Page 76 of Shattered

“Nothing to give,” I mock, dropping my gaze to her stomach where our child is growing, then glaring back at her.

“No. It... it’s my child. My child alone,” she stutters, wrapping her hands around her stomach, perhaps fearing I might react like an asshole and try to take the child from her if she’s ending things between us.

“You’re on a roll tonight trying to piss me off—first breaking things off, and now thinking you can keep my child away from me,” I say, advancing towards her with measured steps, watching her flinch slightly. “Do you really believe I’ll just agree to it?”

“I can’t be with you, Reyansh. Please let go of me. Don’t make this harderthan it already is,” she pleads.

“I’m never letting you go. Get that through your thick head once and for all,” I hiss, pressing both my hands against the sides of her face and caging her against the wall with my body. “You’re mine, Kavya, mine.” I lower one hand to rest gently on her belly. “And my baby will never know what it’s like to grow up without a father. I’ll always be there for both of you,” I tell her, emphasising that each word of the last sentence is crystal clear.

She stares at me, blinking, and I too am lost in the moment, not realizing when her hands come to my chest and push me away. I stumble a few steps as she walks past me and stands near her bed with her back turned to me.

“Why are you being so stubborn, Reyansh? Why can’t you just understand? I... can’t be with you,” she tries again, her voice wavering.

Taking a few calming breaths, I stride over to her and grab her shoulder, forcing her to face me. “Talk to me, Kavya. Let itout,” I urge this time my tone turns gentle. I know her fears, but I need her to voice them, to confront and dispel them.

She studies my face as tears slip down her cheeks. She then lifts her hands to gently caress my bandaged forehead. “Being with me… it’s too dangerous for you,” she whispers,and my heart squeezes at the pain in her voice.

“Being without you is more painful for me,” I say, my grip on her tightening. “I’d rather die—”

Before I can finish, her hand flies to my mouth, stopping me. “Please don’t complete that sentence.” Tears stream down her face.

I kiss her fingers softly before pulling her hand from my mouth and placing it over my heart. “Then don’t say things that make me say that. Stop shutting me out, Kavya. Not now. Not when we need each other the most.”

“You don’t understand! He… he killed… killed Suman.” her voice trembles as she continues, “And he tried to hurt you because of me. If something happens to you…” she shakes her head, crying.

“And if something happens to you, it will kill me. Do you hear me? Kill me.”

“But Reyansh—” she tries again but I cut her off.

“No buts. You and this baby are my life now. I don’t care what danger we’re in. I won’t leave you, not as long as I’m still breathing.”

“I’m trying to protect you, Reyansh!”Her frustration boils over, her voice rising.

“And I’m trying to protect you. Also, I can’t do that if you keep pushing me away!” I yell back, my voice matching her intensity. “Please understand, Kavya. You’re pregnant.”

Just as the words leave my mouth, the door creaks open.We both freeze, and my hands drop from heras I turn to see Sunita Aunty enter the room, her face filled with shock and hurt.

“Pregnant?” she asks,glancing between Kavya and me, tearsglistening inher eyes.

“Aunty...” Kavya takes a hesitant step toward her, but Sunita Aunty raises her hands, halting Kavya in her tracks.

“Aunty, I’m sorry, but—” I start, but Aunty cuts me off.

“Sorry? You are sorry? You’re not even married yet! How could you two be so careless?”Aunty’s voice rises, filled with anger and disappointment.

“Aunty, please try to understand...” Kavya quivers, her body visibly shaken.

Aunty shakes her head. “Understand what, Kavya?That you’ve not only disappointed me, but put your future at risk as well?”

I wrap my arms around Kavya and look into Aunty’s eyes. “I love Kavya, Aunty.”

“Love isn’t enough to raise a child!” Aunty retorts, glaring at me.

I’m about to say more, to assure her that I’m committed and want to marry Kavya, but before I can, Kavya speaks up, her voice trembling. “Aunty, please... We didn’t mean for this to happen,” her voice pleading and tearful.

“Aunty looks at us for a moment, then shakes her head again, this time more to herself. “I need time to think. I can’t… I just can’t…” She turns abruptly and walks out, the door slamming behind her.

As soon as we’re alone, Kavya buries her face in my chest and starts sobbing.

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