SIYA'S POV
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*Flashback*

"From now on You are going to stay in this house from now on, and I consider you as my property. You will have to follow my rules from now on, okay?"

"What! Can you please explain how I became your property?"

I questioned him.

"I've married you, so you belong to me now, and you have to do what I say,"

It's hard for me to believe how someone could say this.

"Seriously! Since when does marriage make one person the property of another? Marriage is a partnership where both people have equal rights. No one is anyone's property, Arjun,"

I snapped at him.

"Wow, you give really good speeches. Are you involved in politics? However, you are giving your speech in the wrong place and to the wrong person. So keep quiet and let me speak, dear wife!"

After hearing him say "Wife," I went blank. I mustered the courage to respond with a simple "Okay." He seemed surprised because I usually argue about everything and don't agree to things easily.

He then gave me a list of rules.

There were many rules already, and he mentioned that he would be adding more over time. It seemed like a lot to me. Devil Rathore!

"I won't follow any of your rules. Just because we're married doesn't mean you're my boss and I'm your servant. We live in a free country and I have the right to speak and do what I want."

I blurted out all of this.

"Enough of your endless talking," he said, getting annoyed.

"My mouth and my wish. Whenever I wish, I will speak. And as much as I want to speak, I will. You cannot do anything about it,"

I said and turned to go because I didn't want to listen to his nonsense at all.

"How quickly you forget everything, didn't you, Your beloved Dida's orphanage is still with me and I can do whatever I want. Remember?"

He mocked me!

"You! Are you for real, Arjun? I know very well that you are heartless, but how can you stoop so low? You're blackmailing me over the poor orphan? How could you, Arjun?"

I felt disappointed.

I sat quietly on the sofa after cursing him and asked,

"So, tell me your beloved rules?"

"Can't you read?"

"Your handwriting is very bad. I do not understand what is written,"

I shrugged off my shoulders.

He gave me a 'Are you done' look and said, "Fine."

"So, here are some very important rules. You have to follow them at any cost. Got it!"

I just rolled my eyes at him.

Rule number 1: You can't disrespect me, whether in private or public.

"What if you are wrong?"

I questioned back.

"Even if I am wrong, you still can't! Got it? And just shut up and listen, I hate repeating myself."

Rule number 2: You can never say no to me, no matter what I ask for.

"I think this is wrong. What if you ask me to do something inappropriate?"

I protested.

"Seriously! You can't keep your mouth shut even for a second, can you?" he said, and I sat silently.

Rule number 3: You can't expect anything from me like a wife because I hate you.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Like I'm dying for your love and attention."

He looked at me

Rule number 4: Don't roll your eyes at me.

I glared at him and mentally rolled my eyes too. After all, I am Siya, and I will do whatever I feel like.

Rule number 5: You have to ask me for everything. If you want something or want to go somewhere, you have to ask me first. You will not do anything without my permission.

I was about to protest, but he glared at me, and I sat silently again.

Rule number 6: Never ask any questions like where I am going or whom I am meeting.

"I don't give a damn," I said again, but in my mind.

Rule 5: You will stay in your room and not touch anything that doesn't concern you.

"Like I'm interested,"

I said in my mind once again.

Rule 6: You are not allowed in my room, so don't you dare.

I closed my eyes feeling irritated.

Rule 7: You don't have to cook or clean; Mira will take care of that. Just live here as a guest, because you are one.

Huh, really? If I could, I would divorce him right now, quit that lousy job, and go back to my house.

Rule 8: You must be in the dining hall for breakfast at 9:00 AM. Clear!

"Why? When will I eat my food, or is that your decision too?"

I glared at him.

"Just shut the heck up and listen. You going to have your breakfast, lunch, and dinner with me, Right!"

"Why?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Um, well actually! Wait a minute! Why should I tell you? I am your master, so you have to do whatever I say without question."

For goodness' sake, he is not my master! Wait, did he just stammer? I was about to say something when he said.

Rule number 9: we will go to the office together in my car, and you must be back home by 7:00 pm, no matter what.

"Why?"

I snapped at him again.

"You know what! If there was an Olympiad for speaking, you would have won the gold medal,"

He said irritably.

"Fine! I am not speaking anymore," I said, ignoring him.

"So as I said, you will go to the office with me because (he emphasized because) you are still my secretary and I can't start my work without you. Got it! But you will come back with my driver."

Rule number 10: You will not do anything wrong or inappropriate because you are my wife in the eyes of the world.

"That's it for now, I'll tell you the rest later."

"And what if I broke any rules?"

I asked curious.

"So, you know very well what I can do with you and your lovely Dida."

He smirked looking at me.

"You are a very disgusting person,"

I said with hate.

"You just broke Rule number 1 and I am forgiving you for this one. But next time, if you break any rule, you will have to face the consequences. My wife!"

He said and left like always.

End of flashback

As soon as the car stopped, I snapped out of my imagination. I went inside the building and took the lift. The lift stopped, and I reached the penthouse. I opened the door with the spare keys and went inside.

The lights were on, which meant Mr. Rathore had come home.

As always, this house was deserted, as if no one lived there. This house couldn't even be called a home. I don't understand how Arjun lives in this house.

"It may sound silly, but I feel like this house is haunted. Maybe some ghost or evil spirit is haunting the place.

Quietly, I went to my room because I didn't have the energy to face that devil right now.

I went straight to my washroom, stripped out of my clothes, took a relaxing shower, and changed into my nightwear.

I checked the time and it was 8:00 p.m. Without delay, I quietly walked into the dining hall.

As usual, he was sitting at the dining table, waiting for dinner. I went into the kitchen and heated the food which Meera Aunty had already prepared. I served him and myself, then sat down and started eating silently.

She cooked dal, rice, and some green sabji, which I hate the most, but I have to eat it because my tantrums will not work here."

I have noticed something over the past two weeks.

Arjun seems to be a very lonely and isolated person. Now that I have gotten to know him better, I understand that he doesn't like having people around him.

I remember that whenever I used to ask him about his family, parents, or friends, he would always avoid the topic. At the time, I was in love and didn't comprehend the situation, but now everything is clear to me.

That's why there is not a single servant in Arjun's penthouse except Meera Aunty. She does all the housework and cooking, and that too in his absence.

I don't understand what kind of person he is. He doesn't seem to like people and spends the whole day alone. Perhaps that's why he comes across as rude and shouts at everyone.

It seems like Arjun is feeling lonely and in pain. Lately.

"Do you want to eat your food or keep thinking about me only?"

He asked sternly.

"Hmm? What?"

"After finishing the meal, come to the study room as I have some work for you"

He wiped his hands, he went straight to the study room without my answer.

I finished my food and washed my and Arjun's utensils, even though he had forbidden me to do so. But I prefer to do my work myself. As per his order, I went straight to the study room.

He was sitting in his chair and doing some work. This person works all day long.

"Come here! Take this file and make a presentation of it,"

He said without looking at me.

"Not at all! I'm not going to make any presentation."

I said while crossing my arms.

"And may I know why?"

He asked, turning his attention to me.

"There are two reasons for not doing this work. Number one, my working hours are over, so I will not do any work because I am human, not a machine like you. And secondly, whenever I make any presentation, you find so many mistakes in it and humiliate me in front of everyone. It would be better if you make it yourself."

I said all at once.

I thought he would shout at me again like, "You broke the rule, now I will not leave you."

But surprisingly, he didn't say anything. Instead, he got up from his seat and started moving towards me.

Out of fear, I also started taking steps back. My foot hit the sofa, and I fell directly on it.

I thought he was going to help me, but instead, he kept both of his hands on my sides and hovered over me, causing my breath to hitch due to our proximity.

Our faces were just a few inches apart, our breaths entangled. He was looking at me with a mysterious emotion that I couldn't describe.

I found myself so lost in his eyes that I couldn't resist reaching out and placing my hand on his face. To my surprise, he didn't react at all.

The moment my hand made contact with his face, I noticed the tension in his forehead vanish, replaced by a palpable sense of relief in his eyes. It was as if he had finally found some peace.

Completely captivated by his gaze, I forgot about everything around me. What happened next took me completely by surprise.

He held me tightly, burying his face in my neck, wrapping me in warmth and love like a child seeking comfort.

At that moment, all the pain and betrayal melted away, and I found myself embracing him in return, craving that same warmth and love. I ran my fingers through his hair tenderly.

He positioned himself on the sofa so that I felt no discomfort, simply feeling the comfort of his embrace. I wasn't feeling any pain at all, just the solace of being in his arms. Before I knew it, we had both drifted off to sleep, finding peace in each other's embrace.

For the first time in two weeks, I slept peacefully, nestled in his arms. It felt like a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake up from this beautiful dream."

CONTINEU✨