Chapter 10 A New Beginning
The grand gates of Rathore Mansion slowly opened.
Rows of golden lights illuminated the pathway leading to the majestic mansion.
The wedding procession finally came to a halt.
Aadhira stepped out of the car quietly.
The heavy bridal lehenga felt heavier than before.
Perhaps because she wasn't just carrying its weight.
She was carrying seven years of loneliness.
The Rathore family had already gathered near the entrance.
Rajveer Singh Rathore stood proudly beside Savitri Devi Rathore while the rest of the family waited for the arrival of the new bride.
Aadhira lowered her gaze.
She could feel several pairs of eyes on her.
Some curious.
Some indifferent.
Some cautious.
Everyone knew her story.
Or at least the version the world believed.
Nobody openly judged her.
Yet nobody welcomed her with affection either.
And honestly...
Aadhira preferred that.
She was tired of fake sympathy.
Savitri Devi stepped forward holding the aarti thali.
The ritual began quietly.
After completing the aarti, Savitri placed a small tika on Aadhira's forehead.
"Welcome home."
The words were simple.
Polite.
Nothing more.
Aadhira nodded respectfully.
The griha pravesh ritual followed.
A silver kalash was placed before her.
Aadhira gently nudged it with her foot.
The rice spilled across the marble floor.
She stepped into the tray of red alta and entered the mansion.
Crimson footprints appeared behind her.
Marking the arrival of the Rathore family's new daughter-in-law.
The family watched silently.
No one spoke much.
The hour was late.
Everyone looked exhausted after the wedding ceremonies.
After a few remaining rituals were completed, Nandhini Rathore finally spoke.
"Enough for today."
Her voice was gentle.
"Everyone is tired."
She looked at Arjun.
"Arjun."
He immediately turned toward her.
"Take Aadhira upstairs. You both should rest."
Arjun nodded once.
Without argument.
Without expression.
Aadhira quietly followed him.
The marble staircase seemed endless.
Neither spoke.
Neither attempted conversation.
They reached the room at the end of the corridor.
Arjun opened the door.
Aadhira stepped inside.
The room was spacious.
Elegant.
Sophisticated.
Everything reflected Arjun Rathore's personality.
Minimal.
Organized.
Cold.
Without looking at her, Arjun spoke.
"You can freshen up first."
Aadhira simply nodded.
A few minutes later both had changed into comfortable clothes.
The wedding jewelry had been removed.
The heavy bridal attire replaced by a simple suit.
For the first time all day, Aadhira felt like she could breathe.
She sat quietly on the edge of the bed.
Arjun stood near the window.
His hands tucked inside his pockets.
His expression unreadable.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I think we should make a few things clear."
Aadhira looked at him calmly.
Arjun continued.
"I wasn't interested in marriage."
His voice remained flat.
"I agreed because of my family."
No reaction.
No surprise.
Nothing.
Aadhira simply listened.
"As long as you don't create problems for me or my family, I won't interfere in your life."
His eyes met hers.
"And don't expect any romantic relationship from me."
The room became silent.
Arjun waited.
Perhaps expecting disappointment.
Perhaps expecting anger.
Maybe even tears.
Instead-
Aadhira nodded.
"I understand."
That was all.
Just three words.
No questions.
No complaints.
No attempts to convince him otherwise.
Arjun frowned slightly.
For the first time since their marriage discussions began, he seemed caught off guard.
Most people would have argued.
At the very least looked upset.
But Aadhira simply accepted his words as though they meant nothing.
Almost as though she had expected them.
"I understand," she repeated softly.
"And you don't have to worry. I won't interfere in your life either."
For a brief moment, Arjun found himself staring at her.
Her expression wasn't hurt.
Wasn't offended.
It was simply indifferent.
As though she had no expectations from him in the first place.
That realization felt strangely unsettling.
His phone suddenly rang.
The sound broke the silence.
Arjun glanced at the screen.
Business call.
Without another word, he walked outside.
The corridor was quiet.
Most family members had already retired for the night.
As he answered the call and finished the conversation, he noticed someone standing nearby.
Aditya Rathore.
Leaning casually against the railing.
Watching him.
Arjun sighed.
"What?"
Aditya smiled slightly.
"Nothing."
"Then stop staring."
The brother chuckled.
For a moment silence settled between them.
Then Aditya spoke.
"Don't do anything you'll regret later."
Arjun immediately understood what he meant.
His expression hardened.
"I know what I'm doing."
Aditya folded his arms.
"Do you?"
Arjun remained silent.
Aditya continued.
"And don't judge someone before you know them."
A humorless smile appeared on Arjun's face.
"Interesting advice."
Aditya raised an eyebrow.
"You have something to say?"
"I do."
Arjun stepped closer.
"The person who should have gotten married first is you."
Aditya groaned.
Here we go.
"You are older than me."
Arjun continued mercilessly.
"How many years has the family tried convincing you?"
"Arjun-"
"No."
Arjun interrupted.
"You refused every proposal."
"You escaped."
"And then I became the next target because apparently I'm at the right marriageable age."
Aditya laughed despite himself.
"You sound traumatized."
"I am."
Aditya shook his head.
"That's hardly my fault."
Arjun glared.
Aditya's amusement slowly disappeared.
His voice became serious.
"Maybe not."
"But you are married now."
The words hung heavily between them.
"You may not want this marriage."
"You may not like it."
"You may not even understand it."
"But she is your wife."
Arjun's expression remained unreadable.
Aditya continued.
"So whether you want this marriage or not..."
"Treat her with respect."
"Take care of her."
"That's the least she deserves."
The silence stretched.
Finally Arjun exhaled.
"I know."
Aditya nodded.
The conversation ended there.
Neither brother felt the need to say more.
A few moments later, Arjun returned to his room.
The lights had been dimmed.
The room was quiet.
He glanced toward the bed.
Aadhira was already asleep.
Curled slightly on one side.
Exhaustion evident on her face.
For the first time all day, she looked peaceful.
Arjun stared for a moment.
Then looked away.
Without disturbing her, he walked to the other side of the bed.
Maintaining a careful distance.
The room fell silent once again.
Two strangers.
Bound together by marriage.
Separated by invisible walls neither of them knew how to cross.
Outside, the night deepened.
And somewhere within the vast Rathore Mansion...
A new story quietly began.