The Lustre [On Hold]

chapter nineteen

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chapter nineteen • doesn't make sense
Z A R A A U R O R A M A L H O T R A

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"I'm sorry, but could you please explain to me what you just said on call earlier?" Jia sits like a detective and I roll my eyes.

"I just said that I won't be giving in to him. After eight months I'm divorcing him as per the agreement."

"But why? Do you still love Gael-"

"Woah! First of all, who said I ever loved him? Secondly, I would rather walk on burning charcoal than ever have any sort of feelings towards that ungrateful jerk."

"Then why aren't you giving in? Why aren't you at least trying to make things work?"

"Because... I... because I don't want to."

"Yeah, why?"

I lower my eyelids, not knowing the answer. Why?

"Zara? I asked a question."

"Because I hate him."

"Okay? Why? What did he do for you to hate him?" She questions me again.

"He tricked my parents into marrying me. I don't like that. Instead of facing me, he used my parents like a coward." I spit.

"Oh wow..." Jia pauses. "If I recall correctly, you told me and Anya at the spa that he's putting up an act to trick your parents into marrying you off to him, right?"

"Yes?"

"You said he was acting like he loved you only before marriage and he would change after marriage because he got what he wanted, right?"

I lower my eyelids because I know what's coming next.

"The real question is... did he change after marrying you?"

I remain silent.

"Zara, I'm asking you a question."

"No." I can't lie. His care and affection for me didn't change. He started caring for me more. I could feel his love and affection, especially after that night at the theater. He's become so lovely after I became his wife.

"Then?" She squeezes her eyebrows. "Wait, it doesn't make any sense. Weren't you both making out the other day?"

I was in pure horror. "What?!"

"Yeah? During the movie night. The whole family was gossiping about you both kissing in the corner without watching the movie. Plus, you said you missed almost half of the film and lied that you fell asleep, didn't you?"

Oh, fuck! So, this entire time everyone thinks we're okay. They think we're a normal couple.

"Oh, goodness." I facepalm, closing my eyes. "Jia, that night... we just talked."

"Just talked? What did you both talk about? Because that seemed pretty passionate."

I narrated whatever happened that night. Every single thing he expressed to me. The funny thing is how I recall his exact words and actions.