Chapter 14: Building Bridges

Ananya

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then reality sank in—Aarav's home, our room, and the weight of a marriage I still wasn't sure how to navigate.

I glanced around, my gaze falling on Aarav sitting by the window with his phone in hand. He was already dressed in a crisp shirt and dark trousers, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was slightly tousled, and he looked as composed and formidable as ever.

"Good morning," he said without looking up, his deep voice breaking through my haze.

"Morning," I mumbled, sitting up and pulling the blanket around me.

He stood, slipping the phone into his pocket. "Get ready. Ma wants us downstairs for breakfast. And don't take too long."

His tone was as businesslike as ever, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Yes, sir," I muttered under my breath, but he caught it.

Aarav smirked. "I heard that."

I threw a pillow in his direction, but he was already walking toward the door, his chuckle echoing in the room.

By the time I joined him downstairs, Aarav was sitting at the head of the dining table, reading something on his tablet. The table was already bustling with his family, and I was greeted with a chorus of warm good mornings.

"Good morning, Ananya," Aarav's mother said, her kind smile making me feel at ease. "Come, sit here."

I took the seat beside her, acutely aware of Aarav's gaze on me as I settled in.

"What would you like to eat, beta?" his mother asked, placing a hand on mine.

"Anything is fine, Ma," I said softly, still adjusting to calling her that.

Before she could respond, Aarav spoke up. "She'll have paratha and some fruit," he said, not looking up from his tablet.

I shot him a glare, but he remained unfazed. "I can decide for myself," I said, my voice quiet but firm.

He finally looked up, one eyebrow raised. "Can you? Yesterday, you barely ate anything at dinner."

I felt my cheeks heat up as his family exchanged amused glances. Aarav's mother gently patted my hand. "He's right, Ananya. You need to eat properly."

I sighed, resigning myself to Aarav's overbearing nature—for now.

Aarav

Watching her bristle at my comment was oddly satisfying. Ananya was adorable when she tried to assert herself, even if it meant challenging me in front of my family.

As the meal went on, I couldn't help but keep an eye on her. She was polite and sweet, answering everyone's questions with her signature shyness. My cousins and siblings adored her already, their teasing making her cheeks flush a deep pink.

When breakfast was over, I stood and motioned for her to follow me.

"Where are we going?" she asked once we were outside.

"For a drive," I said simply, leading her to the car.

She hesitated for a moment before getting in.

The drive was quiet at first. Ananya kept looking out the window, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her dupatta. I could tell she was nervous, and it made me wonder how to ease her mind.

"Ananya," I said, breaking the silence.

She turned to look at me, her doe-like eyes wide with curiosity.

"Are you scared of me?" I asked bluntly.

Her brows furrowed, and she seemed to consider her answer carefully. "Not scared," she said finally. "Just... unsure."

"Unsure of what?"

"Of what you expect from me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, her vulnerability tugging at something inside me. "I don't expect anything, Ananya. Just be yourself."

She looked at me, searching for something in my expression. "You're always so serious," she said after a moment, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's hard to know what you're thinking."

I smirked. "Maybe I like keeping you guessing."

She rolled her eyes, and for the first time since our marriage, she seemed to relax.

We stopped at a small tea stall by the side of the road, something I rarely did but thought she might enjoy.

As we sipped our tea, I watched her from the corner of my eye. She looked so small and delicate, yet there was a quiet strength in her that intrigued me.

"You're staring," she said suddenly, catching me off guard.

"Am I not allowed to look at my wife?" I countered, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed.

She mumbled something under her breath, and I chuckled, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.

Back at home, the family had planned a small gathering to officially welcome Ananya. The house was buzzing with energy, and Ananya was being pulled in every direction by Aarav's cousins and siblings.

I watched her from a distance, her laughter ringing out as she joined in their games and conversations. She was already becoming the heart of the family, and it made something in my chest tighten.

As the night wore on, I found her sitting alone on the balcony, gazing up at the stars.

"Tired?" I asked, stepping out to join her.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself.

Without a word, I draped my jacket over her shoulders, surprising her.

"You don't have to do that," she said softly, though she didn't remove the jacket.

"I know," I replied, leaning against the railing. "But I want to."

She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering in the moonlight. "You're not as scary as you seem, Aarav."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"

"Maybe," she said, a small smile playing on her lips.

For the first time, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe—just maybe—we could make this work.