“What is your problem?” Avni turned on Karan, her anger blazing.
“Your matchmaking is my problem,” Karan shot back.
“But why?” Avni scoffed. “You don’t get to decide what I do. Besides, I’m just taking steps to initiate Mishti’s alliance, notyours.”
Karan stepped toward her angrily.
“That’s exactly what I want you to stop doing.”
Avni marched a step closer too, matching his fury. “Why? Why shouldn’t I?”
Karan gripped her arms.
“Because—” He paused.
The words were right there. Burning and ready to spill out…Because she is my wife.He was so close to saying it. But he couldn’t.
Mishti stared at him, horrified, not by his anger, but by his restraint. Even now, he was holding back. Protecting her. Protecting her bond with Avni.
Avni’s eyes searched his face, suspicion growing.
“Because?” she pressed. “Because what? Finish that.”
But Karan didn’t. He released her arms and walked away without another word.
Mishti immediately pulled herself together, refusing to let Avni see how deeply Karan’s outburst had shaken her as well. She straightened, masking the turmoil inside.
Avni turned to her, clearly unconvinced, her mind crowded with unanswered questions.
“What is wrong with him?” she asked. “Why was he involving himself in matters that don’t concern him at all?”
“It’s okay,” Mishti said quietly. “And please… I don’t want you to do any of this either.”
Avni frowned.
“But why?”
“Because I don’t want you to,” Mishti replied firmly. “That’s it.” Then she forced a lighter tone. “Now come on, let’s get some ice cream. You need to cool down.”
Avni let out a sigh and walked with her.
“If I need ice cream,” she muttered, “my brother Karan needs to swallow an entire ice cream truck to cool down. He’s that hot-headed.”
Mishti finally chuckled at the image because she knew Avni was right. But truth be told, even an ice cream truck wouldn’t be enough to cool Karan Wadhwa’s temper.
****************
An hour or so had passed since Karan heard Avni casually matchmaking his wife’s alliance with someone else. Yet, his anger had not settled. He wanted to tell Avni the truth. But he could not tell her who Mishti was to him. That helplessness only fed the fire burning inside him.
Restless and internally raging at the situation, he walked out into the garden, hoping a walk might calm him. Night had almost fallen, and the place was nearly deserted. A cool breeze brushed against his skin. It felt like it might rain tonight, which was unusual. Jaipur did not see rain this season. But the weather across India had become unpredictable, just like everything else in his life.
As he strolled aimlessly, he kicked pebbles along the pathway, trying to release his frustration with every step. Then, without warning, it began to rain.
Not heavily or violently. But the kind that touched before it soaked, that crept into the skin instead of chasing people away. Karan did not look for shelter. A part of him wondered if the rain could cool the heat raging inside him. He let it drench him completely and without resistance.
That was when he saw her.
Mishti.
