The Sisodia heirs stood unrivaled in control and possession, their world a testament to their might. To onlookers, their lives were a manifestation of perfection, with their family and surname commanding respect, prestige, and reputation.
Yet, behi...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Tarini was standing in front of the dressing table, rummaging through her belongings with a flourish, most items scattering around carelessly.
Her gaze lingers on her reflection in the mirror, admiring how elegantly the red saree was complimenting her, but her lips twitch in mock disappointment.
These past few days had gone smoothly between her and Aviraj, but perhaps it was silly of her to anticipate a romantic breakthrough from him. Yet, a part of her wished he would try, just a little. Was it too much to ask for?
She recalls how he had wished her a casual good morning and gone back to his discussion with Abhyudit when she entered the dining area. She wonders if it was her fault to get ready, going beyond the regular routines in the morning, for her husband, who didn't even look at her properly.
'Badi badi baatein karni aati bas inko! Tareef toh kya karni, inhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata ki biwi ko ache se dekhna bhi hota hai,' she mutters in frustration to herself, shaking her head.
(All he knows is how to talk big, and nothing else. Forget about praise, he don't even know how to look at his wife nicely.)
As picks up the small box, she hears a throat-clearing sound behind her. She doesn't turn around, knowing exactly who the uninvited guest in her room was.
There he was, standing in the doorway, his eyes immediately locking onto hers through the mirror.
"What's with this storm?" Aviraj strolls into the room, observing the chaos on the dressing table. "Whose anger are you taking out on these poor things?"
"What? Admiring your reflection?" Aviraj asks again, stopping beside her, as she doesn't reply.
'Of course. That's all left in my life, unromantic man,' Tarini mumbles, rolling her eyes.
She doesn't expect a response from Aviraj, but instead, he walks closer to her and turns her towards him, holding her arm. She tries to pull her hand back before he could take the box from her, the soft jingle of her earrings escaping into the silence.
Holding the vermillion box, Aviraj opens it, and with a tender gesture, fills her hairline with the sacred powder.
"Now it's complete," he says, as she closes her eyes the moment his fingers touch her hairline, relishing the feeling.
Tarini opens her eyes to look at him. The flutter of butterflies in her stomach—a sensation that had quickly become familiar in his presence—stirs again as she meets his mesmerized gaze. But that doesn't live long as the earlier bitterness returns to her.
She couldn't melt this easily, especially when he still didn't even do anything she thought of. With a tight smile, she attempts to walk away, but Aviraj reaches out, holding her back.
Before Tarini could protest, she feels a cold metal touching her finger. To her surprise, she sees the ring he had slided onto her ring finger, the diamond solitaire sparkling in the light.
