3.

AUTHOR'S POV

“Bhai.”

A sudden, familiar voice echoes through the hall.

It is none other than Advik.

Everyone’s gaze immediately shifts toward him. Taking advantage of the distraction, Ishani quietly steps away from her place. The moment between her and Atharva feels slightly awkward and unspoken, so she uses the pause to move aside naturally.

Advik walks up to Atharva and pulls him into a brief hug.

“Where were you, bhai?” he asks casually.

Atharva’s expression remains calm.

“Not important for you to know,” he replies.

Before the conversation stretches any further, their mother speaks in a calm voice.

“Now, if your bharat milap is done, we can go for breakfast.”

A soft chuckle slips from Ishani at her words.

Everyone’s eyes turn toward her.

Realizing the attention, Ishani lowers her gaze and walks toward the dining table.

She begins serving food, her movements quiet and steady.

Both brothers take their seats as Ishani serves kheer to each of them.

Advik tastes it and smiles.

“Wow, bhabhi! What a nice kheer you’ve made.”

Then he looks at Atharva and adds playfully,

“Bhai, isn’t it tasty?”

Atharva looks at the bowl… then at Ishani—still standing with her eyes lowered

Atharva hums softly in response, and Ishani’s face lights up at the simple reaction. It’s nothing much—just a sound—but Atharva notices the small change in her expression.

Ishani’s POV

When Advik bhai asks Atharva if the kheer is tasty, I don’t really expect him to like it. But hearing that quiet hum from him—so small, so unguarded—makes my day in a way I can’t explain.

I’m lost in my thoughts when Maa’s voice pulls me back.

“Ishani, why are you standing there? Come, sit and eat.”

I look around. There’s only one empty seat left, and it’s beside Atharva.

I hesitate.

I don’t know if he would like me sitting next to him or not. The thought makes me nervous, unsure of myself.

Before I can say anything, he moves the chair slightly, just enough to make space for me.

The gesture is quiet. Almost casual.

But my heart flutters at it.

I sit beside him and take a bowl of kheer for myself. I begin eating, trying to stay calm, pretending my heartbeat hasn’t suddenly grown louder.

I’ve barely taken a few bites when Maa speaks again, her tone light and teasing.

“Atharva, didn’t you buy anything for your wife for her first rasoi?”

His expression remains calm, but mine feels completely opposite.

I feel exposed, like everyone can see my nervousness. A small part of me silently pleads—Maa, please don’t do this. I might collapse.

My heart starts beating too fast.

Atharva reaches into his coat and takes out a small pendant. He looks at me, silently asking me to turn around so he can make me wear it.

“Atharva… I didn’t expect this from you,”

Maa says, half teasing, half surprised.

He doesn’t react much. His face stays calm.

I look at him with soft, unsure eyes. Before I can move my hair myself, he gently lifts it aside. His fingers brush against the skin of my neck, and the sudden touch sends a shiver down my spine.

I hold my breath.

He fastens the pendant carefully.

It’s beautiful—a small lotus-shaped design, touched with soft shades of red and pink. The colors feel familiar, almost personal, as if they quietly carry my name within them.

I don’t say anything.

But my heart doesn’t slow down.

AUTHOR’S POV

Ishani stands in the kitchen, absent-mindedly playing with the pendant resting against her fingers—the one her husband has just made her wear. A small, shy smile curves on her lips.

Butterflies flutter wildly in her stomach.

She never expects this much from him.

Not from the man who left her alone on their wedding night.

Her thoughts drift, her heart light yet confused, wrapped in a quiet happiness she doesn’t quite understand. She is so lost in her dreamy state that she doesn’t notice the voice calling her.

“Bhabhi?”

Advik’s voice finally reaches her ears.

“What are you doing? Bhai is calling you in the room,” he says.

Ishani’s breath catches.

Why is he calling me?

Did I do something wrong?

I hope I didn’t upset him…

The sudden fear replaces the warmth in her chest. Her fingers tighten around the pendant unconsciously.

She is still lost in her thoughts when Advik gently shakes her arm.

“Bhabhi, what are you thinking so deeply about?” he says with a teasing smile.

“Don’t worry—bhai won’t eat you.”

Ishani looks at him, startled, then slightly embarrassed. She doesn’t reply, but her silence makes it clear that she’s already been teased enough.

Without saying another word, she turns and quietly walks toward her room—

her heart pounding,

her thoughts racing,

and the pendant still warm against her skin.

ISHANI’S POV

I knock on the door, my heart racing, not knowing what waits for me inside.

“Come in,” his voice answers.

I step into the room.

He is standing near the mirror, tying his tie. His tall frame fills the space effortlessly, his presence alone enough to establish his dominance in the room.

He sees me through the mirror and then turns around.

“You don’t have to knock to enter your own room,” he says.

Those simple words make my chest feel strangely warm—as if, for a moment, I belong here… with him.

“Sit down. I have to say something,” he adds.

I sit on the couch, but anxiety curls tightly in my stomach. Whatever he wants to say feels heavy—important.

He sits on the bed in front of me. It’s the first time since our marriage that I’m seeing him from this close.

His face is calm—too calm.

Cold. Stern.

No softness, no emotion. Like a man who has already built walls around himself.

Yet, despite it all, he looks unbearably handsome.

The realization hits me hard—I’m admiring him.

Embarrassed, I quickly lower my gaze.

“I want to ask you something,” he says.

My heart skips. Then pounds faster.

“Do you expect anything from this marriage?” he asks, then pauses briefly before adding,

“Because I don’t.”

My eyes lift to his face, confused. My thoughts tangle as I try to understand what he truly means.

He straightens his posture. His jaw tightens slightly. His voice turns firmer—emotionless, controlled.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” he continues.

“I will fulfill all my duties as your husband. I’ll give you respect. Security. Everything.”

He looks straight into my eyes now, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

“But I can’t be your husband,” he says coldly.

“I wasn’t ready for this marriage. I agreed only because of Maa.”

Each word lands like a blow to my chest.

Pain spreads through me as I struggle to breathe properly. My mind fills with questions, hurt, disbelief.

So… I’m just a responsibility?

Just a decision made for his mother?

Before I can process my thoughts, his voice reaches me again—final, firm.

“For the world, we are husband and wife,

” he says.

“But for me… you are only my Maa’s choice.”

He stands up.

Without looking back, he walks out of the room, leaving behind silence… and me.