Chapter 75 Secrets Between Us
Karan picks up another bite and gently brings it to her lips, speaking warmly, "Because you never listen to me. You need to take care of yourself. If you don't, then how will you take care of my childrens?"
Riya's eyes widen in surprise. Slowly, she asks, "Childrens?"
Karan gives a small smile, his gaze filled with love and certainty. "Yes. Our cute, cute babies."
Riya's heart starts beating faster. Her eyes grow slightly moist. She speaks softly, "You will marry me, won't you? You won't leave me... I can't live without you anymore."
Without a moment's hesitation, Karan opens his arms and pulls Riya into his embrace. She melts into his hold, whispering against him, "I love you."
Karan looks into her eyes with a smile and replies, "I love you too. And I'll talk to mom about our wedding... very soon."
Riya goes quiet, lost in his words and his love. Karan's arms tighten around her protectively. His eyes stay fixed on her face, taking in every expression, every smile, every sparkle in her eyes.
Riya thinks to herself so handsome, so perfect... and yet he chose only me. It feels like the greatest blessing of her life.
The room is wrapped in a heavy silence.
Samar sits on the chair beside the bed, his gaze fixed only on me. Across from him stand Mrs. Shobha and Mr. Ajay, while Vihan remains quietly in one corner. I, under the effect of medicines, am fast asleep my face peaceful, as if I have drifted far away from all the chaos of the world.
Mr. Ajay steps forward and looks at Samar, his voice carrying a pointed question. "You haven't told Ishani your real identity yet, have you?" Samar gives a small shake of his head.
Mr. Ajay's eyes shift to Vihan. "And you... you haven't told Rimjhim your truth either?" Vihan lowers his gaze and shakes his head as well.
Mrs. Shobha's eyes move between the two men, her expression a mix of anger and concern. "I don't understand either of you... those poor, innocent girls have no idea. God forbid they learn the truth and... walk away from you forever."
Before she can finish, Samar cuts in, his tone firm, almost unyielding. "She can't walk away from me. She's bound to me now... by marriage."
Mrs. Shobha softens her voice, though her eyes still hold disapproval. "Samar, you can't force Ishani into anything." But Samar doesn't flinch. "Leave it to me. She's my wife. I'll take care of her."
Mr. Ajay sighs deeply. "Tell her everything before it's too late. If she hears it from someone else, it will change everything between you two. And Vihan, you must tell Rimjhim the truth as soon as you can."
With that, Mr. Ajay and Mrs. Shobha leave the room, leaving only Samar and Vihan. They exchange a glance. Vihan breaks the silence first. "Who could have done this? With such tight security... who dared to make this move?"
Samar's eyes flare with anger. "That's exactly what I'm wondering. I won't let anything happen to my Ishani."
Vihan gives him a warning look. "Just... be careful. Make sure she doesn't misunderstand you." And with that, Vihan leaves.
Samar remains seated, his gaze locked on me, as if my every breath is the only thing keeping him alive.
Vihan enters his own room, only to find it empty. A flicker of unease passes through him until he notices me on the balcony. I stand silently, the breeze gently playing with my hair. My eyes are fixed on the garden below, where sunlight falls softly over the green grass.
Vihan walks up beside me. "What are you doing here?" Without looking at him, I reply softly, "Nothing... just standing."
He studies me for a moment. "Why have you changed so much lately?" I don’t answer, my gaze still lost in the distance.
He steps a little closer. "Rimjhim... I'm talking to you."
Slowly, I lift my head, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. My voice trembles. "Can I... tell you something? I just hope you won't be angry with me."
Vihan's voice is gentle. "Of course. Tell me. What is it?" I look into his deep eyes, as though the words I want to say have drowned in them. My tears shimmer in the light, ready to spill.
Slowly, hesitantly, she lifts her gaze to meet his eyes… and with trembling lips, she speaks.
“Will you… give me the place of your wife?”
For a moment, Vihan freezes. His eyes widen, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.
“What??” is all he manages.
Gathering every ounce of courage, Rimjhim repeats, her voice thick with emotion, “Will you give me the place of your wife? Can we not start a new life together? Even if I pray to God my entire life, I don’t think I would ever find a man like you. And… what I want to say is…”
She stops. The words catch in her throat, her voice breaking. A single warm tear slips down her cheek. She takes a deep breath before continuing softly,
“I… have fallen in love with you. I want to live with you as your wife. I promise I will never leave your side. I promise I will never give you a reason to complain. I will do whatever you ask of me. Will you accept me with all your heart? Will you… give me just a little space in your heart?”
When she finishes, she falls silent. Her breaths come fast and uneven, as though every word has taken all her strength. Tears now flow freely down her face.
Vihan just stands there, staring at her as if his mind has stopped working altogether. There is truth in her eyes, a love so pure that it carries no trace of pretense. For him, this moment feels unreal, like a scene from a dream he never knew he had.
A man who resolves the most complicated business matters in seconds, who makes sharp decisions without a flicker of hesitation, now stands completely frozen, struck silent by a girl’s heartfelt proposal.
Vihan sees the ocean of tears in Rimjhim’s eyes, but something inside him hardens. He takes a slow, deliberate breath, as if trying to cage the storm raging within him. Without a word, he reaches for her hand but his grip carries no warmth, no tenderness… only a cold inevitability.
Silently, he leads her back into the room. His face remains expressionless, but his eyes hold a sharp, unyielding edge. He sits her down on the bed and remains standing in front of her, his presence heavy, almost suffocating.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!