𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀 : 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞|𝟏𝟖+ (Series #01)

01

CHAPTER 1 :
❀THE   MARRIAGE❀
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M I R A Y A 'S    P O V

I sat in front of the orange flames of the fire that were engulfing my heart and binding me to a man I never imagined I would marry. Last week, exactly at this time, I sat across this man, sharing with him the biggest truth of my life. He had no emotions in his eyes except assurance, an assurance to accept me without letting me feel that I was a burden to him.

"You sure, you're okay?", he asked with concern.

"Y-Yes", I replied , smiling awkwardly at him.

"You can let me know if something is bothering you without any hesitance." I simply nodded at him.

The wedding rituals were soon done. We had our dinner along with our family.

"You both can now rest in the hotel room till tomorrow's evening party", his mother said smiling at both of us.

Raghav intertwined our hands together and softly pressed them as he blinked his eyes showcasing calmness.

｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡

As we entered our room, I felt betrayal towards me. The reality hit me that I'm married now. I'm his wife and I've to fulfill his needs, as he saved me from the shame I caused to my family.

"Take these medicines as prescribed on time before you freshen up. Until then, I'll tidy up this mess by myself as I cannot call anyone inside to clean this.", he spoke as he handled a small bag towards me.

"What are these medicines for?" I questioned him.

"I-I " he stammered before continuing "Actually I contacted Amaya, her colleague suggested these multi-vitamins for you. Umm, I know you can't trust me so easily but I would never harm you.", he explained himself. He sounded nervous.

"Thank you for this.", I voiced out not meeting his gaze and moved towards the washroom to freshen up.

I took a long shower and changed into comfortable clothes. As I headed out from the restroom, I felt the coolness of the room. He had turned on the AC when I wasn't here. I'm accustomed to sleeping in a cold room.

This can be coincidental.

The bed was already cleaned and I saw minute rose petals fallen on the floor near the dustbin while he was nowhere to be seen. I shifted my gaze towards the room entrance as he walked inside the bedroom. He smiled at me while listening to the other person on the call. I surprisingly didn't hear him speaking with the other person. Maybe he is a good listener.

I tried to smile at him. He was still in his wedding attire. He ended the call as soon as I was done with some night skincare routine.

"I'll sleep on the couch in the living area as the suite doesn't have any other room", I spoke to start a small conversation. 

Of course, it's a honeymoon suite.

"The bed is sufficient for both of us to sleep on." He replied.

"But- " I tried to argue until he started.

"I'm your husband, Miraya . I've taken marriage vows with you in front of everyone today. And if you think of this as a name-sake marriage, then you are wrong. We are giving each other a chance. You can take your time as much as you want. We have a lifetime for that and I can wait for you as long as you want. Even if you say you will be unable to love me all my life, it's okay with me. But let me be your husband." He asserted.

I stood there just observing his moves, unable to find any words.

I know his expectations from this marriage are not wrong. I can fulfill all my wife duties towards him. I can try to become a good life partner for him at least for what he has done for me till now.

Love is a faraway thing for me now.

"I would be uncomfortable if you'll be sleeping beside me." I voiced out my thoughts.

"Always keep this one thing in your mind. I will never cross my limits unless you asked me to. Also I won't be able to sleep today so rest assured."

"Huh-Why?"

"I've a lot of pending work to cover up so you can sleep peacefully here. I'll be awake in the living room working. You can call me if you need anything, okay?" , he completed himself as he patted my cheeks lightly before pecking on my forehead and moved to the restroom as I gave him a slight nod.

I turned off the lights and slipped into the comforters. The large glass windows were giving the view of the sky filled with stars and I felt like I was looking for him. He must've been one of them, right?

I put my hand on my stomach slowly caressing it and mumbled, "Mumma promises to give you the best life."

I still wonder how Raghav can accept me with a child which isn't his. I came from a family where carrying a child before marriage was a sin. My hometown was filled with this mentality. The orthodox. My family opposed me from joining college but I managed my own expenses doing odd jobs while attending colleges. Slowly, I did internships which paid me well enough along with some freelance project as an upcoming data engineer.

Radhita, my best friend, and Raghav's cousin sister. I met her in college and later we became roommates and that's how we became best friends but we both are more than that. But today I'm hiding it from her that she's soon going to become an aunt.

The best aunt to my child. 

I'm avoiding her since Raghav made the wedding announcement in front of his family. I can feel the guilt inside me to lie to her.

I heard the door click open and quickly closed my eyes, acting as if I'm in deep slumber. I heard light footsteps approaching me.

He adjusted the comforter around me and tucked me well. I felt his lips on my forehead.

" Good night , Meera " , he spoke softly before heading out of the room.