Page 96 of Mrs. Rathore

She nodded. “Yeah, it sounds absurd, I know. But I’ve seen them. And I’ve seen you and Bhai. It’s different. When he was with Ira, something was missing. I never saw that spark, that madness, that unspoken pull that’s there when two people are truly in love. I mean, Ira was his girlfriend, yes, and their relationship lasted for years. But honestly… They were rarely together. Most of the time, Bhai was away, chasing his career. They had phone calls, sure. They exchanged letters. But everything about them felt like a routine...like two people sticking around because it made sense on paper.”

She paused, her fingers tugging at a loose thread on her sleeve. “It always felt more like... friendship. Respectful and cordial, but not love. At least not the kind that consumes you.”

I stayed silent, allowing her words to settle. She glanced at me and smiled again, a softer, sadder smile. “I might be wrong, okay? I’ve read about love, watched it unfold in books and films, and heard people talk about it like it’s a kind of madness. A beautiful madness. Love is supposed to be wild and desperate,full of longing. It drives people to cross oceans, break rules, and even defy fate just to be with that one person.”

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “If Bhai had truly loved Ira the way people talk about soulmates, he wouldn’t have walked away. He would have married her no matter what. Love makes you fight, even if it costs your career. Even if the world is against you.”

I swallowed, my throat tightening. Rhea’s words echoed in the quiet room like a slow-burning truth.

“Have you ever heard of someone giving up the love of their life for a job?” she asked.

I watched Rhea carefully, trying to read between the lines of her playful smirk.

“What?” I asked cautiously.

“So you think Aryan is in love with me?”

Rhea blinked and then burst into laughter. “Of course not, Bhabhi! I mean... that’s not what I meant. I just said he was never in love with Ira. That’s my perspective. I’ve seen them foryears, remember? But as for what my brother feels now... well, he’s a mystery even to me.”

“Exactly,” I muttered, folding my arms. “You might not know what’s going on in his head. He’s a master at hiding his feelings.”

“He is a master at hiding feelings,” she repeated, still smiling. “But I’m kind of glad you drive him crazy sometimes. He deserves it. Someone had to shake him out of that arrogant shell.”

Her tone softened as she shifted closer to me, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “Tell me something, Bhabhi... What about your past? Have you ever had a boyfriend before my dramatic brother walked in and turned your life upside down?”

The question hit a little too close to home. I winced. The word "boyfriend" felt foreign on my tongue. I had never even imagined having one. I had always envisioned a husband not because I was deeply romantic, but because that’s how I was raised to think in terms of permanence, not possibilities. And now, ironically, I had a husband by force.

I let out a small, bitter laugh. “No, I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never even been in a relationship.”

“What?” Rhea stared at me, stunned. “Wait, like never, never?”

I nodded slowly, avoiding her wide eyes.

“Okay, stop. How old are you again?”

“Twenty-four. Why?” I asked, already sensing where this was going.

Her jaw dropped. “Twenty-four and you’ve never even been kissed?”

“Nope.”

She groaned dramatically. “I can’t believe how guys let such a beautiful woman slip through their fingers. I mean, seriously, look at you! Those eyes, that skin, those curves! You’re a literal bombshell. How has not a single man ever tried his luck?”

I bit my lip, a distant memory flickering in my mind. “Some did,” I admitted, “but I just... turned them down.”

There had been a guy at my institute once who asked me out to dinner. He was polite, charming even, but something about him unsettled me. Then there were a few others who were persistent, pushy, or just plain creepy. I never saw a future with any of them. None of them made me feel safe.

“They were all the wrong kind,” I added simply. “I never wanted to date just for the sake of it.”

“Well,” Rhea sighed dramatically, “my brother hit the jackpot. And he didn’t even buy a lottery ticket.”

She tugged at a loose thread on her top and twirled it between her fingers, her smile faltering slightly. “You know, I have a boyfriend too, Rayaan. He moved to the UK a few months ago for his higher studies.” Her tone turned hesitant, uneasy. “Lately... I think he might be cheating on me.”

“What makes you think that?” I asked gently.

“Last night, I caught him on a video call with a girl. She was sitting way too close to him. When I asked, he said she was just a classmate. But the way she looked at him... and the way he looked at her...” She trailed off, shaking her head.

“Maybe you’re overthinking it,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing gently. “If he knew you were going to call, why would he even answer if he was doing something wrong? It doesn’t add up. Maybe she is just a friend.”