Aashvika settled into the couch, preparing for a peaceful night's sleep, her weary body sinking into the soft cushions. But Ekansh had other plans, his frustration reaching a boiling point. He approached her, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt, his footsteps echoing through the room.

"Enough of this ignorance, Aashvika," Ekansh said, his voice firm but laced with a deep-seated pain. "You've been avoiding me for days, and I want to know why." His words hung in the air, a challenge that demanded a response.

Aashvika opened her eyes lazily, her gaze piercing as she met Ekansh's intense stare. "Were we forced into this marriage?" she countered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, each word carefully crafted to deflect and provoke.

Ekansh's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" he pressed, his voice tinged with frustration, his patience wearing thin. He had expected a straightforward answer, not a cryptic question that only added to the mystery.

Aashvika's expression remained impassive, her voice devoid of emotion. "It means I'm doing exactly what you asked me to do - minding my own business," she replied, each word enunciated with precision, designed to drive home her point.

Ekansh's jaw clenched, his anger simmering just below the surface. "I asked you to give me space, not ignore me entirely," he clarified, his tone firm but laced with a hint of desperation.

Aashvika's gaze locked onto Ekansh's, a hint of satisfaction dancing in her eyes, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "I'm doing what you ask me to do she began, her voice measured.

The air was thick with tension as Ekansh's face darkened, his emotions swirling in turmoil. "Is this some kind of game to you?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Aashvika's smile was enigmatic, her expression unreadable. "Perhaps," she whispered. "Or maybe I'm just tired of being taken for granted." Her words hung in the air, a challenge that left Ekansh reeling.

Ekansh's eyes flashed with anger, but Aashvika's expression remained unruffled, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Ekansh's growing agitation. The silence between them grew, a chasm widening with each passing moment, threatening to engulf their fragile relationship.

The confrontation had only just begun, the stakes higher than ever before. Would they find a way to bridge the gap, or would their relationship succumb to the weight of unresolved issues?

Before Aashvika could react, Ekansh's hands shot out, grasping her wrist in a firm grip. The movement was swift and unexpected, catching her off guard. She felt a jolt of surprise as he pulled her toward him, her body involuntarily leaning forward.

She landed on his chest, her breasts pressing against his firm torso. The sudden proximity sent a shiver down her spine, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. Their faces were inches apart, the tension between them crackling like electricity.

Their eyes locked, engaging in a silent battle of wills. Aashvika's gaze flashed with defiance, a spark of anger igniting within her. But Ekansh's eyes burned with determination, his jaw set in a resolute line.

She tried to wriggle free, but Ekansh's grip only tightened. His fingers wrapped around her wrist like a vice, holding her in place. Aashvika's struggles were futile; she was trapped, her body pinned against his.

"Don't play games with me, Aashvika," Ekansh whispered, his breath hot against her ear. The warmth sent shivers down her spine, and she felt her resolve weakening. "I know you're hiding something. Tell me what's going on." His words were low and husky, laced with a hint of desperation.

Aashvika's eyes sparked with anger, but Ekansh's gaze held hers, refusing to let go. She felt trapped, her emotions raw and exposed. Her heart pounded against her chest, the rhythm echoing through her entire being.

"Let me go," she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper. The words trembled on her lips, a mixture of fear and defiance.

Ekansh's response was a low, husky laugh. "Not until you tell me the truth," he whispered, his breath caressing her skin. The sound sent shivers down her spine, and Aashvika felt her resistance crumbling.

The silence between them stretched, a brittle thread ready to snap. Aashvika's heart pounded, her pulse racing against Ekansh's chest. Time stood still, the world around them melting away, leaving only the two of them, locked in a battle of wills.

In that moment, Aashvika felt vulnerable, her secrets threatening to spill out. Ekansh's grip on her wrist seemed to tighten, as if sensing her weakness. Would she crack under the pressure, or would Ekansh's resolve falter? The outcome hung precariously in the balance.

Aashvika's words tumbled out in a rush, her frustration and emotions boiling over like a pent-up storm. "What do you want to know?" she exclaimed, her voice cracking with vulnerability, the weight of her secrets finally breaking free. "The fact that I love you?" The confession hung in the air, a painful vulnerability that left her exposed.

Ekansh's eyes widened in shock, his face pale as if struck by an unexpected blow. He hadn't expected this confession, hadn't anticipated the depth of Aashvika's emotions. For a moment, he was frozen, unsure of how to respond.

Aashvika's words hung in the air, a painful silence following, like the stillness before a storm. The tension was palpable, heavy with unspoken emotions and unresolved conflicts. Ekansh's expression hardened, his voice measured, as if carefully choosing each word.

"Aashvika, I don't believe in love," he said, his tone flat, devoid of emotion. The words cut through the air like a knife, piercing Aashvika's heart. She felt a stinging sensation, as if her very soul had been wounded.

"My past...betrayal...it's left me like this," Ekansh continued, his voice laced with pain, the scars of his past still raw. "Stone-hearted, unable to trust." Aashvika felt a pang of sorrow, understanding the depth of Ekansh's wounds.

"We'll stay together, as husband and wife," Ekansh said, his voice devoid of emotion, "but there won't be any love between us. Ever." The words cut Aashvika deep, a painful reminder of the chasm between them. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair.

Ekansh turned, walking away, leaving Aashvika reeling from his rejection. "Let's just maintain this facade," he said, his voice fading into the darkness. The lights flickered off, plunging the room into an eerie silence.

Aashvika stood alone, her heart shattered into a million pieces. Regret washed over her, a tidal wave of sorrow. Why had she confessed? Why had she opened herself up to this pain? The darkness enveloped her, a suffocating shroud that threatened to consume her.

Aashvika's tears fell silently, streaming down her face like a river of sorrow. Ekansh's words echoed in her mind, a haunting refrain. "No love." Forever. The thought was a bleak, desolate landscape, devoid of hope or redemption.