Chapter 38: chapter 38

That night, as Imara parked her car, she scanned the area for Adhiraj's car. Not spotting it, she deduced that he hadn't returned yet. With a sigh of relief, she entered the house. However, her steps halted when she noticed Sanjay, Suvika, Dilip, and Vibha seated in the living room, accompanied by Virender, Jaidev, and Vandana.Without acknowledging their presence, she began walking and headed towards the stairs leading to her room. But she again stopped in her tracks upon hearing Vandana call out, "Imara..."She turned around to see Vandana approaching her. With all eyes now on Imara, Vandana softly suggested, “We will have dinner early today. Okay?"Imara suspected it was due to the Rathores. Feeling too exhausted to object, she simply nodded and continued on her way to her room. She had intended to speak with Virender today to ensure her plan was successful. Unfortunately, she would have to wait until tomorrow.----------Even after half an hour had passed, Imara remained upstairs. The weight of her worries pressed heavily on her mind, especially her dwindling finances. With the end of the month approaching, she knew she would need a substantial amount of money to cover her mounting expenses such as loan instalments, rent, salaries, bills, and more. The mere thought of meeting her family only added fuel to her already raging anxiety. Yet, a few moments later, her intercom buzzed. It was Vandana."Imara, are you ready for dinner?" she inquired."I'm actually quite full. Please go ahead without me," she replied, abruptly ending the call, hoping that her bluntness would make Vandana develop a negative opinion of her, ultimately aiding in convincing Virender.From that point on, she made the decision to even skip breakfast. Sharing a meal together is an intimate gesture within a family. In order to distance herself, she needed to refrain from creating this bond.On the contrary, Vandana sensed that Imara wasn't comfortable sitting with her own family. Understanding her feelings, Vandana decided to have her dinner served in her room, without wanting to pressure her into anything.On the other hand, Sanjay's heart tightened with a mix of emotions as he had already realised he couldn't see his daughter, despite being in the same house. However, deep down, he found peace in knowing that Imara had Adhiraj and his family by her side, a family that valued her choices above all else. In that moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment for the decisions he had made in the past. While he believed Dheeraj to be a good person, he knew his family would never fully accept Imara as their own. If only he could make his daughter understand that true happiness and fulfilment in marriage came from mutual acceptance and understanding.Nevertheless, today, as he made his way to Shekhawats, he had two specific thoughts occupying his mind. Firstly, he wanted to discuss the reception of the weddings and inquire about why Virender had Imara's spot taken away.Sanjay, too, had looked into the matter and was shocked to discover that it was Virender, who, in a way, orchestrated the circumstances surrounding Imara's presence at the wedding venue and how she was coerced into marriage. It perplexed him. However, witnessing the tender care and affection with which his daughter was being treated, he decided to temporarily set aside this issue. Additionally, the conversation he had with Virender on the day of the wedding remained vivid in his memory, adding weight to the feeling that whatever happened, happened for good, that Imara was married to Adhiraj, a kind of man he had always wanted for his precious daughter.“Uncle, Imara…” Sanjay began as the wedding ritual started for Anika and Atharv.“I know Sanjay…” Virender assured, “I know everything about your daughter. I won't marry my grandson to any random girl who turns up when his bride eloped, even if it was your daughter.”Sanjay and Suvika looked at each with both confused and worried glances, while Virender continued,  “Imara was always my first choice as Adhiraj's bride and that's why I sent that proposal…”“Uncle! A lot of things happened after that…” Suvika interjected.“I am aware of Imara’s past, Suvika. Even Jai and Vandana are aware of it. I assure you, it doesn't matter to us. What matters is that girl, who, despite having grudges with you all, agreed for this wedding for her sisters’ happiness. We will take care of Imara!” Virender assured with a gentle smile.But Sanjay was still concerned, “Does Adhiraj know?”At that moment, the conversation broke as Virender was called by Pandit ji on the altar.“Imara seems a bit tired,” Vandana said, breaking Sanjay's trance, who smiled warmly and gave a nod while also squeezing Suvika's hand in reassurance.Just then, Adhiraj arrived. Despite his confusion regarding the Rathores' visit, he greeted them with utmost humility. As he approached Vandana, she answered his unspoken question, "They have come to discuss the reception."He gave an almost imperceptible nod and whispered, “Where is Imara?”“She is in the room. Don't force her to come down!” Vandana cautioned.Determined, he shook his head. “I won't! I will be back in a while,” he whispered before ascending the stairs to the first floor. However, today, he aimed for their room.—————Imara stared at the dinner that had just arrived, courtesy of Vandana’s orders. She was left scratching her head in confusion at Vandana's supportive gestures. That lady, irrespective of whatever little chaos Imara caused, kept her patience.“I need to do something else, something grave,” she muttered to herself.But just as she was lost in her thoughts, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, she was surprised to find Adhiraj standing there, instantly reminding her of the delicious biryani he had sent for lunch.He waved at her, snapping her out of her daze, and teased, "Well! Are you fancying me, Mrs. Shekhawat?”She narrowed her eyes at him and hissed, “What was that lunch all about?” completely ignoring the mouthwatering taste that still lingered in her mouth.Adhiraj, with an air of indifference, stepped forward, causing her to take a step back. He confidently took another step forward, prompting her to take a step back. Now that he was inside, he swiftly took control of the door and closed it without hesitation.Imara frowned. “What are you doing in this room?” she demanded.“Our room was never off-limits to me!" He declared as he strutted into the closet.She remained silent, fully aware that responding would only prolong the discussion. She defiantly crossed her arms, waiting patiently as he emerged from the room. But instead of leaving, he placed the clothes on the bed, and his eyes fell upon the tray of dinner on the side table. A perplexed expression crossed his face as he turned to Imara and inquired, "What mistake did you make to flee from your family like that?"Her eyes widened at his accusatory tone, and she fired back, “Excuse me?”“This…” Adhiraj gestured towards the dinner, “Clearly indicates your guilt for whatever caused you to leave your home.”“Who do you think you are to meddle in my affairs?” Imara snapped, clearly enraged."I am your husband!” Adhiraj shot back. “And I damn well have the right to criticise whatever you do. Just like you do, because you are my wife."Imara opened her mouth to respond, but Adhiraj cut her off by raising his hand and retorting, "Shut out the situation in which we got married, Imara. I promised not to involve my family by revealing our one-month agreement. But that doesn't mean I won't call you out if you do something wrong. So, this..." he pointed towards the dinner once again, "I have no idea what happened between you and your family...""Is that so, Mr. Shekhawat?” she retorted, her nostrils flaring at Adhiraj’s words. “You have no clue what went down? You married a girl just because your grandfather insisted, without even bothering to find out why she left her home? Is 'idiot' written all over my face?"Just as Adhiraj parted his lips to speak, she yelled, “Out! Now! And stop with these stupid lunch ideas like teenagers do. I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself. I. Bloody. Do. Not. Need. Anyone. To. Look. After. Me! Is that clear?”A piercing ache gnawed at his chest, a reflection of the pain that mirrored in her eyes and resonated in her words. Yet he held his ground, his gaze narrowing as he met her fiery stare. He took a step forward, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly in the room. “I bloody have every right to look after you,” he stated firmly, his words resolute. “Do I need to remind you who gave me that right, Mrs. Shekhawat?”Imara stood her ground, her jaw clenched tightly as she retorted, "You're pushing me to cross the boundaries of respect with your family, Mr. Shekhawat!"He took another step forward, dangerously close to her, his presence overwhelming. He leaned in; his voice a low whisper, "Do you need a reminder of what I'm capable of if you dare to do that?" his eyes set on hers.Imara met his gaze with unwavering defiance, as she hissed, "Is this the only way the mighty Mr. Shekhawat knows how to intimidate his so-called wife?"Adhiraj restrained himself, keeping his hands in check, but he couldn't resist getting even closer, inhaling her scent, causing her to tremble. He murmured, sending shivers down her spine, "Trust me, you have no idea the depths I can go to, Little Tyke!"Imara clenched her jaw and took a step back, her voice dripping with determination, “Don’t you dare threaten me with my firm’s name. I…”"Can't do a damn thing!" Adhiraj smirked and leaned back, daring her, "I've thoroughly reviewed the contract you signed. The toys must be delivered within two weeks. And you're well aware of the consequences if the items fail to meet our expectations."Imara squinted her eyes at him, and he took another step back. As he turned around to pick up his clothes, he challenged her, “Prove that you are not guilty. Prove that you can handle your firm.”She felt a knot tighten in her stomach as his words sank in. “Face it, Imara. Running away is never the solution.”And then, with a swift turn, he faced her once more. His eyes met hers, filled with an unwavering belief. “And I have faith, genuine faith, that you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself,” he stated with conviction.Imara’s eyes glistened, unshed tears shimmering in the dim light the moment he stepped out of the room. The memories, like a torrential wave, crashed into her mind, overpowering her senses.On the contrary, Adhiraj’s jaw tightened in response to the raw, painful anger that emanated from her face. How he wished if he could just simply tell her to move on from the past and save herself from the punitive circumstances she had put herself into. However, all he could do was poke her, instigate her to take out her frustration, divert her mind from the past, which he was sure was still lingering in her mind.Yet, amidst the turmoil, a surprising realisation dawned upon him. In such a short time, he had come to understand her, to truly see her. The girl he once despised now occupied his thoughts constantly, slowly weaving her way into the depths of his heart. It was a bewildering revelation, one that left him questioning his own emotions and the power she held over him.==============Author's Note:Hey Readers,I sincerely hope you are enjoying the story so far. I, am, too, enjoying their journey as I write it. But this note today, is a note of apology in advance. There have been some unavoidable circumstances regarding my health and I am required to take a break because my days have become exhausting.I am trying my best to keep up with alternate days while posting this story. If, on some day, I am unable to, then please understand that I am being held back because of my health.More than you all, I am eager to finish the entire story and bring it to you all, but this time, fate has other plans for all of us, including Adhiraj and Imara😶😶Once things settle down, I will be back on track😊😊