In the opulent world where wealth and power reign supreme, Atharv Rajvansh stands as an untouchable force, his cold perfection masking a storm of hidden vulnerabilities.
Enter Inaara Sharma, a kind-hearted soul whose old-fashioned charm and quiet s...
The day had finally arrived—the day Inaara Sharma would become Mrs. Inaara Atharv Rajvansh. The marriage hall sprawling and opulent, was decorated like a palace. Thousands of flowers adorned the pathways, and sparkling lights draped the walls. The scent of roses, orchids, lilies, and peonies mixed with the excitement in the air, creating an atmosphere that was mesmerizing.
Inaara sat in front of a large vanity mirror in one of grand rooms, her face a mask of forced calm. Dressed in a deep red bridal lehenga embroidered with gold, she looked every bit the quintessential bride. The makeup artist, a renowned celebrity beautician, was finishing up her work. She delicately adjusted the heavy maang tikka on Inaara’s forehead, ensuring it sat perfectly in place.
“You look stunning, Mrs. Rajvansh. Just like a queen,” the beautician said with a smile, trying to draw some warmth from Inaara.
Inaara’s eyes, however, remained distant. She didn’t feel like a queen. She felt like a pawn, being moved across a chessboard in a game she hadn’t chosen to play.
Navya, Inaara’s best friend, burst into the room with an excited grin. “Inni!” she whispered, using the nickname that only she and Inaara’s family used. She walked over to Inaara, her eyes sparkling. “You look absolutely beautiful. But there’s one thing missing…”
Inaara managed a small, forced smile. “What’s missing, Navya?”
Navya gently squeezed her hand. “Your smile, Inni. The real one. You know, the one that lights up your eyes.”
Inaara tried to smile again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m trying, Navya. I really am.”
Navya sighed and wrapped an arm around Inaara’s shoulder. “I know you are. But just remember, no matter what happens today or tomorrow, I’m always here. You’re not alone.” ----- The rituals passed by in a blur for Inaara, a whirlwind of colors, sounds, and emotions that didn’t quite settle in her mind. She performed each step like an automaton, her mind far away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t control. Then came the sindoor daan—the moment every bride waits for, but Inaara wasn’t ready for it.
Atharv, sitting beside her with a blank expression, filled her parting with sindoor. A small amount fell onto her nose. The priest noticed this and smiled broadly, his voice filled with warmth and joy. “This is a very auspicious sign. When sindoor falls on the bride’s nose, it means the husband will love his wife deeply, passionately.”
Atharv’s eyes barely flickered with any emotion as he looked at the priest. He rolled his eyes slightly, his lips curling with a hint of disdain, and said under his breath, “Bas yehi sunna baaki tha.” (That's all I had to hear)
Inaara’s heart clenched at his words. She cast a sideways glance at him. His face remained cold, a stark contrast to the warmth the priest spoke of. ----
After the emotional farewell of vidai, Inaara was welcomed into the Rajvansh mansion with all the traditional ceremonies. Sangeeta, Atharv’s mother, greeted her at the entrance for the griha pravesh ritual. Inaara carefully pushed over the kalash filled with rice and stepped into the tray of kumkum water. As she walked into the mansion, her red footprints left a trail on the marble floor, symbolizing her entry as a new daughter-in-law.
After all the formalities,Sangeeta guided Inaara upstairs to Atharv's room, which was decorated for the wedding night with an overwhelming display of roses and candles. But Inaara felt nothing but anxiety. The scent was almost too strong, making Inaara feel dizzy.She was now a part of this wealthy and powerful family, but the weight of that title felt crushing.
Sangeeta’s face softened as she looked at her new daughter-in-law. “Inaara, I know this is all very new and perhaps overwhelming for you. When I came into this house, I was a middle-class girl too. Arjun chose me, and I had to adjust to a lot. I was just 23, and there were days I didn’t know how to navigate it. But Arjun was always there for me, supporting me, guiding me through every step. You’ll be fine too, dear. Just give it some time. Learn from your experiences, and you’ll find your way.”
Inaara nodded, her smile polite, but her thoughts were spinning. "She had a supportive husband by her side. Mine... mine doesn’t even consider this marriage a marriage. For him, it’s just a mistake—a necessary evil." She thanked Sangeeta softly, but her heart felt heavy.
After Sangeeta left, the reality of her situation truly hit her. She looked around the room. First night... The thought sent a chill down her spine. What if Atharv demanded consummation? She wasn’t ready—not physically, not emotionally. She couldn’t bear the thought of it. Anxiety gripped her. Think, Inni, think. What will you say? How will you handle this?
Before she could gather her thoughts, the door swung open. Atharv entered, his expression hardening the moment he saw her sitting on his bed. “Get off the bed,” he said coldly, his voice clipped and commanding. “And change into something else.”
Inaara’s eyes widened, but she quickly got up and made her way to the changing room. She changed into a simple night suit, her heart still racing with nerves. When she returned, Atharv was sitting on the bed, his eyes fixed on her with a steely gaze.
"This marriage is just a PR stunt," he said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "In front of the world and the media, we will act like a happy couple. But don’t interfere in my life, and stay out of my way. And stay away from my things," he added, his eyes briefly meeting hers with an intense glare. "You can sleep on the couch. I don’t care."
Inaara let out a sigh of relief. She had expected as much. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away. "Stay strong, Inni. This is just the beginning".Without another word, she laid down on her side of the bed, closing her eyes, and drifted into sleep.
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