41– Lies & Desires

ArthaArjun looked me up and down. “Why are you still in your PJs? Do you know what time it is?” Oh yeah, of course Arjun would come knocking at my door! Usually at this time I am already waiting in the lounge for him. “I’m just not feeling well.” I screwed up my face.“What’s wrong?”“Stomach cramps.” I hugged my tummy and pretended I was in pain.“You’re gonna take the day off?”“Sick leave?”“No. Where’s your doctor’s note?”I shook my head and chuckled. “It’s my brother’s company, I don’t need a sick note.”“You know me better than that. We lead by example at KE. That’s the first rule of business.”“I’m gonna take an Uber then.” I replied. “You can go without me.”“Oh, D is here so you can drive with him.”“Oh. Cool then.” I acted as if that name meant nothing to me.When he turned away I touched my heart and let out a sigh of relief.After closing the door I knocked on the bathroom door. “He’s gone.”Dean stepped out of the bathroom still in his shorts and his clothes in his hand

Last Updated : 2025-07-07

42– Chapter 42

RoshniShit. Not him. He is the only good decision I’ve ever made. I can’t lose Junior. I can’t lose Junior…My heart skipped a beat that sprung me awake. I began struggling to breathe again.“Roshni.” Yasser rushed to me from the other couch. “Are you okay?”I sat up on the couch and he kneeled down before me. “You’re okay. You’re okay.”“No.” I shook my head, feeling like this time I wouldn’t be able to regain my control.“Breathe with me, Roshni. You know how it goes.”“I can’t.”“Yes you can, focus on me. Look in my eyes.”I focused on his eyes, his eyes and the sound of his counting.When it was over and I could breathe again, he took a seat next to me. I ran my hands in my hair and let out a heavy sigh. This couldn’t keep happening.“What, was it a bad dream?” He asked me, his voice clear and soft.I nodded.“Do you wanna tell me what happened in the dream?”I shook my head. I looked at the time on my phone. “It’s almost 6pm. I need to start going.” I got up. I wanted to take his

Last Updated : 2025-07-08

43– I'll do better

Roshni I got off at the 24-hour pharmacy a few streets from home. I walked in and immediately felt like all eyes were on me. Please let me not see anyone I know. Please don’t let me see anyone I know. As I was walking to the counter, a man followed behind me to stand in line. I let him go first because I didn’t want him knowing what I was there for. When it was my turn again, I looked around me as casually as I could to check that none of our neighbors or parents' friends were around. “Good evening.” I greeted the woman behind the counter, wearing a hijab. “Can I please get two pregnancy tests.” When I got home, Ananya was in the kitchen cooking and my parents were still at work. “Evening, sister Roshni.” “Hi.” I came to kiss her head. “You good?” “Yeah.” She was turning the roti. “How’s Mr. Arora? Mom told us he was in hospital.” “He is fine now; his sugar just went too low.” “Oh shit –” “Ananya.” I gave her a firm look. She knew she wasn’t allowed to cuss. “Sorry, sister

Last Updated : 2025-07-09

44– Ask & you shall receive

Preetah I cleaned the house, pushing furniture out of their places and getting every corner. I damp dusted everything that was not made of cotton, linen, or hemp. I did our laundry, ironed and then packed them away. After that, I cooked, fixed the table and then called babuji out to eat. “I could smell the food from my room.” He chuckled as he took a seat in his usual place.

Last Updated : 2025-07-10

45– Something unknown

Dean Artha looked like she had no clue. I looked at the others all watching her expectantly. “You know what, I understand Artha’s loss for words.” I said, turning in the office chair to face Arjun. I kept my voice clear and casual. “I don’t think this is the kind of video you watch once.” “Exactly.” Artha took over. “I feel like I need to rewatch it to be able to make a good judgment. The first watch was me just looking out for the basic requirements of advertising, the second watch would be for me to look at it from a client’s point of view.” Arjun looked from Artha to me and then back. He nodded thoughtfully. “Everyone else feel the same?” The looks on people’s face said otherwise, thus making the silence awkward. “I think it was pretty straightforward. It was definitely one of those ads that just make sense.” Harvey said, making it even more awkward. “I agree with Dean and Artha.” Elza said. “Definitely one of those watch twice ads.” Arjun nodded thoughtfully. “In that cas

Last Updated : 2025-07-11

46– Let loose

Preetah I was wearing a short silk dress hand-picked by Arjun himself. My black wedges almost brought me up to his height. He stood behind me in the mirror, looking at himself. I took a couple of mirror selfies with him in the background. I was not one for pictures, but I needed a cute picture to post on my new Instagram account. According to B Linda, that was the ‘queen way of keeping all the females away without barking.’ So, this was it. After a whole day of watching every single video on her page, it was all down —mentally, down to the smallest detail: how I had to walk, talk, behave, and laugh. After today, Arjun would never want another woman if it wasn't me. “If you're done taking pictures, ma’am, can we go?” I gave him a playful smile, “Just one more.” I said, glancing at him over my shoulder. “Make a funny face.” Arjun raised an eyebrow but didn't object. He placed his lips in a hard line. Was that his idea of a funny face? Still, I pulled a duck face and snapped a quic

Last Updated : 2025-07-14