The days that followed the dinner with Arjun were a whirlwind for Mira. They began texting regularly, and their conversations were a mix of lighthearted banter and deeper, more meaningful exchanges. Arjun was attentive, sending her good morning messages and checking in throughout the day. It felt like the start of something real, something that could potentially change her life.
But amidst the excitement, Mira couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Arjun than he was revealing. His past was a mystery, and though he had hinted at mistakes and complications, he hadn’t offered any details. Mira decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, trusting that he would open up to her when he was ready.
One evening, as Mira was sorting through her closet, her eyes fell on the crimson saree again. It hung there, shimmering faintly in the dim light, as if calling out to her. She hadn’t worn it since the night of the party, but something about it drew her in. She reached out and touched the fabric, feeling a strange warmth beneath her fingertips.
As she pulled the saree out, a small, folded piece of paper fell to the floor. Mira frowned and picked it up. It was an old, yellowed letter, written in her grandmother’s handwriting. Her heart skipped a beat as she unfolded it and began to read.
---
*“My dearest Mira,
*If you are reading this, it means you have found the crimson saree. This saree is not just a piece of fabric—it is a legacy, a connection to our family’s past. It belonged to your great-grandmother, who was a woman of extraordinary strength and resilience. But it also carries a curse, one that has haunted our family for generations.*
*The curse is tied to love—a love that was betrayed, a love that turned to tragedy. It is said that any woman who wears this saree will experience great love, but also great pain. I have kept this secret from you for many years, hoping to protect you. But now that you have found the saree, it is time for you to know the truth.*
*Be careful, my dear. Love is a powerful force, but it can also be dangerous. Trust your instincts, and remember that not everything is as it seems.*
*With all my love,*
"Dadi”
---
Mira’s hands trembled as she finished reading the letter. Her grandmother had never mentioned anything about a curse before. Was this why she had always felt a strange connection to the saree? Was this why she had hesitated to wear it?
She sat down on the edge of her bed, her mind racing. The timing felt too coincidental. She had worn the saree the night she met Arjun, and now she was falling for him. Was this the curse her grandmother had warned her about? Was Arjun the great love—and the great pain—that the saree had destined for her?
Mira shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She didn’t believe in curses or superstitions. But still, the letter had unsettled her. She needed to know more.
---
The next day, Mira decided to visit her grandmother. Dadi lived in a quiet suburb of Mumbai, in a house filled with memories and antiques. When Mira arrived, Dadi was in the garden, tending to her roses. She looked up and smiled as Mira approached.
“Mira, beta! What a pleasant surprise,” Dadi said, embracing her warmly.
“Hi, Dadi,” Mira replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “I found the letter. The one you left with the crimson saree.”
Dadi’s smile faded, and she nodded slowly. “I wondered when you would find it. Come, let’s sit down.”
They went inside and settled in the living room. Dadi poured them both a cup of chai, her hands steady despite her age. Mira took a deep breath and began to explain everything—the party, the saree, Arjun, and the strange pull she felt toward him.
Dadi listened quietly, her expression thoughtful. When Mira finished, Dadi sighed and set her cup down.
“The crimson saree has a long history,” Dadi began. “It belonged to your great-grandmother, Meera. She was a beautiful and talented woman, but she fell in love with a man who betrayed her. He used her love to gain power and wealth, and when she discovered his true intentions, it broke her heart. She cursed him and the saree, vowing that any woman who wore it would experience the same fate—a love that would bring both joy and sorrow.”
Mira’s heart sank. “So you’re saying… this curse is real?”
Dadi nodded. “I didn’t want to believe it either, but I’ve seen it happen. My mother wore the saree once, and she too fell in love with a man who brought her pain. That’s why I kept it hidden for so long. I didn’t want you to suffer the same fate.”
Mira felt a lump in her throat. “But what if Arjun is different? What if he’s not like the others?”
Dadi reached out and took Mira’s hand. “I don’t know, beta. But you must be careful. Love can blind us to the truth. Trust your instincts, and don’t ignore the signs.”
---
Mira left her grandmother’s house feeling more conflicted than ever. She didn’t want to believe in the curse, but the letter and Dadi’s words had planted a seed of doubt in her mind. Was Arjun really who he seemed to be? Or was he hiding something that could destroy her?
That evening, Arjun texted her, asking if she wanted to meet for dinner. Mira hesitated before replying. She needed to see him, to look into his eyes and see if she could find the truth.
Mira: Sure. Where should we meet?
Arjun: There’s a new place I’ve been wanting to try. I’ll pick you up at 8.
Mira took a deep breath and began to get ready. She decided to wear the crimson saree again, as if challenging the curse to show itself. As she draped the fabric around her, she felt a strange sense of determination. She would find out the truth, no matter what.
---
When Arjun arrived, he looked as handsome as ever. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he smiled warmly. “You look beautiful,” he said, taking her hand.
“Thank you,” Mira replied, forcing a smile. She searched his face for any sign of deception, but all she saw was sincerity.
As they drove to the restaurant, Mira tried to push her doubts aside. She wanted to believe in him, to trust that what they had was real. But the curse loomed in the back of her mind, a shadow she couldn’t ignore.
The restaurant was intimate and romantic, with soft lighting and a view of the city skyline. They ordered their food and began to talk, but Mira’s mind was elsewhere. She kept replaying Dadi’s words, wondering if she was making a mistake.
“Is everything okay?” Arjun asked, his voice gentle. “You seem… distracted.”
Mira hesitated, then decided to be honest. “I found out something about my family today. Something that’s been bothering me.”
Arjun’s expression softened. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Mira nodded and began to tell him about the crimson saree and the curse. She watched his face carefully as she spoke, looking for any sign of guilt or discomfort. But Arjun listened quietly, his expression thoughtful.
When she finished, he reached across the table and took her hand. “Mira, I don’t believe in curses. But I do believe that we create our own destiny. Whatever happened in the past, it doesn’t have to define us. I care about you, and I want to be someone you can trust.”
Mira felt a wave of relief wash over her. Maybe he was right. Maybe the curse was just a story, and she was letting her fears get the better of her.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I needed to hear that.”
---
But as the evening went on, Mira couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off. There were moments when Arjun’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, when his laughter felt forced. And when they said goodnight, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was walking into a trap.
The curse was real, and it was watching her every move.
---
Brijkumar Prajapati
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