chapter 18-19
Chapter 18 — What He Didn’t Like Seeing
Rhea showed up at his office.
---
Unannounced.
---
Just like before.
---
“I was nearby,” she smiled.
---
Aarav didn’t question it.
Didn’t stop her.
---
Because this—
was familiar.
---
“Have dinner with me,” she said lightly.
---
Aarav hesitated.
---
Just for a second.
---
Then—
“…Alright.”
---
The restaurant was quiet.
Elegant.
---
Rhea talked easily.
Naturally.
---
About the past.
About things that used to matter.
---
Aarav listened.
---
But not completely.
---
Because for some reason—
his mind kept drifting.
---
To something else.
---
Or someone else.
---
“You’re not paying attention.”
---
Rhea’s voice pulled him back.
---
“I am.”
---
She smiled knowingly.
“No, you’re not.”
---
A pause.
---
Then—
“Is it your wife?”
---
Aarav stilled.
---
That question—
was unexpected.
---
“…No.”
---
Too quick.
---
Rhea leaned back slightly.
Observing him.
---
“That sounded like a lie.”
---
Aarav didn’t respond.
---
Because for the first time—
he wasn’t sure.
---
Chapter 19 — The Comparison He Never Made
When Aarav got home—
the lights were already off.
---
Except one.
---
The study.
---
He paused.
Then walked toward it.
---
The door was open.
---
Kavya sat inside.
Reading.
---
A soft lamp beside her.
---
She didn’t look up when he entered.
---
“You’re awake.”
---
She turned a page.
“Yes.”
---
A pause.
---
Then—
“You’re late.”
---
The same words.
The same tone.
---
But different now.
---
Detached.
---
Aarav watched her.
---
Something about this—
felt unfamiliar.
---
He had been out.
With someone else.
---
And she didn’t ask.
Didn’t react.
Didn’t care.
---
That—
he didn’t like.
---
“You didn’t ask where I was.”
---
The words slipped out.
---
Kavya looked up slowly.
---
“I assumed you were busy.”
---
A beat.
---
Aarav’s expression darkened slightly.
---
“That’s all?”
---
Kavya held his gaze.
---
“What else should I assume?”
---
Silence.
---
Because there was no answer.
---
Not one he wanted to give.
-