Chapter - Heart beneath the ice ?

Chapter - Heart beneath the ice ?

Sanyogita's eyelids twitched as a shaft of sunshine slipped through the narrow gap in the curtains and golden lights streamed over the wide, king sized bed .

Her body shifted lazily under the blanket as she turned on her stomach , until her eyes fluttered , snapped shot .

Then…

With a jolt of shock she sat upright, her hammering against her ribs . Her breathing ragged as her gaze swept over her surroundings , at last her gaze landed back on to the bed beneath her .

How did I come here ?

When …did I come here?

Her throat went dry . A gust of chil air brushed her skin , she thought. She had no habit of sleepwalking. So that didn't make sense. She shook her head .

The stillness was pierced by the metallic sound of a turning knob .

And there he was.

Prithviraj Singhaniya strode out from the adjoining , wrapped in crisp fabric which demanded attention and authority. His aura seemed to carry the unshaken belief that the world bent to his will.

Without sparing a glance, he stood before the mirror. His broad shoulders dominate the safe . His hand was busy slipping his seeks wristwatch with a casual precision.

Sanyogita's heart lurched . Fear gripped around her like a second skin , creepy and suffocating. She slid off the bed in a rush and stood before him by blocking his path, her fists trembling while her jawline was stiff.

“ How did I come here?” Her voice was taut, her face was burning crimson , as shame and suspicion clawed at her .

Prithvi didn't respond first. Memory of their yesterday night brief kiss making him discomfort still .

“ I asked you how would I come here? She hissed ,this time giving more weight to her query " And don't give me any lame excuses that I walked in my sleep !” Her chest heaving up and down

Prithvi’s hands paused mid-motion as he adjusted his tie. For a brief second, his eyes flickered — can be hesitation or guilt, or restraint? He couldn't decipher.

“ It's natural, ”He said finally ,his voice was steady but evasive “ only two people reside in this room…I take you to the bed” he shrugged , feigning nonchalance.

Her eyes widened with furry “ How dare you touch me ?? she hissed , her breathing grew heavy , chest heaving with restrained rage ," Who gives you the right to come near me?...”

He opened his mouth to speak , but she surged forward , cutting him off , her words lashing like whips.

“ I know you’ve every intention to touch me . But now let me clear to you today Mr Singhaniya. Being my husband won't give you the licence to come near to me without my permission. “Perhaps in the world's eyes we are married, but to me , you'll never be my husband " Sanyogita's eyes was burning with furry while her voice laced with disgust.

Prithvi's jaw clenched, his breath grew sharper . For a moment he simply stared at her , unblinking and unreadable. Until anger and humiliation tightening every muscle in his frame.

When he spoke, his voice left her frozen on the floor . “ Enough!”

His piercing gaze darted over her angry expression “ keep whatever filthy image you've made of me in your mind — I give a damn shit about it . But don't you dare mistake me for a man who waits for opportunities to touch you . Mujhe koi shauk nahi hai tumhe choone ka.. aur na hi tumhare kareeb aane ka moka dhundh raha hoon”

Her breath hitched , but he stepped closer dangerously than before, his eyes were in blaze , unflinching.

He continued with gritted teeth , “ You had a fever last night. I only helped you…That's all. But if it offend you so much , then fine . Next time you can rot and die — I won't check on you again “

He stared at her with disgust and left the room without waiting for her response.

Sanyogita's expression turned confused. Her furry wavering as doubt crept into her chest.

“Fever?”

Her body did feel heavier suddenly than usual. Memories of the previous night flicker back , before she does ..her body was lethargic , the strange heat in her skin.

Prithvi's words hung in the air . Without waiting for her reply, he grabbed his coat , bag and stepped out of the room.

The door slamming shut behind him.

……

“ Was he telling the truth? Did he really…Just help ? Or was that just a convenient excuse ? Questions propel in her mind

Her deep reverie came a halt by a knock on the door .

Pranali stepped inside with a tray of streaming coffee , roasted bread , boiled egg and juice.

“ Good morning beta” She greeted her warmly , placing the tray on the side of the table"how are you feeling right now ? Is the fever gone?"

Sanyogita blinked, her confusion deepening “ Fever…?"

Pranali smiled knowingly. “Yes. Didn’t you know?.. Maybe you were too drowsy when Prithvi told me this morning. He said you had a fever last night, and asked me to take care of you. I even made soup—whenever he’s unwell, he only wants to eat food cooked by my hands. Says only his mother’s cooking carries magic to cure him faster.”

Sanyogita forced a faint smile. Her heart twisting suddenly , making her uncomfortable or embarrassed .

Pranali continued as she came near and brushed a hand over Sanyogita's hair and back in a tender caress, a motherly affection “ I’m very glad, truly happy at last , to see son finally taking care of his wife . Finally, you've made him a responsible husband "

Sanyogita was thrilled. The words lodged like a thorn in her chest.

“But… , alas !” She slapped her right hand over her forehead “ He was okay in the early morning but didn't know what happened to his mood . He was looking

dismayed and left in a hurry for his office. Something weighed on his mind. I have to send his lunch…he hadn't had his breakfast”

Sanyogita's face burned with embarrassment, guilt, and stubborn pride colliding all at once.

Pranali talked a little longer , suggesting she should rest and if a fever has returned again they would call for their family doctor.

Sanyogita flashed a tiny nod, a simple smile plastered her face.

But inside, her mind was in a conflict . His words, his anger, his disgust, and the shadow of her own doubts kept revolving again and again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“ How dare she?" He muttered under his breath , his body was still burning with disgust. “ How dare she accuse me ...bring such filthy allegations against me ?"

Every word she lurched at him still pricked him like a dagger.. “ Husband or not ! I don't care , but how could she glare at me with such hatred ? With such mistrust?”

Prithvi was in his office , attending a meeting. A boardroom full of suited executives droning on about the number of profits, new projects, and reports.

But he wasn’t listening.

Her voice echoed in his head.

“How dare you touch me ??

"Who gives you the right to come near me?...”

“Perhaps in the world's eyes we are married, but to me , you'll never be my husband “

“ Damn it!" He said in his mind. As his goldman brain occupied like ghosts in his nightmares.

His thoughts drifted back to last night. Her fevered face , her warm skin felt hot against his chest when he carried her in bridal style.

The faint sigh she let out in her sleep when he tucked the blanket around her . He shouldn't have stayed . He should have walked away.

But his eyes deceive him last night, making him greedy. The dangerous closeness of him to hers . His lips tingled with the phantom memory of brushing hers.

He was ashamed .

In the morning he dismissed the matter shutting off all the rubbish from his mind ..but it was enough to haunt him during his working hours.

“Sir…?” one of the managers spoke in the middle of the presentation.

Prithvi's tiger eyes snapped open , as he pulled back to reality. He straightened his composure and forced his expression back to his normal form , masking the turmoil clawing inside him.

“Continue,” he ordered flatly, leaning back in his chair.

But as the meeting continued , the same thought kept whirling his mind like a forbidden addiction.

*************

Sanyogita was sitting on a swing of the vast balcony of Singhaniya Palace. The softness of the plush cushion pressed under her weight. From the fifteen floor , the city

stretched out beneath her .

A gentle afternoon breeze danced with her long hair, floating the baby strands like silk ribbons.

Her eyes , however, were far away, fixed particularly at nothing, weighing down by thoughts she couldn't name .

“ Hey, Gita bhabhi, where have you lost ? Aren't you thinking about big bro?” He teased

Sanyogita's deep reverie broke when a familiar voice startled her .

Her lashes fluttered open, and saw Pranav, her brother-in-law was grinning at her like a mischievous schoolboy .

The mere mention of Prithvi’s name sent a quick tremor through her chest.

“Again his name.” Why GOD ? he isn't around me yet still his name following me everywhere I go ”

Pranav, meanwhile, had already noticed her guitar resting like an abandoned child on the bean bag.

However, he handed her a steaming cup of elaichi tea before plopping down beside her on the swing.

“ Good morning, bhabhi " he greeted with exaggerated formality,

Sanyogita took the cup with her hands , its spicy sweet aroma soothing her nostrils and when she brought the cup to her mouth and started sipping “Umm!! Just love the tea of Mom hands …”

Pranav grinned “ Offcourse as she is our Mom's. Mrs Pranali Singhaniya, only one who can made such delicious loving tea"

Sanyogita's nodded her head in and asked “ I know but pls stopped telling Mom to make tea so often …? I've lost count since the morning”

“ Don't sorry bhabhi . Just think about the fact that a tea addict lives here in this house. And when you get well soon , make tea for Mom. Additional Samosas as a side snack. If she say she doesn't like them, but

me , I'll always be ready to finish the whole plate” he grinned flashing his white teeth

Sanyogita chuckled, the first sound of lightness in her voice all day.

Pranav leaned back dramatically. “ Waise , sach bolun bhabhi… you make better tea than the staff . There , I said it.

“But shh!” He put his index on his lips , his eyes was full of teenage boyish look

“ Don't tell them though unless they will take revenge and stop making my favourite butter chicken on weekends” Pranav dimple deepened, his eyes crinkling

Sanyogita's smile widened “ don't worry Mr. Brother-in-law, your secret’s safe with me . But you better stop calling me Gita Bhabhi in that teasing tone , next time I'll add neem leaves in your chai “

They both burst into laughter , the sound echoing in the open air of the balcony.

But then , as the laughter ebbed, Sanyogita found her curiosity gripped her . Her voice softened “ you and your brother…you're very close , aren't you ?

Pranav's grin returned, but this time with warmth “ Oh ! Yes . But we show love in weird ways . I annoy him and he threatens to throw me off the terrace. Classic brotherhood”

Sanyogita smiled faintly, but her eyes lingered with thought. “You’re so easy-going, always joking… He, on the other hand, is so guarded, so serious. A huge contrast to you . Always wearing that bossy, ruthless, arrogant mask.”

Pranav's giggle “ Have you fought with him ? That's why aap unki buraiya kar rahi hai!" His expression softened gradually.

Sanyogita lips pressed together , saying nothing.

Pranav leaned forward, resting his interlocked fingers in between his knees , “ Yes a little bit agree with you . But Bhabhi , the bossy , ruthless Prithviraj Singhaniya…that's only for the world. ”

Sanyogita's intrigued and curious gaze remained fixed on her younger brother in law.

Pranav gave a tiny nod “ When Dad passed away suddenly, I was just a kid then . Ten years old . Prithvi bhaiya was barely twenty. Do you know what most people do at that age?

Most people at that age are still stuck with figuring out which phone to buy or what movie to watch. , hanging out with friends , having girlfriends, dating, casual hook ups , and late night parties. But he..he ? Pranav's gaze drifted towards the horizon .

His voice was steady, laced with pride “ He stepped into Dad's shoes overnight!"

Sanyogita's mouth was a gap..,the teacup still in her hands.

Pranav continued, “ He has helped Mom since a very young age. He attended meetings, convinced shareholders, and negotiated deals with men twice his age who didn't take him seriously. And often laugh behind his back. And while doing all that …he still did his studies, sat for exams, came home and checked on Mom whether she is okay ! Look at me , if I'm doing well both mentally and physically.

“Bhabhi, can you imagine, he had carried the weight of our family and an empire at an age when others can't even carry their own textbooks properly"

Sanyogita's chest tightened . She had never imagined this ice hearted man could have a heart wrenching adolescent age.

Pranav continued farther, his voice transforming with emotions “ He had so much endurance. That's our bhaiya. He doesn't wear his pain like a badge. When we need help from our closest one , Dad's old friends, most of them show their back to us . So that's why he became serious and guarded to others but very possessive and extra protective for his family. At such a young age he had an experience as an elderly”

He never says I love you, Bhabhi… but he shows it. Through sacrifice. Through responsibility. Through silence.”

“ Maybe you see his arrogance. But I've seen him cry alone in his car outside the when Maa was sick and hospitalized once. I've seen him go alfoness for days when I quarrel with him for being extra possessive for me and interfering with my personal life. I told him not to try to be my father . He went silent for a few days and gave me freedom …but I knew it hurt him.

I saw him in his room when the world was busy partying, celebrating such a young age ..He doesn't say “I love you" ..but he shows it—through responsibility, protection, sacrifice "

He isn't ruthless Bhabhi.. he's just never had the luxury of being carefree.”

Sanyogita's gaze drifted to the horizon , gazing at nothing.

Her heart unexpectedly gets heavy as if she can see Prithvi's childhood unfolding before her.

Her father had never given her attention she had longed for as a child . And on the other side there was a boy , barely twenty then, who had buried his desires only to provide his family a peaceful life .

She blinked , feeling something shifted within her. The callous , icy image she had for him was now blurring with something else...” Mr.Khadoss Singhania, you aren't khadoos at all.”