The Charade

43| 𝕮𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖕𝖞

Chapter 44, 45 and 46 are available on Scrollstack!

AUTHOR'S POV

"Why did you stop here?" Kashi asked, her voice laced with confusion as she looked at her husband, who had stopped the car in the middle of a forest.

"Come, you'll see," Adhikrit muttered, getting out and jogging to her side.

Kashi glanced outside. They were deep inside what seemed like an endless forest. Her grip instinctively tightened around Reyaan. Little Reyaan, however, was eagerly looking out, clearly enjoying the ride, unaware of his mother's distress.

As Adhikrit opened her door, Kashi looked at him. He stood there in the middle of the road, dressed in his business attire, looking as dashing as ever.

"Paaaahpa!" Reyaan exclaimed excitedly, trying to jump into his father's arms.

"Shh, baby," Kashi murmured, but to her surprise, Adhikrit reached out and took Reyaan in his arms. She didn't comment, knowing he liked to hide how much he cared for their son.

Kashi unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out. She felt him lean into the car before pulling back, closing the door, and placing his other arm around her waist.

"Oh, my purse," she remarked.

"Here," he replied, already holding her purse in his hand.

A look of confusion wrinkled her brow. Why did he prefer acting over showing care?

"Mama!" Reyaan called, opening his arms to go back to her. "Stop," Adhikrit warned, making the mischievous baby pause. Reyaan pressed his lips into a thin line to stop the grin.

"Let's go," he announced, helping her while still holding their little devil in his arms.

As they walked along the stone path that disappeared into the forest, Kashi moved closer to him.

"Mr. Agnihotri, where are we going?" she questioned, a hint of fear in her voice.

"Just a few more steps," he whispered, pulling her closer.

Her eyes darted nervously around the tall trees. Their steps finally halted in front of a small hut. Kashi's eyes squinted, trying to comprehend how a hut could be here in the middle of nowhere.

Adhikrit pushed the door open, revealing a simple space. It was a basic hut made of bricks, with the earthy smell of wet soil in the air.

Her nose wrinkled, but his warm, calming hold reassured her.

"What is all this?" she inquired, looking around.

"Aaakkaaaataaaamaammaa?" Reyaan babbled curiously, taking in his new surroundings.

"Konbanwa, jōshidesu. Doa o akete agete kudasai."

(Good evening, Boss. I'll open the door for you.)

She hissed, when a man suddenly entered the hut. Kashi turned around to see the man-an old Japanese man. She recognized the language instantly. Over the past months, she had tried learning Japanese while also being a good mother. Though she felt it was too difficult to learn it, that's why she could not understand what he said.

Adhikrit hummed in response, remaining calm. Reyaan peeked at the man, glaring fiercely, clearly not pleased with the presence of a stranger.

The man bowed, a customary gesture of greeting. Kashi glanced at her husband, searching for an explanation, but he remained silent, offering her no clues as to what was happening. "Where..." she began, but her question was cut off when the man moved to the corner, revealing a pile of stacked straw.