⸻
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
She was then reminded that this was the Malhotra mansion by the grand ceiling, silk curtains, and the unfamiliar silence.
When a maid came in carrying a breakfast tray, she greeted everyone with a cordial, "Good morning, ma'am." "Mr. Malhotra has left for the office. He asked you to rest today."
Riya nodded quietly.
She walked to the balcony with a cup of tea in her hands. The entire city seemed small from there. Cars moved like tiny dots. People looked like ants.
So much height.
a lot of distance. Just like the distance between her and Arjun.
The entire day passed slowly. She explored parts of the mansion, but every corner felt lifeless. Servants did their work silently. No one spoke unless necessary.
This house had everything.
Except warmth.
By evening, clouds gathered in the sky. There was loud thunder and heavy rain starting to fall. Since she was a child, Riya had always been afraid of thunderstorms. She tried distracting herself by reading a book, but each loud thunderclap made her flinch.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Darkness filled the room.
Her heart started pounding rapidly.
She stepped out of her room, trying to find someone.
The mansion echoed with the sound of rain as emergency lights dimmed the corridor. Another loud thunder struck.
Without thinking, she hurried toward the only place where she felt she might not be alone — Arjun's study.
She knocked on the door nervously.
No response.
She pushed it open slowly. Arjun was on the phone inside, standing near the window. His face was illuminated by a sliver of the outside light. He appeared sincere. Tense.
"…I said keep this matter confidential," he said in a cold voice. "No one should find out. Now not. Riya froze near the door.
Find out what?
Arjun turned and noticed her standing there, frightened.
He quickly ended the call.
"Where are you going with this?" He asked pointedly. "I… I was scared," she admitted softly. "When the lights went out,—" Before she could finish, another thunder roared, and she instinctively covered her ears.
Arjun's expression changed for a brief second.
He walked toward her.
"You're afraid of thunder?" He inquired. She nodded, embarrassed.
For the first time, his voice softened slightly.
"Sit," he said, pointing to the couch.
She sat quietly while he lit a candle.
The warm glow filled the room with soft light.
They sat quietly. The rain continued outside.
Riya noticed something strange.
She had never sat so close to him without being afraid before. Without rules.
Without the weight of the contract between them.
"Why do you hate this marriage so much?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Arjun's jaw tightened.
"I don't hate it," he replied. "I just don't believe in it."
His eyes looked distant, as if remembering something painful.
Riya realized she had touched a sensitive topic.
"I'm sorry," she said.
He didn't respond.
Minutes passed.
The lights came back.
Arjun stepped away as if the invisibility barrier between them had reappeared as soon as the lighting improved. "You should go back to your room," he said in his usual cold tone.
Riya stood up.
But she turned around before going. "Thank you, for what it's worth," I said. Arjun didn't reply.
One thought remained in her mind as she left— for a few moments by candlelight... Arjun Malhotra didn't feel like a cruel stranger.
He had the impression of a man hiding a storm in his heart. Additionally, she had just witnessed the first lightning flash.