The Veiled Hearts

🌹 Hidden Heat 🔪

As Anita aunty approached, I stood firm, trying to keep my face neutral. She smiled warmly and said, "Hello, I am Anita, Yash's mother. We've met before."

Oh, no! She remembered me from that night-the night I barged into their house, soaking wet, begging for food in the middle of the rain. Before I could process my thoughts, her voice broke through again. "Oh, you don't remember me? I was the lady in the kitchen that day, when you were with Yash."

My stomach twisted in embarrassment. How can she be so polite when I'm drowning in shame? I couldn't deny it, so I simply nodded and, feeling a flush of heat rise to my cheeks, joined my hands in a respectful 'Namaste.'

Anita aunty smiled and mirrored the gesture. "I sent you food that night. I hope you ate it?"

I nodded again, unable to find my voice.

"Good!" she said, cheerful as ever. "Today's a big party, so please be alert. You're near the buffet, and a lot of guests will gather here. If there's any issue, let me know."

Just like a good little robotic bodyguard, I nodded once more, retreating to my position. But I could feel her eyes lingering on me, her gaze soft, almost curious. Then, she stepped closer, her voice dropping to a motherly tone. "Your hair strand is sticking out from your turban."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Oh no. I knew what was coming. There was no way I could fix it without taking off the entire turban, and that would expose everything-my long hair, my real identity.

Before I could come up with an excuse, she stepped forward again. "Wait, I'll adjust it for you. I've tied many turbans for my husband and my son."

No. No, no, no! Panic shot through my veins. What if she unwrapped the turban? She'd see my hair-she'd know immediately that I wasn't who I was pretending to be.

Just as my mind raced to find a way out, a voice cut through the tension. "Maa."

Relief flooded through me. I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. Every fiber of my being recognized the presence standing just behind me. Yash. He was close enough that I could feel the familiar warmth radiating off him, but today... it was different. I couldn't bring myself to turn around, not after the kiss. The kiss that I initiated. The kiss that shouldn't have happened.

Why is it so hard to face him? Maybe because I was the one who kissed him. Or maybe because he's getting married soon.

God, I'm going to drive myself insane. First, I'm embarrassed over a kiss. Second, he's connected to my brother's disappearance. And third, I'm mad about his marriage. Great. Just great.

I sighed, unable to contain the whirlpool of thoughts.

Yash's voice cut through again, sharp but calm, "Maa, guests are arriving and searching for you. You should attend to them."