The Unexpected

21. Aashiq Tera

Before I start, I received so many comments about what happens in Udaipur and what not. So I am genuinely sorry since although I have been to Udaipur a lot of times, I don't live there and I don't know a lot of things. Hence, spare me with details cause it's a fictional story and it has no relation to reality 😭.

Also, I have literally spent sleepless nights writing chapters and then going to college without an ounce of sleep, editing & uploading chapters during classes. So when I come back to hostel all excited to read your comments, I find some comments such as "this is good but i would have liked it more if..." and it disheartens me, so for that I am sorry if I wrote something that wasn't up to your mark but I cannot go back and edit the whole thing 🥹.

Lastly, people saying that Saransh is insecure of Anay, of course he is. The people who are in a secure relationship know their partner well, are sure about their partner's and their own feelings for them. The sense of security comes with time and understanding.
And Saransh doesn't know Vaidehi well, he doesn't know about her feelings, damn he isn't even sure about his own feelings for her so how and why would he act like a secure husband? Characters are supposed to have flaws so that they can through character development later.

__________

"Yes, absolutely. We'll take care of it," I said, flashing a reassuring smile as I ended the conference call with our foreign investors. As soon as the screen went dark, I exhaled, rubbing a hand down my face. That had gone well. But the relief was short-lived. A dull irritation simmered beneath my skin.
I had canceled all my meetings to go meet Vaidehi. I am not sure if I could afford to do it again.

I stepped into my room, expecting to see her, but the space was empty. She was still out. How long could one movie take?

My jaw clenched as I pulled open the drawer, fingers closing around the familiar carton. I tapped out a cigarette, lighter flicking to life with a soft click. The flame danced for a second before I brought it to the tip, inhaling deeply.

As I leaned back against the sofa, head tilted to the ceiling, smoke curling around me, my thoughts drifted—to her. To the faint white and red lines on her thighs. Stretch marks? Or something else?

Something about them lingered in my mind, unsettling.

I took another drag, exhaling slowly, watching the smoke dissolve into the air.

How much longer was she going to be with those idiots?

Suddenly the sharp sound of the door shutting made me glance up, but the room was already thick with smoke. As soon as Vaidehi stepped inside, she started coughing—harsh, relentless.

Her hand shot up, pointing weakly toward my cigarette. "Smo... smoke," she gasped between fits of coughing.

Shit. I hadn't even realised.