THE DAY PRIYA WAS DISCOVERED
Three weeks passed.
The apartment developed a routine.
Priya prepared breakfast. The women attended online meetings. Neha managed the household schedule.
Prem's natural hair had grown slightly longer, and Neha often helped him style it.
One morning, Prem stepped out of the bathroom wearing a simple T-shirt and trousers.
His hair was wet and loose.
He had forgotten to put on his feminine accessories.
Ritu entered the hallway.
She stopped.
Prem stopped.
They stared at each other.
Ritu's eyes widened.
"Who are you?"
Prem opened his mouth.
No words came.
Ritu stepped backward.
"Wait. You're a man?"
Neha rushed into the hallway.
"Ritu, please—"
Ritu pointed toward Prem.
"Who is he? Why is he in your house?"
Prem took a breath.
"My name is Prem."
Silence.
"Prem?" Ritu whispered.
Neha nodded.
"He's my husband."
Ritu looked from Prem to Neha.
"Your husband? You told us you were single!"
Neha's expression changed.
She knew this moment could destroy their friendship.
"You're right. I should have told you."
Ritu looked hurt.
"Why didn't you?"
Neha explained the truth.
The marriage. The village ritual. The apartment arrangement. The role-play.
Prem stood beside her.
"I agreed to the arrangement. But I never expected it to become this complicated."
Ritu looked at him.
"So you've been serving us all this time?"
Prem nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Prem answered honestly.
"Because Neha asked me. And because I wanted to help. But I also wanted to see how far we could take this unusual situation."
Ritu remained silent.
Then she laughed.
"You're telling me the person who made the best biryani in this apartment is Neha's husband?"
Prem smiled.
"Unfortunately."
Ritu burst into laughter.
Neha began to cry.
Ritu hugged her.
"Don't hide your husband from us again."
The secret had been revealed.
But the friendship had survived.
And the apartment was about to become even more exciting.
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