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Aaravika
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《2 weeks later》

The clock struck 11 PM as I stretched my stiff muscles, closing my notes for a short break. A soft knock at the door pulled my attention, and I sighed, already knowing who it was.

“Come in,” I called, setting my pen aside.

Mrs. Murali entered with her warm, familiar smile. Her presence was a comforting contrast to the tension that had become a permanent resident in this house. She carried a tray, though her face held a hint of concern.

“Beta, you’ve been studying all day. Shall I bring your dinner here?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm, as if she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I shook my head, forcing a polite smile. “No, aunty, it’s okay. I’ll eat downstairs later.”

She frowned. “It’s not good to skip meals. You young people push yourselves too much. I’ll wait; you eat now.”

I stood up, gently taking her hand. “Aunty, please. I promise I’ll eat in an hour. It’s late, and you should get some rest too.”

Her eyes softened, but she wasn’t ready to give in just yet. “You work so hard, beta. You remind me of my daughter—always pushing herself. At least have some fruits if not dinner.”

I gave her a sweet, assuring smile. “I’ll eat, I promise. You’ve done enough for today. Go rest, and don’t worry about me.”

She hesitated before patting my head fondly. “You’re a good girl, Aaravika. Take care of yourself, hmm? And don’t let that husband of yours trouble you too much.” She added the last part with a knowing glint in her eyes.

I smiled stiffly, not bothering to correct her misconception about our marriage. It was better this way—letting her believe in something normal rather than dragging her into the dark truth of this arrangement.

“I’ll be fine, aunty. Thank you.”

She nodded and left, her footsteps fading down the hallway. I sighed. This house was full of secrets, and even someone as warm as Mrs. Murali couldn’t penetrate the walls I’d built.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

The clock ticked past 2:30 AM, the quiet Bangalore air heavy with an unsettling stillness. My eyes burned from hours of cramming the final few topics for my exam. Hunger clawed at my stomach, and with a sigh, I pushed away the stack of notes, deciding to head downstairs for a quick meal.

The kitchen was dimly lit, the faint glow of the stove flickering as I reheated the leftovers Mrs. Murali had tried to insist I eat earlier. Her concern lingered in my mind, but I dismissed it, focusing instead on the sound of the food simmering. That’s when I heard it—a faint shuffle, almost imperceptible, but enough to send a shiver down my spine.

I froze.

Peering cautiously out of the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of a shadow moving near the front door. My heart quickened, my mind racing through possibilities. My instincts told me to retreat, but curiosity—or maybe foolishness—anchored me in place. The shadow moved closer, and as the light hit his face, I felt my blood turn cold.

It was him. Vayran.

Even from this distance, I could see the blood—smudged on his jaw, dripping from his hand, staining his shirt like a sinister badge of honor. The air grew heavier as he stepped closer, his presence dark and suffocating. I instinctively turned off the stove, the small hiss of the flame vanishing into silence.

Gripping the plate of food tightly, I pivoted to make my way to the dining table, only to freeze in my tracks. He was there, leaning casually against the kitchen doorframe, his dark eyes locked onto mine. The weight of his gaze was unbearable, pinning me in place as he moved closer.

“Don’t get scared,” he muttered, his voice a hoarse whisper. “It’s not my blood.”

But my eyes betrayed me, darting to the gash on his waist, where blood seeped through his shirt in a slow, ominous spread. His movements were deliberate, unhurried, like a predator cornering prey. My throat dried up, words refusing to form. He noticed, the corner of his mouth twitching in something too cruel to be called a smile.

“You’re trembling,” he noted, his tone almost mocking. “Relax. I’m not here to harm you. Unless...” His pause was deliberate, the silence heavy with implications. “You try something stupid.”

I gripped the plate tighter, the porcelain cool against my sweaty palms. “W-what happened to you?” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Nothing much as I can handle this,” he replied, dismissive. But the crimson stain spreading across his torso told a different story. His hand shot out suddenly, taking the plate from my hands. I flinched, my pulse hammering in my ears as he set it down on the counter with an unsettling calmness.

“Eat,” he said simply, his gaze unwavering. “And don’t ask questions.”

I didn’t move, my body still frozen in the suffocating grip of his presence. He sighed, leaning in just enough for me to catch the faint scent of blood and danger lingering around him.

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Aaravika,” he warned, my name rolling off his tongue like a challenge.

In that moment, any thoughts of rebellion, of snapping back with my usual sarcasm, vanished. Because this wasn’t just the Vayran I had known—the one whose words always dripped with venom, the one I loathed with every fiber of my being. No, this was something darker. Something terrifyingly unrestrained.

And I was trapped with him.

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Hi! I am sorry for late updates as I was busy yesterday so I was not able to update the chapter but  I hope ki aapko yeh chapter pasandh aaya hoga😁 Also, don't forget to like and follow🥰
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