Page 30 of Protect my Heart
Except for moving away—and I already apologized for that a hundred times. If this is your way of punishing me, Aarav, I think I’ve suffered enough.
Yours truly,
Anu
???
This is it, Aarav. My last letter.
I’ve been writing to you for two years now. A year of pouring my heart out, waiting, hoping. I don’t even know if you remember me or not. Maybe our friendship wasn't even a friendship to you. But for me, you were the best part.
My mother has been the one posting my letters all this time, even though the post office is so far and she’s been working herself to the bone. I can’t keep asking her to do that anymore—not when you don’t even care enough to reply.
So... I’m giving up. On you. On us. On everything we were.
I thought our friendship was something special. Something that would last forever. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe you really have forgotten me.
I’m letting you go now, Aarav. I hope you find happiness, wherever life takes you. I hope you find new friends—better ones—who’ll love you for exactly who you are. You deserve the best, Aarav. I really, truly mean that.
Goodbye, Aarav. You were my best friend. And so much more.
Signing off,
Anika
CHAPTER 17
ANIKA
“Mumma, please stop worrying!” I exclaim, my voice louder than I intended. She looks at me, a little taken aback by my outburst. Guilt gnaws at me, but I can’t help it. I’m going crazy here. She was discharged this morning—finally—after a whole week of hospital hell. I practically begged Aarav and Maa to let me stay with her until we find a proper nurse, someone I approve of. I'm not about to leave my mother in just anyone’s hands. No way. I’ll scrutinize every detail if I have to.
“You shouldn’t have stayed here. The hospital was arranging a nurse for me, thanks to Aarav—” she starts, but I cut her off, pressing my finger gently against her lips.
“Maa, the nurse was only going to be here during the day. What about the nights? What would you have done then?” I whisper.
She bats my hand away, narrowing her eyes. “What possible need could I have at night? I have perfectly good legs, and I’m just going to sleep, Anika. I don’t need a 24/7 babysitter.”
I giggle despite myself. She's so cute when she's trying to act tough. Although... In childhood, I used to be terrified when she got angry. Funny how things change.
“I took Maa’s permission, Mumma. In fact, she insisted that I stay with you for a few days.” I explain, and slowly her features soften. She smiles, a fragile little thing that tugs at my heart.
“They’re good people, aren’t they?” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m so glad you married into that family. They'll always take care of you, sweetheart.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes, but I blink them away. “No, you’ll always take care of me. And I’ll always take care of you,” I say firmly.
I mean it. I’m grateful for everyone at that house, truly. They accepted me so warmly, without any judgment. But still... I know the truth. I’m not staying married to Aarav forever. Six months. That’s it. That was always the plan. And after that, I need to find a way to return everything he’s done for me.
It’s not just the money either. It’s the dignity. The pride. I know I’m being ridiculous by adding imaginary "interest" to the amount, but I can’t help it. It’s just... twenty lakhs. Twenty freaking lakhs. I can’t even wrap my head around that kind of money. My father was rich, sure, but he was also unbelievably stingy. We weren’t allowed to spend a dime unless he approved it. Apparently, though, he wasn’t so careful with the rest of his life—because after he died, we found ourselves buried under a mountain of debts he left behind. It took us two bloody years to climb out of that hole.
And my two so-called brothers? Gone. Disappeared into college life, never looking back, never caring. Their maternalgrandparents were very wealthy. They were never useful anyway. I hated them, hated their taunts, and hated their constant efforts to belittle me. But I bore it all... because Dad seemed to favor them for reasons I’ll never understand. He had adopted them, sure, but... love? I don’t know if that ever existed.
Anyway, why ruin my mood thinking about them now?
“Come on, Mumma. Lie down. You need to rest,” I say, gently nudging her toward the bed. Thankfully, she doesn’t argue this time. She must be tired. I sit beside her, stroking her hair softly, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She looks so peaceful while asleep. I can't even put into words how scared I was this past week, the thought of losing her haunting me like a nightmare. I would do anything—anything—to keep her safe.
The doorbell rings, cutting through the silence. I flinch, glancing at the clock. It's almost midnight. Who the hell could it be at this hour?
I quickly tiptoe out of Mumma’s room, carefully closing the door behind me so she won’t wake up, and rush toward the front door. I pull it open... and freeze.
