11. ADMIRATION
Aarvi woke up and found herself lying on the bed. For a moment, she blinked in confusion. Last night, she had curled up on the floor, too exhausted to even move. How... did I end up here?
Her gaze slowly moved across the room and froze. Vivan was on the couch, his tall frame bent awkwardly, layed uncomfortably, his brows still drawn together even in slumber.
Realization dawned, and her breath caught. He must have laid me here.
Her heart skipped a beat. The same man who made her feel so unwanted, had also taken the trouble to make sure she didn't sleep on the cold floor.
A strange ache filled her chest. Why would he do that? Out of pity? Out of duty? Or is there... something else? She shook her head almost immediately. No. Don't fool yourself, Aarvi. He doesn't care. he probably did it because it would look bad if anyone saw you on the floor.
Yet, no matter how hard she tried to dismiss it, that small gesture lingered in her heart. He's confusing... his actions and his words never match.
She studied his face for another second, seeing not the angry storm of last night but a man twisted in his own discomfort, unable to rest even on the couch. She let out a heavy sigh.
This marriage... can I really endure it? The question lingered in her mind.
And carefully not to make a sound, Aarvi got out of bed and slipped into her morning routine. After a quick shower, she peek through the bathroom door to ensure he wasn't inside, she emerged again, locked the door for her own comfort, and draped a simple saree.
When she finally went downstairs, her steps halted for a second.
Vivan was there already, seated on the hall couch as if the entire space belonged to him and it did.
He was dressed in a formal black suit, his hair perfectly gelled, his neatly trimmed beard sharpening his features.
His brows were furrowed in concentration over his laptop.
"Aarvi, what happened? Come here," Pragya's voice cut through her thoughts.
Aarvi turned her head, but in that fleeting moment, her eyes locked with Vivan's. The memory of last night's words flashed in her mind, and her heart sank. She quickly averted her gaze, unable to face him.
"Maa, why did you disturb her? She was peacefully admiring Bhaiya," Prisha teased with a mischievous grin.
Aarvi's eyes widened. She snapped her head towards Vivan, whose gaze was already fixed on her. "N-no, I was just-" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
But Pragya intervened with a smile. "It's okay, Aarvi, you don't need to explain anything." Her teasing tone only deepened Aarvi's discomfort.
"Okay, come everyone, let's have breakfast," Pragya announced warmly, leading them all towards the dining table.
The atmosphere at the table was light, laughter, playful teasing, and conversations flowed freely among everyone.
Everyone, except Vivan and Aarvi. He ate in silence, his jaw tense, while she kept her focus on her plate, occasionally stealing quick glances around the table to avoid meeting his eyes again.
Suddenly, his mother's voice broke through the chatter. "Tomorrow will be the reception of the newlyweds," she declared.
The moment those words left his mother's lips, the air in the room shifted.
Aarvi's heart skipped, her eyes flickering toward Vivan instinctively.
He was sitting stiffly, his jaw tightening.
A reception, the idea of standing side by side with him, smiling for a crowd, accepting blessings they both knew weren't meant to be theirs, it sent an uncomfortable weight crashing down on her chest.
She lowered her gaze quickly, trying to compose her expression. For a moment she wondered if his mother had noticed the silence that fell between them.
Vivan leaned back in his chair, as he asked. "Is it necessary?", his voice calm but filled with irritation.
His mother smiled knowingly. "Of course. Family are waiting to see you both together. A marriage isn't complete until the family shares its joy."
Aarvi's fingers twisted into the edge of her pallu beneath the table, her thoughts running wild. Another day of pretending. Another day of standing beside him like she belong there when he doesn't even want her in his life...
And to everyone's surprise, Vivan didn't argue. He simply nodded, expression unreadable. Aarvi lowered her eyes and followed with a quiet agreement.
The air between them remained thick, neither hostile, nor warm, but something unspoken lingered. Something that even the laughter around them couldn't erase.
After this conversation, everyone got engaged in their respectful works.