Chapter 3: A Secret in the Silence

The entire house was wrapped in silence.

The wedding celebrations had finally come to an end. Exhausted after a long day, everyone had fallen asleep.

Karthik slowly opened the bedroom door and stepped outside, making sure not to make a sound.

He glanced back once.

Shreya was fast asleep, hugging the edge of the bed like a child. A few strands of hair had fallen across her face, but she didn't seem to notice.

For a brief moment, Karthik stood there quietly.

Then he looked away.

Closing the door gently behind him, he walked toward the balcony.

The cool night breeze brushed against his face as he took a deep breath. Without wasting another second, he pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.

The call connected after the second ring.

"Hello..."

A soft voice answered from the other side.

"Nisha..."

His voice, which had remained distant all day, suddenly softened.

"Did everything go well?" she asked, trying to sound calm.

Karthik closed his eyes.

"Yes... the wedding is over."

A painful silence followed.

Neither of them knew what to say.

"I kept thinking about you all day," Nisha whispered.

"I'm sorry."

Those two words escaped Karthik's lips almost immediately.

"You don't have to apologize," she replied with a weak laugh. "None of this happened because you wanted it."

He leaned against the balcony railing.

"I feel like I've ruined everyone's life."

"You haven't."

"I married someone while loving someone else."

His voice was filled with guilt.

"I don't even know how I'm supposed to face her every day."

Nisha remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"You promised me."

"I remember."

"You said... just one year."

Karthik tightened his grip on the phone.

"Yes."

"After one year..."

"I'll talk to my parents."

"And then?"

"I'll divorce her."

The words left his mouth, but instead of relief, they filled him with an unbearable heaviness.

On the other end of the call, Nisha wiped away a tear.

"I hate seeing you like this."

"I'll keep my promise."

"I know you will."

Another silence followed.

"Did you... talk to her?" Nisha asked softly.

"Only a little."

"How is she?"

Karthik looked through the glass window into the bedroom.

Shreya was still sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the conversation taking place just outside.

"She's..."

He paused.

"...kind."

Nisha smiled sadly.

"I hope she never gets hurt because of us."

His heart skipped a beat.

For the first time, he couldn't find the right words.

"I have to go," he finally said.

"Take care."

"You too."

The call ended.

Karthik stared at the blank phone screen for several seconds before slipping it back into his pocket.

He remained standing on the balcony, wondering if he was making the biggest mistake of his life.

After a while, he quietly returned to the bedroom.

Shreya had shifted in her sleep. The blanket had slipped off her shoulder.

Without thinking, Karthik picked it up and gently covered her.

She smiled faintly in her sleep.

The simple gesture made him freeze.

For a brief second, guilt settled deep inside his heart.

He quickly stepped back, switched off the bedside lamp, and lay down on the couch once again.

As sleep slowly claimed the room...

Neither of them knew that fate had already begun changing the future they believed was already decided.

To be continued...

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