Layers of Us

Chapter 32: The Bonfire Night 🌙

As the soft click of the door shutting behind them echoed in their room, Ram turned to Tripura, his expression a mix of nervousness and sincerity.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he broke the silence.
“Ahm... woh Tripura,” he began, his voice uncertain. “Jo bhi kitchen mein hua... I mean, I’m sorry for that. It’s just that I knew Dadi was watching us, and I wanted to... you know... keep up the whole husband - wife thing. I hope it didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

He looked at her expectantly, hoping she’d reassure him, maybe even smile and say, “No, Mr. Kapoor, I wasn’t uncomfortable.” Instead, Tripura simply looked at him, her expression unreadable but calm, and gave him a soft smile followed by a subtle nod before walking into the changing room without saying a word.

Ram stood there, frozen in place, her reaction throwing him off completely. “Uh… okay then,” he muttered to himself, scratching his head.

The silence in the room felt heavier now, and Ram replayed the scene in his head, wondering if he had overstepped or misunderstood. “What does that even mean? Was she okay with it or not?” he questioned aloud, pacing the room.

He glanced at the closed changing room door, half - tempted to knock and ask for clarity but stopped himself. “No, no, Ram. Don’t make it awkward. Maybe she’s just shy,” he reasoned, though the confusion didn’t leave his face.

When Tripura finally emerged, dressed in a simple yet elegant nightgown, her damp hair cascading down her shoulders, Ram’s thoughts came to a halt. For a moment, all he could do was stare.

Tripura noticed his gaze and raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her expression. “Kya hua, Mr. Kapoor? Kuch kehna tha?” she asked, her tone light yet teasing.

Ram blinked, caught off guard. “Woh... nahi... I mean, haan. Woh kitchen waali baat —”

“Mr. Kapoor,” she interrupted, walking to her side of the bed. “Relax. It’s fine.”

Her simple response left him even more baffled. “Fine? That’s it?” he asked, half - expecting more of a reaction.

Tripura suppressed a small smile as she settled on the bed, picking up a book from the bedside table. “Haan, fine. Goodnight, Mr. Kapoor,” she said casually, opening the book and effectively ending the conversation.

Ram stood there, his arms crossed, shaking his head with a bemused smile. “Yeh ladki toh mujhe hi confuse karke rakh degi,” he muttered under his breath before heading to the bathroom.

As Tripura turned a page in her book, her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She didn’t need to say much — she was starting to enjoy keeping Ram guessing.

-------------------------

Ram came out freshened up, and that’s when he heard a knock on the door. Tripura looked up from the book she was reading and raised an eyebrow at Ram as if to ask who it could be.

Ram shrugged, clearly clueless, but he went to attend the door.

Opening it, he saw Rishabh standing there, smiling away to glory.

Without waiting for an invitation, Rishabh walked right in, pushing Ram aside as if he owned the place.

Spotting Tripura sitting on the bed, he beamed. "Bhabhi, kya aap dono itna jaldi sone ja rahe ho? It’s just 10 PM! Chalo, let’s hang out na."

Tripura put her book aside, laughing at his enthusiasm. "Hang out? Where, Rishabh?"

Rishabh’s eyes twinkled. "Arey bhabhi, we cousins are having a bonfire night in the backyard. Aap dono bhi aao na! Waise bhi, Ankita bhi aayi hai," he added, his cheeks suddenly tinged pink.