Ch25 Before the Festival Begins #4
It was a simple word, but it carried gratitude, respect, and perhaps a silent appreciation for his understanding.
She turned to leave, intending to finally freshen up. But before she could reach the washroom door again, his voice stopped her.
“Rivanya.”
She paused and turned back.
“Yes?”
“There’s a surprise for you.”
Her brows lifted, curiosity replacing seriousness in an instant.
“A surprise? What surprise?”
A faint, teasing smile appeared on his lips something rare and almost boyish.
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise anymore. You’ll see when the time comes.”
Her heart fluttered unexpectedly at the softness in his tone. She nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips.
“Alright.”
There was a different kind of warmth in her expression now a quiet excitement mixed with nervous anticipation.
She finally walked into the washroom, closing the door gently behind her.
Outside, Rudraksh stood still for a few moments, his thoughts far from calm.
What she had said about their relationship echoed in his mind.
No real husband-wife relationship.
Maybe that had been true once.
But lately… things were changing.
And the surprise he had planned wasn’t just for the festival.
It was for her.
And perhaps, unknowingly, for his own heart too.
After a while, Rivanya stepped out of the washroom, fresh and fully dressed.
The softness of water still clung to her skin, and a faint fragrance followed her into the room.
The first thing she noticed was that Rudraksh’s belongings had already been neatly arranged inside the room.
His suitcase was placed properly, his clothes were organized, and a few of his essentials now occupied the space that once felt solely hers.
He was sitting on the couch, completely absorbed in his laptop, his fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard. Work mode. Focused. Composed. Distant.
The moment his eyes lifted and fell on her, they paused just for a second longer than necessary.
“Your breakfast has arrived. It’s on the table. Eat it first,” he said calmly.
Rivanya nodded softly. “Have you had your breakfast?”
Without looking at her, his eyes still fixed on the screen, he replied, “No. I got late. I’m skipping breakfast and will have lunch directly. Otherwise, my routine will get disturbed.”
She didn’t argue. She didn’t insist.
Instead, she quietly walked toward the mirror to complete her final touches.
Today, she had chosen a beautiful orange and yellow combination saree bright, warm, glowing like the early morning sun.
The colors seemed to reflect her inner strength and softness at the same time.
She first wore her matching bangles, the soft clinking sound filling the silent room.
Then she put on delicate earrings that swayed gently with every small movement of her head.
She applied light, simple makeup nothing loud, nothing excessive. Just enough to enhance her natural beauty. And finally, with steady fingers, she picked up the sindoor and filled her parting.
That small streak of red changed everything.
It wasn’t just a ritual.
It was a symbol.
And as she stood there, adjusting the pallu of her saree, Rudraksh who had unknowingly stopped typing was watching her.
Quietly.
Secretly.
From a small distance.
He didn’t understand what was happening to him. Day by day, something inside him was shifting. The indifference he once carried so confidently was slowly fading. The colors in his world, once dull and controlled, seemed to be changing ever since she entered his life like unexpected sunlight.
He looked away before she could catch him staring.
After getting fully ready, Rivanya sat down and finished her breakfast. She didn’t rush. She didn’t complain. She simply prepared herself for the long day ahead.
As she started walking toward the door to go downstairs, Rudraksh finally asked, “Where are you going?”
She turned slightly. “My family from my sasural side is coming today. Shouldn’t I prepare for lunch? I need to check everything. And I have to decorate the whole house for tomorrow. Then arrange the pooja items and so many other things. In short, I have a lot of work today.”
There was no frustration in her tone only responsibility.
He watched her carefully before responding, “Alright. But don’t take too much pressure. I know your hangover hasn’t completely gone yet. Take it easy. You don’t have to do everything yourself. There’s staff here. Just give them instructions.”
A faint smile appeared on her lips at his concern.
“Okay, Mr. Vardhan, as you say. And yes… call Vyom bhaiya for lunch today as well, alright?”
He nodded. “Alright. I’ll call him.”
She gave a small approving nod and stepped out of the room.
The soft sound of her bangles faded down the hallway.
Rudraksh looked at the closed door for a few seconds before returning his attention to the laptop. But even as he resumed typing, his mind wasn’t entirely on work.
It was somewhere downstairs.
Following the sound of orange and yellow silk moving through the corridors of his house.
Or perhaps… his home.