I didn't answer. I hurried out into the cool evening air, the silence of the street a stark contrast to the chaos in my heart. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from Saurav.
Landed Jammu and Kashmir safely. Missing you already, cutie.
I stared at the screen until the light dimmed, the guilt washing over me like a cold tide. I was fighting for my sister's life, but in the process, I was losing the very honesty that Saurav had shown me in the last few months.
I looked back at the darkened windows of the studio. I had made my choice. Now, I just had to survive the consequences.
_______
I reached home at eight. I took a quick shower and got dressed, my mind still spinning from the rehearsal, before walking downstairs.
I went into the kitchen to cook dinner; I made veg biryani, the dish my father-in-law liked the most. Once it was ready, I invited him to the table.
“How’s the practice going?” he asked warmly, the steam from the rice rising between us.
“It’s good. We’re trying not to look weird since our styles are totally different. I’m a Kathak dancer and Abhiraj iscontemporary,” I replied with a small smile, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
“I’m telling you a secret...” Mr. Chauhan said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Abhiraj and Saurav were childhood best friends. But they broke up when Saurav chose the Air Force instead of business. They had promised each other they would stay together forever, but Abhiraj ended things when Saurav left for training without telling him.”
He paused for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful. “Abhiraj is kind of jealous of Saurav, I guess. Because my son is fulfilling his dream while Abhiraj remains stuck to a boring business.” Mr. Chauhan took a few spoonfuls of biryani before looking up at me again. “He’s still jealous of my son, but the reason is different now.”
He smiled softly, though his eyes remained serious. “The reason is you, Kavya. I can see the way he looks at you.”
My heart skipped a beat, but before I could find my voice, he continued. “Yes, I used him to get you closer to Saurav, but I think it was my biggest mistake.” He sighed heavily, the weight of his regret filling the room.
“I am… ” I started to apologize, feeling a strange mix of guilt and confusion.
“No... no... it’s not your fault, Kavya. And if you’re thinking of giving up this competition just because Abhiraj is your partner, don’t you dare do it. I just told you what I felt.” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “I just want you to fly. I just want you to be happy, Kavya,” Mr. Chauhan said, his eyes misting over. “Andthis competition… it’s your flight. Don't let the past or Abhiraj’s feelings pull you down.”
I looked at my plate, the spices of the biryani suddenly feeling tasteless. The revelation about Saurav and Abhiraj’s friendship made my chest tighten. They were best friends? And now I was dancing with the man who envied my husband? It felt like I was walking through a minefield.
“Saurav never told me,” I whispered.
“He wouldn’t,” Mr. Chauhan sighed. “My son carries his scars like medals. He doesn’t talk about the people who walked away.”
He pushed his plate aside and stood up slowly, his movements heavy. “Wait here. I have something for you.”
I watched him walk toward his study. The house felt too big, too full of echoes. A few minutes later, he returned holding a small, weathered leather diary. The edges were frayed, and the cover was stained with time.
He placed it on the table between us.
“I told you I was keeping secrets,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “Saurav hates me because he thinks I am the reason his mother left us. He thinks I am a cold, heartless businessman who chose money over family.”
“Isn't that… ?” I started, but stopped.
“No,” he interrupted softly. “This diary belonged to her. To my wife.”
He pushed the book toward me. I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the leather. This felt like holding a piece of history, a heavy burden that didn't belong to me.
“Read it, Kavya. Not tonight, but when you are ready. It contains the truth about why she left and why I stayed silent all these years. I couldn't tell Saurav because the truth would break him more than the lie did.”
I looked at his tired eyes and saw the wailing man from the rose beds again. He wasn't a villain; he was a man drowning in a sacrifice no one understood.
“Why are you giving this to me?” I asked.
“Because you are the only one who can bridge the gap between us,” he said, patting my hand. “You are the heart of this family now. When the time is right, you will know what to do.”
He turned to leave, stopping at the base of the stairs. “The biryani was delicious, beta. Goodnight.”