The next morning began as a reflection of Sayantika's new reality. The opulent surroundings of the Malhotra mansion contrasted with the hollowness she felt inside. Every polished surface and gilded decoration seemed to emphasize how out of place she was. Harshvardhan remained as distant as ever, and the echoes of Natasha's and Sunita's veiled insults lingered in her mind.
Despite the tension, Sayantika had no choice but to navigate through the day. Harshvardhan had already left early for work, his departure as silent as his demeanor. He hadn't bothered to say goodbye, but she had stopped expecting such gestures from him. Sayantika could almost accept the emotional distance between them if it wasn't for the looming threat of his family, particularly Natasha.
As she stood in front of her vanity, brushing her long hair, her thoughts returned to the night before. Harshvardhan's acknowledgment of her handling Natasha had been small, but it was something. A tiny opening in the armor he constantly wore. She couldn't deny that a part of her wanted more of that—more glimpses of the man behind the ruthless exterior. But she also knew it would take more than mere politeness and patience to break through to him.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she called out, setting her brush down.
Deepa, the housekeeper, entered, her face as serious as always. "Ma'am, Mrs. Malhotra has requested your presence in the garden. She said it's urgent."
Sayantika's heart sank. There was nothing pleasant about Sunita Malhotra's "urgent" requests. Every interaction with her mother-in-law felt like walking a tightrope, with Sunita constantly testing how far Sayantika would bend before she broke.
"Thank you, Deepa. I'll be there shortly," Sayantika replied, masking her apprehension with a smile.
As she made her way to the garden, she mentally prepared herself for another round of scrutiny. The moment she stepped outside, the sight of Sunita sipping tea under the shade of a large umbrella greeted her. Natasha, of course, was sitting beside her, looking as though she belonged to the estate more than Sayantika ever could.
"Ah, there you are, Sayantika," Sunita said without looking up. "We were just talking about you."
Sayantika forced a smile. "I hope it was a good conversation."
Natasha smirked, stirring her tea lazily. "Oh, it was. We were just discussing how important it is for a new bride to understand her duties, especially when married into a family like the Malhotras."
Sayantika's stomach tightened. "I'm aware of my responsibilities, Natasha."
"Are you?" Sunita interjected, her sharp eyes finally landing on Sayantika. "You see, dear, being Harshvardhan's wife is more than just living in this house and attending to household matters. You need to understand the significance of the Malhotra name and what it represents."
"I do understand," Sayantika said, keeping her tone as respectful as possible. "I'm learning more every day."
Natasha leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "Learning is good, but execution is better. Take today, for example. Harshvardhan is hosting an important dinner tonight with some of the top clients from his company. It's a very prestigious gathering. I'm sure you were planning on preparing something special for the occasion?"
Sayantika's breath caught. This was the first time she was hearing about any dinner. Harshvardhan hadn't mentioned it, and no one else had informed her either.
Sunita noticed the hesitation in Sayantika's expression. "Oh dear, you didn't know, did you?"
"I—no, I wasn't informed," Sayantika admitted, feeling a surge of anxiety.
YOU ARE READING
Vardhan's Bride
Romansa"This marriage may be real on paper, but I don't expect us to act like we're anything more than strangers." His words stung, but Sayantika had expected no less. She had heard the rumors about his first marriage-that his ex-wife had betrayed him, lea...
