Solace

|48|unseen bonds

Hey everyone, sorry for the late update. I was caught up in my own problems, and I still am. They had me crying and struggling all day—it felt like a bad dream. Though the issue is mostly resolved now, I appreciate your patience. I’ll try to upload the next one soon.

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I have added 1000 words more. I should get more votes and comments for that.

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VAIBHAV

"Bhabhi, please, you tell him," Roshni pleaded, turning to Nidhi for support. Nidhi glanced at me, but before she could say anything, I cut in, "Don't."

"Do either of you want to order anything else, or should I get the bill?" I asked, looking at Roshni, who lowered her head, finishing the last panipuri on her plate.

"Get the bill," Nidhi said, while I kept my eyes on Roshni. After paying, I stood up, and Nidhi followed suit. She glanced at me briefly before walking past, leaving a faint trail of her perfume. Roshni trailed behind, Nidhi, her expressions sullen.

Before leaving, I made sure to get some items packed for home, since we had more kids waiting there, and my mother was particularly fond of sev puri.

NIDHI

My husband was settled in bed, reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, the same book I had been reading. He has a habit of picking up whatever book I choose. I placed a cup of tea on the bedside table. There was something off about the way he had been talking, behaving, or even smiling. It had been days since I'd seen him smile. He seemed preoccupied, lost in his thoughts.

Usually, he never picked me up on Mondays or even Tuesdays—those were his busiest days at work. But this week, he had come both days. He had even dropped Roshni and me off at college. I couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with what happened on Sunday night. He remained distant, forlorn, and wrapped up in his own thoughts.

"Don't tell me you think I should've let her go," he said suddenly, taking a sip of his tea. I had been lost in my own thoughts. I realised he preferred his tea hotter than I did.

"I haven't even said anything," I replied, crossing my legs and settling comfortably on the bed.

"I have a feeling you're about to," he continued.

"You're reading too much into it. I didn't say anything," I responded calmly.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked softly.

"Anything," he replied, his attention still fixed on the pages of his book. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration. Wasn't I sitting right here? Why was his mind elsewhere? I glanced at him briefly, then retreated to my side of the bed. There was still time before dinner.

He had become so intertwined with my routine that when he wasn't engaging with me, I felt oddly adrift, unsure of what to do. Rising from the bed, I wandered to the balcony, seeking a moment of clarity. The night was calm and still, and I settled onto the couch, gazing up at the sky. The moon, though not yet full, was radiant against the dark canvas, just a few days away from reaching its full glory.