My room was silent-so silent that my racing heartbeat sounded deafening.
My eyes brimmed with tears I hadn't realized were still there. I had stopped crying long ago-since my father stopped noticing me, since I decided to be an iron girl, not fragile.
But this man... Abhimanyu. One moment, he's the one urging me to build my career, to be myself, and the next... here he is, the reason my eyes are drenched.
No, he didn't hurt me. I know he never would. Instead, he did something that completely overwhelmed me. He knelt and tied an anklet around my feet.
I couldn't control the way my breath hitched, couldn't ignore the way my heart hammered against my ribs. His warm palm brushing my skin, the cold metal resting there... it was too much. A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.
Abhimanyu looked up at me. "What's wrong, Samayra? You don't like this? Should I take it off?"
"No!" I said shakily. "Don't you dare. I'll hold this close to my heart forever-don't you dare take it off."
"You're crying, Samayra..."
I bit my lip, nodding. My hand moved instinctively to cup his face.
"A-Abhimanyu... what you... what you did... you... What just happened to my heart?."
He smiled. "Did I... " His voice calm yet firm, "Did I flutter your heart?"
I swallowed hard, nodding senselessly, unable to find words.
I bit my lips hard, unsure of what was happening in that moment. Abhimanyu stood up and leaned closer, gently wiping my tears away.
"I don't want my woman to cry."
My eyes met his. Who says something like that? The words alone were overwhelming.
I wanted to break down-into tears, into pieces. Until... he smiled.
That smile-the one that reached his eyes-was something we call peace. My heart lit up like a beacon. I smiled immediately, a soft chuckle escaping my lips as I looked down. Tears continued to stream, but they felt lighter somehow.
Abhimanyu held my hand, silently letting me know he was there.
"You're ruining your makeup... Mrs. Ranawat."
I lifted my gaze to meet his, a little sassy, a little proud. "I still look beautiful."
We chuckled together, and swear to God... I have never felt happiness like this from anyone's smile. But today, I felt it. His smile-it didn't just make my day, it made my month, my entire year. I know I will always feel a surge of joy just remembering this man's smile.
"Shall we go?" he asked, extending his hand toward me.
I nodded, my eyes locked on his, before placing my hand in his palm. My fingers looked so small, so fragile against the strength of his rough hand-yet the touch sent a shiver racing down my spine.
I rose with his support, and together we walked down.
Like always, he opened the door for me. I slid inside with a faint smile, my heart still echoing his presence.
The drive was silent, but my mind was anything but. A storm of thoughts swirled within me.
Why does he flutter my heart this way? Is it just attraction... or am I actually falling for this man? I don't know. I'm too unsure, too tangled in my own feelings to understand what my heart is trying to say.
A year ago I promised myself not to fall in love ever again,not to feel this way for any man. Yet this man. He is doing something to my heart. My mind in unable to name.
"Samayra..." his deep voice broke my reverie.
I blinked, realizing the car had stopped. Abhimanyu stood outside, my door open, his hand extended once again-patient, steady, waiting only for me.
I glanced at the venue. We had arrived, yet I had been so lost in my thoughts I hadn't even noticed.
Quickly, I placed my hand in his. He pulled me up with effortless ease, and together we walked into the party-like a royal couple destined to turn every head.
The party shimmered with golden lights, laughter, and the hum of music. As we entered, every gaze seemed to drift toward us. My hand rested proudly on Abhimanyu's arm, and when he glanced down at me with a slight nod, I felt a quiet strength in that simple gesture.
Many people already recognized me from our reception, while others Abhimanyu introduced me to with his usual poised charm. We stopped near a group of his colleagues-their conversations buzzing, their partners smiling politely. But my eyes... they never once strayed from Abhimanyu.
"Sir, Ma'am... drinks?" a waiter interrupted, balancing a tray of crystal glasses.
I was about to reach for one when Abhimanyu bent close, his breath brushing my ear, his voice husky and low.
"Drink only what you can handle, Mrs. Ranawat... no overdose, please."
A teasing warmth spread through me. I looked at him, then at the waiter.
"No, thanks," I said softly, refusing the glass.
Leaning slightly toward him, I whispered with a smirk, "Then today... I'm already intoxicated."
His eyes flickered at my words, and the tiniest curve appeared on his lips.
The party bloomed around us-music, chatter, laughter-all in its own flow. After a while, Abhimanyu and I settled into our seats, side by side.
I placed my hand lightly over his. "I need to use the restroom," I murmured.
He gave me a nod of silent permission, his thumb brushing my hand once before I stood and walked away.
After freshening up, I was just about to step out of the washroom when hushed whispers drifted to my ears.
"You saw Kapoor's daughter with Mr. Ranawat?"
"Who didn't? I even heard she shot an ad for Ranawat Empire. Just wait... she'll get all the fame only because of her husband."
"Believe me, she married him for money and fame. Who else marries someone fifteen years older?" A chuckle followed.
"He's definitely her sugar daddy..."
Their voices trailed off as they left, their heels clicking against the marble floor.
But inside me, my heart thundered. It happened. The very thing I had feared, the shadow I knew would eventually come. The tag. I didn't want.
My ad shoot-still unreleased-was already being dismissed as Abhimanyu's influence. My talent, my hard work, my identity... reduced to nothing more than just his wife. Just Mrs. Ranawat.
For World, Samayra Kapoor is no one. The only identity they know is Mrs. Ranawat.
Every word they spat felt like poison, burning through my veins. Was everything I did going to be credited to him? Was my name going to forever drown beneath his?
I pressed my palms against the cold door, despising myself for letting their words pierce me this deeply. My chest heaved, and I almost slammed the door in frustration.
Holding onto every ounce of courage I had left, I stepped out of the washroom. My reflection still haunted me-was I really not capable of anything on my own?
I shook my head, wiped away the doubts, and forced myself back toward the glowing chaos of the party. My steps were steady, but inside, I was breaking.
As I walked through the crowd, I could feel it-the stares, the whispers disguised as smiles. Every gaze that followed me wasn't admiration; it was judgement. Every smirk that lingered felt like a dagger, piercing through the fragile armor I had built.
I finally reached our table. Abhimanyu was seated there, waiting for me, but before I could even sit beside him, something inside me snapped.
Without a word, I turned on my heel and walked straight out of the hall, without letting him know.
The glittering lights, the murmurs, the heavy air of scrutiny-it was suffocating me. I couldn't breathe in there.
By the time I reached the car, my hands were trembling. I slid inside and whispered hoarsely to the driver, "Take me to my house... my dad's house."
I leaned back, tears burning my eyes. I couldn't handle it anymore. The weight of judgement, the endless questioning of who I was... it was crushing me.
I wasn't just leaving the party. I was running away from him, from us, from the tag of being Abhimanyu Ranawat's wife.
For the first time, I admitted it to myself. This is too much for me.
Abhimanyu's POV
I glanced at my wristwatch. Ten minutes had passed. Samayra hadn't returned.
At first, I thought she was caught up with someone, but unease soon crept in. I dialed her number. It rang twice before the call was declined.
A sharp pang of panic surged through me. Samayra never declined my call.
I rose immediately, striding out of the hall, my phone pressed against my ear as I tried again. No answer. My chest tightened. Something wasn't right.
I called my PA, instructing him to check discreetly. That's when my secretary-now Samayra's personal guide during shoots-called back.
Her words left me still. "Sir... Ma'am has gone to her father's house."
Why? Why suddenly?
Confusion knotted inside me, but anger wasn't there-only concern. My fists clenched around the steering wheel as I exhaled deeply.
Instead of rushing after her, I turned and walked into my car. Driving back to the villa, because..
She didn't tell me before leaving. Didn't pick my call..
That means she needs space.
Space from me.
Not me to get mad over the situation.
This is not how it is supposed to be handled.
Not with urgency. But calmly. May be tomorrow we'll talk..
Samayra's POV
I was inside the car,my head heavy with words than any drink could ever make.
But then, phone in my hand buzzed.
I looked at the screen, Abhimanyu!
Fuck! I don't wanna talk to him right now. I immediately declined his call and sent a plane text to his PA. Informing that I'm going to Dad's house so that Abhimanyu don't stress himself over me.
I sighed and then switched off my phone.
Soon the car stopped infront of Kapoor Mansion. I walked in. The guards bowing to me in respect but my mind isn't in place to even pass a nod.
I hurried to walk towards my room. My anklet, the same Abhimanyu tied chiming with every step.
I had just stepped on stairs to walk towards my room when I heard my name.
"Samayra.."
I turned towards the voice.
My Dad.
His gaze scanning me from top to bottom. Saree, Sindoor, Mangalsutra, Bangles and today an anklet too. He wanted to tie me with these traditions.
But then, there is Abhimanyu, the man I wear in my vermillion who ignitied the fire of passion in me.
The man supposed to be controlling being this older than me, became my support. And my Dad. He absolutely didn't like this.
He walked towards me and asked.
"You are supposed to be at your husband's place..what are you doing here..Mrs Ranawat.."
My throat dried. The man who used to call me his Princess is addressing me with someone else's last name. Am I a true outsider to him.
My words didn't come out. Only my fist tighten on my saree.
I looked straight in his eyes. I wanted to question. To protest. To throw tantrums like I used to.
But instead my only words came out trembling.
"I can't..I can't even..Come back to my house.. Was that a condition too Dad?"
"Your house,is not this my child! You forgot, husband's house is wife's House.. right?"
His words calm yet pierced my heart. Was this sarcasm or just person. Or Dad is just hating me for doing something he didn't allow long ago.
I didn't dare to say a word. My eyes turned wet. I looked down immediately.
"Can I..can I.. stay. In your house..Just for tonight?"
He stepped closer. His palm over my head.
"I didn't intend to say anything like this Samayra..You are my daughter.. but I won't tolerate you doing anything that can harm my reputation built over years of hardwork. Even if I get you married..You understand my child.."
His words were direct harm to this marriage. Didn't dad approached me to marry Abhimanyu. Then why he is acting today as if he never wanted this marriage. As if I went against his will to marry Abhimanyu.
I bit my lips.
"What should I do to earn your love once again Dad?"
He just smiled.
Looking at me ready to sacrifice everything. Just to get my Dad's love back..
And I didn't know, what's coming next in my life...