A Glimpse of Vulnerability

                                        

                                              
Chapter 6: A Glimpse of Vulnerability
The night draped the Singhania mansion in a heavy, stifling silence. Outside, the sprawling gardens were bathed in moonlight, their beauty lost on the man who sat alone in his study. Raj Singhania nursed a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the faint glow of the desk lamp. His gaze lingered on a photo frame, the image within stabbing at a part of him he wished to forget.
The photograph was of him and Maya, taken during a time when happiness felt effortless. Her smile, radiant and unguarded, seemed almost cruel now-a reminder of what he had lost, what he had foolishly trusted.
The memories surged, relentless and unwelcome.
Flashback
Raj stepped into their home, the air filled with the sweet scent of roses from the bouquet in his hand. Work had been consuming him lately, but today, he wanted to make amends. He imagined her smile when she saw him, the warmth in her eyes as they shared a quiet evening.
But as he moved further into the house, a sound stopped him. Laughter. Hers, carefree and musical, but not directed at him. Another voice followed, low and mocking, one he recognized too well. Vikram Sethi.
Raj's steps slowed, his heartbeat quickening. He approached the living room with deliberate silence, each step heavy with growing dread. What he saw turned his world upside down-Maya and Vikram, their hands intertwined, their heads close as if sharing a secret only they could understand.
For a moment, Raj stood frozen, the roses slipping from his grasp. Vikram's sharp eyes caught him first, his smirk widening into something cruelly triumphant.
"Ah, Raj. Didn't expect you so soon," Vikram drawled, leaning back as though he owned the space.
Maya pulled her hand away as if burned, her face draining of color. "Raj... you're early," she stammered.
He took a step closer, his voice trembling with fury. "What the hell is going on here?"
Maya glanced at Vikram, then back at Raj, tears forming in her eyes. But she said nothing.
Raj's voice rose, a desperate edge cutting through the anger. "Maya, answer me! Are you... with him?"
Her silence was deafening.
"Raj, it's not what you think-" she began, but her voice faltered.
"Not what I think?" he snarled. "You're holding hands with my rival in my house, Maya!"
Vikram chuckled, leaning forward. "Oh, come on, Raj. Don't act so surprised. You've been too busy with your precious business to notice what's been right in front of you."
Raj's fury boiled over. He lunged at Vikram, grabbing him by the collar and throwing him against the wall. The smirk disappeared as the first punch landed. Maya screamed, trying to pull them apart, but the room erupted into chaos. Furniture toppled, glass shattered, and Raj's knuckles met Vikram's jaw repeatedly until both men were bloodied and breathless.
When it was over, Raj turned to Maya, his voice cold and final. "We're done. Get out of my life."
The flashback faded, leaving Raj staring into the bottom of his glass. The anger he felt back then still simmered, a bitter taste that never quite left his mouth.
"Love is a weakness," he muttered, his voice low and raw. "And I'll never be weak again."
Unbeknownst to him, Rashi had paused outside the study. She had been on her way to the kitchen when she heard his voice. Though muffled, the anguish in his tone was unmistakable. Her heart twisted painfully.
Raj doesn't let anyone see this side of him, she thought. But it's there, just beneath the surface. So much pain, so much loneliness.
She hesitated, then quietly moved away, not wanting to intrude. Still, the image of him sitting alone, drowning in his demons, lingered in her mind.
Later That Night
Raj's phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. He frowned at the screen-a message from one of his associates. Vikram Sethi had been making moves again, trying to destabilize one of Singhania Industries' key projects. The message included a location: a warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
Raj stood, grabbing his jacket. The fire of anger reignited, fueling his resolve.
The Warehouse
The scene was set for confrontation. Vikram stood at the center of the warehouse, his men flanking him like an entourage of jackals. The dim light cast long shadows, giving the place an ominous air.
"Ah, Raj Singhania," Vikram greeted mockingly as Raj strode in. "Always so predictable. Tell me, how does it feel to be losing your touch?"
Raj's jaw tightened. "Cut the theatrics, Vikram. Back off, or this won't end well for you."
Vikram's laugh echoed through the space. "For me? Oh, Raj. You're clinging to scraps while I take everything that matters to you. Face it-you've already lost."
The words hit their mark, but Raj didn't show it. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice low and menacing. "This is your last warning."
The tension snapped like a frayed wire. Vikram lunged first, but Raj was ready. The fight was brutal, each punch carrying years of animosity. Vikram's men joined in, but Raj held his ground, his movements sharp and precise despite the overwhelming odds.
A blow to his head sent him stumbling, but he refused to fall. Grabbing a metal pipe, he swung with deadly force, scattering the attackers. Finally, he stood over Vikram, his knuckles bloodied and his chest heaving.
"This isn't over," Raj spat, his voice a growl.
He turned and left, his body aching but his resolve unbroken.
The Singhania Mansion
Raj returned home well past midnight, his shirt torn and his face bruised. The grandeur of the mansion seemed cold and uninviting, a stark contrast to the warmth it once held.
Rashi was waiting in the living room, unable to sleep. When she saw him, her breath hitched. "Raj!" she exclaimed, rushing to him. "What happened? You're hurt!"
"It's nothing," he said gruffly, brushing past her. "Don't fuss."
But she wasn't deterred. Grabbing his arm gently, she led him to the couch. "Sit. Let me help you."
Before he could protest, she fetched the first aid kit. Kneeling before him, she worked quietly, her hands trembling as she cleaned the gash on his forehead.
"Who did this to you?" she asked softly.
"It doesn't matter," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"It matters to me," she replied, her voice breaking. "Why do you do this, Raj? Why do you keep pushing everyone away?"
Her words struck a chord he wasn't ready to acknowledge. For a moment, he looked at her-really looked at her. Her concern wasn't feigned. It was real, raw, and unwavering.
"You wouldn't understand," he said finally, his tone softer.
"Maybe not," she admitted, tears glistening in her eyes. "But I'll still be here. I'll always be here."
She finished bandaging his wound, her fingers lingering on his hand for a brief moment. "Goodnight, Raj," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "Please... take care of yourself."
As she walked away, Raj remained seated, staring at the door she had closed behind her. Her words echoed in his mind, planting a seed of doubt in the fortress he had built around his heart.
Maybe letting someone in wasn't a weakness after all.
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That is it for this chapter..... hope you all like it and please guys do vote .... 
Next update next week stay tuned for that and do read my other books (Bound by Vows Broken by Pride) and (The Rajvanshi's Bride) ....