Page 61 of One Hellish Wedlock
“I don’t have a choice,” he replied without looking up. “I’m the boss. I need to keep my eyes everywhere.”
She smiled faintly. “Well then… I hope someday someone’s there to keep an eye on you too.”
He paused, the cursor blinking on his screen.
“Happy working,” she murmured, tugging the duvet over herself. “And… good night, boss man.”
He looked at her then…really looked.
Her words echoed in the quiet, tugging at something he couldn’t quite name.
Maybe it was the softness in her tone.
Maybe it was the way she said it like she actually meant it.
Either way, work faded into the background as his thoughts lingered on her.
Few hours later - Midnight
“Don’t… don’t come near me… Get away… GET AWAY!” Aanya screamed in her sleep.
Reyansh jolted upright, startled. He turned and found Aanya thrashing on the bed, her forehead slick with sweat, her voice shaking with fear. It looked like she had a nightmare.
He reached out to calm her, but the moment his hand touched her arm, she bolted upright and shoved him hard.
“What the hell!” he snapped. “I was trying to help!”
Aanya’s chest heaved as she scanned the room in panic. Slowly, her breathing steadied. She realized she was safe, and that she’d just lashed out at the only person trying to help. Reyansh, surprisingly, didn’t retaliate.
“Nightmare?” he asked, more gently now.
“No… just a bad chapter of my life,” she whispered, sliding off the bed to get water. When she didn’t find any in the room, she made her way downstairs.
“Aanya, wait,” Reyansh called after her, concerned. Something about the way she’d said that unsettled him.
She made it to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water. As she shut the door, she froze at the sight of someone behind it.
“Aanya? It’s me… relax,” came Radhika’s soothing voice.
The moment Aanya recognized her, she launched herself into her arms, hugging her tightly. Radhika, clearly startled, wrapped her arms around her in a warm, comforting embrace.
“What happened, Aanya? You look terrified.”
Aanya composed herself quickly, aware that she was in danger of revealing too much.
“Just a bad dream,” she lied.
“Where’s Reyansh?”
“Sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb him,” she replied quickly. “And sorry Di, I was so scared and needed a hug. So I—”
Radhika smiled.
“You don’t owe anyone an apology. Even when Reyansh was scared as a kid, he’d come running to me for comfort.”
Aanya offered a soft smile. If only someone like Radhika had been around during her own childhood, maybe things would’ve been easier.
“Aanya.” Reyansh entered the kitchen. He’d come down right behind her, but upon seeing Radhika with her, he held back, unsure whether to intrude.
