Rise of emotions but don't make it obvious

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:01:10 +0000

The aroma of warm coal-burnt spices drifted out the moment Sandhya tore open the Zomato container. She didn't even have the energy to wash her face or change out of her dust-laden civilian clothes. It was Paneer Tikka Masala, thick gravy bubbling against the foil edge, accompanied by fresh butter rotis. Sandhya stared at it, a tired, faint scoff leaving her lips. "Why does this man order paneer every single time?" she muttered to herself. It wasn't a coincidence. Ever since she had joined, whenever he secretly tracked her missed meals, this specific dish arrived. It was as if he had memorized a single vegetarian comfort menu and refused to deviate from it. She ate ravenously, the food warming her hollow chest, before crawling into bed and collapsing into a dead, dreamless oblivion.