The golden morning light filtered gently through the sheer curtains of Chowdeshwari Nilaya, casting a warm glow over the traditional South Indian home in Bangalore.
A beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, the house exuded warmth and history - a wooden door carved with intricate designs of Goddess Durga greeted visitors, while a
Radha - Krishna fountain graced the front garden, surrounded by blooming jasmines and hibiscus.
In the quiet of the morning, everything felt peaceful, the air filled with the soft rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds.
Upstairs, sunlight danced across Tripura's face, nudging her from sleep.
She stirred, savoring the quiet before opening her eyes, watching the beams of light fill her room.
"Ammaa, nee evalo somberi! Eppovum ippadi thoongina irukkadhe!" A bright voice rang from the doorway.
("Mom, how lazy you are! Don't keep sleeping like this all the time!").
Tripura laughed, rolling over to find her four - year - old daughter Siya standing with her arms crossed, her expression as serious as her chubby, angelic face could muster.
Siya's bright eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of her early - morning "wake - up" mission.
Pulling herself up, Tripura gave Siya a playful look. "Hey, kutty, waking up early isn't good for your beauty, you know?" she teased, scooping Siya into a hug.
"Amma, that's what lazy people say!" Siya giggled, wriggling out of her mother's embrace. "If you get up late, you miss all the fun! Cookie wakes up early every day!" she added, referring to her grandmother, Vinodhini, whom she'd affectionately nicknamed "Cookie."
Vinodhini's warm voice floated in from the kitchen along with the rich aroma of fresh filter coffee. "Ennada, kanna! Nee Siya kitta kathukko! Seekirama ezhundhukirathu oru nalla habit!"
("Kanna, you should learn from Siya! Waking up early is a good habit!")
Tripura rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling. Her mother's early rising had brought a sense of structure and peace to their home - a home she had built on her own terms, one filled with warmth and resilience.
The decision to have Siya through surrogacy at 22 had been one of the best choices Tripura had ever made, though it hadn't been easy.
She'd wanted a child to fill her life with light and joy, without the bonds of marriage. And every day since then, Siya had brightened her world in ways she hadn't imagined, making her heart feel whole.
As she got ready for work, Tripura kissed Siya and Vinodhini goodbye, laughing as Siya tugged at her hand one last time. "Amma, be a good girl, okay?" Siya piped up, giving her mother an exaggeratedly serious look.
Tripura chuckled, patting Siya's cheek. "Yes, ma'am! I promise, I'll be a good girl."
Siya giggled, nodding approvingly. "Good! Bye, Amma!" she called after her, Vinodhini chuckling at their exchange as Tripura stepped out of the house, warmth in her heart and a smile on her face.
___________________________
Kapoor Mansion in Delhi, with its sprawling estate and grand architecture, exuded wealth and power.
Polished marble floors stretched endlessly, chandeliers glistened from high ceilings, and every corner showcased the lavish lifestyle of the Kapoor family.
This wasn't just a house; it was a fortress, a monument to status and success.
Inside, Ram Kapoor sat on the edge of his bed, watching the morning sun through his window, his chiseled jaw set in a frown.
Ram's strong build, rough jawline, and intense gaze were part of what made him irresistible to women. But beyond the charisma was a heart hardened by choices and circumstances.
He glanced at his phone. A message flashed from his best friend and confidant, Vikram.
Vikram: Aaj ka schedule yaad hai na? Meeting sharp at 10."
("Remember today's schedule? Meeting sharp at 10.")
Ram smirked. Vikram knew him too well to let him forget. Vikram wasn't just his childhood friend but also his closest ally in Kapoor Industries, the one person who could ground him in a world he otherwise approached ruthlessly.
A moment later, his mother called from downstairs. "Ram beta, breakfast ke liye aaja."
("Ram, come for breakfast.")
"Bas thodi der, Maa!" Ram called back, not yet ready to leave his thoughts.
("Just a bit longer, Mom!")
As he finally made his way down, his father sat at the dining table, engrossed in work.
"Good morning, Papa," Ram greeted, taking a seat across from him.
His father looked up briefly. "Good morning, Ram. Agle hafte Mumbai mein ek meeting hai. Bahut zaroori hai hamari company ke liye ki hum yeh deal finalize kare!"
("There's a meeting in Mumbai next week. It's very important for our company to finalize this deal!")
Ram nodded, confidence flashing in his eyes. "Aap bilkul fikar mat kijiye, hum zaroor deal le kar aayenge!"
("Don't worry; we'll definitely secure the deal!")
But as he thought of the competition, his expression soured. "Aur yeh CG Industries... mujhe unse nafrat hai! Kaise unhone Kapoor Industries ko peeche chhod diya?"
("And this CG Industries... I hate them! How dare they overtake the Kapoors?")
Hearing his words, Ram's parents exchanged a quick, worried glance. His mother's brow creased as she watched her son, sensing the resentment simmering beneath his composed exterior.
Ram clenched his fist, a fierce glint in his eye. "Ek baar mujhe unka CEO mil jaaye, main unhe apne tareeke se sambhalunga!"
("Once I meet their CEO, I'll handle them in my own way!")
His mother placed a calming hand on his arm, breaking his thoughts. "Ram, tumhe apni biwi se milna chahiye aur use Amritsar; Rishabh ke shaadi par bulaana chahiye."
("Ram, you should meet your wife and invite her to Amritsar for Rishabh's wedding.")
Ram's face hardened, pulling away. "Maa, kyun main usse milu? Maine toh uska chehra tak nahi dekha hai!"
("Mom, why should I meet her? I haven't even seen her face!")
Frustration seeped into his voice. "Mujhe nahi chahiye koi bhi yeh jaane ki main shaadi shuda hoon! Yeh meri career ke liye accha nahi hai!"
("I don't want anyone to know that I'm married! It's not good for my career!")
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, his mind racing with the implications of his marriage, which had been a rushed affair, borne out of family pressure and obligation.
"It's not that I wanted to marry. The wedding was a whirlwind, with only close family present. I just... I don't want to deal with this! It's been three years, but neither am I interested, nor is she interested in this marriage!" Ram exclaimed, frustration evident.
As he turned to leave, his mother's eyes filled with concern. She prayed silently that he would someday find a way to connect with the woman he'd married, despite the walls that both have built around themselves.
As Ram drove through the streets, a thought lingered. Why did I agree to marry someone I don't know?
It all felt surreal, like a page from someone else's life, yet he knew he had to face this reality - one he had signed up for without truly understanding its significance.
_____
And so, two lives, so different yet on paths destined to intersect, began their day.
Little did they know that forces beyond their control were about to bring their worlds together, unraveling layers of pain, pride, and ultimately... love.
_____
Stay tuned for the next chapter, where the real adventure begins! :)
Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome! :)
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Layers of Us
RomansaThree years ago, they got married. But... they've never met! Tripura built a life of her own, a successful career, and the daughter she always dreamed of. Ram Kapoor built an empire, a career, and a life far removed from the mysterious wife he had n...
