The evening sky burned in soft shades of orange as Meera stood near the balcony, her hair dancing gently in the breeze. Below, the city lights slowly began to awaken. It was the kind of evening that made promises feel permanent.
Arjun stood behind her, watching her smile.
"Why do you always look at the sky like that?" he asked softly.
Meera didn't turn around. "Because the sky never judges… it just listens."
Arjun smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"And I don't?"
She turned this time, her eyes glowing with warmth. "You listen. That's why I married you."
Two years of love. Countless secret calls. Fights. Patch-ups. Dreams. And finally, a marriage that had felt like victory against the world.
It wasn't arranged.
It wasn't forced.
It was chosen.
And Meera had believed love was enough.
The House
The house Arjun brought her to after marriage was large, traditional, slightly old — but strong. Like the family inside it.
Savitri Devi — Arjun's mother — sharp eyes, sharper tongue.
Raghav — silent, observant father.
And now Meera — the new bride.
The first week was peaceful.
Savitri smiled often. Too often.
"You are lucky," she would say. "My son is very sensitive. Take care of him."
Meera had nodded with innocence.
But she didn't understand something.
Some mothers don't want daughters-in-law.
They want control.
The Shift
One evening, about a month after marriage, Arjun returned home unusually excited.
"Meera! Close your eyes."
She laughed. "Again? What now?"
"Just trust me."
She closed her eyes.
A soft bark echoed inside the hall.
Her eyes opened.
A small black puppy stood on the floor, its bright eyes staring at her.
"Surprise!" Arjun grinned. "His name is Shadow."
Meera froze for a second.
"You didn't tell me…"
"I wanted it to be special," Arjun said, lifting the puppy into his arms. "Isn't he adorable?"
Shadow's eyes shifted from Arjun to Meera.
Something about that gaze made her uncomfortable.
But she smiled anyway.
"Yes… he's cute."
Savitri entered from the kitchen.
"Oh my god, Arjun! You finally brought him!" she exclaimed happily.
Meera blinked.
"Finally?"
"Yes," Savitri said proudly. "He has wanted a dog since childhood. I told him after marriage he could bring one."
Meera felt something small crack inside.
After marriage.
Not after discussion.
The Attachment
Days passed.
Shadow slowly became the center of the house.
Arjun fed him with his own hands.
Let him sleep in their bedroom.
Cancelled dinner plans because "Shadow isn't well."
One night, Meera waited dressed beautifully for their anniversary dinner.
Arjun rushed inside.
"Meera, cancel tonight."
"What? Why?"
"Shadow has slight fever. I can't leave him."
Meera stared at him.
"It's just a small fever. The vet gave medicine."
"He needs me," Arjun said firmly.
"And I don't?" she whispered.
He didn't answer.
That night, she ate alone.
The Beginning of Distance
Weeks turned into months.
Shadow now slept between them.
Arjun's hand no longer searched for Meera at night — it rested on the dog instead.
Conversations reduced.
Physical closeness faded.
And Savitri watched silently… satisfied.
"Dogs are loyal," Savitri would say casually. "Unlike humans."
Meera understood the indirect meaning.
One afternoon, Meera gathered courage.
"Arjun… can we think about starting a family?"
Arjun stiffened.
"No."
The answer was immediate.
She blinked. "Why?"
"A baby will change everything. Shadow will feel ignored."
Meera's heart pounded.
"You're saying… our child will disturb the dog?"
"It's not like that," he said impatiently. "You don't understand. He's sensitive."
"And I'm not?" her voice trembled.
Arjun walked away.
That was the first night Meera cried silently into her pillow.
Shadow watched from the corner of the room.
A Strange Feeling
Meera began noticing something odd.
Whenever Arjun was angry at her, Shadow would bark only at her.
When she entered the room, the dog would move closer to Savitri.
And Savitri's eyes…
They were always observing.
Judging.
Measuring.
One night, Meera woke up to drink water.
As she passed the storeroom, she noticed dim light inside.
She paused.
A faint whisper.
And the smell of burning incense.
Savitri's voice.
Chanting something unfamiliar.
Meera's heartbeat quickened.
Before she could see more, the door shut.
The next morning, Savitri smiled at her.
"You look pale, Meera. Didn't sleep well?"
Meera forced a smile.
"Yes… maybe."
Shadow sat beside Savitri.
Calm.
Watching.
Chapter Ending
That evening, Arjun hugged Shadow tightly.
"You're my first priority. Always."
Meera stood behind them.
Invisible.
Unheard.
Unwanted.
As she turned away, she didn't notice Shadow's eyes following her.
Not innocent.
Not playful.
But calculating.
And somewhere deep inside the house… something had already begun to rot.