CHAPTER 8: Beneath the Surface

Meera stood in front of the mirror in her room, her fingers toying with the intricate gold chain around her neck. The weight of the jewelry mirrored the weight on her chest. The day had been exhausting, and Ishani's words kept replaying in her head.

What did Ishani mean when she said Meera was hiding something? Could she sense the truth? The fear of being exposed loomed over Meera, suffocating her every time she allowed herself a moment of rest.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. It opened slightly, revealing Arjun. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his tie was loosely hanging around his neck. He looked as drained as she felt.

"Can I come in?" he asked, though he didn't wait for her response before stepping inside.

Meera nodded, her grip tightening on the chain. "What is it?"

Arjun shut the door behind him, leaning against it. "Ishani has a habit of digging into things she shouldn't. She's already suspicious."

"I know," Meera replied, her voice trembling slightly. "She confronted me today, made it clear she doesn't trust me."

Arjun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She won't stop until she finds something, Meera. We need to come up with a better story."

Meera's frustration bubbled to the surface. "A better story? How do you expect me to create a life out of thin air? This isn't exactly easy for me either, Arjun."

Arjun's gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "I never said it would be easy. But you agreed to this. And if we don't get our act together, it'll be both of us facing the consequences."

Meera looked away, her heart pounding. "Sometimes I wonder if this was a mistake," she murmured.

Arjun's silence was heavy. For a moment, she thought he might leave, but instead, he crossed the room and stood in front of her.

"Mistake or not, we're in this now. We have to make it work," he said, his voice low but determined.

Meera met his gaze, searching for any trace of kindness or understanding. She found none. Only resolve.

The following day, the Malhotra household was abuzz with preparations. A family dinner was planned, and several close relatives were expected to attend. Meera tried to stay out of the way, helping where she could but mostly observing from the sidelines.

As she arranged flowers in the centerpieces, Shalini approached her, her sharp eyes scanning Meera's work.

"Not bad," Shalini said, though her tone lacked any real praise. "You have an eye for detail, I'll give you that."

"Thank you," Meera replied, keeping her tone polite.

Shalini lingered, as if deciding whether to say more. Finally, she added, "This family has high expectations, Meera. It's not just about being Arjun's wife. You'll be judged on how well you fit into our world. Don't disappoint us."

The words were a dagger cloaked in civility. Meera nodded, her fingers trembling slightly as she adjusted a flower.

"I'll do my best," she said quietly.

"Good," Shalini replied, before walking away.

By evening, the guests had arrived, and the house was alive with laughter and conversation. Meera stood beside Arjun, her arm linked with his, as they greeted each relative. Each introduction felt like a test, each smile a performance.

"This is Meera," Arjun said, his tone neutral. "My wife."

Every time he said the words, Meera felt the weight of their lie. She could feel the judgment in the eyes of those she met—some warm, some cold, but all curious.

One older relative, a woman with a kind smile, held Meera's hands in hers. "Welcome to the family, beta," she said warmly. "I hope you find happiness here."

The sincerity in her voice caught Meera off guard, and for a moment, she felt a lump rise in her throat. "Thank you," she managed to say.

As the evening wore on, Meera found herself retreating to the quieter corners of the house whenever she could. She was exhausted from the constant scrutiny, the endless pretending.

Arjun found her near the staircase, her back pressed against the wall as she took a moment to breathe.

"Tired already?" he asked, his tone teasing but not unkind.

Meera gave him a tired smile. "You make this look so easy."

"It's not," he admitted, surprising her. "But you get used to it."

"I don't think I ever will," she said honestly.

Arjun studied her for a moment before nodding. "Maybe not. But for now, just focus on getting through tonight."

Meera nodded, straightening up. "Okay."

As they returned to the crowd, Meera couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking a tightrope, with no safety net below.

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