I had been waiting anxiously in the new room for the past ten minutes, it was my wedding night. I was startled by my thoughts when someone came into the room. I slowly turned to look at who it was, and it was him, my husband, the great Kartavya Raichand. I gulped looking at him and the only thought I had when I looked at him was ‘he’s the most beautiful man I've ever seen’. He slowly walked towards me without breaking eye contact.

I had to raise my head to look at him standing over me at  6’3, to my 5' 6 height with broad shoulders and a lean body. He was the epitome of perfection with his hazel eyes, which I noticed during these past few days, changing color according to his mood, and his perfect straight nose and lips which looked so soft and red. I just stood there staring at him in a trance, after a few beats, when I noticed his lips moving. Coming out of my trance I concentrated on what he was saying.

“We need to talk.”  He said with ice lacing his voice. I looked at him confused, not understanding why he was angry. Nodding I told him okay and waited for him to continue.

“Listen, I don't know how to tell you this but I will be honest with you, I didn't want this marriage. My mother and grandmother forced me to marry. My eyes widen at his admission. "So I agreed to make them happy. As your husband, I will respect and take care of you and provide you with anything you want, that's it. So don't expect any love and affection from me,” he said looking at me in the eyes intensely to see if I understood. 

After hearing what he said, I was not the least bit surprised, as I already knew he did not want to get married to me. I was already prepared to not expect anything from him since I got to know from Amaira, my cousin who is friends with his cousin, Kavya that he was forced into this marriage by his family, just as I was by mine. So when he said that I understood him but somewhere in the corner of my heart I hoped Amaira was wrong.

"Okay, I understand. I didn't want this marriage either and I did it to make my grandparents happy." I said, he was slightly surprised by what I said, but he quickly masked it.

"Okay, then it is settled, we will behave like a normal couple in front of others but in our room we are strangers and we don't interfere in each other's business." He said with an air of authority as he looked at me intently. I gave him a brief nod, he exhaled giving me one last look and he pulled out his phone. 

"If we are done, then I'm going to change," I announced, not bothering to wait for his answer, I walked into the bathroom after collecting my clothes from my suitcases.

Ugh. I don't know what I expected but not this. I thought we could at least be friends or have some kind of understanding as we both were in the same predicament, but not outright hostility. 

Fine whatever, if he wants us to stay as strangers, then so be it, I'm not going to force him. 

The bathroom was just as classy and beautiful as the rest of his room. As soon as I walked in, I looked at myself in the mirror as my friends and family said I looked gorgeous, in a stunning pastel pink lehenga with a lot of embroidery work, it was simply just show-stopping and my makeup was done professionally highlighting my features and ending with a matte red lipstick.

I took a bath and changed into some comfortable night clothes. I walked out of the bathroom with my clothes and noticed he was talking on the phone while sitting on the bed. He looked up when he noticed I was standing there watching him.

"I'm going to take a bath. You can arrange your clothes in the closet." Collecting his clothes he walked into the bathroom, not sparing me a glance. I shook my head what an asshole.

Feeling pretty tired from the day I decided to sleep, not wanting to take his bed and get accused of trying to get close to him, I decided to sleep on the couch, I took a pillow and a blanket and made myself comfortable on the couch. As soon my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.

********

It was the next morning, and I was done getting in a red floral silk saree which was given to me by my mother-in-law earlier this morning with minimal makeup and jumkhas. I went out of the closet looking for Kartavya who was busy doing something on his phone. He was already in his grey suit as if he was going to work.

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked with a hint of panic in my voice.

"Do you think Maa will let me leave the house on the second day of my marriage?" He asked, amused. I let out a sigh of relief which he noticed.

"What happened?" He asked, walking closer to me. Not wanting to let him know that I was scared to go down alone, I just shook my head and collected my phone from the couch. "I can't solve your problem if you're not going to tell me what's bothering you" 

He is right!

"Um-uh, I don't know anyone here and it will be awkward to go downstairs alone. So I am waiting for you so I can go down with you." I said with a sheepish smile. He looked at me as his lips tugged in a smirk.

"You're scared." He asked. 

I shook my head. "I'm not scared, I'm just feeling awkward to go down all alone," I explained. He chuckled making me roll my eyes at him.

"You know you have to get used to it since this is your home now. I won't always be here." Mirth was clear in his voice, shaking his head, "Come on, let's go." He motioned for me to follow.

Nodding my head, we headed downstairs.

"Anika beta itni jaldi uth gayi?" Maa asked as soon as I entered the living room. Her voice was warm, filled with motherly concern. "You must have been tired from yesterday, you could have slept in."

(Why are you up so early?)

I smiled and shook my head. "Good morning, Maa. It's okay, I'm used to waking up early."

"Oh look, the new bride's up so early." Choti Maa walked toward us, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You could have slept some more, no one will say anything. After all, you must be tired from last night." 

I felt my stomach twist, but I forced a smile and greeted her politely. How could I tell them that nothing had happened last night? I just forced a smile and greeted her.

"Okay, okay, don't tease her, Urmila." Maa intervened gently, shaking her head at Choti Maa's antics. She turned back to me with a soft smile. "Now you have woken up, let's do Pooja then start your 'Pehli rasoi' rasam. You have to first make a sweet dish." 

Maa started walking toward the kitchen, pausing for a moment to glance back at me.. "if you don't know any then just tell me, and I will make the sweet You can just add the sugar." 

I sighed in relief at least my in-laws are nice people. "No Maa I know how to cook," I assured her.

"Bhabhi make Kheer."

"Bhabhi make gajar ka halwa."

I heard two voices behind me, turning I looked at Karthik and Kavya who are Choti Maa's children.

"Good morning bhabhi. You can make kheer since Bhai likes it." Kavya greeted me cheerfully, stepping forward to wrap me in a warm hug. I smiled at her and returned the hug before shifting my gaze to Karthik, who stood with his arms crossed and a pout on his face.

"Not fair bhabhi, you should make Gajar ka halwa." He whined.

"Oye chup tum dono, Anika beta tumhe jo atha hai vo bana dena tik hai." She smiled at me. "Chalo tum dono bahar. If you need any help just ask Girja kaki okay" Choti maa said fake glaring at the siblings. With that, all of them went out. I started gathering all the items needed for gajar ka halwa with the help of the maids. 

(Oye shut both of you, Anika dear it is okay to make whatever you know. Come on you two out.)

 Avni Bhabhi, kartavya's elder brother's wife walked into the kitchen when I was halfway to making Gajar ka Halwa. 

"Good morning, wah devrani ji apo toh jaldi uth gayi." She teased giving me a quick hug.

(Wow sister-in-law, you got up early)

"Not you too bhabhi." I groaned as I continued stirring. Laughing, she asked me what I was making and if I needed any help. When I shook my head in no. She started instructing the chief about the breakfast. 

"It smells good Anika." She praised. 

After the sweet was prepared and the pooja was done. The maids brought in the breakfast and started setting the table. By then everyone has gathered around the dining table.

"Wow! The Halwa looks delicious. Anika, did you make this?" Dadu, Kartavya's grandfather asked. A smile tugged at my lips at the compliment. I hope it takes as good as it looks. I silently hoped. 

"Arrey Anika, sit next to Kartavya. Karthik go and sit next to Avni bhabhi." Maa instructed. 

Groaning internally, I hesitated for a brief moment before making my way toward Kartavya and settling beside him. The atmosphere was light, with everyone chatting and enjoying the meal. Just as I reached for the serving spoon to take food for myself, a sharp voice cut through the warmth of the moment.

"Anika, don't you know that you should first serve your husband?" The tone was laced with disdain. I turned to see Kartavya's Bua, Damini, staring at me with a condescending smirk.

Before I could respond, she continued, her voice dripping with mockery. "Didn't your parents teach you all these, Oh I forgot you don't have parents" Kartavya's Bua Damini said in a mocking tone with an evil smirk on her face. 

The words hit me like a slap, and a lump formed in my throat. My fingers clenched around the spoon as my eyes welled up with unshed tears. The air around the table grew tense, the once-lively chatter dying down.

"Damini!" Papa's voice was sharp, laced with irritation. "I don't know what's gotten into you or why you've been behaving this way, but if you have nothing nice to say, keep your opinions to yourself. Enough of this nonsense."

Before I could react, I felt a warm touch on my hand under the table. I turned slightly to see Kartavya, his fingers gently wrapping around mine. His eyes held something unreadable, but he gave a slight shake of his head as if silently telling me not to cry.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a small smile and started serving him food, only to realize that his plate was already full. Instead, he was quietly placing food onto mine. The simple gesture sent an unexpected warmth through me, melting a little of the hurt I had just endured.

"Darshil, are you seriously taking her side now?" Damini huffed, looking at Papa indignantly. "And what did I say that was so wrong? I was simply teaching her something that no one else had bothered to teach her."

"That's enough, Bua." Kartavya's voice was cold and firm, sending a chill through the room. His sharp gaze met hers, unwavering. "She doesn't have to do that."

Damini let out an irritated huff but dropped the matter, turning back to her food with a scowl.

The tension in the room lingered for a few moments before the conversation gradually resumed, but a part of me still felt raw from her words. Yet, as I took a bite of the food Kartavya had placed on my plate, I couldn't ignore the strange feeling settling inside me.

For the first time since I stepped into this house, I didn't feel completely alone.

"Gajar ka Halwa is really delicious, Anika." Aviraj bhai Kartavya's elder brother praised with a smile on his face.

After breakfast, everyone started preparing for the 'Muh Dikhai' ceremony when Dadi called me into her room. I entered the room to find Maa and Choti Maa were present in the room.

"Anika, Aao beta," Dadi said as soon as I entered the room.

(Come dear.)

"Kya baat hai Dadi," I asked sitting next to her. Taking a box of jewellery present next to her she extended it towards me.

(What's the matter grandma?)

"Here take this. You're nekh for making such delicious sweet" She smiled passing the jewelry box to me.

"But I can't take this Dadi. No, I can't." I shook my head passing back the box to her.

"No beta, this is your blessing from me," She said while opening it, there's a beautiful gold necklace with emeralds along with a beautiful pair of earrings. Taking the box from her, I stood up and touched her feet for blessing.

"Here Anika this is from me." Maa gave me a beautiful diamond necklace and kissed my forehead. "My Kartavya might behave very cold on the outside but on the inside, he has a beautiful heart which I know he will show you very soon." 

Choti Maa also gave me gold bangles. I touched both of their feet and took their blessings.

"Now go and rest, the ceremony will start in the afternoon," Maa said patting my hair. Thanking them one last time I made my way to my room.

******

It was afternoon and I was getting ready for Muh Dikhai. Avni Bhabhi and Kavya were with me while the professionals worked on my makeup. I was in a white lehenga with blue lace work all over it. The lehenga was stunning. It was hand-picked by my best friend.

"And all done." The makeup artist said, turning me towards the mirror. She did a really good job with makeup and I absolutely loved it. I was admiring myself when Bhabhi called.

"Anika you looked gorgeous, I wish we could take some pictures but people have already started arriving. Come on everyone has arrived and is waiting for you downstairs." She said adjusting my dupatta. 

I thanked her and we went out of the room and could hear people chattering and there were a lot of people.

"How many people are here?" I asked no one in particular my nerves getting the better of me. 

"At least 50 people for the ceremony and their families are in the backyard," Kavya said as we made our way downstairs. Oh god, I groaned internally.

"Don't worry it'll be over soon. Even I felt exactly the same and I will be right by your side." Avni Bhabhi assured me with a comforting smile. 

When we reached the living room Maa stood up and hugged me. " You look so beautiful, Anika. Kiski nazar na lage." Saying that she put Kohl from her waterline behind my ears. I smiled and thanked her. "Come on let's go they are waiting."

(Hope no one puts an evil eye on you)

With that, the ceremony started and one by one all the ladies came and lifted my veil and complimented me giving me gifts, some compliments were genuine and some were fake. It was a tiring task to sit there and wait for everyone to come and look at you but it was done and I was really happy about it.

After the ceremony, everyone started mingling around while having food. That's when a group of young girls came and stopped me while I was going to get some water. Along with them were Kavya and Kushi.

"Hi! How is it to marry Kartavya? Because everyone here wanted to marry him at one point. You're lucky you got him." One of the girls asked with an eager smile. 

I forced a polite smile, my eyes subtly scanning the room for Avni Bhabhi or Karthik anyone who could help me escape this conversation. I just wanted some alone time.

"I don't think he was willing to marry you. I know he was forced to marry you. You're not even that pretty." Someone else said in a bitchy tone. I looked at the girl who said it and remembered her being Amaira's friend. Amaira, my cousin, Kavya, and Kushi were all friends since they went to the same college. No wonder she is behaving like that.

"Nidhi stop--"Kavya started, her voice filled with embarrassment, but I simply raised a hand to silence her.

"Yet here we are. He was forced to marry so many times wasn't he Kavya?" I said looking at Kavya who looked uncomfortable.

"But in the end," I continued, my gaze flicking back to Nidhi, "he married me. So, there must be something about me that made him finally decide to settle down. Right?" I raised an eyebrow, watching as her face turned red whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn't care less.

Without waiting for a response, I gave her a small, dismissive smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Turning on my heel, I walked away, heading straight for the refreshments. I needed some water and a break from these ridiculous conversations.