Layers of Us

Chapter 18: A New Beginning

The sunlight streamed through the curtains, spilling onto the serene face of Tripura as she lay on the bed.

The warmth of the rays disturbed her slumber, and with a soft groan, she tried turning away, pulling the duvet over her face. But the gentle brightness persisted, coaxing her out of her dreams.

Just as she adjusted her position to shield her face, a voice, soft and sweet, broke the silence.
“Good morning, Tripura.”

The words, spoken with such gentleness, startled her awake. Her eyes fluttered open, darting around to locate the source.

When her gaze finally landed on Ram, sitting on the sofa across from her, her tense muscles relaxed.

Relieved and still drowsy, she leaned back against the headrest of the bed and greeted him with a tired but warm smile. “Good morning, Mr. Kapoor.”

Ram’s face lit up with a small smile of his own. He stood and walked toward her, holding out a cup of coffee. “Here,” he said, placing it in her hands. “Strong enough, just the way you like it.”

Surprised but grateful, Tripura accepted the cup, inhaling the rich aroma of the coffee. She took a small sip, savoring the warmth that spread through her. “Thank you,” she murmured softly, her eyes fixed on the steaming cup.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke, the silence filled only by the faint sound of her sipping and the distant hum of the city outside.

Then Ram broke the stillness. “Tripura… woh… I…” He hesitated, unsure how to phrase his thoughts. He finally gathered the courage and said, “I’m sorry.”

Tripura raised her eyes to meet his, puzzled. “Kyun, Mr. Kapoor?” she asked gently, her voice inviting him to explain.

Ram sighed and continued, his voice tinged with regret. “I’m sorry for pulling you into all this trouble. Maybe… maybe if I hadn’t found out that you’re my wife, your life would’ve been peaceful, like before.” He gave her a sad smile, his eyes betraying the storm of guilt within him.

Tripura listened quietly, her gaze steady. She took a deep breath and spoke, her voice soft yet firm. “That wouldn’t have happened, Mr. Kapoor. Sooner or later, you would’ve found out the truth about our marriage. And honestly… maybe you would’ve reacted the same way you did now. It’s not your fault.”

She looked down at the coffee cup in her hands, her thoughts momentarily drifting before she added, “Instead, I should apologize. I understand the reality of our marriage better than anyone, but… at the end of the day, I know it’s difficult for any man to see his wife engaged to someone else. Even if there’s no love involved… it’s still not easy.”

Her voice faltered, and she quickly added, “So… I’m really sorry for making you go through all this.” She took another sip of her coffee, letting the silence settle between them again.

Ram let out a deep sigh, his heart heavy but comforted by her honesty. He ran a hand through his hair and said, “Okay, enough of this sorry ceremony. Let’s call it off.”

Tripura tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting in confusion. “What do you mean?”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and smirked lightly. “I have a deal. Mind hearing me out?”

Curiosity sparked in her eyes, and she nodded, urging him to continue.

“Alright,” he began, sitting up straighter. “Since we’ve decided to fully play the roles of husband and wife for now — though technically, we already are married,” he added with a soft chuckle, earning a faint smile from her, “how about we make things easier for ourselves?”