LOGIN"Roke ke baad Shaadi hoti hai?" She asked. The question was so simple. So pure. It almost felt out of place in a haveli filled with manipulation and silent wars. Ryker looked away this time. Toward the window. Toward nothing. (Translation: Wedding happens after engagement?) "Hanjii." He replied. (Translation: Yes.) "To phir hamari kab hogi?" She questioned. He turned back to her, expression unreadable. (Translation: Then, when will ours happen?) "Jab aap in sab baat'on ka matlab acche se samajh jayengi." He answered maturely instead of getting out of words by her innocent questions. (Translation: When you fully understand the meaning of all these things.) Inaayat frowned slightly. Her lips parted slightly. As if that answer didn't sit right with her. But before she could ask more- A knock came at the door, again. "Inaayat! Jaldi aa jaao neeche! Sab tumhe bula rahe hain!" a servant called out. (Translation: Inaayat! Come downstairs quickly! Everyone is calling y
He started going through the stuff and took out a pair of green bangles- exactly the colour of her dupatta. He went to her and just for the confirmation held the bangles closer to her dupatta and when the colours actually matched he put some golden bangles between them as per the reference image suggested by the internet. Inaayat kept looking at him curiously. "Laiye apna haath dijiye." He asked extending his hand towards her. (Translation: Give me your hand.) Inaayat looked at him for a while in hesitation and he stood there patiently not pushing, not forcing just calm and steady. She gently placed her small palm in his big and calloused one. A sudden spark passed through them. Inaayat exhaled softly while Ryker tried to do his best in getting her ready. One by one, with utter care he slid all of the bangles in both of her wrists with clinking sounds of the glass bangles. When he was done Inaayat shook her hands gently and there was a clicking and jingling sound of the bangle
The haveli had never looked more alive. Or more suffocating. Voices echoed through the long corridors- servants rushing back and forth, trays clinking, fabrics rustling, instructions flying from every direction. The air was thick with the scent of incense, fresh marigold garlands, and something else- Expectation. Pressure. Decoration had taken over every inch of the place. Golden drapes hung from the arches, strings of flowers framed every doorway, and the main hall glowed under warm lights prepared for the ceremony that would soon bind two lives together. Or at least, that's what everyone believed. Arjun stood at the far end of the corridor, watching it all like an outsider. His reflection in the polished pillar beside him looked like a stranger- dressed perfectly, posture straight, face calm. But his eyes- His eyes were hollow. The envelope still burned in his mind. Every word. Every truth. Every moment he had was destroyed with his own hands. And yet- He was here. Getting e
Their gaze clashed. Years of love. Years of hurt. All standing between them. "Mujhe laga tha tumne mujhe chhod diya." Arjun's voice softened, almost breaking. Nancy smiled sadly. (Translation: I thought you gave up on me.) "Maine khud ko chhod diya tha, Arjun." She murmured, barely above a whisper. (Translation: I had given up on myself, Arjun.) That broke him. His shoulders slumped. "Aaj bhi?" The question slipped out before he could stop it. Nancy looked at him for a very long moment. (Translation: Even today?) "Aaj bhi." She said very quietly. His breath caught in his chest. (Translation: Even today.) "Isliye mujhse door rehti ho?" He asked and she nodded yes. (Translation: Is this the reason, you stay away from me?) "Isliye main tumhari aankhon mein nahi dekh pati. Kyun ki agar dekh liya...to fir mazboot nahi reh paungi." She said. (Translation: That's why I can't look into your eyes. Because if I do... I won't be able to stay strong.) Arjun stepped closer, his v
"To fir abhi tak aap wahan kyun khadi hain? Aap ko Nancy ke kamre mein hi sona hai kya? Aap ko yahan accha nahi lag raha?" He asked her thinking she might feel more comfortable in Nancy's home than his room. (Translation: Then why are you still standing there? Do you want to sleep in Nancy's room? Don't you like it here?) "Ji nahi aisa kuch bhi nahi hai." She replied slowly still rooted at her place. (Translation: No, it's nothing like that.) "To fir kya baat hai, bacche? Idhar aaiye." He asked gently and patted the space beside him. (Translation: Then what's the matter, kiddo? Come here.) She obeyed and took some baby steps towards the bed and slowly climbed on it. Adjusting her dupatta she sat where he asked her to. Her fingers fidgeting in her lap as if she was fighting with her inner turmoil and didn't know how to express it. He could clearly notice the uncomfortable demeanor of her and he knew why. Today's interaction with Sudha had surely left an impact on her. "Aap ko k
"J-Ji nahi, humara kehne ka wo matlab nahi tha." She said immediately with her eyes wide, head shaking in denial. (Translation: N-No, that's not what I meant.) "To fir kya matlab tha aap ka?" Ryker asked nudging his head a little closer to her. (Translation: Then what did you mean?) Inaayat looked at their surroundings and there was no one, still she felt a little flustered at his closeness. She looked down again fidgeting her fingers together. "Ji, hum jayein?" She asked softly and all the playfulness in his demeanor was gone. (Translation: Can I go?) He didn't want her to go. He didn't want to go back to that cold room again, alone. But he didn't know how to tell her that without her he couldn't get a single ounce of sleep. That room without her presence feels haunting to him. Ryker, who knew so many languages- didn't know the language which could convey his feelings, his silent words to her. "Nahi aap nahi jaa sakti'n." He said and it came out a little harsh which startled







