Chapter 7: Truth!!

"Sunita, my book has already been lent to someone else. You should keep the chicken leg for yourself."

Ashok's voice was as cold as ever, rejecting her offer without a hint of hesitation.

Sunita's voice paused slightly, then she spoke in an aggrieved tone. "Ashok, did you lend your book to Nina? Nina, that village girl who only went to primary school—how could she possibly understand it?"

"Sunita, are you looking down on Nina? Calling her a 'village girl'? This kind of classist thinking is wrong. If you keep talking nonsense and someone else overhears…"

Sunita immediately realized the weight of her words. She shut her mouth at once, hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, her eyes brimming with tears. "Ashok, I don't believe you can't see it. I—I like you. Can I be with you?"

This was the first time Sunita had gathered the courage to confess her feelings to Ashok.

Originally, she had planned to subtly express her affection, hoping that Ashok would understand her intentions and take the initiative to confess to her instead.

But now, seeing how Ashok seemed to have his heart set on Nina, she knew she couldn't afford to waste any more time.

At that moment, hiding in the shadows, Rajesh heard every word. His mind felt like it had just exploded, his eyes widening in shock.

It took him a while to process everything.

So, Anaya was telling the truth all along.

Sunita truly liked Ashok. She really had planned to give Ashok the chicken soup and chicken leg he had given her. And she even wanted to be with Ashok.

But… hadn't she told him she didn't like Ashok?

Hadn't she said she would write to her parents and tell them she wanted to be with him?

Even someone as slow-witted and love-struck as Rajesh finally understood—Sunita had been lying to him this whole time.

Just as Anaya had said, Sunita only wanted to use him to avoid the hardships of the countryside. She wanted him to do her work, give her food, and take care of her. That's why she tricked him.

Rajesh felt as if his once-firm beliefs had started to crumble.

It was like discovering that the goddess he had once worshipped—pure, noble, and flawless—was actually selfish, deceitful, and shameless.

And of all things, he hated deception the most.

More importantly, if he had used all that effort to work for himself instead of her, how many more work points could he have earned? How much more food could he have saved for himself? In these difficult times, who didn't need food?

The work he did, the things he gave—those were meant for his future wife.

Since Sunita didn't like him and had no intention of being with him, why should he work for her? Why should he give her anything?

And she even dared to give the chicken leg and soup he had gifted her to another man?

That was the last straw.

—

Ashok looked at the woman stubbornly trying to shove the chicken leg and soup into his hands. His gaze flickered with irritation.

Hearing her sudden confession, his brows furrowed even more.

"Sunita, I do not like you, nor do I have any intention of being with you. Besides…"

He paused, glancing at the chicken soup and leg in front of him. "If I'm not mistaken, this isn't from the state-run restaurant, is it? This was given to you by Rajesh, wasn't it? Do you think it's appropriate to take something that he gave you and offer it to me?"

Sunita's face turned pale. How did Ashok know where the food came from? Had he been watching her all along?

Sunita had assumed that no one knew she was stringing along multiple men, but in reality, the female Pooja had long been gossiping about it. Ashok had overheard them once or twice.

Besides, he had eyes. He could see what kind of person Sunita was with just one glance.

He believed that Sunita did like him, but it was a selfish and opportunistic kind of affection. In her seemingly beautiful eyes, all he saw was greed.

Unlike Nina—whenever she looked at him, her eyes were full of sincerity. Her gaze held nothing but him.

As for the chicken soup and chicken leg in front of him, they were indeed precious. But the only state-run restaurant nearby was in the county town.

He had eaten there before and knew exactly how the food tasted.

There was no way the soup and meat from that restaurant could be this fragrant.

Moreover, he was well aware that in Lal Tara Village, Aunt Seema's cooking was the best—she was famous for it.

Considering that Rajesh was pursuing Sunita, how could Ashok not know where this food had come from?

Before she could speak, an angry voice suddenly erupted from behind her.

"Of course it's inappropriate!"

Rajesh had heard enough. He walked over with a dark expression, yanking the bowl out of Sunita's hands.

"Sunita, if you didn't want to eat it, you should've told me instead of giving it to someone else."

"Since you don't want it, I'll take it back. Clearly, what I gave you doesn't suit your taste. I won't be giving you anything anymore!"

"No, Ra-Rajesh, I—"

Sunita panicked, wanting to explain. But in the presence of both Ashok and Rajesh, she found herself unable to come up with a convincing lie.

"I heard everything you said to Ashok just now. Since you like Ashok, stop telling me that you'll be with me."

"The work I do—it's for my future wife."

"The food I give—it's for my future wife."

"Since you're neither, I won't be coming around anymore."

"Sunita, I hope you take care of yourself from now on."

With that, Rajesh turned around and strode away, taking the bowl of chicken soup and chicken leg with him.

Sunita wanted to chase after him, but Ashok was still there. She didn't want him to misunderstand her relationship with Rajesh.

"Ashok, I—"

Ashok cast her a cold glance, let out a dismissive scoff, and walked away.

Sunita hesitated—this wasn't the right time to chase after either of them.

She stomped her foot in frustration, watching Rajesh's retreating figure, gritting her teeth.

How annoying! Why did Rajesh have to come back at that exact moment and hear everything?

And worst of all, he even took the chicken leg and soup with him!

Fine, fine!

Next time, when Rajesh helps her again or gives her more food, she'll deal with him properly.

This time, she wouldn't forgive him so easily.

_______________________________________

That night, Anaya was just about to sleep when—

BANG!

Her door was suddenly flung open.

She looked up, startled, as Rajesh strode toward her with a dark expression. For a moment, she thought he was going to hit her.

Just as she was about to think of a way to escape, something was shoved into her arms.

Then came a firm, commanding voice.

"Eat it!"

Anaya looked down at the still-warm chicken leg and soup in her hands, her lips parting slightly in surprise.