Destined to Be Yours

The silence in the car was oppressive, broken only by the soft hum of the engine.

Vedha sat stiffly in the backseat, her fingers trembling as they gripped the edge of her saree.

Shourya sat beside her, his posture rigid, his jaw clenched tightly. The driver glanced at them briefly in the rearview mirror but said nothing, sensing the tension.

The car pulled into the driveway of their grand home, and Shourya was the first to step out. His movements were sharp, his anger barely restrained.

Vedha hesitated, her heart pounding, before reluctantly following him inside.

The moment the door shut behind them, Shourya turned to her, his face a storm of fury. "I heard what you said, Vedha," he began, his voice low but dangerous.

Vedha froze, her pulse quickening. "Shourya, I don't understand—"

"Don't act innocent!" he snapped, his voice rising. "You've done enough damage already. You took my love from me, and now you want to ruin my sister's life too? What's your endgame, Vedha?"

Her eyes widened, a mix of fear and confusion clouding her expression. "Shourya, I didn't do anything—"

"Then why," he interrupted, his tone cutting, "did you give your brother the idea that I mistreat you? Why hint at things you can't say to my face? Do you think this is some game?"

Tears brimmed in Vedha's eyes as she shook her head. "I didn't mean—"

Enough!" Shourya roared, his hand gesturing wildly as his frustration consumed him. "You could've said it directly, but no—you had to twist the narrative behind my back!"

Vedha took a step back, her body trembling. "Shourya, please, listen to me—"

But he didn't. In a moment of blind rage, he lashed out, striking her across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed through the room, stunning them both. Vedha stumbled, her hand flying to her cheek as she stared at him, tears spilling down her face.

The fire in Shourya's eyes dimmed as realization dawned on him.

He took a step back, his hands shaking. "Vedha, I..." The words faltered on his lips. Shame and guilt clawed at him, but instead of staying to face what he'd done, he stormed out of the house, leaving her behind in a sea of anguish.

The sound of the driver starting the car reached Vedha faintly as she sank to the floor in the corner of the room. Her sobs filled the empty space, her heart shattering with every tear that fell.

Through her despair, she whispered to herself, "You deserve better, Vedha. You can't keep living like this... trapped with a monster in an unhappy marriage."

Her voice, though broken, grew steadier. "You have to leave, Vedha. You have to find yourself again. This isn't the life you dreamed of."

Determination slowly replaced the helplessness in her eyes. She wiped her tears, her hand still trembling. That night, she made her decision. It was time to part ways with Shourya—for the sake of her dignity, her sanity, and her future.

As the night deepened, Vedha sat there, bruised but resolute, ready to take the first step toward reclaiming her freedom.