Chapter -16

The air in Abhimanyu's office was thick with tension. His face was flushed crimson, veins bulging in his neck.

He slammed his fist on the mahogany desk, the sound echoing through the hushed office. "Unbelievable! Incompetent! This is a multi-million dollar deal, and you people can't even get a presentation together on time?"

Fucking fools

He glared wildly at the trembling figures huddled in front of him. "This is an emergency, a crisis! And you're all sitting here looking like deer caught in the headlights! What have I been paying you for all this time?"

His voice, usually a low baritone, had risen to a screech.

"This deal is crucial for the company's future. My reputation is on the line, and you're jeopardizing everything with your incompetence."

He pointed a trembling finger at a young woman, her eyes wide with terror. "And you, Ms. Sharma, where is your input? You were supposed to be the lead on this project."

The woman stammered, "Sir, I... I did my best, but..." "Excuses!" Abhimanyu roared, cutting her off. "I don't want excuses. I want results.And you've failed miserably"

He paced furiously, his hands clenched into fists. "This is unacceptable. You can't do single job. Fucking stupid."

He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowed. "Get out. All of you. You're fired." The employees, faces turned pale in fear , they scrambled out of the office, leaving Abhimanyu alone in the silence. They knew no one can question him about his decision. If he said something they have to follow him otherwise they have to face his wrath. He slumped into his chair, exhaustion washing over him.

He had never been so angry. This incompetence, it was a stain on his perfect record. He ran a hand through his hair, the frustration evident in his every move.

As he took some breath to calm himself, someone knocked on his cabin door. "Come in " he ordered and took a long sigh.

His PA entered inside and got afraid looking at his condition. He was looking like a devil. Abhimanyu looked up from his file when he didn't heard anything from him.

Aakash quickly averted his gaze when Abhimanyu glared at him. "Will you speak something or not " Abhimanyu said in hoarse voice.

Aakash gulped and said hesitantly "Si-sir Arjun Rathore again requested to m-meet you.I recieved another call fr-from Commissioner in morning"

Aakash gulped and started praying for himself in his mind.

The name itself, the mere sound of it, sent a jolt of rage through Abhimanyu

,his jaw clenched, knuckles turned white against the file. His father. The man who had been a constant source of fear and torment in his childhood.

The man whose hand had raised itself against him countless times, leaving behind bruises that mirrored the scars on his soul.

"Tell him that I am not fucking interested in meeting him" Abhimanyu spat out, his voice rough with suppressed fury.

Aakash left after glancing worriedly towards him . He knew how the mere mention of his father could unleash a devil.

Abhimanyu groaned as images flashed before his eyes - the sting of his father's belt, the roar of his anger, the terror that had gripped him as a child.

His hand trembled, the muscles twitching involuntarily. He wanted to scream, to lash out, to break something. The years of suppressed rage threatened to consume him.

He closed his eyes, trying to quell the rising tide of emotions. But the memories refused to subside. He saw himself as a child, cowering in a corner, tears streaming down his face, while his father raged like a wounded animal.

You are a fool ,a disappointment

It's all happened because of you ,such a bad omen you are

Why do you spoil everything , go and die

Why are you even alive , no one wants you. Why do you even exist. I regret giving birth to you.

He felt the icy grip of fear, the suffocating weight of his parents' disapproval. He started taking deep breaths to control himself. No ,he can't . He has to control himself.

He quickly took his phone from the coffee table. His fingers fumbled as he unlocked it, his gaze frantically searching for a particular image . He found it - a picture of his wife, his jaan ,her smile radiant, her eyes sparkling with warmth and love.

He stared at the picture caressing it with his thumbs, his anger slowly subsiding, replaced by a wave of longing. Her smile was a beacon of light in the darkness that had enveloped him.

He yearned for her presence, for the comfort of her arms around him. In her presence, the world seemed to fade away, his anxieties and fears forgotten.

He took a deep breath, the tension slowly draining from his body. He felt a sense of calm wash over him, a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in years. He knew that she was his anchor, his safe haven, even she hates him ,her presence his enough for him.

He was still haunted by the ghosts of his past, still grappling with the scars left by his parent's abuse. But he didn't want anyone to know that.

The front door slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing through the cavernous entrance hall. My feet pounded up the marble staircase, each step a heavy thud against the silence.

Today had been a brutal day - a disastrous deal, a board meeting that felt like a verbal assault, and the weight of personal demons pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.

All I craved was to see her face, the warmth of her mischievous smile, the soothing cadence of her voice. She must be making some plans to annoy me or something else. My baby

I went upstairs ignoring everyone curious gazes. She is not with them , must be in our room. I burst into our room, the suddenness of the movement jarring. But the room was empty, the air thick with the absence of her scent, the soft rustle of her movements.

A wave of panic washed over me. Where was she? I frantically searched the room, my eyes darting from the unmade bed to the empty closet, the desk littered with forgotten papers.

A strangled groan escaped my lips. I am getting desperate for her one glance.

I raced downstairs, the polished wood of the staircase slippery beneath my feet. "Badi Ma!" I demanded, my voice hoarse. "Where is my wife "

Badi Ma, her face etched with concern, looked up . "She went to her parents' house, beta. For the pagh phera rasam." What the actual fuck .

She is not here . Why nobody told me anything. My mood turned more sour listening her.

"Paghphera?" I scoffed, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"You were so busy with work, beta," she soothed, her voice gentle. "We didn't want to disturb you."

"Busy?" I roared, the pent-up frustration of the day exploding. "I am her husband. I am not busy for anything related to her. I always have time for my wife . Next time, whatever it may be, tell me everything related to my wife ,no matter what am I doing ."

The room fell silent. I felt their eyes on me, judging me, But I didn't care. Everyone nodded and I started going upstairs when badi ma asked for dinner.

"I don't have appetite" I said and went upstairs. All I felt was a suffocating emptiness, a void where her presence should be. All I could see was her face, her eyes filled with mischievous, her cute smiling face .

The emptiness was deafening. It wasn't just the physical absence of her presence that I felt, but the absence of the comfort she always brought. The way her smile would chase away the shadows that clung to me. I missed the way she orders me and tease me.

I freshen up and sat down on couch. Should I call her ? What if she was sleeping . I don't want to disturb her. I think she won't like if I call her this late , But one call won't hurt.

I picked my phone and dialled her number. Her number swam before my eyes, each digit a tiny beacon of hope.

The first ring echoed through the room, a lonely sound that seemed to amplify the silence. The second ring, a louder, more insistent plea. The third ring, a desperate plea for connection.Please pick up the call love.

And then, the fourth. Just as I was about to hang up, defeated, the line crackled to life."Hello" Her voice, drowsy and husky, sent a jolt of electricity through me. "Who is it?"

My heart leaped. "Love , it's me"

A pause. A long, agonizing pause.

Then, "Aap." Her voice was still thick with sleep, a hint of confusion in her tone. "Why are calling me now " she asked.

Relief washed over me, quickly followed by a surge of annoyance. "Why can't I call you "

"No,hukuummm......." she said purposely streching hukum, her voice now laced with a playful amusement.

"You won't listen to me " I said smiling a little . She giggled and replied "What are you saying hukum. I always listen to you "

I chuckled listening her . My baby, I can do anything for her . "I just...missed you."i said to her .

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Missed me already, huh. Oh poor thing ."she teased , her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

"Oh, the drama," she sighed theatrically. "You'll live. Besides, I'm sure you are happy that I am not there to annoy you "

"It's really hard for me to stay away from you ,love" I protested. "Oh is it , then I think I should increase my stay here " I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Jaan....."

"What?" she teased, her voice a playful challenge. "Thank you for giving me an idea" I shook my head and almost shouted "You can't do this love ,it's not fair."

"Why...what's wrong in this "She said in a mocking tone . "Ok let's mend this listen , you can do anything but you can't extend you stay there. I will do anything you say love but don't do this.ok? I said hoping that she would agree with me.

"Hm.... Ok it will work, but remember you will do as I say " she said. I quickly agreed to her and told her that I will come tommorow to recieve her.

She yawned while talking . " It's quite late ,take rest . Have a good night "

I said, my voice hoarse with longing.i wish i could talk to her whole night but she must be tired. "Ok by good night gande aadmi " She said and quickly cutted the call. I chuckled looking at her pic on my wallpaper. It was our photo from our marriage.

Finally, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. The silence in the room is no longer felt oppressive. It was simply quiet, the anticipation of her return filling the void. I placed my phone on table , a contented sigh escaping my lips. I laid down staring at ceiling, waiting for next day.

Next day ~

Currently I am heading to my in laws house. I want to go early in the morning but badi ma said it's not good to go at someone's house this early but I don't care. But when she said to let Aarushi spend some more time with her parents I agreed reluctantly. I can wait till afternoon for her ,they are her parents , let her enjoy her time with her family.

I stepped out from my car and rang the doorbell. After few minutes my mother in law opened the door. " Oh... Khamma ghani ,ap yaha... ander aaiye " She said and stepped aside . " Ghani Khamma sasu ma " i greeted her back and follow her inside.

" Aap yaha bhaithye mai chai le ker aati hu " She said. I took my seat and denied " no it's okay I don't want anything. Where is Aarushi "

"Vo jara Rohan or Sid ke sath bahar gayi hai ,meri abhi thodi der pahle hi baat huyi thi vo aati hi hogi . Maaf ker dijiye mujhe laga aap shyam ko aayenge Isley -- I cutted her in between and said calmly " It's okay , I will wait it's not big deal "

She looked surprised but didn't said anything. " I am making lunch, please join us for lunch, Everyone must be coming in few minutes .Atleast have a coffee for now " She asked after few seconds.

"No it's really fine , I don't want anything. Carry on with your work , I will wait here " I said trying my best to not sound rude.

"Okay...please let me know if you need anything " she said and left from there. I released a sigh and started checking mails in my phone .

I was sitting there for ten minutes when someone entered there. It was her cousin sister. What was her name..... Fuck it I don't know. I heard a gasp but I didn't paid any attention.

"Hello hukum, how are you " she asked in a irritating voice. I ignored her and started checking mails again.

She again cleared her throat. What the fuck she wants , can't she understand that I am not interested.

" By the way , Aarushi is not at home. She out for shopping you know na some girls and there obsession with spending money. She will not think for a moment before spending your money ,i hope you will control her , I know my sister very well,we can't trust her . " She said in a accusing tone. She thinks i don't know what she was trying to do . I am not a five year old child who doesn't understand her intention behind everything she is doing.

I glared at her and warned her "First of all call me Hukum ,you are no one to me to speak like this and second she can do anything she wants. I am here to earn money and she can do anything with it afterall it's her money, So she can waste them , save them or even burn them no one will question her. Now don't you dare to speak anything about my wife otherwise I won't think for a moment before killing you. I am warning you "

I took some deep breath to control myself. How can she even think to speak ill about my wife in front of me . I hate her existence,she is so much irritating. I stood up and left from there towards garden after informing Aarushi 's mother .I will wait there.

I got an call as I reach in garden. After some minutes I ended the call and heard someone's footsteps. I turned around and groaned seeing that person.Argh.

What she wants now , why she is getting on my nerves. I hate her presence. "You hate everyone presence except Aarushi " my subconscious mocked me. It's true though.

"Actually hukum I came here to ask something, do you want coffee " She said stepping in front of me. Does she want me to kill her. She is really testing her luck today.

I stepped back to maintain distance and said in a hoarse voice " I don't want anything. You are irritating me, leave from here " She smiled and chuckled .Disgusting

"Hukum, why are you so stubborn. We both knew I am much better than Aarushi. Don't be like this , I won't tell anyone , She is just a cunning person who always act sweet in front of everyone to gain their attention. I know her real self." she said closing distance between us. Fucking that it.

My grip tightened on my phone listening her. My jaan is the most compassionate, driven woman I knew. She is born to be cherish, to be worshipped.How dare she? How dare she judge her, dismiss her. She deserved respect, admiration, and the unwavering support of the man who loved her.

"How dare you talk about her like that . She is most remarkable women I know. She is born to be worshipped....I fucking crave for her existence . You can't even compare my wife with you because no one in this world is capable to compare them with her. Are you that desperate to get killed that you dare to talk ill about my wife in front of me again. I will fucking blow bullets inside you head " I replied, my voice low and dangerous.

" Why are you not understanding this . She won't think before cheating you. You don't know her , she is such a bitc-- she stopped in between when I pointed my gun at her. Her eyes wide in shock , she shivered when I pressed my gun at her stomach

She gulped and looked behind me. Suddenly she fake laughed and said acting normal "You are so sweet and funny. It's not good to flirt with your wife's sister" i frowned my brows listening her.

She smirked looking behind me and said" Oh Aarushi you are here , control you husband dear sissy " What the actual fuck.

I turned around and noticed Aarushi standing there with hurt expression. Wait..... Does she misunderstand the situation.

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Sorry for the delay . I can't able to update yesterday because I have to go somewhere ..... But here is a long chapter as an apology.

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