Chapter 6: The Secret Unravels

The next morning, I was woken by my ringtone.

It was the generic Bollywood tune I’d set for unknown callers—always the first sound I hear after a bad night.

No idea who was calling.

Half asleep, I reached for my phone, but couldn’t get it.

"Jaan, keep sleeping."

Someone gently patted my back.

I was really sleepy, so I rolled over in his arms and slept like a log.

When I woke up again, I opened my eyes and found a pair of pitch-black eyes staring at me.

For a second, I wondered if it was still night, the room so dark except for Arjun’s stare. His gaze was sharp, cutting through all my sleepy confusion.

Arjun was looking at me, his gaze different from usual.

Normally, when he woke up, his eyes were either full of desire or gentle.

But today...

It sent a chill down my spine.

I could almost hear my mother’s voice in my head: "Beta, when men go silent, something is very wrong."

"Arjun?" I tugged his sleeve, nervous.

What was with him?

Arjun was holding my phone.

He must’ve answered my morning call.

Was it about the call?

I racked my brain—who could’ve called me?

Besides telemarketers, my dad, and the maid, no one.

None of them would make Arjun angry.

So what was it?

He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger, his voice hoarse: "Jaan, are you hiding something from me?"

I shook my head instinctively. "What?"

He leaned in, gently lifting my chin.

"Then tell me—what’s this appointment for a check-up and abortion in your calendar?"

His words echoed in the silent room. Somewhere, a pigeon cooed outside the window, but inside, my heart pounded like a dhol at Ganpati visarjan.