Rajmata chuckles, rising gracefully. “Alright, you two. Enough teasing. Let the couple talk.”
They start to leave, Yagini winking at me as she passes. “Don’t worry, Bhabhi. He pretends to be serious, but he’s a softie.”
“Choti,” Dhruv warns.
She laughs all the way out. When the door finally closes, silence settles again—but this time, it’s different. Comfortable.
I glance at him, biting my lip to hide a smile. “You let them bully me.”
He feigns innocence. “They’re harmless.”
“They laughed at me!”
“You are adorable.”
“I was panicking!”
“Still adorable.”
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “You’re insufferable.”
He chuckles, moving closer until he’s standing right in front of me. “Maybe. But you’re smiling now.”
I drop my hands, and he’s right—I am.
“I wasn’t sure they’d like me,” I admit softly. “They’re so… poised. Elegant. I feel like a walking chaos next to them.”
He shakes his head. “They loved you already.”
“Because I talked too much?”
“Because you were yourself,” he says. “And that’s all they needed to see.”
Something inside me loosens at that. Like a knot finally unraveling after being pulled too tight for too long.
He notices, of course he does. His voice gentles. “You did well, Sitara.”
I glance up at him. “You mean I didn’t embarrass you?”
His lips twitch. “You tried your best.”
“Dhruv!”
He laughs, and it’s the most unguarded sound I’ve ever heard from him.
“Did I just witness The Dhruv Singhania laughing TWICE in a day?” I gasp jokingly. And a small smile makes a way on his lips.
“You have, but no one would believe you, so it’s not a threat.” He it says so seriously that laughter bubbles out of me again.
I should be nervous, I should be overwhelmed—but instead, I just feel… lighter.
Maybe this is what it feels like when someone doesn’t expect you to be perfect. Maybe this is what it feels like when you can finally just be. I should be intimidated-- I mean I am, after all, marrying a man for my convenience. I know myself. I know I am not very bright or graceful or… I don’t know… not very elegant, especially to be the wife of someone who already knows my antics and is still willing to marry me. But I am not intimidated. I never am with Dhruv. From our very first meeting, I have always felt so bold with him, so carefree, and although I don’t know the reason, it still helps a lot in this circumstance.
I do feel sad for him. He could have had anyone, but he’ll be stuck with me. Probably for life because my brother is his best friend and Bhai-sa would not hesitate to kill him if he hurts me.
“Are you sure about this, Dhruv?” I whisper, looking away from him, “We won’t be able to change this for a long time because I don’t want to ever strain your relationship with Bhai-sa. He hardly has friends, and I know you mean a lot to him, so a divorce won’t really be in our cards for a long time.” What kind of a bride talks of divorce even before she’s married?
“You can have anyone you want, Dhruv,” I look into his eyes, so he knows I mean every word I am going to say to him. “You’re kind—grumpy yes,” I laugh, “but still so kind, patient, caring… you’re just a very giving person and I don’t—” he gets up before I can complete my monologue.
