EPISODE 002
1031 Words
SR entered and stopped right in front of Aaradhya.
He didn't need to say much; the room instantly quieted when he entered, as his presence made the air shift just by coming in. Standing tall like an emperor, his gaze roamed the space around him as though nothing else mattered; his presence made the air shift just by walking into it.
Aaradhya remained on the couch, stunned. Her hands gripped tightly around the edge of the seat as she could not believe what had just been said by him without even blinking an eye or pausing; no blink, no pause—just plain words spoken out loud from him!
"I don't want the baby," She blurted out suddenly, her heart sinking as her brave facade crumbled around her, trying not to cry so as not to show him her emotions were cracking under pressure—though the blow felt like it came straight through her chest.
He sat across from her as though it were another meeting, while Karan Mehta placed on the table a stack of papers with neatly printed words at the top: "Contract Expired."
Karan gave her a glance. "Miss Rishi, your three-year contract with Mr. Siddharth Rana has come to an end—please sign here so we can close everything."
Karan had surprised Rishi with this revelation when his words struck her hard; though she smiled in response, there was no humor there; had it not been for SR's request, Karan never would have spoken thusly with her.
SR grabbed his pen and signed his name quickly without looking twice at the paper, pushing it toward her with each stroke of his pen.
"Come spend a week here exploring new places!"
She looked at him, who seemed unaffected and unwaveringly composed, not displaying guilt, pain, or any sign of concern on his face—it seemed as though their entire marriage meant nothing anymore.
She heard an inaudible voice screaming.
Why are you even surprised? He has always been like this.
Still, it hurt. She had loved him for so long that learning the truth didn't alter their feelings for one another, and that only made matters worse.
She took up the pen. Her hand began shaking as she gripped it tightly.
She gazed upon his signature, which appeared strong and complete. As she signed her own signature, it looked uncoordinated and irregular.
She returned the papers and took a deep breath before giving them back.
Thank you for allowing me to stay here for the past week, Mr. Siddharth Rana. However, now that my contract has concluded, I don't see any reason for me to remain. Therefore, I am leaving today."
Meena nodded without speaking; her eyes followed Aaradhya, and it was clear she did not want her to leave like this, yet there was nothing she could do about it.
Aaradhya went up the steps while SR remained quiet behind her.
"She was left feeling lost and alone. As she looked around her room—a room that used to feel familiar—it felt empty now. Tears welled in her eyes as she quickly blinked the tears away while trying to stay composed.
She was prepared for what lay ahead, yet it still hit hard; the pain wasn't supposed to be so intense.
She brought only the essential items with her, things that truly belonged to her. Anything he bought she left behind; clothes, shoes, and gifts from him weren't touched at all by her.
Meena stood still by the door.
Aaradhya gently wiped her cheeks. "Don't worry about me. Maybe it was never meant for me to be his perfect match anyway."
Carrying her small bag, she made her way down.
SR had not moved; she continued walking without looking in his direction.
"Where are you headed?" His voice came across like an order, and she stopped.
She turned slowly and looked at him with concern.
He had no right to ask this of us; after all, he hadn't shown much care for our welfare before now. Why now should it matter more than before?
"No longer should my life be of concern to you. Our time together has ended, so your focus should lie with finding and marrying a new bride instead."
Silence. She sensed something shift in his facial features--but only for an instantaneous moment.
She continued. "Remember when we were married? When I got sick with fever, you never came home or called. Instead, you were too busy chasing money; so don't stand there pretending like my plans matter to you now."
After this change, the room seemed considerably colder.
She quickly turned and headed toward the door without waiting for an answer to come in.
"Wait."
His voice stopped her again—this time, softer yet.
She turned again, this time more slowly.
"Why now and so quickly?" is what many may ask themselves.
She laughed short and dry: "You already made your decision - with or without my signature - so what else is there for me to do?"
Stay for at least a week.
"Why am I here? So that I can see you preparing someone else to step into my shoes?"
She took a breath, then returned toward the door again. No response came back from him.
"You never really cared, did you?"
Still nothing. "Goodbye, Mr. Siddharth Rana; I hope your next contract goes better!"
Her voice cracked slightly at the end, but she continued onward. No looking back.
Meena followed her outside with the bag in her hands, briefly looking back at the house she had tried so hard to transform into her home, yet never truly was.
Aaradhya's mind raced. What would come next?
No job, home, or family to return to was available.
She had no way of knowing if there would be a taxi available nearby; her phone battery had run out.
She gently told herself, 'Okay... don't cry now; let him rest."
She continued her walk. Far behind, SR watched from behind his window.
Still silent and stone-faced, something stirred within him. Something flickered within his eyes as something momentarily caught my attention.
All too quickly, it was gone.
- Writer
