TejRan - Arranged Love

🔅CHAPTER 21🔅

The ride back to their hometown was filled with silence. The exhaustion of the past few days weighed heavy on everyone, but for Tejasswi, the real battle had just begun.

As they reached their hometown, the tension thickened. Tejasswi stood between her two families-her own parents and siblings on one side, and Karan's family on the other.

Akshara, her mother-in-law, reached out gently. "Beta, you should come home with us. You're our daughter-in-law now."

Tejasswi's grip on her suitcase tightened. A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down. Her gaze flickered to Karan, whose eyes silently pleaded with her.

"I..." she hesitated, her heart warring with her mind.

She knew what she wanted-to be with Karan, to start a new life as his wife. But her heart was still bruised, her trust shaken. The pain of discovering Riya's existence still stung.

Finally, she took a deep breath and turned to Akshara. "Maa, I know what you're saying... but I think I need some time. I want to go home with my family for now."

Naitik sighed, but he understood. "Will you come back?" he asked, a quiet vulnerability in his voice.

Tejasswi gave him a small smile. "If everything goes well, I'll come back... as your daughter-in-law, not just in name but in heart."

Karan exhaled, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to stop her, wanted to hold her back. But he couldn't. He had already hurt her once. Her decision was final.

Before leaving, she turned to Anoosha and Riya. "You both should stay with the Kundrras," she said softly. Anoosha's brows furrowed. "But Tejasswi, I-"

Tejasswi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust me."

Aneri, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Why, Teju? Why are you asking them to stay there when you're not?"

Tejasswi glanced at Riya, who was clinging to Anoosha. Her voice was calm but firm. "Because... what if Riya is Karan's daughter? They need to bond somehow." Aneri fell silent. She understood. With a final glance at Karan, Tejasswi turned and walked away with her family.

************************

Karan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. The bed felt too big, too empty.

All his life, he had imagined this moment-coming home with his wife, sharing their first night in their new home. But instead, here he was, alone, drowning in the silence.

His fingers absentmindedly traced the pillow where he had hoped Tejasswi would be. The way she looked at him before leaving... it haunted him. She was hurt, and he was the reason for it.

His phone was in his hand, but he couldn't bring himself to text her. What would he even say? That he missed her? That he wanted her back?

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Tejasswi..." he whispered.

*************************

On the other side of the city, Tejasswi lay on her childhood bed, staring at the same moon that Karan was looking at. She turned on her side, hugging her pillow tightly. She thought marriage would bring them closer. Instead, it had created an invisible wall between them.

Her heart ached for Karan. She missed him-his presence, his warmth, his voice. But the pain of betrayal still lingered. She closed her eyes, but sleep refused to come. Somewhere in the distance, her phone screen lit up with a message.