Morning sunlight entered through the half-open curtains, but the warmth no longer touched Meera's heart.
She sat on the edge of the bed, watching Arjun tie his shoelaces.
"Don't forget to give Shadow his supplements at 12," he said without looking at her.
Meera gave a faint smile. "You've reminded me three times already."
"He has a sensitive stomach," Arjun replied quickly.
She waited.
Maybe he would say something else.
Maybe he would notice the sadness in her eyes.
He didn't.
Instead, he bent down, kissed Shadow's head gently and said, "Take care of Mom."
Then he left.
The door closed.
And the silence grew heavier.
The Silent Rivalry
From the kitchen, Savitri's voice floated in.
"Meera! Don't forget to wash Shadow's blanket separately. It shouldn't mix with normal clothes."
Normal clothes.
Meera swallowed her pride. "Yes, Maa."
Savitri entered the room slowly, her steps calm but her eyes sharp.
"You seem distracted these days," she observed.
"I'm fine."
"Are you?" Savitri tilted her head. "A woman should focus on keeping her husband happy. Men lose interest easily."
The words were sweet in tone, but sharp in meaning.
Meera stayed quiet.
Savitri continued softly, "Arjun has always been emotionally fragile. Only I understand him. Even Shadow understands him."
She paused.
"Do you?"
Meera felt her throat tighten.
"I'm his wife," she replied gently.
Savitri smiled.
"Let's see."
The Growing Distance
That night, Meera tried again.
Arjun was lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone while Shadow rested near his chest.
"Arjun," she said softly.
"Hm?"
"Do you feel we've changed?"
He sighed. "Why do you always think negatively?"
"I'm not. I just… I miss us."
"We're fine, Meera."
"No, we're not."
He finally looked at her, slightly irritated.
"You're overthinking. It's just a dog. Why are you insecure?"
The word hit her like a slap.
"Insecure?"
"Yes. You behave as if you're competing with Shadow."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"I'm not competing with a dog. I'm trying to save my marriage."
Arjun stood up suddenly.
"Nothing is wrong with our marriage. You're creating drama."
Shadow began barking loudly at Meera.
The noise filled the room.
And once again, Arjun chose the dog.
He picked Shadow up.
"Calm down, baby. It's okay."
Baby.
Meera felt her chest ache.
She turned away before her tears could fall.
A Dangerous Decision
That night, as Arjun slept peacefully with Shadow beside him, Meera stared at the ceiling.
Her mind replayed his words.
"You're insecure."
Maybe he was right.
Maybe she was losing him.
Maybe the only way to bring him back…
…was to give him something bigger than a dog.
A child.
Her heartbeat increased at the thought.
He had clearly said no.
But was it really wrong for a wife to want a baby?
She closed her eyes tightly.
"I just want my husband back," she whispered to herself.
And that whisper turned into a decision.
A Secret
Weeks passed.
Meera changed her routine quietly.
She stopped her contraceptive pills.
She calculated dates carefully.
She pretended nothing had changed.
Arjun remained unaware.
Savitri remained watchful.
One evening, while cleaning the cupboard, Savitri found an empty strip of pills in the trash.
Her expression darkened.
Later that night, she stood near the temple room, lighting incense.
Her lips moved in a slow, controlled chant.
In the corner of the room, Shadow sat still.
Listening.
Watching.
The First Sign
A month later, Meera stood in the bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test in her trembling hands.
Two pink lines.
Her breath stopped.
She covered her mouth, tears flowing freely.
"I'm going to be a mother…"
For the first time in months, happiness filled her completely.
She imagined Arjun lifting her in joy.
She imagined him smiling again.
She imagined their broken love healing.
With excitement, she ran to the bedroom.
But as she entered—
She saw Arjun laughing.
Not with her.
With Shadow.
He was teaching the dog to fetch a toy.
"Good boy! You're my world!" he said proudly.
The words froze her steps.
My world.
She slowly hid the pregnancy test behind her back.
Her smile faded.
Maybe… this wasn't the right moment.
Suspicion
That night, Savitri entered Meera's room quietly while she was folding clothes.
"Are you hiding something?" Savitri asked calmly.
Meera stiffened. "No."
"Really?"
Savitri's eyes slowly dropped to Meera's stomach.
A faint smirk appeared.
"You should be careful what you plan without elders' permission."
Meera felt cold.
"What do you mean?"
Savitri leaned closer.
"This house already has one child."
She looked toward the hall where Shadow lay sleeping.
"And he is enough."
The message was clear.
Very clear.
Chapter Ending
That night, Meera clutched the pregnancy test under her pillow.
Her hand rested protectively over her stomach.
"I'll protect you," she whispered softly.
Outside the door, Shadow sat silently.
As if guarding something.
Or waiting.
And in another room, Savitri opened a small wooden box filled with strange black threads and ash.
Her eyes glowed with determination.
"No one will take my son away."
The battle had begun.