"You are my every thought, my every heartbeat, the air that I breathe. Without you, I am nothing."

★⋆. ࿐࿔

MEGHNA~

The day has finally come for me to leave this country for two years, and to be honest, I'm eager to escape the suffocating grip of this house. Ever since my engagement, it feels like I've been trapped, as though invisible chains have bound me here. It's not that Agastya calls me constantly or tries to control my every move.

In fact, after the day he told me to return to class when I was skipping a lecture, he hasn't called at all. There's a silence between us that's both unsettling and strangely freeing, adding to the heavy atmosphere that surrounds me in this place.

Thank God he's not calling me, because I have absolutely no desire to talk to him. Even though he's not physically present in this house, there are times when it feels like his shadow haunts every corner like I'm in Italy with him.

I can tolerate my brother's controlling nature, but when it comes to Agastya, the mere thought of him trying to exert control over me is unbearable.

I was supposed to leave for the U.S. in two months, but as soon as my exams finished, I asked Bhaiya if I could go earlier, just so I could settle into the environment there. To my surprise, he agreed without much hesitation.

Now, I'm leaving in just an hour, all by myself. I know I'm going to miss my friends, especially Aryan. He's always been so supportive, constantly looking out for me. He's truly my best friend, and being away from him is going to be hard.

I'll also really miss Bhabhi. She's the only person in this house I can open up to, the one I can freely share my thoughts and feelings with. But for some reason, she's been so quiet these past two days. She's barely spoken to anyone, and I've noticed even her conversations with Bhaiya have been short. Something feels off, and I can't shake the worry it's giving me as I prepare to leave.

Should I talk to Bhaiya about this? Bhabhi isn't opening up to me, and I really can't shake the feeling that something might be wrong between them. Just as I was lost in thought, Bhaiya's voice interrupted my worries.

"Meghna, are you ready?"

He asked as he stepped into my room.

"Yes, Bhaiya, I'm ready,"

I answered, trying to push my concerns aside for the moment.

I'm really going to miss him. He loves me so much, and after Mom and Dad passed away, he became my rock, my entire support system. I know he's strict, sometimes too strict, but it's because he cares deeply for me.

He would never want anything bad for me, and I'm sure there's a reason behind his decision to marry me off to Agastya. That's why I never questioned him, even if I had my doubts.

I looked at him and hugged him tightly. "I'm going to miss you, Bhaiya,"

I whispered.

He gently patted my back and said, "I'll miss you too. Take care of yourself, and I'm trusting you won't get into any trouble over there."

His words carried a mixture of affection and the same protective tone he's always had.

"Bhaiya, can I ask you something?"

I said, pulling away from the hug. I couldn't help but notice that the usual spark in his eyes has been missing lately.

"Of course," he replied.

"Is everything okay between you and Bhabhi?"

I asked, carefully watching his expression.

His face turned cold as he looked at me. "Did she say something to you?"

He asked, his voice guarded.

"No, but she seems sad nowadays. She's not smiling or talking to anyone,"

I explained, concern lacing my words.

He took a deep breath, clearly trying to control his emotions. "Look, Meghna, I don't want you to get involved in these matters. You're about to leave for your studies, and that should be your focus. There's no need to worry about things like this. I'll handle everything, okay? Do you understand?"

His tone was firm, so I didn't press the issue any further and simply nodded.

"Now come outside, Agastya is waiting for you," He said.

The mention of his name instantly ruined my mood.

"Agastya? What's he doing here?"

I asked, irritated.

"What do you mean? He's here to take you to New York. He flew in from Milan this morning just for you, and he's going to make sure everything is arranged properly,"

Bhaiya explained.

What is wrong with everyone? I'm not a child who needs to be dropped off and have everything checked for me. Bhaiya must have told him to come here.

"But Bhaiya, I can go by myself. I don't need him,"

I replied, frustrated.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Meghna, he's your fiancé. He has every right to go with you and ensure your safety. The sooner you accept that, the better it will be for you."

"Now, let's go," he added.

I huffed in annoyance. No matter how hard I try to be strong, whenever Agastya is around, an unsettling fear creeps in. His presence feels so intense, almost dangerous, that it leaves me speechless. It's like his aura has this overpowering effect on me, making me too afraid to even voice my thoughts.

As I stepped into the hall, I saw everyone gathered, waiting to bid me farewell. My eyes scanned the room, but I didn't see Agastya at first. Then I spotted him, standing off to the side, deep in conversation with someone on the phone. He was dressed in a sharp black shirt paired with white pants, and no matter what I thought of him, I had to admit-he looked undeniably handsome.

There was something captivating about him, from the way his shirt hugged his muscular frame to the confidence he exuded without even trying. His deep, piercing eyes seemed to hold secrets, and they always had a way of making me feel exposed, as if he could see right through me.

His presence dominated the room, drawing attention effortlessly, and I couldn't help but acknowledge the raw attraction he commanded.

I was watching him, lost in thought, when suddenly our eyes met. He looked straight at me while still talking on the phone, and in that moment, I felt the weight of his gaze. His eyes were so dominating, almost commanding-he could make me do anything with just a look.

Nervousness surged through me, and I quickly broke the eye contact. What must he be thinking? That I was staring at him? The thought made my heart race even more.

I glanced around the room and noticed Anjali was staring at Agastya, almost obsessively, practically checking him out like a creep. A strange, unfamiliar feeling bubbled up inside me-anger. I had never felt this way before.

Was this... jealousy? No, that couldn't be. Why would I be jealous? I don't care who looks at him. He means nothing to me, and I certainly don't have any feelings for him. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Bhabhi's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Meghna, I'm sorry. I haven't been able to talk much with you these past two days, even though I knew you were leaving soon,"

She said, looking genuinely guilty.

"No, no, Bhabhi, please don't apologize,"

I reassured her.

"I know something isn't right between you and Bhaiya. I'm not asking for details, but I want to tell you to take care of yourself. I know Bhaiya can be a lot to handle sometimes, and when he's angry, he doesn't always think before he speaks. But you're the only one who can truly change him. Please, always stay by his side."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged me tightly. "I'm going to miss you, Meghna,"

She whispered.

"I'll miss you too, Bhabhi. Don't hesitate to call me whenever you need to talk, or if you just want to share anything,"

I said, holding her close.

She nodded, wiping away a tear, then gently pulled back and gave me a small, warm smile.

★⋆. ࿐࿔

AGASTYA~

Abhi asked me to come here and make sure Meghna gets to New York safely, since she's never traveled outside of India on her own before. I wanted to ensure her safety as well. She doesn't know yet, but she'll be staying at my house in New York.

No one lives there now. I only visit occasionally when work demands it, but otherwise, the house is empty except for a few servants who maintain it. It's a large, quiet place-almost too quiet. I figure she'll have all the space she needs to adjust, but I wonder how she'll feel once she realizes where she'll be staying.

I was on a call when I suddenly felt someone's gaze on me, as if I was being watched. Glancing over, I saw Meghna staring at me, her eyes fixed on me without blinking. Was she checking me out?

The moment I caught her gaze, she quickly looked away, flustered. I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. She's always so easy to read, and honestly, she looks stunning, as usual.

Meghna stands at 5'8, and with me at 6'2, there isn't a huge height difference between us, which is something I've always liked. When we walk side by side, it feels like she's trying to match my stride, her shoulder nearly brushing mine but just shy of reaching it.

There's something endearing about it, as if she's subconsciously trying to stand on equal ground with me, even though she doesn't realize it. It's little moments like these that make me notice her more, even when I try not to.

Abhi walked over and began instructing me on every little detail, as if I needed him to tell me what to do. I get it, as a brother, he's concerned about Meghna's safety, and I respect that. But he doesn't get to tell me how to handle things when it comes to her.

"Enough, Abhi. I know exactly what to do,"

I said, cutting him off sharply.

Since I've arrived, I've noticed something off about him. The Abhi I knew, the one who was glowing with happiness after his marriage, seems to have vanished. That brightness, he once had after his marriage, has faded.

There's no trace of the man who was so elated after marrying Riddhima. I'm not sure what happened, but ever since he found out about Riddhima's past with Aarav, things haven't been the same between them.

It's like a shadow has settled over him, something unspoken but heavy. Whatever went down, it's clear it was serious-something that left a deep scar on their relationship. The energy between them feels strained.

"Abhi, is everything okay?"

I asked him, my concern evident.

"What do you mean?"

He replied, a hint of defensiveness in his tone.

"I just hope you haven't done something with Riddhima that you might regret later,"

I said, trying to gauge his reaction.

"That's none of your business,"

He snapped back, his voice cold, before turning on his heel and walking away

He just doesn't get it, does he? It's like he has to do everything his own way, without listening to anyone else.

★⋆. ࿐࿔

Meghna was inside, saying her goodbyes to everyone before we left. I waited in the car, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel. After a few minutes, she finally came out, quietly slipping into the passenger seat without a word. Her luggage was already settled inside our jet. We were headed to the airport, where we'd board the private jet to New York.

"Put on your seatbelt,"

I said, breaking the silence.

Just as she reached for her seatbelt, a voice called out from outside the car.

"Meghna!"

A boy's voice rang out.

Meghna immediately turned towards him, her eyes widening in recognition. Without a second thought, she hurriedly opened the car door and rushed out, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

There was an instant familiarity in the way she embraced him, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

END OF AGASTYA POV

★⋆. ࿐࿔

Agastya's hands gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly as he watched Meghna rush out of the car and throw her arms around that boy.

A flicker of something sharp twisted in his chest-jealousy, a feeling he rarely allowed himself to acknowledge. His jaw clenched as he stared at them, the way her face lit up, the way she held him without hesitation.

A surge of irritation flared inside him. Who was this guy? And why was she so comfortable with him? Agastya felt a bitterness rise, his possessiveness creeping in.

He was used to being in control, but watching Meghna hug someone else-someone who clearly meant something to her-made his blood simmer. He couldn't stand how natural it all looked, how happy she seemed in someone else's arms.

His mind raced with questions, but more than anything, he hated this feeling of jealousy gnawing at him.

"Aryan, I thought you weren't going to come say goodbye,"

Meghna said softly, still holding him close.

"How could I not? You're my best friend. I'm going to miss you so much, Meghna,"

Aryan replied, gently running his hand across her back in a comforting gesture.

Meanwhile, Agastya sat in the car, his gaze locked on them, the scene unfolding in slow motion. They weren't just hugging-they were lingering in each other's arms, as if neither wanted to let go.

The closeness between them was undeniable, and it gnawed at Agastya. Each passing second felt like an eternity, watching Aryan's hand trace circles on her back, the ease with which she melted into him.

A wave of frustration swelled in Agastya's chest, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. He couldn't ignore the way they fit together so effortlessly.

His jaw clenched as jealousy simmered beneath his calm exterior. There was something about the way Aryan held her, something too intimate, too familiar, and Agastya hated every second of it.

Agastya's control finally snapped. His voice cut through the moment, sharp and commanding.

"Get inside the car, we're getting late,"

He said, his tone laced with impatience.

The words came out harsher than he intended, but he didn't care. Watching Meghna in someone else's arms had pushed him past his breaking point.

His eyes darkened with a mix of frustration and jealousy, and though his expression remained calm, the tension in his voice was unmistakable. He couldn't stand another second of watching them together.

As soon as Meghna heard Agastya's voice, she quickly pulled herself away from Aryan, She gave Aryan a soft smile and bid him goodbye, though a hint of reluctance showed in her eyes.

Aryan looked curious, his gaze shifting to Agastya, clearly wondering who this man was and why he seemed so possessive. But before he could ask, Meghna placed a gentle hand on his arm and said,

"I'll call you later, Aryan. We'll talk then, okay?"

With that, she turned and made her way back to the car, leaving Aryan standing there, watching her walk away, while Agastya's eyes followed her every movement with a storm brewing behind them.

Agastya started the car with a loud, forceful rev, the engine roaring to life as he sped away. Meghna glanced at him in confusion, wondering what had triggered his sudden burst of aggression.

His knuckles were white as he gripped the wheel, the tension in the air thick between them. She could tell something was wrong, but chose to stay silent, not wanting to engage in a conversation she had no interest in.

As they drove in strained silence, a thought flickered in Agastya's mind. His eyes flicked over to her hands, particularly her fingers. His anger flared when he noticed something missing. Her engagement ring.

"Where is your engagement ring?"

He asked, his voice cold and cutting, his gaze sharp as it bore into her.

★⋆. ࿐࿔

[Meghna and Agastya are characters from my first book, "Venomous Love". If you'd like to read more about their backstory and their engagement you can find them only in a few chapters of that book, because the main leads are different characters]