Chapter 2: Consequences and Close Calls

On the way home, I messaged Arjun:

[Darling, I’m not feeling well today, but I did come by. Sorry, I’ll make it up to you with your surprise later.]

He replied quickly: [Are you okay? What happened? Want me to come over and keep you company?]

[No need. I’m already asleep, you should rest early too.]

I just wanted to calm down by myself, so I quickly refused. I knew if he saw my face, he’d know something was wrong.

[Okay. Then I’ll come see you tomorrow morning.]

[Hmm.]

I put down my phone and let out a long sigh of relief. The auto outside honked impatiently, as if echoing my own agitation.

When I got home, I couldn’t wait to take a bath. The familiar click of the geyser heating up was oddly comforting, and as I poured buckets of hot water over myself, the day’s grime—physical and emotional—seemed to wash away, if only for a moment.

The warm water soaked my body, bringing a brief moment of comfort and peace. I took my time, letting the steam cloud the mirror and the tension slowly slip from my shoulders.

But the fragmented scenes from earlier kept swirling in my mind. Every time I closed my eyes, flashes of that moment—my arms around Kabir, his silence—kept haunting me.

Just now, Kabir hadn’t reacted at all.

When I was holding him, pressing up against him, kissing him passionately—

He never crossed the line. He stood perfectly still, almost as if he was somewhere else entirely.

Even when I grabbed his hand, at that moment…

His breathing was only a little heavy and uneven.

But, given the difference in our sizes, he could have easily pushed me away.

Yet he didn’t move. He just let me do whatever I wanted.

Thinking about it, my heart started pounding again, and my whole body felt hot. I remembered how my bangles had clinked softly against his wrist.

Kabir’s reaction… wasn’t that a bit strange too?

Did he know it was me in the room at that time?

But I quickly stopped myself from overthinking. What was the use of thinking so much? Arrey, mistakes happen!

I was the one who mistook the person in the first place.

If I tried to blame someone else, I’d be even more shameless. My mother’s words echoed in my head: 'First admit your own mistake, beta.'

He was willing to cover for me and help distract Arjun. I should be grateful. One less mess to clean up. I made a silent note to thank Kabir properly.

Early the next morning, Arjun came over with big bags of stuff. The smell of fresh vegetables and bakery bread drifted in as he bustled about.

“How are you? Feeling better?”

After I got up, Arjun asked with concern. He touched my forehead out of habit, as if checking for fever, his eyes gentle.

“Mm, it’s nothing, I was just a bit tired yesterday.” I forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t probe further.

“It’s getting late, go wash up. I’ll make breakfast.”

I nodded. My stomach rumbled softly, and I realized I hadn’t eaten properly last night in all the chaos.

When I came out, Arjun was already busy in the kitchen. The sizzle of onions in the pan, the pressure cooker’s whistle, the aroma of masalas—my heart felt a little lighter.

Arjun and I work at the same company; we’re an office romance.

After dating for over a year, Arjun spoils me endlessly. He always insists on carrying my tiffin box, and won’t let me walk alone to the metro if he’s around.

Whenever we have a day off, he comes over to cook for me. Sometimes he even calls my mother to ask for my favourite recipes.

With him around, I barely have to lift a finger.

He even takes care of all the chores—laundry, cleaning, everything. Sometimes, I feel a bit guilty, but he just laughs and says, 'Bas, you be happy.'

On every festival, he takes me out on dates and carefully prepares gifts. Last Diwali, he even surprised me with a small puja at his flat, decorating the place with diyas and marigold flowers.

If we ever argue, he always admits fault first and never lets me shed a tear. 'Zindagi choti hai, Neha. Why waste time fighting?' he always says.

I’m slow to warm up, hard to open up. Years of being cautious, maybe. I’m not one to fall for grand gestures easily.

So at first, I dated Arjun with a “let’s see how it goes” attitude. I told myself not to expect too much.

After a year, I’d observed Arjun enough.

So last night, I decided to take our relationship a step further. I’d rehearsed it all in my mind—no filmi drama, just something special.

I just didn’t expect to mess up and cause such a scene. Only I could get into this kind of trouble!

After Arjun finished making poha, paneer bhurji, aloo paratha, and a bowl of curd, he called me to eat. He even set out a steel tumbler of chaas, knowing I liked it.

“All your favourites. Try them.”

Arjun served me rice, watching me expectantly. His eyes sparkled, eager for my reaction. It was hard not to smile at his childish enthusiasm.

“Mm.”

I nodded, feeling a warmth inside. A lump formed in my throat—guilt and affection mingled together.

Although what happened yesterday was just an accident, I still felt a little guilty towards Arjun. My mind kept going back to that moment, wishing I could somehow rewind and fix it.

Halfway through the meal, I couldn’t help but ask, “How’s your roommate, Kabir?” I tried to sound casual, but my voice shook just a little.

“Kabir?”

Arjun paused for a moment. “Pretty good. Why?”

“It’s just… every time I come to find you, he always seems cold. I’m just curious—how do you guys get along?” I stirred my curd absentmindedly, eyes fixed on the bowl.

“He’s a bit slow to warm up, and yeah, kind of aloof. But he’s a good guy.”

“Mm.”

“Is he single? Does he have a girlfriend?” I tried to sound offhand, but Arjun raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve never seen a woman visit him. He always keeps to himself, probably single. But a lot of people at the office are after him.”

Kabir works at the same company as Arjun and me, but in a different department.

He’s really handsome, so he’s quite popular. Even the HR aunty had once joked about him being the 'most eligible bachelor' at the Diwali party.

I’d heard about it too.

“Huh? Why are you suddenly so interested in him?”

Arjun took a bite and glanced at me. “Are you having a change of heart?” His lips curled into a mock frown, eyes twinkling with mischief.

He was joking, but I quickly denied it, “No way! How could that be?” I made a face, throwing a piece of onion at him in mock annoyance.

Arjun laughed, “I’m teasing you. I know, our madam only has eyes for me.”

“As long as you know.” I smiled, feeling the tension slowly ebb away.