Twisted Hearts – Chapter 11

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Aditya woke up to find Pallavi sleeping with her head resting on his chest and her arm wrapped around his waist. His heart skipped a beat. His mind urged him to move away but his heart held him back. The fear that she might leave him at any moment made him stay still.

“Aadhi…” Pavi mumbled in her sleep and clutching his shirt tightly against his chest. Aditya swallowed, overwhelmed by the depth of her love even in her sleep.

Carefully, he slipped out from her hold and went into the bathroom to get ready. Once done, he stepped out of the room quietly, making sure not to disturb her sleep and gently closed the door behind him.

His mother served him coffee with a teasing smile. He rolled his eyes and casually scrolled through his phone while sipping it. He watched the wedding clicks, selfies and the status of Pallavi, the photo of them after the wedding. He set their wedding selfie as his dp and continued to stare at the photo.

Deepika entered, carrying a casserole. Aditya smiled at her, trying to keep things normal and avoid any awkwardness. She returned the smile, placed the dish on the dining table and sat opposite him.

Before they could speak, the bedroom door opened. Pallavi stepped out, looking gloomy. She glanced at Aditya, her eyes were filled with displeasure and immediately she turned back into the room.

Aditya looked confused but Deepika noticed everything, the untouched saree, the neat hair that confirmed clearly that nothing had happened between them the previous night.

“What happened between you two? Didn’t you say you love her? Then why is she upset? And… from how she looks, it’s obvious nothing happened last night. Is it because you still haven’t moved on from me?” Deepika asked hesitantly.

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

Aditya looked at her with his jaws clenched in anger.

“When did you start thinking and speaking so low? You are my best friend and Pavi’s sister, but don’t cross your limits and interfere in our personal and private matters. Pavi would never be upset with me.” he said sharply and with that, he walked into the room and shut the door behind him.

Pallavi was lying on the bed and Aditya sat beside her gently caressing her hair.

“What happened, Pavi? Are you okay?” he asked softly and reached for her hand but she pulled her hand away.

“Stop treating me like a patient. Today is the first morning after our wedding and I wanted to wake up seeing your face but you left me alone.” she said and her voice trembled slightly from disappointment.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears and turned away from him.

“I didn’t want to disturb your sleep, Pavi. I was just going to have coffee and come back to you. It was never my intention to leave you alone and I will never leave you.” Aditya replied calmly.

Pallavi slowly turned toward him and her expression softened. She grabbed his collar and pulled him closer.

Aditya was caught off guard, he lost his balance and fell over her. Pallavi blushed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you, Aadhi… I love you so much. I know you’ll never leave me and I’ll never leave you too.” she whispered and kissed his forehead gently.

Her gaze then drifted to his lips. Aditya smiled softly but moved away, adjusting his collar.

Pallavi looked disappointed but chose to let it go. She watched as Aditya pulled a trolley out from under the bed.

“Pavi, get ready. Let’s check if you have packed everything. We shall spend some time with the family before we leave in the evening,” he said and she nodded her head before walking into the bathroom.

Aditya was about to leave the room but paused when he caught his reflection in the mirror. His hair was disheveled, his shirt slightly creased near the collar and a faint mark of Pavi’s lipstick was visible on his forehead.

He walked out, pretending to be on a call. Deepika, who had been waiting, noticed his state and her heart sank. Without saying a word, she quietly walked away.

Aditya returned to the room adjusting his shirt and wiped away the lipstick mark.

Both families spent the day together, sharing breakfast and lunch. Later, Aditya and Pallavi packed all their things and he tried to close the trolley. He found it difficult so Pallavi sat on it to help him shut it properly. He chuckled and playfully pinched her nose.

Just then, they heard Pallavi’s father calling and stepped out of the room.

“Pavi, go get your handbag and check if you have left anything behind,” Aditya said, turning his attention to her father.

“Aadhi, did you pack her medical files? Please call me and let me know how she’s doing. I’m worried she will be alone at home once you return to work.” her father asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Uncle, please don’t worry. I will work from home on alternate days and I will arrange for a maid to stay with her when I’m not around. My colleague has already set up an appointment with a specialist. I’ll take good care of her.” Aditya reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“I know you will. I just didn’t expect you to leave the city so soon. I wasn’t prepared for this.” her father said softly and wiped away his tears.

They heard footsteps and turned to see Pallavi returning with her handbag and a duffel bag.

“Aadhi, I have packed everything,” she said and her father pulled her into a tight hug.

“Pallavi, take good care of yourself. Don’t do anything that might put you in danger. Always listen to Aadhi. Don’t trouble him and be a good girl. Call me every day and if you miss me, just call. I will come to you immediately.” he said and his voice broke at the end.

Pallavi broke down and cried against his chest. Aditya gently pulled her aside and wiped her tears.

“Hey stop crying, Pavi. We are not going abroad. Delhi is just two hours away. And if you keep crying, I’ll have to punish you and there won’t be anyone to save you. I won’t even buy you ice cream.” he said softly to distract her.

She immediately slapped his arm lightly and her father smiled through his tears at their playful moment.

Aditya carried the trolley out one by one and soon the family left for the airport. After reaching, everyone gathered to bid them goodbye.

Deepika stepped forward as if to hug Aditya but he subtly stepped back and wrapped his arm around Pallavi’s shoulder instead.

Pallavi’s father hugged both of them, his heart was heavy with emotion and fear. Aditya gently squeezed his hand and silently reassured him.

The couple bid goodbye to their family and headed inside the airport. Aditya stopped pushing the luggage trolley and gently wiped the tears from Pallavi’s cheeks.

“Come on, Pavi, weare stepping into a new journey. Stop crying. It’s not like we are living in the Stone Age. You can video call them anytime. Now be a good girl.” he said softly and she nodded, trying to compose herself.

They boarded the flight and Pallavi leaned against his shoulder. She held his hand and played with his fingers before slowly interlacing them.

Aditya closed his eyes, a heaviness settled in his chest and he felt like he was being unfair to both her and himself.

“How much do you love me, Aadhi?” Pallavi asked, looking into his eyes.

“I can give up anything for you, Pavi. You are more important to me than my own happiness. If needed, I would even give my life to save you.” he said quietly.

Pallavi stared at him, shocked by the depth of his words. Then she frowned and lightly hit his forehead.

“Idiot, Why would you give your life for me? You talk as if I’m dying. And even if I am, don’t ever save me by losing your life. I’m nothing without you and I wouldn’t survive even a day without you.” she said and Aditya’s heart softened at her words.

“Why do you always talk about death? Do you think I could survive without you?” he asked gently.

“Nothing will happen to you. God knows I can’t live without you, so he won’t let anything happen to you. If anything,  I’ll be the one to leave this world first.” she said with certainty.

“And of course, you will survive and even marry someone else”, she added playfully but her teasing hit him harder than she expected.

His expression hardened and he pulled his hand away, his jaw tightened. Pallavi immediately realized her mistake.

“Aadhi… I’m sorry. I was just joking. Please don’t be angry with me.” she said softly and held his arm.

Aditya remained silent and his mind was in turmoil. He was already struggling with the fear of losing her and trying to move forward with her and her words only deepened that fear. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest.

Pallavi looked at him, guilt washing over her.

“I promise I’ll be a good wife. I will never hurt you again. I was just kidding.  I know you love me and you will never look at anyone else. I’m sorry, hubby.” she whispered near his ear and her breath brushed against his skin.

Aditya swallowed as her closeness affected him.

“It’s okay, Pavi get some rest,” he said, without opening his eyes.

“I thought we could talk and enjoy our first flight together ” she murmured sadly resting her head on his shoulder.

He didn’t respond but he struggled to hold back his emotions.

” I wanted to make her happy, to give her everything, But I’m the one hurting her. She deserves joy, she deserves to live every moment of being a newlywed. She sees me as her hero but I’m ruining her peace” he thought and quietly wiped away the tears before they could fall.

They landed in Delhi and Aditya collected their luggage while Pallavi waited silently beside him. He hadn’t spoken to her since their conversation on the flight and an unfamiliar heaviness settled in her heart.

They got into a cab and noticing how quiet she was, Aditya touched her forehead and then her neck.

“Pavi, what happened? You are too quiet,” he asked and she gave a faint smile but tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Please forgive me, Aadhi. I didn’t mean what I said. I was just being playful like always but I’ll change. I’ll be more responsible, like Deepika. Please don’t avoid me… please talk to me.” she whispered.

Aditya immediately cupped her face and wiped her tears.

“Stupid girl. I can never stay angry with you. Yes, your words hurt me but I have already let it go. I was just thinking about our new home. I have only seen it through video calls so I was wondering if you would like it” he said gently and pulled her closer.

”  Listen, don’t cry over silly things and you don’t have to change. I love my Pavi just the way she is.” he said and relief washed over her. She pinched his arm lightly.

“Next time if you stop talking to me, I’ll fight you. WWE style and I’ll win ” she said and Aditya chuckled at her words.

“Oh really? Then next time you stop talking, I’ll fight you too. Same WWE and I’ll win. Look at these arms just like John Cena.” he said pinching her arm.

“Ouch Idiot ” she muttered and pinched his thigh in return.

They smiled through their playful banter as the cab carried them toward the beginning of their new life.

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