SEVENTY ONE: IT WASN’T A SCHEME

[SHAIRA's POINT OF VIEW]

I should have seen it coming. Deep down, I knew something was wrong. The signs were there, glaring at me with every step Jhotam took. But I ignored them, brushed them aside, desperate to hold onto the illusion of a perfect marriage.

I tried not to overthink to avoid being in the same position when he impregnated a woman, but it wasn't his fault because he was high on substances back then. The lady confessed her dirty scheme to have her carry a baby of her target. However, this time... it was different.

It started with his strange behavior, the way he would insist that I read his messages for him. But then become defensive the next day, keeping his phone out of my reach. I tried to sneak a glimpse at his messages, but they were encrypted, a wall of secrets guarding his actions.

When I asked for the password, he made feeble excuses, promising to share it later, after work. But that moment never came.