Chapter 2: "Unspoken Ties"

Whispers of RomanceWords: 10078

The massive entrance gate of the company swings open, allowing a sleek Rolls Royce to glide into the premises. With impeccable style, a tall and strikingly handsome man, adorned in a sophisticated black three-piece suit, gracefully emerges from the driver's seat. He confidently strides towards the private elevator at the heart of the building, swiftly pressing the button for the top floor.

As the elevator doors slide open, he steps out into a hushed atmosphere, drawing the attention of all the employees present. The collective chatter dissipates into respectful silence as the man, identified as their boss, acknowledges the morning greetings with a subtle nod. Unfazed, he proceeds towards his corner office.

Upon entering, he exudes an air of authority, unbuttoning his tailored blazer and settling into the expanse of his plush chair. His phone, adorned with a prominent nameplate proclaiming "CEO Viyansh Singhania," takes a prominent place on the sleek desk before him. The room resonates with a sense of purpose as the CEO begins his day at the pinnacle of the corporate hierarchy.

Viyansh's POV,

Upon stepping into my office, my secretary promptly arrived, armed with a stack of files and a comprehensive rundown of the day's meetings. Admittedly, the workload is substantial, but given my workaholic tendencies, it doesn't faze me much. Interestingly, I find solace in the busyness of my professional life, perhaps as a deliberate strategy to keep myself distanced from home.

Now, let me share the underlying reason. You see, the motivation behind immersing myself in work is a bit nuanced. I haven't explicitly mentioned it yet. To put it plainly, I intentionally engage in the demanding hustle of my career to create a deliberate separation from my home life.

The reason behind my relentless commitment to work lies in my recently wedded wife. Now, let me clarify—this isn't about harboring any resentment towards her. In fact, it's a situation that unfolded due to my father's strong insistence, citing it as a fulfillment of his wish. My mother tragically passed away Nine years ago in an accident, and as a result of my father's persistence, I found myself entering into matrimony.

Surprisingly, I don't harbor any regrets about this decision. My wife is a kind and caring person, evident in how she selflessly tends to the needs of everyone in my family. Her warmth has won the affection of not only my siblings but also my father. Vihaan, in particular, regards her as a sister, their acquaintance dating back to their college days. As for Viraj and Virat, they affectionately address her as "Bhabhi maa."

Perhaps the most poignant aspect is my father's connection with her. Given that my parents had always yearned for a daughter but ended up with four sons, my father now sees in her the daughter they never had.

Two weeks have passed since our marriage, and the extent of our communication has been limited to a solitary conversation on our wedding night. Regrettably, during that brief interaction, I uttered words that I now deeply regret. In an attempt to manage expectations, I conveyed to her that she shouldn't anticipate much from our marriage, as I foresaw my inability to fulfill her expectations. Witnessing the tears in her eyes, filled with unspoken questions and sorrow, left me with a heavy sense of remorse. Before she could inquire further, I hastily departed the room, leaving a palpable void between us.

The following day, she overheard me engaged in a heated argument over the phone. Strangely, from that moment onward, she refrained from uttering a single word in my presence. I noticed a palpable fear in her eyes, accompanied by visible tremors, yet the cause of her apprehension remained elusive. Perplexed, I grappled with the mystery of her fear, especially since I had never directed any anger or shouts towards her. The unspoken tension between us became an enigma, leaving me to ponder over the complexity of our strained and unexplored relationship.

Since that night, a profound silence has settled between us. Her voice has become a distant memory, and she has chosen the couch over our bed. However, an unexpected shift occurred in her behavior after a couple of days. While she maintained her silence, there was an undeniable change in the atmosphere. Without uttering a word, she began waiting for me at dinnertime, regardless of the late hour. Despite my protests, she remained resolute, a silent yet persistent presence.

Drawing from the values instilled by my mother, who emphasized the importance of respecting women, I started making a conscious effort to return home by 9 PM. Even though verbal communication remained nonexistent, her actions spoke volumes. She took on the role of preparing my morning tea and ensured that I never went without lunch, dispatching it through the driver.

These small yet significant gestures left me grappling with a sense of guilt. It became increasingly evident that her sweetness and unwavering kindness were at odds with my own behavior. Despite this, a lingering promise, the nature of which remains undisclosed, prevents me from fully embracing her as my wife.

As I contemplate this internal conflict, it's time to shift my focus to the demands of the day and immerse myself in work, temporarily setting aside the complexities of my personal life.

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A grand mansion, painted in a pristine white hue, unfolds before you. Upon entering, the interior boasts a contemporary aesthetic, blending the clean elegance of white with subtle accents of grey. The modern infrastructure seamlessly weaves together a sophisticated ambiance.

Within the confines of the mansion's modular kitchen, a young woman in her twenties takes command. Dressed in a flowing peach Anarkali dress, her hair casually gathered in a messy bun, she orchestrates the household affairs. With hands immersed in flour, she issues orders to the attentive servants. This dynamic figure, none other than Mrs. Vaidehi Viyansh Singhania, is the sole force behind transforming this vast mansion into a warm and welcoming home. Her presence infuses life and vitality into the expansive living space, turning it into a haven of comfort and familial warmth.

Vaidehi's POV,

Engaged in the kitchen, I find myself immersed in the daily task of preparing lunch for my family.

Ohh I'm so sorry I didn't introduce myself so, My name is Mrs. Vaidehi Viyansh Singhania, at least by name. However, as he declared on our wedding night, I am merely a Singhania daughter-in-law in his eyes, not his wife. The distinction, it seems, holds great significance for him. My life has not been marked by abundant joy; rather, it has been devoid of significant happiness, characterized instead by a continuous undercurrent of sorrow and sadness. When Dadu presented the proposal of marrying him, I readily agreed. Two compelling reasons fueled my decision. Firstly, the prospect of gaining a family, something I had longed for, especially with Vihaan Bhai as his brother. Secondly, a mere glimpse of his picture triggered an unexpected sensation—a form of love at first sight, you might say.

So, I entered into this union, not just for the sake of familial bonds but also swayed by an unspoken connection that manifested upon seeing his image. However, hearing him raise his voice in anger stirred a familiar memory of a particular person in my life. No, I'm not referring to any past boyfriend, as I've never had one, but rather to him... him, in anyways. Two days later, Vihaan Bhai (my brother-in-law) and Papa (my father-in-law), approached me, sensing the palpable distance between us. They urged me to give this marriage a chance. Despite their intervention, my apprehensions lingered, making it difficult for me to initiate a conversation with him. Despite my fears, I resolved to try. I waited for him, ensuring he had dinner, and then we retreated to our shared space — he on the bed, and I on the couch. While the arrangement was far from ideal, I had grown accustomed to this routine over the past two weeks.

Despite harboring no expectations of receiving his love, I found solace in the fact that, at the very least, I now had a family to call my own. A family that, despite the initial challenges, showered me with love. Nevertheless, a lingering desire persisted in my heart — a yearning for his affection. I longed to experience the beautiful, love-filled moments portrayed in those K-dramas. Though the reality was a bit uncomfortable, I held on to the hope that, with time, our relationship might evolve into something resembling the love and warmth I craved.

I'm aware that I might not grasp things easily; that's what Vihaan Bhai often remarks about me. He advises me to make an effort to understand Viyansh, and I genuinely want to give our relationship a chance, so I'm making an effort. I consistently wait for him at dinnertime, prepare tea, and despite my inherent clumsiness, I try my best to appear normal around him. Initiating conversations is challenging for me, and the moment our eyes meet, my confidence wavers.

I've noticed that he hasn't had a girlfriend before me, so there shouldn't be any issues from that perspective. Yet, something seems to be holding him back. Today, I've made up my mind to talk to him. I just hope that I won't lose my confidence when faced with his dominating yet deeply captivating eyes. If I'm making an effort, I believe he should reciprocate and take a step towards building our connection. The anticipation of this conversation carries a mix of nervousness and determination as I brace myself to bridge the gap between us.

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Welcome to the inaugural chapter of this captivating love story that is about to unfold. Together, let's unravel the mystery behind the promise that binds Viyansh and delve into Vaidehi's enigmatic past. Your insights are invaluable, so please share your thoughts and don't forget to cast your vote. Let the journey into their intricate lives begin!

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Happy reading 🌸💙