Ekansh stood in the mansionâs lawn, a cigarette lazily burning between his fingers. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke swirl into the night air, merging with the breeze. His gaze was fixed on the distance, cold and unreadable, as though lost in a world far from reality.
Advik stepped into the lawn, immediately noticing Ekanshâs distant posture. His boss stood in silence, staring ahead with a sigh barely audible over the soft rustling of leaves. Without a word, Advik approached, standing quietly beside him, waiting for instructions.
"Advik, get everything ready for the project signing," Ekanshâs voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp.
"Yes, sir," Advik nodded swiftly.
"Prepare the paperwork," Ekansh added, his tone even frostier than before.
Advik nodded again but hesitated before speaking. "Sir⦠are you really going to marry that girl just for the project?" His voice carried a note of disbelief. Ekansh had never shown an ounce of emotion toward anyone, let alone cared enough to get involved in something as personal as marriage. The fact that he had agreed to it now left Advik puzzled.
Without shifting his gaze, Ekansh responded, his voice as cold as ever. "Didnât you hear me when I said I agreed?"
Advik swallowed, still grappling with the idea. "But, sir, marrying for a dealâ¦"
Ekansh finally exhaled the smoke, his jaw tightening. "Iâve never walked away without getting what I wanted. And I want this project," he said, his tone filled with finality.
Advik know what Ekansh means and Advik sighed, for Ekansh, This wasnât just about business-it was about pride.
"Iâll get this project no matter the cost," Ekansh said with quiet determination, the calmness in his voice more dangerous than anger.
Advik blinked, unsure how to respond. "But, sir, Mr. Raichand specifically asked you to"
"Abhimanyu Bhai trusted me with this project," Ekansh interrupted, his eyes still fixed ahead. His tone, though calm, was unyielding. "Itâs important to him. And I wonât disappoint him. Not now, not ever."
Advik could feel the weight of Ekanshâs resolve. There was no room for failure-especially not with Ekansh.
"I get what I want. Always. Thatâs why people trust me. I get things done. By hook or by crook. Thatâs why Abhimanyu Bhai assigned this to me, even though I didnât want to come here in the first place," Ekansh continued, his words carrying an edge of defiance.
Advik stood there, trying to process the intensity of his bossâs words. Heâd seen Ekansh in ruthless negotiations, but this felt different.
"I will never let anyone think I lost this project," Ekansh added, his voice icy and full of conviction. "Itâs just a marriage. Iâll handle it. First, letâs get this project signed."
He ground the cigarette under his heel, the gesture as cold and calculated as his words. His jaw clenched, his eyes hard with determination.
"Now get it done," Ekansh ordered, his voice firm and final.
Advik, shocked by the conversation, nodded silently and left without another word. He could still feel the weight of Ekanshâs unrelenting will pressing on him as he walked away.
Ekansh remained in the same spot, his gaze fixed ahead. In his world, victory was the only option, and he would stop at nothing to secure it.
After dinner, Misha and Arthi remained in the kitchen, everyone had already left. Misha was lost in her own world, her thoughts consumed with the complexities of her and Abhimanyu's marriage. Misha don't how she will make her and Abhimanyu marriage to work. A slight frown creased her face as she pondered over how sheâd navigate this new chapter.
Noticing her Misha's distant expression, Arthi furrowed her brows in confusion. "Misha Di, whatâs on your mind?" she asked, breaking Mishaâs train of thought.
Startled, Misha blinked, snapping out of her reverie. "Oh, itâs nothing, Arthi," she replied quickly, her voice slightly flustered. "Just... nothing important."
Arthi didnât seem convinced but decided to let it go, nodding slowly.
"Misha Di, arenât you going to your room? Iâm heading upstairs," Arthi asked, glancing around at the spotless kitchen.
"You go ahead, Iâll join you later," Misha responded with a soft smile, though her mind was still elsewhere.
Arthiâs brow furrowed further, clearly confused. "everything is already done. Youâve worked so much today-you should get some rest," she said, her voice laced with concern.
Misha hesitated for a moment, then admitted quietly, "Iâm waiting for Abhimanyu..." Her voice trailed off, and her smile was tinged with hesitation.
At that, Arthiâs face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Oh, so thatâs what it is! Youâre waiting for him," she teased, her tone playful.
Misha blushed deeply, her cheeks flushing a light red. She didnât say anything, just nodded shyly.
With a knowing look, Arthi chuckled. "Alright, Iâll leave you to it, then. See you later, Misha Di!" she teased once more before heading out, her wide smile showing her happiness for Misha.
Misha stood there for a moment, still blushing, before taking a deep breath, her thoughts once again drifting back to Abhimanyu.
Misha stood by the door, her heart lifting as she heard the sound of the car arriving. She rose from her spot with a hopeful smile, eager to greet Abhimanyu.
Abhimanyu stepped out of the car, his stride purposeful as he made his way to the mansion. As he entered, he briefly glanced at Misha, standing with a welcoming smile, but his expression remained impassive. He continued towards his room without acknowledging her.
Mishaâs smile faltered as she watched him walk past. The sting of his indifference pierced her heart, but she masked her hurt and followed him to their room.
Inside, Abhimanyu removed his coat and heard Misha entering the room. He sighed, bracing himself for the inevitable confrontation. He knew that speaking or listening to her would likely lead to an argument.
Misha stepped into the room, her face lighting up with a smile as she saw Abhimanyu. But before she could speak, he cut her off. "Donât talk now. I donât want to fight," he said, his tone cold.
Mishaâs smile faded, and she frowned. "I was only going to ask why youâre so late, not start an argument," she said, her voice calm despite her growing frustration.
Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow. "Thatâs exactly how these things start," he replied with a hint of annoyance, which almost made Misha want to laugh despite the tension.
"I just wanted to let you know that itâs late and you havenât had dinner yet. Can I get something for you?" Misha asked gently, her voice steady.
"You wanted ask that's all and you stayed till late to ask that" Abhimanyu said with cold tone and a disbelief and Misha looked at him.
"I was waiting for you," she added, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Abhimanyuâs frown deepened. "You waited for me?" he said, his tone indifferent. Without another word, he walked into the closet, leaving Misha standing there, her pain evident in her expression.
When Abhimanyu emerged from the closet, now dressed in more comfortable attire, he saw Misha standing by the bed. His gaze locked onto her, and Misha swallowed nervously as he approached, his eyes intense.
Misha took a step back, and Abhimanyuâs smirk widened. He advanced another step, and Misha stood her ground, her eyes fixed on him.
Abhimanyu leaned in close, his breath brushing against her ear.
"Who told you to wait for me?" he whispered, his voice cold and harsh. Mishaâs eyes filled with tears as she struggled to hold them back.
"You have no right to wait for me or expect anything," Abhimanyu said coldly, pulling back and shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. Mishaâs eyes welled up with tears.
"Youâre just looking for another fight, arenât you?" Abhimanyu added, his tone icily mocking.
Abhimanyu looked at Misha, a stern look on his face,
"Youâre always so irritating. I donât want to argue. Just go to sleep and let me rest," he said, his tone mocking.
Tears welled up in Mishaâs eyes, and she blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. She swallowed hard, letting out a shaky sigh as she tried to steady herself.
Abhimanyu lay down on his side of the bed, turning away from her. Misha, feeling the weight of his coldness, settled into her side, the ache in her heart growing with the silence that filled the room.
Arthi walked into the room with a bright smile, her eyes immediately catching sight of Arnav preparing to get up himself from his wheelchair to the bed. Noticing his struggle, she instinctively rushed towards him, her hands already reaching out to assist.
Without thinking, she gently grabbed his arm to help.
Arnav, halfway through his attempt to get onto the bed, froze. He turned his head slowly towards her, his expression calm but steely. Their gazes locked-Arthiâs wide with concern, his cold and distant.
"What are you doing?" Arnav asked, his voice sharp, slicing through the silence.
"Iâm just helping you get into bed," Arthi replied softly, her voice uncertain as she blinked, taken aback by his tone.
Arnavâs frown deepened, his eyes narrowing. "Did I ask for your help?"
Arthi felt a sharp sting in her chest, her eyes reflecting the pain his words caused. She swallowed hard before replying quietly, "No, you didnât."
"Exactly." His voice was ice-cold as he shifted his gaze down to where her hand still held his arm. The gesture was subtle, but the message was clear. Reluctantly, Arthi let go, stepping back with a defeated expression.
"You donât need to act like my wife in here," Arnav said, his tone as frigid as ever. Without another word, he hoisted himself onto the bed with practiced ease and lay down, as though she werenât even there.
Arthi stood frozen for a moment, her heart heavy as tears welled up in her eyes.Tears welled up in Arthiâs eyes as she watched him settle down, his back turned to her. She wiped them away quickly, her chest tightening with the sting of his rejection. Swallowing her pain, she flicked off the lights and climbed into bed, glaring at his silhouette, unable to understand the man she had married.
Arthi couldn't understand him, couldnât break through the wall he had built between them.
And with that, the room fell into silence, as cold and unforgiving as the distance between them.