10
The morning light filtered gently into the Deshmukh villa, soft and golden, but the atmosphere in the living room felt heavier than usual.
Suitcases stood neatly near the entrance, lined up like quiet reminders of the inevitable.
The chatter was subdued. The energy that had filled the house over the past few days-of celebration, of wedding rituals, of endless laughter-had now simmered into a lingering silence marked with the occasional sigh.
Vaani stood near the main door, her fingers loosely clutching the ends of her dupatta.
She hadn't said much all morning, and her silence said more than any words could have.
Her eyes, slightly puffy, revealed she'd been crying earlier-silently, maybe even alone.
Her family bustled around, checking for chargers, zipping bags, but her gaze remained fixed on them, as if trying to memorize every single movement.
Vihaan was the first to walk over to her. "Don't cry, Tai," he said softly, trying to keep it light. "We're just going twenty minutes away."
She smiled through her tears and pulled him into a hug. "I know," she whispered, "but it's different now."
Vedant came next, his eyes a little glassy too. "You're still our Tai, you know. You just... live with other people now."
She laughed wetly, hugging him tight. "I'll come over soon," she promised, "you better keep my room as it is."
Vihaan didn't say anything for a moment-just looked at her, then pulled her into a longer hug. "You've always been the calm one. Now don't start crying, or I'll actually lose it."
"I'm not crying," she said, her voice cracking.
Behind them, Dhruv stood a little away, letting her have this moment with her brothers. He watched quietly, his arms folded, his expression unreadable. He knew this bond was special. He'd seen it over the past few days-unspoken but strong, built over years of sibling chaos and love.
Jaya came over with tissues. "Beta, come," she said gently, putting a hand on Vaani's back. "It's okay. They'll be home in half an hour. You'll see them so much."
"I know," Vaani said, taking a breath. She wiped her eyes, composed herself, and gave her brothers one last group hug before they walked out the door.
As the main door closed behind her family, Vaani stood still for a moment, her shoulders dropping slightly.
Dhruv stepped beside her, quiet. "You okay?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice. Just nodding.
The villa was quiet again. The laughter and chatter that had echoed through its halls for days had now faded.
Afternoon light pooled in golden patches across the marble floor as Jaya and Mahesh sat comfortably in the drawing room, their cups of chai resting on the center table.
Dhruv had just finished a work call, and Vaani was helping the house staff with something in the kitchen when Jaya called out softly.
"Dhruv, Vaani... beta, can you come here for a bit?"
Vaani wiped her hands and walked into the room, Dhruv trailing behind her. Both of them took a seat on the sofa opposite Jaya and Mahesh, exchanging a small glance, as if wondering what this was about.
Jaya smiled gently. "We've been meaning to talk to you both, before things get too busy again."
Dhruv raised an eyebrow slightly, alert now. "Everything okay?"
Mahesh gave a nod. "Yes, yes. Everything's fine. Just something we were thinking about... and we wanted to discuss with both of you together."
Dhruv sat back a bit, his expression patient, though his tone was curious. "Alright. What is it?"
Jaya looked at Mahesh, then back at the two of them. "Beta, we've been thinking-maybe it would be better if you both... lived separately. Just for now."
Vaani blinked, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"
"Not separately as in too far," Mahesh clarified quickly, with a small chuckle. "You'd still be somewhere in the neighborhood or max 10-15 mins away. But we thought it would do you both some good to stay separately and actually know each other."
Dhruv looked between them. "You want us to move out?"
"Not permanently move out," Jaya said. "More like... move into a space that's yours. Where you can settle in together. Without pressure."
There was a pause. Vaani glanced at Dhruv, whose brows were slightly furrowed.
"I don't mind staying here," Dhruv said, honestly. "I mean... it's home."
"It is," Mahesh nodded. "But you two barely know each other. This marriage happened with everyone's blessings, but that doesn't change the fact that you didn't get time to build a bond before it."
Jaya added softly, "You two didn't even really talk before the wedding, Dhruv. And now you're expected to suddenly live like you've known each other for years. That's not fair to either of you."
Dhruv looked over at Vaani, who remained quiet, thoughtful. He could see she wasn't resisting the idea-just processing it.
Mahesh continued, "We're not saying forever. Maybe a few years. Until you find your rhythm. It'll give you time to understand each other, without the dynamics of a full house always around. After that you decide if you want to continue or move back."
Jaya smiled a little. "And you'll still come here for dinners. For chai. We're not kicking you out, Dhruv."
That made Vaani softly chuckle under her breath, breaking some of the tension.
Dhruv rubbed his thumb along his knuckle, exhaling slowly. "It's not a bad idea," he said finally. "It's just... unexpected."
"We thought of waiting longer," Jaya said. "But with work starting again and both of you trying to adjust to married life... a space that's yours might help you ease into it."
Dhruv spoke up. "It makes sense."
Mahesh looked pleased. "It's settled then. We'll start prepping the space. It's already furnished, just needs some cleaning and small things."
Jaya added, "And you both can pick anything you want to add. Furniture, curtains, anything that makes it feel like yours."
There was a comfortable silence for a moment. Dhruv leaned back into the sofa, glancing briefly at Vaani-she was looking down at her hands, but there was no tension in her shoulders. Just... calmness. Maybe even relief.
"Alright," Dhruv said, breaking the silence. "Let's do it. Let's see how this goes."
Vaani looked up and gave a tiny nod. "Yeah."
Jaya smiled. "Good. We'll have it ready by tomorrow." She looked pleased-and a little sentimental. "It's not distance. It's space. And sometimes, that's exactly what a new relationship needs."
~·~
The next day arrived with a soft, golden haze as the sun climbed steadily over the Dubai skyline. A gentle breeze curled through the quiet morning air as Dhruv and Vaani stood together in front of the sleek glass doors of their new apartment.
They were on the 31st floor of one of the city's most luxurious high-rises-tucked right in the heart of the marina district.
The elevator ride up had been silent, both of them carrying a few light bags while the rest had already been arranged to arrive later.
The hallways were wide and polished, lined with modern artwork and soft lighting, and as the automated lock clicked open, the apartment door gave way to a space that somehow felt still and alive all at once.
The moment they stepped in, the sheer height of the view drew them toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The apartment was drenched in natural light, with massive glass panes running along the entire length of the living room, offering a sprawling view of the city.
Below, the city stretched endlessly-skyscrapers catching the sunlight, cars like small toys gliding along winding roads, and further in the distance, the faint glimmer of the sea.
Dhruv stepped forward first, pushing the suitcase gently to the side, and looked around with a quiet appreciation.
The apartment was large-roughly 3,000 square feet.
The flooring was a smooth, warm-toned wooden finish, paired with neutral-toned walls that gave it a minimal but elegant charm.
In the center of the living room, a large ivory L-shaped sofa sat facing a flat-panel TV, with a plush rug in beige beneath the low-rise coffee table.
The furnishing was simple, luxurious, and untouched-ready to be lived in.
To the left was a spacious open-plan kitchen.
White marble countertops ran along the length of the kitchen island, and high-end appliances had already been installed.
The pantry and storage were tucked in neatly, and there was a cozy breakfast nook near the corner, where the light pooled most warmly during the day.
Beyond that, a short hallway led into the four bedrooms-each one generously sized.
The master bedroom, furthest at the end of the corridor, was perhaps the most striking.
Like the living room, it had full glass windows on two sides, offering a panoramic view of both the marina and the glittering towers.
Heavy blackout curtains framed the windows, and the king-size bed had been dressed in crisp white linen, with gold-accented cushions for a pop of warmth.
A walk-in wardrobe connected to a marble-finished en-suite bathroom, complete with a soaking tub and rainfall shower.
Vaani stepped slowly into the room behind Dhruv, her eyes absorbing every little detail.
The soft hum of the city, barely audible through the thick glass, felt oddly comforting.
There was something about the stillness of this space that made her feel a little less tense than she had been over the past week.
Across the hall, the other bedrooms had been left intentionally simple-neutral palettes, clean lines, ample light. One was set up as a guest room, one was to be used as a study, and the fourth was a multipurpose space that could be shaped however they liked.
There was also a cozy lounge space near the back-a second living area with floor cushions, shelves for books, and a projector setup. Jaya had softly mentioned it was meant to be their 'unwinding zone' away from the formal living room.
"I didn't expect it to be this..." Vaani finally broke the silence, her voice soft. "Spacious."
Dhruv nodded slightly, looking around. "Yeah. My parents don't really do halfway," he said dryly, hands in his pockets.
She glanced at him, catching the hint of dry humor in his tone. Her lips tugged into a slight smile.
"The view's incredible," she added, stepping closer to the window.
He followed, standing beside her now. From this height, the city below felt quiet, almost miniature. Boats cruised along the marina, the buildings cast long shadows in the late morning sun, and tiny specks of people walked below like pieces on a board.
"The sunsets will be even better from here," he remarked, mostly to himself.
There was a pause again. But not an uncomfortable one.
Then he cleared his throat. "They said the fridge is stocked. You want some coffee or something?"
She looked at him and shook her head gently. "Maybe later."
They walked slowly back to the main living room, the sound of their footsteps soft against the floor.
Vaani stood by the sofa, her eyes scanning the shelves along the far wall-empty, waiting to be filled.
There were fresh flowers already placed in vases-courtesy of Jaya, no doubt-and some kitchen staples stocked neatly in the cabinets.
Dhruv wandered through the hallway, his footsteps echoing lightly across the polished wooden floor. The apartment still smelled faintly of new furniture and fresh polish-clean, untouched, like a space waiting to become something personal.
As he passed by the third room-still empty, the sunlight streaming through the tall windows-he stopped at the doorway. He pushed the door open with his shoulder and stepped inside, glancing around.
"This is definitely becoming my gym," he murmured to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The space was perfect-well-lit, square-shaped, with enough ventilation and distance from the rest of the house.
He could already imagine the equipment, the floor matting, maybe even a mirror on one wall. Quiet, separate-his kind of corner.
Just then, as he stepped back out, he noticed Vaani a few feet away. She was standing still near a narrow sliding door that blended into the wall. It was a compact storage space tucked at the edge of the hallway. Curious, he walked over.
"You found the cleaning closet," he said, resting a hand on the frame. "You can store the vacuum and all here. Extra brooms. Maybe a ladder."
Vaani didn't smile. She looked slightly hesitant, unsure if she should say what was on her mind. Her fingers rested on the edge of the sliding door, as if she wasn't sure whether to open it or not.
"Actually..." she started softly, not looking directly at him, "I thought... maybe this could be the dev ghar."
Dhruv stilled. He turned his head toward her, eyebrows raised slightly, not in objection, but in surprise.
"The God house," she added gently, clarifying. "It's small, but it's separate... and kind of quiet here."
He looked at her for a moment, and then back at the small room. He hadn't thought of that. Truthfully, the concept hadn't even crossed his mind. But now that she mentioned it-it did make sense. Tucked in, private, serene.
After a second's pause, he nodded once. "Yeah," he said simply. "That sounds better."
And just like that, he moved on-walking toward the kitchen with a stretch of his arms, murmuring something about checking if there was sugar for coffee.
Vaani watched him go, still standing by the small space.
Her hand slowly slid the door open now. Inside was a plain alcove, clean and unadorned.
But she could already picture the small mandir she had helped her mother decorate years ago, the brass bells, the sandalwood incense.
She could imagine the soft golden glow during evenings, the quiet peace of a diya flickering after sunset.
She nodded to herself, just once.
This little corner would be hers.
Her first little mark on this new home.
Dhruv ran a towel through his hair as he stepped into his room, freshly showered, the Dubai afternoon sun flooding through the wide windows.
He changed into a black tee and track pants and immediately turned toward his phone, fingers moving quickly as he pulled up his saved cart from the fitness vendor he used in Mumbai.
With a few clicks, he confirmed the shipment.
Dumbbells, a rack, a treadmill, a bench, some resistance bands-everything he needed. He didn't like waiting once his mind was made up, and now that he'd seen the perfect room, it only made sense to make it official.
Settling onto the couch with his laptop, he scrolled through emails. A few project briefs. A couple of follow-ups from clients in Europe. The usual noise. His focus narrowed, his mind already pivoting to the workweek ahead when he heard the soft sound of a door clicking open.
He looked up instinctively.
Vaani stepped out of her room, hair damp from the shower and loosely parted, framing her face. She was dressed casually-light grey pajama pants with little motifs printed on them and a plain navy blue tee tucked in slightly at the front. Comfortable, unbothered, real.
She paused when she noticed him looking.
"Is it... okay?" she asked tentatively, glancing down at herself.
He blinked, a bit confused. "Huh?"
"I mean-should I wear Indian clothes at home?" she clarified. "If you or your parents prefer it or-?"
He straightened slightly, shutting his laptop halfway. "No, no. Of course not," he said quickly, eyes sincere. "Wear whatever you want."
She gave a tiny nod, unsure whether to feel relieved or still slightly awkward. It was a new rhythm, after all. A shared space. A different kind of silence.
She moved toward the opposite sofa and sat down slowly, tucking one foot under her.
He leaned back again, tapping the side of his laptop before adding, "So-I'm going to be a little busy the next few weeks."
Her eyes lifted toward him. She nodded, almost immediately. "I figured. You had mentioned work might pick up."
"Yeah. A couple of things came up earlier than expected," he said.
She looked down at her hands, then shrugged slightly. "I understand."
Part of her did. She had never expected him to be overly available-he had never made that promise. Still, something about hearing it out loud made it more real.
He opened his laptop again, not quite noticing the small shift in her posture as she leaned back, her eyes trained on the ceiling fan turning lazily above.
It wasn't disappointment, exactly.
Just the quiet acknowledgement that this-whatever this was-would take time to figure out.
Just as Dhruv was setting up his workspace near the window for an evening call, he glanced at the clock and noticed he had a few minutes before it started. His laptop chimed quietly with the incoming meeting alert, but instead of joining immediately, he stood up and walked over to the cupboard.
"By the way," he said, voice casual but purposeful.
Vaani looked up from the dining table where she was quietly sipping on a glass of water. Her brows lifted slightly. "Hmm?"
He opened the cupboard, pulled something out, then shut it softly behind him. Turning around, he walked toward her with a small black box in hand. "This is for you."
She blinked. "For me?"
He nodded, holding it out. She took it gently, her fingers brushing against his briefly. She opened the box slowly.
Inside, nestled in black velvet, was a delicate mangalsutra-much simpler than the one she wore during the wedding. The gold and black beads were the same, but the chain was finer, the pendant minimal-just a small, subtle charm that caught the light when tilted.
Her expression shifted to surprise. She looked up at him. "It's beautiful..."
"I just thought," he started, scratching the back of his neck, "this one might be easier to wear every day. Less heavy. Less-ornate."
She looked back down at it again, the simplicity of the piece making it even more thoughtful somehow.
"If you want to wear it," he added, tone softer now. "You don't have to, of course."
"No, I... I like it," she said quietly, running her thumb along the pendant. "Thank you."
He gave a small nod, and then his phone buzzed again, reminding him of his meeting. He glanced at it. "I have to hop on this call," he said, already turning toward the couch. "But... yeah. Just thought I'd give it now."
She gave him a faint smile and closed the box slowly, placing it on the table beside her. As he sat down with his headset and screen lighting up his face, she looked at the box once more.
It wasn't grand. It wasn't dramatic.
But it was thoughtful. Practical. Quietly kind.
??