Chapter 4: Truths Unspoken

Kabir saw the caller ID too, and his eyes dimmed. He stepped away, like he’d suddenly remembered something urgent, and disappeared into the back. The air still carried the tang of antiseptic, mixing with his cologne.

"Antiseptic khatam ho gaya, naya bottle laata hoon," he said, but I could see the bottle was still half full. I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already gone, his shoulders broader, steps heavier.

I answered the call, irritated: "Kya re, mirchi khayi kya? Don’t forget, I’m your official fiancé now. Treat me nicely or I’ll tell aunty, haan."

…

Aryan and I can’t stand each other. He thinks I’m too soft, and I always find him insufferable. Our famous engagement is just a scheme by both families to push the Patel family from Ahmedabad out of the Mumbai market.

No chance I’d actually marry him. But my parents told me to keep it a secret.

Every time I came to see Kabir, I made sure to drive myself—never called the driver. I thought the barrage was being dramatic, but now I wondered if Aryan really would swoop in if I hesitated too long.

I swear, Aryan would never like me. For the greater good, we’re both just playing our parts. Ninja turtles, basically.

I bit back a laugh, remembering how we once fought over pizza toppings and Amma scolded us like we were twelve.

"Why’d you call?"

"Car race hai kal. Finish line pe aake phool dena. Main passenger seat nahi dunga, darr jayegi tu."

As soon as he finished, I hung up. To keep up the engagement act, Aryan and I had to show up at public events together, and the media always made a big deal about it.

I thought Kabir didn’t know who I was, but he did. So in his eyes, am I just a bad woman with a fiancé, trying to seduce him?

Just then, Kabir came out, and I wanted to explain everything.

Aryan’s message followed:

[Teri maa bol rahi hai tu bahar bahar jaa rahi hai, Patel log active hain. Dhyaan se reh, nahi toh pakad lunga ahhhhh]

The words I wanted to say got stuck in my throat. I looked around, suddenly paranoid. I could almost hear the pressure cooker whistling back home—a reminder of how ordinary life could be, even with danger looming.

Kabir sat down and asked softly, "Kya hua?"

His voice was so gentle, I almost forgot the ache in my ear.

I bit my lip, looking at him. Kabir glanced at my ear. "Dard ho raha hai?"

It didn’t hurt much, but I nodded anyway. That feeling of being unable to say what I wanted… it hurt more than anything.

I felt tears prick my eyes—not from pain, but from holding everything in.

"Toh main aur dhyaan se karunga."

Kabir’s hands were gentle now, so gentle. From the corner of my eye, I saw him resist the urge to blow on my ear, my heart a complete mess.

"Kabir."

He looked up: "Hmm?"

"Kuch nahi, bas naam lena tha."

Kabir suddenly let out a heavy breath, his chest heaving. He quickly finished screwing on the jewellery, then avoided my eyes as he packed up his tools.

"Theek hai, dhyaan se ghar jaana. Kaan ko pani mat lagne dena, na smoking, na spicy khana jab tak theek nahi ho jaata."

He paused, as if remembering something.

"Phir se inflamed mat hone dena, please. Kuch bhi doubt ho toh WhatsApp pe pooch lena."

He took out his phone’s PayTM QR code, eyes a bit hesitant.

Afraid he’d change his mind, I quickly scanned it and added him as a contact. Explaining things over WhatsApp works too, na? My mood brightened instantly.

"Main nikalti hoon."

"Haan, take care."

As I left the studio, I caught a glimpse of the chaiwala at the corner stall, whistling as he poured tea into tiny plastic cups. The world outside was loud and busy, but my head was still full of Kabir’s voice.

Barrage:

[Kabir ka dil toot gaya, storeroom mein chup baitha hai, kuch sunne se dar lag raha hai.]

[Usne khud ko samjha liya tha ki fight nahi karega, lekin jaise hi heroine ne uska naam liya, sab feelings wapas aa gayi, LOL.]

[Kabir abhi bhi nahi jaanta engagement fake hai. Agar heroine thoda sa bhi pyaar se bole, toh dusra pati banne ko ready hai!]

[Bhai, yeh humara loyal second lead hai—uski self-respect hi uska dahej hai!]