The quiet bedroom in Anant’s wing of the house was warm, smelling faintly of sandalwood and fresh jasmine.

Bhargavi sat on the edge of the carved wooden bed, her hands trembling violently beneath the heavy gold border of her silk saree. Her heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Memories of her mother crying in the dark corner of their village home flashed behind her eyes.

Pati Parmeshwar hota hai,Bhargavi...woh jo kahein, jo karein, chup chhap sehna. Tumhara koi wajood nahi hai unke bina.

A sudden knock and then Bhargavi instantly scrambled up from the bed, bowing her head, her breath hitching in her throat. She stood completely stiff, her knuckles white as she squeezed her saree pallu.

Anant stepped inside, loosening his collar. Seeing her standing there like a nervous statue, he offered a soft, quiet smile. Bhargavi? Tum abhi tak khadi ho? Baith jao, please. Tum thak gayi hogi.

Hearing the tone gentle command she immediately folded her hands, her voice barely a whisper. Ji... ji, Aap jaisa kahein. Main... main aapke pair daba doon? Aap din bhar se thak gaye honge.

Anant froze mid-step, looking at her in complete shock.

He looked at her wide, terrified eyes and the subtle tremble in her chin and the way she shrank back as if expecting a blow. The Ayurvedic doctor in him, trained to read the subtle energy of a human body, instantly caught the deep, suffocating anxiety radiating off her.

It's Not anxiety She is afraid of something Anant Thought to himself.

Bhargavi....Anant said softly, taking a slow step back to give her space, lowering his voice to an absolute murmur. Mujhe mere pair nahi dabwane. Aur na hi tumhein mere samne aise khade rehne ki zaroorat hai.

Bhargavi swallowed hard, her eyes darting to the floor, terrified that she had already displeased him. Maaf kar dijiye... mujhse koi galti ho gayi? Main... main achhi patni banne ki poori koshish karungi, Aap please gussa mat hoi'ye. Humare paas toh dene ko dahej bhi nahi tha, aapne phir bhi mujhe —

Stop. Please, Anant interrupted her gently, his chest aching with a sudden realisation with was heavy for him to bear.

Am I thinking too much? He thought.

He didn't know the full story yet , he didn't know about the village boy she had wept for, nor the scars left by her father's hand but he knew one thing with absolute certainty : His Wife was Terrified of him.

Anant walked over to the closet, pulled out a clean set of comfortable cotton clothes, and placed them softly on the side table near her. He kept a respectful three-foot distance.

Is ghar me dahej ka naam bhi mat lena, Bhargavi, Anant said calmly, his eyes holding a steady, unshakeable warmth. Aur main koi 'Parmeshwar' nahi hoon. Main ek aam insaan hoon. Ek doctor hoon.Aur tumhari marzi ke bina, iss kamre me kuch nahi hoga. Tumhe jab tak zaroorat ho, tum apna waqt lo. Main sofa par so jaunga.

Bhargavi stared at him, completely speechless.

She watched as the rich, quiet doctor simply took a blanket, walked over to the sofa, and turned off the main lights, leaving only a dim lamp burning beside her.

Sitting on the bed in the quiet dark, Bhargavi touched her cold hands to her cheeks. She was still harboring her resentment, still bitter about her broken love, and still deeply suspicious of his kindness she was convinced it was just a facade, a drama.

But for the very first night in her life, a man hadn't demanded her submission.

Kya main inhe Galat samajh rahi hun? Bhargavi thought.

Hey Prabhu, Aap bas itni kripa karna ki Jo bhi ho mujhse kabhi kuch galat na ho, Main Jaane Anjaane me Koi Adharm ya Paap na kar dun, Aur Bhargavi ko hurt na kar dun He prayed to the God.

And as Anant lay silently on the sofa, quietly praying for Bhagwan ji to give him the patience to heal whatever broken spirit had walked into his life, the long, slow journey of unlearning her trauma had finally begun.

Bhargavi's Pov

I was sitting on the bed after pheras thinking of what this Man could do to me. I was so afraid of him. I don't even know how he looks actually I only know his physique is good.

And Then I was thinking about my Mother and how she had told me to fulfill my duties.

And then Suddenly Knock on the door and he entered and I saw his face, He looks so good. Better than my expectations actually.

And then I remembered what my mom told me to do and I did but his reply made me speechless. He is not bad or is he bad?

I don't know whether it's a facade or not. But nonetheless I have to fulfill my duty as my mom told me to.

Flashback

10 years ago

Bhargavi's Parents

Mom : Brings food which is slightly hot

Dad : Ye khana garm kyu nahi hai

Mom : touched the food Hain toh garam

Dad : Drags her to the kitchen and puts her hand on pan

Mom : Ahhhh.... Nahi .....

Dad : Ab samajh aa gaya ki garam kya hota hai ya phir aur samjhaun

Mom : Shakes her head

I woke up suddenly and found him with a glass of water and He was maintaining a distance and he kept the glass on the table and looked at me.

Anant's pov

I was sleeping on the sofa or you could say that I was pretending to sleep.

I couldn't sleep actually, When I entered I saw her and realised that she is beautiful and nothing is wrong with her but when she talked to me as if I am a dictator. But Why ? Did I do something wrong?

Then I looked at her from sofa and She was lying on the bed and she was gasping for breath and then I rushed to the kitchen and brought a glass of water for her.

I know she'll get afraid of me so I kept my distance and I went closer to bed but still away from her.

Can I sit here? I asked her and she nodded and then I sit on the corner of bed and then I asked her Can I touch you? If you are comfortable? No pressure. If you don't want You can say no. She simply nodded and I didn't touch her because I don't know why she nodded. Ofcourse she can speak, but looks like she doesn't want to talk to me.

I got up from the bed and then went out of room. To give her some space. I stood for 2 minutes then I heard her voice.

Suniye... Aap mujhse naraz mat hoiyega Main woh– She spoke as if she did a crime.

Bhargavi please... I cut her off suddenly and entered the room and then I didn't say anything to her. She was just standing by the bed again.