Chapter 10

The sunlight crept through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow on the room. Niharika blinked awake, slowly coming to terms with the reality of her new life. The events of the past few days felt like a blur—a whirlwind of wedding ceremonies, new relationships, and changes she hadn't fully wrapped her mind around. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, her mind racing, then glanced at the clock. It was already late in the morning.

She sat up, letting the silk of her red saree fall around her like a soft cascade. The deep crimson color, the rich gold border, and the delicate fabric felt like an armor of tradition, one that she didn't fully understand but had to wear. The sindoor in her hairline was a silent, permanent reminder of the commitment she had made. The mangalsutra around her neck felt heavier than she expected, a symbol of a bond she hadn't yet come to terms with.

As Niharika stood up, her fingers brushed over her sindoor and mangalsutra, her reflection in the mirror staring back at her with an unfamiliar expression. She was married now, but she didn't feel married. It was all too new, too much to process. She reached for her comb, smoothing her hair back. Her reflection was still the same, but the weight of the new role she was expected to play was bearing down on her.

Mayank had already woken up. She could tell by the slight rustle she heard from the bathroom. A moment later, the door creaked open, and he stepped into the room, freshly showered and dressed. He had a faint look of surprise in his eyes when he saw her in the saree, his gaze lingering on her for a second longer than usual.

"You look..." His voice faltered for a moment. "Beautiful."

Niharika felt a knot form in her stomach. She couldn't tell if it was genuine or just another thing he felt compelled to say because of the circumstances. Still, she offered a soft smile, the first one she had given him that morning.

"Thank you," she whispered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Mayank was quiet for a moment, his eyes still on her. There was something about the way he looked at her—something she couldn't quite place. Was it admiration? Or just a strange acknowledgment of the wedding they had just been thrust into?

They both walked downstairs together, the house quiet except for the faint sounds of their footsteps. Niharika felt the weight of each step, as if every inch she moved brought her closer to something she couldn't control. She tried to steady her breathing, reminding herself that this was just another step in a life that was already changing too quickly.

Downstairs, the last marriage rituals were taking place. Her mother, always the picture of grace and composure, was busy arranging the offerings for the final ceremony. The room was filled with a sense of finality as they completed the last formalities of the wedding. Mayank's parents, too, were present, and there was a sense of quiet contentment in the air.

The moment the ceremony was over, Niharika's parents turned their attention to the next phase of the marriage. The conversation shifted to the topic of her surname.

"Beta, when are you going to change your surname?" her mother asked, a sense of expectation in her voice.

Niharika froze for a moment. She had only just started her new job at Microsoft. The thought of changing her surname, of officially becoming part of Mayank's family, felt like a step she wasn't quite ready for yet. She looked at Mayank, who was standing quietly beside her, and he caught her gaze. Without missing a beat, he spoke up.

"We should wait on that," he said, his tone neutral. "Niharika just started work. It would be better to wait until she's more settled in."

Niharika was thankful for his consideration, though a part of her felt like he was just trying to smooth things over. The idea of waiting seemed practical, but it didn't erase the discomfort she felt at the idea of officially taking on a new identity.

Her parents nodded, accepting his explanation. But the weight of the situation lingered in the air, like something left unsaid.

Then, shortly after, the lawyer arrived to formalize the marriage. The atmosphere grew heavier as the legalities of their union became real, almost too real. Niharika's hand shook slightly as she took the pen, signing the papers. It wasn't just a formality; it was the first concrete step toward a life that she didn't fully understand. The weight of the signatures on the paper felt more significant than she had imagined.

Mayank signed next to her. His hand was steady, and he didn't hesitate for a second. But she noticed the subtle tension in his jaw, the way his eyes kept darting from the paper to her.

As the lawyer handed them the signed papers, Mayank looked up at her, meeting her gaze. She saw something in his eyes—a fleeting moment of uncertainty, something that mirrored her own emotions. But he didn't say anything. Instead, he folded the papers carefully, and the conversation shifted again.

Later, after the ceremony, Mayank's parents dropped a bombshell: they were moving into a new apartment nearby.

"What?" Niharika's voice cracked, a mix of surprise and confusion flooding through her. "But we're fine here."

Niharika's parents exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them before Maya spoke up.

"We insist, beta. You're newly married, and it's better for you both to start fresh. The apartment's just around the corner. It'll be good for you."

Mayank didn't argue, and neither did Niharika. It was clear that their parents were set on this decision, and neither of them had much say in the matter.

As the day wore on, their friends took them to the new apartment. Niharika felt a knot form in her stomach as they arrived at the place that was supposed to be their new home. The moment they stepped inside, a sense of finality washed over her. This was her life now—this apartment, this man, this marriage. Everything felt like it was happening too quickly.

Niharika and Mayank stood side by side as they crossed the threshold into the apartment. The traditional ghar pravesh ceremony was performed with all the usual rituals, and they stepped inside the house together. Niharika smiled faintly as her friends congratulated them, but her mind was elsewhere. The house felt unfamiliar, like a space she hadn't yet claimed.

Once the guests had left, the reality of the situation settled in. Niharika stood at the doorway to their new bedroom, feeling a sense of confusion and unease. She was going to talk to him about their future. But before she could, he interrupted her.

"This is your room, and this is mine," Mayank said, his tone indifferent, almost cold.

Niharika's heart dropped, but she nodded. She had expected something like this. The marriage was still so new, and they both still felt like strangers. She was about to talk, asking him the next steps, when he suddenly spoke.

"We'll just stay out of each other's way," Mayank continued, avoiding her gaze as he began to unpack. "We can act like roommates. No expectations."

Niharika nodded again, though it felt like an ache in her chest. She had hoped, even if just for a moment, that he would try. Try to make the marriage feel more real. But instead, he had placed distance between them, creating a boundary that felt almost impossible to cross.

"I don't expect anything from you," Mayank said, finally turning to face her. "Except loyalty. That's all."

Niharika swallowed, the weight of his words sinking in. She had expected the distance, but hearing it out loud still stung.

"You don't need to wear the sindoor or mangalsutra," he continued. "I'm not ready for this marriage, and neither are you. We can just pretend like it's a formality until we figure things out."

His words felt like a punch to her chest. She had hoped that, somehow, things would work out. But hearing him say it so plainly, so coldly, left her feeling like a stranger in her own marriage.

As he left the room to meet his friends, Niharika stood there, staring at the empty space between them. She had hoped for more, even if just a small gesture of care or affection. But now, with Mayank gone, she was left alone with her thoughts, wondering if this was really how her life was going to be.

She cried softly, the tears coming unbidden. It wasn't just the disappointment—it was the realization that she had no choice but to adapt, to try to make this work in a marriage that felt like a duty more than a choice. But then it was the fact that there's no point in trying. The person she was trying for isn't ready to try.

And so, she began to settle into her new life, even as the weight of it all pressed heavily on her chest. She would try to make this marriage work, but deep down, she knew it wasn't going to be easy, or worth it. It's not worth it if only one person is going to try.

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