Meant to be yours

Alleged Girlfriend

Morning arrived at Melanie Rose's villa far earlier than anyone wanted.
The house was unusually quiet.
For once, there were no arguments echoing through the halls, no Riya yelling at someone, no Ishika complaining about Anamika's rules, and no baby noises from Aarav.
It was almost peaceful.
Almost.
Upstairs
Jazz slowly opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Then everything came rushing back.
The garden.
The lights.
The proposal.
Melanie's tearful yes.
The ring.
Their first kiss.
And everything that followed afterward.
Jazz's face immediately warmed.
She turned her head.
Melanie was still asleep beside her.
Her hair was slightly messy, her face peaceful, and the engagement ring glimmered faintly in the morning light.
Jazz smiled.
She reached over and gently touched Melanie's hand.
Melanie stirred.
"Hmm..."
"Good morning."
Melanie opened one eye.
"Is it morning already?"
"Unfortunately."
"I was hoping I could sleep for another year."
Jazz laughed softly.
"You worked until midnight."
"And then someone proposed to me."
"Someone?"
Melanie smiled.
"My very sneaky fiancée."
Jazz's smile widened.
"You said yes."
"I did."
"You can still change your mind."
Melanie immediately opened both eyes.
"Absolutely not."
Jazz laughed.
"Good."
Melanie looked at her for a moment.
The teasing disappeared.
"Last night..."
Jazz became quiet.
"Yeah."
"I don't think I'll ever forget it."
"Neither will I."
Melanie reached for her hand.
"I was so scared when I saw the decorations."
"Why?"
"I thought something terrible had happened."
Jazz frowned.
"Why would you think that?"
"Because nobody decorates a house like that at midnight unless something dramatic is happening."
Jazz laughed.
"I suppose that's fair."
Melanie looked at the ring again.
"I still can't believe we're engaged."
Jazz smiled.
"You've been staring at that ring for ten minutes."
"I like it."
"I noticed."
Melanie shifted closer.
"And I like the person who gave it to me."
Jazz's expression softened.
"Mel..."
Melanie kissed her forehead.
There was no rush.
No audience.
No teasing friends.
Just the two of them, quietly enjoying the fact that after everything they had been through, they had finally chosen each other.
Last night had been deeply intimate and emotional for both of them-their first time together as lovers-and neither needed words to explain how much it meant.
Jazz rested her forehead against Melanie's.
"I love you."
Melanie smiled.
"I love you too."
A tiny noise suddenly came from the hallway.
Both froze.
Melanie frowned.
"What was that?"
Jazz listened.
Nothing.
"I don't know."
Another sound.
A muffled giggle.
Melanie's eyes narrowed.
"...Riya?"
Silence.
Jazz covered her face.
"Don't tell me she was spying."
A voice from outside the door shouted-
"I WASN'T!"
Jazz and Melanie stared at each other.
Then burst out laughing.
Riya's voice followed.
"I WAS JUST WALKING PAST!"
Melanie called out.
"At eight in the morning?"
"I HAVE A VERY BUSY SCHEDULE!"
Jazz laughed.
"Go away!"
"Fine!"
Footsteps hurried away.
Melanie shook her head.
"Privacy doesn't exist in this family."
"Nope."
"And we're supposed to survive marriage with them?"
Jazz smiled.
"We already survived worse."
Melanie laughed.
"Fair point."
**
Meanwhile, the previous night's other victims had already begun their morning.
Payal was sitting at the dining table with coffee.
Riya looked exhausted.
Aarav was happily sitting beside her, completely refreshed.
Riya stared at him.
"You slept like a king."
Aarav giggled.
"I, however, slept for approximately twelve minutes."
Payal smirked.
"You volunteered."
"I was tricked."
"You said, and I quote, 'Give me the baby, I'll entertain him.'"
"I underestimated him."
Aarav laughed.
Riya pointed at him.
"Don't laugh."
Payal leaned closer.
"You were singing to him at three in the morning."
"He wouldn't sleep."
"You sang the same song seven times."
"I was running out of material."
"You then started making animal noises."
Riya sighed.
"It worked."
Aarav clapped.
Riya looked at Payal.
"See?"
Payal smiled.
"My brave wife."
Riya narrowed her eyes.
"Don't call me brave."
"Why?"
"Because you're going to make me do it again."
Payal laughed.
The Grounding
Ishika finally appeared.
Her hair was slightly messy.
She looked sleepy.
And, more importantly-
she looked innocent.
Anamika followed behind her.
She did not look amused.
Ishika sat down.
"Good morning."
Anamika placed a glass of water in front of her.
"Drink."
Ishika obeyed.
Then Anamika said calmly-
"You're grounded."
Ishika nearly choked.
"What?"
"For one month."
The entire table went silent.
Riya's eyes widened.
Payal immediately looked at Ishika.
Jazz and Melanie had just entered the dining room and stopped.
Ishika stared at Anamika.
"Biwi, you're cruel."
"No phone except for necessary calls."
"What?"
"No going out with friends after work."
"Mika!"
"No late-night outings."
"That's tyranny."
"And no alcohol."
Ishika dropped her head onto the table.
"I regret everything."
Riya burst out laughing.
"You couldn't even handle a few sips!"
Ishika lifted her head.
"I wasn't prepared!"
"You were twenty minutes into your rebellion before you became dizzy."
"I was betrayed by my metabolism."
Payal laughed.
Melanie shook her head.
"I still can't believe four adults secretly gave you wine."
Jazz raised her hand.
"Sorry."
Ishika looked at her.
"Traitor."
Jazz smiled.
"You survived."
"Barely."
Anamika folded her arms.
"You are lucky I didn't extend it."
Ishika immediately sat straight.
"One month is perfect."
"Good."
"Very reasonable."
Anamika gave her a look.
"Don't push it."
Ishika immediately became quiet.
Riya whispered to Payal-
"Bhabhi has been domesticated."
Ishika heard her.
"I heard that."
"Good."
Breakfast was finally beginning when Ishika noticed something.
She looked at Melanie.
Then tilted her head.
"Mel?"
Melanie looked up.
"Hm?"
"What's that?"
Melanie blinked.
"What?"
Ishika pointed toward the side of Melanie's collar.
"Near your collarbone."
Melanie instinctively touched it.
"Oh."
She immediately realized.
Her face changed.
Jazz suddenly became extremely interested in her coffee.
Riya's eyes widened.
She looked at Melanie.
Then Jazz.
Then back at Melanie.
A slow grin appeared.
"Oh."
Melanie immediately pointed at her.
"Don't."
Riya's grin grew wider.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I was merely observing."
Payal covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Ishika looked confused.
"What?"
Riya leaned toward her.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you smiling?"
"Because..."
Riya looked at Jazz.
"...someone had a very successful proposal night."
Jazz's face turned bright red.
"Riya!"
Melanie buried her face in her hands.
"Oh, this family."
Ishika finally understood.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh!"
Riya immediately started laughing.
"Exactly."
Jazz threw a napkin at her.
"Stop!"
Riya ducked.
"Congratulations, Mel!"
"Thank you."
"Very romantic."
"Thank you."
"Very productive."
"Riya!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Melanie shook her head.
"I should have known better than to invite all of you."
Jazz leaned toward her.
"We didn't invite them."
"They invited themselves."
"Fair."
The Tables Turn
Riya wasn't finished.
She looked at Ishika.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"At least Melanie doesn't have to explain herself."
Ishika frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Riya smiled innocently.
"I am not grounded by my wife unlike you."
Ishika froze.
Payal slowly turned toward Riya.
Jazz's eyes widened.
Melanie looked at Anamika.
Anamika looked at Ishika.
Ishika realized what she'd done.
"...Oops."
Riya stared at her.
Then burst out laughing.
"YOU SAID IT!"
Ishika covered her face.
"I forgot!"
Anamika raised an eyebrow.
"Your friends now know your punishment."
Ishika whispered,
"Please don't extend it."
Riya was practically crying with laughter.
"One month!"
Ishika glared.
"Don't celebrate."
"You can't even use your phone!"
"Necessary calls."
"No going out."
"After work."
"No alcohol."
"That one's fair."
Everyone laughed.
Anamika calmly took a sip of coffee.
"My wife has accepted reality."
Ishika muttered,
"I married a dictator."
Anamika smiled.
"You married me."
"Same thing."
Riya leaned toward Melanie.
"So, Professor..."
Melanie sighed.
"What?"
"How does it feel to finally have your first morning as an engaged woman?"
Melanie looked at Jazz.
Her expression softened.
"Wonderful."
Jazz smiled.
Riya sighed dramatically.
"Disgustingly romantic."
Payal nudged her.
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I have my wife."
Payal smiled.
"Exactly."
Riya looked at Ishika.
"And you?"
Ishika sighed.
"I have my wife too."
Anamika smiled proudly.
"Very good."
Ishika immediately realized what she had said.
"Wait."
Riya grinned.
"Say it again."
"No."
"You love being married."
"I didn't say that."
"You absolutely did."
Ishika pointed at her.
"Don't start."
Riya laughed.
"Baby Bhabhi is grounded and happy."
"I'm going to remember this."
"With what phone?"
Ishika gasped.
The entire table exploded with laughter.
Even Anamika couldn't hold back.
She reached over, pulled Ishika gently against her side, and kissed her forehead.
"Come on, baby biwi."
Ishika groaned.
"Not that name again."
"It suits you."
Riya raised her glass.
"To Baby Bhabhi."
Everyone joined in.
Ishika reluctantly lifted her orange juice.
"You're all terrible."
Jazz smiled.
Melanie leaned into her.
Payal squeezed Riya's hand.
Aarav giggled from his high chair.
And Anamika held her wife close.
The villa had survived one proposal, one secret wine conspiracy, one exhausted babysitter, and one very eventful night.
Judging by the laughter around the breakfast table-
there would be plenty more chaos before the weekend was over.
**
Ishika had discovered that being grounded was, in fact, a form of torture.
Not the dramatic kind.
The painfully boring kind.
For almost two weeks, her life had been reduced to three things:
Work.
Home.
And Anamika.
Her phone remained confiscated except when absolutely necessary.
No spontaneous coffee trips.
No late-night drives.
No movie nights.
No sneaking out with Riya.
No sitting around gossiping with Payal.
And absolutely no alcohol.
Ishika was beginning to suspect that Anamika had secretly added having fun to the list of prohibited activities.
That Saturday afternoon, she sat on the sofa at home with a book open on her lap.
She had been staring at the same page for fifteen minutes.
Anamika walked past.
"You're not reading."
"I am."
"You've been on page forty-seven since lunch."
Ishika looked down.
"...It's a very complicated page."
Anamika smiled.
"Of course."
Ishika narrowed her eyes.
"Don't laugh at me."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Anamika leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Be patient."
"I've been patient for two weeks."
"Two more weeks."
Ishika groaned.
"I married a prison warden."
"You married a woman who loves you."
"Same thing right now."
Anamika laughed and walked away.
Ishika watched her go.
Then whispered-
"I need my friend."
Her prayers were apparently answered.
Because thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Riya entered.
She took one look at Ishika sitting miserably on the sofa.
"Oh my God."
"What?"
"You look tragic."
"I am tragic."
Riya walked closer.
"How long has it been?"
"Fourteen days."
Riya gasped.
"Fourteen?"
"Fourteen."
"And you're still alive?"
"Barely."
Riya glanced toward the hallway.
"Where's Anamika?"
"Upstairs."
Riya's eyes sparkled.
"Good."
Ishika immediately became suspicious.
"Why?"
Riya sat beside her.
"I have a plan."
"No."
"You don't even know the plan."
"If you say the words 'sneak out,' the answer is no."
Riya grinned.
"Movie?"
Ishika stared at her.
Riya leaned closer.
"Movie."
Ishika's eyes widened.
"You'd do that?"
"Of course."
"I can't."
"You can."
"Mika will know."
"She won't."
"She always knows."
Riya paused.
"Okay."
She considered this.
"Then we'll be smarter."
Ishika stared.
"That's exactly what people say before everything goes horribly wrong."
Riya smiled.
"Trust me."
Ishika sighed.
"Fine."
Twenty minutes later, Ishika was wearing a hoodie, cap, and mask.
Riya had done the same.
They slipped out through the side entrance.
Ishika looked back toward the house.
"This feels illegal."
"It isn't."
"It feels illegal."
"You're just dramatic."
"I've been grounded for two weeks."
"Exactly."
They hurried toward the car.
Neither noticed the photographer standing across the street.
Neither noticed the camera lens pointed toward them.
Neither noticed the first photograph being taken.
And certainly neither noticed the second.
Or third.
By the time they reached the cinema-
the paparazzi already had enough material.
Inside the theater, Ishika finally relaxed.
She sank into her seat.
"This is amazing."
Riya grinned.
"Freedom."
Ishika looked around happily.
"No rules."
"No Anamika."
"No grounding."
"No lectures."
"No-"
Riya suddenly stopped.
"What?"
Ishika looked at her.
"Nothing."
They both burst out laughing.
For two hours, they were simply best friends again.
They ate popcorn.
Argued over the movie.
Made ridiculous commentary.
And laughed until their stomachs hurt.
When the movie ended, Ishika looked happier than she had in weeks.
"Thank you."
Riya smiled.
"Anything for my best friend."
They walked out wearing their masks.
Still laughing.
Still completely unaware.
Meanwhile...
The internet had already exploded.
A celebrity gossip account posted the first photograph.
RIYA SINGHANIA SPOTTED WITH MYSTERY WOMAN!
Another account reposted it.
Then another.
Within minutes, the headlines changed.
IS RIYA SINGHANIA CHEATING ON HER WIFE?
RIYA'S SECRET MOVIE DATE!
WHO IS THE MYSTERY WOMAN?
PAYAL SINGHANIA'S MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE?
The photograph was blurry.
Ishika's face was completely hidden.
Riya's face was partially visible.
But the internet didn't care.
Speculation exploded.
Riya's phone suddenly started vibrating.
Once.
Twice.
Ten times.
She pulled it out.
Her smile disappeared.
Ishika noticed.
"What?"
Riya stared at the screen.
"...Oh no."
"What?"
Riya turned the phone around.
Ishika read the headline.
Her eyes widened.
Then-
she started laughing.
Riya stared at her.
"Why are you laughing?!"
Ishika could barely breathe.
"Look at your face!"
"This isn't funny!"
"It absolutely is!"
"They think I'm cheating!"
Ishika laughed harder.
"Payal is going to kill you."
Riya's expression turned horrified.
"Exactly!"
She started pacing.
"What am I going to do?"
Ishika wiped tears from her eyes.
"Tell the truth."
"That's not the problem!"
"What is?"
Riya pointed at herself.
"My wife."
Ishika laughed again.
"Payal?"
"Yes!"
"You think she's going to believe this?"
"She will believe me."
A pause.
"...Eventually."
Ishika grinned.
"After killing you."
"Exactly!"
Riya looked at the headlines again.
"Oh God."
Her phone rang.
PAYAL CALLING.
Riya froze.
Ishika looked at the screen.
Then at Riya.
Then slowly smiled.
"Answer it."
"No."
"Answer it."
"No."
"Riya."
"No."
"Your wife is calling."
"I know!"
The phone kept ringing.
Riya took a deep breath.
"Okay."
She answered.
"Hi, Payu."
Silence.
Riya's smile disappeared.
"Why are you asking where I am?"
Ishika immediately covered her mouth.
Riya's eyes widened.
"Who told you?"
Another pause.
Riya looked at Ishika.
Then whispered-
"She saw the article."
Ishika was barely holding herself together.
Riya listened.
Her face became increasingly terrified.
Finally-
"Payu..."
She gulped.
"It's not what you think."
Another pause.
Riya closed her eyes.
"Yes, I went to the movies."
Silence.
"With a woman."
Ishika buried her face in the cushion.
Riya glared at her.
"Stop laughing!"
She listened again.
Then sighed.
"She's Ishika."
Silence.
Riya blinked.
"Yes."
Another pause.
"No."
She looked horrified.
"We were not on a date!"
Ishika finally lost control.
She collapsed sideways onto the sofa laughing.
Riya covered the phone.
"I am going to kill you."
Ishika managed between laughs-
"Tell Payal I said hi."
Riya looked at her.
Then back at the phone.
"Payu..."
She sighed.
"I promise I'll explain everything when I get home."
A pause.
"...Yes."
Another pause.
"...No, I didn't cheat."
Another pause.
"Yes."
Riya's shoulders relaxed.
"Okay."
Then her face changed.
"...What do you mean you're coming here?"
She froze.
"Payu?"
The call ended.
Riya stared at the phone.
Ishika slowly sat up.
"What happened?"
Riya looked at her.
"She's coming."
Ishika's grin returned.
"To rescue you?"
Riya shook her head.
"No."
She swallowed.
"To kill me."
Ishika burst out laughing again.
Riya pointed at her.
"This is your fault."
"How?"
"You encouraged me!"
"You made the plan!"
"You agreed!"
"You're the mastermind!"
"I'm the victim!"
Riya stared at her.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
Ishika smiled innocently.
"For the first time in two weeks..."
She leaned back.
"...I'm having fun."
Riya sighed.
"Well, enjoy it while it lasts."
Ishika frowned.
"Why?"
Riya slowly pointed toward her.
"Because when Anamika finds out you left the house..."
Ishika's smile vanished.
"...Oh."
The two friends stared at each other.
For the first time that afternoon-
they were both genuinely terrified.
Then Riya whispered-
"Run."
Ishika immediately stood.
"Where?"
"I don't know."
"You're the mastermind!"
"I'M OUT OF IDEAS!"
And once again-
the two best friends found themselves running from the consequences of their own terrible decisions.
The café had seemed like the perfect hiding place.
That was Riya's first mistake.
Her second mistake was believing that Payal wouldn't find her.
Her third-
and most serious-
mistake was believing Anamika Modi wouldn't find Ishika.
The two fugitives sat in the farthest corner of the café, wearing sunglasses indoors.
Ishika was wearing her hoodie.
Riya had pulled her cap so low that she could barely see.
They looked ridiculous.
Ishika slowly sipped her coffee.
"Do you think we're safe?"
Riya looked around nervously.
"Yes."
"Really?"
"No."
Ishika sighed.
"Great."
Riya leaned closer.
"Don't panic."
"I'm not panicking."
"You've checked the door fourteen times."
"I'm observant."
"You're terrified."
"I'm grounded!"
Riya gasped.
"So am I apparently."
"Not yet."
Riya stared at her.
"Don't manifest it!"
Before Ishika could respond-
The bell above the café door rang.
Both women froze.
Slowly-
very slowly-
they turned around.
Payal walked in.
Behind her-
Anamika.
Silence.
Ishika whispered-
"Oh."
Riya whispered back-
"Run."
"Where?"
Riya looked around.
There was nowhere to run.
Anamika stood at one entrance.
Payal stood near the other.
The café suddenly felt extremely small.
Riya looked at Ishika.
Ishika looked at Riya.
Then both smiled nervously.
"Hello?"
Neither Payal nor Anamika smiled.
"Hi," Riya tried again.
Still nothing.
Ishika looked at Anamika.
"Mika."
Anamika raised one eyebrow.
"Ishi."
Ishika immediately looked at the table.
"Nice weather."
"It is raining."
"...I like rain."
Payal folded her arms.
"Riya."
Riya smiled.
"Payu."
"Stand up."
Riya blinked.
"Why?"
Payal stared.
Riya immediately stood.
Ishika looked at Anamika.
"Mika..."
"Stand."
Ishika stood.
The two troublemakers exchanged one final look.
We're dead.
The car journey was terrifying.
Payal drove.
Riya sat beside her.
Anamika drove another car.
Ishika sat silently in the passenger seat.
Nobody spoke.
Absolutely nobody.
Riya kept texting Ishika from her hidden phone.
RIYA: Are you alive?
Ishika secretly looked at her screen.
ISHIKA: No.
RIYA: Same.
ISHIKA: She's not saying anything.
RIYA: Payal hasn't blinked in six minutes.
Ishika almost laughed.
Anamika glanced toward her.
"What is funny?"
Ishika immediately locked her phone.
"Nothing."
Anamika held out her hand.
Ishika stared.
"...Why?"
"Phone."
"Mika-"
"Phone."
Ishika slowly handed it over.
Anamika looked at it.
Then looked at her.
"I thought you didn't have your phone."
Ishika's eyes widened.
Riya's message notification appeared.
RIYA: DON'T TELL HER I GAVE IT TO YOU.
Ishika closed her eyes.
Anamika read it.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Then she smiled.
Ishika became terrified.
"Oh no."
Back at the mansion, everyone gathered in the living room.
Riya and Ishika stood side by side.
Payal and Anamika stood in front of them.
The atmosphere resembled a courtroom.
Except nobody had a lawyer.
Payal spoke first.
"Riya Singhania."
Riya stood straighter.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Do not call me that."
"Sorry, Your Honor."
Payal stared.
Riya covered her mouth.
"Sorry."
Anamika looked toward Ishika.
"Do you understand why you're being punished?"
Ishika nodded.
"Because I escaped."
"Correct."
"And because I lied."
"Correct."
"And because I went out."
"Correct."
"And because-"
Anamika raised an eyebrow.
"Continue."
Ishika looked toward Riya.
"...Because I was stupid."
Riya gasped.
"Excuse me?"
"You helped."
"YOU agreed!"
Anamika held up one hand.
Both immediately became quiet.
Payal spoke.
"Riya."
Riya looked at her wife.
"Yes?"
"You are grounded for one month."
Riya stared.
Then blinked.
"One month?"
"Yes."
"Payu-"
"No."
"Can we negotiate?"
"No."
"Twenty days?"
"No."
"Three weeks?"
"No."
"Twenty-nine days?"
Payal's expression didn't change.
Riya sighed.
"Fine."
Then Anamika turned toward Ishika.
"And you."
Ishika swallowed.
"Yes?"
"Your grounding is extended."
Ishika stared.
"...By how much?"
"Three months."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Riya slowly turned toward Ishika.
Ishika's mouth fell open.
"THREE MONTHS?"
Anamika nodded.
"Three."
"Mika!"
"No."
"That is not an extension!"
"What is it?"
"That's a prison sentence!"
Riya immediately started laughing.
Ishika glared at her.
"You find this funny?"
"Very."
Ishika pointed toward Payal.
"She's next."
Riya's laughter immediately stopped.
Payal looked at her.
Riya smiled nervously.
"Payu, darling-"
"No."
"But-"
"No."
"I have rights."
"Not today."
Riya gasped.
Ishika started laughing.
Riya immediately pointed at her.
"Don't laugh."
But Ishika couldn't stop.
She was practically crying.
Riya narrowed her eyes.
"I shouldn't have helped you."
Ishika leaned closer and whispered-
"But you did."
Riya glared.
"And you will in the future too."
Riya stared.
Ishika smiled.
Then suddenly hugged her.
Riya resisted for approximately two seconds.
Then hugged her back.
"Yes, Ishu."
She looked over Ishika's shoulder toward their wives.
"They're mean."
Ishika nodded seriously.
"Very mean."
Riya and Ishika stood there hugging.
Payal and Anamika watched them.
Both with exactly the same expression.
Riya slowly pulled away.
Then whispered-
"Maybe we have the wrong wives."
Ishika's eyes widened.
"Oh?"
Ishika leaned toward Riya.
"Should we divorce them?"
Riya slowly turned.
Payal's eyes narrowed.
Anamika's eyebrows rose.
Ishika continued anyway.
"And marry each other?"
Riya gasped.
"No rules."
Ishika nodded.
"No grounding."
"No confiscated phones."
"No permission needed."
Ishika became increasingly enthusiastic.
"We could go wherever we want."
"Eat whatever we want."
"Watch movies whenever we want."
"Drink whatever we want."
Anamika cleared her throat.
Ishika immediately corrected herself.
"Juice."
Riya nodded seriously.
"Lots of juice."
The two women stared at each other.
Then Riya smiled.
"You know..."
"What?"
"We would actually be terrible together."
Ishika gasped.
"Oh my God!"
She grabbed Riya's hands.
"We would be a disaster together."
Riya nodded dramatically.
"A complete disaster."
Ishika considered it.
"Who would stop us from doing stupid things?"
"No one."
"Who would make responsible decisions?"
Silence.
Both looked horrified.
Then Ishika gasped again.
"Our house would burn down."
Riya pointed enthusiastically.
"Probably!"
"Oh my God."
"We'd forget to pay bills."
"Definitely."
"We'd adopt random animals."
"At least six."
"Riya!"
"What?"
Ishika burst into laughter.
Riya threw an arm around her shoulders.
"We will be a beautiful disaster together."
The room went silent.
The imaginary marriage discussion continued.
"We'd be terrible parents," Ishika said.
Riya looked horrified.
"Absolutely terrible."
"We'd teach the children how to lie."
"We'd teach them how to sneak out."
"We'd teach them how to escape punishment."
"Actually..."
Ishika paused.
"We're already qualified."
Riya proudly nodded.
"Exactly."
Payal slowly cleared her throat.
Both women froze.
Anamika folded her arms.
"Finished?"
Ishika immediately shook her head.
"No."
Riya elbowed her.
Ishika corrected herself.
"I mean yes."
Anamika and Payal stared.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Ishika and Riya felt the temperature drop.
They looked toward their wives.
Then immediately-
"Just joking!"
Both said simultaneously.
Silence.
Then Riya whispered-
"Mostly."
Payal's eyes narrowed.
Riya immediately pointed at Ishika.
"She said it."
"TRAITOR!"
The front door opened.
Everyone turned.
Jazz walked in.
Melanie followed behind her.
Jazz had her phone in her hand.
She looked confused.
"Okay."
Everyone stared at her.
Jazz slowly lowered the phone.
"Who is that girl?"
Riya blinked.
"What girl?"
Jazz walked toward her.
"The girl you were photographed with."
Riya's eyes widened dramatically.
"Oh!"
Riya dramatically pointed toward Ishika.
"My new girlfriend."
Silence.
Jazz stared at Ishika.
Ishika stared back.
Then Riya continued-
"The woman I'm cheating on my wife with."
Jazz's mouth fell open.
"Oh my God!"
Ishika immediately started laughing.
Jazz looked between them.
"RIYA!"
Melanie suddenly froze.
She looked at the news article.
Then at Ishika.
Then at Riya.
Then back at the article.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at her.
Melanie pointed toward Ishika.
"You."
Ishika blinked.
"Me?"
"You were the mystery woman."
Riya pointed dramatically.
"Congratulations, Professor!"
Melanie stared.
"Oh my God."
Jazz slowly turned toward Riya.
"You took Ishika on a secret date?"
"Movie."
"Secret movie."
"Yes."
"While she was grounded?"
Ishika raised her hand.
"In my defense-"
Anamika looked at her.
Ishika lowered her hand.
"Never mind."
Jazz looked at Payal.
Payal looked completely calm.
Then at Anamika.
Anamika looked like she had personally lost several years of her life.
Jazz slowly covered her mouth.
"So..."
She looked toward Riya.
"You caused a national cheating scandal..."
Riya smiled.
"Technically, the paparazzi caused it."
Ishika nodded.
"We were innocent."
Anamika slowly turned toward her.
"Innocent?"
Ishika immediately corrected herself.
"...Mostly innocent."
Melanie started laughing.
Jazz was still staring at the two women.
"You went to a movie."
"Yes."
"Secretly."
"Yes."
"While grounded."
Riya nodded.
"Yes."
Jazz looked at their wives.
"That's why you're here?"
Payal smiled sweetly.
"That is why we're here."
Jazz looked at Riya.
"You're insane."
Riya pointed toward herself.
"I prefer adventurous."
Ishika nodded.
"Visionary."
Anamika and Payal simultaneously looked at them.
Both immediately shut up.
Jazz suddenly looked down at her phone.
"Oh no."
Riya frowned.
"What?"
Jazz turned the screen toward them.
A new headline had appeared.
MYSTERY WOMAN IDENTIFIED? FANS SPECULATE RIYA SINGHANIA'S SECRET RELATIONSHIP
Riya screamed.
"What?!"
Ishika laughed so hard she nearly fell sideways.
"This is amazing."
"It's not amazing!"
"Your face!"
"I'M GOING TO GET DIVORCED!"
Payal raised one eyebrow.
Riya immediately stopped.
"...Hypothetically."
Payal smiled.
"Good answer."
Riya pointed at Ishika.
"She's the real criminal."
Ishika gasped.
"I didn't even know paparazzi were following us!"
"Neither did I!"
Jazz laughed.
"You two really are a beautiful disaster."
Riya pointed proudly.
"See?"
Ishika smiled.
"Exactly."
Riya's phone suddenly buzzed.
Everyone looked.
Riya picked it up.
Her face changed.
"No."
"What?" Payal asked.
Riya refreshed the page.
Her expression became worse.
"Oh no."
Ishika leaned closer.
"What?"
Riya showed everyone.
A new article had been published.
MYSTERY WOMAN IDENTIFIED? INTERNET THEORIZES RIYA SINGHANIA'S SECRET COMPANION MAY BE CONNECTED TO MODI GROUP.
Ishika froze.
Jazz slowly turned toward her.
Melanie covered her face.
Payal looked horrified.
Anamika closed her eyes.
Riya whispered-
"Okay."
Everyone looked at her.
"We might have a bigger problem."
Ishika stared at the screen.
"Why?"
Riya pointed.
"They're investigating."
Ishika gasped.
"Investigating what?"
"Us."
Ishika looked horrified.
"Why are people like this?"
Jazz took the phone.
The headlines had somehow become worse.
RIYA SINGHANIA'S SECRET DATE EXPOSED!
MYSTERY WOMAN SPOTTED LEAVING CINEMA WITH MARRIED ACTRESS
WHERE WAS PAYAL SINGHANIA?
INSIDERS CLAIM RIYA AND MYSTERY WOMAN LOOKED "VERY COMFORTABLE."
Ishika stared at the screen.
Then slowly looked at Riya.
"...Very comfortable?"
Riya groaned.
"We were sharing popcorn."
"Scandalous."
"Ishu."
"You did feed me one piece."
Riya stared at her.
"You're making it worse."
Ishika burst out laughing.
Then Riya refreshed the page.
Her face went pale.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"Someone posted another photograph."
Ishika leaned closer.
The picture showed Riya and her mystery companion walking out of the theatre.
The companion's face remained hidden.
But-
there was another problem.
Riya had her arm around Ishika's shoulder.
Ishika blinked.
"Oh."
Riya looked horrified.
"OH?"
Ishika squinted at the picture.
"Actually..."
"No."
"...We look kind of cute."
"ISHIKA!"
Jazz then looks at Riya.
"Oh, there are thousands of comments."
Riya grabbed it back.
"Don't read them!"
Jazz had already started.
"One says you're secretly married."
Riya groaned.
"Another says you're a foreign actress."
Ishika blinked.
"I'll take that one."
"Someone thinks you're Payal."
Everyone stopped.
Payal stared.
"...Excuse me?"
Riya burst out laughing.
"MY WIFE?"
Ishika was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
Anamika finally laughed too.
"That would be impressive."
Payal glared at Riya.
"Don't enjoy this."
"I'm sorry."
"You look happy."
"I am."
"RIYA."
Payal looked at Anamika.
"They're proud of themselves."
Anamika sighed.
"I know."
Melanie eventually wiped her eyes.
"Okay."
Everyone slowly calmed down.
"We need to stop this before it gets worse."
Riya nodded.
"How?"
Jazz suggested,
"Post something."
Payal looked at her.
"What?"
Jazz shrugged.
"A picture."
Riya immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because knowing the internet, they'll say the picture is fake."
Ishika leaned back.
"What if we tell them who I am?"
Anamika immediately looked at her.
"No."
Ishika blinked.
"Why?"
Anamika's voice softened.
"Because I don't want your face dragged into unnecessary gossip."
Ishika's expression changed.
The teasing disappeared.
"Oh."
Riya looked at Anamika.
"She's right."
Ishika looked at her.
"You agree?"
Riya nodded.
"For once."
Anamika glanced at her.
Riya smiled nervously.
"I mean... yes. She's right."
Payal laughed.
Riya suddenly looked thoughtful.
"I have an idea."
Everyone immediately became suspicious.
"No," Payal said.
"I haven't even said it!"
"No."
Ishika nodded.
"Honestly, I'm with Payu."
Riya looked offended.
"Traitor!"
"I've learned from experience."
Riya folded her arms.
"Fine."
Then she smiled.
A very dangerous smile.
"I'll post a picture of me and Payal."
Payal frowned.
"That doesn't prove who the mystery woman is."
"No."
Riya grinned.
"But it proves I like my wife very much."
Jazz nodded.
"That's actually sweet."
Riya looked proud.
"I can be sweet."
Payal softened slightly.
"Occasionally."
Riya smiled.
Then whispered to Ishika-
"After my punishment ends, we're going to another movie."
Ishika whispered back-
"Absolutely."
Anamika cleared her throat.
Ishika immediately straightened.
"With permission."
Riya sighed.
"These wives ruin everything."
Payal and Anamika exchanged a look.
Then both said together-
"We know."
And the entire room exploded into laughter.
Somewhere outside, the paparazzi were still desperately searching for the identity of Riya Singhania's mysterious companion.
Inside Modi Mansion-
the mystery woman was sitting on the sofa.
Grounded for three months.
Laughing at the biggest scandal she had accidentally created.
And very much wondering whether her next escape plan would be worth surviving Anamika's reaction.
By the time everyone had calmed down at Modi Mansion, the scandal had become even bigger.
That was entirely Riya's fault.
"Why is my name trending?" Riya asked, staring at her phone.
Payal looked over her shoulder.
"Because apparently you cheated on me."
"I DID NOT."
"I know."
"Then why are you so calm?"
Payal took a sip of her coffee.
"Because I'm enjoying watching you suffer."
Riya looked offended.
"You're supposed to defend me."
"I am."
"When?"
Payal smiled.
"Give me five minutes."
Everyone immediately turned toward her.
Riya leaned toward her best friend.
"You're still traumatized."
"Obviously."
Meanwhile, on the Internet...
The headlines continued multiplying.
RIYA SINGHANIA'S MYSTERY WOMAN STILL UNIDENTIFIED!
PAYAL SINGHANIA REMAINS SILENT AMID CHEATING RUMOURS
IS A CELEBRITY MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE?
WHO IS THE MASKED WOMAN?
Riya stared at the screen.
"I hate everyone."
Jazz leaned over.
"Oh, this comment says you looked very affectionate."
Riya covered her face.
"We shared popcorn!"
Jazz read another.
"This person thinks you were holding hands."
Ishika immediately interrupted.
"We were holding hands."
Everyone looked at her.
Ishika blinked.
"What?"
Riya slowly turned toward her.
"You are not helping."
"We were crossing the road."
"That doesn't matter!"
"Apparently it matters to the internet."
Melanie sighed.
Anamika immediately stood.
"That's enough."
Everyone looked at her.
Her expression was serious.
"I don't want this continuing."
Ishika's face softened.
"Mika..."
Anamika looked toward her.
"We'll handle it."
Payal suddenly smiled.
"Actually."
Everyone immediately became nervous again.
Riya pointed.
"No."
Payal ignored her.
"I can fix that."
Anamika narrowed her eyes.
"How?"
Payal picked up her phone again.
Everyone laughed.
Even Anamika's serious expression cracked.
Payal gently removed Riya's hand.
Then typed.
Posted.
And placed the phone down.
Riya stared at her.
"What did you do?"
Payal smiled.
"Wait."
Thirty seconds later-
Jazz's phone buzzed.
Then Melanie's.
Then Riya's.
Then Ishika's-
She stopped.
Slowly looked at her empty hands.
"...I don't have my phone."
Riya laughed.
"Grounded."
"Shut up."
Anamika took out her phone and checked.
Then looked at Payal.
"Oh no."
Payal smiled.
Her clarification was even worse.
This time, there was no photograph.
Only a statement.
Riya's phone buzzed.
She looked down.
And immediately froze.
"What?"
Payal asked innocently.
Riya slowly lifted her phone.
"You posted something."
Payal smiled.
"Yes."
Riya looked horrified.
"What did you post?"
Payal took out her own phone.
"Just a clarification."
Jazz leaned forward.
"Oh no."
Ishika immediately stood behind Payal.
"Show me."
Payal turned the screen.
Her social-media post had already exploded.
It showed the paparazzi photograph.
Riya walking beside the mysterious masked woman.
Underneath-
Payal had written:
Yes, that's my wife. No, she isn't cheating on me. The mysterious woman is her best friend, who is apparently also a terrible influence and currently grounded for three months. Riya herself is grounded for one month. Please stop sending me condolences for my marriage. We're fine. Unfortunately.
For three seconds-l
Riya stared.
Then-
"PAYAL!"
Jazz screamed with laughter.
Melanie covered her mouth.
Ishika collapsed onto the sofa.
Even Anamika laughed.
Riya stared at her wife.
"You told the entire internet I am grounded!"
Payal smiled sweetly.
"They were concerned."
"They didn't need to know!"
"They know now."
Riya grabbed her phone.
The comments were already pouring in.
WE'RE FINE. UNFORTUNATELY. 😂
PAYAL WON THE INTERNET TODAY.
RIYA GOT GROUNDED BY HER WIFE I'M CRYING.
WHO IS THE THREE-MONTH GIRL?
Riya froze.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
She looked at Ishika.
"Oh."
Ishika sat up.
"What?"
Riya showed her the comment.
WHO IS THE THREE-MONTH GIRL?
Ishika's eyes widened.
Then she looked at Anamika.
Anamika smiled.
A very dangerous smile.
Then-
Riya slowly turned toward Payal.
"...You did not."
Payal smiled.
"I did."
Ishika stared at the post.
"YOU MENTIONED MIKA AGAIN!"
Payal looked at her.
"I didn't mention names."
Ishika gasped.
"But now everyone will wonder who has a terrifying wife!"
Riya immediately burst into laughter.
Within ten minutes-
the internet was officially in chaos.
Jazz read the comments aloud.
"Someone wrote: 'Payal didn't clear her wife's name. She gave us a comedy special.'"
Melanie laughed.
"Accurate."
Another comment appeared.
'Imagine cheating when your wife has this level of humour. Riya would never survive the divorce proceedings.'
Riya looked offended.
"I would survive."
Payal looked at her.
"Would you?"
Riya immediately reconsidered.
"...Emotionally?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely not."
Everyone laughed.
Another comment appeared.
'The real victim here is the mystery woman who apparently got caught sneaking out while grounded.'
Ishika covered her face.
"I hate the internet."
Riya patted her shoulder.
"No, you hate Anamika's grounding."
"I can hate both."
Anamika looked at her.
"Do you want four months?"
Ishika immediately straightened.
"I love you."
Finally-
Payal found the comment that destroyed everyone.
She read it aloud.
"Riya didn't cheat on her wife. She cheated on her grounding responsibilities by helping her best friend escape."
Riya froze.
Ishika slowly looked at her.
Then-
both started laughing.
Payal looked proud.
"I think that's the most accurate description."
Riya pointed at Ishika.
"She made me do it."
Ishika gasped.
"YOU came to rescue me!"
"I was being a good friend!"
"You committed a crime against my marriage."
"It wasn't a crime!"
"Try telling Anamika that."
Both women slowly turned toward Anamika.
Anamika stared at them.
Riya immediately looked away.
Ishika copied her.
Payal and Jazz burst into laughter.
By evening, the entire mansion had become loud again.
Riya and Ishika sat together on the sofa.
Both supposedly grounded.
Both apparently miserable.
Riya whispered-
"So."
"What?"
"When our grounding ends..."
Ishika looked suspicious.
"No."
"What?"
"Whatever you're planning-no."
"We could go to another movie."
Anamika looked over.
Riya immediately changed her sentence.
"...With permission."
Payal nodded approvingly.
"Good answer."
Ishika looked at Riya.
"We are never escaping again."
Riya thought for a moment.
"Probably."
"Riya."
"Okay, okay."
Ishika smiled.
Riya leaned against her shoulder.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"Our imaginary marriage would have been fun."
Ishika gasped.
"Riya."
"What? I'm joking."
Anamika looked over.
Riya immediately raised both hands.
"Joking!"
Payal shook her head.
"I married a child."
Anamika nodded.
"I understand."
Ishika looked offended.
"Excuse me?"
Both wives looked at their troublemakers.
Then at each other.
And somehow-
despite everything-
they started laughing.
Because honestly?
Riya and Ishika together would indeed have been a disaster.
A loud disaster.
A rebellious disaster.
A paparazzi-attracting disaster.
But perhaps Riya had been right about one thing.
They would have been-
a beautiful disaster.
Thankfully for Anamika and Payal-
they were already married to the people capable of surviving them.
**