Page 29 of Shattered

I am not a psychic, and I don’t need to be one to know that Kavya is hiding something from me. I have this sinking feeling that something’s not right, that something is weighing heavily on her mind. Even during our coffee date, her usual lively self that I was used to seeing was missing and was replaced by a distracted, distant demeanour. She barely engaged in any conversation, only responding with one-word answers. It was clear that her mind was miles away.

Then, what shocked me even more was that she asked me to drop her home instead of going back to the office, which is completely unlike her. She’s always been a dedicated worker, rarely taking breaks during office hours. That alone was enough to set off alarms in my head. I didn’t press her for details at the time, sensing it wasn’t the moment to add more pressure. But I also know that I can’t turn a blind eye to it either. Something’s off, and I can’t let it slide.

‘I need to find out what’s troubling her,’I mumble to myself, running a frustrated hand over my face. “I love her, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this.”

After dropping her off at home, I had just enough time to attend a quick meeting, go home, and change from my work clothes to jeans and a t-shirt before pulling into her driveway.

My gaze drifts to the clock on my car’s dashboard—it’s nine at night. I’ve been parked in front of Kavya’s house for almost twenty minutes now, just sitting here, staring at her house. I am still debating with how I’ll extract the truth from her, fully aware that she’ll fiercely guard whatever she’s hiding. However, I can’t linger in this car forever; I must find a way to break through her defenses. Steeling myself with a deep breath, I step out of the car and stride toward her house.

I climb the stairs to her house and ring the doorbell, waiting patiently and hoping I don’t come across as an obsessed, infatuated fool. Not that it bothers me, but I just don’t want to overwhelm Aunty or Kavya.

Five minutes later, the door opens, and Sunita Aunty greets me with a warm smile.

“Hello, son.”

“Hello, Aunty,” I greet her back, reaching down to touch her feet for blessings.

“God bless you, son,” she says with a smile, placing her hand on my head. As I straighten up, her smile widens. “It’s so nice to see you.”

“I hope it’s not late, aunty and I’m not disturbing you?” I ask, feeling a bit guilty for showing up unannounced at this odd hour.

“Of course not! You’re always welcome here,” she assures me, stepping aside to let me in before closing the door behind her. She soon joins me as we make our way to the living room.

“Would you like some tea or coffee?” she asks, gesturing for me to take a seat on the couch.

“No, I’m good for now, maybe later,” I reply, getting comfortable on the couch. I then look around, my eyes searching forher. “Is Kavya not home?”

“She’s been in her room since she came back,” Aunty huffs, taking a seat across from me. “Didn’t even come down for dinner.”

I let out a silent curse. Now, I’m even more sure that something is off with Kavya. Before I can ask Aunty if she is aware of anything, she meets my gaze and asks, “Reyansh, if you don’t mind, can I ask you something?”

I straighten up, placing my arms on my thighs, fingers clasped together, and leaning slightly forward. “Of course, Aunty.”

“Do you have any idea what’s going on with Kavya? She seems lost and subdued since she got back, and it’s really worrying me. I tried asking her if something’s wrong, but she just brushed me off, saying she’s exhausted,” she says, concern evident in her voice.

“I don’t know either, Aunty,” I admit, truthfully. “But I, too, can feel that something is bothering her. That’s exactly why I’m here, Aunty—to help in any way I can.”

Aunty rises from her seat and comes to sit next to me on the couch. “Reyansh, thank you for being here and looking out for Kavya,” she says, her eyes brimming with tears as she gently places her hands on my arms. “I know you two share a special bond. Maybe your presence and support can finally help her open up.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Aunty. Being here for Kavya isn’t something I do out of duty—it’s my absolute purpose, something that I want to do,” I shrug, trying to suppress the emotions welling up inside me. Aunty’s chin quivers slightly, and she looks at me with so much affection, clearly touched by my words.

“Now, I have no doubt that you will find out what’s troubling her,” Aunty says, her gaze softening. “Son, in my old age, I’ve seen enough of the world to know that you are a good man. Kavya is lucky to have you by her side,” she adds, leaning forward to kiss my forehead.

“Thank you, Aunty, for trusting me to be worthy of Kavya,” I say, giving her a small smile. “I promise to do my best to help Kavya through whatever is bothering her.”

She nods gently at me, “She’s in her room. You can go speak to her while I check on Kiara. And do give me a shout if you need anything.”

“I will,” I reply with a kiss on her cheek before making my way toward Kavya’s room.

As I reach her room, I knock lightly, but there is no response.I wait a moment before knocking again—still nothing. Pulling in a deep breath, I slowly push open her door. Even in the dimly lit room, myeyes land on her immediately. She’s curled up in the recliner, her arms tucked under her head, fast asleep.

I slowly make my way toward her, my hearttighteningin my chest at the sight of her. She is holding onto the file from her office tightly against her chest,as if it’s her lifeline. Kneeling down, I tenderly brush my thumb across her cheek,struck by how she bears the weight of the world in silence,without uttering a single word of complaint. Carefully, I pusha few stray strands of hair away from her face, noticing the faint lines of worry there.A surge of protectiveness swells in my chest—I hate seeing her like this, carrying so much alone.

Just as I’m about to lean forward to kiss her forehead, her eyes flutter open, causing my hand to drop awkwardly to my lap.

“Reyansh?” she questions as she sits up and quickly moves the file out of sight behind her back.

“What’s going on, Kavya?” I ask gently, meeting her eyes. “Talk to me. What are you keeping from me?”

---