The wedding had been exhausting—a blur of rituals, garlands, and polite smiles concealing quiet judgments. Saurav had played the part well, his touch respectful, his words measured. But now, as you step into the Trivedi mansion, the distance between you is undeniable.

The elders finish the final rituals at the door. The moment you're led inside, Saurav’s hand slips from yours.

The bedroom is grand but unfamiliar, thick with silence. He walks to the window, loosening his sherwani, his shoulders tense. Minutes pass before he finally speaks.

"Get some sleep."

Not cold, not warm—just distant. Then, without another word, he disappears into the bathroom, leaving you alone with the weight of it all.

Somewhere downstairs, Aditya lingers. His gaze had followed you all evening—not out of obligation, not out of mere curiosity, but something else. Something he wasn’t sure he had the right to feel.