Read My Passion_Your Love :: A new face , an old fear

Inayat woke up to the soft morning light, having slept soundly in Evan's arms all night. She turned over and found Evan was gone. He had gotten ready and left.

Inayat smiled faintly and sat up slowly. A note lay on the bedside table:

"Good morning, sunshine! I've ordered something special for you. Check your wardrobe."

Inayat read the note with surprise and opened the closet—it was filled with new clothes! Every color, every style, every design... but her eyes were drawn to a beautiful red saree.

Inayat took out the saree and headed to the washroom, smiling. A few moments later, she emerged from the washroom and returned to the wardrobe.

When Inayat was ready, she looked at herself in the mirror—deep red, a golden-bordered saree, her pallu highlighting her waist, red bangles on her wrists, and sindoor in her parting... she was no longer Miss Khurana, but Inayat Evan Suryavanshi.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, Evan's eyes fell on her, and he was momentarily speechless. "Damn..." he murmured and walked towards her. "Do you even know how beautiful you look right now?"

Inayat blushed and lowered her gaze.

Evan's eyes held the same fire that Inayat was beginning to recognize... his hand came to her waist and pulled her closer.

"E...Evan," Inayat stammered.

"Hmm?" Evan playfully tugged at her saree's pallu.

Inayat smiled faintly. "Let's go downstairs, everyone's waiting..." Inayat tried to free herself.

Evan, lost in Inayat, said carelessly, "I don't care..." He pulled her closer and gently placed his lips on her cheek.

Inayat blushed. "But I have to..." she said with a slight smile and ran away.

"A new face, an old fear..."

As soon as Evan and Inayat reached the dining hall, Evan's friend Harsh Deshmukh was standing there. "Evan!" Harsh exclaimed and gave him a tight hug! "What's up, man! You got married and didn't even call your brother?"

Evan laughed. "If you were in India, I would have."

Harsh said in mock anger, "Don't make excuses, I want a wedding party!"

Evan laughed again. "Yeah, yeah, you'll get it."

The whole family was happy to meet Harsh, but one person was acting strangely—Inayat. As soon as she saw Harsh, her face turned pale... her hands trembled, her breaths quickened.

Harsh's eyes were fixed on Inayat, and he wore a mischievous smile.

Evan noticed that Inayat had suddenly become unwell. "Inayat? Are you okay?" Evan gently took her hand.

"Y...yes, I'm fine..." Inayat said in a trembling voice and tried to force a smile.

But a question had arisen in Evan's mind—"Why did Inayat get so nervous seeing Harsh?"

Harsh said, "Evan, won't you introduce me to your wife?"

Evan smiled faintly. "Yes, of course. Inayat, this is Harsh, my best friend. And Harsh, this is Inayat, your sister-in-law."

Inayat forced a faint, fake smile.

Harsh said, "Brother, I'm not going to say sister-in-law. It's too old-fashioned. I'll just say Inayat."

Evan said, "Yeah, say whatever you want."

Kaveri, sitting at the dining table, said, "Alright, that's enough, you can talk later. Today is Inayat's first kitchen, she should make something sweet!"

Evan looked at Inayat. "Can you do it?"

Inayat nodded slightly, but her eyes were still on Harsh.

Harsh was still smiling, as if he was enjoying Inayat's nervousness.

Everyone at the dining table was immersed in laughter and jokes. Evan's father, grandmother, and brother were very happy with Inayat.

Grandmother said happily, "The daughter-in-law has amazing taste in her hands!"

"Absolutely!" Evan's father agreed. "Now I understand why our son got married so quickly!"

Everyone laughed. Evan looked at Inayat with a faint smile... but there was no sparkle in Inayat's eyes... she was constantly uneasy about Harsh's presence.

Harsh was also watching her with a hidden smile as he sipped his tea.

Grandmother said, "The breakfast is delicious, now it's time to give the daughter-in-law her gifts."

As everyone gave Inayat expensive gifts, her hands were trembling... but she somehow tried to appear normal.

"I'll be staying here for a month, brother!" Harsh said, placing his hand on Evan's shoulder.

"What?" The gift envelope almost slipped from Inayat's hands. She was shocked by Harsh's words.

"Yes, sister-in-law, now I'll consider this house my own." Harsh said with the same hidden mischievous smile.

Inayat's heart sank... "For so many days... under the same roof?" Her heart pounded. Her breaths became heavy.

After breakfast, when everyone started to get up, Inayat quickly went to her room... her hands were trembling... there was a strange fear in her heart, swirling like a storm... she sat on the bed and placed the gifts on the table. She muttered to herself, "N...no, he can't stay here. If he stays, he won't leave me alone."

Just then, the door opened, and Evan entered. "Inayat?" Evan asked, his voice laced with concern.

Inayat said nothing.

Evan slowly moved closer and sat beside her. "What happened? Are you okay?" He gently touched Inayat's chin and lifted her face.

Inayat's eyes were moist. "Evan..." she managed to say, and in the next moment, she was in his arms.

Evan felt Inayat's hands gripping his back tightly... her breaths were rapid.

Evan held her firmly and gently stroked her hair. "Shhh... don't say anything. I'm here, right?"

But Evan couldn't understand why Inayat was so scared... he knew there was something Inayat wasn't telling him.

Evan's family considered Harsh a successful businessman... but Evan knew that Harsh's true face was a little different. He was a party lover, addicted to drugs and women. He knew that Harsh could sleep with any girl for money.

But Evan had no idea that Harsh was a gigolo—his real world was filled with money and flesh trades. He forcibly dragged young boys and girls into his business.

But Inayat knew this truth about Harsh... and that was her biggest fear.

Evan gently held Inayat's shoulders and pulled her away slightly. "Now tell me, what's the matter?"

Inayat looked into his eyes.

Evan's eyes held love, but he was also anxious to know the truth.

Inayat wanted to tell Evan everything... but she was scared.

"What if Evan finds out who Harsh is? What Harsh did to me...? What if he hates me?"

Inayat couldn't say anything... she just hugged him and closed her eyes.

Evan took a deep breath and held her tighter. "It's okay. Don't tell me now. But tell me when you're ready..."

Hearing this, a tear fell from Inayat's eyes.

"Will Evan ever know the truth?"

Why is Inayat so afraid of Harsh?

Will Evan ever find out the truth?