The room was steeped in quiet as I sat on the edge of the bed, her hand still clutching mine. Her breathing had softened into a rhythmic lull, her face peaceful, almost serene. I watched her for a long moment, my eyes tracing the delicate lines of her features, the curve of her lashes against her cheeks, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
A strange pull stirred within me, a sensation I couldn’t quite name or explain. I clenched my jaw and looked away.
Gently, I pried my hand free from hers. She stirred, her fingers tightening instinctively for a fleeting second before her grip relaxed. I stood slowly, careful not to wake her, and took one last glance. The soft glow of the moon bathed her in silver light, casting her face in shadows that made her look even more fragile.
I turned and left.
The hallway felt colder as I descended the stairs, my footsteps muted against the wooden floor. The tension that had gripped my shoulders since the moment I met her hadn’t eased. If anything, it grew heavier with every step.
When I reached the living room, I found Rohit pacing. His hands fidgeted nervously, rubbing together as though trying to warm the chill from his skin. The moment he saw me, he stopped mid-step, his eyes filled with questions.
“Did Bhabhi fall asleep?” he asked, worry evident in his tone.
I clenched my jaw. “She’s not your bhabhi, Rohit,” I snapped, making my way to the open kitchen.
Rohit trailed after me, undeterred. “If she’s not my bhabhi, why did you call her your wife? You told the police and the doctor she was your wife. What’s going on?”
I ignored him, yanking open the fridge door. The cold air stung my face as I grabbed a beer and shut it with more force than necessary. Twisting off the cap, I took a long, slow sip, letting the bitterness settle on my tongue.
Rohit planted himself on the other side of the counter, his eyes burning with curiosity.
“Look, Rohit,” I growled, setting the bottle down with a thud. “Stay out of this.”
“Easy, Bhai.” He raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression somewhere between amused and concerned. “I’m not trying to pry. I just want to understand. Is she really your wife or not?”
My grip on the bottle tightened, the glass cold against my palm. I thought about telling him the truth—about the accident, her memory loss, and the lie that had spun out of control. But Rohit was as unpredictable as the wind, and secrets had a way of slipping through his fingers before he realized they were gone.
I couldn’t risk it.
“She’s my wife,” I said finally, my tone flat, “but only on paper. We were about to get divorced. Things got… complicated.”
Rohit’s brows shot up. “Divorced? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I sighed, taking another sip of beer.
“Because you weren’t around. And it wasn’t anyone’s business.”
He frowned, confusion knitting his brow. “But I’ve never seen her here. Not even once.”
I set the bottle down harder than I intended, the sound sharp in the silence. “Some things aren’t meant to be shared with everyone, Rohit. Let it go.”
His face fell, his usual cheer dimming. “So I’m ‘everyone’ now?”
I groaned, rubbing a hand down my face. “I can’t do this.”
“Then just tell me the truth!” he burst out, stepping closer. “What aren’t you saying?”
My patience snapped.
“Alright, fine!” I shouted.
“Yesterday, I got into an accident. When I checked the other car, she was inside—unconscious, barely alive. I took her to the hospital, and the doctor wouldn’t admit her without a relative. I couldn’t just let her die! So, I lied. I said she was my wife. That’s the truth. That’s the whole mess you keep poking at.”
Rohit’s eyes widened, his mouth opening slightly as if to speak, but no words came.
“And if that wasn’t bad enough,” I continued, my voice lowering to a dangerous edge, “ You know what happens today. How Deshmukh’s men took her, and I had to get her back.”
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.
I didn’t wait for him to respond. I grabbed the bottle and hurled it against the floor. The glass shattered, fragments scattering like fallen stars.
Rohit didn’t move. He just stared at me, his face pale, his usual grin completely gone.
The weight of the truth settled like a storm between us.
The room hung in a thick, sterling silence after the crash of the shattered bottle.
A broken glass littered the floor at my feet, but neither of us moved. I could feel the weight of Rohit’s gaze pressing on me like a brand, heavy with judgment and disbelief.
His voice broke the quiet, sharp and accusing.
“This is wrong, Bhai. You’re lying to her. How can you keep doing this?”
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to hold onto the last shreds of patience.
“I know it’s wrong. Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I planned it?” My voice was low but edged with frustration. “I didn’t know the lie would grow into… this.” I gestured vaguely, the enormity of my situation weighing heavily in the air.
“But you’re still lying,” he shot back. His tone was sharper now, his eyes flashing with anger. “If this continues then, Every day you let her believe something that isn’t true. You’re playing with her trust!”
I exhaled slowly, feeling the burn of tension clawing at my chest.
“Rohit,” I said, gritting my teeth, “you were there. You heard what the doctor said. She’s lost her memory. If she finds out the truth, the shock could kill her. Do you want that in my conscience? Or yours?”
The question silenced him. His mouth opened as if to speak, but he shut it again. His hands dropped to his sides, clenched tightly, as though he were holding onto the last bit of his resolve.
The silence between us stretched like a taut wire ready to snap.
“I didn’t ask for this,” I continued, my voice softer now but no less strained. “I didn’t want to be responsible for her. But she’s here, and until she remembers or until I find out who she really is, I have no choice. You know I can’t risk telling her.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration still evident, but his eyes softened with reluctant understanding. “So, what do you want me to do?”
“Keep quiet,” I said firmly. “Don’t let anyone find out the truth—especially her. I didn’t want to tell you, but I knew you wouldn’t rest until you figured it out. That’s why I’m trusting you, Rohit.”
He blinked at me, and a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’re trusting me with a secret this big?”
“Yes,” I sighed.
A grin spread across his face, boyish and triumphant, as if I’d handed him the world’s most coveted treasure. “Alright, Bhai! Don’t worry. I won’t let Bhabhi—or anyone—find out. You can count on me.” He beamed, the weight of the moment already forgotten in his excitement.
I shook my head at his sudden enthusiasm. “Don’t make me regret it.”
“You won’t,” he promised, puffing out his chest with pride. “I’ll do my best.”
His grin faded slightly, and his eyes narrowed with curiosity again. “But what if her memory comes back? Then what?”
I stiffened. The question hit like a blow I hadn’t prepared for. “The doctor said the chances are low,” I said carefully. “We’ll cross that bridge if—” I corrected myself, “when it happens.”
“But what’s your plan?”
I sighed heavily and dragged my hand through my hair.
“While she’s here, I’ll search for her family. You’ll help me. And when I find them…” My voice trailed off, the weight of my own uncertainty settling on my shoulders. “When I find them, I’ll send her back. Simple.”
Rohit nodded, his face lighting up with eagerness.
After a moment, he stood, stretching his arms above his head. “I’m heading out. Long day. Don’t break any more bottles,” he teased with a wink before slipping out the door.
I didn’t respond.
When the door clicked shut behind him, the silence returned, heavier than before.
I sat on the sofa, my eyes drifting up to the second floor, to the room where she slept, her hand still warm in my memory.
I rubbed my face with both hands, the weariness seeping into my bones.
I had done what I had to do.
But as I stared at the darkened stairs, I felt the creeping reali
zation settle in.
The storm was far from over.
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Love, Café & Rain 🌧️💗✨☕... Some moments are just perfect for cozying up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day! 🌧️☕📚 Embrace that peaceful vibe!...
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