I thought I had control, but now I'm just figuring it out

"Bhai, please stay for a day na," Avani said, glancing at Mr. Oberoi, who was busy on his phone. Typical Mr. Akadu.

"No, bacha, I have to take care of business and have some meetings scheduled too," he finally replied.

"Bhai, you can do that from our Delhi office too, right?" Avani pushed again.

"Haan beta, aaj ruk jao," Chachi's voice came in support.

"Yes, bhai, please. We haven't even had a proper chat with Bhabhi, and you know I'm leaving for London next week for my studies," Riaa added.

Before he could refuse, I quickly said, "Ruk jaate hai na, Mr. Oberoi."

He looked at me, paused, and then nodded positively.

"Biwi ke gulaam," Avani whispered with a playful smile.

TIME SKIPS

"Avani, can I talk to you?" I asked, standing at her door.

"Bhabhi, come na! Why are you asking? You can come anytime," she replied with a smile. I stepped inside, trying to find the right words, unsure where to start.

"Bhabhi, what happened?" she asked, noticing my hesitation.

"Um, Avani... I'm sorry for what my brother did," I said softly.

"Bhabhi, I know it was not your fault. I also know why Bhai married you and what he did to your brother," she continued. "Bhai has always been protective, especially after our parents left us. He never wanted anything to hurt me."

I nodded, listening but still wondering. I knew about their mother, but where was their father? I hadn't even seen him in any family pictures or at the wedding. And Mr. Oberoi never mentioned him.

"Avani, can I ask you something?" I said.

"Yes, Bhabhi?"

"Why don't you live in Mumbai with your Bhai?"

"Bhabhi, actually—" Before she could finish, a voice interrupted us.

"Samayra, can you come to the room for a minute? It's urgent," Mr. Oberoi called.

I nodded and turned to leave. "Bhabhi," Avani's voice stopped me. "Bhai is not what he shows. He's just..." She stopped, gathering her thoughts, then started again. "Bhabhi, can I ask you a favor?"

"Tell me, Avani," I said.

"Please take care of Bhai. He hides so much pain inside him. He never tells anyone, but the way he is with you, I think you can help him."

I didn't know what to say. Why did she feel that way? "I'll take care of your Bhai," I said and left.

As I entered our room, I saw Mr. Oberoi standing by the window. I walked over and spoke. "You wanted to talk?"

He clenched his fists, turned, and grabbed my wrist, pinning me against the wall. His grip tightened around my wrist.

"Wh-what...?" My voice trembled.

"Stay away from my sister and my family," he said, his tone cold and harsh.

"What?" I managed to say.

"If you've forgotten, let me remind you—this contract says you won't get involved in my matters. My family is my responsibility," he said, tightening his hold even more.

"Leave me, Mr. Oberoi. It's hurting," I whispered.

"Hurting? Do you even understand what your brother did to my sister? No, you don't." Siddhanth said, his voice cold. "If you did, you wouldn't have been crying yesterday after finding out that I took everything from your brother."

He let go of my wrist, and I stepped back, the pain still there. Without saying another word, he walked out taking some file, leaving me standing, confused and hurt.

Why did he say that? Did he see me crying last night? But he doesn't know the real reason I was crying. Was I crying for my brother? No, I wasn't. What Mr. Oberoi did to him, he deserved it. But my mother thinks I'm responsible, and that hurts. I don't know why, but it hurts. Since yesterday, I've decided not to get involved in their matters anymore. The last thing I did for them was this marriage. From now on, this is my family. I know the contract says I shouldn't get involved, but the love and respect they give me is real. Avani knows my brother hurt her, yet she never blamed me.

My thoughts raced. Avani believed her brother was good. Maybe he was, but not to me. A tear rolled down my cheek.

TIME SKIPS

It was evening now. Mr. Oberoi had gone to the office with Chachu and Dadaji after a peaceful conversation with me in the morning, while Avani and Riaa had left for a friend's birthday party. They insisted I come along, but I declined, saying I had work. But the truth was, I had social anxiety and couldn't handle crowds, except for the people close to me. That's why I always kept my presence brief at events.

I walked to the kitchen, my mind still filled with the events of the morning. Chachi was busy preparing dinner.

"Arey, Samayra beta, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Nothing, Chachi. I was just a little bored, so I came to help," I replied.

"Oh, everything is done, beta. You should rest; you must be tired from the wedding," she said.

"I've rested enough, Chachi. Let me help, please," I insisted.

"Okay, you can arrange the dining table. Your Chachu and Papaji will be here soon, and Riaa called to say they'll be a bit late."

"What about Siddhanth?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

"He'll be late too. Whenever he comes to Delhi, he stays at the office. He usually doesn't like eating with others," she said.

I wanted to ask why he was like that but held back. I started setting the dining table.

"Beta," Chachi called.

"Yes, Chachi?" I replied.

"Siddhanth is not a bad person. I know he doesn't talk much, but he has a good heart," she said.

"Does he even have a heart? No, he doesn't," I muttered under my breath.

"He had a tough childhood. He never knew peace, but he made sure Avani had everything he didn't," she continued.

I nodded, not sure how to respond. Just then, the house servant walked in.

"Ma'am, Sir is here," he said to Chachi.

"Okay," Chachi replied.

I saw Chachu and Dadaji enter, but Mr. Oberoi wasn't with them. Maybe Chachi was right—he didn't like joining others for meals.

"Beta, come," Chachi said.

"Umm, Chachi, I'll eat later," I said.

"Don't wait too long. He always comes late," she replied.

I nodded and went to my room, opening my laptop and answering emails. When I looked at the clock, it was already 9 p.m. I went downstairs, hoping he might have come back, but he wasn't there. I sat at the dining table, continuing my work.

The door finally opened. He came in with messy hair falling over his forehead. His dark eyes looked serious. He wore a loose T-shirt that showed his strong chest and arms and had on simple trousers. Maybe he came from the gym—but gym at this hour? Before I could process it, he moved toward the guest room.

"Mr. Oberoi," I called out.

He stopped and turned. Our eyes met, and I felt a strange reaction in my body, something I couldn't explain.

"Umm... dinner?" I started, but he walked toward me, and I took a step back until my back hit the fridge. He leaned close, his eyes intense.

"Don't act like my wife," he whispered, his breath brushing against my ear, making me feel something strange. Then he pulled back, my heart beating fast.

"I am your fucking wife," I said, my voice barely steady.

"I think you need to see a doctor," he said.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused.

"Because you seem to forget this is just a contract. You're my wife only on paper," he said and walked to the guest room, leaving me standing there.

I too went straight to the room, not feeling like eating. I sat on the bed, my mind swirling with thoughts. What was I even waiting for? Maybe he was right; I am just his wife on paper. I opened my phone and saw texts from Prish and Ishanya.

Isha: Someone seems so busy...

Prish: Of course, busy with her husband...

Isha: Already jealous? @Prish

Prish: Hahaha, I'm okay like this... forever single.

I sighed and switched off my phone. I wasn't in the mood to talk, so I lay down, trying to sleep. But it was already 1 AM, and sleep wouldn't come. I got up and went to the lawn, grabbing my book, Haunting Adeline. It was a gift from Prish, and I knew it was her choice—just the thought made me smile a little. Maybe reading would calm my racing mind. There was a swing out there, so I sat down put my glasses and started reading.

Before I knew it, I had dozzed off. When I opened my eyes, I realized I had fallen asleep on the swing. A soft blanket was draped over me. I wondered who covered me, maybe Chachi or Avani. I checked my Apple Watch—it was already 8:30 AM. I quickly got up, went to my room, took a shower, and packed my things since we were leaving for Mumbai today.

During breakfast, I ignored Mr. Oberoi's presence. It wasn't just his words that hurt me—they did—but today, I was frustrated, and I knew what I could do in my frustration. After breakfast we said our goodbyes to everyone and headed to the airport. Mr. Oberoi had informed me that we would be flying on his private jet. I sat in the car, purposely ignoring him, but I could feel his gaze on me. I closed my eyes, trying to block him out, not sure what was going through his mind or mine.

As the car moved toward the airport, I couldn't help but think about how my life would be in Mumbai now, after this marriage. Everything had changed so fast, and I wasn't sure how to feel.

After landing in Mumbai, we moved toward his penthouse. 

"Mr. Oberoi," I said softly, breaking the silence.

"Yes?" His eyes met mine, unreadable as always.

"Can you drop me at my apartment? I'll come back after some time," I requested, trying to keep my voice steady. 

"Your stuff is already at the penthouse," he said.

"I know. I just need to visit," I insisted, a hint of desperation slipping through.

He nodded and dropped me off. I stepped out and looked back; He stared straight ahead, unmoving.

As the car drove away, I opened the door of my apartment and then.......

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