MY Cruel Love
Silent Burden : When Memories Demand Truth..
The night she planned to leave quietly had turned into something else. Armaan's unexpected offer—and her father's worsening condition—left her with no choice.
Now, Maya's mind was a tangled mess. What now? How would the people in this house react when they saw her? She had only come to spend one night with Armaan—just one.
But now?
Now she was a full-time live-in domestic help. For an entire month.
Sure, it was a better job than before. But this house. this place… the memories tied to it made everything complicated.
How would she even manage?
Abir: "Ruby, what's that amazing smell? Did someone cook something special today?
Ruby: "Yes, actually. She made something for sir. But. he didn't eat.
Abir: "Forget him. Come on, let's eat. Maya, you too.
Ruby: "But sir, you just got back. Shouldn't you freshen up first?
Abir laughed. "I will. After I eat. I'm starving. Just serve me something, please.
Ruby nodded and went off to the kitchen. Maya looked at Abir with unsure eyes.
He gently placed a hand on her head. "Don't worry, Maya. It'll be okay. I'll get you a real job at the company. You won't have to keep doing this.
Maya: "No, Brother I can't join right now. I've already taken an advance salary from your sir. I have to work here for the month.
From the dining room, Ruby called out, "Dinner's ready!
Abir took Maya's hand and began pulling her toward the table.
Abir: "Come on. Don't overthink it. We'll figure it out. For now, just eat.
He led her forward, hand in hand.
From the upper balcony, someone watched in silence. Eyes burning. Jaw clenched. As the two disappeared from view, he struck the iron railing with his fist and stormed back inside.
Abir quickly washed up and took a seat.
Abir: "Wow—Khichuri! It's been ages since I had this. Smells heavenly.
He glanced at both Ruby and Maya. "Why are you two just standing there? Sit. Eat.
Ruby: "I've already had dinner, sir. You go ahead.
Abir (under his breath): "Of course you did. Would it have killed you to wait for me?
Ruby: "Did you say something, sir?
Abir: "Yeah—serve some food for Maya. That's all.
As Ruby began to serve, Maya stopped her.
Maya: "No, please. I'm not hungry. You eat, Bhaiya.
Abir: "Enough. I said eat.
Maya: "But Bhaiya, I'm just a maid here. I can't sit at the table.
Abir: "There's no one else home. And I hate eating alone. No arguments—just sit. Tomorrow, you can go back to whatever arrangement you like.
Maya: "But—
Before she could finish, Abir gently but firmly pulled her into a chair. Ruby served them both and walked away, but something in her had shifted.
She watched Abir—watched the way he spoke to Maya. The kindness in his eyes. The softness in his tone.
He didn't even ask if I'd eaten.
What was I thinking? Abir sir and me?
No. That was never going to happen.
Foolish, Ruby. So foolish.
After dinner, Abir praised Maya's cooking with heartfelt words. Then, he casually asked Ruby to make up the guest bed in his room—for Maya.
Ruby didn't argue. She simply did what she was told.
Once everything was ready, Abir changed clothes and headed toward Armaan's room.
The door wasn't locked. He opened it slowly.
The room was dark.
Abir stepped inside, walked to the balcony—and found Armaan.
One hand in his pocket. The other holding a cigarette.
He rarely smoked. Only when the pressure inside became unbearable.
Abir: "Why did you bring Maya here, Armaan?
Armaan (without turning): "I don't know.
Abir: "What do you mean you don't know? You brought her here. The woman you divorced six months ago—because you don't believe in marriage—is now your maid? Why?
Armaan: "She needed a job. I gave her one.
Abir: "As a maid? You could've offered her something at your office. There's more going on here. A girl like Maya asking you for work? I'm not buying it. You're both hiding something.
Armaan: "Don't talk nonsense, Abir. If you came here to discuss work, get to the point.
Abir exploded. "You think I'm talking nonsense? The elder women are coming back tomorrow. What are you going to tell them?
Armaan: "I'll handle it. You don't have to worry. Did you get any news about Maisha?
Abir (groaning): "Maisha again? That's all you talk about. A name—no photo, no family, no address. How are we supposed to find someone like that?
Finally, Armaan turned. His voice cold. "I'll find her. One day, I'll bring her back. Just watch.
Abir: "And what if she's married? Has a family? Kids? Then what?
Armaan fell silent.
Abir: "What then? You ruined Maya's life—for a ghost! You can't let go of a name.
Armaan (bitter smile): "A good girl, huh? You have no idea who your precious Maya really is.
Abir: "What did she ever do to deserve your hatred?
Armaan: "You wouldn't believe me. But one day, you'll see it for yourself. And you'll hate her too.
Abir: If that day ever comes. I don't want to be there to see it.
Abir turned and walked away.
Armaan smiled—cold, bitter—and stepped back inside his room. He adjusted the AC, lay down, but his mind was somewhere else.
Back in time.
Flashback – Ten Years Ago
Armaan was eighteen. Just before leaving for college abroad, he went on a trip to Darjeeling with friends.
On the last morning, while his buddies slept in, he took a solo drive.
Fog hung thick over the road.
Out of nowhere—a girl in a school uniform appeared, playing with a kitten.
Right in the middle of the road.
He swerved hard.
CRASH.
The car slammed into an electric pole. His forehead hit the steering wheel. Blood dripped. Pain shot through his body.
Everything went hazy.
Then—he heard a voice.
Through the broken windshield, he saw a girl. Nine or ten, tops. Big, scared eyes. Long hair down to her waist.
She was trying to open his door.
Pinned to her chest: Maisha Talukdar. Class IV.
Her voice trembled. "Open the door! Please! It's going to explode—get out! You'll die!
He fumbled. Managed to unlock the door.
She pulled. He tried to help.
His body felt dead. But she didn't give up. She dragged him out. Just as they hit the ground—
.Boom.
The car went up in flames.
She screamed, "Run!
He couldn't. But she stayed beside him.
He tried to stand. She held on to him. A little girl—with more strength than anyone he'd ever met.
Together, they stumbled to safety.
He passed out, holding the nameplate that had fallen from her chest.
When he woke up—he was in the hospital.
His family was there. They told him the little girl had saved his life. Brought help. Came to the hospital.
A teacher had taken her back. No one got her full name. No contact.
All he had was her name: Maisha.
He returned to Darjeeling. Tried to find her.
Nothing.
Then—he left for London.
But he never forgot her.
And even now, all these years later—he's still searching.
Still chasing the girl who saved his life.
Still chasing Maisha.
To Be continued..