Unspoken Desires

Chapter 1: From Behind the Curtain

The view from that window wasn’t of the city — it was of a secret.

Ravi had moved into this room only three days ago. Third floor, an old mansion, and right in front — an open window whose curtains were always half drawn. The room opposite his was always dimly lit, but in that light, the shadows that moved seemed like scenes from a film.

On the very first night, Ravi had seen her — a woman wrapped in a red sari, standing slowly before a mirror. Her back was to him, her hair loose, flowing down past her waist. She was murmuring something under her breath. And then… she slipped the end of her sari from her shoulder.

Ravi’s breath stopped.

He immediately looked away — but his mind stayed there. Who was that woman? Alone so late at night? And that confidence… as if she knew someone was watching.

The next night, same time, same window. Ravi’s mind said, “Don’t look.” But his eyes whispered, “Just once more.”
And that night — something new happened.

She came closer. Her face was visible this time — a faint streak of vermilion, wet hair, golden earrings. Her eyes lifted — straight toward Ravi’s window.

Ravi froze.

Had she seen him? Did she know someone was watching?

But then she smiled — a smile that touched not just the body, but the soul.

By the third night, Ravi had started standing behind his half-drawn curtain, waiting. Waiting for her every move. That woman — who was now known to him only as Malikin (the Mistress) — did something new every night.

Sometimes she sat on the swing in a nightgown, smoking a cigarette.
Sometimes she spoke to herself before the mirror.
Sometimes she combed her hair for hours to an old tune.

And today…

Today she untied the knot of her blouse — slowly, as though performing some ritual. The faint yellow light fell on her skin — just enough to hide and reveal at once.

Ravi’s breathing grew heavy. His heart thudded in his chest.

Then she did something he hadn’t imagined — she slowly opened the curtain completely… and her eyes met his.

She smiled.

“You’re watching, aren’t you?” her eyes seemed to ask.

Ravi stepped back — but it was too late. In that one moment, something had broken… or perhaps, begun.

He turned off his light — but his gaze never left the window.

Now, the Mistress began appearing in his dreams. Every time, in a new form.
Sometimes in a sari, sometimes dressed like a woman from another era… and sometimes, wearing nothing — speaking only through her eyes.

🕳️ Suddenly — there was a knock at the door.

Tap-tap-tap...

Ravi looked up, startled — it was half past one at night.

The door creaked open.

The Mistress stood there.

Draped in a red satin sari, a glass of water in her hand, and a soft smile on her lips.

“Brought you some water… you didn’t turn on your light tonight, so I thought — are you alright?”

Ravi’s tongue went dry. His eyes stayed on the floor — but his mind was still at the window.

“Everything’s fine…” Ravi said softly.

The Mistress handed him the glass, smiled faintly, and as she left, said —

“Do you like watching from the window?”

Ravi couldn’t answer.

The door closed.

And that night, for the first time, Ravi felt — that mansion wasn’t made of mere bricks and walls.
There was a game being played there…

The next morning, Ravi found a white envelope placed on his window.

Inside, only one line was written —

“Keep watching… but don’t touch.”