The day of the charity event was fast approaching, and with each passing moment, Sayantika could feel the pressure mounting. Sunita's cold commands and Natasha's condescending smirks had become a daily routine, leaving Sayantika with little peace. Still, she soldiered on, determined to prove herself.
The mansion had become a flurry of activity as the event drew near. Staff members scurried through the grand halls, making preparations for what was sure to be one of the most prestigious events of the year. Sayantika found herself caught in the middle, juggling responsibilities she had never dealt with before, while also managing the snide comments from Natasha and Sunita.
But beneath the mounting tension, something unexpected was also happening. Harshvardhan, though still distant, had begun to show signs of a change. His harsh exterior seemed to crack, if only slightly, whenever their paths crossed. It wasn't enough to declare him softened, but it was noticeable—small moments of civility that left Sayantika both confused and cautiously hopeful.
One morning, as Sayantika sat in the library going over the guest list for the event, Harshvardhan walked in. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was a subtle difference in the air between them—an unspoken understanding that had been missing before.
"How's the preparation going?" he asked, his voice more conversational than business-like, catching her off guard.
Sayantika looked up from the list, her fingers lingering over the paper as she tried to gauge his mood. "It's going well. There's still a lot to be done, but everything should be ready by the day of the event."
Harshvardhan nodded, his eyes scanning the room before settling on her. "If you need anything, just let me know."
Sayantika blinked, surprised by the offer. It was the first time he had shown any interest in helping her with anything since their marriage. Usually, he left her to handle things on her own, only intervening when absolutely necessary.
"Thank you," she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral, though she couldn't help the slight warmth that crept into her voice. "I appreciate that."
Harshvardhan's expression remained stoic, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he wasn't as indifferent as he tried to appear. After a moment of silence, he turned to leave the room, but before he could step out, he paused and looked back at her.
"Sayantika," he began, his voice softer than usual, "I know my mother and Natasha can be difficult. Don't let them get to you."
It was the second time he had said something like this to her, and once again, it caught her off guard. For someone who claimed to not care about their relationship, he seemed to be paying more attention than she realized.
"I won't," Sayantika said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harshvardhan gave a brief nod before exiting the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
For the first time in weeks, Sayantika allowed herself to hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that this marriage wouldn't be as cold and distant as she had feared. Maybe Harshvardhan wasn't the unfeeling tyrant he appeared to be.
As the charity event neared, Sayantika threw herself into the preparations, determined to make everything perfect. She worked long hours, overseeing the decorations, the seating arrangements, and the catering. Her nerves were stretched thin, but she refused to let the stress overwhelm her.
However, as the days passed, it became clear that Natasha and Sunita were intent on making things as difficult as possible for her. Every decision she made was questioned, every choice she presented was met with thinly veiled criticism.
"Are you sure this is the best caterer?" Natasha asked one afternoon as they stood in the ballroom, inspecting the final arrangements. "I've heard their service can be inconsistent."
Sayantika clenched her jaw, keeping her frustration in check. "They're one of the top caterers in the city. They've handled events even bigger than this."
Natasha gave her a sweet, insincere smile. "Well, I suppose we'll see if they can live up to the Malhotra standards."
Sunita, who had been watching the exchange silently, finally spoke. "Sayantika, you've been given a great deal of responsibility. I hope you're aware of how much is at stake."
"I am," Sayantika replied, her voice steady. "I won't let the family down."
Sunita's cold eyes lingered on her for a moment before she turned away, leaving Sayantika standing in the ballroom, feeling the weight of their scrutiny.
The night before the event, Sayantika sat in her bedroom, going over the final details. Her nerves were frayed, but she was determined not to show it. She had come this far—there was no turning back now.
As she sat at her desk, scribbling notes and making last-minute adjustments, there was a knock on the door. She looked up, surprised to see Harshvardhan standing in the doorway.
"Can I come in?" he asked, his tone surprisingly gentle.
"Of course," Sayantika replied, setting her pen down as he stepped inside. She had grown so used to his cold demeanor that his sudden warmth left her momentarily speechless.
Harshvardhan walked over to the window, staring out into the night for a moment before turning to face her. "I wanted to check on you. Tomorrow's a big day."
Sayantika smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, it is. But I think everything is ready."
He nodded, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at her. "You've done a good job."
The compliment took her by surprise. It wasn't something she was used to hearing from him, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harshvardhan walked closer, his expression unreadable. "I know this marriage hasn't been easy for you," he said, his voice low. "And I haven't made it any easier. But I want you to know... I respect what you're doing here."
Sayantika's heart skipped a beat. This was the most vulnerable she had ever seen him, and it left her feeling both confused and hopeful.
"I appreciate that," she replied, her voice soft but sincere.
Harshvardhan gave a brief nod, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he turned to leave. "Good luck tomorrow, Sayantika. You'll do fine."
And with that, he was gone, leaving her alone in the quiet of the room. But this time, the silence didn't feel as suffocating as it once had.
The day of the event arrived, and the Malhotra mansion was transformed into a dazzling spectacle of elegance and opulence. The grand ballroom was filled with guests, each more prestigious than the last. Sayantika, dressed in an exquisite sari, stood near the entrance, greeting the guests with grace and poise.
As the evening wore on, Sayantika felt the tension that had been building inside her slowly start to dissipate. Everything was going smoothly—the guests were impressed, the catering was flawless, and the atmosphere was perfect.
But just as she began to relax, she noticed Natasha and Sunita hovering near the edge of the room, their eyes trained on her like vultures waiting for their prey to falter.
"Everything looks so perfect, doesn't it?" Natasha whispered to Sunita, loud enough for Sayantika to hear. "Let's hope it stays that way."
Sayantika took a deep breath, refusing to let their words get to her. She had worked too hard to let them ruin this night.
But as the evening progressed, an unexpected twist threatened to unravel everything.
YOU ARE READING
Vardhan's Bride
Romance"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...
