As the day approached, the pressure on Sia only seemed to grow heavier. Every glance in the mirror reminded her that she was stepping into shoes that weren't her own. Riya had once been the perfect match for Arjunâor so the world saidâand here she was, trying to navigate the expectations of being his wife while keeping her own emotions buried deep inside.
She often found herself stealing glances at Arjun, watching him from afar, her feelings for him a constant battle she was losing. But in her mind, none of it mattered. The shadow of Riya loomed over her, whispering that she would never truly belong here.
Arjun's mother noticed the shift in Sia's demeanor. She had seen the hesitation in her voice, the retreating smiles, and the way Sia avoided eye contact during family moments. One afternoon, when Sia was folding clothes in their room, Arjun's mother entered and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Sia, beta," her mother-in-law began, her voice warm and kind, "what's troubling you?"
Sia looked up, startled, and shook her head. "Nothing, Maa. I'm just... a little tired."
Arjun's mother gave her a knowing look and sat beside her. "You're not just my daughter-in-law, Sia. You're my daughter. And I can see that something is weighing on you. Whatever it is, don't carry it alone. This is your home as much as it is mine."
Sia's lips trembled, and she looked away, blinking back tears. "I don't know if I belong here, Maa. I feel like... like I'm just a placeholder."
Her mother-in-law took her hand, squeezing it firmly. "You're not a placeholder. You're the one who's brought warmth to this family. You're the one who's made Arjun smile in ways we haven't seen before. You belong here, Sia. And don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
Sia nodded, comforted by the words, but deep inside, the self-doubt remained like a stubborn shadow.
Meanwhile, Arjun was grappling with his own emotions. He couldn't shake off the guilt that had been eating at him since he overheard Sia's conversation with Candy. The idea that she felt replaceable, unwanted, and insignificant made him want to hit himself.
These thoughts followed him to work, where he found himself distracted. When Sia walked into his office one afternoon, carrying a home-cooked lunch, it was as though a beam of sunlight had entered the room.
"Lunch," she said softly, setting the container on his desk.
He looked up, startled, then smiled. "You didn't have toâ"
Before he could finish, he noticed a few employees lingering at the door, whispering among themselves.
"Who's that?" one asked.
"I heard she's just pretending to be his wife," another added, laughing.
The words sparked a fire in Arjun's chest. His gaze shifted to Sia, who hadn't heard them, but he could tell by her hesitant stance that she already felt out of place.
When she left his office, he quickly followed, only to stop in his tracks at the sight in the lobby.
The receptionist, a smug smirk on her face, was speaking to Sia in a condescending tone. "You really think you belong here? With him? People like you should know their place."
Sia stood there, quiet, her head bowed as though the words didn't stingâbut Arjun could see the pain in her eyes.
Something inside him snapped.
"Enough!" Arjun's voice boomed across the lobby, startling everyone into silence.
He strode forward, placing himself protectively in front of Sia. "For anyone who's unclearâSia is my wife. Not just my wife, but the heart of my life. And let me make this perfectly clear to all of you," his gaze swept across the room, "no one gets to insult her. No one gets to speak down to her. And no one," his eyes narrowed, voice dropping to a dangerous edge, "gets to look at her with anything other than respect. Is that understood?"
The receptionist stammered an apology, her face pale. Arjun didn't wait for a response. He took Sia's hand and led her out of the building, ignoring the stares that followed.
As they stepped outside, he turned to her, his voice softer but no less firm. "You don't have to listen to them, Sia. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're my wife. That's all that matters."
Sia looked at him, her emotions swirling between confusion and something she didn't want to name. She simply nodded, letting him hold her hand as they walked to the car.
But deep down, Arjun knew this wasn't enough. He had to show herâthrough his actions, not just his wordsâthat she was irreplaceable. And he would start by being the man she deserved.
When they reached home, Arjun lingered near the kitchen door, his hand in his pocket as he watched Sia move towards the living room.
"Sia," he called, his voice soft but deliberate.
She turned around, tilting her head slightly. "Yes?"
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke, his tone unusually tender. "Can you make some halwa for me?"
Her brow shot up in mock surprise. "Halwa? I thought you didn't like it."
A small smile played on Arjun's lips. "I don't like halwa. I love the halwa you make. You've ruined every other version for me. Now I'm addicted to my wife's cooking."
Sia's cheeks warmed at the unexpected sweetness of his words, but she quickly covered it up with a playful roll of her eyes. "Fine. But only because you've been oddly nice today."
In the kitchen, the air seemed lighter as Sia began gathering the ingredients for the halwa. Arjun leaned against the counter, watching her every move.
"You know," he began, his voice teasing, "you look good when you're busy in the kitchen."
She glanced at him over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes. "If you think I'm going to make this a daily thing, you're mistaken."
Arjun chuckled, stepping closer. "I'm not complaining. In fact, I'd volunteer to be your kitchen assistant. Imagine us... cooking together."
Sia laughed softly. "More like me cooking and you eating half the ingredients before they make it to the pan."
"Fair point," he admitted, leaning closer. "But I wouldn't mind sneaking a few tastes if it means being near you."
She turned to face him, holding the spoon covered in ghee. "Careful, Arjun. You're sounding dangerously sweet today. Are you trying to bribe me for something?"
He smirked, his gaze locking with hers. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like seeing you smile."
Her laughter faded into a soft blush as the moment between them stretched. Arjun reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering just a little too long.
Their breaths mingled, and Sia found herself unable to look away. The scent of roasting ghee and flour filled the air, but it was the warmth in Arjun's eyes that had her captivated.
Just as his hand moved to her waist, the sound of an exaggerated cough shattered the moment.
"Am I interrupting something?" Ishika's mischievous voice rang out, her grin wide as she stood in the doorway.
Sia jumped back, turning to the stove, while Arjun straightened with a scowl.
"Ishika, don't you have somewhere else to be?" he asked, clearly annoyed.
"Nope," she replied, popping the 'p' as she walked into the kitchen. "And why would I leave when I can witness this live rom-com?"
Sia shook her head, her lips twitching into a small smile despite her embarrassment. "Ishika, the halwa will take a while. You should wait in the living room."
"Oh, I'll wait right here," Ishika said, leaning against the counter. "This is way more entertaining."
Arjun's jaw tightened, his possessiveness creeping in as he noticed Ishika's teasing gaze darting between him and Sia. It was bad enough that Sia seemed to give everyone else so much attentionânow even his moments with her weren't safe.
Before he could say anything, the tantalizing aroma of the halwa began wafting through the house. Within minutes, Aarav appeared in the doorway, followed by Snowy and Candy, their tails wagging enthusiastically.
"What smells so good?" Aarav asked, sniffing the air like a detective on a case.
"The halwa, obviously," Ishika replied, grinning. "Sia bhabhi's magic."
Snowy barked, and Candy wagged her tail furiously, both dogs looking up at Sia with eager eyes.
Arjun groaned, rubbing his temples. "Here comes my wife's three dogs. Chamche kahin ke."
Sia, who had just turned off the stove, froze. She turned to glare at him, though her lips twitched with suppressed laughter.
"What did you just say?" she asked, her voice low and mock-threatening.
"Nothing," Arjun mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
She raised an eyebrow, but instead of arguing, she turned her attention back to the halwa, serving small portions for everyoneâincluding Snowy and Candy.
As she handed Aarav his bowl, she noticed Arjun sulking in the corner, pretending to be annoyed but clearly enjoying the scene.
Inside, Sia felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in a long time. She wasn't sure what had changed, but this warmth, this feeling of belonging, was something she cherished deeply. Even if Arjun wouldn't admit it outright, his actions were enough to show her that she mattered.
And for now, that was enough.