Chapter - 16
The next morning, I woke up early as usual and noticed my angel sleeping beside me, her lips forming a perfect pout, looking absolutely adorable.
They looked so juicy that for a moment, I found myself lost in the sight.
No, Aarav, don't go there, I scolded myself, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.
After freshening up, I headed downstairs and told my mother, "Maa, arrange some clothes for her. Her clothes haven't come yet." I tried to keep my voice cold; I didn't want anyone to see my softer side.
"Don't worry, I'll arrange her clothes," my mother replied. "I'll send Anaya so she won't feel odd." I just nodded, grateful for her support, and moved toward my home gym.
Two hours later, I returned to my room, but Siya wasn't there. She must have gone downstairs already. I quickly took a shower and got ready in traditional wear. Today, I wasn't going to the office; I would work from my home office instead.
When I finally made my way downstairs, everyone was talking.
But as soon as I entered, the room fell silent.
My eyes immediately found Siya. She was wearing a saree, complete with a mangalsutra and sindoor on her head.
She looks like mine, I thought, a sense of pride swelling in my chest. But she didn't glance my way.
That's not fair, angel. At least you should notice me. But never mind.
I sat down in my chair, noticing she was still standing. Why is she standing? Before I could say anything, Dadi Maa called out, "Siya beta, come and sit beside Aarav." She moved to sit beside me without even glancing in my direction.
As everyone started eating, I watched her.
She was observing everyone's reactions. When they praised her, a smile spread across her face, and I couldn't help but feel warmth in my chest. I took a small bowl of kheer and ate without showing any expression, but let me tell you, she had magic in her hands.
I wanted to kiss her hand right then, but I knew I couldn't.
After we finished breakfast, Dadi Maa said, "Come to my room when you're done, beta. I want to talk to you." I excused myself and moved to my home office to focus on work, my mind still lingering on my angel and her enchanting presence.
I called my personal assistant and told him to arrange all types of clothes and accessories for my wife before evening. After cutting the call, I tried to focus on my work.
After about five or six hours, Anaya called to inform me that Dadi Maa was looking for me. I made my way downstairs, and as soon as I entered the room, I was immediately struck by the sight of my angel. She looked beautiful—"beautiful" was a word far too small to describe her.
My mother gestured for me to sit in front of Siya to play a game as part of a ritual.
As Chachi explained the rules, I noticed my angel listening carefully, her eyes focused and attentive.
When we began to find the ring, our hands brushed against each other, sending a strange feeling through me.
In the first round, I found a ring, and in the second round, she found one.
As we continued playing, everyone started cheering for her, and I wanted to cheer too, but I didn't want to show this softer side in front of others.
In the third round, I had already found a ring, but I waited for her to find one.
When I saw the sadness on her face because she hadn't found it, I couldn't help but hold her hand so we could find the ring together.
As we lifted our hands out of the bowl, everyone started teasing us, and I felt a slight smile creeping onto my face.
After the ritual, Dadi Maa told me to put the ring on her finger, and I did so without hesitation. Once that was over, my mother said, "Anaya, take Siya to her room. She needs to rest now." After they left, I went to my room and headed straight to my closet to change into more comfortable clothes.
Once I was changed, I walked back into the room and said, "I've arranged your clothes in the closet.
You can take a look. If you need anything, just let me know.
" She nodded, and I stepped out of the room.
I knew if I stayed in the same room, she wouldn't be able to rest; she'd be too nervous around me. So, I went to my study room to work.
I heard a soft knock on the door, so I opened it to find a lady standing there. "Rani Sa," she said, "everyone is waiting for you in the dining room." Rani Sa? Why is she calling me that? I didn't want to make a fuss or ask unnecessary questions, so I simply nodded and followed her.
When I reached the dining room, everyone was already seated. After we started eating, Dadi Maa announced, "Aarav, the reception will happen as planned tomorrow, so you need to take care of everything."
But he shook his head firmly, a serious expression clouding his face. "No, Dadi Maa, we won't do the reception right now."
Dadi Maa looked at him in surprise, her brows knitting together. "But Aarav—"
He interrupted her, his voice resolute. "Dadi Maa, I don't want anyone to know who my wife is right now. So, the reception is off."
A wave of confusion washed over me. Why was he doing this? Did he not want me as his wife? My chest tightened with doubt. Maybe he didn't. After all, I was just the replacement bride.
Dadi Maa's concern was palpable. "What about the ladies who came for the muh dikhai? They will expect it."
His expression hardened, the tension in the air thickening. "They are close to our family. I'll make it clear to them that not a single word about her will leave this house. If they disobey, the consequences will not be good."
I sat quietly, my mind spinning. The rest of the dinner passed in silence, and I hardly touched my food.
What does it mean that he doesn't want anyone to know about me?
A flood of thoughts overwhelmed me.
Was I not worthy of being acknowledged as his wife?
I felt a familiar ache in my heart, the uncertainty gripping me like a vice.
After dinner, I made my way back to my room. Stepping onto the balcony, I gazed up at the stars, seeking solace in their distant glow.
"Mom, Dad," I thought, my heart heavy, "I don't understand what's happening.
Why would he say that? Everyone here is kind to me; they make me feel at home, something I've missed since you both left.
But he doesn't want me to be known as his wife.
I know that as a replacement bride, I shouldn't expect anything, yet how can I tell my heart not to hope for more?
" I lost track of time, lost in my thoughts.
Suddenly, I sensed someone behind me. I turned to find him standing against the wall, watching me.
How long had he been there? Did he hear what I was saying?
No, that's impossible; I had only been thinking to myself.
But his gaze made me feel nervous. Why was he staring at me? What had I done wrong?
Before I could overthink, he spoke. "We should sleep. It's late now." I nodded, relieved to break the silence. He started walking back inside the room, and I followed him.
As I entered the room, a swirl of emotions hit me. It was beautiful yet unfamiliar, like a fairytale I never expected to be part of. I sat on the bed, my heart racing as I gathered my thoughts, trying to make sense of everything.
He walked over to the closet, and I watched him in silence, my mind racing. Does he really not want me as his wife? My thoughts spiraled into doubt. Am I just a temporary solution?
After a while, he turned around and walked toward me, holding a small box in his hands. He stood in front of me and said softly, "This is for you. Take it." His voice was gentle, a tone I had never heard from him before, making my heart flutter despite my confusion.
Curious, I reached out and took the box from him. I opened it carefully, and my heart leaped with joy. Inside was a beautiful pair of payals. I loved payals! No other gift I had ever received made me feel this happy. It was as if my heart was dancing with excitement.
Before I could say anything, he spoke again, "This is a gift for your first rasoi. I haven't given you anything yet, so I thought this would be special."
His words hung in the air, and a rush of emotions flooded me.
A gift for my first rasoi. The thought was sweet, yet it twisted in my heart.
He didn't want anyone to know about me as his wife, yet here he was, giving me a gift that acknowledged our new bond.
Why would he do this when he seemed so intent on keeping our marriage a secret?
"That's not necessary," I replied, trying to downplay my happiness, but warmth spread through my cheeks. I felt conflicted. Does he truly see me as his wife, or am I merely fulfilling a role?
"But it is necessary," he insisted, his gaze steady and sincere. "My wife made something for me for the first time, so I should give her a gift, right?"
I couldn't help but feel a flutter of hope mixed with doubt. If he acknowledges me like this, does it mean he cares? Or is this just part of the fa?ade?
I glanced at the delicate payals, their beauty captivating me. But why would he give me something so personal when he doesn't want anyone to know who I am? The questions swirled in my mind, leaving me feeling more uncertain than ever.
"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. It was all I could offer, caught in the web of emotions that surrounded me.
He smiled slightly and went back to the closet. A few minutes later, he returned, changed into more comfortable clothes. We lay on our sides of the bed, maintaining some distance between us. I could feel the space separating us, but it felt oddly comfortable, like a safe boundary.
I closed my eyes, letting the day's events wash over me. I didn't even realize when I drifted off to sleep, feeling a sense of peace for the first time in a long while.
Siya woke up the next morning to find herself alone in the room. Panic flooded her as she glanced at the clock and realized she was running late. She rushed to the bathroom, quickly taking a shower and trying to shake off the sleepiness.
After getting ready, she picked a beautiful gold saree made of handloom tissue silk, adorned with pearls.
However, as she struggled to make the pleats properly, frustration began to bubble up inside her.
Shivji, why did I choose this saree today?
I should have picked a different one, she thought, feeling the pressure of time.
Just as she contemplated changing into something simpler, Aarav entered the room. Startled, she dropped her focus on the saree, her heart racing. She was too busy trying to fix the pleats to notice him at first.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she looked up at him.
"I'm helping you," he replied calmly, kneeling down beside her.
"But..." she started, but he silenced her with a gentle "Sss... let me help you, hmm?"
With expert hands, he began arranging the pleats of her saree, and she watched him in silence, a mix of surprise and gratitude swelling within her. Once he finished, he looked up at her and said, "Now, you can secure the pleats."
Siya followed his instructions, tucking the pleats neatly as he guided her. A sense of warmth spread through her, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for his assistance.
"Wait for me; we'll go together," he added with a nod before heading into the bathroom.
Siya stood there, her heart racing, feeling a strange mix of emotions. She finished adjusting her saree and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever the day had in store.