My Cruel Love
After finishing his meal, Arman stood up.
The puri and curry really were delicious.
That girl could cook—he had to admit it.
Thinking that, he walked toward his room.
Just as he opened the door and stepped inside, he collided with someone.
It was Maya.
She had come up to clean Arman's room while everyone was at breakfast.
She was mopping the floor and holding a bucket of dirty water when they bumped into each other. Her eyes had been focused downward.
The bucket slipped from her hands, and she fell with a loud thud. Water splashed everywhere—even on her.
Arman froze in place.
Maya groaned, holding her back. "Oh God! My waist! I think I broke it!"
Snapping out of it, Arman rushed forward to help—but slipped on the wet floor and fell right on top of her.
Just then, Abir's voice rang from outside:
"I saw nothing! I saw NOTHING!"
Maya immediately pushed Arman off, and he rolled aside. She sat up, groaning, while Abir peeked through his fingers, pretending not to look.
Arman snapped, "Cut the act, Abir. I don't have time for your nonsense!"
Clearly annoyed, Arman stood up.
Maya, still holding her back, glared at him.
"I came to clean your room! You're the one who bumped into me. And you slipped—not me!"
Arman said nothing—just stood there, irritated.
Abir offered his hand to Maya, and she accepted it, slowly rising to her feet.
She winced in pain and clutched his arm.
Abir's expression changed immediately. "Maya, are you hurt?"
"Just some back pain. Nothing serious," she replied.
"Nothing serious?" Abir frowned. "That's not how pain works. I'm taking you to the hospital."
Arman stood nearby, watching them silently—furious.
The sight of them together made his blood boil.
Maya steadied herself against the wall and said quietly, "I'll come back later and finish cleaning."
Abir protested, "No need! You go rest. I'll call Ruby to clean it."
Maya nodded and left the room slowly, Abir following close behind.
Arman stormed into the bathroom, grumbling—he now had to shower all over again.
Meanwhile, Maya returned to her room and headed straight for the bathroom.
When she came out, she was surprised to see Aunt Anzuma sitting on the bed with ointment in hand.
Anzuma looked up and rushed over.
"Where does it hurt, sweetheart? Abir said you fell."
"It's okay, Auntie. Just a little back pain."
"Come, let me apply this. You'll feel better after a bit of rest."
Maya sat down, and Anzuma gently rubbed ointment on her back.
"I thought you'd already gone to see your dad at the hospital. How did you fall?"
"I was cleaning his room," Maya said quietly, not mentioning the collision. "I slipped on the water."
A while later, Anzuma returned with a plate of food.
"Here, open your mouth," she said sweetly.
Maya blinked. "Auntie… what are you doing?"
"No talking. I'm feeding you. You've been working since morning."
As Anzuma fed her with motherly care, tears welled up in Maya's eyes.
"What's wrong, dear? Is the pain that bad?"
Maya shook her head. "It's just.no one has fed me like this since my father. I miss him so much. I don't know how I'll live if he's not around,
Anzuma's heart clenched. She gently wiped Maya's tears.
"Don't cry, sweet girl. Everything will be okay. Just have faith."
She comforted Maya softly and helped her finish the meal.
To be continued...