Chapter 28 Things we say out loud
Things we say out loud
SITARA
“Do you really?”
The question slips out before I can stop it. It’s small, almost fragile, but it carries everything I’m afraid to believe.
Dhruv looks at me like I’ve just asked him whether the sky exists. His cheeks turn pink—actually pink—and something in my chest loosens because for all his composure, for all that intensity, he still blushes like this. Still looks… shy.
Cute. Dangerously cute.
“Yes, Sitara,” he says, clearing his throat. “I really do love you. Should I get it tattooed for you?”
I snort before I can help myself. “It won’t hurt to have a man so obsessed that he gets it tattooed,” I say, laughter bubbling out of me, surprising even myself.
He laughs too, the sound warm and a little breathless, like he’s relieved I didn’t run in the opposite direction.
I look at him then—really look at him. The man kneeling in front of me not too long ago, breaking apart for me. The man who held me like I was something precious instead of something… lacking.
“Dhruv,” I say softly, my smile fading into something more serious. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
He inhales deeply, his chest rising, then lets out a slow breath. “What did you expect me to say?” he asks quietly. “In your eyes, we were friends, princess. Just friends.”
That word again. Princess. It still does something strange to my heart.
“I couldn’t risk losing you altogether,” he continues. “Besides—” a corner of his mouth lifts “—Devraj would’ve killed me if he ever knew.”
A laugh escapes me despite the heaviness in my chest. “He would have,” I murmur, shaking my head.
“You don’t know how difficult it is,” Dhruv says suddenly, his tone shifting. His eyes narrow—not in anger, but in something deeper. He scoots closer, so close our knees brush, our chests almost touch. I can feel his warmth, his presence, grounding and overwhelming all at once.
“To be madly in love with someone,” he says slowly, deliberately, “and not be able to do anything about it.”
My laughter dies in my throat.
“So stop laughing, princess.”
I swallow hard.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, not because he asked for it, but because I feel it.
Silence stretches between us, not uncomfortable, just… full. His pinky brushes mine, tentative at first, then links with it. Such a small gesture, but it makes my breath hitch.
“I like you too, Dhruv,” I blurt out suddenly, the words tumbling over each other. “You do know that, right?”
He looks at me, really looks at me, a small, almost relieved smile forming on his lips. “I’m glad,” he says softly. “That’s enough for me, Sitara.”
And that’s when it hits me—sharp and confusing and achingly real.
I do care for Dhruv. More than I’ve cared for most people in my life. He’s kind. Thoughtful. Protective without being suffocating. And yes—ridiculously handsome, a fact I can no longer pretend I don’t notice.
But do I love him the way he loves me? No. Not yet. And that realization hurts, because he deserves someone who feels the same depth, the same certainty.
But then—what does certainty even mean when I’m already married to him? When my life is already tangled with his in ways I never planned for?
“Sitara.”
His voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“I’ve never seen you talk about yourself this way,” he says quietly. “Especially since... I thought… I thought you were getting better. With the therapy.”
I sigh, my shoulders slumping slightly. “I am better, Dhruv. I really am.”
I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip. My mind flickers to Maya. To her words. To the way they sank into me so easily, like they were just waiting for permission.
Should I tell him?
What if he fires her? What if he gets angry? I don’t want to be the reason someone loses their job, even if she doesn’t like me.
“Sitara,” he frowns. “What is it?”
I try to smile my way out of it. “Please don’t lie,” he adds gently. “It’s really very easy to catch your lies.”
I narrow my eyes playfully. “Oh? And how’s that?”
He smirks. “You really think I’ll give that secret away?”
I shake my head, chuckling despite myself. The sound fades quickly.
“It was Maya,” I say after a beat of silence.
His expression changes instantly—sharp, alert.
“She said you deserved better,” I continue, my voice steady even though my chest feels tight. “And I believed it. Because deep down… I do believe that.”
I meet his eyes. He needs to know. Even if it hurts.
His jaw tightens, anger flashing across his face. “Sitara—”
I squeeze his hand. “Don’t,” I whisper. “Please don’t. She clearly cares about you, Dhruv. She didn’t mean to harm me.”
“But she did,” he says, his voice low and controlled. “She made you believe such awful things. I won’t take that lightly.”
I scoot closer, feeling bolder than I have any right to be. His breath hitches—I notice. That gives me courage.
“I really think you should consider her words,” I say softly. “She clearly cares a lot about you. No one else in this palace has ever said anything against me.”
He opens his mouth, ready to argue, but I place a finger on his lips.
“But if she did,” I continue gently, “she must be brave enough to want to protect you. So don’t punish her. I’m glad you have such loyal people around you.”
He stares at me for a long moment, then sighs, the tension easing just a little. His lips curve upward as he holds the finger I’d placed on his mouth.
“How are you so kind?” he asks quietly.
His eyes are so soft it almost hurts to look at him.
“Because I once needed it,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “And couldn’t find it.”
Images from my school days flicker through my mind—hallways, whispers, loneliness. I close my eyes briefly, grounding myself.
“I’m going to sleep for a while,” I say gently, pulling my hand back. “Okay?”
Not because I’m tired.
But because if he asks more questions, I’m not sure I’ll survive answering them.
He nods, understanding more than I say.
And as I lie back, eyes closing, one thought lingers stubbornly in my mind—
I don’t love him yet.
But for the first time in my life, I don’t feel afraid of the possibility that I might.