Chapter 31: The Weight of Expectations

The first morning after the wedding was quiet, yet heavy with unspoken expectations. Reena woke up early, the dawn light filtering through the heavy curtains of her new home. She gets ready into a sleeveless purple top with ankel length skirt having embroidery at end then gets are hairs done with ease of practicing daily and finally the makeup suited for a newly married lady.

Everything felt unfamiliar, from the soft silk sheets to the ornate decor. She sat up, adjusting the bridal bangles that will adorned her wrists for atleast a month, a subtle reminder of the life she had stepped into—a life that wasn’t truly hers.

She heard a soft knock, and Mrs. Kapoor entered, her presence commanding yet maternal. “Good morning, Reena,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind. “Today marks the beginning of your responsibilities as Aryan’s wife and the daughter-in-law of this house.”

Reena nodded, a knot tightening in her stomach. Mrs. Kapoor’s eyes softened for a moment. “You are part of this family now. Everything we have built is in your hands, and I expect nothing but excellence from you.”

The weight of those words settled heavily on Reena’s shoulders. “I understand, Ma,” she replied softly.

Mrs. Kapoor’s expression hardened slightly as she looks around to see if Aryan is there. “And one more thing. There is no more Ravi. That name, that person—doesn’t exist anymore. From now on, you are Reena, Aryan’s wife. Do you understand?”

Reena swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Yes.”

The day began with Mrs. Kapoor guiding Reena through her new duties. First, the household—every corner of the sprawling mansion had to be managed. The kitchen staff, the gardeners, the cleaners—all reported to her now. Mrs. Kapoor walked her through each responsibility, her voice never wavering.

“You must ensure Aryan’s strict diet is maintained,” she instructed as they inspected the kitchen. “No exceptions. His health is fragile, and you cannot make a single mistake.”

Reena nodded, trying to absorb it all. “I’ll do my best.”

“Your best isn’t enough, Reena. Perfection is the standard here.”

The words stung, but Reena kept her composure. She had no choice.

In the garden, Mrs. Kapoor explained the schedules—when the plants were to be watered, the exacting standards for the lawn’s upkeep. “The beauty of this home reflects the order within it,” she said, her eyes sharp.

By the end of the day, Reena felt drained. She sat in the living room, staring into nothingness, the enormity of her responsibilities crashing down on her.

That evening, Aryan found her there, slouched on the couch, her eyes heavy with unshed tears. He sat beside her, his presence a quiet comfort.

“Long day?” he asked gently.

She nodded, barely able to speak.

Aryan took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “You don’t have to do it all alone.”

“But your mother—”

He shook his head. “She means well, but she doesn’t see how hard this is for you and she is our mother now. You’re already doing more than anyone could ask.”

For a moment, Reena let herself believe him. Aryan’s presence had always been a source of comfort, the one thing that made this charade bearable.

Later that night, Aryan led her out to the garden. The moonlight cast a silver glow over the flowers, the scent of jasmine filling the air. They walked in silence, hand in hand.

“Remember when we first met?” Aryan asked, his voice soft.

Reena smiled faintly. “You were so persistent.”

“I never thought I’d find someone who understood me,” he said, his eyes searching hers. “You’ve changed my world, Reena.”

Her heart ached with the weight of the lie she was living. But in that moment, under the stars, she let herself forget. When Aryan kissed her, it wasn’t just a kiss—it was a lifeline, a reminder that there was still warmth and tenderness in the midst of the chaos.

But the next day, the weight of expectations returned. Mrs. Kapoor’s pressure intensified. Every day, she demanded more—more grace, more femininity, more perfection. Reena was expected to embody the ideal daughter-in-law, to be the perfect wife. There was no room for mistakes. At her parents home, she had atleast time to shed this girly act in her room but she doesn't have that luxury anymore. She is not allowed to have the act as second nature but the only nature.

Mrs. Kapoor ask Reena to dress professional and hands her a business dress. It was a black body con dress that reaches just above her knees and a blazer to wear over it. She introduced her to the business staff, a new layer of responsibility. “You are the owner of everything here,” she announced. “You must learn to manage it all.”

The staff greeted Reena warmly, offering their guidance. But the expectations felt suffocating. There was no escape, no time to be anything other than what was expected of her.

The days blurred together, each one more demanding than the last. Mrs. Kapoor’s constant scrutiny left Reena with no time to breathe. The pressure to be “more girly,” to maintain the facade, to manage the household and the business—it was relentless.

Aryan noticed the strain even though he doesn't know all the reasons for it, and he did what he could to ease it. Every evening, he found small ways to comfort her—a gentle word, a thoughtful gesture like roses or flower garland for her hair. One evening, he gifted her a silver anklet, the tiny bells a reminder of the beauty in small moments.

“Whenever you feel overwhelmed, just listen to the bells,” he said. “Remember that you’re more than just responsibilities.”

Reena’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Aryan pulled her close. “You’re not alone, Reena. We’ll get through this together.”

In those moments, the weight felt a little lighter. Aryan’s support was the only thing keeping her going. But the burden of living a lie, of pretending to be someone she wasn’t, never disappeared. Even though it doesn't feel like a lie anymore.

As the days passed, Reena found herself caught between the life she had left behind and the one she was now forced to live. The pressure was suffocating, but Aryan’s quiet strength and the bond they shared became her anchor, a fragile lifeline in a sea of expectations.