#shyam

At this point she wondered if that ever happened, or if it was product of her crazy mind. Maybe Arnav had never loved her, maybe it was all a result of her obsession with him.

Her sister had been right, Khushi had been fixated far into Arnav, ever since the day she saw him. Even when he wanted nothing to do with her.

At first it was anger, then disrespect, then curiosity, then infatuation and finally...

A cold had settled into Delhi, the winds chilled her bones. Her thin salwar was no match. She could not find herself to take the blanket on the floor.

This time, it was not self preservation. It was insects.

If she tried to get it washed, questions would be raised. The househelp was familiar with the bedroom linen. Why would it be in the garden long enough to get infested? Mami had been suspicious, and Khushi could not bear Arnav directing another play of them being happily married.

She could never see the difference between his acting and reality.

-

The blanket was washed, dried, and neatly packed. The floor was cleared, and an outdoor bedroll was in the corner of the garden.

Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she smelled the fresh blanket. Her body cried in relief as she laid down in the mattress.

It was the first time she slept for more than three hours in a month.

-

"Slept well?" Khushi was caught off guard. Not by the question, but the person asking it.

Shyam Manohar Jha.

Khushi ran away, her mind coming to a conclusion it didn't want to.

She bumped into Arnav, anger blazing in his eyes.

Her question of the blanket being washed remain in thin air as Manorama commented on their proximity as lovebirds being unable to separate, not noticing the soft bruise that began to swell in her arms once he left her grip.

In another time, she would've thought she saw true concern in Arnav's eyes over the mention of insects.

But for now, her mind worried over other details.

Over who got her bedding clean and washed.

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A/N: Thoughts? XOXO (Please ignore any typos/grammar errors)

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