Page 28 of Mrs. Rathore

It had been fifteen days since I started that leave. And I was already wondering

How the hell will I survive forty-five more days with Avni?

“Hey, bro,” Saurav sidled up beside me, grinning ear to ear. “How was your first night? I left dark chocolates and a box of condoms in your room…”

“You what?” I glared at him, which only made him laugh harder.

“I thought you’d need them. Come on, man, did you go all in? Naked?”

“Saurav, shut the fuck up,” I hissed through my gritted teeth. “There’s no sex happening. Her doctor advised against any physical activity.”

“That’s... seriously unfortunate,” he muttered with a pout, his eyes drifting toward Avni. “By the way, I found her Instagram last night. You wouldn’t believe how popular she is.”

He shoved his phone in front of me, forcing me to watch a reel he’d pulled up. On the screen, Avni appeared, dressed in a flowing red suit that clung to her like a second skin. She twirled effortlessly, her movements so fluid they almost looked unreal. Her long braid whipped through the air, following the rhythm of her spins with perfect grace. The sound of ghungroos wrapped around her ankles filled the video. It was sharp, precise, and hauntingly beautiful. Each step she took echoed with confidence and elegance, a performer completely lost in her art.

“Why the fuck are you showing me this?” I snapped, pushing his cell phone down.

“I just wanted to remind you what you took from her,” he muttered, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Relax, I’m still on your team. I’ll help you get rid of her… so I can marry her later.” He winked, laughing as he strolled over to where Avni and Rhea stood chatting.

Saurav bent down to touch Avni’s feet, but she quickly moved back, blushing furiously. She was two years younger than him, yet as my wife, she was his bhabhi. God, these family dynamics were enough to drive anyone insane.

I turned away, stepping onto the verandah, just in time to hear Saurav crack a dirty joke. I would’ve strangled him if he ever tried that with Ira. But with Avni? I didn’t give a damn.

Guests were arriving, dressed in our traditional colors reds and yellows. I didn’t particularly care for either. The house buzzed with the energy of the pooja.

Then a sleek black car pulled up in front of the gate and to my surprise, Ira’s family stepped out. I hadn't expected them, butmy mother must’ve invited them. Our families were still on good terms.

Ira stepped out last.

And damn my breath caught.

She wore a red saree, the kind of red that made time stop. She walked up to me, her expression soft and sad.

“Hey…” she whispered, pulling me into a hug. I hesitated, then returned it.

“How do I look?” she asked, stepping back so I could see.

“Beautiful,” I replied without thinking.

“I bought this saree to wear on the second day of our wedding,” she murmured, her voice dipping into silence. “I was supposed to attend this ceremony as your wife but… it’s okay. Maybe in a few months, hopefully.”

“Yes… hopefully,” I said, though it felt like the word burned on my tongue.

“You look handsome, by the way,” she added with a small smile.

“Really?” I glanced down at myself, then chuckled. “I thought I looked like a complete mess.”

“You don’t…” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. I stiffened slightly. I was married but not to her. And now people were watching.

One of the women nearby smiled at us and commented, “What a wonderful couple.”

Ira’s face lit up, but that only made me take a step back. I didn’t care what people thought but my father? He wouldn’t let this slide. I wasn’t ready for another one of his lectures.

Ira must’ve sensed the shift in my expression. She turned on her heel and rushed inside.

Shit.

I moved to follow her, but...