He didn't hear me. He launched himself at Abhiraj, slamming him against the hood of the car. He swung a fist, but Abhiraj was faster, catching him with a sharp kick to the abdomen.
“What are you doing? Stop!” I screamed, rushing forward to pull Saurav away.
“Touch her again and I’ll rip your hands off!” Saurav roared, his face contorted with rage.
“You piece of shit!” Abhiraj spat, wiping blood from his lip and pointing a finger at Saurav. “You don’t get to storm in here and play the husband now.”
“Play the husband?” Saurav let out a hollow, jagged laugh. “This isn't a theater, you bastard. She’s my wife!”
“Then start acting like it!” Abhiraj hissed. He straightened his suit, threw me one last pained look, and disappeared into the night.
I stood there in the silence, guilt washing over me like ice water. I looked at Saurav. His nostrils flared, his fists were still clenched, and the air between us felt like a ticking bomb.
_______
Chapter 25
KAVYA
“What was that?” Saurav demanded the moment the door clicked shut behind us. His breath was ragged, his jaw clamped tight, and his eyes burned with a cold fury. “Are you having an affair with Abhiraj Sisodiya?”
“No!” I snapped back. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends?” Saurav let out a mocking, jagged laugh. “You’re ‘friends’ with a man who tried to force himself on you at that party?”
“No, he didn't…I mean, he didn't mean it like that,” I stammered, shrinking under his piercing gaze. “I just … I took it the wrong way.”
“What the hell is this?” he roared, the volume making me flinch. I stepped back, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Do you think I’m a fool, Kavya? Are you trying to make a fool out of me?”
“No,” I whispered, swallowing hard as I backed away. “You don’t have to be jealous of him.”
He lunged forward, closing the gap between us in a single stride. He caught my arm in a rough grip, staring down at me. “I’m not jealous. I’m worried about my family’s reputation. What if the media caught the two of you hugging like lost lovers in themiddle of the night? Think of the money they’d make off those headlines.”
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Abhiraj has been nothing but kind to me.”
“Ask yourself why,” he hissed through clenched teeth, his face inches from mine. “Ask yourself why he’s always hovering around the moment I’m gone. It’s because he wants to get into your pants, Kavya. And once he gets what he wants, he’ll toss you aside like a used tissue. I’m not jealous…I’m just protecting my name.”
“Let me go. You’re hurting me,” I said sharply.
Saurav released me abruptly. I rubbed my arm, staring at the red fingerprints blooming on my skin. He watched me, silently and stony-faced. Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. What a beautiful way to celebrate our first anniversary, I thought bitterly. A night I would never forget.
A soft knock at the door broke the silence between us. I quickly wiped my eyes, took a shaky breath, and forced a smile before opening it.
Uncle Dhruv stood there, his expression professional and composed. “Is Saurav-sir here?” he asked politely. I nodded and stepped aside so that he could see my angry husband. “Sir, the backyard is ready as you requested. The cake will be here shortly.”
“Shut up and leave!” Saurav cut him off, disappearing into the bathroom and slamming the door.
I looked at Dhruv, confused. “What did you set up in the backyard?”
Dhruv glanced nervously toward the bathroom. “Saurav-sir called me this morning. He said he was coming home and asked me to set up a table for a family dinner. Because of the anniversary.”
“Is that why you couldn't drive us this evening?” I asked.
He nodded. “I had to prepare. But it looks like the plans were for nothing. He doesn't seem to be in a good mood.”
I looked at the closed bathroom door, my heart aching. He had remembered. He had traveled all this way just to celebrate with us.
“Nothing is going to be for nothing,” I said firmly. “We’ll be down in a few minutes.”