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**Chapter 14: The Cracks Beneath**
The next morning, Aanya woke up to sunlight streaming across the floor, and the faint sound of the shower running. Arjun was already up.
She stayed in bed for a few moments longer, letting herself breathe.
The conversation from the previous night lingered in her mind—his words, her kiss, the quiet ache between them that neither knew how to fix.
By the time she entered the kitchen, he was dressed, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone.
He looked up, startled, then smiled. "Good morning."
"Morning," she murmured, reaching for her own cup.
For once, they didn't fill the silence with awkward small talk. It was… easier. Like a tension had lifted—only slightly—but enough to let air in.
"I spoke to Ma," Arjun said after a beat.
Aanya froze.
"She's going back to Pune today. I told her we needed space. That we're figuring things out."
"And what did she say?"
"She said I was blinded," he said with a grim smile. "And then reminded me she raised me better than to abandon family for a 'selfish girl.' Her words."
Aanya sipped her coffee. "Well. At least she's consistent."
"She doesn't know you."
"She doesn't want to."
He reached out, placing his hand lightly over hers. "But I do."
She looked at him—really looked.
There was truth in his eyes. Not all the answers. But truth.
"I need to ask you something," she said quietly.
He straightened. "Okay."
"Why me?"
He blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You never dated anyone before. You had no ex. No girlfriend. You weren't even looking to marry. So why me? Why did you agree when your parents brought the proposal? Why fight so hard to keep me when I tried to leave?"
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.
"You want the honest version or the edited one?"
"Honest."
He sighed. "You weren't just another proposal. I'd heard of you before. A friend of mine, Pranay, did his articleship at the same firm you interned at. He used to talk about this 'fierce CA girl who shut down her manager during a presentation.' Said you had the sharpest brain in the room and zero tolerance for bullshit."
Aanya's eyebrows rose.
"I remembered that," he said. "So when my parents showed me your profile, the name clicked. And… I was curious."
"Curious enough to get married?"
"Curious enough to meet you. And when we met, you were… different. You challenged every word I said. You didn't care that I was from IIT, didn't try to impress me. You weren't even trying to *like* me."
"Because I didn't."
He chuckled. "Exactly. And somehow, that made me want you more."
Aanya's throat tightened. "That still doesn't explain the possessiveness. The obsession. Why keep me when I wanted to go?"
He hesitated. "Because I've never had something like this before."
"Like what?"
"Something that could break me."
She stared.
"I've always been in control," he said. "School, college, work—everything followed a plan. But you? You were chaos. You made me feel things I didn't know I could. And it terrified me. Still does."
Aanya's fingers trembled slightly around her cup.
"That's not love, Arjun."
"I know."
"It's fear. And fear twists everything."
"I know that too."
They sat in silence.
Then he said, "But I also know that I don't want to lose you."
She stood up, placing her empty mug in the sink. "Then stop trying to own me. Start trying to *know* me."
And she walked out of the kitchen.
***
That evening, they were invited to a family dinner at the home of Arjun's cousin—**Tanvi**—someone Aanya hadn't met before.
"It'll be awkward," Arjun warned as they drove. "Tanvi always tries to stir drama."
"Oh good," Aanya said dryly. "My favorite sport."
When they arrived, the living room was already buzzing. People hovered with glasses of juice, snacks on trays, and conversations half-shouted across the room.
Tanvi greeted them with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She was in her early thirties, with carefully styled hair and a sari that looked more expensive than it needed to be.
"So *this* is the famous Aanya," she said, eyes scanning her head to toe. "You look taller in your pictures."
"And you look… exactly like your reputation," Aanya said with a polite smile.
Arjun coughed to hide his laugh.
They were soon ushered into a circle of relatives, most of whom Aanya had only seen during the wedding. Questions flew in fast succession.
"How's the married life, beta?"
"Any good news on the way?"
"Arjun, you've put on weight! Too much love from the missus?"
Aanya fielded them politely, dodging expectations like bullets.
But then, one aunt leaned forward, voice low.
"Tell me honestly, Aanya—how do you manage such a difficult husband?"
Aanya blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"I mean, Arjun was always so disciplined, so focused. But lately, your mother-in-law says he's become emotional. Reckless. You must have some tricks up your sleeve."
Across the room, Arjun stiffened.
Aanya smiled tightly. "Yes. It's called boundaries. You should try it sometime."
The aunt's mouth fell open.
Arjun grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed.
Later, as they moved to the balcony for air, Aanya leaned against the railing.
"Your family's entertaining," she muttered.
"They're vultures," he said. "They smile while measuring the width of your cracks."
She looked at him. "And what did they find in us?"
"That we're not falling apart fast enough."
She smiled faintly.
He turned toward her. "I meant what I said this morning."
"I know."
"I'll try to unlearn the fear."
"And I'll try to unlearn the hate."
He exhaled. "That's a start, right?"
"Only if we keep going."
He reached for her hand. "Let's keep going, Aanya."
She nodded.
But in her heart, a new question formed.
*What happens when the cracks go deeper than either of them can see?*
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**[End of Chapter 14]**