Suman sat on the bed, her veil cascading around her like a delicate shroud, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her heart.
She was no longer single; she was now Suman Shekhawat, the wife of Amay Shekhawat.
The marriage had been simple, just as she had requested, a quiet affair devoid of the grandeur that usually accompanied such events.
Even though Tara had longed for a grand wedding for her son.
Anirudh, and Amay had convinced her and she had reluctantly agreed, her children's happiness taking precedence over her dreams.
After the post-wedding rituals, Tara had lovingly welcomed Suman into the family, her warm smile and kind words doing little to soothe Suman's inner turmoil.
Tara had then gently guided Suman to Amay's room, leaving her alone to grapple with her swirling emotions.
Suman's heart pounded in her chest as she sat there, waiting for Amay, a man she barely knew.
Her thoughts spiraled as she wondered how Amay would react, how he would treat her.
She had only met him twice before, and it seemed impossible to trust someone she knew so little about.
Her mind, however, was merciless, mocking her with cruel thoughts. "You knew Ayush your whole life, and still, he betrayed you," her subconscious sneered, making her suppress the tears that threatened to spill as she thought about Ayush and his new life.
Suman knew it was inappropriate to think about Ayush now, but she was only human, and she couldn't simply erase his presence from her life.
Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, signaling Amay's arrival.
Her hands instinctively fisted on the bedsheet, her mind conjuring all sorts of scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.
The footsteps grew closer, and then she felt the gentle touch of Amay lifting her veil.
She looked up, and their eyes met.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still.
Amay was spellbound by her beauty, whispering, "Breathtaking," as he stared at her.
Suman remained silent, her hands still clutching the bedsheet, as she watched him take off the jacket he wore over his white kurta.
Panic surged through her, followed quickly by a wave of anger.
Without thinking, she snapped, "You must be happy, right?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a knife.
Amay, caught off guard, turned around and asked, "Huh?"
She glared at him, her eyes burning with anger. "Don't act innocent in front of me. I know why you married me. Just because Ayush rejected me doesn't mean you can take advantage of the opportunity. I'm not going to submit myself to you," she spat, her words dripping with disdain.
Amay's heart sank at her harsh words.
He hadn't expected this, not from her. "Tumhe sach mein lagta hai main aisa kuch karunga?" he asked, his voice laced with pain.
But Suman, consumed by her rage and overwhelming emotions, scoffed. "Kya pata? Na aap mujhe jaante hai aur na main aapko. Sharif aur innocent dikhne wale chehre aksar dhokha de jaate hai."
Her words cut deep, and Amay's emotions clogged in his throat.
He had never imagined that she would doubt him like this.
He wanted to defend himself, to tell her that he would never hurt her, but he knew that anything he said would fall on deaf ears.
So, he chose silence, letting her anger wash over him.
Seeing him remain quiet only fueled Suman's anger further. "You were not supposed to marry me," she said, tears brimming in her eyes, her voice shaking with emotion.
Amay looked at her with a longing gaze, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope in her eyes, but all he found was hurt and anger. "I know, I am not the one for you when your heart is yearning for someone else," he said, his voice trembling as he fought to keep his tears at bay.
Suman's heart ached at his words, but her anger wouldn't allow her to relent. "Still, you married me. Mark my words, I don't believe in this marriage. You are my husband for the outer world, but within these walls, you are nothing but a stranger to me."
With those words, she turned and ran towards the bathroom, the sound of the door closing echoing in the room as Amay stood there, his heart heavy with the weight of her rejection.
ââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
AMAY'S POV
I walked into the study room, my steps slow and heavy.
In one hand, I carried a pillow, in the other, a blanket.
The exhaustion from the wedding rituals weighed on me, but it was the emotional toll that hurt me the most.
Suman's harsh words replayed in my mind, each one a fresh wound on my heart.
I took a long sigh and sat on the sofa, feeling its cool leather against my skin as I leaned back, trying to find some comfort in the quiet of the room.
As I lay down, I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would come easily, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the first time I had seen Suman.
She had done something to my heart that day, something I couldn't quite explain.
I had ignored the fluttering feelings, brushing them off as mere attraction.
But the second time I met her, at the temple, those feelings had grown stronger, more insistent.
Still, I had denied them, telling myself it was nothing serious.
But when I saw her at the mehndi function, adorned and glowing for someone else, that was the moment everything changed.
It was then that I realized those feelings weren't fleeting; they were real, and they had taken root deep in my heart.
I chuckled softly at my own stupidity, amazed that in just two meetings, she had managed to carve out a place in my life, in my very soul.
In my 33 years of life, I had never bothered with romance.
I had never had a girlfriend, never sought out casual flings.
My life had always been about my studies, my work, and my single-minded focus on making the Shekhawat legacy more profitable.
Personal life had always taken a back seat, an afterthought in the grand scheme of my ambitions.
But then I had collided with Suman, and suddenly, all those priorities seemed to shift.
It was as if, for the first time, I realized that the organ in my chest wasn't just pumping blood; it was capable of feeling, of yearning, of love.
A tear slipped from my eye, trailing down my cheek.
I was happy that Suman was my wife now, but the cruel irony was that I couldn't truly have her.
She was near, yet so far from me, a chasm of pain and mistrust separating us.
I knew deep down that I might never receive her love, but that didn't change my own feelings.
I would love her till the end of time, whether or not she ever returned that love.
I had never imagined love could be so painful.
My heart felt shattered, the pieces too broken to ever be whole again.
But I couldn't show this pain to anyone.
My parents were happy, and I would do anything to keep them that way, even if it meant burying my own hurt deep inside.
I decided then and there that I would maintain my distance from Suman.
I could endure her anger, her harsh words, but I couldn't bear to see disgust and hate in her eyes.
That would be too much for me to handle.
So, I would keep my feelings locked away, hidden where they couldn't hurt her or myself any further.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind, exhaustion finally claimed me.
I drifted into a restless slumber, not knowing what the future held for me and Suman, or whether we would ever have a future together at all.
AMAY'S POV ENDS
ââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
Suman woke up with a start, her eyes fluttering open as she abruptly sat up in bed.
The unfamiliar surroundings quickly reminded her of the reality-she was married now.
The realization washed over her, and she took a moment to steady her racing heart.
Her eyes scanned the room, but it was empty. "Where is he?" she murmured to herself, rubbing her face as if trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and the emotional whirlwind of the night before.
She got out of bed, knowing that today would be her first day in this new role.
It was important to present herself well, so she went through her morning routine with care.
After a refreshing shower, she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a beautiful red anarkali that enhanced her natural beauty.
The soft fabric clung to her in all the right places, and the vibrant color brought out the warmth in her complexion.
Just as she was adjusting her dupatta, the door creaked open, and Amay stepped into the room.
He froze in place, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the sight before him.
Suman, bathed in the soft morning light, looked nothing short of ethereal.
He had resolved to keep his distance, to protect both of them from further hurt, but seeing her like this made him question his own resolve.
How was he supposed to maintain his distance when she looked like that?
Suman noticed him immediately, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of him still dressed in last night's clothes.
His hair was tousled, and he had dark circles under his eyes-evidence of a restless night.
She realized then that he must have slept in another room, away from her.
But what struck her the most was the emptiness in his eyes.
Last night, those eyes had been filled with so many emotions, and now they seemed almost vacant, as if he had shut himself off from feeling anything at all.
Their gazes locked, a silent tension hanging in the air between them.
She swallowed hard, unsure of what to say or do.
The intensity of his stare made her feel vulnerable, exposed.
Just as the moment seemed to stretch on forever, Amay's phone rang, breaking the spell.
He answered it without taking his eyes off her. "Papa, we live in the same house. Why are you calling me?" he said, his voice tinged with mild irritation.
On the other end, Anirudh chuckled. "Because I didn't want to disturb your beautiful morning. If you and Suman are ready, please grace us downstairs with your presence."
Amay glanced at Suman and replied, "Suman is ready. She'll be there. It'll take me some time." He ended the call and looked at her again. "If you're ready, go downstairs. Maa is waiting for you."
She nodded silently, watching as he walked into the bathroom without so much as a "good morning."
She had wanted to greet him, to perhaps bridge the gap between them, but he didn't give her the chance.
The door closed behind him, leaving her standing there, feeling a pang of guilt and regret.
Her subconscious mind whispered, Now do you feel bad? What about last night? You said so much to him without thinking how he might feel.
Suman sighed deeply, knowing that her subconscious was right.
She had let her anger and frustration get the better of her last night, lashing out at Amay without giving him a chance to speak.
She had been unfair, and now she felt the weight of that mistake.
Before she could dwell on her thoughts any longer, there was a soft knock on the door.
She opened it to find a househelp standing there, an elderly woman with kind eyes. "Choti Bahu Rani, Badi Bahu is calling you downstairs," the woman said with a warm smile.
The way the woman addressed her as "Choti Bahu Rani" brought a small smile to Suman's face.
It was a title that felt foreign yet comforting, a reminder of her new role in this family.
Understanding that "Badi Bahu" referred to Tara, Suman nodded and followed the househelp downstairs, her heart a mixture of anxiety and determination as she prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
ââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
Suman descended the grand staircase of the Shekhawat mansion, her eyes wide with admiration.
The house was more than just a residence; it was a masterpiece of architecture, with every detail meticulously crafted.
The high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and intricately carved wooden panels all exuded elegance and history.
As she walked through the halls, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and a bit of nervousness.
This was her new home, and she wanted to belong here, to fit into this world that was so different from her own.
She made her way to the kitchen, following the delicious aroma that wafted through the air.
When she arrived, she found Tara busy placing ingredients on the kitchen slab, preparing for the day's meal.
Tara looked up and spotted Suman, her face breaking into a warm smile.
"Good morning, bacche. Slept well?" Tara asked, her voice gentle.
Suman nodded and instinctively bent down to touch Tara's feet, seeking her blessings.
But Tara stopped her mid-way, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You are my daughter now, and as a mother, I need a tight hug from my daughter. So, will you?" Tara said, her eyes twinkling with affection.
Suman nodded, her heart swelling with emotion, and she wrapped her arms around Tara in a heartfelt embrace.
Tara held her close, patting her head lovingly.
The gesture was so tender, so maternal, that Suman felt a rush of warmth and gratitude.
"You're so sweet, Maa," Suman murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Tara smiled and teased, "And you are so beautiful."
Suman giggled at her playful tone, and the two women shared a laugh that lightened the atmosphere.
After a moment, Tara said, "Suman beta, aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai, issiliye tumhe kuch meetha banana hai. Baaki ka nashta taiyaar hai."
Suman nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "What do you like, Maa, in sweet dishes?"
Tara tapped her chin thoughtfully, then smiled. "Hmm, good question. Well, if you're making something sweet of my favorite, then make kheer."
"Kheer it is, Maa," Suman agreed with a smile.
But then, a thought crossed her mind, and she hesitated before asking, "Maa, kheer...papa aur...woh khaayenge na?"
Tara raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Woh? Kaun woh?"
Suman blushed slightly, realizing the tease in Tara's voice. "Maa, main aapke bete ki baat kar rahi hoon."
Tara chuckled softly. "Tum naam le sakti ho uska. Aur waise bhi, maine itna accha naam diya hai usse."
Suman smiled, feeling a little shy. "Amay...unko kheer pasand hai?"
Tara nodded, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Amay likes everything to eat. Uske itne nakhre nahi hai. Usse tum jo pyaar se khilaogi, woh khaa lega."
Suman felt a strange warmth in her chest at Tara's words and nodded.
Tara continued, "If you need any help, then please do call me, okay?"
"Thank you, Maa. Aap bas baithiye, main sab karti hoon," Suman replied, determined to make a good impression.
Tara nodded, giving Suman one last pat on the back before leaving the kitchen.
Suman took a deep breath and set to work, carefully preparing the kheer with all the love and care she could muster.
A little while later, everything was ready, and Suman arranged the dishes on the dining table.
The fragrant aroma of the kheer filled the room, and just then, Anirudh entered, drawn by the smell.
"Khushboo toh bahut acchi aa rahi hai. Kheer bani hai kya?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation as he reached out to lift the lid.
But before he could, Tara slapped his hand away playfully. "Not now, Anirudh. Amay ko toh aa jaane dijiye," she scolded, though her tone was light.
Anirudh pouted like a child, and Suman couldn't help but giggle at the interaction.
Hearing her giggle, Anirudh turned his attention to her.
Suman felt a slight pang of anxiety-Anirudh had always seemed imposing to her.
Summoning her courage, she took a step forward and bent down to touch his feet, but he stopped her with a gentle hand.
"Tara, tumne Suman ko bataya nahi?" Anirudh said, a mock scolding in his voice.
Tara rolled her eyes, and Suman's heart skipped a beat, thinking she had made some mistake.
She stammered, "Sor...sorry, Papa. Maine...koi galati..."
But Anirudh interrupted her with a chuckle. "Bacche, papa bhi bol rahi ho aur sorry bhi? This is not fair. I just stopped you because daughters don't touch the feet."
He placed a comforting hand on her head. "God bless you, beta. May you always be happy. Aur haan, mera vo nalayak beta pareshaan kare na toh mujhe batana. Waise bhi, Tara hamesha uski side leti hai, lekin ab mere paas bhi meri side lene ke liye tum ho, right?"
Suman smiled, nodding at his playful tone.
She hadn't expected her in-laws to be this sweet and understanding, and she felt a wave of gratitude.
Tara and Anirudh were not just her in-laws; they were her second set of parents, filling a space in her heart she hadn't realized needed filling.
Unknown to her, Amay had been watching from a distance, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Seeing Suman smiling and giggling with his parents filled him with a sense of peace.
He knew his parents would never let Suman feel out of place or alone.
Even if he couldn't make her happy himself, he was content knowing that she was surrounded by people who loved and accepted her.
That, for now, was enough.
Hello Everyone!
Do read the chapter and tell me how's it?
All your feedbacks are welcomed here.
Please engage with the reels and stories on my Instagram Page