Shadowed Desires

Chapter 6

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Three weeks later...

Kritika's relationship with Atharv's family had improved—except with his father. She had developed a bond with the others, not too deep, but at least she didn’t feel suffocated anymore.

With her husband, things were stagnant. Some days they fought for each other, some days with each other. But neither of them took any steps to fix things. They didn’t want resolution—they wanted revenge. The kind of revenge that could satisfy their bruised egos.

It had been three weeks since Kritika joined her job. It helped her stay distracted and spend less time at the Shekhawat mansion. Things were a little more relaxed. Communication between her and Atharv was nearly nonexistent. Usually, he came home late from work—by then she was already asleep.

But peace doesn’t last long in this story.

One day, Kritika was in the university staff room when a colleague told her the new headlines flashing everywhere—the election date for the State’s Chief Minister had been announced.

Although she was never into politics, Kritika knew very well that her family and the Shekhawats had a long history of defaming each other’s parties. Now that she was married into the rival camp, things were going to be messier.

She didn’t want to get involved—but she had no option except to bear it. She didn’t want to support her in-laws, but she wouldn’t side with her father either.

After finishing her lectures, Kritika returned to the Shekhawat mansion. Just as she reached the hall, Aditya and Palak entered.

Palak smiled and said, “Bhabhi, aap bore nahi ho gaye apne college se ghar aur ghar se college ke routine mein?”
(Sister-in-law, don’t you get bored of your routine from college to home and back again?)

Kritika replied, “Palak, ye mera profession hai—students ko padhana. Ismein bore hone ki kya baat hai?”
(Palak, this is my profession—teaching students. What’s there to get bored about?)

Aditya mumbled under his breath, “Bhaiya 2.0 in the female version.”
(Big brother 2.0 in a female version.)

Kritika raised her eyebrows. “Kuch kaha tumne?”
(Did you say something?)

Aditya quickly covered up, “Woh toh main keh raha tha ki humein kahin bahar jaana chahiye aaj raat ko, hai na Palak?”
(I was just saying we should go out tonight, right Palak?)

Palak nodded mischievously toward Kritika.
Kritika politely declined, “Tum dono chale jao. Mera mann nahi hai.”
(You two go ahead. I’m not in the mood.)

Aditya insisted, “Aap bhi chaliye na.”
(You come with us too.)

Kritika repeated, “You both enjoy it. I’ll join you some other time.”

“Please na, bhabhi! Baaki toh koi ghar se humare saath jaane se raha. Aap rahoge toh humein achha lagega. Please na.”
(Please, sister-in-law! No one else from the house ever joins us. If you're there, we’ll enjoy it more. Please?)

Kritika sighed in defeat. “Okay, hum chal denge ghoomne ke liye. Abhi ke liye mein jaa kar thoda rest kar loon aur mujhe kuch question papers tayyar karne hain.”
(Okay, I’ll come along. But for now, let me rest a bit and prepare some question papers.)

Aditya and Palak nodded. Kritika left for her room.

Soon after, Atharv arrived. Palak looked at him with twinkling eyes and called sweetly, “Bhaiya!”
(Brother!)

Atharv asked casually, “Bhaiya ghoomne jaana hai. Aaj kahin bahar chale kya?”
(Brother, do you want to go out today?)

Pointing at Aditya, he added, “Usse le jao.”
(Take him with you.)