We ate in silence.

But every now and then, I found myself stealing glances at Myra.

Once we were done, I picked up the plates and placed them on the table.

As I turned back, I noticed her-she was already looking at me.

"What happened?" I asked with a small smile.

"Nothing... I was just wondering how you can be... such a good person And then.... what if all of this is just an act? What if you're only trying to impress me because we're newly married... and later, you change?" she said, her brows slightly furrowed.

And I looked at her. Really looked at her.

"And what made you think I'm a good person?" I asked, sitting at a slight distance on the bed.

It was interesting to hear a compliment for me.

"Your gentle and respectful behavior... the way you never made me feel small... the way you cooked for me... understood my exhaustion without me saying a word... the way you speak so kindly... and..." she paused, her voice softening, "the way you stopped when I said no."

She looked away, lost somewhere in her thoughts.

I took a deep breath.

"Are you feeling sleepy?" I asked gently.

She looked at me and after a few seconds, shook her head.

"Then... can we talk?"

"What?..umm

... Yes... but you look tired. You should sleep."

"I'm fine, Myra."

I adjusted myself comfortably on the bed, and she did the same.

"You're right, Myra. Everything I did... anyone should do. I don't think I did anything extraordinary. And about stopping when you said no... I wasn't here to... do anything to you. You were uncomfortable in those clothes, so I just thought removing some of it might help you sleep peacefully."

"Really?" she asked, surprised.

"So... you didn't actually want to touch me?" she asked innocently.

"No. Right now, we only share a relationship in name... one that was formed without our consent. And I think your consent mattered even less in all this... didn't it?"

She looked at me blankly, and within seconds, her eyes turned moist.

"You're right... I had no choice in this marriage," she said flatly.

"I understand-"

"You don't understand, Viraat!" she snapped.

I went silent, my gaze shifting to her face-filled with pain, anger, and resentment.

"My parents didn't understand me. My brother didn't understand me. They just announced their decision-that I had to marry you. I wasn't given a choice. I was forced into this... because they wanted to get rid of a burden. And they did."

Her voice trembled, yet held a sharp edge.

"If you understood... you could have refused this marriage. But no, you didn't. You didn't even try to talk to me once... to ask if I even wanted this. And for that... I will never forgive you. No matter what you do for me."

I smiled.

A painful one.

"What makes you think I had a choice, Myra?" I asked.

"Of course you did. You're a man-"

"That doesn't mean I was given a choice," I cut her off.

I walked to the balcony, my back now facing her.

"My father didn't ask me either... he told me. I refused. I said I didn't want to get married. But he didn't listen. I came to your house... not once, but many times... just to talk to you. But your family never let me meet you. They didn't even give me your Contact number."

I lowered my head slightly.

"Believe me, Myra... more than you, I didn't want this marriage. And that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you... it's just that... the problem lies within me."

Silence filled the room.

After a while, I turned to face her.

"If you don't trust my words now, it's okay. You will, with time. You have every right not to trust me. Just understand one thing... I'm already a disappointment in my father's eyes. I couldn't afford to disappoint him more by refusing this marriage."

I looked at her.

Her eyes were filled with tears now-soft, restrained ones.

"I know a lot of wrong has happened to you. And for that... I'm truly sorry. But I promise... I will never hurt you. Never."

"Our relationship won't move forward until there's love between us. I know right now, there are no feelings... but maybe someday, we might find comfort in each other. Maybe."

"Because for me... you are my wife now. Even if we remain husband and wife only in name for the rest of our lives... I won't be able to look at anyone else."

"It's your choice now... whether you forgive me or not. I won't force you."

With that, I turned to leave the room.

"Suniye..."

Her voice stopped me.

And it did something to my heart.

Not just something...but everything.

I stayed where I was and slightly turned my head.

"Jii..kahiye Myra?"

She got up and walked toward me.

"Peeche Mudiye na ."

I did.

"Meri taraf Dekhiye."

I slowly met her gaze.

"Mujhe Maaf Kar Dijiye"

I was about to say something, but she held my hand.

"Now I'll speak, and you'll listen. I'm sorry. I'm really very sorry. I spoke to you so harshly without even hearing your side."

She gently held her ear.

"A big sorry, Viraat."

I quickly lowered her hand.

"No, no... what are you doing? You don't need to do this."

She paused, then lowered her gaze.

"To be honest... I never wanted to accept this relationship."

And for a moment... I felt rejected.

Once again.

Instinctively I slowly began to pull my hand away.

But she tightened her grip and looked at me.

"But now... I want to give this relationship a chance. I know my decision changed too quickly... but sometimes, a few moments are enough to choose what's right. And... you feel right to me."

I looked at her, slightly amused.

"So I think... we should start as friends. And then... we'll see about love later."

That made me smile.

"That sounds like a great idea."

I winked at her-and to my surprise, she blushed.

"Oh God... you're blushing," I said, trying to hold back my laugh.

"No, I'm not!" she quickly pulled her hand away.

"Yes, you are. Go look in the mirror."

"Oh God, shut up! I am not blushing!" she snapped, throwing a pillow at me.

"Okay, okay... You Won, little Fighter. Calm down."

Little Fighter.

That's a good start.

She stopped... and then suddenly, we both burst into laughter.

"Come, you should sleep now. You haven't rested properly," she said, tapping the space beside her.

"No, you sleep on the bed. I'll sleep somewhere else."

"No. You sleep here. We'll maintain our distance. And honestly... I trust you enough for that now," she said teasingly.

As I walked toward the bed, I asked, "Are you sure, Myra? You don't have to do this if you're even a little uncomfortable-"

"I feel safe with you, Viraat."

And That was enough for me.

I smiled and lay down on one side of the bed.

She lay down on the other, placing pillows between us like a barrier.

Her back was facing me.

"Myra?"

"Yes?" she turned toward me.

"If anyone here ever says anything wrong to you... or behaves badly... tell me. I know I couldn't stand up for myself... but no one will do anything wrong to you in front of me."

"Not even my father."

I said it with quiet determination.

"Thank you so much, Viraat."

I just smiled.

And slowly... we both drifted off to sleep.

🌺

The morning had already begun, and I was now in the kitchen because today was my pehli rasoi ritual.

I was dressed in a pale yellow saree-light and comfortable, because I've never liked heavy ones.

"Tum bana logi na, beta... you're already late. Don't get any later, or his father will leave without eating," Viraat's mother said.

"Ji, I'll manage," I replied softly.

"Alright then," she said before leaving the kitchen.

I took a deep breath and began preparing suji ka halwa for my first ritual.

As I stirred the Suji, a sudden memory crossed my mind-the reason why I was late.

A soft smile appeared on my lips.

And no... I wasn't Blushed.

Flashback:

It was 5 a.m. when Viraat's mother knocked on the door. My eyes wouldn't even open properly.

Reluctantly, I started to get up from the bed to open the door, but just then, Viraat held my hand. I looked at him with sleepy eyes, and he shook his head in refusal.

"Viraat... Maa is here," I whispered.

"Let it be. It's too early... don't open the door. I know you'll be exhausted in the name of rituals. So just let it be," he said, still lying down, as he gently released my hand.

"But what will I tell Maa?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just go back to sleep. She'll knock for a while and then assume we didn't hear."

"Are you sure, Viraat?"

"Yes, Myra. Go to sleep. I can clearly see the sleep in your eyes."

"But the rituals?"

"They can happen later. Right now, rest is more important. I don't understand these early morning rituals anyway-they only exhaust a tired bride. And I don't want my bride to get more tired...so just sleep."

I waited for a few seconds. The knocking continued, but trusting his words, I lay back down.

Whatever happens later... we'll deal with it .

And with that thought, I drifted back to sleep.

Flashback Ends.

A smile lingered on my face as I realized how important it is to have a supportive husband.

If Viraat hadn't stood by me at that moment, I would've probably been collapsing from exhaustion right now.

Anyway, I walked toward the cupboard to get some sugar.

The jar was placed quite high, making it difficult for me to reach.

I stretched my arm upward, standing on my toes, trying to grab it-

But suddenly, I felt someone behind me.

A body hovered too close. One hand reached past me to take the sugar jar, while the other brushed against my waist.

A wave of disgust curled through me.

I didn't like that touch.

Instinctively, my elbow reacted-I struck the man standing behind me straight in the stomach.

"Ouch!"

A man's voice came from behind.

I quickly stepped aside, creating distance, and turned to look at him.

He was a stranger. For me.

"Who are you?" I asked, scanning him from head to toe.

He looked at me with a sly expression.

"You didn't recognise me? I am Your devar, bhabhi jii...Aditya Oberoi"

he said, extending the sugar jar toward me.

"Sugar... I just came to give you sugar."

A smirk played on his lips.

I shot him an angry glare, my eyes burning into his as if he hadn't just invaded my space moments ago.

But I wasn't someone who stepped back.

"What did you just do?"

"What did I do, bhabhi? I was just taking out the sugar jar for you," he replied, mock innocence dripping from his voice.

I strode towards him quickly, but he didn't move an inch.

"Don't talk nonsense. Why did you touch my waist?" I snapped, pointing a finger at him.

This time, his expression turned serious.

"Lower your finger, bhabhi ji. I don't like any woman standing in front of me and talking to me like that."

I stepped even closer.

"Then learn to control your hands first, devar ji. I am a woman-but I am not weak."

For a moment, he just looked at me silently... and then that smile returned.

But this time, it wasn't pleasant.

"You're different, btw... Acchi lagi aap mujhe ."

"I have no interest in being liked by you. Leave. And if you ever try something like that again, I will break these hands of yours."

My voice held a clear warning.

He said nothing. Just smiled again... his gaze slowly traveled from my head to toe before he finally walked away.

And only then did I realize-I had been holding my breath.

I exhaled.

Yes... I was scared.

No matter how strong a girl pretends to be, in moments like these, there's always a fear buried deep inside.

A fear.

And a disgust... of that unwanted touch.

But that doesn't mean I can't fight.

The elbow I had hit him with earlier? It wasn't light. It must've hurt that disgusting man.

Shaking off the moment, I turned back to the halwa, adding sugar and water before stirring it again with the ladle.

Suddenly, someone called my name-

"Myra."

I flinched. The ladle slipped from my hand and fell straight onto my feet.

"Ahh" I gasped .

Before I could do anything someone bent down in front of me.

Viraat.

"Kya Karti hain aap Myra?" he said softly , almost Complaining.

He gently lifted the edge of my saree and carefully examined my feet. Then, using his handkerchief, he wiped off the halwa that had spilled over them. I instinctively tried to pull my foot back, but his grip tightened-firm, yet not forceful.

"Viraat, leave it-"

"Did it hurt? Is it burning?" he asked, looking up at me while still kneeling.

His hand was still around my foot... but strangely, his touch didn't feel wrong.

Not at all.

I shook my head in response.

He examined once again my feet

Then He stood up.

Viraat walked over to the sink, rinsing his hands before picking up the ladle and washing it as well.

I stood there, silently watching him.

A moment later, he turned toward me, gently stirring the halwa again with the ladle.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have called out to you so suddenly," he said, his voice laced with quiet regret.

I met his gaze.

"It's okay... it's not your fault. I was just lost in my thoughts, that's why I reacted like that. You called me very softly."

As I spoke, I reached out to take the ladle from him, but he lightly nudged my hand aside.

And I let him.

I stood there for a few seconds before turning to leave, but just then, Viraat caught my wrist with his free hand.

I turned back, my eyes dropping to where his fingers held me. He quickly released my hand, clearing his throat.

"Stay... here with me," he said softly. "I'd like that."

I looked at him, a small smile finding its way to my lips.

There was something undeniably endearing about the way he said it.

"Viraat, I'm not going anywhere. If you came here to stand beside me, how can I leave you alone?" I said gently. "Don't worry, I was just going to get the dry fruits."

Relief washed over his face-along with a faint hint of embarrassment.

I smiled, shaking my head lightly, before walking off to get them.

Placing the dry fruits on the kitchen slab, I returned and stood beside him again, our arms brushing softly. I began chopping them while he added them into the halwa.

"Looks like it's your first rasoi today too," I teased lightly.

He let out a small smile, stirring slowly.

"Well... that's exactly why I came. I thought...,Why should my wife perform this ritual alone?"

I turned to him, surprised.

"Really?"

"Of course... it's not a big deal," he replied casually.

Oh, if only he knew how big of a deal it truly was.

"Thank you, Viraat," I said softly as he turned toward me.

"You came here to support me... otherwise, it's really difficult to handle everything in a new place."

There was genuine gratitude in my voice.

Viraat paused, setting the ladle aside before turning fully toward me.

Slowly, he extended both his hands in my direction.

"Will you give me your hands?" he asked gently.

Without a second thought, I placed my hands in his.

He enclosed them in his warm grasp-firm, yet incredibly comforting.

That warmth... it reached deeper than just my skin.

Then he looked at me, a soft smile resting on his lips as he said-

"You are my wife... and more than that, you are my friend. I won't lie to you but, Whatever this relationship between us becomes, I want it to be strong-unbreakable... so strong that nothing in this world can tear it apart.

And relationships don't become strong in a single day. That's why, for my wife... and for my friend... I want to do everything that brings you happiness. And for that, I don't want your 'thank you' again and again."

I just stood there, staring at Viraat, utterly speechless.

His thumb moved gently over the back of my hand,

a soft, reassuring touch...then he bent towards me slowly and said,

"If I can promise not to leave your side even in the hardest moments of life... then this," he said quietly, "this is something very small."

And this time... I couldn't hide the blush spreading across my face.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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