SUMAN'S POV
I sat quietly in the car beside my mother-in-law, Tara, clutching the lunch boxes in my lap as we headed toward Shekhawat Legacy.
My mind raced, spinning through everything that had happened over the past few months.
What had my life turned into?
I had planned it all so perfectly-or so I thought.
Ayush was my fiancé, my childhood friend.
We had known each other for years, and marrying a friend seemed like the safest, most comfortable choice.
It was practical, sensible.
But what began as friendship soon blossomed into something deeper for me, into love.
I never expected to fall for Ayush, but I did.
Everything was falling into place.
Until it wasn't.
Ayush had married someone else.
He had shattered my heart without warning, and my once-perfect life crumbled in an instant.
Now, here I was, tangled in a life I had never imagined.
Married to Amay Shekhawat, a man I hadn't known before our wedding.
How strange it felt, being bound to someone I had barely spoken to.
But in the whirlwind of that first week of marriage, I had begun to see Amay for who he was-a kind-hearted man with gentle eyes and a quiet strength.
His family, too, had been nothing but warm and welcoming.
Maa was loving, almost motherly in her affection, and Papa, though stern at times, was deeply caring.
I had to admit, I had been lucky in that regard.
Still, love?
Love wasn't something I could offer Amay.
Not now.
Not with the shadow of Ayush still lingering over my heart.
Yet, I knew I couldn't go on being cold toward Amay, not when he had done nothing wrong.
I couldn't be rude all the time, no matter how conflicted I felt.
So, I had decided to make a truce-some sort of middle ground.
I would be cordial, respectful, maybe even friendly.
But my heart... my heart would remain guarded.
For now.
As we reached Shekhawat Legacy and stepped into the grand building, my thoughts snapped back to the present.
Maa had asked me to join for lunch with Amay and Papa, and even though I had been nervous, I hadn't had the heart to refuse.
I knew that I needed to thank Amay-truly thank him for everything he had done, even if it was just in small ways.
And perhaps this lunch was a good start.
Entering Papa's cabin, I felt the familiar swirl of unease in my stomach, but it was quickly overtaken by something else-the look on Amay's face.
He looked surprised, his eyes brightening in a way I hadn't expected.
Was he really that happy to see me?
There was a sparkle there, something like disbelief.
As if he couldn't believe I was here, for lunch, with him.
It was subtle, but I caught it, and it made my heart skip a beat.
I met his gaze, unsure how to feel, and offered him a small, tentative smile.
To my surprise, he smiled back-an open, genuine smile that made something inside me soften, just a little.
Maybe, I thought to herself as they all sat down for lunch, this truce might not be so bad after all.
SUMAN'S POV Ends
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The lunch was peaceful, with the aroma of freshly packed food filling Anirudh's cabin.
Suman sat quietly, observing Tara and Anirudh.
She had never seen them interact like this before, and it surprised her how playful Anirudh was with Tara.
It was almost as if they were teenagers in love.
Every time Anirudh made a teasing comment or shared a private joke, Tara's face lit up with a fond smile, and Suman couldn't help but admire them.
Couple goals, she thought to herself, a soft smile spreading across her face.
Sitting beside her, Amay noticed the smile she wore as she watched his parents.
Quietly, he scooted closer to her, leaning in slightly to whisper, "What are you smiling at?"
Suman flinched ever so slightly, surprised by his closeness.
Turning her head toward him, she was suddenly aware of how near he was.
The proximity made her stomach flutter unexpectedly, and she gulped, feeling a little flustered.
Amay, noticing her reaction, shifted back slightly, respecting her space.
"Sorry," he murmured.
She shook her head, her smile returning. "Don't be," she said, her voice soft.
For a moment, their eyes met, and then he leaned in again, more cautiously this time.
"So, why are you smiling? Not that I'm complaining... you look beautiful when you smile." His voice was teasing, but the compliment landed sincerely, making her cheeks warm.
Caught off guard, Suman tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, trying to avoid his gaze, but she could still feel the heat in her cheeks.
She glanced over at Tara and Anirudh again. "They're adorable," she said, gesturing toward his parents.
Amay chuckled lightly. "True, but sometimes overly romantic. Especially Papa," he added, rolling his eyes in amusement.
Suman giggled softly, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Maa and Papa ki love marriage hui thi?"
Amay shook his head. "Not exactly, but after they got married, they fell in love."
Suman nodded, thinking how sweet that was.
As she continued to smile, Amay noticed her plate was almost untouched. "Tum kuch kha kyun nahi rahi?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
Suman shook her head. "Bas, mera ho gaya," she replied.
"Itni jaldi? Maine toh dekha hi nahi tumhe khaate hue," Amay said, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled a little sheepishly. "Nahi, sach mein maine kha liya. Aap apne phone mein busy thay, issiliye aapne dekha nahi."
Amay's eyebrows lifted higher, a mischievous gleam sparkling in his eyes. "Oh? How do you know I was busy on my phone?" he asked, his tone playful.
Without thinking, Suman replied, "Vo... I was looking at you."
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized what she had just admitted.
Amay's smile grew wide, his teasing grin making her feel even more flustered. "Ohhh, so you were looking at me?" he teased, clearly enjoying her embarrassment.
Suman's cheeks turned crimson, and she suddenly felt unsure of how to respond.
It was true-she had been looking at him.
Somehow, in that quiet moment, she found him admirable as he focused on his phone.
There was something about him that drew her in, and she couldn't help but notice him.
But now, she felt trapped by her own words.
Amay was watching her intently, waiting for her to say something.
Instead of finding a way out, she heard him chuckle lightly, his teasing tone softening.
"I was just kidding," he said gently. "Relax. But, you know... you look really cute when your cheeks turn red in anger."
Her frustration melted almost instantly as she looked at him.
His smile was warm and soothing, and there was something about it that made her want to see him smile all the time.
A strange, comforting sensation washed over her, and for a brief moment, she found herself smiling back at him-genuinely.
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Suman excused herself as her phone rang, stepping out of the cabin to answer. "Haan, Namu?" she said softly.
Namita's familiar voice chimed through the phone. "Tu iss weekend free hai na? Hum mil rahe hai."
A smile touched Suman's lips. "Haan, okay," she replied.
"Where are you? There's a lot of noise in the background," Namita asked curiously.
Suman glanced around, taking in the grandeur of the Shekhawat Legacy. "I'm at Shekhawat Legacy."
Namita gasped. "Wow, Shekhawat Legacy! How is it?"
Suman's eyes swept over the opulence surrounding her. "It's beautiful, Namu."
Namita teased, "Vaise tu vaha kar kya rahi hai?"
Suman laughed softly. "Main Maa ke saath aayi thi lunch lekar for Papa and Amay."
"Oh ho, lunch and all? All the wifely duties, huh?" Namita teased playfully.
Suman chuckled at her teasing. "It's nothing like that," she said, and the two continued to chit-chat until the call ended.
As she stood outside the cabin, Suman noticed the floor had only two cabins.
Curiosity piqued, she decided to wander downstairs and explore.
The hotel was magnificent, and as she strolled, she found herself enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings.
But her peace was short-lived. As she turned a corner, she collided with someone. "I'm sorry-" she started, but her words froze in her throat as she looked up and saw Ayush standing before her.
Her heart clenched painfully.
Ayush's face broke into a smile the moment he saw her.
"How are you, Sumi?" he asked gently.
Suman blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, forcing herself to remain composed. "It's Suman for you now, Ayush. And I'm fine," she replied, her voice firm.
Ayush's smile faltered.
He reached out to hold her hand, but she immediately jerked it away, her sharp movement making him wince.
He quickly composed himself, but the hurt was evident in his eyes.
His gaze traveled to her saree, her sindoor, and the mangalsutra around her neck-marks of her marriage.
The realization of her being someone else's wife hit him hard.
Until recently, those symbols should've been his right.
"You got married?" he asked, his voice laced with pain.
Suman looked at him, anger bubbling to the surface. "You're also married!" she retorted, her tone biting.
Ayush sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Suman, please... just once, let me explain."
"I don't want to talk to you, Ayush," she cut him off coldly.
Ayush's expression grew more desperate. "You're not happy, right?"
Suman frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "What do you mean?"
Ayush took a step closer, his voice dropping as if he were revealing a secret. "Listen, Suman. I know you're not happy. I know you, and I can see it. And anyway, my marriage with Tina is nothing but a compromise. I just need some time... after that, we can be together."
Suman's anger flared at his words. "Have you lost your mind?" she spat, her voice shaking with fury. "Marriage isn't a joke, Ayush. You don't just get married and break it when you feel like it!"
"But Suman, I know you're not happy," Ayush insisted. "How much do you even know about Amay Shekhawat?"
The mention of Amay's name from Ayush's lips made Suman's blood boil. "Listen, Mr. Ayush Agrawal, what happens in my marriage is none of your business. And you don't have the right to talk about my husband. I've known you since childhood, but right now, I feel like I don't know you at all," she said, her voice shaking with restrained emotion.
Ayush's face fell, hurt flashing in his eyes. "I know you're angry, and you have every right to be. But I promise you, Suman, I'll make this right. For you... for me... for us."
He reached out, holding her hand again, and this time, Suman didn't react immediately.
Just then, she heard a familiar voice-steady, calm, and edged with barely contained tension.
"Any problem, Mr. Agrawal?"
Suman's eyes widened in shock.
She turned her head and saw Amay standing just a few feet away, his eyes boring into hers and lingering on where Ayush's hand held hers.
Guilt surged through her as she quickly pulled her hand away from Ayush. "Amay..." she began, her voice shaky.
Before she could explain, Ayush spoke up, cutting her off. "No problem, Mr. Shekhawat. I was just talking to Suman. I hope you don't mind."
Amay chuckled, though his tone held a dangerous edge. "Why would I mind, Mr. Agrawal? She's an adult, and she knows what she's doing," he said coolly. "But you're late for the meeting. I'll let it slide this time, but if you're late again, don't bother showing up. The deal will be canceled."
Ayush's expression shifted, the weight of Amay's words hitting him.
He knew how important this deal was.
Nodding stiffly, he muttered, "Understood."
Amay's tone shifted as he added, "Since you're here, why don't you wait in the waiting area? My PA will assist you. In the meantime, I'll escort my wife to the car." With that, he extended his hand toward Suman.
Without hesitation, she took his hand, her grip firm and secure.
Ayush watched them, a flicker of jealousy running through him as Amay led Suman away.
The sight of her hand in Amay's was a stark reminder that she was no longer his.
As they walked away, Suman couldn't help but feel the tension rolling off Amay, his hand holding hers tightly as they made their way to the exit.
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As Suman and Amay stood outside the grand Shekhawat Legacy, Suman found herself gazing at their entwined hands.
The warmth of his touch sent a comforting wave through her.
The car arrived, and Amay gently released her hand. "Actually, Maa had to go somewhere with Papa, so they left... you'll have to go in this car. I'll be home in two hours. If anything happens, call me," he said, his voice steady, but his eyes avoiding hers.
Suman noticed his reluctance to meet her gaze and softly said, "Amay, please don't misunderstand what happened inside. We were just talking-nothing else." Her voice was laced with concern, her heart racing as she sought to clear the air.
But before she could say more, Amay placed his finger gently on her lips, and her breath hitched at the unexpected gesture. "I know, Suman," he whispered. "And I'm telling you again, you don't need to explain anything to me. We got married under unusual circumstances, but you're still an individual. Just because we share a relationship doesn't mean you lose your own identity. And above all," his gaze softened as it finally met hers, "I trust you, Suman. What happened inside doesn't matter. You don't need to give me any justification."
Suman felt a wave of emotions rise within her, overwhelmed by the sheer understanding he offered her.
She hadn't expected him to be so compassionate, so unconditionally trusting. "But why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Amay tilted his head slightly, puzzled. "Huh?"
"Why do you trust me?" she repeated, her eyes searching his for answers.
A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Because you're my wife, Suman. If I can't trust you, what's the point of being your husband? Trust is the foundation of any relationship. And," he added with a playful glint in his eyes, "you earned my trust a long time ago."
Tears welled up in Suman's eyes, moved by his words.
She felt understood, valued.
But then she couldn't help but tease, her voice soft and filled with curiosity, "Then why were you avoiding my eyes earlier?"
Amay let out a small chuckle, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Well... I grabbed your hand inside, and I thought maybe you'd feel uncomfortable. I didn't want to push boundaries, so I-"
Before he could finish, Suman raised her hand and placed her finger on his lips, mimicking his earlier gesture. "I'm not uncomfortable with your touch, Amay. Just like you trust me, I trust you."
Hearing those words from her, Amay felt a rush of happiness wash over him, as though the world had stopped for a moment.
He had never felt more content.
They both lowered their hands from each other's lips slowly, their fingers brushing softly in the process.
Amay, still smiling like the happiest man alive, cleared his throat. "You'll be okay at home, right?" His voice was laced with care.
Suman nodded, a soft smile dancing on her lips. "You'll come home soon, won't you?"
He nodded in response, his eyes warm with affection. "Of course."
Amay opened the car door for her with a gentlemanly gesture, and Suman slid into the back seat, glancing up at him with a smile.
She waved goodbye as the car began to move.
Amay stood there, watching until the car disappeared from his sight, a wide smile on his face.
He replayed her words in his mind-she wasn't uncomfortable with him, she trusted him.
His heart swelled with a happiness he hadn't felt before.
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