His Hidden Heart

Chapter 1

MEHEK

My life has been pretty simple for me. I was born in a small town, grew up in a middle-class family. Got the love of my parents and a pesky older brother. We grew up, and our parents sent us both to the city for school. But when we both got graduated, he was sent off to earn, while I had to stay back at home. Being from a small town, I never really got any job opportunities.

Then one day, out of nowhere, my mom comes to me and said You're grown up now, it's time you get married. It took four years of convincing her otherwise, and in those years, plenty of guys came to see me. Some didn't like me, some I turned down. For a few, my complexion was not fair enough, for others, they just were not right for me because they weren't okay with me working after marriage.

I had just one condition for marriage that I would marry a guy from a metropolitan city and his family would let me work. I know it sounds like a right I should already have, but anyway. My parents never let me work either, saying it would mean I will have to live alone in the city.

The good news is, I finally found a guy who checks all the boxes. Vihaan, he lives in a metro city, he and his mom are fine with me working. He seemed a decent person, he is good looking and has a good job in software development. Not that I care about his job, but my parents did. Basically, he had all the qualities for an arranged marriage. Except, he hardly talks. Like, seriously hardly.

I don't know how he really sees me Or what he thinks of me, I mean. But anyway, he said yes to the marriage and it was yes from my side too. And today is my first day as his wife.

I know it sounds kind of stupid to have married him without knowing if he even likes me, but on the day of our engagement, I did ask him if he had a girlfriend or loved someone else, and he said no. Although he looked a little offended by my question and I could tell from his expression. But atleast my doubt got cleared, so that's that. I am fine if he needs time to adjust to this arranged marriage thing. I think it's normal. Why should only girls take time to get comfortable? Guys need it too. I need time myself, actually.

Anyway, I thought maybe he would ask me something about my love life too, but he didn't ask anything.

Oh well.

As for love? Love was never something I really bothered with. Time kept passing by, I moved from school to high school to university, but I never really met anyone. I mean I just didn't feel attracted to anyone. Not that I'm not straight or anything. I did have a crush once when I was sixteen. That was on the hero of my mom's favorite TV show. I ended up watching the entire show because of him, which feels kind of cringe now. So that was my first crush, and then I had another one on a cricketer when I was twenty. But that faded too, and now, in twenty-six years of my life, I've never had a strong crush on anyone, let alone dated or fallen in love.

Honestly, I feel like it's a blessing for me. I don't think my family would have ever allowed me a love marriage, and I would never have upset my parents by running off with some boyfriend. Plus, since I never got caught up in all that, my studies never got disturbed either. So, in a way, it all worked out perfectly for me.

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs completely, then released it in a steady exhale. Standing up from the bed, I looked around the room.

His room was neither too big nor too small. Although it was a little messy with some things scattered around, especially the suitcases, it felt comforting with its simple, open, and airy design. The decor was plain, with a neatly made bed, a large wardrobe, a dressing mirror, and a desk in one corner featuring two laptops, a few books, and a stylish pen holder. I also noticed the bookshelf on the left, which had an impressive collection of thick volume books. There was a large window with soft, white, transparent curtains as well.

My brows furrowed as I lifted my heavy lehenga and walked toward the window. Pushing aside the curtain, I looked outside, and it seemed as if no one lived there because everything was completely dark. There was no light on that side. Only the distant road was visible with several cars moving back and forth. Their headlights were shimmering along with the streetlights. I could faintly hear the sound of the vehicles, mingling with cool breeze.

Suddenly, I felt a shiver run down my spine when a chill swept over me. I quickly closed the window and pulling down the curtain, I made my way toward the dressing mirror.

I peeked at the mirror and couldn't help the small smile that formed at the fact that even after nearly a day in this attire and hours of traveling, my makeup hadn't smudged at all. I grabbed my phone and clicked a few selfies for my Instagram posts.

Glancing at the clock, I let out a sigh. It was past eleven, and I was really tired. The heavy lehenga, jewelry, and makeup didn't help me either. I walked over to one of my suitcases and grabbed a kurti and pajama for myself.

Next, I locked myself in the washroom and undid every piece of jewelry and clothing to change into those comfortable clothes before coming out.

My eyelids were too heavy for me to keep open, so I simply walked over to the bed and lay down, only to jerk my eyes open when I heard the door opening.