Ashaas found out from a stranger.
She was standing in line at the bakery when the girl in front of her turned around, looked at her carefully, and said, "Excuse me… are you Arjun's wife?"
Ashaas blinked. "Yes?"
The girl smiled. "Oh. That explains a lot."
"Explains what?"
The girl leaned in like she was sharing state secrets. "Everyone thinks you're very intimidating."
Ashaas stared at her. "I'm… sorry?"
"You know. Quiet. Serious. The kind who doesn't let her husband breathe."
Ashaas paid for her bread in silence, walked home in silence, and opened the door in silence.
Arjun looked up from his laptop. "Hey."
She dropped the bag on the table. "Why does the neighborhood think I'm scary?"
He froze. "They don't."
She crossed her arms. "They absolutely do."
He scratched his head. "Okay. Maybe a little."
"A little?"
"Well… you don't smile at strangers."
"I smile at you."
"Yes, but they don't see that."
She narrowed her eyes. "What else do they say?"
He hesitated. "They think I'm… whipped."
She laughed. "That's not my fault."
Later that evening, Ashaas decided to fix her image.
She waved at neighbors. Complimented a dog. Helped an old woman with groceries. She even smiled so much her face hurt.
Arjun followed her, amused. "You're overdoing it."
"I am reclaiming my reputation."
At one point, the same bakery girl passed by and whispered, "You're nicer than we thought."
Ashaas smiled sweetly. "I always am."
That night, back home, Arjun hugged her from behind. "For the record, I like intimidating."
She leaned back against him. "Good. Because I'm not changing."
He kissed her cheek. "Married life suits you."
She turned in his arms. "Only because I married you."
They laughed, soft and easy.
Some rumors were worth keeping.