She looks at Meera. Then at Surya.
Vahini’s eyes. No tears yet. Just a slow, cold realization—like watching your own house burn from across the street.
She turns. Walks out. Doesn’t look back. She looks at Meera
Through the gap:
She watches.
A woman’s low laugh. Not a guest’s. Intimate.
She carries a thermos of soup—his favorite rasam . She looks at Meera
(38, sharp eyes softened by years of trust) returns home early from her mother’s house. Her husband Surya (42, successful but hollow) had called saying he had a late meeting.