“Hate is too small a word,” Rhea replied bluntly.
“I heard she’ll be staying here for a couple of weeks,” she added.
“Why is she staying here? Isn’t it… strange for Saurav’s ex to live in the same house?”
“Tanya Rana is the daughter of Dev Rana, Uncle Shaurya’s business partner. Their families have always been close. That’s how Tanya has known Saurav bhai since childhood,” Rhea explained between spoonfuls of halwa.
“They studied in the same school, the same college. But Dev Rana never wanted Tanya to marry Saurav because, you know…” She trailed off, taking another bite. “You really made this delicious,” she added.
“Thank you,” I murmured, though my thoughts were elsewhere.
“So why is she here now?” I pressed.
Rhea leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Because Dev Rana recently agreed to a new business deal with Uncle Shaurya. And apparently… Tanya insisted on staying here.”
A strange uneasiness crawled into my chest. “Insisted?” I repeated.
Rhea nodded. “She said she wanted to spend time with old friends.”
My eyes drifted toward Tanya again. She was laughing softly at something Mr. Chauhan said, her hand resting comfortably on the table. She seemed to have a good rapport with both Mr. Chauhan and Saurav. Perhaps she wanted to replace me.
_______
Chapter 13
KAVYA
I squinted as golden sunlight streamed through the thin curtain. A yawn escaped me as I sat up, scanning the unfamiliar room then realization struck. This was Saurav’s room, not mine.
I looked at my finger, his ring mocked me. The second day of our marriage, and yet he made me feel like a stranger in his house. If he would lash out at me I would have tolerated it but his silence was driving me mad.
Tanya looked more like his wife than I did; she was with him almost every hour of the day. Thankfully, Rhea had left last night without questioning Saurav’s cold behavior, though I knew she carried a seed of doubt now and she would surely share this to Avni. Avni my best friend. If she found out anything wrong she would not hesitate to ask Saurav. And I would hate that. I would tell Avni everything when the right time comes.
The digital clock read six. I quickly slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, dressed and composed, I braced myself for another torturous day. It wasn’t truly torture, but Saurav’s silence gnawed at me.
As I made my way toward the kitchen, laughter drifted through the air. Curious, I followed the sound and found Tanya laughing in the backyard while working out with Saurav.
Another pang of jealousy hissed my chest.
“That’s crazy!” Tanya laughed even harder like she knew I was listening to them.
I stepped closer, straining to catch their words.
“She snores like a tractor,” Tanya teased, mimicking the sound. “Did you see how she slept? Sprawled across the bed like she owned the whole room, snoring loud enough to wake the house. It's not your fault you're not sleeping with her in the same room.”
My jaw clenched at the way she was talking about me. Snores? I didn't remember snoring.
Her laughter rang sharp, and though she looked smug, I wouldn’t have minded if it made Saurav laugh. But he wasn’t laughing. He was focused on his pushups, muscles flexing with each movement. His biceps and triceps bulged, sweat glistened on his flawless skin, his hair damp as he breathed heavily. He looked like a model as he had a beautiful face, and even a beautiful smile. How could someone like him ever want to sleep with me?
“Saurav, are you even listening?” Tanya asked, kneeling beside him and trying to get his attention but all he prioritised was his workout.
“Yes,” he huffed, continuing his pushups.
“Are you upset?” she pressed. “You always overdo pushups when you’re angry.”
“I’m not upset,” Saurav replied simply.
Tanya stayed silent for a few seconds like thinking about something, then she asked, “I was wondering why did you marry her?” Tanya’s voice softened, almost hesitant like she was afraid to ask that question. “You said you’d never marry.”