TAVISHI POV
As he filled the vermilion in the parting of my hair, a tear slipped from my left eye. Before it could fall any further, he gently wiped it away.
I looked up, slightly startled. My now husband was still cupping my cheek, a faint frown on his face as if he was trying to understand something about me that I hadn't even figured out myself.
For a few seconds, I just kept staring at him. Everything around me blurred—the chants, the people, the noise. I didn't even realize when the priest announced that we were now husband and wife.
We stood up to take blessings from our parents. It felt strange. Before marriage, girls aren't allowed to touch feet, and suddenly after marriage, they are expected to bow in front of almost everyone. I sighed quietly at the thought and took a deep breath, trying to calm my mind.
"Are you okay?"
I flinched slightly when his voice came close to my ear. There was something about his tone—deep, low—that made my skin prickle.
"Yeah," I replied, trying to sound normal.
"Are you tired? Do you want some water?"
"No, I'm fine."
But I wasn't. I felt nervous in a way I had never felt before. It wasn't just shyness—it was something heavier, unfamiliar. And the way he leaned close while speaking wasn't helping at all.
He simply nodded, saying "Okay," and I gave him a small smile before looking away.
The lehenga felt heavier with every passing minute, and standing for so long was starting to exhaust me. After a while, Mummy came and took me with her. I wanted to turn back and look at him just once, but I couldn't gather the courage.
Soon, all the rituals were completed, and it was time for me to leave my home.
The moment I hugged Papa, I broke down. He held me close, whispering soft reassurances—promises that I would be happy, that everything would be alright, that I could always come back. His embrace was gentle yet firm, as if trying to give me strength.
I hugged Mummy next, then my sister, and before I could process anything further, I was seated in the backseat of the car.
He was still outside, talking to my parents. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but the way he spoke, the way they nodded—it felt like he was trying to reassure them.
And somehow, that eased something inside me.
Maybe marrying him wasn't the wrong decision.
After a few moments, he came and sat beside me. Harshit bhaiya and Anay bhaiya took the front seats, and soon the car started moving.
I turned my face toward the window, but my thoughts refused to stay still. Questions kept surfacing one after another—how would I adjust, whether I would be able to fulfill my responsibilities, whether I would ever understand him, or worse, whether he would even accept me.
My eyes filled with tears again before I could stop them.
I felt his hand on my cheek, gently wiping them away. Then his hand slid down to mine. My fingers were cold, almost trembling, but his grip was warm and steady as he held my hand firmly.
I looked at him. He gave me a small, reassuring smile. I wanted to return it, but something inside me held me back.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, but he didn't let go of my hand even once. That silent presence, that quiet support, felt more comforting than any words could have.
Without realizing it, I tightened my grip around his hand. He responded by gently brushing his thumb over my knuckles and holding my hand a little tighter.
I didn't say anything, but I held on.
After nearly three hours, the car finally came to a stop.
Anay bhaiya and Harshit bhaiya stepped out first. I moved to get out as well, but paused when I realized our hands were still joined.
I turned slightly toward him and found him already looking at me.
For a moment, neither of us said anything. Then he stepped out first and extended his hand toward me with a small smile.
"Come, everyone must be waiting."
I placed my hand in his and stepped out.
As I did, I saw the entire family standing there, watching us with teasing smiles. Instantly, I felt my cheeks heat up. I tried to pull my hand back, but his grip tightened slightly, stopping me.
I looked at him. He was already watching me, one eyebrow raised, a faint smile on his face. He shook his head slightly, as if telling me not to.
Embarrassed, I immediately lowered my gaze.
He noticed.
That realization only made things worse.
"Beta, bas bhi karo. Andar aake dekh lena usko. Dekho kitni laal ho gayi hai!"
My mother-in-law said playfully, making everyone laugh softly.
I wished I could disappear right there.
At the entrance, Maa performed the aarti. I gently pushed the kalash filled with rice and stepped inside, dipping my feet into the alta before entering properly.
Before I could take in anything else, I was pulled into a tight hug.
"Welcome, bhabhi," Reva said warmly.
I smiled slightly. After our engagement, she had been the one I talked to the most, so her presence felt comforting.
"Okay, that's enough. Back out."
His voice interrupted, calm but firm.
I blinked in surprise. I actually liked hugs.
"Possessive much, bhai? I'm just a girl," Reva teased.
"Okay, now stop teasing them," Maa said, stepping in.
Then she turned to me with a gentle smile. "Tum thak gayi hogi. Main tumhe room tak chhod deti hoon. Baaki rasme kal karenge."
"Ji," I replied softly.
After showing me around the house, Maa left me standing in front of our room.
"From here, you go alone," she said before leaving.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the door, before knocking lightly. When there was no response, I slowly opened it and stepped inside.
The room was beautifully decorated with roses and lilies. For a second, I simply stood there, taking it all in.
And then the realization hit me.
This was our wedding night.
My heartbeat quickened instantly.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and he stepped out. He paused briefly, as if noticing my unease, then spoke in a calm voice.
"You should go and change. It must be uncomfortable."
He gestured toward my outfit.
"Ji," I replied quickly and went inside.
The warm shower helped me relax a little. After changing into comfortable clothes, I stepped out. He was sitting on the bed, working on his laptop.
As soon as I entered, he looked up and then placed the laptop aside.
"I was waiting for you. Come, let's sleep."
I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I... I wanted to say something."
He sat up properly, giving me his attention. "Hmm, kahiye."
"Good night," I said, feeling slightly awkward.
He looked at me for a second, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Bas?"
"Ji."
"Alright. Good night then."
"Ji?"
I wasn't sure why that felt like such a strange conversation.
He smiled faintly. "Ji. Ab so jate hain. Aap thak gayi hongi."
"Ji."
We both lay down, facing opposite sides. Sleep, however, felt far away.
After a few quiet moments, I felt a slight movement beside me. Then his hand found mine again.
He held it gently but firmly.
"Sleep," he said softly.
This time, I didn't overthink it.
"Ji."
And slowly, I drifted off to sleep.
.
.
.
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Bye Bye~
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