Page 73 of Mrs. Rathore

“And if you think my limp makes me unworthy of love, of staying here, or of living my life, maybe it’s time you took a long, hard look at what’s crippled inside you.”

Her husband mumbled something about needing to go. She rose in silence, her face red and eyes glued to the floor.

I sat back down. My hands trembled, but inside, I felt something shift, a steel in my spine, fire in my chest. Yes, I’d been left, judged, and humiliated. But I was still here.

Being alone didn’t mean I was defeated, and being broken didn’t mean I was worthless.

Not anymore.

Later, I made my way to the Sheesh Mahal courtyard. Soft golden curtains framed a white tent set in the heart of the peaceful space. The tent stood beside a still pool, its calm surface disturbed only by the gentle spray of a fountain. Twinkling lights lined the water’s edge, casting a warm glow. Inside, cozy chairs invited quiet conversation, and lush greenery wrapped around the space.

I sat near the edge and gazed at the lake surrounding us. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with my time, but I felt calm. I just wish people would stop staring. I hated Aryan for leaving me alone like this. He had succeeded in making me feel small.

I dipped my hand into the cool water and smiled when small fish darted toward me, expecting food. I didn’t have any, but their wriggling against my fingers made me laugh softly. The tingling sensation on my skin was oddly comforting.

Then, suddenly, something-or someone hit me from behind.

I toppled into the water.

Coldness engulfed me. My skin, my eyes, my lungs, everything was swallowed by it. I gasped, thrashing my arms, but my legs wouldn’t respond. I tried to scream.

“Help!” I cried, slapping the water in panic. My limbs flailed. I couldn’t swim, not like this.

Water filled my nose, my ears, and my throat. The world around me blurred.

Just when I thought I was slipping away, sinking into nothing, someone pulled me out.

______

Chapter 27

AVNI

A strong hand gripped me beneath my arms and pulled me out of the water, and into the air. I choked and sputtered as water gushed from my mouth. My lungs screamed for air, and I coughed violently, each breath slicing through me like glass. My soaked hair clung to my face, and my clothes felt heavy and cold, dripping around me.

The world spun in chaotic blurs of flashing movement, muffled voices, and the steady trickle of the fountain nearby, as if nothing had happened, like the world hadn’t nearly lost me.

“Breathe. You’re okay. Just breathe,” a deep voice murmured close to my ear.

It wasn’t Aryan. Of course it wasn’t. If it had been him, he wouldn’t have pulled me out; he would have let me drown, allowing the water to claim me without a flicker of regret. That was who he was now. But why did that thought still make me angry?

“Ma’am…” the voice said again, gentle and grounding.

I blinked rapidly, clearing the water from my lashes. A man knelt beside me, concern etched in his eyes. He wore white linen, his sleeves rolled up, now soaked from dragging me out. He was one of the hotel staff.

“Are you okay?” he asked, draping a towel over my shoulders with careful hands. “Are you hurt?”

Was I hurt? I didn’t know. My legs always ached, but that was nothing new. Now, my whole body trembled, not from the cold, but from shock. I could have died. If he hadn’t come on time…

“I… I fell,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I don’t know how. I just… fell.” His brows pulled together in confusion. “Fell?”

I glanced around, my heart pounding. The spot where I’d been sitting was empty. No one nearby, no shadows, no footsteps and no trace of whoever or whatever had shoved me into the water.

“I don’t think it was an accident,” I said quietly. “I think somebody tried to…” My voice trailed off, embarrassment rising like bile in my throat. What must he be thinking? Was I being hysterical? Who would even do something like that?

“Do you remember anyone near you?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No. I didn’t see anyone. Just… something hit me. Hard.”