" I see." Alex replied, despite having countless questions to ask. Who is he to ask her to share all her secrets, all her pain and suffering, when she barely knows him, when she barely trusts him?
Nope, he has to first earn her trust. He has to make her rely on him. He has to let her know that she can depend on him, no matter what. Only then he can expect her to open up to him, to share the deepest and scariest of her secrets with him.
Till then, he will have to pretend to be a dumb guy, who can't see her pain, who can't hear the exasperation in her voice, who doesn't just want to hug her, to comfort her. Not yet.
" Did you eat something? Are you hungry?" Alex asked next, his voice soothing to the ears like an offshore wave.
Before Sophia could answer, her tummy rumbled in answer. After all, her body knows her. It knows that this girl will choose sleep over everything else. But her organs need energy; they need food.
"Well, join us for dinner, then." Alex invited, while trying not to smile. People say it's considered rude to laugh at someone's embarrassing moments. Sophia nodded awkwardly, but suddenly she remembered something and couldn't help but ask.
"But, isn't this your family dinner?" Sophia asked hurriedly, as Alex had turned his back towards her and had started walking towards the dining table. He paused, frowned, and turned towards her with a question mark completely visible on his face.
" Yes, it is." Alex answered, despite being confused.
"Then, go ahead and enjoy it." Sophia was quick to dismiss the guy, who apparently is her husband by law, but loves someone else.
"Pardon!" Alex asked, his confusion intensifying.
"It's your family dining time. So, go ahead and enjoy. Don't mind me." Sophia was quick to wave her hand in a dismissive gesture.
Alex stared at her for a few minutes and then, as if it dawned upon him, he looked at her wide-eyed, " Is that why you left the dining table in the morning?" he asked, waffled at the new discovery.
Now, it was Sophia's turn to pass a quizical look to Alex, but she still nodded. After all, isn't that obvious? She is just a stranger here. She is not a family, nor intend to be. So, why should she join them? Not to mention, it was the old lady who told her to leave.
Did this guy not see it? Wasn't he present there at that time? Then, what's with this silly question and that absurd facial expression? As if she had just spoiled his favourite book's ending for him. Besides, why is he lowkey angry? Is she imagining things? Just what on earth is wrong with this man? Don't tell me, this guy has a mood swing problem!
"Sophia, it is a family dinner, indeed. But you are invited here. Because you are a part of this family. As long as you live here, you will always be considered a very important part of this family.
You will be treated with utmost respect and dignity, which any member of The Raichand household deserves and receives. We may not share the bond of husband and wife, and I may not exercise my rights as a husband on you, but I will always fulfill my duties as your husband.
You would forever be loved, cherished, spoiled, deeply taken care of, your voice, your opinion, your thoughts and your feelings will always matter and will remain unquestionable forever.
Even when one day, we have to part ways, we will do it respectfully. Sophia, I have vowed to ensure your happiness and peace in the sacred hawankund of Lord Agni. I will fulfill it till my last breath. That's non-negotiable for me, you see." Alex offered, while cupping Sophia's little face in his large, veiny hands. Inching the distance between them, letting her see the sincerity, the seriousness in his eyes.
He is a man of honour, and he won't wrong her, no matter what. Their marriage is not her fault, so he won't punish her for that, either. She is just a little girl whose life has just begun. She deserves happiness. She deserves to make memories, to live her life. Instead of being forced to walk on thin ice because of him or his family.
He won't allow that.
Sophia just kept blinking, trying to process the words that were being told to her, and somewhere in between, something snapped in her. The girl who wasn't afraid of a room full of fire was feeling scared now. The girl who has long learn how to fend for herself was struggling really hard to hold her act together.
The tears were brimming in her eyes, threatening to fall, any moment, now. Why? Just why? He is just a man who doesn't even want her. They are just empty words. Men love to throw empty words, empty promises. Doesn't she know that already?
Hasn't she seen it already, when that guy ruined Anaika Di's fierce spirit, leaving her in a hollow, lifeless shell of nothing? He used to sweet-talk like this, too. But what happened? He left her the moment he found she was pregnant with his child.
He just disappeared from the face of the earth, completely.
Men only know how to order around, how to be a dickhead, how to throw empty words, how to cheat, how to use you and discard you. Typical men.
Then, why? Why? Just why?
Why is something breaking in her? Why is her whole body feeling tired? Why does she want him to hug her, to hold her, to hide her in his embrace? Why? Just Why?
Why does she want to cry her heart out? Why does she want to wail out loud? Why does she want to share everything that has happened to her? What did her family do to her?
She is strong, isn't she!