Chapter nine:Cracks in the plan
262 Words
The more time they spent together, the harder it became to remember that this was temporary.
Arjun remembered how she took her tea. Mira noticed how he always made sure the doors were locked before bed.
Small things. Dangerous things.
One evening, Mira found herself waiting for him to come home.
That scared her more than anything else.
The first complication arrived in the form of Arjun’s grandfather.
He came for dinner, sharp-eyed and observant.
“You seem… comfortable,” he said, watching them closely.
Mira forced a smile.
“Good,” he continued. “Then perhaps it is time to discuss heirs.”
The word hung in the air like a dropped glass.
Arjun’s voice was firm. “That won’t be happening.”
His grandfather frowned. “We will discuss this later.”
After he left, silence filled the apartment.
“I’m sorry,” Arjun said. “I should have warned you.”
Mira shook her head. “I knew this wouldn’t be easy.”
She didn’t add that the idea unsettled her in ways she hadn’t expected.
Time moved on, indifferent to their plans.
They attended family events together, played their roles convincingly.
Too convincingly.
One evening, as they stood on the balcony watching the city lights, Arjun spoke softly.
“This was supposed to be simple.”
Mira looked at him. “Nothing about people is ever simple.”
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Mira stepped back.
“We should remember the agreement,” she said.
Arjun nodded, but his expression was troubled.
- Writer
