Talab - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Author's POV
It had been a month.
A long, silent, and aching month.
Samarth Ji had grown distant.
Every time Fanaa tried to talk, his response was cold, detached:
"I'm busy."
She asked him softly, "Is something troubling you?"
But all she received in return was silence. Silence so loud, it echoed in her chest.
But today... she had made up her mind.
⸻
Fanaa's POV
I can't take this anymore.
I need to know why he's pushing me away.
What is it that he's hiding from me?
So I dressed with care.
A black saree... the one he once said made me look like the night sky.
Tied my hair in a neat bun.
Wore heels.
And packed his favorite lunch with my hands, just like before.
Maybe he would see the love I still carry for him.
I told the driver, "Take me to Samarth Ji's office."
This was only my second time visiting him there.
When I arrived, the receptionist smiled politely.
"Please wait in his cabin, ma'am. He's in a meeting."
So I waited.
Minutes passed... then an hour...
And finally, he walked in.
A soft smile played on his lips—until his eyes fell on me.
His smile vanished.
"What are you doing here, Fanaa?" he asked coldly, as if I were a stranger.
My heart sank.
"Ji... woh, I brought you lunch," I said, standing up nervously.
He stared at me. Not lovingly... just stared. As if I didn't belong.
I looked down at myself. Did I look bad? Was I not good enough anymore?
"Go give this lunch to someone who needs it. I'm not hungry," he said sharply.
"But... I made your favorite—" I whispered.
"I said leave, Fanaa. I have a lot of work. Just leave," he snapped.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back. No. I won't cry. I'm strong.
⸻
Evening
But strength didn't make the worry go away.
What had happened to him?
Why was he being so cruel when once, he held my trembling hands with reverence?
No... no, Fanaa. Don't overthink.
Samarth Ji trusts you. He loves you.
He would never treat you like this without a reason.
Wait...
Did he see those photos?
No!
He would never judge me without hearing the truth. He's not like them.
Still, the fear clawed at my chest.
I need to talk to him. No more running.
⸻
Late Night
The door creaked open.
He stepped inside silently, as though trying not to wake me.
But I was wide awake—waiting.
"Samarth Ji," I whispered, sitting up, "you came. I was waiting for you."
He didn't look at me. Just hummed and turned to leave.
"Why are you ignoring me, Samarth Ji?" I asked, voice trembling.
He paused.
Then slowly, he turned—and smirked.
But there was no warmth in that smirk. No affection.
Something was off.
He began walking toward me.
I took a step back.
He stepped closer.
I took another step.
This continued... until my back hit the wall.
I was slightly shaking now. My breath shallow.
"Ji..." I whispered.
He didn't speak. Just stared. His eyes didn't blink.
He placed his hand on the wall behind me, caging me in.
Then slowly leaned in and pressed his lips to my neck.
I froze.
With all my strength, I pushed him away. I fell to my knees, breath heavy.
He stood still, watching me. There was a smile on his lips...
But his eyes told a different story—
Pain. Deep, buried pain.
"This is why I'm ignoring you," he said quietly.
"Because you always push me away.
You don't trust me.
Then why do you cook for me?
Why do you pretend to care when your heart is full of fear?"
"I don't need your body, Fanaa," his voice cracked. "I just need your soul."
"You don't have to worry," he added bitterly.
"I won't touch you."
He turned and left.
⸻
Fanaa's POV
I remained on the floor. Silent. Blank.
He's hurting... because of me.
He thinks I don't trust him.
But that's not true.
I trust him more than myself.
Why can't I tell him what happened?
Why am I still scared?
He has never hurt me. He's only protected me.
I've hurt him.
And now he's slipping away.
No... I have to stop him.
I got up and ran toward the door.
But my saree tangled with my heels. I stumbled.
"Ahh!" I cried, falling to the floor again.
⸻
Samarth's POV
She doesn't trust me.
Even my own wife doesn't feel safe with me. Then what am I to expect from the world?
I didn't want to hurt her.
But she should understand...
That when she pulls away without a word—it kills me.
Why won't she share her pain with me?
Why does she keep it locked behind those tearful eyes?
It hurts.
It hurts more than I can ever explain.