Page 84 of Protect my Heart
Leaning against the car, sleeves rolled up, forearms on full sinful display like some Greek god who shops at Zara. His hair’s a little messy, like he ran his hand through it, and his shirt is slightly wrinkled at the collar—but somehow that only makes him hotter.
My ovaries are about to file a complaint. This is unfair.
He catches me staring and smirks, his entire face lighting up like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. And he does. I know he’s about to say something stupid that’ll make me want to slap him and kiss him at the same time.
But before he can open that smug mouth—the door opens.
Mumma. I forget everything. I rush to her and wrap my arms around her, burying my face in her shoulder. It’s been a month since I saw her. A month of texts and calls and missing her warm hugs. But right now—she doesn’t hug me back.
I freeze and pull back slowly. She’s staring between me and Aarav. She looks hurt… Maybe disappointed?
I glance at Aarav. His jaw tightens slightly. He feels it too—the shift in the air.
“Come on in,” Mumma says, her voice flat.
I step inside, stomach curling. Something’s off. Something’s really, really off.
And then I see Maa. Sitting on our couch like she owns the place, sipping tea from Mumma’s favorite cup. What the hell is going on?
My breath catches. I instinctively move closer to Aarav. He’s already tensed beside me, like a soldier walking into unfamiliar territory.
“Sit,” Maa says sharply, and it’s not a suggestion; it’s an order. So unlike the kind of her I have always seen.
Aarav and I sit down side by side, his hand immediately finding mine. His fingers squeeze mine lightly—steadying, reassuring, as if he is saying he is here with me, for me. I grip them back, grounding myself. His presence makes the rising panic in my chest bearable.
“How long are you two going to pretend?” Maa says finally, her voice low and cold.
I frown. What does that mean? “Pretend what, Maa?”
Aarav leans forward slightly. “What do you mean?”
Mumma finally speaks, voice quiet. “Don’t you think you’re hiding something from us?”
I look at her, and I feel like a child again—caught in something I don’t understand. “Mumma, I—”
“Can you guyspleasetell us what’s happening?” Aarav cuts in, frustration seeping into his voice. “Because this… this feels like an interrogation.”
Maa scoffs. “This is not an interrogation. This is just two mothers who’ve been betrayed, trying to understand why the people they love did something so—so reckless.”
I am trying to decipher what they are saying, but it won’t make sense. Why are they creating so much suspense? Mumma looks at me, eyes glistening. “Did you guys actually marry for six months?”
Oh. Oh shit. My lungs feel like they stop working. Aarav stiffens next to me. They know. How? What will we do now? How will we get out of this? “Mumma,” I whisper, but it’s too late.
“So it’s true,” she breathes, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Was it because I was forcing you both?”
She moves as if to stand, but I rush to her, reaching for her hands—but she steps back, sitting down again. My fingers close around the air.
“Mumma, please—”
“I’m so sorry, Naina,” Mumma says, turning to Maa with folded hands. “I didn’t mean for my words to push them into something like this. I—”
Maa puts her cup down, moving to sit beside Mumma, taking her hands gently.
“No, Rekha. Don’t say that. It’s not your fault. These two grown-ups were being idiots.”
Her gaze snaps to us, sharp and burning. I can feel Aarav inhale deeply beside me.
“Maa—” he begins.
