“Thank you,” I said calmly. Lifting my chin slightly, I walked toward Mr. Chauhan.
“You look beautiful, Kav,” he said warmly, his face lighting up with approval. “Exactly as I imagined.”
“Thank you,” I replied softly. From the corner of my eye, I felt his eyes on me.
It flickered toward me once more. When our eyes nearly met, he turned away quickly, almost as if I had caught him doing something forbidden.
I almost laughed. Looking at your own wife was hardly a crime. But Saurav behaved as if it was.
Tanya suddenly slipped her arm through his. Her gesture was possessive, as if she wanted to remind the entire room that he belonged beside her.
“We should leave, Saurav,” she said smoothly, leaning closer to him. “Everyone must already be waiting.”
He gave a short nod, and just like that, the moment from the staircase disappeared. His face returned to that familiar cold mask.
Only God knew how much I wanted this man to be happy. My husband had no idea how deeply it hurt me to see him like this.
As we walked toward the door, Tanya leaned even closer to him, speaking loudly, laughing a little too brightly. It felt performative. Almost like a show.
But Saurav didn’t look amused, not even slightly.
At one point, when her grip tightened around his arm, I noticed a faint crease form between his brows. A brief flash of irritation. It was gone almost immediately. But I had seen it.
_______
The party was out of my league. It was in one of the most expensive hotels I had never even dreamed of visiting. I spotted many celebrities, and most of the guests were businessmen. Everything was so fancy and modern that I felt small and out of place. I didn't even know how to use the tap in the restroom.
Mr. Chauhan introduced me to every one of his business partners wholeheartedly. He knew many celebrities, so I got the chance to talk to actors and actresses I used to see on television. I wanted to take a selfie with them, but it would have looked too weird, so I let go of the idea.
My eyes scanned the hall, searching for him, and there I found him smiling while talking to an old lady. My heart warmed when I saw his smile. He looked exactly like the old Saurav Chauhan who used to be charming and full of life. Tanya was nowhere near him.
He was talking while gesturing with his hands, as if he was explaining something to the old lady. This was the first time I had seen him this happy after our marriage.
"So he's your husband?" a deep voice said behind me.
I turned and saw an unfamiliar man. He was tall and attractive, but also carried an unsettling aura.
"Yes," I said with a nervous smile, stepping back slightly because he was standing very close to me.
He smiled, his eyes slowly running up and down my body.
"I'm Abhiraj Sisodiya, the owner of this hotel. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chauhan." He held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Sisodiya," I said, shaking his hand.
I felt uncomfortable when he held my hand longer than he should have. I quickly pulled it back when he finally released it.
Abhiraj didn't seem offended. Instead, he took a slow sip from his wine and smiled again, as if nothing strange had happened.
"So... how are you liking the party, Mrs. Chauhan?"
"It's beautiful," I replied politely, trying to keep the conversation brief. "Though it's a little overwhelming."
"That happens to everyone the first time," he chuckled. "These events are more about showing power than enjoying the night."
"You must meet a lot of celebrities here," I said, glancing around the hall.
"All the time," he shrugged. "But after a while they become boring. Same faces, same conversations." For a moment, he studied me curiously. "But you... you look genuinely impressed. That's rare."