Aparna sat nervously in the middle of the bed, just as her mother-in-law had instructed. She clutched her ghoonghat tightly, her hands trembling slightly. She was dressed in a beautiful red Banarasi saree, the intricate golden patterns shining softly in the light. The jewelry she wore was simple—a pair of bangles and a mangalsutra and necklace yet they added to the grace of her look.

Her mind, however, was far from calm. Thoughts raced endlessly, filling her with dread. What if he forced himself on her? What if he hurt her? The fears felt overwhelming, each one more frightening than the last.

The room was quiet, but her heart wasn’t. It pounded loudly in her chest as she sat there, trapped in a whirlwind of worry and fear. She didn’t know what the night held for her, but all she could do was hope it wouldn’t be as bad as the thoughts consuming her.

She heard the creak of the door opening and the soft sound of footsteps approaching. The edge of the bed dipped slightly under someone's weight. For a moment, there was silence. Then, Rudra gently lifted her ghoonghat, revealing her face. Fear was evident in her eyes, but his gaze remained calm and reassuring.

Slowly, he extended his hand, letting his palm rest lightly against her cheek. In a soft voice, he said, “I will not touch you without your consent.”

Hearing these words, her tense shoulders relaxed. She took a deep breath and began to trust him. This was exactly what Rudra wanted—to make her feel safe and free of fear in his presence.

Noticing the nervous way she clutched at the edge of her saree, Rudra decided to lighten the mood. “You look beautiful in this saree,” he said with a small smile.

His tone was light and Aparna blinked in surprise, her lips twitching as if caught between a smile .

Despite herself, a small, shy smile escaped her lips. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

"Thank you "she said

“Go and change into simpler clothes,” he said after a moment, his tone firm but kind. “You’ll be more comfortable.”

Aparna hesitated, but the gentleness in his voice encouraged her. A few minutes later, she emerged from the washroom and stood quietly at the edge of the bed. Rudra was already lying down, his eyes closed. Sensing her presence, he murmured in a gentle whisper, “Sleep now,” his voice soft and free of harshness.

As she settled onto the bed, still cautious but feeling a sliver of ease, she couldn’t help but think of Rudra’s words and his calm demeanor. Perhaps the night wouldn’t be so bad after all.

To be continued