The silence after Aarav's words lingered in the room long after the piano stopped.
Meera stood frozen near the doorway.
Aarav finally opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder.
For a brief second, neither spoke.
The room felt different from the rest of the mansion.
Warmer.
More personal.
And suddenly Meera realized why.
Photographs.
Dozens of them.
Not family pictures.
Not business awards.
One woman.
A beautiful young woman with bright eyes and a carefree smile.
The same woman appeared in every frame.
Her stomach dropped.
Siya.
The dead fiancée.
Aarav immediately stood up.
His expression hardened the moment he noticed where she was looking.
The vulnerable man playing the piano disappeared.
Mr. Aarav Khanna returned.
"You shouldn't be here."
Meera crossed her arms.
"I could say the same thing."
His jaw tightened.
"Leave."
The word was calm.
But final.
For some reason, that irritated her.
"Why does everyone act like this room is some kind of secret?"
Aarav stared at her.
Cold.
Silent.
Dangerously unreadable.
Then he walked past her and opened the door wider.
A clear dismissal.
Meera hated being dismissed.
Especially by him.
But something in his eyes stopped her from arguing further.
Not anger.
Pain.
Raw and old.
Without another word, she left.
The door closed behind her immediately.
Almost like he was afraid she'd see something he wanted hidden.
—
The next morning, Meera woke up determined to stop thinking about Aarav Khanna.
It lasted exactly fifteen minutes.
Because the moment she entered the dining room, she found him sitting there looking unfairly attractive while reading business reports.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
"Good morning, bhabhi."
Kabir grinned from across the table.
"Did you survive your first week of marriage?"
Meera sat down.
"Barely."
Kabir laughed.
Aarav didn't even look up.
Meera rolled her eyes.
"Does he always ignore people?"
"Only the ones he likes."
A voice answered from behind.
Naina.
Aarav finally looked up.
His sister smirked slightly.
The reaction lasted less than a second, but Meera noticed.
Interesting.
Apparently even the Ice King had weaknesses.
—
Later that afternoon, Meera received a call from her brother.
"Di!"
Rohan's cheerful voice instantly made her smile.
"How are you?"
"I'm good. Mom made your favorite food today."
A lump formed in her throat.
For the first time since the wedding, she genuinely missed home.
Everything there had been small.
Messy.
Loud.
But it had felt real.
Unlike this mansion.
Unlike this marriage.
Rohan suddenly lowered his voice.
"Are you happy?"
The question caught her off guard.
Meera glanced through the window.
Aarav stood outside speaking to someone on the phone.
Cold. Distant. Unreachable.
Happy?
She honestly didn't know.
"Of course," she lied.
Rohan believed her.
That made her feel worse.
—
That evening, Savitri insisted everyone attend dinner together.
Which immediately felt like punishment.
The meal remained surprisingly peaceful until Rajveer arrived.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Even Meera could feel it.
"Tomorrow's charity gala is confirmed," Rajveer announced.
"Aarav, you'll be attending."
Aarav nodded.
"And Meera should come as well."
The table fell silent.
Meera looked up.
Aarav looked annoyed.
Good.
Finally something interesting.
"I don't need a public appearance," Meera said.
Rajveer smiled.
"You'll have photographers following you for the rest of your life."
"Wonderful," she deadpanned.
Kabir nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Aarav gave him a warning look.
Kabir immediately looked away.
Meera noticed that too.
Everyone listened when Aarav spoke.
Everyone except her.
And strangely...
she liked that.
—
Later that night, Meera sat on the balcony outside her room.
The city lights sparkled in the distance.
The air felt cool against her skin.
For the first time all day, she felt relaxed.
Until a familiar voice interrupted.
"You should be asleep."
Meera didn't even turn around.
"You should mind your own business."
Aarav walked onto the balcony.
The tension instantly returned.
"You're technically my business."
Meera stared at him.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
Aarav looked confused.
"What?"
"That might be the most arrogant thing I've ever heard."
For a second, silence lingered.
Then unexpectedly—
the corner of Aarav's mouth lifted slightly.
Not a smile.
But close.
Meera blinked.
Had she actually made Aarav Khanna almost smile?
The moment disappeared immediately.
His expression returned to normal.
Cold.
Controlled.
Safe.
"I'll be leaving early tomorrow," he said.
"Good for you."
"The gala starts at seven."
Meera frowned.
"Wait."
Aarav looked at her.
"You are attending."
Meera stared at him.
"You literally said yesterday I wasn't."
"I changed my mind."
She narrowed her eyes.
"I hate when you do that."
Aarav's gaze held hers for a moment longer than necessary.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Get used to it, Mrs. Khanna."
And for reasons she couldn't explain—
the title sent an unexpected shiver through her.
Not because she liked it.
De
finitely not because she liked it.
But because hearing it from him suddenly made the marriage feel real.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
Write a comment ...