THE IMPERFECT PERFECTIONS

.∆34~𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭

.♡‧₊˚ ☆ .♡ ‧₊ ♡‧₊ ☆ .♡ ☆ .♡‧₊˚ ☆ .♡☆ .♡‧₊˚

After the movie, Taniya reluctantly allowed Aditya to leave, realizing it was time for dinner. She headed downstairs to help her mother-in-law set the table, while Aditya stayed upstairs, lost in his work.

She couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered from the evening,an unspoken connection that seemed to grow with each passing day.

As they arranged the plates, her mother-in-law leaned in with a knowing smile. "Listen, beta, you'll need to wake up early tomorrow for sargi. It's Karwa Chauth, remember?"

Taniya nodded with a smile, her heart swelling with affection at the care her mother-in-law always showed. "Okay, Mama," she replied, feeling the weight of the ritual settling in. It was a day of fasting and devotion, a tradition that carried the voices of generations before her.

A few moments later, everyone had gathered around the dinner table. Taniya found herself sitting between her mother-in-law on one side and Aditya, who had just joined them, on the other.

Her mother-in-law, ever the doting figure, kept piling chapatis onto Taniya's plate, as if preparing her for a month-long fast.

Veer, glancing up from his own plate, raised an eyebrow and teased, "Maa, bhabhi koi camel thodi hai jo kal ke liye food store kar legi?"

At that, his grandfather gave him a light smack on the back of the head, his expression serious but kind. "Beta, she needs energy to keep her going. She'll be without food and water tomorrow. You think fasting is easy?"

Veer rubbed his head, still a little stunned, and turned his exaggerated gaze toward Taniya. "Ohhh," he said, his eyes wide with mock shock.

Taniya couldn't help but stifle a laugh, her attempt to remain serious dissolving into a smile. She exchanged a playful look with her mother-in-law, and the moment was filled with a warmth that could only be shared in a family.

As dinner wrapped up, Taniya's mother-in-law placed a final piece of mithai on her plate. "One last bite, beta, for good luck tomorrow," she said, her tone gentle and filled with care.

Taniya smiled gratefully and took a small bite, savoring the sweetness of the mithai. Her father-in-law clapped his hands together, breaking the momentary quiet. "Perfect! Now, off to bed, everyone."

They all made their way to their respective rooms. Aditya and Taniya went upstairs together.

---

"You have to wake me up at dawn, okay?" Taniya reminded Aditya, her voice soft but determined as he carefully braided her hair. His fingers worked with precision, each twist of the braid delicate and thoughtful.

"Okay, I will," he replied, his eyes fixed on his task. His concentration was complete, and for a moment, it felt as though time had slowed down, leaving just the two of them in a quiet, shared world.

"Yaad se, haan... so nai jaana!" she emphasized, nudging him playfully. Her voice had a teasing undertone, but her eyes held a softness that only he could see. Aditya simply nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

After he finished braiding her hair, they settled into bed. The calmness of the night settled around them, and they drifted off to sleep, each finding comfort in the other's presence.

But when dawn arrived, it wasn't Aditya who woke up-it was Taniya, startled awake by the shrill sound of her alarm.

She groggily reached for her phone, fumbling to turn off the alarm. She squinted into the darkness, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and then switched on the flashlight.