Chapter 4: The secret room
After an hour, the boys had already finished their shopping. They stood waiting outside the mall entrance, leaning against their bikes, their shopping bags resting by their sides. The sun was beginning to dip, throwing a warm golden glow across the street.
Praveen: (stretching his arms) “We finished shopping in one hour. But look at Swati… she’s still not out. Why do girls take so long?”
Surya: (checking his watch) “It’s not shopping for her—it’s a full-day event.”
JK: (quietly, watching the mall doors) “That’s how it is. Let her take her time.”
At that moment, Swati emerged from the mall with a triumphant smile, carrying several colorful bags. She walked towards them, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Swati: “What’s with those faces? You all look so tired. Shopping for Annual Day is supposed to be fun!”
Praveen: (mock groaning) “Fun? You’ve been inside for hours! Even the shopkeepers look exhausted.”
Swati: (laughing) “Come on, boys. Shopping is an art. You can’t rush it.”
JK: (raising an eyebrow) “Girls like you can never have enough clothes. No matter how much you buy, it’s never enough.”
Praveen: (teasing) “He’s right. Swati, your future husband will need to build an extra house just for your wardrobe.”
Surya: (grinning) “And a separate bank account just for your shopping trips.”
Swati: (placing her hands on her hips, feigning offense) “Oh, stop it! I don’t shop that much.”
Karthik: (looking at the bags in her hands) “Swati, why do you always pick modern dresses? Can’t you buy at least one traditional dress for a change?”
Swati: (playfully) “That’s because I like modern clothes, Karthik. What’s wrong with that?”
Karthik: (smirking slightly) “You know, JK loves traditional dresses more than modern ones.”
Swati: (glancing at JK with a mischievous smile) “Oh really? And how do you know that, Karthik?”
Karthik: “Because I’ve heard him say it before. Ask him yourself.”
JK, who had been silent so far, finally spoke up, his voice calm yet carrying an unexpected depth.
JK: “Karthik is right. I do like traditional dresses… especially sarees.”
Swati: (curious now, softening slightly) “Why sarees, JK? What’s so special about them?”
JK: “It’s not about the fabric or the style. It’s about what it represents. A saree carries our culture, our values. When a woman wears it, there’s a quiet grace… and people naturally feel more respect for her.”
For a moment, the group fell silent, absorbing JK’s thoughtful words. Swati looked at him, her playful expression giving way to a hint of admiration.
Swati: (gently) “I see. You’re right in your own way. But you know me, JK—I’ll always wear what makes me feel comfortable.”
JK: (a faint smile tugging at his lips) “Hmm… fair enough.”
Surya: “He’s not wrong though, Swati. What JK said… it makes sense.”
Swati: (smiling mischievously) “Alright, philosopher friends. Shall we go home now, or do you all want to give me another lecture on Indian culture?”
Everyone chuckled, and JK shook his head with a small, amused smile.
JK: “Let’s go before it gets too late.”
With that, they all mounted their bikes and headed off into the cool evening air, the faint laughter of friends trailing behind them.
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After everyone returned home, some time passed quietly. The house was unusually silent when Surya arrived at JK’s home. As he stepped inside, he looked around and frowned slightly.
Surya: (muttering to himself) “Strange… there’s no one in the house.”
Surya: (calling out) “Grany… aunty?”
Hearing no response, he started walking further in.
Just then, Bhuvan—Shashidhar’s son—emerged from a room.
Bhuvan: “Hey, Surya! Come in, come in.”
Surya: “Hi, Bro. Where is everyone? The house feels so empty.”
Bhuvan: (smiling faintly) “Appa and Uncle went out for some work. Grany, ladies, and the kids all went out to roam around for a while.”
At that moment, Madhav entered.
Surya: “Hi, Bro. Peaceful house today, huh? With no one here, it feels so quiet.”
Madhav (smiling): “Yes, finally some peace and quiet. Feels good after a long time, doesn’t it Bhuwan?”
Bhuwan: “It really does.”
Surya: “Hmmm… enjoy it while you can. Once our sisters-in-law and the kids return, there won’t be any peace left.”
Bhuwan (teasing): “Why, Surya? You don’t like seeing us happy or what?”
They chatted for a few minutes, the air warm with casual laughter and small talk.
Surya: (glancing around) “Bro, is it just the two of you here?”
Madhav: (shaking his head) “No… there’s one more person.”
Surya: (raising a brow, curious) “Who’s that?”
Madhav: (exchanging a knowing look with Bhuvan) “JK.”
Surya: (murmuring, his mind drifting) “JK? I came to see Ammu… but she doesn’t seem to care about me anymore. No matter how many times I call her, she never picks up. It’s as if she doesn’t even feel anything for me. She doesn’t even bother saying she went out. Maybe I should just leave…”
Madhav: (noticing Surya’s expression) “Hey Surya, what’s with that face?”
Surya: (forcing a faint smile) “Nothing, Bro.”
Just then, Sarala, the housemaid, walked in.
Sarala: “Sir, would you like some coffee or tea?”
Bhuvan: (waving his hand) “Sarala Amma, if you have other work, go ahead. I’ll prepare coffee today.”
Bhuvan: (turning to Surya and Madhav) “You two sit and talk. I’ll bring coffee.”
Surya: (shaking his head) “No, Bro. I don’t need coffee. I’ll just go see JK.”
Bhuvan: “Alright, Surya.”
Madhav: “Do you want coffee, bro?”
Madhav: (nodding) “Yes, please. I’ve got a terrible headache today. A little coffee will freshen my mind.”
Bhuvan: “Got it, bro.”
Meanwhile, Surya made his way towards JK’s room. But when he opened the door, it was empty. JK wasn’t there.
Surya: (thinking to himself) If he’s not here, then he must be in that other room…
He headed towards the small room near the balcony. The room, once a storehouse no one ever bothered to use, had been transformed into a beautiful private space by JK. It was a secret only Surya knew about.
Surya: (pushing the door open softly) “Hi… Jk.”
There was JK, sitting at his desk. A table lamp cast a warm glow over the room. Torn sheets of paper lay scattered on the floor, and JK was holding another crumpled note in his hand.
JK: “Hey! Surya, come in. Sit down.”
Surya: (stepping closer) “That’s alright, umm. What are you writing?”
JK: (quickly) “Ah… nothing.”
But Surya snatched the notebook from his hand before he could hide it.
Surya: (teasing) “Oho… a love letter? So you’re still writing these , are you? Then that means JK is in love with someone. But who is it?”
He looked up at JK, mischief dancing in his eyes.
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🌸 Author’s Note:
“Surya already knows the secret hidden in JK’s heart… and he’s silently supporting him. But who is the girl that JK loves so deeply? Why is he hiding his feelings from everyone else? ❤️
✨ Follow me
to find out in the next chapter—this is where the story begins to unfold!”
