The next morning arrived with a sense of quiet, the kind that lingers in the air when you know something important is about to happen but aren’t sure how it’ll play out. The house was still buzzing with post-wedding celebrations, and everyone seemed busy with preparations for the reception, which was to be held the following evening.
I was in the kitchen, helping with small tasks that the house helpers handed me, trying to distract myself from the constant whirlwind of thoughts. The words from last night still echoed in my mind. *One day at a time.* I’d repeated it to myself so many times since Ahan had said it. Maybe it wasn’t the grand beginning I’d hoped for, but it was something.
As I was wiping down the counter, I heard footsteps approaching. Ahan stepped into the kitchen, his presence immediately filling the space. He looked slightly more rested, though his shoulders still carried that same weight I’d noticed the night before.
"Morning," he said quietly, his eyes briefly meeting mine before shifting away.
"Morning," I replied, giving him a small smile. There was an awkward silence for a moment, the kind that felt thick with everything unsaid.
He cleared his throat, as if preparing to say something important. “Listen, after the reception tomorrow, I’ll be shifting to my flat,” he began, his voice calm but firm.
I blinked, caught off guard. “Your flat?”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, the flat is closer to my office. I moved there since the time I started working in my own company, and it’s more convenient for work. I’ll be heading there next week, after things settle down here.”
I tried to keep my expression neutral, though inside I was battling with questions. “So... you’re moving there?”
He glanced at me, sensing the confusion in my tone. “Yes, it’ll just be easier with work. I thought you should know, so you’re not caught off guard.”
I nodded, my mind swirling. “Right. Thanks for letting me know.”
There was something unsettling about the way he’d phrased it. He wasn’t asking if I’d come with him—he was informing me of his plans. It was a reminder that this wasn’t a typical marriage. Even though we were tied together in the eyes of society, our lives were still very separate.
Ahan leaned against the counter, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment. “I don’t expect you to move with me,” he said quietly, confirming what I had already suspected. “You can stay here with the family if that’s what you prefer.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to mask the pang of disappointment. “And what if I want to come with you?”
He looked up at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. “I don’t want you to feel obligated, Samira. I’m... I’m still figuring things out. It’s not exactly a welcoming situation for you, especially with how things are between us right now.”
His honesty was blunt, but it wasn’t cruel. He was trying to give me space, to set realistic expectations. And while part of me appreciated that, another part couldn’t help but feel a sting of rejection.
“I know it’s complicated,” I said softly, trying to keep my emotions in check. “But we’re married now, Ahan. I think... I think we should try to at least figure out how to move forward.”
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know. I just don’t want to force anything. We both deserve more than that.”
I nodded slowly, understanding his perspective but still wishing things were different. I wanted to believe that with time, we could bridge the gap between us. But hearing that he planned to move away so soon, after just a week, made me realize how wide that gap really was.
Ahan straightened up, glancing at the clock. “The reception tomorrow... it’ll be a long day. A lot of people, a lot of formalities.”
I let out a small, humorless laugh. “I’ll survive.”
He gave me a faint smile, the first one I’d seen in days. “You’ll do more than survive.”
With that, he turned and left the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. I stood there, staring at the counter, trying to process everything. Ahan was right—things between us were far from normal. But I couldn’t help but feel that we were both tiptoeing around the inevitable conversation, the one that would decide where we stood as husband and wife.
---
Later that afternoon, the Chaudhury household was buzzing with excitement, the air filled with the scent of flowers and the sounds of people bustling around, preparing for tomorrow’s grand reception. The event was to be a huge affair, with business associates, family friends, and nearly every important person in their circle attending.
I had spent most of the morning with Ahan’s cousins, Nikita and Riya, who had taken it upon themselves to ensure that I looked my best for the event. They were bubbly and full of energy, their excitement contagious. But beneath my smile, there was a heaviness in my heart, the weight of uncertainty lingering.
“Samira, you’re going to look stunning tomorrow,” Nikita gushed, holding up a gorgeous deep red saree that had been selected for me to wear. “This color will make you glow!”
Riya nodded in agreement. “And we’ll make sure your hair and makeup are perfect. You’re the bride, after all!”
I smiled, grateful for their enthusiasm, but inside, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Tomorrow, I would stand beside Ahan again, smiling for the cameras, playing the role of the perfect wife. But behind closed doors, things were far from perfect.
As the day wore on, I found myself retreating to a quiet corner of the house, away from the hustle and bustle. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, to prepare myself for what was to come.
Tomorrow would be the reception. After that, Ahan would be moving to his flat. And after that? I wasn’t sure. But I knew one thing—I wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet.
I just didn’t know if Ahan felt the same.
---
The night before the reception, I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet, the house settling into silence after a long day of preparations. I could hear the faint sounds of the city outside the window, but inside, everything felt still.
Ahan hadn’t come to bed yet. He was probably in his study, working late, as usual. I wondered if he was thinking about tomorrow, about the reception and the expectations that came with it.
I turned over, pulling the blanket up to my chin. The thought of standing in front of hundreds of people, smiling for the cameras, felt daunting. But it wasn’t the crowd that scared me—it was the growing distance between Ahan and me.
I closed my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. Tomorrow was a big day, and I needed to be ready for it. But even as I drifted into an uneasy sleep, the questions lingered in the back of my mind.
What happens after the reception?
And what would my place be in Ahan’s life once he moved to his flat?
---
**End of Chapter**
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Tujhko Jo Paaya.
RomancePrevious title: Bounded By Faith, Forged In Love. Her Heart Stirred First, But His Sank Deeper They say nothing is as beautiful as falling in love. But what if love is found where it was never meant to exist? **Samira Chakraborty** is a dreamer trap...
