10. THE STORM
The day dragged on with Vivan lost in thoughts about the chaos that had taken over his life.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was his mother.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Vivan, you have to pick Aarvi from her house," her calm but firm voice came through.
"What? Didn't you say she'll feel good there?" he asked, confused.
"Yes, but it's been a whole day. Go and get her."
He sighed, already knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "Okay," he muttered before ending the call.
Finishing the rest of his work, he slid into his car and drove straight to Aarvi's house. The moment he stepped in, everyone greeted him warmly, their smiles almost suffocating compared to the storm brewing inside him.
Just when they were about to leave, Aarvi's mother called out to him. She guided him to Aarvi's room, leaving him puzzled.
As they entered her room, her mother started.
"Vivan, son," she said gently, "I know what's happening in your life is not normal. You're going through a lot... but that doesn't give you the right to hurt others."
He frowned, confused about what she is saying. "I'm sorry, Mom... but I really don't understand what you're talking about." His tone was genuine.
With a pause, she dropped the truth. "Aarvi told me everything about today's morning incident."
The words froze him. His hands balled into fists at his side, his jaw tightening as he struggled to remain composed.
"Kiara has no right to speak to her like that," Aarvi's mother continued. "I understand Kiara is hurt, but that doesn't mean she can insult my daughter."
Her calm voice struck him harder than anger ever could. He nodded slowly, fighting the anger boiling inside.
"I just wanted to tell you this," she added. "Don't make Aarvi feel unwanted."
He gave a short hum in response, the weight of her words sitting heavily on him. Together, they stepped out of the room.
---
The drive back was silent. Vivan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his expression unreadable. Aarvi sat quietly, her gaze fixed outside the window.
The silence soon turned suffocating. Vivan suddenly pressed harder on the accelerator. The car moved forward, its engine growling. Aarvi's hands tightened on the seat, but she said nothing.
He pushed the pedal further.
Her breath hitched as fear took over. "Vi... Vivan, please slow d-down," she whispered, her voice trembling.
But he didn't listen. The speed climbed higher, as though his anger found release in the car's roaring wheels.
Tears welled in Aarvi's eyes.
Then, without warning, the car screeched to a halt. Her body jerked forward, her heart racing. Before she could catch her breath, Vivan stormed out, yanked her door open, and grabbed her hand firmly.
"Vivan-leave me, it hurts!" she hissed, trying to pull away, but his grip only tightened.
He dragged her inside the house, straight to their shared room. Locking the door with a loud click, he spun around and pinned her against the wall, his hands gripping her shoulders.
His furious eyes burned into her teary ones.
"You told your mother everything?! Is this how marriage works?!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room.
"L-leave me... it's hu-hurting," she pleaded, twisting under his hold.
His grip tightened, a gasp escaping her lips. "Hurting? You only see your pain, Aarvi! Am I not hurt? Do you think I'm not bleeding inside? Yes, I am but did I tell anyone? Did I complain to the world?"
He jerked her closer, his breath hot against her face, the intensity of his words shaking her to the core.
"You know what?" he spat out. "I think Kiara was right this morning."
Her world shattered. The tear she had been holding back finally slid down her cheek. That single drop made him realize what he had just said.
His eyes widened in horror. The anger drained from his face, leaving guilt behind. Slowly, his grip loosened.
"I... I'm sorry," he stammered. "I didn't mean what I said. I just... when I'm angry, I lose control." His voice cracked as he stumbled over his words.
Without waiting for her reply, he stepped back, turned, and walked out of the room, leaving the silence heavy between them.
Aarvi slid down to the floor, her shoulders trembling as sobs finally broke free.
Outside, Vivan leaned against the wall, pressing his palms into his face. His chest rose and fell heavily as the weight of his own words crushed him. He hated himself for losing control again, for letting his anger spill out like poison on the one person who least deserved it.
He took a step toward the door. His hand hovered near the handle, trembling, before he slowly pushed it open just enough to glance inside.
Aarvi sat on the floor, her face buried in her knees, shoulders still shaking from the force of her sobs.
The sight pierced something deep in him.
For once, he didn’t have the courage to speak.
Quietly, almost guiltily, he walked over and draped a blanket around her trembling frame.
His fingers lingered in hesitation, wanting to comfort but unable to.
Then, without a word, he turned away and went out leaving her behind.
Aarvi, though half-hidden in tears, felt the blanket’s warmth. But the heaviness in her chest didn’t ease.
And For the first time, Aarvi truly wondered if she could endure this marriage.