“Yes, Mishti,” Divya placed her hand over hers. “Daksh swore on me thatKarangave him that offer. Daksh thought it was the only way to save the company, and Karan seemed… determined.”
Mishti’s heart pounded as she tried to make sense of it. “But… why?” she murmured. “Why would he want to marry me? I thought Bhai offered my hand in marriage to save his company, and Karan agreed out of spite or arrogance… but ifhewas the one who proposed it…” She trailed off, her mind trying to connect dots, but failed.
Nothing about Karan Wadhwa made sense anymore. He wasn’t using her for gain; he never had. He didn’t seem interested in her as a wife, nor did he appear to want anything in return for this marriage. So, what had driven him to it?
Her fingers gripped the edge of her shawl, her lips parting slightly in confusion, “Why would a man like him want to marry someone like me?” she whispered, almost to herself.
Divya watched her with concern, torn between pity and helplessness. Mishti’s innocence, her pure heart, was something Divya had always admired. But looking at her now, bewildered and hurting, she could only reach out and stroke her cheek gently.
“What’s not to like in you?” Divya asked softly. “Any man would want you as his better half, Mishti. You are a different wife breed altogether. So innocent, dutiful and loving. But if you still want to know, then maybe you should ask Karan that someday.”
Mishti gave a faint nod, but deep down, she knew she never would. Some truths were far too dangerous to seek, especially when they came wrapped in the nameKaran Wadhwa. And even if she asked him that, would he give her the truth? Probably not!
*****************
Night
Maria came down the stairs, balancing the food tray with care. Since Karan had returned from the office, Mishti had insisted that Maria take the dinner into his room. He had refused to come downstairs. He had even refused to look at thefood she’d cooked and warned Maria in front of the whole staff that if he was ever served anything made by Mishti again, he would fire every servant in the house.
Mishti’s heart had stuttered when she heard it. She could not let it be. She would not be the kind of woman who let words push her back into a corner without answering.
“Give it to me,” she told Maria softly, reaching for the tray.
“Ma’am… sir will shout again. Please don’t force him.”
“I know what I have to do, Maria. I need to sort this out, once and for all.”
Maria hesitated, then nodded, worry creasing her brow. “I’m only saying this because I care, Ma’am. Sir can be… worse than usual. Please be careful.”
“I will handle him,” Mishti said, and, carrying the plate from Maria, she went toward his room.
The door was slightly ajar. Mishti paused for a breath before stepping inside.
Karan was standing by the window, his back to her. The moment he saw her in the reflection, he turned around.
“You are not welcome here in this room. How many times should I remind you of that?”
She set the tray down on the side table and met him without flinching.
“I cooked this for you,” she said simply.
“And that’s exactly why I don’t want to eat it.”
“But you ate the gajar halwa I made yesterday,” she said quietly.
“That’s because Rajat tricked me into eating it,” he snapped. “I would’ve never done that otherwise. And next time…” he warned, “stop playing such tricks through others.”
“If you have so many problems with me, if I’m not allowed in your room, if I can’t cook for you, if you don’t even look at me asyour wife, then why didyoupropose to Daksh Bhai for my hand in marriage?”
He hadn’t expected her to know. For a second, the room held only his breathing before he snapped. “Out.”
Mishti’s frustration rose the same instant. “I will not leave until you answer me,” she replied before she could hold back. “If you were so desperate to marry me, if you could almost blackmail my brother so he’d agree to hand over his sister to you, then why are you throwing me away? Why make me suffer? Until now, I thought this marriage had been forced on you by my brother. Maybe Daksh Bhai had done the bargaining, maybe you only agreed. But now I knowyouproposed. For what, Karan? Why would you take a woman you did not know, who you do not look at with love, who you refuse to touch with kindness, and make her your wife? Why?”
He did not answer with words. Instead, he strode to her, held her arm and dragged her to the door. She fought his grip with stubbornness, but he was stronger.
She stumbled out into the corridor the moment he let go of her hand.
“I married you to watch you walk on thorns, every single day,” he finally told her. “You’re here becauseIwant you to be. You’ll stay becauseIdecide so. You don’t get to question my choices or my reasons, Mishti. This—” he gestured between them, “— our marriage is exactly how it’s meant to be. Cold, untouched and without any feelings involved. So, get that into your head. And don’t you dare ask me this again.”
