Komal nodded. “Go on. I’ll fry the last two puris for you. If you don’t mind.”
Mishti smiled gratefully. “You’re a lifesaver, Komal.”
By the time Mishti carried a glass of water to the living room, her heart was already racing, not because she feared him, but because she never knew what version of Karan she’d face next. But when she reached there, the space was empty.
Almost.
Because standing comfortably by the couch, with a smirk firmly in place, was Kanika, dressed elegantly in a fitted pencil skirt and silk blouse. Mishti froze, instantly realising what that meant. Karan and Kanika had driven home together.
“Hey,” Kanika said with exaggerated surprise. “Didn’t know Karan replaced Maria with you. Nice upgrade.” She reached for the glass, took it from Mishti’s hand without waiting, and drank the water as if she owned the place.
The casual insult hit deeper than it should have. Mishti’s knuckles whitened around the edge of her dupatta. After their fight the previous night, she had made it clear to Karan to draw his boundaries with Kanika, to stop letting her walk so freely into their marriage if he didn’t like sharing his wife either. But clearly, her words meant nothing to him. He didn’t care. He still flaunted Kanika by his side, letting her cling to him, and Mishti was supposed to simply watch. The thought burned more than she’d admit.
Still, this time, Mishti wasn’t going to let it go. “What is your problem, Kanika?”
“Problem?” Kanika laughed. “I don’t have a problem. You do. And you know what your problem is, Mishti? That even the housemaids get more respect than you in this house, don’t they?”
Saying that, Kanika turned to walk toward the staircase, but before she could, Mishti caught her wrist and pulled her firmly back to her spot.
Her actions shocked Kanika. Mishti had never raised her voice, never even protested before.This was new.
“Do you think I cannot respond to your foolish comments? I stay quiet because I respect my husband’s guests. And you,” she swallowed, “are Karan’s friend. So next time you come here, instead of reminding me of my importance, don’t provokemeto show you exactly what placeyouhold in this house.”
Kanika’s face turned red with anger. She certainly had not expected Karan’s soft-spoken wife to speak to her like that.
She shoved off Mishti’s arm and hissed, “I’m notjustKaran’s friend, Mishti. I’m a lot more than that. So,youbetter stay away from us.”
And with that, she stormed inside furiously, straight toward Karan’s room as if she belonged there.
Watching Kanika disappear into Karan’s room stabbed her heart. Even as his wife, she never had that right… the right Kanika so shamelessly claimed.
Her throat burned with unshed tears, but just as she turned to leave back into the kitchen, she saw Komal near the hallway. By the expression on Komal’s face, it was clear that she had clearly heard everything.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Komal finally sighed and walked closer. “I had my doubts about where you’re really hurting. Today I just got the proofs.”
Mishti blinked rapidly to hide her tears, but failed.
“Look, Mishti…” Komal’s gaze softened. “I have no right to judge anyone, especially their personal life. But being a doctor, and someone who’s sworn to help people, there are some things I just can’t be blind to.”
Mishti shook her head.
“It’s not what you think,” Mishti said. “Kanika is Karan’s friend. She’s a bit too attached to him despite our marriage. That’s all.”
Komal folded her arms, studying her closely. “And what about Karan?” she asked gently. “You speak as if he’s the perfecthusband, but tell me honestly, Mishti… can he really be that blind to whatever hisso-called friendKanika is doing?”
Mishti froze. She didn’t know how to defend him, not after everything Komal herself had seen and heard.
Komal stepped closer, resting a comforting hand on Mishti’s arm. “Ever since I’ve met you two, I’ve sensed it. You don’t seem happy. You try to paint him like he’s your world, but you can’t fool everyone. Especially not me.”
Mishti’s eyes teared as Komal continued. “If you’re not happy in this marriage, there’s no point in living like this. Have you ever thought about that?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Yes, I know things aren’t in my favour right now… but I have a heart, Komal. Yes, it hurts when my husband treats me like I don’t exist. It hurts when he doesn’t even look at me. But don’t I have the right to try? To change his heart, to make him fall for me?”
Komal cupped her face gently. “Ssh… Mishti, listen to me. I understand what you mean. You want this marriage to work, and that’s admirable. But think carefully, is it worth breaking yourself in the process? There might come a day when you would regret holding on too long. And that day, turning back won’t be easy.”
“Maybe.” Mishti looked at her through misty eyes. “But for a woman like me, the man she’s married to… she doesn’t give up on him so easily. I won’t let him go without trying. Whatever effort I put in, I’m confident it’ll bring a change someday. I believe in God… and I believe God will guide me.”
