Page 41 of Protect my Heart
Just as I’m about to slam into it, the door swings open.
And she’s there. Right in front of me.
Before I can stop, I crash into her, sending both of us sprawling to the ground. Instinct kicks in—my hand goes to the back of her head, cradling it so she doesn’t slam it against the floor. I end up on top of her, my body awkwardly pinning hers down.
For a second, neither of us moves. Her wide, tear-filled eyes lock with mine, her chest rising and falling rapidly under me. I can feel the heat of her skin, the small tremors running through her. I should move—I know I should—but I can't. It’s like I’m frozen, caught between guilt and relief and something else entirely.
Then, out of nowhere, she starts laughing. A real laugh. Breathless, cracked at the edges, but so real it makes something in my chest tighten painfully.
At first, I’m just staring at her like she’s gone completely insane. But then, before I know it, I’m laughing too. I roll off her, collapsing beside her on the cold floor, the tension snapping and falling away like dead leaves.
We lay there side by side, the ceiling spinning above us, our breathing slowing down into something calmer, steadier. For a long minute, neither of us says anything. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a single tear slip down her cheek.
"I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice so small it almost breaks me.
I turn towards her, needing her to see the sincerity in my face. "For what?" I ask quietly. "None of this is your fault."
She turns her body to face me too, her hair messy and wild, her eyes too sad for someone who used to light up rooms just by walking into them. "It wasn’t Mumma’s fault either. I don't blame her. I would've done the same if I were in her place," she says, her voice thick. "But it doesn’t change the fact that you were hurt. Because of me."
God. She really doesn’t get it, does she?
I reach out and gently wipe the tear from her cheek with my thumb, the action feeling so natural, like it’s stitched into my bones. "You apologize too much," I murmur. "You were just a kid, Anika. You didn’t ask for any of this. You trusted your mother. That’s what kids do."
I push myself up on one elbow, still watching her like she might vanish if I look away for even a second. "Trust me," I say, my voice low but firm. "I don’t blame you. I don’t blame Aunty. None of it. So don’t you dare blame yourself either."
She looks at me then, properly looks at me, and it’s like I can see the storm behind her eyes. The doubts, the fear, the pain. And underneath it all, the girl I used to know. So full of life, but now broken.
I tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary. She doesn’t flinch away.
"I’m going to hug you," I whisper, giving her a second to pull away, to protest. She doesn’t. She just watches me, wide-eyed and silent.
Carefully, I pull her into my arms. She’s stiff at first, her body tense and uncertain. But then, slowly, she melts into me, her head resting against my chest, her fingers clutching thefabric of my shirt like she’s afraid I’ll disappear again if she lets go.
I feel the tiny tremors running through her, the way she tries to choke back her sobs, and it just makes me hold her tighter. As if I could absorb her pain by sheer force of will.
I close my eyes, resting my chin lightly on the top of her head. "I’ve got you, Anu," I whisper against her hair. "You don't have to fight the world alone anymore. Let me do it for you."
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel her breathe. Really breathe.
And I swear—I’m never letting her go again.
CHAPTER 25
ANIKA
"Did you know the amount of shock I got when Maa told me Aarav was married?" Aditi exclaims, throwing her hands up dramatically. "And that too, to you! I wanted to just run here the second I found out." She looks between me and Aarav, her eyes wide with mock outrage.
"I swear, I was ready to beat you both up for not telling me anything! But Maa told me the circumstances, so… fine, I’m letting you go for now," she huffs, poking Aarav’s arm. Then she turns to me, her face lighting up. "And I was so excited to see you, Anika! I missed you so much."
Before I can even react, she throws her arms around me. I smile, hugging her back tightly, feeling a sudden lump in my throat. "I missed you too, Aditi," I whisper against her shoulder, and it’s the truth. She has grown up so much; last I saw her, she was what? Seven. Gosh.
Pulling away, she grins at me, her eyes dancing. "I knew you two would end up together somehow. It’s like a perfect rom-com movie," she teases, laughing.
I glance over at Aarav without thinking, only to catch him already looking at me. My heart skips a beat, and I quickly look away, heat creeping up my neck. Everything’s been so awkwardbetween us lately. We’re not angry at each other anymore—our misunderstandings have been cleared—but that almost makes it worse. What now? I’m his wife... officially. But as he said before, this marriage is only for six months. That was when he was upset with me, though. Does he still feel the same way? Or has something changed?
"Anika!" Aditi shakes my arm, pulling me back from my spiral. "Back to earth," she laughs. "I’m so happy to see you back," she says again, her smile genuine, and I can't help but smile back, a warm feeling spreading through my chest.
"Me too, Aditi," I say, meaning it.
