NITYA

Birds chirping and the sound of water streaming wakes me up from a restless sleep. I stretch my arm up to ward off the tiredness.

Heer is sprawled in my chest and still fast asleep. Her hair pokes my nose as I take a deep breath from it. We are cramped up in the small bed tightly knit together without an inch of space between us. I sigh and coil my arm around her waist.

I think about all the things that she went through and it makes me fall in love with her even more. This strong, beautiful, smart woman is mine. She doesn't believe it yet but I'll make her trust in herself everyday for the rest of our lives.

'I tried... God I tried so hard to tell him that I want to go home.' Her vulnerability filled voice resounds in my mind.

I want to go on a murdering spree and kill everyone who hurt her. How I would love to rip that asshole limb by limb apart. He touched my girl, now he won't live for long. I'll make sure his death will be as painful as possible.

'I thought it would be merciful if he had killed me right then.'

Her confession about attempting take her life away brings the darkness inside me to another level. If she's not in my life I don't know what or how I would have lead my life. Without my Heer I am nothing.

At the thought I kiss her hair and hold her tight to make sure that she's now here with me and I'll protect to her to any end.

A whimper comes out of her mouth as soon as she wakes up. She rises a little balancing her arms up in my chest and looks at me.

My breath catches in my throat at how lovely she looks. All messy hair and my shirt indents on her cheeks. She gives me a small smile, "Are you trying to strangle me in my sleep?" She asks her voice raspy with sleep.

"More like cuddling." I whisper and tuck her wild hair back. She sighs and falls against my chest again. The silence stretches for a long moment.

"We have to go home. Ma must be worried." She says and draws circles in my chest with her finger.

"We can go home when you want to go home. Not because others might be worried." I say and she wakes up from bed and sits against the headboard.

"I want to." She says with conviction. I sigh and nod as a knock echoes from the door. I walk towards it before she makes an attempt and open to find a small guy standing with his little fists in his pockets.

Finding me he narrows his eyes and looks past me, "Hey, sweetie." Heer waves at him, "Do you need anything?" She asks lovingly.

"I... I wanted to see if you're okay." He looks uncomfortable confessing it. We both glance at him questioningly and he quickly adds, "I saw you crying yesterday night." He says and glares at me.

Oh. He thinks I did something.

"I am fine Ved. I was just having an argument with one of my friends." She says from the bed giving him a apologetic smile. All the while I watch their encounter patiently.

He scratches the back of his neck, "Are you sure?" He asks unsure of whether she's lying or telling the truth.

"Yes. Thank you for checking in on me honey." She says her eyes lining with tears at his concern. The little guy fidgets in his place not knowing what to do and gives me a helpless glance.

Oh. Now you need my help?

I sigh and walk towards her taking her palm in mine, "I'll take care of her alright. You don't have to worry." I say and he nods. Closing the door he leaves without a word giving Heer a final worried glance.

That guy loves my Heer and he doesn't know how to express it.

Same boy, same.

"Do you hate me?" Her sudden question makes me startle. A complete contrast to what I was just thinking.

"Why would you say that?" I ask her offended.

"You know... I hid the truth from you before marrying." She looks uncomfortable as she fidgets with her hands nervously, "And... and do you..." She swallows hard, "do you find me repulsive now?" Her small voice sounds like a frightened child.

How could she think that?

"What part of that you are precious, didn't you understand?" I ask sternly. My voice comes harder than I intend to.

"It's not-" Her eyes widens, "I hate my body Aman." She says and looks away ashamed.

"Baby." I take her chin and make her focus on my eyes to show her how honest I am, "You are a goddess to me & I worship at your feet. Your body is my temple and your soul is Venus. Pure and untainted." I kiss her forehead, "You have no idea how I feel about you, do you?" I ask scoffing at my situation.

If only she knows.

"Do you trust me when I say that you are the most beautiful woman in the world?" I ask her.

She chuckles, "That's ridiculous." She pushes at my chest but I don't let my grip falter.

"Do you trust me?" I ask punctuating each words. She sobers up at the sincerity in my words.

She searches my eyes, "I want to. I really want to believe you." Admitting that with a sad smile she gets up from the bed going straight to the door leaving me stare at her back.

AMAN

A car comes to pick us up and we drive in silence to home. Aman has not let my hands go even after we get down from the car. The whole house has a deadening silence.

It's like the life of the house has been sucked out of its walls. Ma's sitting in the couch as we enter through the front door.

"Nitya beta!" She strides faster towards me and takes me into her arms. I hold her for a while and move away directing her an ensuring smile.

"Are you alright? I was so worried after you left. I called Aman and you many times but both of you didn't answer. Riya later told me that you left your phone. I didn't know where to look-" She rambles on in worry but Aman stops her midway.

"Ma." He says softly, "She needs rest. You can have her for all to yourself after that. Now let her go." He says directing a pointed glance towards her.

She nods reluctantly and pats my head affectionately, "When you are ready, come to me okay?" She croaks and I nod biting my lips hard.

I am not alone anymore.

We go to our room and before we settle someone knocks on the door. Aman sighs deeply and looks at me questioningly. I give him a nod to go on.

Kabir stands in the doorway looking devastated. He looks guilty as he asks, "Can we talk bhai?" He fidgets in his place.

"Not now Kabir." He shakes his head trying to close the door.

"Let him in." I tell Aman and he gives me an 'are you sure?' look and I nod at him.

Kabir walks into the room and takes me in a heartful hug where I don't stiffen or push him away, "I am so sorry bhabi." His eyes turns glassy, he clears his throat, "I don't know what else to say..." He shakes his head disappointedly.

"It's okay Kabir." I reconcile because seriously let's face the fact, it's not his fault that his brother-in-law is the monster who destroyed my life.

"Shall we postpone these apology speeches to another day. She needs to rest." Aman intervenes us.

"And Kabir I want to talk to you about your wedding privately." He says throwing a cautious glance at me. My brows knit in confusion.

"What is happening?" I ask looking between the brothers. I sense a tension among them.

"Bhai please-"

"This marriage won't happen." Aman says with conviction. My lips part in surprise.

"B-but why?" I ask knowing what his reason will be.

Kabir hangs his head in defeat, he sniffs and rakes his hands through his already messy hair.

Both of them are silent and I glare at my husband, "Tell me why?"

"Don't you get it Heer? I don't want any ties with that fucker's family who... who assaulted you!" He barks.

"But I love her bhai!" Kabir paces the room.

"Have you lost your mind Aman? I won't allow that to happen." I shake my head vehemently.

Not on my watch.

"This marriage won't happen and that's final." He says in finality that brooks no argument. I knew Aman as a happy-go-lucky person but this side is new to me but not to Kabir because he sighs and looks like he's going to cry.

"I love her bhai. I have loved her since the moment I met her. I can't just let this go as if she didn't mean to me anything." He swallows and a tear slips down his cheek, he soon wipes it away, "But I understand where you are coming from." He gives me a concerned look, "But I won't marry anyone else but her. I respect your decisions so whatever you say I'll listen." He says finally. My heart hurts at his declaration.

Aman looks disoriented on where to stand. I don't want anyone loosing their love because of me so I take a stand.

"Kabir." I start, "You'll marry Aditi on the exact day the wedding was fixed."

"Heer-" Aman interrupts but I stop him.

"No. You'll listen to me on this case." I say firmly and turn to find Kabir gazing at me with hope, "When you love someone you don't let them go. It's not her fault that her... brother was..." I sigh shaking my head, "I have seen you both and trust me when I tell you that she is very much in love with you." My eyes glisten, "I want both of you to get married. And you will marry her." I finish at last giving him an encouraging smile.

"Bhabi-"

"No." Aman shakes his head, "That won't work, you can't face him. We can't have him fucking tied to our family." My heart breaks at his words.

I was right.

"Kabir." I get his attention, "You can get on with the preparations. I can talk to your bhai." I say and he looks puzzled at first then leaves with a final nod.

When the door closes I turn to Aman swiftly who looks like he's going to burst out any moment.

Oh no mister. You don't get to play that part.

"Listen. This must be hard for you-"

"I was right." I say to him shaking my head disappointedly.

"What?" He asks me bewildered at my calm expression.

"I didn't confess to you about my past because I thought you'd treat me differently and think that I am fragile." I say my voice breaking.

"You are far from being fragile-"

"No! You don't get to decide what I can face and cannot!" I shout in outrage, "All my life I have already been snatched away every right to make decisions. You can't take this away from me Aman!" I cry out.

"No, sweetheart. It's not what you thi-" A look of resentment comes over him and I cut him off.

"He loves her! I can't be the barrier between their love." I shake my head repeatedly, "And did you forget why we got married in the first place? It's not like we love eachother or something." I prattle foolishly and a look of hurt takes over him. I instantly regret what I said in anger.

My heart clenches as he takes a step back, "Yeah. I must have forgotten. Thank you for reminding me." He swallows and licks his dry lips.

"I..." He drags his words opening and closing his mouth. Then glares at the floor and sighs finally coming to a conclusion.

"Aman-" I try to amend but he stops me by walking towards the door, "Take rest."

With that he leaves me standing alone in our room as I stare at the door aimlessly.

Just like that?

To be continued...