Author:
Aira sat on the balcony swing, knees folded, phone pressed to her ear, her voice low and controlled — almost too careful.
The curtains were drawn.
Inside the room, Arsh sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, fingers loosely intertwined as he stared at her through the glass.
He could see her lips move, her eyes shimmer, the slight tremble in her shoulders. But not a word made it through the glass.
And that's exactly why Aira closed the windows.
It was the first time she was speaking to her mother since their wedding and she didn't want him eavesdropping on them.
The only reason he allowed it was because she had agreed to keep the fast for his family today. Pretend. Smile. Play the part for his family's sake.
It was a deal.
A deal that benefitted both the parties. And ever since Aira met Arsh, this was her first victory.
Well, she was sharing the win with him but she didn't mind after all something is better than nothing.
She was tired of losing and getting soemthing in return, even if it was barely anything — it meant almost everything to her.
He leaned back, resting an arm on his knee, eyes trained on her — the way her fingers twisted the hem of her kurti as she listened, her jaw tightening at something her mother said.
Her voice quivered, just slightly. "Main theek hoon, Ma."
She blinked up at the sky, lashes damp but steady. "Sab theek hai… Arsh…" Her throat bobbed. "Wo itne bure bhi nhi hai ma."
Arsh's jaw tensed at the gentle movement of her lips, as if he could read her lips.
That's what he was doing.
Reading her lips because he could.
She turned her face to the side, away from the window — like she didn't want him to see her.
"Main… main vrat bhi rakh rahi hoon aaj," she added, trying to sound cheerful. "Unke liye."
"Pyar karte hai wo aapse?" Her mother asked.
Aira didn't respond, her mother's question bringing a small, aching smile to her lips. Her fingers wiped beneath one eye quickly and discreetly.
"Bahut jyada." she whispered.
"Mai bas chahti hoon ki mera bachha khush rhe Aira." Her mom spoke again.
"Mai khush hoon mumma, I just miss you all too much." She replied almost instantly as if she had been practicing her monologues.
A pause.
"Dad…" her voice dropped further, hesitant, unsure. "Woh… baat karenge mujhse?"
Silence in response.
Aira's smile faltered.
It was enough.
She didn't press again.
From the room, Arsh's gaze didn't move. Her voice was too low, her back too guarded. But he recognized the curve of her lies coated in love.
Aira kept talking, softer now, words meant only for her mother. Words even the wind couldn't carry to him. But he made out every one of them.
The clock ticked.
He stood, walked to the doors, and pushed them open.
Aira flinched slightly when she saw him. Her fingers curled tighter around the phone.
YOU ARE READING
Ishq hua (Duet 1)
Romance"You little liar," he breathes. "You want me to make it hurt." My heart skips a beat. "Don't lie to me Aira. You like it rough." I do. But I am not going to tell him that. "You will ruin me." I almost whimper, my head falling back to his chest as hi...
