Page 9 of Protect my Heart

Guilt sinks into my stomach like a stone. God. She doesn’t even know yet. The thing I’m about to drop on her is way worse than just disappearing. I love Bhabhi like I love Aditi—she’sfamily in every way that matters. She's kind, warm, and strong in that quiet way. When I see her with Bhai, sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever have something like that.

But right now? That dream feels far, far away.

Before I can open my mouth, Anika takes a small step forward. Bhabhi’s gaze draws to her, confusion all over her face.

“Who’s this?” she asks, looking between us.

I glance at Anika, then back at Bhabhi. My hand reaches for hers without thinking. Her fingers slip into mine, cold and hesitant. I grip them tighter.

“She’s my wife,” I say, voice low but steady.

Bhabhi’s eyes widen as if I just slapped her with the words. A gasp escapes as her hands come up to her mouth. A beat or two passes as she stares at Anika, then at me, then back again.

“What... what?” She stammers.

I don’t say anything. I just hold onto Anika’s hand like it’s the only thing keeping me grounded. My hand unknowingly tightens around her, and she flinches in hold.

Bhabhi looks at Anika up and down. I can see her brain trying to catch up, putting the pieces together. When it finally hits, her expression changes from confusion to disbelief. Maybe horror.

“What have you done, Aarav?” She whisper-questions, almost like she doesn’t want to believe it.

“It’s... complicated,” I mutter, and it is. Every part of this is messy and tangled and way beyond anything I ever imagined.

“Does anyone else know?” she asks, her voice quieter now.

I shake my head slowly. Nope. Just us, and now her.

She looks at Anika again, and this time something shifts in her expression. Her gaze softens. She steps forward and holds out her hand.

“You must be tired,” she says gently.

Anika hesitates for a second; her hand wriggles in mine as if contemplating, but then she nods and takes Bhabhi’s hand. Bhabhi leads Anika to the couch like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I just stand there. Frozen.

Confusion swirls in me as I watch Anika settle on the couch. I don't get it. She’s not yelling, not crying, not angry. She seems... okay. Too okay. It’s almost unsettling. She put up a fight and questioned my actions but did not, for once, walk away from the wedding.

“Who’s there, Shivani?” Maa’s voice cuts through from the hallway and my thoughts. Her hair’s tied in a bun, her eyes sleepy like she just woke up from a nap. Then she sees me. Her face lights up with a mix of shock and relief.

She rushes over and hugs me tightly. “You idiot!” she snaps, thwacking the back of my head. “You didn’t think to inform your mother before vanishing?”

I close my eyes and let myself sink into the hug. Her warmth melts the tension in me. It feels safe. It feels like home. But I know it’s not going to last.

“Chachi,” Bhabhi calls quietly, as if scared to break the news to her. Maa turns her head, her gaze landing on Anika.

Her smile slowly fades as a frown pulls up her face. “Who’s this?” she asks slowly, looking between us.

Anika walks toward us and turns to Maa. She bends forward to touch her feet, but Maa stops her midway and pulls her into a hug instead. She stares at her for a second, and then something clicks. “Anika? Is that you?”

Anika nods, tears welling in her eyes. “Yes, aunty. It’s me.”

They hug, and for a second, everything’s soft and warm again. But then Maa turns to me, and just like that, the warmth evaporates.

“What happened?”

I clear my throat.

“Maa…" My throat tightens; I don't know how to break the news. A deep breath escapes me as I step back and announce, "I married her."

Maa tilts her face. "Anika's my wife.”