I placed her gently on the bed in my room. She looked so afraid, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. Not once did she lift her eyes to meet mine.

I stood there for a while, hoping she would say something, anything, but she remained silent, her fear palpable. Sighing, I decided not to push her. The last thing I wanted was for her to be scared of me.

She shouldn’t be afraid—I’m her husband.

In a soft voice, I said, “Kapde magwa deta hoon, change kar lo.” Without waiting for her response, I left the room and called Abhay, asking him to bring some clothes.

Whenever I’d seen her before, she was always dressed in a salwar suit. It suited her well, enhancing her natural beauty. Keeping that in mind, I told Abhay to bring Indian ethnic wear for her.

She was probably starving; she hadn’t eaten anything because she was busy running.

I really want to know why she took this move.

She should have asked me to know what I want.

I married her, and she is mine now for every life.

I headed to the kitchen, though cooking wasn’t exactly my strong suit. I usually relied on takeout or ordered food online. Still, I managed to make some bread and tea—the only thing I knew how to prepare.

Looking at the simple meal, I smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Just as I placed the tea on a tray, the doorbell rang. Strange. It must be Abhay, but why would he ring the bell? He knew the house password.

Curious, I went to open the door. There he was, standing awkwardly with a bag in his hand. I raised an eyebrow, silently asking why he didn’t just let himself in.

“Sir, wo... abhi aapki shaadi ho gayi hai na,” he mumbled, clearly trying to say something clever.

I smirked internally—he had a point—but I didn’t react. Instead, I took the bag from his hand.

“Should I go, sir?” he asked hesitantly.

I glanced at him and replied dryly, “Nahi toh, tujhe chai-pani poochu bitha kar?”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and carried the breakfast tray to my room.

……🩷..... ......🩷.......

I placed the bag beside her on the bed and set the plate on the table. She didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t even look up. It was like she was frozen in place, completely disconnected from her surroundings.

“Go and change,” I said, keeping my voice calm.

Still, no reaction. She didn’t budge an inch.

Control yourself, I reminded myself. You can’t lose patience with her. You’re the reason she’s in this state. But if I hadn’t stepped in to save her, she could’ve been in an even worse condition today.

“Jaogi?” I said a little louder this time, unable to keep my frustration entirely at bay.

That’s when she finally looked up, her tear-filled, red-rimmed eyes meeting mine. My heart sank.

Why was she crying? I wasn’t going to harm her.

“Please… jaake change kar lo aur kucch kha lo. Bhookh lagi hogi tumhe,” I said softly, trying to reassure her.

Please just listen to me. How else can I say this? Seeing those beautiful eyes filled with tears is unbearable.

She hesitated for a moment before standing up. “Ka… kahan change?” she asked, her voice shaky, barely above a whisper.

I gestured towards the corner of the room where the door to the bathroom was. She didn’t say anything else, just walked silently in that direction.

As the door clicked shut behind her, I exhaled deeply and sat on the bed. Eventually, I leaned back, resting my weight on the mattress while keeping my legs on the floor.

I’m a married man now. Oh God, I can’t believe it.

Her voice echoed in my mind, soft and melodic, like a song you’d never get tired of hearing. How had I become so captivated by someone I barely knew?

But more than anything, I wanted to protect her. I couldn’t stand the fear in her eyes, especially when it was directed at me.

Of course, it made sense why she was behaving this way. How we ended up married was bound to have left its scars.

I heard the door creak open, and I sat up immediately.

Standing there was an angel. That’s the only way to describe her.

What good deeds have I done to deserve this moment? Probably none, considering I couldn’t recall a single one. But here she was, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

What's happening to me?

"Ham kab jaayenge."

I came back to my senses when I heard her melodic voice.

I stand from the bed and don't answer. I don't know where she wants to go now. Now she can't go anywhere. She tried to leave me, and now she has lost this freedom to go anywhere.

"Sit," I said.

She sat hesitantly, like she would run away any moment.

Folding my hand back, I gestured toward food.

"I don't want to eat; I want to go from here." She said that was barely audible.

That is it; I can't listen to you, baby doll. I thought.

I screeched a chair and sat on the chair in front of her, and I noticed she backed up a little. I took the plate and tore a bite for her and forwarded it in front of her mouth, but she didn't open her mouth.

I need a lot of patience now.

"I don't have the whole day for this."

She looked up, and I almost pleaded with my face,I just want her to eat; she needs energy because I don't want to see her sick again.

"Mu..Mujhe Jaana hai"

The only words I heard from her mouth.

But this is not possible, my babydoll now, but I said totally different from what I thought.

"Hmm, but please eat it."

She looked up for a second, then opened her mouth slowly. I smiled internally. She is afraid of me but eating from my hand is crazy and cute at the same time.

I once laughed at those who claimed that love blooms in mere moments.

A fleeting glance, a second’s breath—how could a heart surrender so fast?

But here I stand, a fool in love, bewitched by eyes that feel like home,

For in that single stolen glance, my soul whispered, It’s her... it’s always her.

We will face problems, but I will manage. Nothing will happen to her—because my life is not as simple as it seems. There are many hidden truths that no one knows.

"Ba… Bas…" Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I realized she had finished. I stood up from the chair, but her questioning eyes never left me.

I knew what she wanted, but I couldn't keep her away from my sight. At the same time, I didn't want to see her crying or afraid of me.

Losing her would be like losing the stars, and I couldn’t afford that.

Leaving her behind, along with her unspoken questions, I went to the kitchen, placed the plate down, and returned to the room. She was still standing in the same place, unmoving.

"I think we should talk," I said calmly, but even then, she flinched.

Oh god, now what? Should I hand her a letter instead of speaking? This girl is unbelievable.

"H-Hume aapse baat nahi karni," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Accha? So what should we do then?" I asked, stepping closer and sitting down on the chair again.

"Aap… Humein wahan chhod dein jahan hum the," she said hesitantly.

"So you can run away again?" I countered.

She looked up at me for a brief moment before dropping her gaze again.

"I won’t go anywhere," she said.

"I don’t trust you," I replied.

"But I don’t want to stay with you… why don’t you understand?" she said, irritation lacing her voice.

I held back a smile. Her irritated expression looked unexpectedly cute.

"But now, you have to stay with me," I said firmly.

"Why?" she asked, her frustration evident.

"Why? Don’t you know?" I leaned forward slightly. "After marriage, a wife stays with her husband."

She suddenly froze, as if realizing something.

"Wait… Did you forget that we are married? That I am your husband?" I asked, watching her reaction.

Before she could say anything, I stood up.

"You have to stay with me now. If you hadn’t run away, maybe I would’ve listened to you once or twice."