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Long night with your hands up in my hair

Echoes of your footsteps on the stairs

Stay here, honey, I don't want to share

'Cause I like you

This ain't for the best

My reputation's never been worse, so

You must like me for me

Yeah, I want you
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The next morning, he was waiting for Angana to wake him up with her kisses. But she didn't. He couldn't feel her presence in the room at all. So he finally opened his eyes after long moments of wait. And yes, she was absent from the room.

Raghbir got off the bed lazily. He was already late for the office. But he had an upset wife to look after. So he pulled on random clothes and stepped out of bedroom. The maids were setting breakfast at the dining table but there was only one plate set at the table. Raghbir looked at them questioningly, “Why are you setting only one plate?”

“Sir, Angana Madam had told us to prepare your breakfast before she left.” The middle-aged maid replied.

“Did she tell you where is she going?” He asked.

“She said she is going to Miraya Madam's house.” The maid informed him.

“Alright.” He nodded and headed back upstairs to get ready for the day.

“Sir, aren't you going to eat the breakfast?” The maid asked him as he began walking away.

“No.” He replied without looking back.

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Angana was sitting in Miraya's bedroom, wearing a lilac Taylor Swift icon t-shirt and drinking the coffee Miraya had prepared for her. Miraya had just gotten up from sleep when the maid informed her about Angana's arrival. She was surprised but more than that she was concerned. She was waiting when Angana will open up about whatever that made her come to her home without informing Raghbir.

Raghbir's name had just crossed her mind and Miraya got a call from him. She picked up the phone call, looking at Angana for a moment, who just passed her a blank look and concentrated on the cup filled with caffeine instead.

“Hello, Raghbir.” She answered the call.

“What's Angana doing at your place? Is she upset?” His voice held desperation. She could hear the honking of cars, which meant maybe he was driving to her place.

“She...” Miraya paused and glanced at Angana before continuing, “She seems upset. But she hasn't told me anything yet.” She replied to him.

“Okay, I'm on the way to your home.” Raghbir said.

His words reached Angana's ears and she instantly dismissed the idea, “Tell him to go straight to the office. I'll go back home once I feel better. I need some alone time.”

Miraya passed her a puzzled look. She wasn't the best at mending issues between a couple. She was a noob at peacemaking.

“Umm... Raghbir, I hope you heard her.” Miraya said with a hint of pity in her voice.

She heard a sigh from the other side of the call, “Feed her something. She left without having breakfast.” Saying so he cut the call.

“I wonder if he had the breakfast or not?” Angana too began to worry.

Miraya huffed a sigh, “Angana, why did you come here when you are worried sick about him? Tell me, what happened?” Miraya patiently waited for Angana to say something.

Angana put the coffee mug down and hugged her knees, “I feel like he has been fooling me for the last seven years.” A tear slipped down her face.

Miraya's face etched with worry lines hearing her say that, “What did he do?”

“He hasn't done anything yet, Mira. But he might do something very soon.” She looked up and wiped her tears, “Last night, at the dinner in Delhi, he brought up the idea that I should become the next CM of Awadh. Why do you think he would say that?” Angana asked her.

Miraya, being a corporate lawyer, didn't take much time to figure out what exactly Angana wanted to say, “Wait, his family has been funding your family's political party for years. So Ranavats have a say in the financial policies of Awadh. But now that the leadership of Awadh is likely to go into Abhimanyu's hands, Raghbir wants to change the game into his favor. He wants you to become the CM so that he can manipulate financial policies into his own interest. And that will be a huge boost to his career. He can easily become not India's but Asia's richest businessman if business policies are made in his favor. Damn, Raghbir is a genius!”

Miraya's excitement at figuring out Raghbir's intentions only made Angana feel worse about her situation.

“Yeah, it was genius of him to fool me into thinking he loves me to the moon and back, that too for whole seven years. I... I feel betrayed.” And Angana ended up crying again.

“Angana... I know, you must be feeling bad. But, honestly, being a corporate lawyer, I think... it's a genius idea. Yeah, it's unethical and may come out as a corporate fraud but we live in a morally grey world and I would have supported him if I were at your place. His journey to the top of the business world will be smooth... unless, of course, someone decides to expose him. But Ranavats are playing this game since your late grandmother was the chief minister of Awadh. So they are good at keeping it under the tables.” Miraya's mind was blown after getting to know all this. Corporate frauds have always interested her more than back bitching.

Angana looked at her friend in disbelief,  “Mira, what's wrong with you? You are telling me to support him in doing corporate and political fraud. Do you think Awadh's public is dumb enough to not figure it out in the future?”

“They will figure it out. But they will keep quiet till the time Raghbir's success will be making headlines internationally.”  Miraya said so with much confidence.

“Mira... I don't want to do this. It may not be a big deal for you but... maybe I'm too weak-hearted to do any of this.”  Angana mumbled those words weakly. She felt weak like a pawn in the chess. As if she had no control over her situation. And Miraya's nonchalant attitude towards the outline of Raghbir's bigger plans only made her feel worse.

Miraya held Angana's palm and caressed it softly, in an effort to calm her down, “Angana, it's good-hearted, not weak-hearted. I know that my best friend have high moral values and she can't manipulate innocent masses. But, believe me, Raghbir will be on the top of the business world if you make up your mind.” But Miraya still felt this surge of excitement imagining how Raghbir would execute everything. Only if Angana gives in, of course.

“I can't drag down my dignity to boost his business. I trust his capabilities in the business world but... I won't be doing this. I maybe a coward but I can't misuse my privileges.”  Her words were firm and filled with determination.

“How you will you convince him though? Raghbir is stubborn. He won't back down until he sees you sitting on the CM's chair.”  Miraya asked her calmly. Raghbir was way too manipulative and Angana was way too naive.

“I will figure out something.”  Her tone was uncertain, not sure about her next step.

“If you say so. I'll cook some spaghetti for you.” Saying so Miraya got up from the bed and went to the kitchen.

Angana sighed defeatedly when she was left alone, “What will I do? I have no idea.” 

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Angana left Miraya's place in the evening and stopped by Agnihotri Mansion first. The mansion was empty. Her parents lived in Delhi permanently. While her sister Sahana preferred staying at their Jodhbir Chachu's house instead of living in the mansion alone. The bungalow hosted one or two parties every year and that's it.

The security opened the gates for her and she drove inside. With the help of servants, she put her entire Taylor Swift collection in the back of the car. And she finally drove back home where her husband must be waiting for her. She had no idea what will be his reaction. If he will be furious or guilty.

Security gaurds quickly opened the iron gates and she drove inside the estate Raghbir had bought for them after their marriage. She parked the car in the garage where Raghbir's car was also parked. She stepped out and decided to carry a box of items with her. She could use it as an excuse to avoid conversation if things went serious.

Inhaling a deep breath, Angana picked the box and headed to the main door. Putting the box down on the stairs, she pressed the doorbell. It was around eight at night and servants leave before seven. Dinner was always cooked by her so there was no need for servants to stay longer than that.

The door was opened by Raghbir. In her head, she was imagining him with red eyes and a frown resting on his forehead. But... his eyes weren't red and his forehead was a little bit yellow. And he smelt like ginger, garlic, onion and strong spices. Oh, and he was wearing an apron.

“Ragh...” Her voice was filled with disbelief as she asked him, “did you cook?”

Raghbir nodded with a small, shy smile. Angana's mouth formed into an O as she picked the box and entered the house. Raghbir shut the main door and followed her to the spare bedroom. She put the box down on the marbled floor and looked at him nervously.

“I'll go get fresh and come for dinner.”

Raghbir hummed in response and watched her go upstairs to their bedroom. He scratched the back of his head. He was nervous about the food he cooked.

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She changed into a white satin robe and went to the dinner table where Raghbir was setting the food. It felt weirdly nice to see him do chores for her. She was expecting him to get angry at her but here he was cooking food for her. With a soft smile resting on her face, Angana sat down on her seat. Raghbir got rid of the apron and sat down on the head chair.

She opened the lid of the tray placed on the table. Lasagna. The fragrance screamed that the dish wasn't cooked right. Clearly he had missed on a lot of spices. But he had cooked it with love so she was confident she could finish the entire thing.

Raghbir was bating his breath in anticipation as Angana picked a fork and tasted the Lasagna. It took her just one moment to break into smiles. Lasagna wasn't that great but still it tasted delicious.

“Is it good?” Raghbir asked excitedly. Angana nodded and made him eat it by the fork she was holding. When Raghbir tasted the disaster he had cooked, his excitement died down a tragic death. It tasted like the food for sick people.

“It's not as good as your food.” He mumbled. He wanted to use harsher words for his exceptional cooking skills but he had put efforts into cooking, it just didn't turn as he had expected. It was not even close.

“I can eat it everyday.” Angana smiled and took another bite of the Lasagna.

Raghbir just moved their faces closer, pecked her lips and let her eat rest of the dinner in peace. He didn't want to bring the topic that ruined their entire day. The serious talks could wait.

That night she patted his forehead until he was deep asleep and then closed her eyes, thinking of ways to escape the web he was about to put her in.

•••

I hope the plot is not complex. If you are feeling confused then please tell me.
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