Is't Called Destiny

UNRAVELING THE ILLUSION

Part 39: Unraveling the Illusion

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in Darsh's house. The Singhal household was still waking up, but Mrs. Singhal was already making her way through the corridor, a curious expression on her face.

She had risen early to check on Kanishka, her new daughter-in-law, but what she found instead was puzzling. Darsh and Kanishka were not sharing the same bedroom. She had noticed this last night but hadn't said anything. Today, however, she decided it was time to address it.

Mrs. Singhal gently knocked on Kanishka's door and entered, finding her sitting at the small vanity, brushing her hair. Kanishka looked up, surprised.

"Good morning, Mom," Kanishka said, forcing a smile.

"Good morning, dear," Mrs. Singhal replied, her tone gentle but curious. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Kanishka nodded, setting down her brush. "Of course. Is everything okay?"

Mrs. Singhal sat down on the edge of the bed, her eyes searching Kanishka's face. "I noticed something last night and again this morning. You and Darsh are not sleeping in the same room. Is everything alright between you two?"

Kanishka felt her heart rate spike, her mind racing for an explanation. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was blank.

Just then, Darsh walked in, having overheard part of the conversation. He immediately sensed the tension and stepped in to support Kanishka.

"Mom, there's a simple explanation for that," Darsh said smoothly, walking over to stand beside Kanishka. "I snore at night, and it disturbs Kanishka's sleep. We thought it would be best for her to sleep in another room so she can rest properly."

Mrs. Singhal looked between them, her expression softening with understanding but still concerned. "Oh, Darsh, you should have told me. There are ways to deal with snoring."

Darsh nodded, putting a reassuring hand on Kanishka's shoulder. "I know, Mom. We'll look into it. But from now on, we’ll sleep in the same room. We’ll find a way to manage."

Kanishka glanced up at Darsh, grateful for his intervention, though the lie left a bitter taste in her mouth. She nodded in agreement. "Yes, we'll figure it out."

Mrs. Singhal smiled, relief washing over her features. "I'm glad to hear that. It's important for a newly married couple to be together."

She stood up and gave Kanishka a comforting pat on the back before leaving the room. Darsh waited until his mother was out of earshot before turning to Kanishka, his expression serious.

"I'm sorry about that," he said quietly. "I didn’t expect her to notice so soon."

Kanishka sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We have to be more careful. This isn't just about us anymore."

Darsh nodded, his face tense. "I know. We'll move your things into my room today."

The rest of the day was spent rearranging their lives to maintain the illusion. They moved Kanishka's belongings into Darsh's room, making sure everything looked perfect for Mrs. Singhal's watchful eyes.

That night, as they lay side by side in the same bed, the awkwardness between them was palpable. Kanishka stared at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Do you think she bought it?" Kanishka asked softly, breaking the silence.

Darsh turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable. "I think so. But we need to keep up the act. For now."

Kanishka nodded, her heart heavy. "For now."

They both knew this arrangement was temporary, a fragile facade that could crumble at any moment. But for the sake of Darsh's parents and their reputations, they would continue to play their parts.

As the night wore on, they lay in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The bed, though large, felt stifling. The distance between them was more than just physical; it was a chasm filled with lies and unspoken truths.

In the darkness, Darsh turned on his side, facing away from Kanishka. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the reality of their situation. But sleep was elusive, and the weight of their deception pressed down on her.

The following morning, Mrs. Singhal seemed more at ease, her earlier concerns alleviated. She watched Kanishka and Darsh interact with a content smile, unaware of the turmoil beneath the surface.

"How did you sleep, dear?" she asked Kanishka over breakfast.

Kanishka forced a bright smile. "Much better, thank you."

Darsh chimed in, his voice casual. "We’ll look into solutions for the snoring soon, Mom. Don’t worry."

Mrs. Singhal nodded, satisfied. "Good. I want you both to be comfortable."

As the day progressed, Darsh and Kanishka fell into a routine of practiced ease. They laughed at each other's jokes, shared inside stories, and maintained the appearance of a happy couple. But behind the smiles and affectionate gestures, the tension remained.

In the evenings, when they retired to their shared room, the silence would settle in once again. They avoided talking about their situation, focusing instead on keeping up appearances.

Days turned into weeks, and the act became second nature. But the strain was taking its toll. Kanishka felt the weight of the deception more acutely with each passing day. The moments of quiet were the hardest, filled with the knowledge that this was not the life she had envisioned.

One night, as they lay in bed, Kanishka broke the silence. "How long do you think we can keep this up?"

Darsh sighed, his voice weary. "I don't know. As long as we have to, I suppose."

Kanishka turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face. "What happens when they find out the truth?"

Darsh didn't answer immediately. When he did, his voice was barely a whisper. "I don't know, Kanishka. I really don't."

They lay in the darkness, the enormity of their situation pressing down on them. The act they maintained for the sake of Darsh's parents was a delicate balance, and the fear of it shattering was ever-present.

But for now, they would continue. For now, they would keep up the facade. And in the quiet moments, they would both wonder how long they could hold on before the truth came crashing down.