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 13
SPARKS FLY
ADIRA
I looked around the kitchen, determined to cook a delicious breakfast for everyone. Kavya, being the supportive friend she was, insisted on helping me with the preparations. We chopped, stirred, and laughed together, creating perfect working space in the kitchen.
The aroma of freshly made avocado toast and fluffy pancakes filled the air. The vibrant green avocados were perfectly mashed and spread over toasted bread, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt, served with freshly made salsa. The pancakes were golden brown, stacked high, and drizzled with maple syrup. Scrambled eggs were ready to compliment the toast.
As the dishes were finally ready, we gathered around the dining table. The anticipation was high, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Kavya playfully handed a spoonful of the toast and pancakes to Viraj, waiting for his reaction.
”It’s actually quite good. Baby, you have outdone yourself.” Viraj tasted it and, looking at Kavya proudly, he praised the dish. Kavya’s smile dropped.
I awkwardly admitted , “It is actually made by me.”
Viraj looked puzzled, and then it dawned on him. He quickly recovered and replied. “ I didn't say anything at all. It was a fluke.” he had inadvertently given credit to the wrong person.
Kavya handed Viraj another spoonful, this time of the eggs. He tasted it and his face contorted in surprise. “Oh my fucking god it’s so spicy. No salt. Like I said, a fluke.”
“ It was made by me, baby.” Kavya, unable to hold back her clenched smile any longer, confessed that. Arjun’s laugh was the loudest. Clearly the two friends were enjoying the scene in front of them.
“And baby, you are going to sleep at couch tonight.” She playfully threatened.
This is what I had hoped for in my marriage - laughter, tears, being there for each other in ups and downs, teasing and caring for one another. But instead, I got a mutual beneficial alliance to our families, where my husband mentioned another woman's name in our bed.
Amidst the scene, I saw Ayan handing out a hundred bucks to Arjun. It was clear enough they made a bet out of their friend’s plight. Friends never change.
“See I told you.”, Arjun couldn't contain his smug satisfaction, having won a bet with Ayan about who would be the better cook.
I carefully poured the food onto Ayan's plate, because of my daily habit. I couldn't help but notice Arjun's clenched jaw and the slight unease in his expression. It was as if he was uncomfortable witnessing this display of domesticity between Ayan and me.
As Ayan and Arjun took their first bites, their faces lit up with surprise and delight.
“Mmm, this is delicious, Adira.“, Ayan took a bite. These were the first words we had exchanged since our fight. I faked a smiled in response. I still needed time to move forward because of our previous fight. It wasn't like we never fought, but this was too much for any woman to bear.
