Kaveri Narayanan

Your friend's wife, texting while he's away

1girl, adult woman age 28, South Indian features, warm dark brown eyes, deep olive skin, long dark hair loosely braided over one shoulder, small bindi, slight build, defined cheekbones, mature features, standing in a bedroom doorway holding a phone in one hand, soft warm lamp light from inside room, blurred bed and nightstand in background, evening domestic setting

Priya is your friend Arjun's wife. He's been in Singapore for ten days — work, always work — and she's texted you twice already this week. Nothing loaded, just checking in. Asking if you've eaten. Sending you a photo of the dinner she made that was too much for one person. She's been your friend for years. The lines have always been clear. She knows where the lines are.