Forcibly Yours

RUHANIKA'S POV

After what feels like an eternity, I will finally spend some quality time with Shruti. She's been so upset lately, all thanks to that Dheeraj. Ironically, he shares most of Dheer's name but possesses none of his qualities.

Dheer... he's so caring, almost saint-like. I've never once seen him lose his temper. His voice is always gentle, and his words are carefully measured. And then there's me—flawed, chaotic, and burdened with scars. Am I even worthy of him?

It's not his fault that I carry this trauma, nor is it his responsibility to constantly console me. Ugh, why am I even thinking about this now? Forget it.

"Mmm... can I invite Kian, Ishan, and Dheeraj too, if you don't mind?" I heard Dheer ask as he settled beside me on the couch.

"Why not? It's a get-together. I'm inviting my friend, so you should call yours too," I replied. His lips curved into the faintest smile as he pulled out his phone to send a message.

 Probably texting his friends.

But why is he asking for my permission? It's his house. And why on earth is he smiling like that? He looks like a shy bride whose strict, arrogant husband just granted her a long-awaited wish.

Wait, what am I even thinking?

"Dheer, can I ask you something?" I turned to face him. He looked at me, his brows furrowed in mild confusion.

"Hmm?" he hummed in response.

AUTHOR'S POV

"Dheer... at first, you didn't want to marry me, right?" Ruhanika asked, her voice soft, hesitant.

Dheer nodded, his expression calm.

"Then why are you so nice to me? Why do you care? And why... why haven't you ever asked me about my panic attacks? Why?" she blurted out in one breath, her eyes searching his for answers.

Dheer leaned back, adjusting himself on the couch. His left arm stretched out along the backrest, just behind Ruhanika, making her acutely aware of the proximity between them.

"Hmm. Let me answer your questions one by one," he began, his voice steady.

"Yes, at first, I didn't want to marry you. But it wasn't because I disliked you. It was because I didn't want to marry anyone—not yet. I was barely 18 or 19 when I was thrown into the battlefield of the business world. While others my age were dreaming about dating and relationships, I was staying up late to learn the ropes of business and work towards my dream."

He paused, his gaze locking with hers.