At first, it felt like a superpower. He returned to his family and, for the first time in his life, he was the perfect son, brother, and partner. When his mother thought about her aching knees but said she was "fine," Chintan was already there with a chair and water. When Sneha felt a pang of insecurity about their future, he took her hand and spoke the exact words of reassurance she needed. He was a mind-reading magician, navigating the complexities of relationships with surgical precision.
"I hope he noticed I wore his favorite color today," a voice rang out, clear as a bell. Chintan looked around. A young woman was walking silently past him, her lips unmoving.
Chintan froze. The Goddess had taken him literally. He could hear the inner thoughts of every woman around him.
He didn't feel a bolt of lightning. There was no divine choir. But as he walked back toward the parking lot, the world felt… loud. It wasn't the sound of the crowds or the temple bells. It was a rhythmic, shimmering hum coming from every woman he passed.