ENIGMA

School Drama 2

Ruhani finished adjusting her saree, smoothing out the delicate fabric as it fell gracefully around her. The peachy pink saree had a soft glow to it, and she felt beautiful, like a fairy in a dream. She reached for her heels and slipped them on, the soft click echoing in the quiet room. She glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, admiring how the outfit came together.

Advik, standing by the dresser, was pulling his tie into place. His movements were quick, almost forceful, as if every twist and pull of the tie was a way to release the frustration bubbling inside him. He caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and briefly paused, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low but distracted. It was a compliment, but his tone didn't match the usual warmth she'd grown used to.

Ruhani turned to face him, offering a soft smile, but his gaze had already shifted downward, landing on her feet. His expression hardened as he noticed the heels. "Wear flats instead," he instructed, the edge in his voice unmistakable.

Ruhani blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in his tone. She looked down at her shoes. "I don't have any flats that match this saree," she replied cautiously, her voice soft, not wanting to trigger more of his frustration.

He didn't respond, just focused on tightening his tie, the anger still simmering in his eyes. It was clear he wasn't mad at her-his mind was consumed with Inaya and the call from the school-but the tension in the air was thick, and Ruhani could feel it weighing down on both of them.

The thought of Inaya struggling at school, not completing her homework, and potentially being barred from sitting for her board exams had thrown Advik into a silent rage. He didn't explode, but the calm exterior he maintained only made the anger underneath more intimidating. Ruhani could see it in the way his movements were clipped and how he barely spoke unless absolutely necessary.

Advik grabbed his phone from the dresser, his fingers moving quickly as he called the driver. "Get the car ready, now," he ordered, his tone sharp. He ended the call abruptly and turned back to Ruhani.

For a moment, their eyes met. His expression softened just a fraction as he extended his hand toward her. "Let's go," he said, his voice still firm but with a hint of tenderness.

Ruhani hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions. She felt beautiful in the saree, but the atmosphere around Advik was tense. She could tell how much this situation was affecting him, and it made her nervous. Nevertheless, she slipped her hand into his, letting him guide her out of the room.

As they walked through the hallway, Advik's grip on her hand was firm but not harsh. He wasn't trying to hurt her-he was simply lost in his thoughts, his mind spinning with plans and worries about what he needed to do next. His body language spoke volumes. He was in control, but just barely, holding back the storm that threatened to burst at any moment.

They stepped outside, and the car was already waiting for them. The driver stood by, quickly opening the door. Advik helped Ruhani into the car before climbing in himself. Once they were seated, he leaned back, staring out of the window as the car began to move.

Ruhani watched him silently, unsure of what to say. She knew this wasn't the time for small talk. Advik was a man who took his responsibilities seriously, and the idea that Inaya might be failing at school, especially after all the effort he had put into her education, was clearly gnawing at him.

"Advik," Ruhani finally ventured, her voice soft, testing the waters. "Are you okay?"

He didn't answer at first, his jaw clenched tight. Finally, after a long pause, he spoke, his voice steady but filled with a quiet fury. "I'm fine, Ruhi. I just need to figure out what's going on with Inaya. This... shouldn't be happening."