“You don’t know how difficult it is,” Dhruv says suddenly, his tone shifting. His eyes narrow—not in anger, but in something deeper. He scoots closer, so close our knees brush, our chests almost touch. I can feel his warmth, his presence, grounding and overwhelming all at once.
“To be madly in love with someone,” he says slowly, deliberately, “and not be able to do anything about it.”
My laughter dies in my throat.
“So stop laughing, princess.”
I swallow hard.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, not because he asked for it, but because I feel it.
Silence stretches between us, not uncomfortable, just… full. His pinky brushes mine, tentative at first, then links with it. Such a small gesture, but it makes my breath hitch.
“I like you too, Dhruv,” I blurt out suddenly, the words tumbling over each other. “You do know that, right?”
He looks at me, really looks at me, a small, almost relieved smile forming on his lips. “I’m glad,” he says softly. “That’s enough for me, Sitara.”
And that’s when it hits me—sharp and confusing and achingly real.
I do care for Dhruv. More than I’ve cared for most people in my life. He’s kind. Thoughtful. Protective without being suffocating. And yes—ridiculously handsome, a fact I can no longer pretend I don’t notice.
But do I love him the way he loves me? No. Not yet. And that realization hurts, because he deserves someone who feels the same depth, the same certainty.
But then—what does certainty even mean when I’m already married to him? When my life is already tangled with his in ways I never planned for?
“Sitara.”
His voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“I’ve never seen you talk about yourself this way,” he says quietly. “Especially since... I thought… I thought you were getting better. With the therapy.”
I sigh, my shoulders slumping slightly. “I am better, Dhruv. I really am.”
I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip. My mind flickers to Maya. To her words. To the way they sank into me so easily, like they were just waiting for permission.
Should I tell him?
What if he fires her? What if he gets angry? I don’t want to be the reason someone loses their job, even if she doesn’t like me.
“Sitara,” he frowns. “What is it?”
I try to smile my way out of it. “Please don’t lie,” he adds gently. “It’s really very easy to catch your lies.”
I narrow my eyes playfully. “Oh? And how’s that?”
He smirks. “You really think I’ll give that secret away?”
I shake my head, chuckling despite myself. The sound fades quickly.
“It was Maya,” I say after a beat of silence.
His expression changes instantly—sharp, alert.
“She said you deserved better,” I continue, my voice steady even though my chest feels tight. “And I believed it. Because deep down… I do believe that.”
I meet his eyes. He needs to know. Even if it hurts.
His jaw tightens, anger flashing across his face. “Sitara—”
