The Morning After
577 Words
Chapter 2 — The Morning After
Aarohi Sharma didn’t sleep.
Not even for a second.
The wedding dress still clung to her body as she sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on nothing, her thoughts too heavy to form.
At some point, the lights went off.
At some point, the night passed.
She didn’t notice when.
All she knew was—
When the first ray of sunlight slipped quietly through the curtains…
She was still alone.
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The door opened.
Aarohi looked up instinctively.
Armaan Malhotra walked in, already dressed, his expression calm, distant—unchanged.
As if last night had never happened.
As if she had never been there at all.
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For a brief moment, a thought crossed her mind.
“Good morning.”
Something simple.
Something normal.
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But the words never left her lips.
Because what was the point?
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“You’re still here?”
His voice broke the silence.
Aarohi blinked, slightly taken aback.
“…Where else would I be?”
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His gaze flickered toward her for a second before turning away, uninterested.
“You don’t need to stay in this room,” he said coldly. “We’re not a real couple. Act accordingly.”
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Something inside her twisted.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
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Not a real couple.
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The words echoed louder than they should have.
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Aarohi nodded slowly, even though he wasn’t looking at her.
“I understand.”
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Of course she did.
She understood everything.
That she didn’t belong here.
That she never would.
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Armaan walked past her as if she were nothing more than a shadow.
No glance.
No pause.
No acknowledgment.
---
The door closed behind him.
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And just like that—
She was alone.
Again.
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Aarohi changed out of the wedding dress quietly, her movements slow, almost mechanical.
Each layer she removed felt like shedding something fragile…
A dream that had never truly existed.
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When she finally stepped out of the room, the house felt unfamiliar.
Too large.
Too quiet.
Too cold.
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“Good morning, Madam.”
A maid greeted her politely.
Aarohi forced a small smile.
“Good morning.”
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“At what time would you like breakfast?”
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She hesitated for a moment before answering.
“I’ll… eat with him.”
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The maid’s expression shifted slightly.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Something like pity flickered in her eyes.
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“He has already left.”
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Aarohi stilled.
---
Oh.
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Of course he had.
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She stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Or what to feel.
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Why would he stay?
Why would he wait?
Why would he even think about her?
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“Should I prepare breakfast for you?” the maid asked gently.
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Aarohi nodded.
“Yes… please.”
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She sat alone at the long dining table.
The chair across from her remained empty.
Untouched.
Unneeded.
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Just like her.
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She picked up the spoon, her hand trembling slightly.
Her gaze lingered on the food in front of her.
Warm.
Fresh.
Perfect.
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And yet—
She had no appetite.
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Silence filled the space around her.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
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This is just the beginning.
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The thought came quietly.
But it settled deep.
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Because somewhere inside her—
Aarohi knew.
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If this was how it started…
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Then what was waiting for her next—
Would be far worse.
- Writer
