Next Day
The next morning, Mishti finished her puja in the small home temple. She had a restless sleep last night, interrupted by the memory of Karan’s rage and the way he had spoken about her late parents.
Respecting the boundaries of a marriage was one thing. But allowing her husband to insult her parents was something she would never accept. No matter how complicated their relationship was, no matter how strained their marriage had become, she would not tolerate that kind of cruelty.
How could a man be so stone-hearted that he did not hesitate to disrespect people who were no longer alive, people who could no longer defend themselves? People who had done nothing to him. Her parents were gone, and yet he had spoken of them with such venom, as though they were still standing before him, deserving of his hatred.
With that sour thought, she stepped out of the temple and made her way toward the kitchen, intending to check on breakfast. She had barely taken a few steps when she saw Karan,fully dressed for work, walking in the direction of the kitchen before her.
She slowed instinctively.
He never stepped into the kitchen. Not once since she had come to live here. The space was Maria’s domain, and Karan rarely crossed into it unless absolutely necessary. Why was he going there now?
Was he looking for her?
Before she could decide whether to step forward or retreat, Karan entered the kitchen. Acting on impulse, Mishti moved quietly to the kitchen door, keeping herself out of sight, close enough to hear but unseen.
Inside, Maria stood alone near the counter. The moment she saw Karan, she straightened.
“Good morning, Sir,” she greeted him, her tone however missing the usual warmth she carried.
The events of the previous night had left their mark. Karan had lashed out at her too, forgetting for a moment that she had served this household faithfully for years.
“Do you need anything?” she asked gently again. “Tea or breakfast before you leave?”
Karan shook his head and stepped further inside.
“No. I don’t need anything.”
He paused briefly before meeting her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you last night, Maria,” he said. “And I never want you to leave this house.”
Mishti, who watched from where she stood, was happy, but stunned. She had rarely seen Karan speak so nicely to anyone. Although he did not say the words‘I am sorry’, directly, but even then, his apology to Maria was full of true emotions.
“It’s alright, Sir,” Maria said quietly, nodding at him. “I did not take it to heart. I know when words come from anger and not from intention. I have lived in this house for many years now. Ihave looked after it as my own, never felt like an outsider here. This family has become my family. My only family.”
She swallowed, her eyes lowering.
“If you ever truly asked me to leave,” she added, “I would be left alone all over again.”
Karan stepped closer and took her trembling hands in his.
“I know what it means to be alone, Maria. I would never put that on you. Forgive me for last night.”
Relief washed over Maria’s face. Her shoulders finally eased as she nodded.
Karan then released her hands, stepping back.
“How’s your headache now?” she asked.
“It’s fine. I’m leaving for work. Have no time for breakfast today.”
Maria nodded, accepting it without protest.
The moment Karan turned around to leave, he saw Mishti standing at the kitchen doorway. There was no mistaking it. She had heard everything. But he just shot her a sharp look, and then strode past her without a word.
He had barely entered the living room when he heard her footsteps behind him.
