11th April

Much later at the night, while researching for the appropriate theme for her graduation fashion show, Ritu became beleaguered. This was beyond infuriating. Sure, her college had provided a list of themes to choose from but deciding on a particular theme and researching on them to brainstorm about her characters and designs was a hell lot of work. So, she decided to take a short brake and went down to the poolside.

The night has matured. The moon was shining bright in the sky and the cool breeze swept across her skin, generating goosebumps all over. Although it was a summer night, the ambience was peaceful.

Ritu scoffed as she caught herself being overly dramatic. The calm and serenity of her home, her supposed sanctuary, was meant to be a place where she could feel safe and untouched by harm. Yet, a sobering thought struck her: even the safest of havens were not impervious to danger. Women and little girls were frequently subjected to rape and sexual assault within the very walls of their homes—by those who should have been their protectors: relatives, boyfriends, and even husbands.

Her mind raced, grappling with this disturbing reality. It dawned on her that no amount of familiarity or proximity to men could ensure her safety from every potential threat. Despite having grown up surrounded by men, this did not guarantee that she would be spared from harm at the hands of another. It was a grim truth that while some men might be genuine and trustworthy, they were a minority in a world where trust was often misplaced. The notion that safety was guaranteed simply because she was in her home seemed increasingly naive.

As she was mentally battling with her opinion on men, a loud crash from above the balcony interrupted her thoughts. Her eyes swept up and found their way to the source. It came from Abhimanyu's balcony.

Ritu brows furrowed in curiosity.

But she didn't have to wait too long before the drama unfolded before her on its own accord.

Shreya came outside hurriedly and started picking up the pieces of the broken flower vase. Tears glistened on her face under the moonlight. Abhimanyu came out slowly after her. They were wearing their night clothes. Shreya in her flimsy baby-pink chiffon nightdress, while Abhimanyu in a black sleeveless tee and grey sweatpants.

"Shreya, listen to me," Abhimanyu spoke in his usual stoic tone.

But Shreya wiped off her tears from the back of her hand and kept on picking up the broken glass pieces. "Please, Abhimanyu. I can't tolerate anymore. I am a human being too. I have emotions, and I can feel them deeply...unlike you."

Abhimanyu said nothing. Instead, he buried his hands deep into the pockets and stared at Shreya intently. Once she finished picking up the shards of glasses, she shifted her eyes on Abhimanyu, her cheeks were glistening from the teardrops. She spoke slowly, "All I ever wanted was a peaceful life, filled with love from my husband and in-laws, and a simple lifestyle. But look at me now! Where have I ended up? What have I become? A shell devoid of any wishes for happiness. I never expected much from you, Abhimanyu. I tried my best to align with your ways. But what about me? What did I get in return? Pain? Heartbreak? Emotional wounds? What do you expect from me? Just be like a living dead? An emotionless doll...to decorate your room and your life? Do you?"

Abhimanyu's stoic expression didn't change at all. He took a brief pause before responding in his usual cold and impassive voice. "I wasn't the intruder in your life."

"What?" The shock and disbelief were evident in her voice. "So, you're implying I was the intruder? In your life? Abhimanyu! You take that back right now! In what grounds are you blaming me? What was my fault? I just wanted a job! A bloody job! I came here to take care of Dev only! You guys...the infamous Roy brothers! You were the ones who dragged me into this mess!" Abhorrence laced her voice like a second skin. "You were the culprit that turned my life upside down! And now I'm stuck here!"

"Do you regret then?"

The question dragged on for a couple of seconds.

Ritu remembered the similar question Shreya faced a few days ago. When Jeet asked her whether she regret marrying Abhimanyu. Deep down, Ritu knew, it was clear as water that Shreya wasn't happy in her forced arranged marriage with her stoic brother. In fact, everyone who knew Abhimanyu, knew that was inevitable. But Shreya had accepted her fate gracefully. She had bravely claimed she did not regret being with Abhimanyu. But she'd be lying for the rest of her life if she denied her obvious pain she had earned marrying Abhimanyu.

They weren't the 'normal' couple. It might seem to the world that they were the perfect, classy pair the Roys can show off to the world, but deep inside, everyone in the family knew the truth. They were just reluctant to accept the fact for the sake of their eldest son.

Shreya looked at Abhimanyu with a mixture of horror and disbelief. She inhaled laboriously and blurted, "I don't want to. But you're leaving me no option."

Abhimanyu's face remained unreadable as he gently pulled one of his hands from his pocket, guiding it to rest on the railing.

Ritu's eyes locked onto the heated exchange unfolding above. She could sense the tension growing thicker between them. The night air sizzled with unspoken words and barely restrained emotions, a charged atmosphere that seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Shreya's frustration was palpable, her face flushed and streaked with tears. She looked at Abhimanyu with a mix of despair and determination. "You need to go to CBT, Abhimanyu. It's not just about you anymore; it's about us. About our future."

Abhimanyu's stance was rigid, his expression an impenetrable mask. "I don't see how talking to a therapist will change anything. I don't have a problem."

Ritu watched as Shreya's shoulders sagged, her resolve wavering. "Abhimanyu, we can't keep living like this. Your SPD needs to be dealt with."

Abhimanyu's response was curt, his voice devoid of empathy. "I'm fine as I am. I don't need therapy."

Shreya's voice cracked with emotion, her hands trembling as she spoke. "Fine? Is that what you call this? Living like a shell, devoid of any real connection or emotion? How am I supposed to handle that? I'm trying to reach out, to make things work, but you're not giving me anything to work with. I have my needs too. You can't push me away like everyone else. I am your wife! Your SPD is tearing us apart, Abhimanyu. Why don't you understand that? I'm not asking you to change who you are—I'm asking you to try to understand what's happening to us."

Abhimanyu folded his arms against his chest and looked at Shreya steadily. He was still wearing his specs. He spoke, his voice still, low-pitched, but firm. "You are forgetting we're in a pretentious marriage agreement for one year. It's not really a marriage. You're only pretending to be my wife."

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the unspoken pain between them.

Shreya took a step back after a few heavy seconds. She stuttered, "How-how can you...say this? After all this time, all that we've been through...how can you say this?" Disbelief laced her whisper as she was trying hard to process what Ritu's stoic brother just said.

It was true that Abhimanyu and Shreya found themselves in a one-year contract marriage, forced together by a scandal that rocked their lives last October. By November, under the pressure of their families, they were married—an arrangement orchestrated primarily by Abhiraj and Priyasha, who were desperate to control the damage. Shreya, despite knowing about Abhimanyu's Schizoid Personality Disorder, agreed to the marriage. Priyasha had kept her son's condition a closely guarded secret, even from the rest of the family, until the scandal made it impossible to hide. The revelation shattered Abhiraj, who had always placed his hopes and dreams on his eldest child.

Abhimanyu wasn't lacking in any professional capacity; in fact, he excelled in his career. But his success was overshadowed by his emotional detachment, his stoic and unapproachable demeanor. His coldness created an invisible wall, isolating him even from those who loved him.

Shreya, with a courage that few could muster, took on the responsibility of caring for him. Initially, Ritu was highly skeptical. She accused Shreya of orchestrating the scandal to ensnare the infamous CEO of Permabell Group of Industries in marriage. Yet, as time went on, Ritu's perspective began to shift. Shreya proved herself to be far from manipulative. Ritu saw how Shreya, despite the challenges, was making genuine efforts to connect with Abhimanyu. She was, in fact, too selfless for her own good—a giver who expected nothing in return.

However, witnessing their argument now was painful for Ritu. The progress they had made seemed tenuous in the face of their ongoing struggles. The discord between her brother and sister-in-law was not just a distant issue; it was deeply affecting her as well. Ritu felt torn, caught between her love for her brother and her sympathy for Shreya. The impossible nature of their relationship was a heavy burden on her heart, leaving her to grapple with the painful reality of their situation.

Ritu could see the way Abhimanyu's eyes softened slightly, a crack in his stoic façade, but his voice remained cold. "Shreya, even you know what I'm saying is the truth. It's not about what I'm giving or not giving. It's about what you expect from me. I can't meet those expectations."

Shreya's eyes widened, a blend of horror and desperation evident in her expression. "So, you're just going to give up? Is this what you want—to end everything after just one year, once that damned contract is up? Abhimanyu—" She looked at him, her gaze pleading, "You don't understand what this is doing to me—"

Before she could finish, Abhimanyu closed the distance between them, his movements abrupt but purposeful. He reached out and took Shreya's face in his hands, his touch surprisingly gentle. The intensity in his gaze softened, though his voice remained firm. "I don't know how to be what you need. I can't promise you anything."

Shreya's breath hitched, her resolve wavering as if she might pull away from the intensity of their confrontation. But before she could retreat, Abhimanyu's lips met hers in a kiss that was both raw and intense. It was a rare and surprising display of emotion from him, considering his lack of ability in emotional expression. The kiss seemed like fierce and unrelenting, an attempt to communicate his complicated feelings and acknowledge the pain they both endured. Though he struggled to express his emotions verbally, this searing exchange was his way of showing that, despite his detachment, he was still connected to her in some profound, undeniable way.

Ritu stood there, feeling like a voyeur to their private turmoil. The kiss lasted only a moment, but it was enough to shift the atmosphere dramatically. When they finally pulled away, Abhimanyu's face remained unreadable, but there was a telltale sign of vulnerability in his stature.

Shreya's expression was a mixture of relief and sorrow. She looked at Abhimanyu with a glimmer of hope, but also with the clear understanding that this was not a resolution, just another step in their ongoing struggle.

Ritu's heart ached as she watched the scene unfold. She knew that the kiss was not a cure for their problems but a temporary solace in their ongoing battle. She looked away, the sight of them locked in their emotional turmoil a heavy burden on her heart, knowing that their journey was far from over.

"I don't know what the future holds once this year is over, but for now, I need you to stay by my side until the case is resolved. You're my only alibi," Abhimanyu said quietly, taking a step back.

Shreya turned away and dropped the broken vase pieces into the bin. "I trust you. They will too. It's just a matter of time."

"You might have to go to court for the trials and present your testimonies."

"Whenever you need me there, I'll be ready," Shreya replied, turning to meet Abhimanyu's gaze. "Will they ask about that night? Should I tell them the truth?"

Ritu's eyebrows furrowed as she listened to their conversation from below. Were they hiding something?

Abhimanyu buried his hands in his pockets. "I'll tell you what to say in court. You'll stick to that. Nothing more."

Shreya nodded. "And what about your CBT? Will you go?"

Abhimanyu was about to head inside their room but paused, staring at Shreya for a few seconds before replying in his monotone voice, "I'll ask Sunny if he can fit a half-hour slot into my schedule."

Shreya nodded, then followed Abhimanyu into their room.