Chapter 7: The Game Begins

7

I acted surprised, asking why she was back so soon.

She snapped, “Don’t even ask. I’m not going.”

Then she stomped off to the bedroom to sulk.

I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

Looks like my plan worked perfectly last night.

Those little texts were enough to turn Rajeev Mehra’s home upside down.

His father-in-law isn’t some ordinary guy—Rajeev got his job thanks to his father-in-law’s contacts.

So, all these years, the old fox was under his wife and her family’s thumb, and now he’s just rebelling in every way.

A word to all rich girls: marry someone on your level. Don’t try to lift someone up, or you’ll end up with a thankless wolf.

After my stunt, Ananya and the old fox kept their heads down, coming home earlier every day.

Once, I secretly saw Ananya fighting with the old fox.

“Professor, why are you scared of her? Doesn’t she know she’s old, boring, and bossy? How can she boss you around? I want to ask her straight—is being the legal wife such a big deal?”

Ha!

You don’t even know if you’re the fourth or fifth mistress, and you want to shout at the real wife? What’s going on in your head?

Saturday morning at 7:30, Ananya’s parents called, telling me to come pick them up from the station.

Ever since I bought a flat, Ananya’s parents, her elder brother, bhabhi, and nephew show up every few days—and always stay at my place.

Not just that, I have to drive them around, guide them everywhere, look after the kid, and pay for everything.

Before, for Ananya’s sake, I put up with it.

Now, I just want to say: bas karo.

But it’s not time to blow everything up yet.

At Pune station, the whole family squeezed into my car like it was theirs.

Her dad suddenly said, “Beta Rohan, you always come to pick us up. It’s really too much trouble for you.”

I raised my eyebrows.

That’s a first—her dad being polite to me.

As the car crawled through the crowded chaos outside Pune station, hawkers yelling and chaiwallahs selling kulhad chai, I watched them in the rearview mirror. Her father’s voice was softer than usual—maybe he sensed something, or maybe he just noticed I’m not his personal Ola driver. In that moment, I realised how much I’d let slide for Ananya, how much I’d bent over backwards for her family. But those days were over. The real drama, I knew, was still waiting to explode.