Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

3.

Returning home after their honeymoon, Kavya felt as though they had stepped back into a reality that was cold and unforgiving. The opulent lifestyle of the Khanna family was on full display, with extravagant parties and social gatherings that filled their calendar. To the outside world, the couple was the picture of marital bliss—a stunning pair at charity events, glamorous dinners, and high-profile business functions. But behind the polished facade, the stark contrast of their private life was beginning to emerge.

As Kavya sat in their living room, the lavish decor surrounding her felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. She scrolled through her phone, looking at the photos from their honeymoon, memories she wished she could relive. Her heart sank as she looked at the smiles plastered on their faces, a stark reminder of the growing rift between them. She had hoped the honeymoon would strengthen their bond, but reality was setting in.

Arjun had quickly returned to his old routine—long hours at the office, phone calls filled with numbers and statistics, and meetings that stretched late into the night. Kavya felt increasingly invisible, her dreams and aspirations dismissed like an afterthought. Whenever she tried to discuss her interests or share her ideas, Arjun’s attention would drift elsewhere, his mind preoccupied with business.

“Arjun,” she said one evening, summoning the courage to confront him as he buried himself in a pile of paperwork at the dining table. “I was thinking of starting a small blog about home decor. I’ve been really passionate about it, and I think it could be a fun project for me.”

He barely looked up, the pages of contracts rustling as he flipped through them. “That’s nice, Kavya, but I really can’t focus on that right now. We have a lot on our plate with the upcoming gala and the new project.”

Kavya’s heart sank further at his dismissive tone. “I understand, but I thought it would be something we could enjoy together. You could help me with some ideas, maybe even feature some of your office’s latest designs,” she suggested, trying to bridge the gap.

“Honestly, I don’t have time for that,” he replied sharply, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at her. “Can’t you find something else to occupy yourself with? Just focus on supporting me in my work; that’s what’s important right now.”

His words cut deeper than she expected. “Supporting you is all I ever do,” she replied quietly, hurt spilling from her heart. “But I also need to feel valued for who I am, not just as your wife.”

Arjun looked at her for a moment, an expression of frustration flashing across his face before he returned to his paperwork, the conversation abruptly ended. Kavya’s chest tightened, a wave of despair washing over her. She felt like a shadow in her own home, fading further into the background, her identity diminished under the weight of his expectations.

Days turned into weeks, and the distance between them only widened. Each time Kavya attempted to share her thoughts or aspirations, she was met with indifference. At social gatherings, she donned the mask of a supportive wife, chatting amiably with guests and laughing at Arjun’s jokes while hiding her growing anguish. Friends and family saw the couple as the epitome of a successful partnership, unaware of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

In the evenings, she would retreat to the bedroom, where loneliness settled around her like a heavy blanket. She filled her time with decorating the house, arranging flowers, and flipping through home magazines, but nothing could fill the void left by Arjun’s absence. Her dreams of starting a blog faded as self-doubt crept in. Who was she to believe she could succeed? The only voice she heard was Arjun’s, echoing in her mind, telling her to focus on him and his ambitions.

As the weeks passed, Kavya found herself spiralling deeper into despair. Friends began to notice her change in demeanour, but she brushed off their concerns with forced smiles and vague excuses. “Just tired,” she would say, avoiding the question that gnawed at her heart. She didn’t want to burden anyone with her pain, especially when they saw her as the perfect wife. She was determined to uphold the image they had created, even as it threatened to suffocate her.

It was at a lavish dinner party hosted by Arjun’s family that the cracks in their facade became glaringly obvious. Surrounded by laughter and clinking glasses, Kavya sat quietly, her heart aching as she watched Arjun charm the guests with ease. He was the life of the party, exuding confidence and charisma, while she felt like a ghost drifting through the room.

“Are you enjoying the evening, Kavya?” one of Arjun’s business associates asked, eyeing her with curiosity.

“Of course,” she replied, forcing a smile. “It’s lovely to see everyone.”

But her words felt hollow, a far cry from the vibrant woman she once was. As the night wore on, she caught Arjun’s eye, silently pleading for acknowledgement, for a moment of connection. Instead, he merely nodded before turning back to his conversation, leaving her feeling invisible once more.

At that moment, the weight of her isolation became unbearable. She could no longer pretend that everything was fine; the laughter around her felt like a cruel reminder of her solitude. She slipped out of the room, seeking refuge in the quietness of the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin as tears streamed down her face.

She gazed out at the city lights, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss for the woman she used to be. Once confident and vibrant, she had allowed herself to be overshadowed by Arjun’s ambition, and the cost was her own happiness. With each passing day, she felt more like a stranger in her own life, trapped in a marriage that was beginning to suffocate her spirit.

As the first few stars appeared in the dark sky, Kavya closed her eyes, wishing for clarity and strength to reclaim her voice. She knew she couldn’t continue living this way, hiding her pain and battling self-doubt in silence. It was time to confront the truth—to find a way to balance her dreams with the reality of her marriage, or risk losing herself entirely in the process.