Chapter 2: Unspoken Words

**Chapter 2: Unspoken Words**

The days following the conversation with Aarav were a blur for Meera. Every morning, she forced herself to put on a brave face, to walk into the office with the same professional demeanor she always had. But beneath the surface, there was a growing ache that was impossible to ignore. She had hoped that Aarav’s coldness was just a phase, that maybe, in time, he would come to see her for who she truly was. But each passing day only seemed to strengthen the wall he had built around himself, and she was left standing on the other side, yearning for something she knew she could never have.

Aarav’s behavior toward her never wavered. He was always distant, always aloof, like she was nothing more than a shadow in his world. Whenever their paths crossed at work, he barely acknowledged her presence, his eyes passing over her as if she were invisible. And when they were alone, it was even worse. The silence between them was suffocating, as though any attempt at conversation would be met with disdain.

Meera sighed as she sat at her desk, reviewing designs for an upcoming project. Her mind was elsewhere, as it often was these days. The echo of Aarav’s words—the ones he had spoken about keeping their marriage a secret—still lingered in her thoughts. She couldn’t understand why he wanted to hide everything. Why did it matter so much to him? Wasn’t she his wife, after all? Why couldn’t they just be open about their relationship?

“Meera, you okay?” Rhea’s voice broke through her thoughts. Meera looked up to see her friend standing at the doorway, concern etched on her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Meera replied, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”

Rhea didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t press further. “Well, I’m heading out for a quick coffee run. Want to come?”

Meera hesitated. She could use a break from the office, but the thought of running into Aarav, or anyone who might bring up the topic of her marriage, made her stomach churn. Still, she needed to clear her head.

“I’ll come,” Meera said, standing up from her desk. “I could use a change of scenery.”

As they walked toward the elevators, Meera tried to focus on the small talk that Rhea was making, but her mind kept drifting back to Aarav. The way he had spoken to her earlier, like she was a nuisance, had left a bitter taste in her mouth. What had she done to deserve that treatment? All she wanted was a chance to prove herself to him, to show him that she wasn’t after his money, that her feelings for him were genuine. But every time she tried, she was met with nothing but coldness and indifference.

The elevator doors opened, and the two women stepped inside. As the doors closed, Rhea glanced at Meera with a raised brow.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Rhea began, her tone casual but probing. “I know things haven’t been easy with Aarav... but have you tried talking to him? I mean, really talking to him? Maybe he doesn’t know how much this is hurting you.”

Meera bit her lip, unsure how to respond. The truth was, she had thought about it. Over and over again. But every time she tried to approach Aarav, she was met with rejection. It was as if he didn’t want to hear anything she had to say. The idea of confronting him, of laying her heart out and hoping for understanding, felt too risky. What if he didn’t care? What if he only despised her even more for showing vulnerability?

“I don’t think it would make a difference,” Meera finally replied, her voice soft. “Aarav... he’s just not interested in anything I have to say.”

Rhea’s eyes softened with sympathy. “He’s probably just confused, Meera. Sometimes people don’t realize what they have until it’s too late. You’ve got to be patient with him. He’ll come around.”

Meera nodded, but deep down, she wasn’t sure. Patience had never been her strong suit, and in this case, she wasn’t sure how much more patience she could muster. Every day felt like a struggle, like she was fighting a battle that she couldn’t win.

The elevator dinged as they reached the ground floor, and they stepped out into the lobby. The coffee shop was just a short walk away, and they chatted idly as they made their way there. When they arrived, they ordered their drinks and took a seat by the window, the bustle of the city passing by outside.

“So, tell me more about the project you’re working on,” Rhea said, changing the subject. “Is it a big one?”

Meera smiled, grateful for the distraction. “Yeah, it’s one of our biggest projects this quarter. We’re working on redesigning a luxury boutique. It’s been exciting, but also a lot of pressure. The client is... well, very particular.”

Rhea laughed. “I can only imagine. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

Meera chuckled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks. I just hope I can pull it off.”

For the next few minutes, the conversation stayed light, with Rhea telling stories about her recent adventures in fashion. But despite her best efforts to focus on the conversation, Meera couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t stop thinking about Aarav.

After their coffee break, the two women returned to the office. As they walked into the building, Meera’s heart sank when she saw Aarav in the lobby, speaking with a group of clients. He was always so composed, always in control. But when his eyes flicked toward her, Meera could feel the invisible barrier between them tighten. She was just another person to him—someone to ignore, someone to resent.

But as he caught her gaze, something flickered in his eyes. A brief moment of uncertainty? Meera couldn’t tell. Before she could analyze it further, he turned his attention back to the clients and gave a short nod, dismissing her presence completely.

A wave of frustration hit her, and she quickly turned away, swallowing the bitter lump in her throat. She couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep pretending that everything was fine when it was tearing her apart inside.

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**Author’s Note**:

In this chapter, we see the growing tension between Meera and Aarav, as she struggles to navigate her emotions and their strained marriage. While Meera is doing her best to stay strong, her internal conflict is becoming harder to hide. Aarav, on the other hand, remains distant, though there are hints of deeper feelings underneath his cold exterior. The journey ahead for these two is going to be challenging, but will they ever find common ground? Let’s keep going to discover what happens next.

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