Chapter 13 Almost Lost
Mr. Abhay nods slowly, guilt clearly visible in his eyes. Then Mr. Ajay forces a small smile and says, “Now do one thing I want to meet Shorya. It’s been many years since I last saw him. I want to talk to him.”
Mr. Abhay gestures to a servant. He leaves immediately and soon returns with Shorya. As Shorya enters the room, he sees Mr. Ajay and Mr. Abhay sitting in front of him. The recognition in his eyes is faint. Perhaps time has dimmed his memories after staying abroad for so long.
Out of respect, he bends down and touches their feet. Mr. Ajay smiles warmly. “How are you, Shorya?”
“I’m doing well,” Shorya replies politely.
For a few minutes, they exchange light conversation simple questions, brief answers. Mr. Ajay listens attentively, smiling, yet there’s a quiet sadness in his eyes.
After a short pause, Shorya speaks politely, “I’ll have to leave now. I have an important meeting with Samar.” Saying that, he walks out calmly.
Meanwhile, Samar is already seated in the meeting room. His posture is rigid, expression serious, eyes sharp fully in work mode. A moment later, Shorya enters. They exchange a brief nod.
Their relationship is formal, but built on trust. Samar and Shorya are strong business partners. They have worked on several projects together, and every collaboration has been successful.
They understand each other’s abilities well no unnecessary words, no wasted time. The meeting begins. The lights dim slightly. The projector switches on, and a detailed business model fills the white screen graphs, numbers, future plans appearing one after another.
The room remains silent except for the click of slides. No personal talk. Only targets, timelines, strategies. Days pass like this. Neither Samar talks to me. Nor do I try to speak to him.
There is only silence between us Cold. Sometimes Samar punishes me in unexpected ways. Inside, I know he is burning.
A few days ago, an extremely important business file was leaked. It caused serious damage. Samar is almost certain Vihan is behind it but suspicion without proof means nothing.
And Samar has no proof. Tonight is no different. Evening settles in, heavy and tense. Samar sits on the living-room sofa with his laptop, but his eyes don’t focus. His mind is restless.
I sit quietly on the other side. My dinner plate remains untouched. I can feel his anger in the air thick and overwhelming but there is no space for words.
Suddenly, Samar stands up in frustration and walks out into the garden. I watch him go. Outside, the night is cool.
Samar walks toward the pool and stops there. Moonlight reflects off the water, making it shimmer like liquid silver.
He wears a white T-shirt and black lowers. The fabric clings lightly, highlighting his toned physique. His strong arms are visible effortless strength, quiet power.
The breeze moves through his slightly messy hair, but he doesn’t react. He stands completely still, staring at the moon.
There is sadness in his eyes and depth dangerous depth. His face remains unreadable, but his gaze speaks of loneliness, no one sees.
In this moment, he looks unreal as if he has stepped straight out of a novel.
My heart tightens.I gather my courage and walk toward him.
“Listen…,” I say softly.
He turns slowly. I stand there, nervous yet determined. “Please have dinner.”
He doesn’t look at me. “You don’t need to ask,” he replies coldly. “I’ll eat when I want to.”
I hesitate, then speak firmly, “Why shouldn’t I say it? I’m your wife.”
His eyes snap to mine anger blazing. “You really enjoy calling yourself my wife, don’t you?” he says through clenched teeth.
Panic rushes through me. “No, I just meant you’ve been quiet and upset since you came back from the office. I thought maybe I could cheer you up.”
He stares at me for a long moment, then asks sharply, “And what can you do for me?”
I lower my gaze. “Anything you say,” I whisper. “I’ll do it.”
For a few seconds, he says nothing. Then suddenly he removes his watch. Before I can react, he throws it straight into the pool.
Splash....!!!
My eyes widen in shock. He looks at me, voice hard and commanding. “Go. Get my watch.” I freeze.
In a nervous, trembling voice, I ask, “This isn’t a joke right? How can I go into the pool? I—I don’t even know how to swim.”
Samar folds his arms. His voice is calm. Too calm. Ice-cold. “You’re the one who said you’d do anything I ask. Don’t back out now.”
The color drains from my face. “Please…,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “I’m scared. I can’t do this…”
He doesn’t even look at me. He stands there, silently staring at the pool water, as if I’m not a person at all just another test to push, another wall to break.
Fear grips my heart. My legs feel weak, my body heavy, but I take a slow step forward. Then another. Each step toward the pool feels like I’m walking toward something final. I look at the water one last time.
The surface glitters under the moonlight deep. It looks like death. My hands tremble as I dip my feet in. Cold shoots through my body. I lower myself further inch by inch until the water reaches my knees my waist my chest.
My breathing grows uneven. My heart pounds violently. I force myself to move a little deeper, desperately searching for the watch. But the moment I lean forward, my balance slips.
Panic explodes inside me. My arms flail helplessly. The water closes in from every side. I try to scream, but my voice disappears beneath the surface. Everything blurs.
My chest burns. I make one last desperate jerk And then darkness. My body gives up. I lose consciousness and slowly sink deeper into the water. Above the surface, Samar keeps watching.
At first, he thinks I’m pretending. But seconds pass. Too many seconds. And when I don’t come back up his heart skips.
“Ishani!!” he shouts. No response.
Panic shatters his face. Without thinking for even a second, he dives straight into the pool. In that moment, there is no anger no pride, no ego. Only one terrifying fear. That he might lose me forever.
My hair floats around me in the water, spreading like silk. My body feels light strangely distant. I don’t feel anything anymore.
My face is blank. My eyes are closed. My breath is gone. It feels like I’ve given up on everything.
Suddenly, A sharp splash cuts through the water. Samar dives in, his eyes wide with panic, his movements fast and desperate. His heartbeat roars in his ears, every second feeling like punishment.
And then he sees me. My body floats slightly in one corner of the pool still unconscious. He doesn’t hesitate, He reaches me in seconds and pulls me tightly into his arms.
My body is cold. My dupatta floats around us like a cloud, as if even my soul is trying to leave.
Holding me close, he swims upward with all his strength. The moment we break the surface, he gasps for air, But I don’t move.
“Ishani!!” he shouts desperately.