ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟱𝟮

𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩

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Avi and Ananya walked side by side, the cool breeze from the paddy fields brushing against their faces. The air carried a faint scent of wet earth, mingling with the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets. The evening sky above was painted in hues of amber and lavender, casting a soft glow over the expansive fields.

Between them, however, there was a gap—one that seemed to grow wider with every step. It wasn’t just the physical distance; it was the emotional void that lingered, a silence that spoke louder than words.

Everything felt different between them now, far removed from the last time they had walked through these fields. Back then, they were merely coworkers, exchanging banter and the occasional teasing remark. Yet their equation had been light, effortless, and special.

But now, things were complicated. This time, they were husband and wife, yet estranged in a way that made the equation feel hollow.

Ananya walked with her arms crossed, her eyes darting to the ground as if searching for answers in the dirt. The breeze tousled her hair, but she made no attempt to fix it. Her thoughts were elsewhere, swirling with doubts and uncertainties she couldn’t voice.

Avi, on the other hand, stole glances at her, his heart heavy with unspoken words. He wanted to bridge the distance, to close the gap, but he only kept feeling it widen further.

Finally, Ananya broke the silence. She gazed at Avi, her eyes sharp yet searching, and took a deep inhale before asking curtly,

Thirupi ponnadhuku aprom—

( After we return— )

Avi turned to her, his brows furrowing slightly as he waited for her to continue.

Thirupi ponnadhuku aprom, namba adhe madhiri dhan work pannuvoma?

( After we return, are we going to work how we used to?)

she finished, her tone steady but cautious.

Her words hung in the air, carried away slightly by the breeze. Avi frowned, his expression thoughtful as he processed her question. With a matter-of-fact nod, he replied,

Ama, adhula yenna?

( Yeah, why'd you ask?)

His tone was casual, almost too casual, as if he were trying to convince himself as much as her.

Ananya rubbed her palms together, her movements betraying the nerves she tried so hard to mask. She looked away for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before turning back to him.

Are you sure no one would know?

she asked, her voice quieter now, tinged with vulnerability.

I really don’t want anyone to know about this marriage. Apdhi illana... I can resign and find another job.

( I really don’t want anyone to know about this marriage. Or... I can just resign and find another job. )

Her words hit Avi like a blow, though he did his best to hide it. The thought of her distancing herself even further from him, caused a pang in his chest that he couldn’t ignore. Yet, he forced a small smile, masking the ache in his heart, and shook his head reassuringly.

No. No one would know

he said firmly, his voice calm despite the storm brewing inside him.

Adhuku na porupu. Nee comfortable vela paaklam.

( I'll responsible for that. You can work comfortably)

Ananya studied his face for a moment, her expression unreadable. She seemed to search for any hint of dishonesty, but Avi held her gaze, unwavering. Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she nodded only for Avi to put forth a request of his own,

Ermm, I'd like for you to stay with me, in my house, if you don't mind?

He tried to sound composed, but the words carried an unmistakable tremor of hope. On the outside, he maintained a calm posture, but inside, his heart raced, clinging desperately to the chance she might say yes. Every passing second felt like an eternity until she finally nodded, though her agreement didn't really come in a way that he had envisioned.

Of course, I should stay with my husband after all. Vera vazhi illaye?

( Of course, I should stay with my husband after all. I don't have any other options)

Her voice held a sharp edge of irony, her words deliberate, almost cutting. She didn’t meet his eyes, instead turning her head toward the open fields, as though searching for an escape.

Avi, however, couldn’t take his eyes off her. There was something about her words that made his heart ache all the more. She looked so close, yet so impossibly far away. He yearned to reach out, to tell her everything that was on his mind, but the weight of their situation held him back.

The silence returned, but it wasn’t the peaceful kind. It was heavy, laden with the things left unsaid between them.

Avi glanced at Ananya again, his mind replaying her words. “I really don’t want anyone to know about this marriage.” The statement lingered, each syllable cutting deeper than he cared to admit. Yet, He couldn’t blame her, not entirely. After all, this wasn’t the life she had envisioned for herself. But knowing that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Ananya, on the other hand, felt a mix of relief and guilt. She had spoken her mind, but in doing so, she had seen the flicker of pain in Avi’s eyes. It was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but it was there. She clenched her fists, berating herself for noticing. She told herself it didn’t matter—that she had every right to set boundaries—but a small part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that she had crossed an invisible line.

The breeze picked up, carrying with it the faint scent of the paddy fields. Ananya closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool air calm her racing thoughts. When she opened them, she found Avi looking at her, his expression softer now, almost wistful. She quickly looked away, unsure of what to make of the way he looked at her—as if she were the only thing that mattered in the world.

Their steps slowed as they reached the edge of the field, the horizon stretching endlessly before them. For a brief moment, the world felt still, as if it were holding its breath.

Ananya glanced at Avi from the corner of her eye, he stood there, his hands in his pockets, gazing out at the fields with an unreadable expression.

The silence between them wasn’t broken this time. It lingered, wrapping around them like a fragile thread. Both of them knew that words wouldn’t be enough to bridge the gap—they needed something more, something neither of them could give just yet.

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