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I am Saira Khurana , wife of Shreyansh Khurana. Shreyansh works in the police department, while I was once a painter. Recently, I left my job to focus on our family. Shreyansh and I have been married for three years, having fallen in love during high school. After dating for a year, we tied the knot. We welcomed our son a few months ago, but Shreyansh hasn't been attentive to him since his birth.

It was something I couldn't quite understand. Shreyansh worked long hours and even stayed out  many times. 

That evening, he stood by the door, slipping into his jacket. 

"Saira... I'll be coming home late today, so don't wait for me." His tone was casual, almost rehearsed.

"Again?" My voice came out quieter.

"Yeah, this case is really complicated." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. It hadn't been in a long time.

I forced a nod. 

****************

As I lay in bed, I heard someone enter the bedroom. Assuming it was my husband, I kept my eyes closed. Glancing at the clock, I noted it was 3 am. Shreyansh headed to the bathroom, and I slowly opened my eyes. A call on his phone caught my attention, and I couldn't ignore the name "Nandini." Why was she always contacting him late at night? Negative thoughts flooded my mind, but I fought to push them away.

The next day, it was Sunday and Shreyansh was home for the first time in days. I brewed his favorite coffee and brought it to him. He was glued to his laptop, as usual, typing away.

"Shreyansh ...your coffee," I said, placing it carefully on the table beside him.

He glanced at me briefly, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Thanks, Saira. Just put it there."

I stood there for a moment, watching him, waiting for something—anything. 

"Shreyansh..." I tried again, my voice softer this time.

"Hmm?" he hummed, barely paying attention.

"Can we go shopping today? I want to buy some baby stuff for our little Arush." I held onto a glimmer of hope, expecting him to respond, to show some interest. But instead, there was silence. His fingers kept typing away, the tap of keys like a wall between us.

"Shreyansh ... I asked you something!"

He blinked, finally glancing up. "Huh? Saira, I'm busy right now. Can we talk later, please?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that didn't feel real. "Do your work then."

I turned away before he could see the tears welling up in my eyes.

****************

"Saira, I'm going out," Shreyansh  called from the door, already halfway through the threshold.

"When will you be back?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Two or four hours, maybe," he replied, barely glancing my way.

I nodded, watching as the door closed behind him. Something in my chest twisted painfully. After a moment, I couldn't stop myself. Grabbing my coat, I followed him, my heart pounding with each step. 

I watched from a distance as Shreyansh entered a café. A woman greeted him with a tight embrace—Nandini

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Word Count: 524

5.02.25