Chapter Twenty Seven
Ria's POV;
My eyes fluttered open slowly, each movement sending a sharp pain through my body.
I winced, my head pounding like it was splitting in two, and every muscle in me screamed in protest. The balcony was gone-I was no longer there.
My gaze swept across the dimly lit room, and the sight of Aansh's bed beneath me sent a fresh wave of panic through my chest. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, and I leapt from the bed.
Pain lanced through me like fire crawling under my skin, as if the bed itself had scalded me for daring to touch it.
I stumbled backward, clutching at my head, my vision swimming, the walls tilting and shaking.
My legs wobbled beneath me until my back collided with the couch, the impact jarring, sending shards of dizziness stabbing through my skull.
I sank to the cushions, wrapping my arms around my knees, my body trembling uncontrollably.
The memories returned in sharp, cruel flashes-the rain pounding on the balcony, his hands unyielding, his gaze cold and merciless, the sound of my own voice breaking in the storm while he stood like a god of wrath above me.
Each memory pressed against my chest like a weight, suffocating, relentless.
Tears burned the corners of my eyes before I could stop them.
I hated him. I hated this marriage that had crushed my innocence, my courage, my very sense of self.
Every time I told myself I would not break for him, he found a way-effortless, cruel-to shatter me, to rip away whatever strength I thought I had.
My fingers dug into the fabric of my kurti, trying to anchor myself to the present, to stop being swallowed by despair.
The door opened suddenly, and my body stiffened. My heart leaped violently, and I scrambled to wipe the tears from my cheeks before anyone could see.
"Bhabhi, are you okay?" Avantika's voice trembled with concern as she stepped inside. My body tensed further. I forced a fragile smile, nodding. "I'm fine... just a little dizzy."
She moved closer, her hand brushing my forehead, her touch gentle but heavy with worry. "You still have a high fever," she murmured, frowning. My lips parted, but no words came. I could only shake my head, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Avantika continued, her voice soft but insistent, unraveling the morning for me-how she had received a call and rushed to find me, soaked and shivering, fever burning through my body.
She asked how it had happened, why I had been alone, why I wasn't in my room.
Each question pierced me deeper. How could I tell her the truth?
That I had been nothing but a pawn in Aansh's cruel world, that I had been abandoned, humiliated, trapped in fear that never relented?
That I was nothing to him, just a burden?
I swallowed hard, my throat dry and raw. "Bhabhi... I... I woke up with a fever. When I went to the bathroom, I slipped... that's how I got wet." My voice trembled, brittle as thin ice. I forced my best attempt at convincing her, praying my lie would hold.
She nodded, though her eyes betrayed doubt. I felt a small relief that she didn't press, that she didn't dig for the truth I wasn't ready-or willing-to give.
"Everyone's worried about you. Get some rest. I'll send your dinner and medicine upstairs, okay?" she said, her voice softening, almost maternal.
I glanced at the clock and froze. Eight o'clock. My entire day had passed in a haze of fever and delirium. My body shivered violently at the thought. "Bhabhi... how is Dadaji? I didn't... I didn't give him his morning milk today," I whispered, guilt clawing at my chest.
She smiled, a warm, comforting curve that made my chest ache with longing. "He's worried about you. He kept checking in all morning. Kritika and Ishita, too-they haven't stopped asking about you."
A flicker of warmth spread through my heart, a tiny ember of relief in the prison of my despair. Someone cared. Someone's love existed here, despite everything. My chest tightened with the weight of gratitude and longing.
"Kiaan and Rahul kept calling to ask about your health too," Avantika added, holding my hands firmly. "Don't apologize, Bhabhi. Getting sick isn't your fault. Just rest and eat your dinner, okay?"
I nodded, tears threatening again. When she left, silence settled like a heavy cloak around me. My eyes drifted downward and noticed I was wearing different clothes-simple, clean. Avantika must have changed me, her touch unseen but deeply comforting.
Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I rose and moved toward the bathroom.
Each step was a battle against my aching body and splitting head.
The warm water of the shower felt like a fragile comfort, scalding some places, soothing others, but nothing could wash away the memories-the cruel weight of fear, the terror, the helplessness.
After showering, I dressed in something simple, soft, and comfortable-something that wouldn't cling or weigh me down. I returned to the room, only to find a maid changing Aansh's sheets. I ignored her, pretending I wasn't aware of every sound, every movement.
When she finished, she spoke, "Ma'am, I brought your dinner, and Avantika sent this medicine." I nodded without looking, swallowing the bitter pills with a gulp of lukewarm water. She left, and I sank onto the couch, my body finally giving in, wracked by exhaustion.
The food sat untouched in front of me. I had no appetite, no energy.
My mind was full of shadows-every sharp memory of his anger, his coldness, his power pressing down on me.
My body ached, my heart throbbed, my soul felt bruised.
I closed my eyes and let the weight of the day pull me under.
Slowly, inch by inch, sleep claimed me, dragging me into a fragile, temporary escape from the torment of this world.
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