Chapter 20: Reena's New Normal

The sun was setting over the city, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as Ravi—now Reena—walked back from work. The familiar streets felt like a stage, each step a performance he had grown accustomed to. The click of his heels on the pavement, once awkward and jarring, now blended into the rhythm of his daily routine. As he passed by a group of his colleagues, they waved and called out, “Bye, Reena!”

He smiled and waved back, the name “Reena” slipping from their lips so naturally. It was almost unsettling how easily everyone had accepted this new persona. Behind the smile, Ravi felt the weight of his reality. This wasn’t a role he could drop at the end of the day—this was his life now.

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At Home

As Ravi stepped into his house, the scent of home-cooked dal filled the air. His mother was in the living room, folding laundry, her eyes softening as she looked up. “How was your day, beta?” she asked, her voice warm but laced with concern.

“It was fine, Maa,” Ravi replied, slipping off his heels and letting out a small sigh of relief. The discomfort was a constant reminder of the price he was paying. The money was worth it, he told himself. It had to be.

His father, sitting in the corner reading the newspaper, looked up over the rim of his glasses. His gaze was sharp, searching. “You’re getting too used to this, aren’t you?” he asked, half in jest, half in worry.

Ravi shook his head. “I don’t have a choice, Papa. You know that.”

His mother’s hands stilled on the fabric she was folding. “But you’re doing well, Ravi. Really well. Just… don’t lose yourself in this.”

He forced a smile. “I won’t, Maa.” But deep down, he wondered if that was true.

---

At Work

The next day, Ravi navigated the bustling office as Reena, weaving through the maze of cubicles. His colleagues had grown used to seeing Reena—another woman in their midst, blending in seamlessly. The transformation wasn’t just physical; it was in the way he carried himself, the way he spoke.

At lunch, his colleague Priya leaned over, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You know, Reena, Aryan is really lucky to have you. He talks about you all the time.”

Ravi felt a flush rise to his cheeks, an automatic reaction he had perfected. “Thanks, Priya. He’s… special.”

Priya’s eyes softened. “You’re good for him. I’ve never seen him this happy.”

The words hit harder than they should. Ravi smiled, nodding, but inside, a storm brewed. Was he really good for Aryan? Was this all just a lie he was selling too well?

As they finished lunch, Priya pulled Reena aside. “Hey, we’re going shopping this weekend. You should come.”

Ravi’s heart sank. “I… I’ll see if I can make it.”

Priya laughed. “Don’t be shy! It’ll be fun.”

Ravi, "You know him." Both parted ways with laughter.

---

Evening with Varun and Riya

After work, Ravi met up with his friends Varun and Riya at their usual hangout spot—a quiet café tucked away from the city’s hustle. It was a sanctuary where he could breathe, drop the act, even if only slightly.

Varun smirked as he took a sip of his coffee. “So, how’s life as the city’s most loved ‘girlfriend’?”

Ravi rolled his eyes. “Exhausting. You have no idea.”

Riya leaned forward, a hint of worry in her eyes. “How long can you keep this up, Ravi?”

He sighed, staring into his cup. “I don’t know. Mrs. Kapoor is happy. Aryan’s happy. And my account balance… well, it’s very happy.”

They all laughed, but the tension wasn’t lost on any of them. The money was good—better than any of them had ever seen—but at what cost?

Varun’s voice softened. “You’re playing a dangerous game, man.”

Ravi met his gaze. “I know. But what choice do I have?”

Riya reached across the table, squeezing his hand. “Just… don’t forget who you are, okay?”

Ravi nodded, but the question lingered. Who was he anymore?

---

Late Night Thoughts

That night, as Ravi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the day’s events replayed in his mind. Each smile, each compliment, each moment where he had to be Reena felt like a weight pressing down on his chest.

His phone buzzed—a message from Aryan.

“Goodnight, Reena. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. ❤️”

He stared at the screen, the words blurring. There was a time when messages like this would have meant something. Now, they were just reminders of the life he was living, the lines he was blurring.

“Goodnight, Aryan,” he whispered, sending a reply.

As he turned off the light, one thought echoed in the darkness: How long can I keep this up?

---

The Pressure Builds

The next morning, Ravi woke up early, slipping into the routine that had become second nature. Makeup, clothes, the practiced smile. His parents watched from the kitchen as he prepared to leave.

His mother called out, “Beta, be careful.”

Ravi paused, turning back. “I will, Maa.”

His father’s voice followed. “Remember why you’re doing this.”

He nodded, stepping out into the world once more—Reena, the perfect girlfriend, the perfect lie.

But every day, the line between Ravi and Reena grew thinner. And he couldn’t shake the feeling that, one day, it would disappear entirely.