Page 19 of Mrs. Pandey
"No," I shot back, walking right behind him. "It's because you hate people who question your authority. And I don't bend."
We reached Major Choudhary's quarter. He paused at the door then glanced at me sideways.
"Then keep standing, Lieutenant," he said flatly. "Just make sure you don't fall when things get tough."
I met his gaze, unflinching. "I won't fall, Captain."
Without another word, he pushed the door open and walked in.
"I'll see you at the community hall," I added casually as I turned to go.
He paused, brow raised. "Why are you going to the community hall?"
"To meet Captain Aryan Rathore," I said with a wink.
His eyes narrowed for the briefest moment, but he said nothing and walked into the major's quarter. Luckily for me, the major's house was close to the community hall. I could take a walk.
The hall was awash in golden lights, filled with the scent of delicious food and too much expensive perfume. Couples mingled, children ran around shrieking with joy. I ignored the chaos, pushing through with purpose. I was looking for only one person.
And there he was.
Aryan stood beside Avni, his arm gently resting around her waist as he introduced her to a group of officers and their spouses. Shelooked stunning in her elegant saree and backless blouse. They looked perfect together.
I waited for envy to rise in me, but it didn't come. It never did, not even when Aryan was surrounded by other women. Maybe that was the real revelation here.
His eyes found mine across the room. He paused mid-sentence, muttered something to Avni, then walked toward me.
I offered him a polite smile as he approached.
"Good evening, sir," I saluted him. He was my senior captain now. Not my ex. Not even my friend.
"Good evening," he replied, his voice quiet.
We moved to a quieter corner of the hall for what I hoped would be a short conversation. I crossed my arms tightly, holding myself together. Aryan stood across from me, hands shoved in his trouser pockets, his expression unreadable.
I said first, "I can't believe you brought her here with you... to live with. For six whole months."
I let out a dry laugh, bitterness clinging to every syllable. The absurdity of it the way he stood there so calmly made it obvious. He had started to care about her. His little wife.
"Are you kidding me, Aryan? Don't tell me you're giving her hope and pretending you'll stay with her forever, like some perfect husband. Which you're not."
I stared at him, searching for a flicker of emotion. Something. But whatever I found was positive and warm.
His voice cut through my thoughts, low and steady. "I thought we were here to talk about something else. I don't want to talk about Avni, Ira. And I assume you don't either."
"No," I muttered. "I was just shocked to see you with her. I hope you'll break her heart, Aryan. Will you?" I held his gaze. "Is that the little revenge I can expect from you?"
He didn't flinch and didn't even blink.
"What break?" he said, his tone flat as stone. "We don't love each other. There's nothing to break. I'm just fulfilling my responsibilities."
My stomach twisted. Responsibilities. That's all she was to him? So they weren't happy. Just pretending, smiling for the crowd, performing a role.
"Why do you want me to break her heart?" he asked, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
I gave a bitter shrug. "Because she broke mine."
With that, I turned and started walking back into the hall.
