chapter 8

The next morning, Anaya woke up, she was feeling pain all over her body. She slowly got up from the bed and walked to the washroom. After completing the morning routine, she dressed in a red saree. She combed her hair, and filled her hairline. 

After getting ready, she walked to Ahaan who was still sleeping without caring about anything. With fear, she touched his shoulder and tried to wake him:” Ahaan… Ahaan.” 

But, he didn’t budge. After 5 minutes, he opened his eyes and his gaze fell on her. He got mesmerized seeing her, clad in a vibrant crimson saree. He came into the real world hearing her voice:” Ahaan, please wake up. We are getting late for breakfast.”

Ahaan yawned and said looking at the clock :” Anaya, it’s only 9. I am feeling sleepy and don’t disturb me again.” After saying this, he closed his eyes. Anaya sighed sadly, and was going when Ahaan held his hand and pulled her toward her, she landed on his chest. 

He said, wrapping his arms around her body:” It’s our first morning after marriage. We will go out together, so wait till I finish my sleep.” After saying this, he leaves her and sleeps again while Anaya worriedly sits on the sofa. She wanted to go outside, but she didn’t want to go against Ahaan’s words and make him angry. Worriedly, she waited for him to wake up. 

Finally, at 12 he woke up and they went downstairs. His parents and Alya were sitting in the living room. Seeing them, his father taunted:” Good, you've found a wife who sleeps late, just like you.” Anaya caught Ahaan's gaze and noticed his wicked smile, realizing it was his plan to create a negative impression of her on her first day. 

“Sorry, mom-dad. It will not repeat again.” Anaya apologized, his father nodded while Ahaan’s mother totally ignored her and started talking to Alya. Without caring about anything, Ahaan walked out of the house while Anaya went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

In the evening, Ahaan was going to his room when Alya stopped him but he totally ignored her and resumed walking. Alya held his shoulder and said :” Ahaan, please don’t behave like this. Before entering into a relationship, we used to be best friends. Please, don’t spoil our friendship.”

Ahaan brushed her off and attempted to walk away, but she held his hand and continued, "I know you're more upset with me because you had to marry Anaya because of me. But it's a good thing you made a contract with her before marriage, stating you'll leave her after one year if you don't like her."

Ahaan was taken aback and asked in shock, "How do you know about this contract?" Alya smirked and replied, "Oh, Dad told Mom to have Anaya sign these contract papers, and Mom begged him not to do this to her sweet daughter. But Dad forced her. It's good that you'll leave her; she's of no use. I hope you find a good life partner in the future."

Ahaan ignored her and retreated to his room. Standing on the balcony, he recollected the moment when, after Anaya agreed to marry him, he asked his father to take Anaya’s signature on the contract papers otherwise he would not marry her.  According to the contract, he would live with Anaya for a year and divorce her if he no longer wanted to be with her. His father contacted Anaya’s father and he agreed, Anaya's father requested that no one inform Anaya about the contract, a condition to which Ahaan agreed, as he didn’t care about her feelings.His trance was broken when a friend called, inviting him to the party. Ahaan accepted the invitation and left for the event.

CHAPTER 

One month later. 

Anaya woke up and looked at Ahaan who was sleeping, showing his bare back. She wore his shirt and walked inside the shower. She was thinking about her life, standing under the shower. It’s been one month of their marriage and nothing changed, Ahaan was still cold toward her. Everyone ignores her presence including her husband, which pained her heart. This wasn't the marriage life she had dreamt of. She fulfilled all her responsibility as his wife, still he didn’t care about her. She wiped her tears and walked out of the washroom after getting ready. 

On the other hand, Ahaan was trying hard in his musical career but he didn’t get any success. Alya and Dhruv were spending a blissful life together, Ahaan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness seeing their happiness.

One day, Ahaan's father stormed into the house, angrily. He shouted, "Ahaan! Ahaan, where are you?" Everyone rushed to the living room, including Ahaan. His father marched up to him, fuming, and exclaimed, "What do you want from me? Do you want to kill me?" Ahaan was confused seeing his anger, and his mother stepped forward, asking, "What happened? Why are you so angry?"

His father, seething with rage, replied, "Ask your son. He won't let me show my face in society anymore." Dhruv intervened, saying, "Dad, please calm down and tell us what happened. Why are you so furious with him?"

Pointing at Ahaan, his father said with frustration, "I've tolerated all his foolishness. He didn't join our office and instead chose to pursue his music career. I kept quiet, but now things have gone out of control. Do you know what he did? He started playing music at weddings, even for lower-class people. One of my politician friends attended one of those weddings for the sake of votes, recognized Ahaan as my son, and began taunting me. Because of him, I had to endure those taunts."

Ahaan tried to explain, "Dad, it's not what you think. The wedding was for a cousin of my friend who appreciates my music. She requested me to perform, and I couldn't refuse her."

His father raised his hand dismissively and said, "I don't want to hear any excuses. I just want you to join the office tomorrow, and I don't want to hear anything from you." Ahaan knew his father was too angry to listen, so he stormed off to his room in frustration.

Now, only Alya and Anaya remained in the drawing room. Alya walked towards Anaya and said, "This is why I rejected marrying him. See, this is the exact reason I was afraid to marry him." Anaya remained silent and left without saying a word.

She entered her room and found Ahaan absent. She  began waiting for him, as she always did since the first day of their marriage. 

He arrived late as usual. He looked at her, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room,  waiting for him. He knew since their marriage she waited for him, and didn’t sleep till he returned. As usual , she asked for dinner and this time he nodded as  he hadn't gone to the party. He just wanted to spend some alone time, and now he is hungry and somewhere he is relieved thinking Anaya was waiting for him. Before marriage, no one waited for him, and his father ordered servants not to serve him after 12. There were so many times he slept empty stomach. 

 Anaya went to get food for both of them. Ahaan emerged from the washroom and saw Anaya setting the table for them. He felt puzzled when he saw she had prepared food for two. Confused, he asked, "You haven't eaten yet?" Anaya glanced at him and simply nodded, placing the plate in front of him. They began eating in silence, after which they slept.