Anu and Vedansh were sleeping, tangled in each other's arms, their bodies pressed close in a warmth that felt safe and familiar. Her face was buried against his chest, her soft breaths rising and falling in rhythm with his heartbeat. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her like an anchor, like she was the only thing keeping him grounded.

The room was wrapped in silence-peaceful, intimate.

Until Vedansh's phone vibrated.

The sound was small, but it felt like a crack in the calm.

Vedansh frowned slightly, careful not to disturb her. He shifted just enough to glance at the screen. The moment he saw the caller ID, his jaw tightened and his eyes darkened.

"Ee time lo phone chesaru...?"
Why are you calling at this hour...?

He answered quietly.

There was a pause.

Whatever he heard made his expression change completely. The softness vanished, replaced by tension and something dangerously close to fear.

"Okay... vastunna."
Okay... I'm coming.

He cut the call.

Anu stirred slightly, sensing his movement even in her sleep.

Vedansh immediately bent down, his expression softening again as if nothing had happened. He kissed her forehead gently, lingering there, then her cheeks, then her lips-slow, careful, like he was memorizing the feel of her. he slipped off his T-shirt and gently pulled it over her head, adjusting it around her like a blanket.

She smiled faintly, still half-asleep, clutching the fabric as if it carried his warmth.

Vedansh dressed quickly, glancing at her one last time-his eyes filled with a pain she couldn't see.

Then he left.

Time passed.

The door opened quietly again much later.

Vedansh returned.

Anu was still asleep, curled on the bed, his T-shirt wrapped around her like armor.

He sat down near her feet slowly, as if even the slightest sound might break her. His fingers trembled when he lifted her feet gently and pressed a soft kiss to them-reverent, apologetic.

Two silent tears slipped down his face.

He wiped them away roughly and stood up, turning his back to her before his weakness could betray him further.

Outside, the night air was cold.

He lit a cigarette, staring into the darkness without really seeing anything.

Suddenly, arms wrapped around him from behind.

Anu.

She rested her cheek against his back, her voice sleepy but firm.

"Bava... don't smoke. Naaku nachadu."
Bava... don't smoke. I don't like it.

Vedansh stiffened.

He didn't turn around.

"Aithe velli poduko. Late avtundi."
Then go and sleep. It's late.

His tone was stern, distant.

Anu frowned. That wasn't the bava she knew.

She tightened her hug instead, pouting, snuggling closer like she always did when she wanted him to soften.

Vedansh closed his eyes.

He exhaled deeply.

Then, without a word, he crushed the cigarette under his foot.

He turned, lifted her into his arms effortlessly, and carried her inside. He laid her down on the bed, pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her, and rested his chin on her head.

They slept.

Or at least-she did.

Vedansh lay awake, staring into the darkness, drowning in thoughts he couldn't share.

What could have happened??? Any guesses???? In comment box ....
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Rahul stirred awake with a soft groan after hearing alarm at 5 am.

He glanced at the time and sighed.

"Bangaram... inka bojjundi Chalu lei Nenu velali. Time aindi."
Bangaram... it's Enough now. wake up. I have to go.

Nidhi only snuggled closer, her arms tightening around him.

"Inkoncham sepu, bojjo...pls"
Just sleep a little more time.. please.

Rahul smiled helplessly and lay back down for ten more minutes.

Then he leaned in, pressing slow kisses to her cheeks, ending with a playful bite.

"Mm... enduku naa buggalu korukutav eppudu?"
Why do you always bite my cheeks?

Rahul chuckled softly.

"Because I'm addicted to my rasagullas."
Because I'm addicted to my rasagullas.

He kissed her cheek once more.

"Sare... nenu veltunna. Nuvvu inkoncham sepu poduko."
Okay... I'm leaving. You sleep a little more.

"Hm... okay. Bye."
Hmm... okay. Bye.

He hugged her tightly one last time and kissed his rasagullas and slipped out through the window..
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Anu woke up with a smile already forming on her lips.

That half-sleepy smile that always appeared when she expected to see Vedansh first.

Her hand moved instinctively to the other side of the bed.

Empty.

Her smile faded.

She sat up slowly, scanning the room.

No Vedansh.

No sound from the bathroom.

No hurried footsteps.

Just silence.

"Bava...?"
Bava...?

No answer.

Her heart began to race.

She checked the time.

Morning.

Her fingers trembled as she dialed his number.

Ring... ring...

No answer.

Again.

Disconnected.

Her chest tightened painfully.

She called his PA.

"Sir is in continuous meetings, ma'am."
He is in continuous meetings, ma'am.

"Oh..."
Oh...

She lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Today... I was supposed to become his wife.

Tears slid silently..

She hugged his T-shirt to her chest like it was the only proof he had ever been hers.

That was the first day she learned what it meant to be abandoned in silence.

He came at evening..

"Bava today we supposed to be married.." she said..

He is still silent...

"Konchem busy ga unnanu anu... ippuduala kudardu..." He said not looking into her eyes...

Am little busy anu.. marriage can't happen soon..

"What happened is everything fine.." she asked while about to sit on his lap but he stood...she felt like abandon...he never stopped like that..

She covered her hurt..and smiled..

"Haa elections are coming soon and I have to be there.."

"It's ok we can marry after elections" she said but he just humed...

She thought it was work stress...

Days passed.

Weeks crawled.

The wedding date vanished like it never existed.

Vedansh won the election.

MLA Vedansh.

The house was filled with applause, celebrations, media.

But Anu lived like a ghost.

He spoke to everyone.

Except her.

He smiled for cameras.

But not for her.

And she said nothing.

If his dreams need my silence, she thought, then I'll be silent.
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Anu was serving food quietly to everyone.

"Raa bava, tindu ra."
Come, bava. Eat.

Vedansh walked in.

Behind him-an elderly man.

"Amma, he is Lakshman Rao garu."
Mom, he is Lakshman garu.

Lakshman smiled.

"Namaste amma."
Greetings, amma.

"Namaste."
Greetings.

His eyes fell on Anu.

"Ade maa ammai Sindu. Chaala manchidi. And it is very lucky to find a groom like Vedansh."
She is my daughter Sindu. A very good girl.

Then-

"Meeku okay aithe... thanaki okay annadu." He said gesturing Vedansh.
If you're okay... he said he is okay.

The tray fell.

Anu is standing...

"I want to talk to my son for a second." Kavitha said lakshman went outside waiting hall.

"What is this vedansh.."

"Amma it would be benifit for both of our parties.."

She slapped him and said "benifit aa then why is she waiting like mad girl for you. Haa say why the hell she left her house and came just for you..say why the hell she is waiting for you when my bava will come and marry me..i thought you were in work stress that is why you are ignoring her but this is the truth...arey i am ashamed thinking about my upbringing " and went near lakshman and said "sorry sir but my son's marriage is already fixed and he can't marry your daughter.

Anu ran to the room.

Nidhi also ran behind anu.

"Vadina vadina open the door" she keep on banging but no use...
While inside the room..

ANU POV

She is froze.

For a second, she thought she had heard wrong.

Her fingers tightened around the serving spoon, knuckles turning white. The words echoed in her ears, slow and cruel, as if someone was repeating them just to watch her bleed.

Marriage.

Another woman.

Vedansh.

Her heart skipped.

Then slammed.

No.

No... this can't be right.

Her eyes searched his face instinctively, desperately, like maybe this was some misunderstanding, maybe he would look at her and say something-anything-to stop the world from collapsing.

But he didn't look at her.

He didn't even flinch.

That silence... it shattered her.

How?

How can he betray me?

How can he do this to me?

Her chest tightened violently, like invisible hands were squeezing her lungs.

Did everything mean nothing to him?

The nights, the promises, the way he held her like she was his entire universe-were they all lies?

Was I just convenient?

Was I just someone he used until his dream came true?

Her vision blurred.

The room tilted.

The tray slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor, but the sound felt distant, unreal-like it happened to someone else.

She turned.

She didn't hear anyone calling her.

She didn't feel her feet hitting the ground.

She only knew one thing.

Run.

She ran like she was being chased-by truth, by reality, by the image of him standing there and choosing someone else so easily.

The door to her room slammed shut behind her.

Her back hit the wood as she slid down slowly, her body giving up.

Her breath came fast.

Too fast.

Sharp, shallow gasps that refused to go deep.

"No... no... no..."

Her hands clutched at her chest, nails digging into her skin as if she could physically hold her heart together.

He said he loved me.

He said I was his world.

Then how... how can he marry another woman?

How can he even think of touching someone else?

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, soaking into her clothes, her hair, the floor beneath her.

Was I so easy to replace?

Was I never enough?

Her breathing worsened.

Each inhale burned.

Each exhale felt shorter than the last.

Her body shook violently now, panic flooding her veins.

I can't breathe.

Why can't I breathe?

Bava... please...

Her lips trembled as she tried to call his name, but no sound came out-only a broken, voiceless sob.

Her vision darkened at the edges.

Her ears rang loudly, drowning everything else.

Her hand slipped from her chest, hitting the floor weakly.

The last thought that crossed her mind before the darkness swallowed her whole-

I trusted you... and you left me to die.

Her body went limp.

Silence.

VEDANSH POV

Vedansh stood rooted to the spot outside.

The moment Anu ran past him, something inside him tore violently, like flesh ripping from bone.

No.

This wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

His chest hurt-physically, unbearably.

Every instinct screamed to run after her, to pull her into his arms, to tell her the truth, to beg her to understand.

But his feet wouldn't move.

If I go to her now, I'll destroy her even more.

His hands clenched into fists.

I'm sorry, Ammulu.

I'm so sorry.

You think I chose this?

You think I can even breathe without you?

Letting myself marry another woman is worse than death.

His throat burned.

His eyes stung.

This is for your own good.

I can take the pain.

I can take the blame.

But I can't let it happen...

Even if it means you hate me.

Even if it means you think I betrayed you.

Even if it kills me slowly every day.

He felt it then.

That sickening dread.

Something's wrong.

His heart pounded violently as fear crawled up his spine.

Anu...

Please breathe.

Please don't break.

Please hold on just a little longer.

Because I'm doing all of this-

only for you.

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"Anu vadina... talupu teeyatla!"
Anu isn't opening the door!

Rahul ran to the room "anu anu open the door...".

The words slammed into him like a death sentence.

No.

No... no... no...

His breath hitched painfully, chest tightening as if someone was crushing his heart in their fist. The noise around him faded; voices blurred. All he could hear was his own pulse screaming in his ears.

Ammulu... please open the door.

Please cry.

Please shout.

Please slap me.

Just don't be silent.

His hands trembled violently. These hands that could control crowds, sign orders, win elections-were useless now. Completely useless.

What if she's scared?

What if she's breaking inside?

What if she truly believes I chose someone else?

Guilt tore through him mercilessly.

This is my fault.

Every tear she sheds... my fault.

Every breath she struggles to take... my fault.

I should have protected her better.

I should have taken her far away from all this.

Power means nothing if she's not safe.

His eyes burned as tears spilled freely.

God... please.

Take everything from me.

My position.

My name.

My future.

Just don't touch her.

Let her be okay.

I'll kneel.

I'll beg.

I'll disappear from her life if that's the punishment.

Just let her breathe.

What if she's panicking?

What if she can't breathe?

What if she's alone in there thinking I betrayed her?

The thought ripped him apart.

No... she can't think that.

She can't believe that.

Because I can't survive if she believes that.

His knees weakened.

If anything happens to her...

I won't survive it.

I don't deserve to.

He pressed his palm against the door, as if he could feel her pain through the wood.

Ammulu...

I'm right here.

I never left you.

Please don't leave me like this.

Please don't punish me with your silence.

I'm already dying every second without you.

Silent tears soaked his collar as his lips moved in a broken prayer.

Let her open the door.

Let her breathe.

Let her live.

Punish me instead.

Break me instead.

Because without her-

I am nothing.

Rahul broke the door....

Anu lay unconscious.

Vedansh fell to his knees.

"Baby...?" Vedansh's voice broke as the word slipped out of him before he could stop it. His eyes were fixed on Anu's pale face, fear choking him. "Doctor... Ni piluvandi fast ga....".
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The doctor paused, then turned back, her expression firm, unquestionable.

"She had a pani attack and because of that she couldn't breathe now it's ok but if it repeats it would be difficult for baby as well..."

"Baby..aa" vedansh shuttered..

"Yes," she said plainly. "She is 4 weeks pregnant."

The words hit like thunder.

Rahul's head snapped up. For a second, there was stunned silence-then rage exploded through him.

"What did you say?" Rahul stepped toward Vedansh, eyes blazing. "Pregnant...? My sister is pregnant...?"

Vedansh couldn't speak. His lips parted, but no sound came out. Tears welled up, spilling freely as he nodded, barely able to stand.

Rahul didn't wait another second.

He grabbed Vedansh by the collar and slammed him back.

"You ruined her life!" Rahul roared. "You used her... and then you talk about marrying someone else?"

He punched him hard.

Vedansh staggered but didn't raise his hands to defend himself.

Another punch.

"You had the right to touch her," Rahul shouted, "but not the courage to stand by her?"

Vedansh fell to his knees.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered brokenly. "I swear... I never-"

Rahul lifted his fist again-

A faint voice.

Everyone froze.

Anu's fingers moved weakly. Her eyelids fluttered open slowly, confusion clouding her eyes as she struggled to breathe.

"Anu..." Rahul rushed to her side instantly, dropping everything. "Ela undi?"

She swallowed painfully, her eyes searching the room.

They found Vedansh-on his knees, bruised, crying.

Her brows knitted.

Rahul's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

Anu tried to sit up, panic flickering across her face.

"Anu how are you feeling ma??"
Ma is addressed to call dearest people.

"Nenu... nenu okay," she murmured, though her breath was still uneven. "Vedansh..."

She lifted her trembling hand slightly toward him.

"nenu... Vedansh tho matladali..."

Everyone left the room.

The room went silent again.

Anu looked at him through blurred vision, her chest rising unevenly.

"Come here."

Vedansh didn't ask why.

He didn't speak.

He walked to her slowly, every step heavy, and stopped in front of her. His eyes stayed lowered, his face already accepting whatever was coming.

Her hand moved.

SLAP.

The sound echoed sharply.

Another slap.

And another.

Again.

Again.

She kept hitting him-her palm burning, her arms shaking-yet not a single word left her mouth. Every slap carried a question, an accusation, a betrayal.

Vedansh didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't defend himself.

Tears slid silently down his cheeks as he stood there, letting her break him.

Her strength gave way before her anger did.

She suddenly grabbed his face, pulling him down, and broke into sobs. Her lips pressed against his cheek, then his jaw, then his forehead-kissing everywhere she had struck him, as if trying to erase the pain she caused.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." she cried, her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him like she was afraid he would disappear.

Still-
He said nothing.

Her sobs turned desperate.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" she whispered.
"Please... say something. Just one word."

Silence.

Her breathing grew uneven again. Panic flashed across her face.

She placed a trembling hand over her stomach.

"I swear on our child," she said through tears.
"Please... tell me the truth."

Vedansh's face cracked.

For a second, she saw it-pure agony.

But his lips stayed sealed.

That shattered her.

Her eyes fell on the table beside her.

The fruit bowl.

The knife.

Before thought could stop her, she grabbed it and held it tightly in her shaking hand.

"If you don't speak now," she cried, voice breaking,
"I'll end everything right here."

Vedansh froze.

Fear unlike anything he had ever known ripped through him.

"Anu-" his voice finally broke.

She looked at him, hollow.

"You already killed me," she whispered.
"If you want me to stay alive... say something."

His control snapped.

The knife trembled in Anu's hand.

"Stop it, Anu," Vedansh said, his voice breaking. "Put it down."

She laughed bitterly. "Why, Bava? This is the only way you'll listen."

She lifted the knife recklessly.

"No-"

Vedansh lunged forward and grabbed the blade mid-air.

It slipped.

Blood spilled instantly from his palm.

"Bava!" Anu gasped, the knife clattering to the floor. She rushed to him. "You're bleeding... let me see-"

He jerked her away so hard she staggered back.

"Don't."

Before she could react, he grabbed her neck-not choking, but tight enough to scare her, to stop her.

"Don't you dare do this stunt again," he growled. "Don't you dare."

His grip pressed for a second longer.

Anu slapped his hand away, eyes blazing through tears.
"Why does it bother you?" she screamed. "What happens if I die? Let me die then!"

Vedansh froze.

"This," he said hoarsely, holding up his bleeding hand, "this is why I am not marrying you."

She went still.

So what could the reason be and why vedansh is behaving like that... please do comment and vote.....