The Billionaire's Bride [ Rewritten]

Part 6 | Meeting His Parents

Deep breaths, Naira. You've got this.

I stood in front of the mirror a second longer than necessary, watching a version of myself that felt both familiar and strange. The red saree-simple, elegant, with thin golden borders-hugged me neatly. My makeup was barely there, just enough to brighten my face. And then there was the thin streak of sindoor resting in the parting of my hair, small yet a declaration of my new role. His wife.

For a moment, I just stared at my reflection. It stared back-calm, composed, almost convincing.
I pressed my lips into a smile. Not too wide. Not too nervous. Just... pleasant.

From downstairs, I could hear the faint murmur of voices. Kartik's parents arrived fifteen minutes ago. They were waiting in the hall to meet their son's wife. Their daughter in law. But what exactly were they expecting? Do I fit into whatever image they had carefully built in their minds?

I wrapped my fingers around the cold brass doorknob. For a second, I just stood there, breathing.

Don't be nervous. Just smile. Act cool. You're not on trial.

Right?

I opened the door. The staircase suddenly felt longer than it ever had. As I descended, the hum of conversation downstairs began to fade. By the time I reached the last few steps, the room had gone completely silent.

My eyes went straight to the only person I was familiar with, in the entire room. The one I had married.

And that's when I noticed. He was staring at me.
Not casually but Dumbfounded.

His eyes were wide, his lips slightly parted, like he'd just seen something entirely unexpected.

Now why is he acting weird?

Was it the saree? The sindoor? Had I overdone something? I kept smiling as I took my place beside him, but inside, a hundred questions collided at once.

What is wrong with his brain now?

Why is he staring at me like I've just materialized out of thin air instead of introducing me?

I discreetly nudged his shirt. He blinked, as if waking up.I was about to speak when his arm slid around my waist and pulled me close. My breath hitched.

"Mom, Dad," he said, eyes still locked on mine, "this is Naira. My wife."

My wife.

Before I could process it, his mom hurried over and hugged me warmly. "You look so beautiful, dear!"

And just like that, my nervousness loosened its grip.

" I am Veena Oberoi and this is Rakesh Oberoi, My husband. " his mom beamed as she looped her fingers around his dad's arms.

Kartik had clearly inherited his looks from his mom.

But her energy? Not even close.

She was all warmth and excitement, while he stood beside me quiet and unreadable - as if the storm was happening somewhere behind his eyes.