Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

7.

In the days that followed Ahaan's quiet confession, something subtle yet profound shifted between him and Kaira. The air between them felt less tense, less weighed down by the invisible walls they had both been hiding behind. They weren't exactly close, not yet, but the distance that had once defined their relationship was slowly fading.

Ahaan found himself looking forward to their quiet evenings together. After long hours at his firm, instead of retreating into his study or drowning himself in work, he would find Kaira in the living room, curled up with a book or watching something on TV. He'd sit with her, not saying much, but simply sharing the space. And it was enough. It felt... peaceful.

One evening, as they sat in their familiar silence, Kaira finally broke it, her voice soft but steady. "You know... I wasn't always like this either."

Ahaan looked over at her, curious. He hadn't expected her to open up, especially after he had dropped his guard in front of her.

"There was someone in my life, too," she continued, her eyes distant as if reliving the past. "I was engaged once. We were together for a few years, and I thought it was... right. We had everything planned, and then, just like that, it all fell apart." She paused, her voice faltering for a moment. "He left. No explanations, no warning. Just like that."

Ahaan frowned, hearing echoes of his own heartbreak in her words. He shifted closer to her, his gaze never leaving her face. "What happened?"

Kaira let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I found out that he wasn't the person I thought he was. He had been seeing someone else for months. And I never knew. It shattered everything I believed about love and trust."

Ahaan's heart ached as he listened, his chest tightening with a familiar sense of betrayal. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, the words heavy with empathy. He knew what it felt like to have your world crumble beneath you.

Kaira gave a small, sad smile. "It's in the past now, but it left a mark. After that, I promised myself I wouldn't let anyone get close enough to hurt me again. But then, this marriage happened..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the unsaid words hanging between them.

Ahaan understood exactly what she meant. They had both entered this marriage carrying the weight of their pasts, expecting nothing more than a cordial relationship-a partnership born of obligation, not affection. But something had changed. Slowly, they had begun to trust each other in small ways, sharing pieces of their broken hearts and, in turn, mending the cracks.

"I think we're both more alike than we realized," Ahaan said after a long pause, his tone thoughtful.

Kaira looked at him, her eyes soft. "Maybe. I guess we've both been running from something."

"Yeah," Ahaan agreed, leaning back into the couch. "But maybe we don't have to anymore."

The conversation left them both feeling lighter as if the weight of their pasts had loosened its grip just a little. From that night on, they began to share more than just silence. Their conversations became a part of their daily routine-talking about work, family, their hopes, and even the small, inconsequential things. It was in these moments, the everyday details, that they began to truly see each other.

Ahaan noticed how Kaira's face lit up when she talked about her work. She was passionate about helping others, always finding ways to make a difference in people's lives. He admired her for it, for the way she threw herself into her social work, even when it was difficult. There were days when she came home exhausted from dealing with complicated cases, but she never let it dim her warmth.

Kaira, on the other hand, saw a side of Ahaan that he rarely showed anyone else. Beneath his calm and composed exterior, there was a man who cared deeply-for his family, for his work, and even for her, though he wasn't quite ready to admit it yet. He had his moments of frustration and stress, but he was also thoughtful and attentive in ways she hadn't expected.

It wasn't long before they began to rely on each other more, in small but meaningful ways. When Ahaan had a particularly gruelling day at work, Kaira would be there with a cup of tea and a listening ear, never pressing him to talk but always ready if he needed to. And when Kaira came home feeling drained from the emotional toll of her job, Ahaan would quietly cook dinner or leave her favourite snacks on the counter, gestures that spoke louder than words.

The boundaries between them, once so clearly defined, were now beginning to blur. They had become comfortable in each other's presence, no longer two strangers living separate lives under the same roof. They were a team now, even if they hadn't fully realized it yet.

One evening, after a particularly long week for both of them, they found themselves sitting on the balcony, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. It had become a ritual of sorts-these quiet evenings spent together, not needing to fill the silence with words.

Kaira leaned back in her chair, glancing over at Ahaan. "It's funny, isn't it?"

"What is?" he asked, turning to her.

"How things have changed," she said, her voice thoughtful. "A few months ago, we could barely look at each other without feeling awkward. And now..."

Ahaan smiled a rare, genuine smile that made Kaira's heart flutter in a way she hadn't expected. "Yeah," he said softly. "Now it doesn't feel so strange."

They sat there in the quiet, the boundaries between them fading even further as the night deepened around them. Neither of them knew exactly where they were headed, but for the first time since their marriage began, they were no longer afraid of what they might find together.