I Don't Need Love

Part 33: Suspicion

The moment Rayaan lay on the bed, Meera rolled over to his side hugging him through his waist, "Thank you so much " She whispered hiding her face in his chest.

The small smile he had stretched into a full-blown grin as his hand wrapped around her in reflex, "I did everything to see your pretty smile. Now that you are happy, I feel like I have accomplished my mission " He softly brushed his hand through her hair as they cuddled.

Meera was in awe of how understanding he was while Rayaan was content to see her new side that he thought might have been hidden under her awkward instance. He recalled her enthusiasm since the time they were back.

She, his wife, couldn't contain her excitement as she animatedly recounted her first day at the office to her mother. He offered to pick her up from the office and he did. All he could feel was the vibrant energy radiating from her. There was a constant smile on her face and a different shine in her eyes.

It didn't take a genius to discern her happiness. And she just proved it right when she hopped out of the car and directly ran to her mother like a five-year-old. Since her return, she was all chirpy.

The first half of her day had been consumed by document verifications, meetings, and introductions to colleagues, yet she had relished every moment. The feeling of her first job, the feeling of her dream getting fulfilled. She felt emotional, happy, excited, and nervous all at once.

A sweet smile graced everyone's face as she narrated everything with childlike enthusiasm. Her in-laws were pleasantly surprised to witness this new side of her, one they had never seen before.

Rayaan couldn't help but wonder if she would have been the same if her parents weren't present. He patted himself for inviting her parents. Because somewhere he knew it wouldn't have been the same otherwise.

Meera felt immensely grateful for Rayaan's thoughtfulness. She wanted her parents to be present on her memorable day, and he had made it happen. It was one of those days she had always dreamed of, and her hard work had finally paid off.

They had dinner together, and the atmosphere was filled with Aryan's usual antics, but today, it was also complemented by Meera's infectious exuberance.

They lay together like that for a while, not saying much, but finding comfort in each other's presence. Rayaan felt a sense of pride in seeing his efforts reciprocated in the way he had hoped. Meera's responses encouraged him to do even more for her, something he was more than willing to do. Their relationship was taking a beautiful turn, and he eagerly anticipated the new possibilities it held.

And, Over the course of almost two weeks, their relationship had visibly grown, Just as Rayaan anticipated before. He continued to drop her off at her office, even though it was almost in the opposite direction of his but wanted to make sure she learned the way before sending off her alone. After the finality in his tone, no further discussions were held.

He often bought flowers on the way back to his home. They had longer conversations now, mostly about their days, movies, and books. In these two weeks, they had visibly grown closer, not as a couple but certainly as friends.

Meera would herself initiate the conversations, asking about how his day went. And that was enough for Rayaan. He felt that she was being interested in his life too. He thought she was also being curious to explore her spouse and that's him.

He couldn't be happier, they were growing. Her sweeter blush whenever he kissed her cheek or they held hands. Her, trying to hide her eyes from him whenever she couldn't stand his closeness. Everything felt surreal. Everything felt great.

It was one such ordinary Sunday evening when he was on a call, " Yes, Please! I do not want her to know this" He said in clear words. His back was facing her, she got some snacks to share with him but what he said didn't settle well with her.

She ignored it and made her presence known.

He cut the call immediately as his eyes went wide. Meera noticed his reaction and got that he didn't want her to hear what he just said so she played along, "I prepared them. Would you like to have it? " She pointed at the snack.

Visibly sighing in relief, he nodded and the rest of the evening went on with Meera pretending to have a normal conversation with him about work and weather.

Evening rolled into morning and the seed of doubt in Meera's head had grown. She was curious as to what he was talking about. To whom he was talking and most importantly what he didn't want her to know.

She tried acting normal but her mind couldn't stop throwing every possibility in front of her.

As a normal routine, she picked up her bag, heading towards his car for him to drop her at her workplace but she already found him talking to a girl. An unknown girl.

The moment he noticed her, he hurried over, "Meera, today the driver will drop you off. I have an early meeting today and I have to be there. Have a good day! Bye! " He said everything with a small smile and side-hugging her but it didn't feel like usual to her.

She gave him a tight-lipped smile and replied, "Goodbye!" before getting into the car. Once inside she saw him taking the girl inside their house.

Didn't he have an early meeting?

But she ignored it, she has a habit of overthinking and she is aware of it. So clearing her mind she went to her work.

She tried hard but couldn't keep her mind off the events from morning.

She wanted everything her brain suggested to be a lie. She didn't want to fall into the same trap. She didn't want to face the same situation that She faced. Unlike her, She didn't have the strength to cope with it.

Keeping her fears aside, she went to their house. He didn't come to pick her up as well. She was informed with a message. Just a message.

She prepared herself well before entering the house but all her preparations were left hanging the moment she saw the same girl from morning still there in their house, sitting at the dining table.

Her legs subconsciously walked up to her. There Rayaan was sitting with a grinning face talking animatedly with her.

Meera couldn't help but stand there, her gaze fixed on her husband, who seemed oblivious to her presence. When he finally noticed her, "Oh, Meera! " He stood up.

Did I hear the disappointment in his voice?

She asked herself giving him a cold stare and tight-lipped smile.

"Meera, meet err... " He passed a look to the girl who immediately gave a full-blown smile, "his friend, Nitya"

She stretched out her hand for a handshake. Meera looked between both of them and held her hand for a handshake.

She noticed how her husband's tongue fluttered introducing her. She noticed his nervous form and also noticed his careless attitude toward herself.

He excused himself as he got a call. And that's when Nitya's attention was fully diverted to Meera.

"So you are the wife? " Meera heard a mock in her voice and stood frozen in her place.

It must not be what she is thinking.