Page 116 of Mrs. Rathore

“You look the same,” he smiled, and two deep dimples appeared on either side of his face.

“You’re in the army?” I asked, almost accusingly. I had spoken to him, yet he never mentioned being an army officer let alone being posted in Barmer.

“I told you I had a decent job. You didn’t ask beyond that, so I thought I’d surprise you.” He winked. “But seriously, what are the odds that you’re posted in the same location?”

“Because my husband is posted here,” I replied, and his expression changed instantly, his smile fading.

“Where is he, by the way? I must know him.”

“There.” I pointed toward Aryan, who was still talking to Ira. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and they didn’t seem to notice the world around them. “Aryan Rathore?” he exclaimed, a little too loudly. I quickly shushed him and grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the crowd.

“Are you joking? You must be joking.” He laughed like I was seriously joking with him.

I frowned at the look in his eyes. “He’s my husband, Prashant.”

“Is he in love with you?” he asked, staring deep into my eyes and suddenly getting serious.

“Hmm…” I nodded nervously.

“Does he respect you?”

“Yes. Why the hell are you asking me these stupid questions?”

“Where did you meet him for the first time?”

“Oh, God! Stop now!” I hissed, lowering my voice when a small boy nearby flinched at my outburst. He glanced at me, startled, and I immediately regretted it. I didn’t want to scare children or cause a scene that would ruin Aryan’s image or worse, give Ira another reason to look down on me.

“Avni…” Prashant gently tilted my chin so I would look into his eyes again. His grin returned, softer this time. “That means… You don’t love him, right?”

I slowly shook my head, biting my lower lip.

“That’s… crazy. I’m glad. That means there’s still hope.” He glanced in Aryan and Ira’s direction.

“What hope?” I frowned.

“Nothing. Just… tell me the real story. No lies this time, okay?”

I nodded, and I told him everything from the first day I met Aryan, the accident, the forced marriage, the texts I had sent to Ira, the fake honeymoon, the letters I wrote pretending to be Ira, trying to mend their broken bond, and finally, my mother’s tragic death.

By the end of it, Prashant pulled me into a warm hug, and I let him. It felt safe, familiar, and protective.

But I didn’t cry because I was too exhausted. I had spent the last six months crying over Maa. She would’ve hated to see me like a crybaby.

“I’m sorry. I am, Avni.” He sighed, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear and cupping my face. “I wanted to see you once, but when you told me you were married, I thought you loved your husband. I didn’t think it was right to come see you when I believed there was no chance left for us…”

“Prashant Pandey...”

I was startled when I suddenly noticed Aryan approaching us. Ira was walking beside him. I quickly stepped back from Prashant, making an appropriate gap between us.

“Good evening, Sir,” Prashant greeted Aryan formally with his usual smile.

“You know each other?” Ira interrupted, her voice icy.

“He’s my childhood bestie,” I said with a bright grin, glancing at Prashant. He smiled back, flashing his perfect white teeth. He was nothing like Aryan. Prashant was charming, light-hearted, and easy to talk to, and not arrogant.

“We used to go to school together,” I said, and Ira's frown deepened.

“That was the best time of my life,” Prashant added with a broad grin.