𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆✨️🦢🌷🪞

Chapter 22: New beginning

Song suggestion: Ranjha (Shershaah)

रूठी है शब ते रब्बा
रब्बा दिल भी है रूठा
सब कुछ है बिखरा बिखरा
बिखरा सा रूठा रूठा

---𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘---

Meera’s POV

I woke up before the sun fully rose.

For a few seconds, I didn’t remember where I was.

Then the ceiling. The unfamiliar curtains.

The faint scent of fresh flowers lingering in the room. And it all came rushing back.

Marriage. This house. Him.

My face didn’t crumble.

It just… dimmed.

I sat up slowly, pulling the blanket aside. The other side of the bed was untouched.

Of course it was.

He hadn’t come back last night.

A strange mix of relief and something else settled inside my chest. I didn’t try to name it.

I swung my feet to the floor and stood in front of the mirror.

My reflection stared back at me.

A bride.

But my eyes looked like they hadn’t celebrated anything.

I placed both hands on the dressing table and leaned slightly forward.

“They are good people, Meera,” I whispered to myself. “Your hurt isn’t from them.”

My throat tightened.

“It’s your turn to make them happy.”

That was something I knew how to do.

I had been doing that my whole life.

Making others comfortable.
Making others proud.
Making others stay.

Love was never something given to me freely. It was something I earned. Something I worked for. Something I tried to deserve.

And now, suddenly, I was in a house where strangers smiled at me warmly. Where a mother-in-law called me beta. Where someone waited downstairs just to see me.

That was the overwhelming part.
Not the kindness. Not the warmth.

But receiving everything I had hoped for after tying my life to someone whose heart wasn’t fully mine.

I straightened up.

If I couldn’t control my heart, I could at least control how I presented myself.

And that… I was very good at.

I chose red.

Not the bridal red from last night.

This was deeper. Richer. Confident.

A pure silk saree with intricate golden zari woven into floral patterns that shimmered softly when light touched them. The border was heavy but elegant, detailed with traditional motifs that spoke of heritage without screaming for attention.

The blouse fit me perfectly structured, tailored, sharp at the shoulders.

I draped the saree myself.

I wasn't that good at pleating for some reason but I guess it was decent enough for today.