Chapter 24 — The First Night

After the welcoming rituals were completed, Shabana gently took Ritika upstairs to Arnav's room.

She opened the door and smiled warmly.

Shabana: This is your room now, beta.

Ritika looked around quietly.

Everything was elegant and carefully arranged, but the unfamiliar surroundings made her slightly nervous.

Ritika: Maa...

Shabana turned toward her.

Ritika: I was scared about Rishi.

Shabana immediately understood what she meant.

Shabana: Don't be, beta.

She gently held Ritika's hand.

Shabana: Rishi is our family now. Nobody here will ever make him feel like an outsider.

Ritika's eyes became moist.

Shabana: You both have come into this family together. Be happy, and give each other time.

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: Thank you, Maa.

Shabana smiled and kissed her forehead.

Shabana: Take your time. There is no hurry.

She then left the room.

Ritika changed from her bridal attire into a simple saree and sat quietly on the edge of the bed.

A little later, Arnav entered the room.

He had changed into a simple pair of tracks and a comfortable T-shirt.

He looked at Ritika for a moment.

Arnav: You should sleep.

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: Okay.

Arnav picked up his phone and walked toward the balcony.

Ritika watched him quietly.

A few moments later, she realized he had gone outside to smoke.

She lay down on the bed, but her thoughts wouldn't settle.

She wondered how much he smoked and how long he had carried the habit.

Eventually, she closed her eyes.

After some time, Arnav returned to the room.

He quietly put his phone aside and lay down on the other side of the bed, leaving a respectful distance between them.

Ritika remained awake for a while.

She glanced toward him.

He had not tried to cross any boundaries.

He hadn't even expected anything from her.

A thought crossed her mind.

Doesn't he expect anything from his new wife?

She looked away.

Perhaps she was not his first experience of love.

Perhaps there had been someone before her.

Or perhaps he had imagined a completely different life for himself—one without a widow, without a child, without the history and responsibilities she carried.

She swallowed quietly.

Maybe he expected someone without a past.

Someone without baggage.

Ritika's eyes became heavy.

She didn't know what Arnav was thinking.

She didn't know what their marriage would become.

But tonight, neither of them had the answers.

Eventually, Ritika fell asleep.

A little later, Arnav also closed his eyes.

They slept on the same bed, separated by a quiet distance, both unaware of how slowly that distance would change in the days to come.