8. A TOUCH THAT LINGERED
Vivan and Aarvi settled into his car. The ride was silent, the only sound they can hear was the faint hum of the engine. Aarvi kept her gaze fixed on the window, watching streets blur into one another, while Vivan's fingers tapped on the steering wheel.
Finally, he broke the silence, his voice low.
"I'm sorry... for the way she reacted."
He paused, searching for the right words, then added softly, "She... she's just sensitive."
Aarvi only nodded, her expression unreadable. Inside, she wasn't convinced. And what about me? Am I not sensitive too? The thought pressed against her chest, but she swallowed it down.
Trying again, Vivan continued, "Kiara didn't mean it all... she just didn't know about the situation."
Another faint nod from Aarvi. Outwardly calm, but inwardly her thoughts echoed louder than his apology. I am sensitive too, Vivan... but no one seems to care about that. She blinked quickly, stopping her tears from spilling.
Before the silence could stretch more, the car stopped with a gentle jerk. They were now standing outside her house. Aarvi opened the door and stepped out quietly. Vivan, was about to drive off when Aarvi reached out and held his hand.
The contact startled them both. Vivan froze, his eyes snapping down to where her smaller hand wrapped around his. He quickly jerked off his hand back. Aarvi quickly diverted her, embarassed of her own actions.
"Ahm... I was saying..." her voice trembled slightly, "can you please come with me? It's just... today is my first day at my house after marriage. There's already so much chaos around the wedding. If I walk in without my hu.. husband, neighbors will talk even more."
Vivan studied her for a second, her lowered eyes, the quiet plea. He didn't argue. Just gave a short nod.
Aarvi smiled softly and together they walked into her house. By the time they entered, Aarvi's younger sister Avni darted forward, hugging her tightly. "Didi!" she beamed, then glanced at Vivan with a soft smile.
Her parents greeted Vivan warmly, their faces lit with a pride. Avni offered them tea.
Vivan who felt little uncomfortable around her parents because of the chaos they created in his life, still tried to adjust. Smiling politely, responding to their every question, trying hard to be calm.
When he finally left, the aunties who stood outside her house, waiting, wasted no time for gossiping. They spilled their words freely.
"Arre, Aarvi really got lucky."
"Such a rich husband, she hit a lottery!"
"See how fate changed last moment."
Aarvi heard it all, but her expression didn't flicker. She lifted her chin and walked inside. Only when the door shut behind her, she let out a slow breath.
"Mummy," she said softly, holding her mother's hand, "can we talk?"
Her mother nodded, sensing something deeper. Inside her room, Aarvi finally allowed the mask to slip, her eyes glistening.
"Maa... I need to tell you something serious."
Her mother nodded, ready to listen.
Aarvi sat down and the moment she sat down on the edge of her bed, the tears she had been holding inside broke. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her chest heaving with the sobs she had suppressed since morning.
Her mother, startled, immediately cupped Aarvi's face.
"Aarvi... what happened? Why are you crying like this?"
Between shaky breaths, Aarvi said everything out.
"Maa," she choked, clutching her mother's dupatta tightly, "I didn't do anything wrong... still I was treated like I'm the problem. Kiara insulted me in front of everyone."
Her mother's eyes got teary, pain flashing through her eyes as she stroked Aarvi's hair. She had never seen her daughter so broken.
"I am sensitive too, Maa," Aarvi whispered through her sobs, "but nobody cares about that. Everyone expects me to stay quiet, to adjust, to accept everything. But... it hurts. It hurts so much."
Her mother hugged her tightly, " bas, meri beti. I know it hurts," she murmured, her own voice shaking. "But listen to me, Aarvi, you are not weak. You did nothing wrong. And that girl... her words don't define you."
Aarvi's sobs softened against her mother's shoulder. For the first time since the marriage, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to let someone truly see her pain.
Her mother kissed her forehead and whispered, "You are my strong daughter. And no matter what happens, you will never be alone. We are always with you."
As Aarvi cried in her mother's arms, Vivan's car sped down the narrow road away from her house. His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, his jaw set. The image of Aarvi's hand clutching his lingered in his mind.
He had expected her to let him leave without a word. Instead, that single touch had unsettled something inside him, a strange feeling he couldn't explain.
"Fuck it?" he muttered under his breath, eyes fixed on the road. Yet, the faint warmth of her touch refused to leave his skin.
With a frustrated sigh, he pressed harder on the accelerator, trying to brush off the unease clawing at him.