Chapter 125: chapter 125

SRUTHIFinally, I can take a breather. I slump in the car seat as Madhav drives me away from the lab. My mind is filled with a lot of things, but I feel sleepy. I guess the sleeping drug they used on me hasn’t completely left my body yet. The sun is setting in the sky, and I feel an immense amount of relief mixed with sadness.Madhav takes my hand in his and squeezes it gently, like he knows exactly what’s going on in my mind.“Is it wrong for me to feel guilty toward Gabriella? I don't hate her, Madhav. Does that make any sense? She tried to kill me, but I can't bring myself to hate her. In one way or another, I can even understand where she’s coming from.”“It’s okay to feel like that, Sruthi. That just shows how much you care for her and love her. It’s going to take you some time to accept this. But eventually, you’ll come to terms with it.”“I hope I can just skip to that day,” I murmur, feeling empty and gloomy.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I must have fallen asleep during the ride back, because when I open my eyes again, I am nestled against Madhav’s chest as he carries me into our house. I’m awake, and I could ask him to put me down, but it’s nice being spoiled like this after the day I had. So, I feign sleep as Madhav stands in front of the house door.I stay still, waiting to see how he’ll open the door. He needs to press his thumb to the invisible biometric pad, but both his hands are holding me, and he can’t use his finger unless he puts me down.I hear a soft chuckle from him before he presses a kiss to my forehead and murmurs, “I’m not going to put you down until you tell me to. So, just help me with opening the door.”I crack my eye open. “You knew I was awake this whole time?”“Yeah.”“Then why didn’t you call me out?”“Because I like having you in my arms.”I blush and hide my face in his shirt.“Help me out,” he says again with a chuckle. He takes me closer to the wall, and I press my finger to the pad. I still remember my first day here in this house.I was scared, confused, heartbroken, and had no idea how amazing this man is. I still can’t believe that for seven years, I thought Madhav was emotionless, with no gentleness. I judged him based on one incident and pushed him away. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t gotten into that fight that day—or if I had tried to know why he had the fight.Wait! I still don’t know the reason for his fight. “Madhav, can I ask you something?”“Anything, honey,” he says as the door opens.“Put me on the couch,” I say.“Yes, madam,” he answers with a chuckle. He gently lowers me onto the couch, and I wait for him to reset the house’s security system.When he takes his seat next to me on the couch, I ask him, “Why did you beat that man that day? The first time we met?”Madhav’s face darkens. He is silent for a few minutes before he gives a shrug. “That isn’t important. He learned his lesson that day.”“Madhav!” I say his name, and he groans.“Don’t say my name like that, Sruthi,” he mutters, putting his face in his hands.“Why not?”“Because, for some reason, you saying my name like that makes me want to confess all the crimes I’ve ever committed.”“Madhav!”“Alright! I’ll tell you the reason, but stop saying my name like that unless you want me to lose control and give in to my desires.”I flush red. “Okay, I understand. Tell me the reason.”“It’s going to sound cringey, but that man made some derogatory comments about the women at the party. I was able to hold in my anger until he said he wished he could spend one night with you. Then I lost it. Completely. The moment I heard those words, I was on my feet, my fist on his face. I didn’t even realize I had punched him until I heard the sound of his nose breaking.”I am stunned. The man was at fault and deserved the punching. If only I had the sense to ask what had happened that day instead of assuming things and loathing Madhav, we could have been together long ago.“Why didn’t you ever explain it to me?” I ask, cupping Madhav’s face.Madhav shrugs. “You never gave me the chance.”He’s right! I never gave him a chance. I pushed him away and hurt him with words.“Don’t beat yourself up over something that’s already happened,” Madhav says, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’ll make dinner for you. Why don’t you rest? You still have to go to school tomorrow, remember?”I groan. “I really wish I could take a day off tomorrow, but my headmaster will probably fire me if I do. Fine. I’ll suck it up and go. I’ll help with dinner.”“Fine,” Madhav agrees. I get up to go to the kitchen, but I’m pulled into his lap.I chuckle as he nuzzles my neck. “What is happening?”“Thank you for staying safe and making me proud today. I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to you there.”His eyes are soft and vulnerable, letting me see how scared he was when he let me go—and yet he did, because it was what I wanted. I don’t know how I can repay the love this man has for me. It’s unconditional and freeing. He respects my choices and trusts me despite his fears.I press my forehead to his and murmur, “Thank you for trusting me.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥It has been a week since the incident with Gabriella, and things have returned to normal. According to my brother, it seems that Gabriella was brainwashed by the drugs. Vikram thinks Gabriella doesn’t truly love Raj but has been manipulated into thinking she does. He said she’s undergoing treatment to remove the mind-control drugs, to see if she willingly aided Raj or was forced into it. Vikram refused to let me meet her when I asked. He wants me safe.The group of people strategizing to monopolize resources at the place where I was held captive is now facing serious issues. I only know that the health minister resigned yesterday, citing his wife’s health as an excuse. In his place, a younger relative is taking charge. Madhav had to spend two days investigating this man to make sure he was honest and trustworthy for the post. Only after Madhav’s report did Vikram act.I don’t know what happened to the rest of the conspirators, but I trust Vikram to ensure they get what they deserve.“Why don’t we clean the storeroom today?” Jaya Ma asks.Since Madhav and I decided to stay in the capital and visit the house in the outskirts only for vacations, I’ve been busy remodeling. I’m going through every room, deciding what additions to make.“That sounds like a good idea,” I answer.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I take it back. Cleaning the storeroom was the worst idea, because it's packed with too many things to go through and sort out. As I go through a cardboard file stuffed with old newspaper clippings about some Gajendran jewelry, Jaya Ma suddenly exclaims, "Why is this still here?"I glance over to see her pushing a massive cardboard box, about the size of a mini fridge. Shaking my head, I rush to help her. She's strong for her age, but the doctors have repeatedly advised her not to strain herself.Once the box is in the middle of the room, I sigh and wipe the sweat off my brow. "What's in it?""Of course, it has the gifts Madhav brought for you over the years."❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥The clock is showing it’s eight at night. Jaya Ma left by five, and I started opening the gifts Madhav had bought for me but never gave me over the years. There are so many gifts. He bought me something for every birthday, Valentine’s Day, the annual festival, even for my graduation and when I got my job.Each gift is paired with a small note wishing me happiness and expressing his sadness that he couldn’t be there to share my important moments. The gifts vary from candies to phone models—most of them are things I wanted at some point over the past seven years.When the door opens, I’m sitting in the middle of the living room, surrounded by open boxes. Madhav steps inside, his usual charm intact, but he freezes when he sees me and the gifts.My eyes meet his, and something in my expression must make him falter. His breath hitches, and he flushes before turning away to reset the security system. When he turns back, he’s looking at the wall behind me instead of at me.I set aside the box holding the jellyfish night lamp I’d desperately wanted during college and get up from the floor.Slowly, I walk toward him. This man—this amazing, incredible man—has been silently loving me all these years. I don’t know if I can ever match his love, but I’ll try my best.“Sruthi,” Madhav whispers, his voice soft, almost nervous, as I stop in front of him. His eyes flit between me and the gifts.“I think I found my love language, Madhav,” I say, leaning closer. I hear his breath catch.His voice is shaky. “What is it?”“I think it’s a mix of gifts, spending time with you, and...” I drag out the last word, meeting his eyes. My gaze falls to his lips for a moment.“And?” he prompts, wetting his lips nervously.“Physical touch,” I whisper before closing the gap between us.He doesn’t move at first, too stunned to react, but when he finally does, there’s no hesitation. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and my hands rise to his neck. The world fades away until it’s just him—only him. His lips devour mine, and I feel my entire body heat up.We cross boundaries we’ve never explored before, and I find myself wanting more. Kissing him isn’t enough anymore. I moan his name softly, and he pulls back suddenly.It takes me a moment to register what’s happening, but when I do, I realize I’m pressed against the door, Madhav’s body caging me in. I don’t remember moving here, and I don’t care.“Don’t stop,” I whisper, pulling him closer.“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice thick with emotion, his self-control clearly fraying. His silver eyes burn with desire, and I know mine mirror the same.“Yes,” I say without hesitation. My mind flashes back to something he once said before our marriage. Biting my lip, I lower my eyes to my toes and nervously murmur his words back to him: “You have my full consent for getting me naked.”Madhav chuckles, his voice low and husky. “God, your bluntness will never cease to amaze me.”He closes the gap between our lips again, and I lose myself in him.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥The next morning, my alarm clock blares, pulling me out of sleep. I groan and reach out to silence it before snuggling closer to Madhav. My cheeks flush as the memories of last night come rushing back.It had been intense. Hot. Beautiful. Through it all, Madhav had been there—gentle, patient, and completely devoted. He made me feel cherished, loved, and safe in a way I hadn’t known was possible.I bury my face in his chest, smiling as I feel his arm tighten around me in his sleep. His steady breathing soothes me, and for a moment, I allow myself to savor the memory of how tender he had been, how his touch spoke of love far deeper than words ever could.I never thought I’d experience this. I never thought I deserved it.But Madhav—he has a way of making me feel like I’m his entire world.“Today is Sunday. You don’t have school. Just sleep in,” Madhav murmurs, his voice low and drowsy.“I remember, but I have to meet someone today and apologize,” I say, sitting up in bed. That’s when I realize I’m in my camisole, and my T-shirt from yesterday is discarded on the floor. Madhav stares shamelessly at me, grinning in that infuriating way of his, knowing exactly how flustered it makes me.“Stop looking at me like that,” I mutter, placing my palm over his eyes.His fingers wrap gently around my wrist, and the next moment, I’m lying on the bed again with him hovering over me.“I can’t help it, Sruthi. You look hot as sin,” he teases, his tone both playful and deadly serious.I groan, realizing how fragile I am when it comes to his flirting. Just one compliment from him and I’m reduced to a puddle.“Enough with the flirting. At this rate, we’ll be naked in bed again,” I mutter.Madhav’s eyes gleam mischievously. “That wouldn’t be a bad idea. In fact, I think it’s the perfect way to spend the weekend.”“As much as I like that idea,” I reply, trying to sound stern but failing as my voice wavers, “I think we owe someone a proper apology for falsely accusing her.”Just like that, Madhav’s face turns serious. “You’re right. I should have met Nisha sooner to apologize, but I didn’t know how to face her after refusing to believe her, even when she begged us to.”“You’ve always had a soft corner for Nisha,” I observe, recalling how Nisha always stood by Madhav whenever I complained to her about him in the past.“Yes, I do,” Madhav admits. “She’s like the sister I never had. We’re so similar in so many ways, Sruthi. She’s all alone in this world, just like I was. It was always easy talking to her about how empty my life felt, because she understood—she’s felt the same. And the fact that she can handle Vikram just made us even closer. I shouldn’t have trusted that damned evidence, but in all the chaos, I didn’t have the time to think properly.”“So, it’s a deal. We’re going to meet her,” I say firmly, my determination unwavering.Madhav nods and gets out of bed, but before he can leave the room, I call out to him. “Madhav, you’re not alone in this world anymore. You have me. Don’t ever forget that.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Two hours later, I stand outside Nisha’s room, rehearsing the words I need to say to her. I should have met her sooner to apologize, but Vikram told me to give her some time to cool off. I don’t know what exactly went down between them, but he did tell me he apologized like Nisha had asked him to.Knowing Vikram, it doesn’t surprise me that he would get down on his knees to apologize to Nisha. That’s just how he is. He never lets his ego get in the way of relationships he values.And the fact that he values Nisha’s relationship with him? That doesn’t surprise me either.I know my brother is against relationships and romance. He’s always been firm in his belief that they’re distractions, weaknesses. But if he ever changes his mind—if he ever decides to let someone into his heart—I know Nisha would be the perfect person for him.It’s just my perspective, though. They both have their own views and their own paths to follow. Only time can reveal what will happen between them.I take a deep breath and press the doorbell. Beside me, Madhav rubs the back of his neck, trying hard to mask how nervous he is about meeting Nisha. It takes exactly fifteen seconds for the door to open.When she does, all the words I rehearsed fly out of my mind. Nisha’s face lights up immediately, and before I can react, she pulls me into a tight hug.For a few seconds, I just stand there, unsure of what to do. Her hug is fierce yet reassuring, her arms wrapping around me with a kind of warmth that leaves me speechless.“Thank God,” she says, pulling away slightly to look at me. “You’re safe and sound. I’m so glad nothing happened to you.”“Nisha... aren’t you angry at us?” Madhav asks hesitantly, his voice low and uncertain.“Angry?” Nisha repeats, looking confused. “Oh! About what happened? No, I’m not angry anymore. I was hurt and furious when I was arrested for a crime I didn’t commit, but it was all a ruse to catch Gabriella, wasn’t it? So, no—I’m not angry. Besides, it’s not like I was tortured or starved. So, no hard feelings.” She pauses, then gasps. “Oh my! Where are my manners? Come in,” she says, stepping aside to let us in.We enter her house, a modest but cozy place. Although Nisha has lived here for the past five years, this is the first time I’m visiting her home. I don’t know why I never got close to Nisha before. Maybe it’s because, at first, I was scared of her. She was bold and daring—so different from me. She was the only person among Vikram’s employees who had the guts to call him out when he was wrong and challenge him in a way no one else dared.Yes, my younger self had been intimidated by her.But over the years, as I saw her often at my brother’s house while she worked on assignments he gave her, I realized how human she is, too. Underneath all that confidence and boldness, she has her vulnerabilities, just like the rest of us.I can confidently say that now, she’s one of the most important people in my life.“I know you’re not angry at us, but we’re sorry for not trusting you that day,” Madhav says earnestly as we sit down in her living room.“I agree,” Nisha replies, smiling slightly. “I was more upset with you than Sruthi, to be honest. At least she looked utterly confused and seemed to find it hard to believe that I could be the culprit. But you...” She shakes her head with a wry smile. “You didn’t even think twice before believing the evidence against me.”Madhav lowers his gaze, ashamed. “I’m so sorry for that. I won’t lie—I did believe it was you. It didn’t make sense to me why you would commit such a crime, but the evidence seemed so convincing that I couldn’t think of any other possibility. I was desperate to find the person responsible for everything, and when the evidence pointed to you, I automatically accepted it without giving it a second thought. I feel guilty and ashamed about that to this day.”Nisha shakes her head, her expression softening. “Okay, stop beating yourself up. Like I said, I’m not angry anymore. Over the course of the last few days, I realized how much you’ve been going through. I completely understand why you believed the evidence without a second doubt. If our roles were reversed, I probably would have done the same thing. So, no hard feelings?”Madhav looks like he’s still struggling to forgive himself, but after a moment, he reluctantly agrees. “Okay... no hard feelings.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥An hour or so later, we get ready to leave Nisha’s house.“So, what are you planning to do? Get back to work?” I ask Nisha as we stand near the door.Nisha’s smile falters slightly. “Keep this between you and me,” she says in a quieter voice. Madhav is already outside, waiting by the car parked in front of her house. “I’m still thinking about it. You know how much I hate the insane deadlines your brother gives me, but now I have a chance to leave the job with a lot of money. It’s a tempting offer, but at the same time... I’ll miss working for him. Sure, it was exhausting and frustrating at times, but I loved it. So, I’ll most likely go back to work.”Without thinking, I suddenly pull her into a hug. “You’re the best.”She’s startled by my sudden display of affection, but after a second, she hugs me back warmly. “And I’m sorry for what happened with Gabriella,” she says softly. “I know she was your best friend for years. I may not be as great at listening or giving advice as she was, but I’ll always be here for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll listen.”Her wink is playful, and I can’t help but smile. “Gabriella was my best friend,” I admit. “But over the past few years, we drifted apart. Believe me, you’ve always been the first person I turned to when my feelings for Madhav started changing. So, don’t worry. You’re definitely going to be the person I run to if I ever have a fight with him.”“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” Nisha teases, grinning as I walk back toward the car.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥For the first time in weeks, I feel lighthearted and at peace as Madhav drives us back to our house. The past few months have been a whirlwind, filled with moments I never could have imagined. Some were shocking and disturbing, while others brought happiness and joy. But through it all, I’ve come to realize something important: this isn’t the end. There are no perfect, neatly tied-up endings—just fleeting, happy moments, and I’m at peace with that.I know my journey is far from over, but I’m no longer afraid. No longer afraid of the responsibility that comes with my family name, nor the weight it carries. I’m not that helpless twelve-year-old girl anymore. And I’m certainly not alone. I have an incredible man by my side, someone who will stand with me through every high and low of my life, just as I will do for him.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥END❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥