In a distant marriage with her brooding husband, Ayan, Adira Khanna has resigned herself to a mundane life. However, fate has different plans when Ayan's childhood friends plan a week-long trip to Goa. Little did Adira know that this vacation would...
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Chapter 2
Better Man
AYAN
One week later
As I settled into my seat on the flight to Goa, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and guilt. I glanced at my wife, Adira, who was engrossed in a book, unaware of the turmoil brewing within me. I gazed out the window, my mind swirling with thoughts about my wife, Adira, Esha, and the upcoming trip to Goa with my friends.
"Hey, Adira, have you packed everything we need? And did you tell the house staff to take a leave while we're away?", I said to Adira.
Adira smiled reassuringly and said, "Yes, everything is taken care of. I've already informed the house staff, and they'll have some time off during our trip. No need to worry about a thing."
I let out a sigh of relief, saying, "That's good to hear. It's been a while since we've had a vacation together."
Adira's smile grew wider. "Yeah.”
I stole a glance at Adira’s curvy frame and soft, hazel eyes, which gave her a gentle appearance, reflecting her kind-hearted nature and making my heart clench with a mixture of fondness and remorse. We got married a year ago. As fate would have it, Adira happens to be the daughter of my father's close friend. Initially, I was hesitant, but this marriage was quite crucial for the future of the Khanna family, and I shouldn’t have let my personal feelings ruin the prospect of financial security for both families.
With each interaction, I discovered Adira's warm smile, compassionate nature, and unwavering dedication to keeping the people happy around her—quite comforting in a partner. She managed the whole marketing department of her father’s company, which was currently run by her uncle, but beneath the confident professional façade lied a sweet and caring woman who cherishes the idea of true love and dreams of grand gestures and passionate moments, which I couldn’t fulfil. I had built a life with her, yet I found myself seeking passion elsewhere. Adira was definitely a good choice for my parents, but I always wanted something more from my life.
How could I let myself be swayed by the intoxicating allure of forbidden love?
As the plane reached its cruising altitude, I couldn't escape the nagging fear of our secret being exposed. Every innocent conversation, every glance shared with Esha, felt like disloyalty to Adira. I wish I were a better man.
Esha has been occupying my mind more and more lately. We went to the same school and lived in the same locality in my childhood. I wasn’t aware that our friendship would turn out to be something more. Her laughter and the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at me—it was a captivating combination that drew me in. I reminisced about our clandestine meetings in hotel rooms, her apartment, and even her showroom. Those stolen moments filled with passion and pleasure seemed like a distant memory now, buried beneath the weight of my mundane marriage. We had managed to keep our affair hidden from everyone, even our closest friends who were joining us on this trip. But now, being in such close proximity to Adira, the guilt weighed heavily on my conscience.
