He was silent for a beat, watching me. "We're going to Bali."
The words didn't register at first. They looped in my head until the meaning finally sank in.
"...What?" I blurted out.
"A trip," he clarified. "One month together before I deploy."
"Do you mean a honeymoon?" Mr. Chauhan asked, beaming. God, he looked more excited than me.
I stared at my husband, searching his face for any sign of sarcasm. I waited for him to laugh, to tell me he was joking, but he didn't. He was dead serious. He watched my stunned expression for a moment before repeating, "I'm serious, Kav. We're going."
"You hate vacations," I managed to say. "That's what I heard, anyway."
"I don't hate them," he replied, leaning closer. I could smell the fresh, minty scent of his breath. "I just never prioritized them."
"And now you are?"
"Yes."
I felt something shift inside me-small and uncertain, but undeniable.
"Why?" I asked again, my voice quieter this time.
Saurav held my gaze. His eyes dropped to my lips for a fleeting second before returning to mine. "Because whatever this is..." he gestured subtly between us, "...it isn't working."
My breath caught. No, no, no. This had to be part of his act for his father-a way to play the doting husband so he could get information about his mother. It couldn't be real. He was just playing a part. But my heart wasn't ready to admit that, because Saurav looked entirely genuine. His eyes were soft; his voice was gentle.
"And before I leave," he continued, rounding the kitchen island to stand in front of me, "I'd rather try to fix it than come back to more of the same."
I didn't know how to react. This wasn't the Saurav I knew-or perhaps it was a version of him I had never been allowed to see.
"And if it still doesn't work?" I asked cautiously. I hated the question, but I needed to know the stakes.
Saurav's expression remained calm. "Then at least we'll know we tried."
I looked down, absorbing his words. A part of me wanted to refuse-to protect myself and stay within the safety of our distance. But a quieter, deeper part of me whispered a different question: What if this is our only chance? I didn't know whattomorrow held, but I wanted to make a memory worth holding onto. "When?" I asked.
"Tomorrow."
Mr. Chauhan's head snapped up. "Tomorrow? You've already made the bookings, haven't you, son?"
"I have," Saurav said, a small smile playing on his lips at my expression.
"You don't give people much time to think, do you?" I said, planting my hands on my hips.
"No," he said. "Because you would overthink it and say no."
I couldn't deny that. A silence followed, but this time it wasn't suffocating. It felt open, almost like a relief. I picked up my cup and took a slow sip, studying him. This man was still a stranger to me, but I wasn't sure I wanted to keep him that way.
"...Fine," I said finally.
Saurav's gaze sharpened. "Fine?"
"I'll go," I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. On the outside, I was composed; on the inside, I was doing bhootni dance.
Saurav gave a small nod. "I'll handle the details."
"I'm sure you will," I replied, a hint of softness returning to my tone.