Karan

As the day began, I woke up with an odd sensation lingering in my body… from last night’s kisses.
They were intoxicating.

I’ve never felt something like that before. Her soft pink lips against mine — slow, trembling, surrendering — they weren’t just kisses, they were chains. And I was tied to her.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t forget those moments.

Trying to shake it off, I pulled myself together. Today was going to be long — two back-to-back surgeries, a trauma case, and a post-op review before noon.

After getting ready, I went to the dining room for breakfast.

I saw Aira placing food on the table — looking innocent, peaceful… like she belonged here. Like she was mine.

For a second, I stood there imagining a future I’ve never dared to want.
Her — in this kitchen.
Me — coming home to her.
Husband. Wife. Normal. Happy.
My jaw clenched. That’s not us. That can never be us.

“What happened? Are you not going to eat?” she asked, voice soft and sweet — just like her.

“Ah—yeah, yeah. I’m coming,” I said, snapping out of it.
I walked to the table and had my breakfast in a hurry.

“I’ll go now. I’ll be late tonight, okay?” I said while grabbing my coat and files from the chair.

“Okay,” she replied, nodding slightly.

Aira

Last night was… haunting. Not only because of his touch. But because of his words too.
“You were selected.”

Not discovered.
Not loved.
Selected.

Like I was a puzzle piece he needed to fill something cold and broken inside him.
I should’ve felt disgusted. I should’ve run.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I crawled to him.
And when his lips met mine, I surrendered. Fully.
There’s no turning back now.

After breakfast, I cleaned the dishes and finished my chores.
I made lunch for myself and by afternoon, I felt drained.
So, I went to the bedroom and lay down with a book, hoping to escape my thoughts.
But my thoughts didn’t let me escape.

It hit me suddenly — my college holidays were ending.
Only a week left until my 7th semester starts. My final semester.
The one that matters the most.

What am I going to do? I can’t skip college.
I need that degree.
I need that job after this year.

But what about the contract?
It’s only been a week since I came here. I still have three more to go.
The thought made my stomach twist.

But then I remembered… he took me to see my mom. He even took me out for lunch. He seemed calmer yesterday.

Maybe… just maybe… if I ask him the right way — with respect, without breaking any rules — he might allow me to go.
At least for college.
I’ll ask him tonight.

~~~At Dinner~~~

I was setting up the dinner table — two plates, warm food, water, and silence.
It was nearly 9 PM when I heard the door open.
He was home.

He looked tired. Dark circles under his eyes, shirt slightly wrinkled, fingers running through his hairs as he walked in.

“Dinner’s ready,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral but soft.
He gave a small nod and sat down. We both started eating in silence.
Now or never.

I took a breath. “Can I ask you something?”

He didn’t look up. “Hmm.”

“It’s about college…” I started, nervously fidgeting with my fork. “My semester starts in a week. It’s my last one, Karan. I really need to go.”

He paused mid-bite. The room went silent.
I felt the tension in the air shift.

“I know I still have three weeks left in this contract,” I continued quickly, before he could say anything, “but I promise I won’t break the rules. I’ll come back home straight after classes. I won’t talk to anyone unless necessary. Please… I need to complete my degree.”

He finally looked at me.
His eyes were unreadable. Cold. Thinking. Measuring.

“You want to go back to college?” he asked, voice low.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Just for classes. Nothing else.”

He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping slowly on the table.
“What makes you think you deserve that freedom?” he asked.

“I don’t,” I said, truthfully. “But I’m asking anyway… because it matters.”

He stared at me for a long time. Then stood up without a word and walked away.
My heart dropped.
Was that a no?
But just before he disappeared around the hallway, he stopped.

“Your semester starts next week, right?”
I nodded, slowly.

“I’ll think about it,” he said over his shoulder. “Don’t ask again.”

And just like that… he left.
Leaving me in silence.

But even that one line—I’ll think about it—was more than a maybe.

It was hope.
It was control.
It was Karan.

🥀🥀🥀

Author:- Hope you like this chapter. ❤️