BEYOND MY MASK ✅

First night

Night had draped its inky cloak over the Rajawat household.

The joyous commotion of the wedding day had subsided, replaced by a quiet murmur of conversation and the clinking of dinnerware. In their room, bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp, Ashnoor sat perched on the edge of the bed, fiddling nervously with the hem of her new kurta.

Across from her, Ishan changed into a comfortable T-shirt and sweatpants, his movements slow and deliberate. His eyes, usually sparkling with joy, were clouded with a hint of concern. Ashnoor knew it was time. The truth, a heavy stone lodged in her chest, threatened to suffocate her.

"Ishan," she began, her voice barely a whisper.

He turned, his gaze locking with hers. Years of unspoken communication passed between them in that single glance. He sat beside her, his touch a familiar comfort in the face of her growing dread.

"There's something I need to tell you," she continued, her throat tightening with anxiety. "Something I should have told you before."

Ishan took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "There's no rush, Ashnoor," he assured her, his voice gentle. "Tell me whenever you're ready."
The kindness in his eyes only amplified her burden.

Taking a deep breath, she started, "It's about my past, Ishan. There's a reason I haven't been completely honest with you."

The room fell silent, the only sound their intertwined breathing. Ashnoor closed her eyes, summoning all her courage. In a quiet but steady voice, she began to unravel the tangled threads of her secret. She spoke of her past life, a life far removed from the opulent world of the Rajawat .She spoke of the struggles, the uncertainties, and the burden she carried.

As she spoke, her voice trembling at times, Ishan listened intently, his hand providing a silent source of strength. He didn't interrupt, his gaze holding hers with unwavering support. When she finally finished, the room was shrouded in a heavy silence. Exhausted by the emotional toll of her confession, Ashnoor leaned against him, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I… I understand if you don't want this anymore," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I wouldn't blame you."

Ishan remained silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting a kaleidoscope of emotions. Then, he cupped her face in his hands, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb.

"Ashnoor," he began, his voice low and firm, "your past doesn't change the way I feel about you. You are strong, brave, and everything I ever wanted. The fact that you trusted me enough to tell me this means the world to me."

Relief washed over Ashnoor, warm and unexpected. She had braced herself for rejection, for a shattered dream, but instead, she found acceptance and unwavering love.

"But what about your family?" she asked hesitantly. "Will they accept me knowing my…"

Ishan cut her off with a gentle smile. "They love you already, Ashnoor. And as for their acceptance, that's something we'll face together."

He drew her closer, his embrace a haven against the storm of her emotions. In the quiet intimacy of the night, they found solace and strength in each other. The unspoken promise of a future, built on honesty and unwavering love, hung heavy in the air.

As the night deepened, they drifted to sleep, their bodies intertwined, a silent vow echoing in their hearts – to face the challenges ahead, hand in hand.  The first night, fraught with anxiety and confession, ended not with passion, but with a profound sense of connection, a bond strengthened by vulnerability and trust.

The embers of their love, fanned by the honesty they had shared, burned brighter, promising a future where love would conquer all.