CHAPTER 19
Two days later.
Aanya stirred from sleep, blinking against the darkness, as she felt someone gently shake her hand. She opened her eyes to find Reyansh standing beside the bed, fully dressed and ready to leave.
“I’m leaving,” he muttered.
She rubbed her eyes and pushed herself upright. It was still dark outside. That’s when she remembered he was flying to Cape Town tonight. Friday night.
“Okay…safe flight,” she said groggily.
“Sunny has your passport and visa,” he informed. “He’ll see you off at the airport tomorrow morning.”
“Alright.”
“Enjoy the birthday party and don’t drink,” he added firmly.
Aanya rolled her eyes. Of course, he wouldn’t let her forget the ridiculous clauses of their deal.
“I won’t,” she muttered. “I know I’ve got a flight tomorrow morning. I’m not that careless.”
He nodded and for a moment, he just stood there, looking at her.
His eyes lingered on her face, tracing the curve of her cheek, the way her hair had curled near her jaw, the sleepy crease on her forehead.
It was the kind of gaze that made her heartbeat pause.
The kind that said things he never put into words.
She watched his throat work as his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly…like he was swallowing a feeling he didn’t dare act on. For one fleeting second, it looked like he might lean in and press a kiss to her forehead. A typical husband’s goodbye.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he reached for his trolley, turned around, and walked out. Aanya sank back into the bed, her eyes still on the door he’d just walked through, her chest oddly heavy for someone supposedly in a fake marriage.
Then, sleep pulled her back under.
****************
Few Hours Later
At the office, Aanya waited for the day to crawl by, counting the hours until Navya’s birthday party.
Somewhere between her tasks, she realized Reyansh’s flight must have already landed in South Africa.
She picked up her phone and, almost hesitantly, typed out a message—not because she was worried (at least that’s what she told herself), but because if Di asked later, she wanted to have an answer.
‘Landed?’
She tossed the phone aside and resumed work. After thirty minutes, still no response. She typed again, her patience thinning.
‘Landed?’
Fifteen more minutes passed. Still nothing.
Annoyed and now slightly anxious, she called him. His phone was switched off.
The client meeting began, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Why hadn’t he turned on his phone? Hadn’t he landed yet? He should have. The meeting dragged for an hour, and the moment it ended, she rushed out and dialled Sunny.
“Sunny,” she said breathlessly.
“Hello, Aanya.”
“Did Reyansh call you? I’ve been trying to reach him for hours. Even messaged him, but no reply.”
Sunny sounded calm, sensing her worry.
“Relax. He landed safely. Probably attending the conference now.”
“Probably?” she echoed sceptically. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I confirmed with the hotel. He checked in long back.”
Aanya exhaled, but the knot in her stomach didn’t loosen.
“Then why is his phone off?”
“Could be a technical issue. I can’t say.”
She hesitated, then shook her head.
“Okay… if he calls, tell him to call home. I’m worr—” she paused, quickly correcting herself. “I mean Di might be worried.”
Sunny didn’t say anything, but the pause on the other end spoke volumes. He wasn’t fooled.
And Aanya knew it.
She ended the call and set the phone down. Why was she so worried now for Reyansh? Especially now, when the clock on their two-month deal was running out.
She stood there for a second, her mind battling her heart. Then, brushing it off, she returned to her desk.
****************
That evening, as she walked into the house, Radhika looked a little pale.
“Di, are you alright?” Aanya asked, concerned.
“I’m fine. Just a mild ache,” Radhika replied.
“Is the baby okay?”
“All good. Rishi had the doctor come home. Nothing to worry. Did Reyansh call?”
Aanya frowned.
“No, but I checked with Sunny earlier. Reyansh landed and is tied up with business conferences already,” she said, her tone edged with irritation.
Radhika noticed and chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry. Once you get there, make him apologize properly, for making you worry so much.”
Before Aanya could reply, her phone rang.
“It’s him,” she muttered and answered the call.
“I heard someone’s been missing me,” came Reyansh’s unmistakably smug voice through the receiver.
An uninvited blush crept up her cheeks. Why was she blushing? She turned slightly away, as if the warmth on her face could be hidden.
“Not missing but, yes, I was worried,” she snapped. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
He chuckled. “Why not? At least now I know how much I was missed.”
She bit her lip, glancing at Radhika who was still watching her.
“When are you leaving for Navya’s party?” he asked.
“In an hour.”
“Wish her on my behalf.”
“I will.”
“Packed your bags?”
“It’s a three-day trip. I’m not relocating,” she replied dryly. “I’ll pack tonight.”
“Hmm. Sunny will drop you at the airport tomorrow morning. A car will be waiting for you in Cape Town airport.”
“Alright. Anything else?”
“Enjoy the party.”
She was relieved he hadn’t reminded her not to drink but she’d follow that rule anyway. She had no doubt he could have someone watching her from the shadows just to keep her in check. That wasn’t needed thought. She’d been committed to this deal and at no cost she would break any of its rules now.
Night – Navy’s Birthday Party
“Happy Birthday to you…”
The crowd chorused as Navya cut the cake.
She fed the first piece to Aanya, then passed it around to others.
Soon, the champagne flowed. Aanya made sure to stick to a mocktail.
The music boomed, but Aanya stood away from the centre, sipping her soft drink and scrolling through her phone.
Navya noticed and walked up to her with a glass of champagne in hand.
“Drink?”
“No thanks, I’m fine,” Aanya replied, gesturing to the mocktail.
Navya narrowed her eyes. “He’s controlling you.”
“It’s not that. I have a flight early in the morning. Can’t risk it.”
“Oh right, South Africa, right? Why are you even going?”
“Reyansh has a conference there. You know he is doing some joint venture with Dad’s company.”
“Fine. But what will you be doing there? I mean, what about your job?”
“I took leave.”
“This is happening fast, babes,” Navya said, folding her arms.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, his sudden interest in you...it doesn’t sit right with me. He must have some motive.”
Aanya took another sip. “Motive? What are you suggesting?”
“He wants what every husband wants from their wife.”
Aanya stiffened understanding the implication.
“Come on, Navya. Don’t paint him like that.”
“Why not? He’s your husband. You’re living together. Maybe he wants to make this real.”
Aanya fell silent. That hadn’t crossed her mind before. Navya pressed on.
“But what matters the most is… what do you want, Aanya?”
Aanya thought hard before shrugging.
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want that either,” she replied quietly.
“How can you be so sure?”
Aanya hesitated, then confessed. “I think he’s planning to divorce me. I overheard him talking to Nani about it.”
“What?” Navya gasped. “If he’s planning to end this, then don’t you dare let him get close to you.
If he touches you, punch him. Hard . If this relationship is destined to end in divorce, then he has no right to touch you, emotionally or physically.
I’ve seen what it did to you last time, Aanya.
I won’t stand by and watch you fall apart again. Do you hear me?”
Aanya burst into laughter, despite Navya’s serious face.
“Navya, you think too much,” she said, pulling her into a hug. “Reyansh isn’t desperate. He’s got better options. If there’s one thing I trust him with, it’s this. He won’t complicate an already messy arrangement.”
Navya didn’t look convinced but let it go.
“You better be right. I don’t want you to call me from Cape Town saying you two… had a one-night stand.”
Aanya rolled her eyes. “That’s the last update you’ll get from me.”
Finally, Navya smiled.
“Now come on. Let’s dance. Hopefully, it won’t tire you out for your flight.”
Aanya laughed and pulled her friend onto the dance floor.
Next Day - Cape Town – South Africa
Aanya landed in Cape Town the following day, and the first thing she did was call Radhika to inform her that she had arrived safely. As she walked out of Arrivals, her eyes caught sight of a tall man holding a placard that read: “Mrs. Aanya Reyansh Chopra.”
Of course, it had to be Reyansh’s doing. But was it necessary to flaunt that name here too? He could have easily asked the hotel staff to mention Aanya Malhotra instead. Shaking off the thought, she followed the driver silently to the waiting car.
Check-in was already handled. No formalities were needed. She collected the duplicate room key and made her way upstairs. Reyansh wasn’t at the hotel, which was unsurprising, considering he must be caught up in conferences.
The moment she stepped into her suite, the stunning view of the ocean beyond the balcony took her breath away. It was picture-perfect—ideal for a vacation. She and Navya definitely deserved a luxury escape like this someday soon.
As she unzipped her bag, her fingers brushed against a folded note which lay on their bed. She unfolded it, recognizing his handwriting instantly.
‘See you at Trendy Pub tonight. 08:00 p.m. Hotel vehicle is already booked. —Reyansh.’
Trendy Pub? The name triggered something in her memory. Hadn’t she been there before? Yes, years ago on a college trip with friends. No wonder it sounded familiar.
Was it just a coincidence that Reyansh had chosen this place? But it didn’t fit his personality because he wasn’t the pub-hopping type. Was he doing this... for her ? Trying to impress her? Because he remembered she enjoyed this kind of place?