Page 89 of The Unwanted Husband
“Ashok,” she fought back tears as her voice shook. She sank into a chair, the phone still in her hand, and felt the tears roll down as Ashok came to her side.
The victory she was supposed to be celebrating has turned to ash in her mouth. She wanted someone to tell her what to do, to take this impossible decision out of her hands. But she’s an independent woman who didn’t need anyone for all her adult life . But there she was sobbing in Ashok’s arms, not wanting to let go.
And underneath it all, all her past fears came crashing. The aching sadness that life doesn’t pause for her happiness. That tragedy wouldn’t give her any breathing room to celebrate her triumphs. She was just about to embrace her new life, accept what she felt for the man who was her everything and everything was at risk in her mind.
She looked at him, tears streaming down her face, and whispered the words that felt like a confession, “I have to go, but the very thought of leaving is suffocating.”
“You need to go,” his tone was flat and his message clear.
She let out a sob, throwing her arms around him. “I’m scared.” She pulled back to look at him and said, “I feel like I can’t do anything without you by my side. I’ve never felt so protected in all these years and with you, I feel like I can do anything.”
Ashok only pulled her to him, his lips going to her cheek, kissing away the tears. “No more tears.” He pulled back to look at her. “I’ve not felt the pain I’m feeling now to see you like this. Don’t.” It was a soft order and it only made her smile.
Her heart was responding to his words. “I love you,” the words escaped her before she realized what she was saying.
A small smile played on his lips before he pulled her close to kiss her gently, so slowly that she was sure the time had stopped. Every move, every touch spoke volumes. He didn’t need to express himself in words for her to know what he felt for her.
She kissed him back, her hands caressing his face like she wanted to memorize his face for when she will be away. When she looked up at him, she nodded and said, “I will go tomorrow. Will you hold me in your arms tonight?”
He kissed her forehead before pulling her to him. “Anything you want.”
*****
The predawn air was thick with fog as Isha ascended the narrow stairs to the private jet, each step heavier than the last. Her fingers trembled against the cold metal railing. Behind her, the tarmac stretched empty and gray. She’d insisted on the loneliness, convinced it would be easier if Ashok didn’t take her to the airport.
Inside the cabin, luxury surrounded her like a gilded cage. Soft leather seats, polished wood accents, the faint scent of coffee brewing somewhere in the galley. But none of it registered. She pressed herself into the window seat, watching the sky shift from charcoal to amber as dawn approached.
When she called Chandini with her flight details, her cousin’s excitement should have warmed her. Instead, Isha felt hollow, replaying the last few months like scenes from someone else’s life. How did she go from despising Ashok to this aching emptiness in his absence?
An hour passed like water through her fingers.
“Excuse me,” Isha raised her hand to catch a passing flight attendant’s attention. “What time do we take off?”
The young woman’s smile was practiced, professional. “Soon, Ma’am. We have the Vice President and his family on the manifest. They’re running a bit late this morning, but they should arrive any moment.”
The words landed oddly. Another family. Isha frowned, trying to remember if someone had mentioned this detail, but her mind had been so fractured with goodbyes that morning. A strange tightness formed in her chest. She was in no position of making small talk, or pretending to be fine when she was splintering apart inside.
She closed her eyes and dropped her head against the headrest.Just breathe. Just get through the flight.
The hum of the aircraft wrapped around her like a lullaby she didn’t want to hear.
“Isha.”
The voice was distant, familiar, impossible.
Her eyes snapped open. The plane was moving. Not just the engines warming up, but moving, taxiing down the runway, the world outside blurring past the windows.
“Stop.” The word came out broken, barely a whisper strangled by her suddenly tight throat.
What had she done? She’d been so focused on being brave, on not burdening Ashok, on protecting the twins from another separation. But courage felt like cowardice at that moment. The twins could have come. Ashok could have held her hand through the challenging times when her aunt would be in surgery.
“Stop!” This time her voice was louder, raw and desperate.
Her hands fumbled with the seatbelt, fingers clumsy with panic. The metal finally clicked free and she lurched to her feet, the floor already tilting beneath her as the plane prepared for takeoff.
“Ma’am!” A flight attendant’s voice crackled over the intercom. “Please return to your seat immediately and fasten your seatbelt. We are about to take off.”
“No!” Isha’s voice cracked. “Let me off! I need to—I can’t—please, I need to get off this plane!”
