Author's POV

The steady hum of the lecture hall droned in the background, as Chhavi flipped through the textbook absent mindedly. The dense words blurred together...much like the rest of her life had over the past few months. She wasn't sure when her marriage had begun to unravel but she's definitely sure that the threads of trust that once bound her to her husband, Vinesh were now loose, tangled, and frayed.

She glanced at her watch.

Two minutes left before class's over. The students around her chattered in low tones, but their excitement was lost on her. She had long learned to mask her emotions with her smile that acted as a perfect shield for the storm brewing inside. Ten years of marriage, an eight-year-old daughter, and now this—an affair. No! Multiple affairs! Who knows?!

The painful reality of her husband’s infidelity cut through her like a knife, sharper every time the thought resurfaced. Whom was she brewing loyalty within her? For a disgusting person like him?

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. A text message from an unknown number popped up on the screen.

“So, what'll you do about him?”

She froze. This unknown number has been texting her for months now. The pit in her stomach deepened as she read the words again.

What can I do now? I cannot even divorce him until I get my papers back! Moreover, why the hell is he concerned so much!!!

A mix of curiosity and fear clouded her judgment. Her mind wandered back to the day she had stumbled upon the evidence: photos, clips, messages— proves of Vinesh's betrayal.

Result of your blind loyalty, Chhavi.

Her subconscious mocked her.

She had hastily confronted him, breaking the delicate equilibrium they had built for the sake of their daughter, Aahana, for the sake of the family, for the sake if them. But that day, she realised, there was never 'them', no Vinesh and Chhavi. Just Chhavi for Vinesh Joshi, his family, for his everything but for Chhavi- just Chhavi Sharma who's no more Chhavi Sharma but Chhavi Joshi, who blended nicely into the Joshis selflessly.

As the lecture wrapped up and students began to file out, Chhavi sat in her seat, lost in her thoughts. That message—it unsettled her. She shook her head, trying to focus on what needed to be done, the assignments needed to be checked, drafts have to be reviewed, theses to be verified...but the thought lingered.

Somehow after putting marks against the assignments of her students, she stepped out of the classroom but bumped into someone. She was almost tripping but was held by the edge of her waist by a pair of strong hands which made her feel like they could take control of her world and fix it for her.

The 'someone's' tall frame, broad shoulders, and dark eyes startled her as he steadied her by the arm. A rush of heat surged through her, though it wasn’t just from the embarrassment of the collision.

"Drishye?!”

She whispered in surprise, the name slipping through her lips before she could stop herself.

The former student, the one who had always been a little, sweet boy as it lingered on the edges of her memories like every time her eyes met with his, stood before her now, older and more composed- as if he's much more 'sane' than her. Sane!

He smiled softly as if amused by her surprise.

“I'm here to pick you up, Miss Rosy.”

There was something about the way he called her that made her uneasy though not bad...it just made her feel things she shouldn't. The way his eyes bore into her, like he could see the broken pieces inside her that she kept hidden from the world.

“Did you have any work here?”

She asked, pulling her arm back and straightening up, clutching on her sling bad.

“Can't I come to pick you up, Miss Rosy?”

He said in a smooth voice while continuing to bore his eyes into hers.

She narrowed her eyes, unsure of his intentions.

Drishye's smile faltered slightly but his expression remained unreadable.

“Sometimes you need to accept things as they're.”

He said while taking away her brief bag from her grip.

Chhavi felt a shiver run down her spine. His words carried a weight she couldn’t quite place or define but before she could respond, her phone buzzed again. She glanced down at the screen. Another message from the same unknown number.

"Move on and be with someone who deserves you."

Her blood ran cold. She looked up but Drishye was already walking away, his back turned to her. Something inside her shifted. A sense of unease morphed into suspicion, the dots connecting in her mind.

Who's is this person!

˜”*°•°*”˜

Okay, so this is just the prologue.

Ab to kitne sare twists hain.

(We've so many twists to uncover ahead)

Please do let me know did you enjoy it or not via comments.

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CH: 1 coming today at 0830pm.

Thanks.

<3