2.

AUTHORS POV

The morning was dazzling, bathed in golden sunlight.

The soft rays of the sun gently kissed Ishani's skin as she slept peacefully on the couch-lost in dreams, far away from the chaos of the world.

The door clicked open, breaking the silence. And there he was-the man who was both her first and her last, the one she now belonged to. But his eyes... they carried no warmth, no trace of emotion. His face was cold, carved with indifference, yet something about the sight before him made his steps falter.

His gaze fell on Ishani's delicate figure-the same woman who had stepped into his life, his home, and his name... yet he had left her alone on the very first night of their marriage. A strange heaviness filled the air.

He stood there for a moment, unmoving, his jaw tightening as guilt pricked the corners of his heart-a feeling he wasn't used to. He was a man who never bowed to emotions, never cared for love or affection. Yet looking at her now, sleeping so innocently, something inside him softened.

Taking a deep breath, he averted his gaze, picked his clothes quietly from the cupboard, and left the room-

leaving behind the silence that spoke more than words ever could.

ISHANI'S POV

The warmth of the morning sun brushed against my face. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock-9:00 a.m. already.

"Oh, Ishani... this isn't your home," I murmured to myself, a pang of unease tightening my chest.

"It is your home, beta," a soft, gentle voice echoed in the room. I turned to see my mother-in-law standing there, her eyes warm with kindness.

"Don't ever say that again, beta. This is your home, and you are my daughter," she said, her words wrapping around my heart like a comforting blanket.

her words felt like sunlight piercing through the icy walls I had built around myself .

"And what happened to your eyes? Why are they so red?" she asked, concern lacing her tone.

I quickly ran to the mirror, my heart sinking as I saw the puffiness around my eyes. Oh no... it's from crying all night. How could I tell her that my tears were because my husband had left me alone on our first night? Silly, foolish Ishani.

"Nothing, maa... I just didn't sleep well," I whispered, forcing a calm smile.

"Take care of yourself, beta," she said softly, her hand gently brushing my shoulder. Then, to my surprise, she handed me a beautiful red saree with a golden embroidered border.

"Ishani, wear this and come downstairs. It's your first morning in this house, and I'd love to taste something cooked by my daughter, okay?"

"Okay, maa," I replied, my fingers trembling slightly as I took the saree from her.

After she left, I hurried to the bathroom, scratching my head in frustration, wondering how to reduce the puffiness and redness. But there was no time to waste. I quickly took a shower, draped the saree carefully, and applied a little makeup to cover my acne scars, finishing with a touch of lipstick.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. The maid peeked in.

"Ma'am, madam asked me to show you the kitchen," she said politely.

"Oh... okay," I replied, my heart fluttering nervously.

"Let's go, then," I said, following her downstairs. She guided me through the kitchen, showing me the ingredients and explaining everything patiently.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my hands, and placed the pot on the stove. Slowly, I began cooking the kheer, the sweet aroma filling the air and, strangely, warming my heart.

AUTHOR'S POV

The sweet aroma of kheer floated through the kitchen, wrapping the room in warmth and comfort. The kheer was ready, and Ishani instructed the maid to place it on the dining table. After tidying up, she stood by the kitchen window, letting the cold breeze caress her skin. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts-about her marriage, her husband whom she hadn't seen since the wedding... Where was he? Was he truly busy with work? Each question churned inside her like a storm, leaving her restless and uneasy.

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered her eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat. A man's touch... Could it be him? Her husband, Atharva? A spark of hope flickered in her chest, but before she could allow herself any joy, the voice broke the silence.

"Tell me who I am, bhabhi."

Ishani froze for a moment before recognition softened her expression. It was her brother-in-law, Advik Yaduvanshi.

"Of course, my little natkhat devar," she said, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

"shit," he murmured in disbelief.

"How did you recognize me?"

"Because you're the only one who calls me 'bhabhi' in this house, my little silly devar jii," she said, lightly tapping his forehead.

"Silly me," he muttered, half-cursing himself, and Ishani couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"You look cute when you smile, bhabhi," he said, a teasing warmth in his voice.

"I know," she teased back, her lips curving into a playful smile.

After a brief, light-hearted conversation, he said, "Bhabhi, let's go. Everyone is waiting for you in the hall."

"Hm... let's go," she replied, a flutter of anticipation mixing with the lingering warmth of their playful exchange as she followed him.

We both are walking toward the hall when Advik's phone starts ringing.

"Bhabhi, I have to take this call. You go ahead, I'll be there in a minute," he says.

I nod and continue walking toward the dining area

Everyone was seated at the dining table-everyone except one person,

my husband, Atharva Yaduvanshi.

Where did he go?

Why isn't he here?

Is he ignoring me?

Does he think I'm a burden to him?

Each question spun inside my head like a storm, making it hard to breathe.

The soft jingle of my payal echoed through the silence, drawing everyone's attention toward me.

"Ishani beta, what a delicious kheer you've made," my father-in-law said with a warm smile.

"Yes, it's so tasty," maa added lovingly.

Their words wrapped around my heart like a gentle hug.

I walked toward them and bent down to touch their feet.

They placed their hands over my head, giving me their blessings.

For a moment, something inside me softened-

a small corner of my heart felt overwhelmed,

craving this warmth, this acceptance...

the kind I had been longing for since the day I stepped into this house.

As I Was in my thoughts

suddenly

I felt someone standing behind me, close enough for the air around me to change.

The faint scent of his perfume brushed against my senses - strong, commanding, the kind that left a mark.

Without turning, I smiled, thinking it was Advik trying to tease me again.

"Didn't you make the kheer for me too?" a deep voice came, smooth but cold enough to make my heart skip.

Thinking it was advik I replied lightly,

"Of course, Advik bhaiya, I made enough for everyone."

I turned around slowly-

and my smile froze.

My breath hitched in my throat.

It wasn't Advik.

It was Atharva Yaduvanshi.

My husband.

His dark eyes were fixed on me, unreadable yet sharp enough to slice through the air.

His jaw was tight, his face calm - too calm.

There was no trace of warmth, not a flicker of softness.

Everyone at the table went silent,

Only the sound of my anklet echoed faintly, matching the wild beat of my heart.

He took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Seems like my wife already knows how to mistake people," he said, voice low but filled with something that made my spine stiffen.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

For a moment, it felt like t

he world had narrowed down to just the two of us-

me, trembling under his gaze,

and him, the man whose silence was louder than any scream.