Page 48 of Protect my Heart
Now, now, sweetheart. That's no way to talk to your secret admirer. I'm just trying to show my love and appreciation towards you.
My eyes widen at the message. Every word oozes possessiveness, a twisted version of affection. I take a deep breath, but it feels like my lungs are frozen. I drop my phone on the bed, my body trembling. No matter what I do, this person just keeps coming back. I’ve blocked every number and reported every message, but they find new ways. New numbers. New tricks. My eyes dart around the room, paranoia creeping in like a thick fog. Every shadow feels darker, every creak louder. My mind is spiraling, and I can't stop it.
I stand up, my legs weak and wobbly, pacing the room like a caged animal. I hug myself, trying to find some semblance of comfort, but it’s useless. Fear coils in my stomach like a live wire. Suddenly, my phone buzzes on the bed. I flinch, the sound slicing through the thick silence. I hesitate, dread sinking into my bones, before I force myself to pick it up.
Unknown:
Don't block me again, sweetheart. You think blocking me will stop this? You have until tonight, Anika. Make your choice.
My throat goes dry as I read the words.
Me:
About what?
Unknown:
Leave your husband. Or you will face consequences. Bye, sweetheart. You have tonight.
The phone slips from my fingers and lands on the bed. I sit there, frozen, the wordconsequencesbouncing around my mind like a bomb waiting to explode.
What am I supposed to do? I can’t go to Aarav. He’ll freak out. He’ll blame himself. Worse, he might do something reckless to protect me. I can’t go to the police either. This psycho already warned me what would happen if I tried to get help. And if anything happens to Aarav...The thought alone shatters me.
Tears sting my eyes, blurring the screen in front of me. I feel so helpless. So... trapped. My heart hurts just thinking about Aarav being dragged into this because of me. He doesn’t deserve this. He deserves peace. Happiness. Not... this nightmare.
I wipe my cheeks, trying to think straight, but my mind’s a mess. I know one thing—if I try to convince him to leave me, he won’t. He’ll fight it. And I... I’ve signed that stupid legal document too, promising I’d stay married to him for six months. Not that he’d ever force me to stay anymore. Still. Honestly... deep down... I don’t even want to leave. I waited years for him.Years. Years of craving a glance, a conversation, a crumb of what we have now.
Now that the misunderstandings are gone, now that I have him—truly have him—I don’t want to walk away. But maybe... maybe this is the universe screaming at me. Maybe we're not meant to be. Maybe every time we find our way back, something or other pulls us apart because it’s not supposed to happen. If that’s true... if tonight is all I have left... then damn it, I’m going to be his wife tonight. For real. Even if it’s for just a few hours.
A lone tear slides down my cheek as I clutch my pillow tight. My heart aches in a way I can't put into words. There are so many things I wanted to experience with him. So many little dreams that will never see the light of day. My phone rings suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I scramble to grab it, my heart hammering when I see his name flashing across the screen.
Aarav.
I wipe my tears quickly, forcing a smile like he can somehow see me through the phone. He’s going to live a hundred more years—I tell myself that silly thing Mumma used to say when you think of someone and they call you.
"Hello?" I say, biting my lip hard to keep my voice steady.
"Are you okay?" Aarav’s voice is laced with concern, and it cracks something inside me. Wow, he can read me through my voice too? Impressive.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. His voice—the calm in my storm. "Yeah... I'm fine. Just tired," I lie. My voice sounds almost normal, and I pray he doesn't catch on.
There's no way I can tell him. No way I can drag him into this. "You’re late," I add, trying to sound casual, trying to sound like me.
"Why? Missing me already?" he teases, that playful note in his voice making my chest ache even more.
"In your dreams," I say, rolling my eyes even though he can’t see me. "I just got worried, idiot."
"Wow. So you do worry about me," he says with a soft chuckle that melts me.
"Of course I do," I whisper, and it feels like a confession. A lump forms in my throat, and I fan my face with my hand, trying to push back the tears threatening to spill again.
He's quiet for a beat. "Anika," he says gently, "what’s going on? Where’s my Toofani wife?"
The nickname nearly undoes me. I can hear the genuine worry in his voice, and it’s tearing me apart. "Stop calling me that," I mumble, blinking up at the ceiling to keep the tears in check.
He chuckles, his voice low, and for a moment, it almost feels like things are normal.Almost. "I just wanted to let you know... I’m flying to Mumbai right now for a deal. I won’t be back until tomorrow evening."
My heart drops into my stomach. No. No. No. This can't be happening. I wanted it tonight. Just one night. Just a few hours to really be his.
