In the soft glow of the room, Shree was a vision as she prepared to attend a business partner's wedding with Madhav.

She was dressed in an embroidered blue skirt, with studded stone in designs of lotuses and peacocks. Her blouse that was more than inches apart from her skirt's reach. Exposing her breath-taking waist. That slender waist that he could not resist looking at when her attention was turned. That very waist that made his hand itches when he saw it through the folds of her sari, inviting him touch it. Slender and flawless, graced by the kamarband she wears.

Her jewellery was simple, with the exception of the grand nose-ring which had been a gift from her mother-in-law.

Madhav, captivated by her elegance, couldn't resist drawing closer, compelled by the allure of the woman before him.

With a tender smile, Madhav pressed a gentle kiss to Shree's cheek, a silent acknowledgment of the connection that transcended the words they exchanged. 

"Can you tie the strings at the back?" she asked, her smile inviting.

With gentle fingers, Madhav skillfully secured the strings, his touch leaving a lingering warmth on her back.

As he wrapped his arm around her waist, Madhav's touch lingered, caressing the curve of her waist with a subtle yet palpable affection. A soft giggle escaped Shree's lips as she welcomed the warmth of his presence, the anticipation of the evening unfolding in their shared gaze. He turned her to face him.

"Why not stay back at home and have some fun?" Madhav suggested, his voice a velvety whisper that danced in the air.

Shree, playfully resistant, replied, "Why not attend the event and then have fun?"

In a tender moment, Madhav leaned in, his lips grazing Shree's ear. "Why not have fun before and after the event?" he proposed. He began to remove his crisp white shirt, each button unveiling the contours of his well-defined physique.

Madhav leaned in and tenderly claimed her lips. He kissed her slowly and passionately as he let his fingertips trace the gentle skin of her back.

The sensation of his touch sent a cascade of shivers down her spine, each caress on her back leaving a moan of desire that lingered in the air.

Shree, with a delicate blush gracing her cheeks, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, as she returned the passionate kiss.

* * * * *

In the quiet of the night, Shree dialed her childhood friend Ahaana's number. As the phone rang, Shree's thoughts were a tumultuous sea, and she needed a familiar voice to navigate the waves.

Ahaana picked up, her voice warm and comforting. "Hey, Shree, what's up?" she asked.

Shree hesitated for a moment before sharing. "Ahaana, you won't believe what happened today."

She went on to recount the unexpected encounter with Sharan, the words exchanged, and the complex emotions now swirling within her.

Ahaana, after a moment of thoughtful silence, teased, "Well, it sounds like Sharan might be a better catch than your husband Madhav. Maybe you should forget him and go for Sharan. He sounds more caring, doesn't he?"

Shree chuckled, appreciating Ahaana's attempt to lighten the mood. "Ahaana, it's not that simple. Madhav is still a big part of my life, and... I don't know."

Ahaana interrupted with a playful tone, "Come on, Shree, Madhav hasn't been around, and Sharan seems to genuinely care about you. Give him a chance!"

Shree sighed, "I don't know, Ahaana. It's all so complicated."

Curious, Shree inquired about Madhav. "Have you heard anything from Madhav?" she asked.

Ahaana's response was a sobering revelation. "I haven't seen him in weeks. No one has. His family is pissed off that he left without a word; leaving all the important tasks at the office unattended! Madhav calls his father at 6 pm everyday to tell him he's fine and that he's in Kerala - so no one will be worried that he died or something!"

Ahaana's voice turned pragmatic. "Well, then, maybe it's time to forget about Madhav. He's not coming back, Shree. You deserve someone who appreciates you. Why pine for someone who's not around?"

Shree nodded, her heart heavy. "I know, Ahaana. It's just hard."

Ahaana, with a hint of frustration, said, "Shree, he's not worth it if he's not going to come back. Honestly, I hate him for making you go through this."

Shree, feeling a mix of emotions, whispered, "Yes, Ahaana."

Ahaana replied, "Goodnight, Shree. Remember, you deserve happiness."

As Shree hung up, she stared at the ceiling, the weight of the night settling around her. The complexities of love and loss echoed in the quiet solitude of her room.

Outside, the sky had become very dark. As the heavy raindrops drummed relentlessly against the window, Shree's frantic attempts to reach Madhav intensified.

With trembling hands, Shree dialed Madhav's number once more, each unanswered call amplifying the ache in her heart.

Shree sighed in disappointment as the call goes unanswered. She finally faced the chilling realization that he might never come back to her.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, the weight of the moment heavy on her shoulders, Shree's tear-streaked face revealed the turmoil within.

"I don't want Madhav in my life." She whispered removing her mangalsutra, and throwing it to a far  corner of the room.

Cradling her stomach, Shree, took a deep breath. "I don't want to have this baby if Madhav is not going to care for me," she declared, the words a solemn pact with her own resolve. "I can't do this all by myself! I'm too scared!"

The bedroom door opened and Olivera entered the room. "Shree, come for dinner in the student canteen," Olivera gently suggested.

Shree, wiping away the tears, nodded in acknowledgment.

"Is there anything you need, Shree?"

"Do you know where a good abortion clinic is?" she asked, the words carrying the weight of a decision that loomed before her.

Shock painted itself across Olivera's face as she processed the weight of the words uttered. Sumaiyah, who was standing next to Olivera looked on stunned.

Olivera closed the door, and moved to sit beside Shree, offering a comforting presence. Sumaiyah, sat next to Shree, her hand gently caressing Shree's head.

In the quiet refuge of their shared space, Shree, overcome by her emotions, cried unabashedly. Olivera, understanding the depth of Shree's pain, enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"Be strong, Shree. You can get through this," Sumaiyah reassured.

"I'm trying, but I don't know if I can be strong anymore," she admitted.

Olivera, a pillar of resilience, spoke with conviction. "You have no other option but to be strong and move on!"

Shree, in a nod of reluctant agreement, sobbed once again, the ache of her heart laid bare.

Amidst the emotional currents that enveloped the room, the apartment doorbell rang.

Olivera, went to the living room and opened the door to find Sharan standing on the other side, a water bottle in hand.

"Hi! I came to return Shree's water bottle. Is she here?"

Olivera nodded. "Yeah, she's inside. Come in! Me and the girls are going to the canteen for dinner." Olivera left with Helga and Sumaiyah.

Sharan walked, kept a small lunch box on the sofa, and called out to her. "Shree?"

Shree, hearing his voice, emerged from the room, her tear-streaked face revealing the depth of her emotional turmoil.

Without a word, Shree ran towards Sharan, her heartache finding solace in the familiarity of his presence.

As Shree sought refuge in Sharan's arms, tears flowed freely, each drop carrying the weight of her heartache. Sharan, wrapping his arms around her, offered solace, his comforting presence a silent reassurance in the midst of Shree's emotional storm.

"Are you crying because of Madhav again?" Sharan inquired softly. Shree nodded, unable to find words to articulate the depth of her pain.

"Stop crying, Shree. You deserve better."

Behind the composed exterior, a storm brewed within Sharan—a mixture of empathy for Shree's suffering and a simmering anger directed at Madhav for causing her such distress.

Witnessing Shree in this state, Sharan's heart ached.

"Shree, please stop crying," Sharan gently implored, his voice a soothing melody. As she nodded, a small, relieved smile crossed Sharan's lips. With a steadying breath, Shree found solace against his chest, the warmth of his embrace becoming a balm for her wounded heart.

In a tender gesture, Sharan's fingers delicately traced through Shree's hair. As he pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead, Shree, looking up at him with tear-stained eyes.

Hugging him tighter, Shree sought refuge in the strength of Sharan's embrace.

Sharan, his smile genuine and warm, expressed his contentment. "I like this," he admitted, gesturing to the tight hug they shared.

Confused, Shree asked, "What do you like?"

Sharan chuckled, "I like being hugged tightly like this by you." Shree, blushing, playfully smacked his arm in response.

Sharan, still smiling, added, "I like it even better when you hit me playfully like this." Shree, reciprocating the smile, couldn't help but enjoy the lighthearted exchange.

"I like it when you're smiling like this," Sharan confessed, his gaze fixed on her.

Curious, Shree asked, "What else do you like?"

With a sincere look, Sharan answered, "You. I like you."

Shree, looking up at Sharan with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability, posed the question that lingered in her mind. "Why do you like me? Why are you taking such a keen interest in me and my baby?" she inquired.

Sharan, with a sincerity that radiated in his eyes, responded, "You have great importance in my life."

Before Shree could fully process the weight of his words, he planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, a gesture that spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings.

To distract her from the contemplation, Sharan swiftly changed the subject. "I brought you something to eat," he announced with a smile. Guiding her to the bed, he revealed a plate of samosas he had made. "Sit here, and let's enjoy these," he suggested, the aroma of the homemade samosas filling the room with a comforting warmth.

As Shree indulged in the samosas that Sharan had prepared, a genuine smile graced her lips, and a subtle blush adorned her cheeks. Her cheeks grew warmer as she takes a stealthy look at him.

Observing her with a twinkle in his eye, Sharan teased, "Are you checking me out?"

Shree, caught off guard, gasped and denied, "No, I wasn't!"

Unconvinced, Sharan chuckled and remarked, "You're lying."

Shree, determined to stand her ground, insisted, "I'm not lying!"

Amused, Sharan continued, "If you say so." 

Shree playfully smacked his chest, a gesture met with laughter from Sharan.

Sharan, seizing the opportunity, gently held her arm.

"I like this," referring to her hand on his chest.

The tenderness in his touch resonated with Shree, and a deep blush painted her cheeks.

In a moment of shared intimacy, Sharan gestured for Shree to come closer. As she inched nearer, he looked into her eyes and asked a simple yet profound question, "Are you happy?"

Shree, with a soft nod, admitted, "Yes."

"I feel I would have been happier if I met you instead of Madhav," she confessed.

A sigh escaped her lips as she continued, "Maybe I wouldn't have gone through all those heartbreaks and depression. I wish I could undo the past and meet you instead of Madhav. Things would have been so much better."

In response, Sharan, standing up, gently affirmed, "Things can still be better." He looked at her and continued, "It's in your hands and heart."

Before Shree could fully grasp the depth of his words, he bid her goodnight and left the apartment, leaving her to contemplate the possibilities that lingered in the quiet of the night.

To be continued....