The next morning dawned gray and heavy, mirroring Sanaya's mood. She lay in bed, replaying Abhimaan's parting words from the night before. "Don't say I didn't warn you." They were cold, but they carried a weight that unsettled her deeply. There was a crack in his facade, a small opening she had glimpsed briefly, but it had closed up just as quickly.
She knew this wasn't going to be easy. But she had vowed to herself that she wouldn't give up on him, no matter how hard he tried to push her away.
---
At the Rathore Estate
Breakfast was quieter than usual. Even Viraj's typical jabs and jokes were muted. Abhiraj, ever the silent observer, seemed lost in thought, while Pihu sat across from Sanaya, shooting her sympathetic glances now and then.
Abhimaan hadn't shown up yet, and though no one said anything about it, his absence hung heavily over the table.
"Bhabhi, you should come with me today," Pihu suggested, her voice light but full of concern. "I have a shopping trip planned in the city. We could use some girl time."
Sanaya smiled weakly, appreciating the gesture. "I don't want to impose."
"You're not imposing, Bhabhi!" Viraj chimed in, grinning from ear to ear. "If anything, you'll be doing Pihu a favor by giving her someone other than me to complain to."
Pihu threw a roll of bread at him, laughing. "As if I complain that much."
Sanaya couldn't help but laugh softly at their banter. It was moments like these that made her feel like she was part of the Rathore family, even if her relationship with Abhimaan was complicated. "Alright, I'll come with you," she agreed, hoping that a change of scenery might clear her mind.
---
Later That Day: The City Trip
The drive to the city was refreshing, with Pihu chatting away, filling the car with light conversation. Sanaya found herself relaxing a little as they passed through the bustling streets.
After a few hours of shopping, the two women took a break at a café, sitting by the window as they sipped their drinks. Pihu, always observant, noticed the distant look in Sanaya's eyes.
"You've got that 'I'm thinking too much' face again," Pihu said gently, setting her cup down. "Is it Abhi Bhai?"
Sanaya sighed, not knowing how to explain the storm of emotions she had been feeling since the night before. "He's complicated," she finally said. "I know he cares about me, but he won't let me in. He keeps saying I don't belong in his world."
Pihu's expression softened, and she reached out to take Sanaya's hand. "Abhi Bhai is… difficult. He's always been like that, even with us. But I can tell he cares about you. He wouldn't have married you otherwise."
"Then why does he keep shutting me out?" Sanaya asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "He says he's trying to protect me, but it feels like he's just pushing me away."
Pihu gave her a small, knowing smile. "Maybe he's scared. Love can be terrifying, especially for someone like Abhi Bhai. He's spent so long building walls around himself. Letting someone in means risking everything."
Sanaya fell silent, absorbing Pihu's words. Could it be that Abhimaan was afraid, too? Was his coldness just a shield to protect himself from the vulnerability that came with love?
"I just wish he'd trust me," Sanaya murmured.
"He will, Bhabhi. But you'll need to be patient. And strong." Pihu squeezed her hand before leaning back in her chair, her smile turning playful. "Now, enough about Abhi Bhai. Let's talk about something more fun—like how I'm going to make Viraj pay for all the things I bought today."
Sanaya laughed, grateful for the distraction.
---
That Evening: An Unexpected Visitor
When Sanaya returned to the Rathore estate, the air inside felt different—tense, charged with an energy she couldn't place. She hadn't seen Abhimaan all day, and as the evening wore on, she grew more anxious, wondering where he was and what he was doing.
Later, as she stood in the garden, enjoying the cool breeze, a sleek black car pulled up to the front of the house. Sanaya watched as a man she had never seen before stepped out. He was tall, with an air of authority, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and as he approached the house, his gaze flicked over to where Sanaya stood.
He gave her a brief, unreadable smile before disappearing into the house.
Curiosity piqued, Sanaya made her way inside, following the man's path. She found him in the large sitting room, standing near the fireplace. Abhimaan was there too, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. The two men exchanged words in low voices, their conversation too quiet for Sanaya to overhear.
Suddenly, Abhimaan's gaze snapped to her, his eyes darkening as they met hers. He said something to the man, who nodded before walking past her without a word.
Sanaya stood frozen, unsure of what to do. She could feel the tension radiating from Abhimaan as he approached her.
"Who was that?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No one you need to worry about," Abhimaan replied, his tone clipped.
Sanaya felt a surge of frustration. "You keep saying that. But I am worried, Abhimaan. You can't keep shutting me out like this."
His jaw clenched, and for a moment, she thought he might ignore her again. But instead, he took a deep breath, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I told you this life is dangerous, Sanaya. That man… he's someone from my past. A past I don't want you to be part of."
Sanaya stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "I don't care about your past. I care about you. I want to help, to understand. But you have to let me in."
Abhimaan's gaze flickered with something—pain, perhaps—but then it was gone, replaced by that familiar coldness.
"I'm not worth the risk," he said quietly before turning away.
And just like that, he left her standing there, alone once more, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.
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