Page 94 of Mrs. Rathore

“I will… after I take a bath,” I said, managing a small smile.

“Don’t take too long.” She walked off, and I sighed in relief.

I hated pretending everything was fine when I was crumbling inside.

With the help of my crutches, I got into the bathroom and sank into the bathtub. I had no intention of coming out not until Aryan left. I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to talk to him. I couldn't even bear to say goodbye. The next time he would return from duty, I wouldn’t be here. He would only find divorce papers waiting for him.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been sitting there when Rhea knocked on the door. “Bhabhi, Bhai is leaving and asking for you. Please come out…”

She knocked again, louder. “Bhabhi!”

“I can’t, Rhea. I’m taking a bath!” I shouted back.

“He wants to see you,” she insisted.

“Then why doesn’t he come himself? Why does he keep sending you?”

“Fine,” she replied playfully. “I’ll send him in, maybe he’s what you need for a little romance.” Her teasing footsteps faded as she walked away.

I stayed in the bathtub, nervously biting my nails. He wouldn’t come, and I wouldn’t go out. End of story.

Or so I thought until I heard a soft knock at the door.

“Avni…”

It was his voice again, the same voice that had haunted me since yesterday.

“Are you in there? Can you come out for just a few minutes?”

“No,” I replied coldly.

“Just a moment?” he asked again, gentler this time.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Damn it—how did he always make me cry so easily?

“Avni…” he said again, almost a whisper.

I pressed my hand over my mouth, stifling the sobs trapped in my throat. I didn’t want him to hear me cry.

The silence stretched, but I could sense he was still standing on the other side, waiting.

I swallowed hard and forced my voice to be steady. “Good luck on your journey, Aryan.”

There was a pause before he spoke again. “Are your legs okay?”

I didn’t answer. A single tear slid down my cheek as his concern pierced through me.

I heard him sigh deeply, followed by the sound of footsteps pacing slowly, thoughtfully. And then… nothing. Silence. He was gone.

And the moment I realized he had truly left, I broke. The tears came fast and hard.

I didn’t even know why I was crying. Was it the pain in my leg or the ache in my chest from watching Aryan walk away?

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my breath, trying to steady my racing heart. When I finally felt composed enough, I got out, showered, and stepped back into the bedroom.

The emptiness hit me like a slap. His absence settled in the room like a cold shadow.

Then something caught my eye. It was a red box sitting quietly on the dresser.