotted his arms and he pulled away.

"We can talk here," he gritted out through clenched teeth.

"It's too noisy here. Aahana dear why don't you show us your room?"

Atharva froze as his mind began to form cold and disastrous images of his past.

"I am sorry, but almost all the rooms are locked and the keys are with my sister."

"Heard her? So talk or we are leaving," Atharva said in a low voice.

Urvashi wanted to say so many things to him but how could she in front of his wife? She threw a hurt look his way and cried. "Why don't you come home Atharva? I miss you."

"I am busy." Was his only answer.

"Is work more important than your mama?"

"Yes. Work is more important than you."

Urvashi was deterred to shock hearing him. She never thought he would open his mouth in front of her.

"Is that a way to talk to your mother?" she snapped and stepped towards him.

His hold on Aahana's hand tightened. "Yeah."

"You son of a- I mean you are my son and you upset me so much. Even your father is not happy with you."

"Like I care."

Aahana could literally see the smoke coming out of Urvashi's ears in anger and she didn't want any scene on her parents special day, so she jumped in between them and gave an apologetic smile to Urvashi. "I think Nisha is calling you and we gotta leave. It's quite late and we have office tomorrow."

Urvashi turned to face Nisha who was already walking towards them. She smiled in their direction and then at her mother. "Remember about the designer I told you few days back?" Urvashi nodded. "He is here. Come, I'll introduce you to him."

Sighing, she shot Atharva an icy glare and walked away but not before saying. "We will meet soon and you can't avoid me then."

"You were great." Aahana gave him a proud smile, her eyes shining.

He looked at her but said nothing and left.

Stupefied, Aahana stared at his retreating figure and blinked.

What happened now?

She shouted for him to stop and ran after him outside but he was already gone.

She went back inside and informed her father there's an emergency and she has to leave right now.

"Why? What happened?" Worry was evident on her father's face and she hated to be the reason for it.

She gave him a convincing smile and kissed his cheeks. "Nothing serious papa. You enjoy, okay? I'll come to see you in a few days. Oh han, I need your car keys."

Her father nodded with a small smile and gave the keys. "Bring Atharva too."

"Sure and tell mummy to take care of herself."

She bolted out of the door and drove her father's car to their home. She quickly parked in the driveway and rushed inside, directly heading to Atharva's room but the door was locked.

She groaned and knocked repeatedly. "Open the damn door Atharva."

She thought he wouldn't listen to her but after few minutes, the door opened to reveal a more than furious Atharva. He had shrugged out of the party clothes and was wearing his sweatpant and T-shirt. His hair was matted with sweat and blood covered his arms and fingers.

"What?" He snapped. He didn't care if she saw him in this state. He wanted her to see the real Atharva who was still broken. She was wrong. He wasn't confident and strong. He was like a paper who could be crushed easily.

She couldn't speak after seeing him like this.

"You have nothing to tell? Good. Get out of my sight." He glared at her through bloodshot eyes and slammed the door shut in her face.

She knocked again and this time when he opened the door, she flung her arms around him, throwing him off guard. He tensed and stumbled backwards slightly.

"What are you doing?" He hissed and pushed her back but she held onto him tightly.

"I am sorry."

"Sorry for what? Aren't you happy seeing me like this?"

She stayed quiet and let him continue.

"You wanted me to face her, didn't you? Did you hear what she said? We will meet soon. But I don't want to see her because she never talks. What she does..." He shuddered in her arms and clutched her waist. "How can I ever avoid her? Please understand, I am not what you want me to be. I am weak. I am an embarrassment to myself." He chuckled bitterly. "I can never make you happy. So leave and let me be on my own. Your lawyer should be back. File for divorce."

She forgot how to breathe. Tears formed in her eyes, sliding down her cheeks and she pressed her face to his chest to muffle the sob that escaped her mouth. "What will you say to your father? He will disown you." This was the most logical excuse she could come up with.

She had wanted to divorce him but not anymore. Call her selfish but love means sacrifice sounded bullshit to her ears the moment she realized she couldn't leave without him.

He went silent but spoke again. "Let him do whatever he wants. I have saved a lot in these years. I'll build my own company."

"Then why'd you marry me in first place?" She cried.

"I am sorry. I didn't think it would matter so much. I wanted the company and getting married seemed an easy way out "

"So it matters now?"

He let out a shaky breath. "Maybe."

"So why?"

"Because you aren't happy with me and you will never be."

"I love you." She said softly and pulled away slightly to look at his face. He was crying too. "I'm happy."

He shook his head and wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb. "This isn't happy. Look at you, you are crying Aahana."

"What went wrong?" She asked him, ignoring his previous statement.

He nestled his face in the crook of her neck and sighed. "When I saw her today, I realized no matter how hard I try, I'll never change."

"And I realized you are already changing."

He frowned and pulled back, giving her a confused look.

She felt her face heat up as she gestured to their proximity. "Uh I mean, we both look fine together."

Atharva felt their closeness and the heat surrounding them and he didn't know why but he liked it but he couldn't let it affect him so he ignored his pink cheeks and tried to pull away.

"Uh huh." She pressed herself closer to him, molding her soft curves to every rigid contours of his. "We fit so perfectly together."

Atharva groaned and closed his eyes. "We need a divorce."

"What is that? I have never heard that word before."

"Aahana."

"Atharva." She mimicked.

"You are impossible! Do what you want but let me go."

"Nope, not until you tell me we are made for each other." She said into his ear, her breath kissing his neck.

He shivered and his shoulders sagged. "Okay fine. We are made for each other. Now, leave."

"Tell me you will never hurt yourself."

"I'll never hurt myself." He grunted. "This is so childish."

"It's not. Lastly you will never think about divorcing me."

"I won't divorce you."

"Good." She pecked his forehead and stepped away from him. "Now let's patch you up."

That's when it dawned on him why he wasn't pushing her out of his room and listening to her foolishness when he could have easily done it.

She took away the warmth with her.

He scowled at himself and jumped on his bed, letting her bandage his wounds. She kept throwing disapproved glances his way and he kept ignoring her eyes.

"This time I' m excusing you but next time you will have to face my wrath."

"Whatever." He scoffed and pulled the comforter over him.

"Don't whatever me, Atharva. I'm fucking serious."

"Don't cuss. Good night."

"Good night." She huffed and switched off his lights before sliding out of his room.

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