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“What did you just say?” he asked, a glint in his eye.
Maya dropped her gaze, suddenly self-conscious.
“I'm yours?” Ranveer continued, his smirk widening. “Is that what you said, or are my ears deceiving me?”
Her choice of words had clearly pleased him. Maya could feel her cheeks flushing as she avoided meeting his amused stare. She hadn't meant to vocalize her growing possessiveness over him, but it was the truth. After their marriage, she was starting to see him as hers, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. She didn't know how to respond now that her deeply buried emotions were out in the open.
“Let me see her,” Maya insisted, smiling as she pushed past him into Adira's room.
Vivek Bajaj was at Adira's bedside, holding her hand and talking when Maya entered. Adira was not surprised seeing her there. Probably Vivek Bajaj had told her about Maya’s presence with Ranveer here all the time. But Vivek was clearly unhappy about them talking.
“I won't be long,” Maya assured, sensing his discomfort.
“But...”
“Dad, it's okay,” Adira interrupted. “I want to talk to her. Please leave us alone.”
Reluctantly, Vivek left them alone.
“What are you doing here?” Adira shouted. “You came here to see how I survived? You want me dead, don't you?”
Maya just smirked at the accusations. “Doesn't matter what I want, Adira. What matters is what you want?”
“You know what I want - I want Ranveer,” Adira declared loudly.
“He doesn't want you. Never did,” Maya stated flatly.
“That's a cold lie. I've seen affection in his eyes, his touch…”
“Really? When?” Maya raised her voice too. “During the award function at your college when you met him for the first time? Or at the party when you danced with him and tried to cling to him? Or that day at his office when you barged into his cabin without his permission, attempting to lure him and leaving your lipstick mark on his shirt collar? When did you see affection from his side, Adira?” she shouted this time. “It was always you forcing yourself on him. He never wanted you.”
Adira fell silent, clearly Ranveer had shared he felt no sympathy for her.
Maya came closer. “He never touched you. Never wanted either. You need to understand that fact.”
“You know nothing,” Adira retorted, but looked unsure now.
“Maybe not,” Maya conceded with a shrug. “But you know everything. Why fool yourself? You know he never gave you false hopes or dreams.”
“Then why is he here? Because he cares for me. Don't you understand that?” Adira shouted.
“For humanity, that's all he has for you still,” Maya replied evenly. “If he had any deeper feelings, he would have been the first person to come into this room to check on you, but he didn’t.”
Adira was left speechless, her eyes growing moist as if she could burst into tears anytime.
“The doctor told us you didn't really want to die. You just pretended and things went wrong,” Maya added. “It could have been much worse. You should be thankful God chose to save you.”
Adira looked horrified at being caught out.
“Now Ranveer knows too,” Maya continued. “Imagine how you've ruined your image in his eyes.”
Tears rolled down Adira's cheeks.
“I understand your affection for him,” Maya said gently. “He is handsome, popular with girls - it's natural to crush on him. But let it stay that way. Don't impose yourself on any man, just as you wouldn't want them forcing you.”
It was clear Adira understood but was still reluctant to accept it.
“Why don't you just leave him?” she shouted bitterly.
