Sanaya woke the next morning to the soft glow of sunlight seeping through the curtains. The night before had been a whirlwind of emotions, but one thing was clear—she still felt like an outsider in the Rathore family. Abhimaan's coldness had left an invisible barrier between them, and despite the warmth from his family, she couldn't shake the feeling of distance.
As she stretched and rose from bed, her thoughts drifted to Abhimaan, who had not returned to the room after excusing himself from the dinner. Instead, she had spent the rest of the night alone in the room a painful reminder of the strained beginnings of their marriage.
Sanaya decided to head downstairs, hoping that perhaps today would bring some clarity, or at the very least, an opportunity to speak with Abhimaan. She entered the dining area where the family was already gathered for breakfast. Viraj and Pihu were, as usual, engaging in their playful banter, with Ruhani smiling warmly at the antics of her youngest children.
"Good morning, Bhabhi!" Viraj greeted cheerfully, offering her a seat next to him. "Did you sleep well?"
Sanaya smiled politely. "Yes, I did. Thank you."
Abhimaan sat at the head of the table, his face buried in the morning paper. His silence spoke volumes, and though Sanaya tried to catch his eye, he seemed entirely uninterested in engaging.
"Abhi Bhai, are you going to stay buried in that paper, or are you going to say something to Bhabhi?" Viraj teased, nudging his brother.
Abhimaan didn't respond, simply flipping to the next page. Pihu rolled her eyes dramatically. "He's in his usual business mode, Viraj Bhai. You know how he is."
"Maybe it's time you two should stop pestering your Bhai first thing in the morning," Abhiraj's deep voice interjected as he walked into the dining room, his presence once again commanding attention.
Sanaya's heart fluttered at the sight of Abhiraj, remembering his kindness from the previous night. She could see the similarities between Abhimaan and him—the same imposing aura, the same unyielding demeanor, but while Abhimaan's coldness created distance, Abhiraj's aura, though dangerous, held warmth beneath the surface.
"Morning, Bhabhi," Abhiraj greeted as he took his seat. "I hope Viraj and Pihu didn't annoy you too much last night."
"Hey!" Pihu interjected with mock indignation. "We are not annoying!"
Sanaya chuckled softly. "Not at all. They were actually the best part of the evening."
"See! Even Bhabhi agrees!" Viraj exclaimed, making Pihu grin in victory.
"By the way, Abhi Bhai," Viraj began again, his tone shifting slightly, "we're planning a little something for this weekend. A get-together with some old friends and a few business partners. Since it's for Bhabhi and you, we figured you could, you know, be a little more… involved?"
Abhimaan lowered the paper and glanced briefly at Viraj before shifting his gaze to Sanaya. "I'll check my schedule," he said curtly, his voice neutral.
Sanaya felt her stomach tighten. It was as though every interaction with him was a calculated move—distant, formal, and void of any warmth. She wanted to ask him how long this coldness would last, but instead, she forced a smile, quietly sipping her tea.
As breakfast continued, Abhiraj and Abhimaan's conversation shifted to business. The two brothers spoke in low, authoritative tones, discussing deals, clients, and upcoming projects. The atmosphere felt charged with the weight of their responsibilities, their commanding presence casting a shadow over the room.
Sanaya listened in silence, trying to understand the dynamics of their world—a world that seemed so far removed from her own. She had married into a family of power, and though the Rathores were kind to her, she could feel the invisible walls that divided them.
After breakfast, as everyone scattered to their own routines, Ruhani approached Sanaya with a gentle smile. "Sanaya, dear, would you like to go out with me today? I thought we could visit the temple and spend some time together."
Sanaya's face lit up. "I'd love that, Maa."
"Good, then let's leave in an hour," Ruhani said, squeezing her hand warmly before heading off to get ready.
Sanaya felt a wave of relief wash over her. Perhaps this day would offer her a chance to bond with Ruhani and find a bit of peace amid the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
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Later that Afternoon
The trip to the temple was calming, and Ruhani's soft words of encouragement had eased some of Sanaya's unease. They had talked about family, tradition, and the challenges of marriage. Though Ruhani had not pried into her relationship with Abhimaan, her words had implied that love took time, and sometimes patience was the only answer.
As they returned to the estate, Sanaya felt a renewed sense of determination. She would give this marriage her all, even if Abhimaan continued to keep his distance. She would find a way to bridge the gap, for both their sakes.
But as soon as they entered the house, a sense of unease crept back. Abhimaan stood by the entrance, his phone pressed to his ear, his expression serious. His brow furrowed slightly as he listened intently, his conversation clearly about business.
Abhiraj was beside him, his stance equally tense, and as Sanaya approached, she caught the tail end of their conversation.
"We need to handle this discreetly," Abhimaan said, his voice low but firm.
Abhiraj nodded in agreement. "I'll make the arrangements."
Sanaya hesitated. She could feel the weight of something important lingering in the air—something beyond the surface of their business empire. There was an intensity between Abhimaan and Abhiraj that she hadn't quite grasped before.
Before she could move any closer, Abhimaan's eyes flickered toward her, his expression hardening. "We'll talk later," he muttered into the phone before hanging up.
Sanaya's heart raced, the tension palpable. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice soft, but Abhimaan's gaze was distant.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he replied curtly before turning to Abhiraj. "Let's handle this. I'll be in my study."
With that, he walked away, leaving Sanaya standing there, her mind swirling with questions. Abhiraj offered her a brief, apologetic smile before following his brother, the weight of responsibility hanging over both of them.
Sanaya sighed, feeling once again left out of a world she was supposed to be a part of. The shadows of Abhimaan's life were becoming more and more apparent, and though she was determined to bridge the gap between them, she couldn't help but wonder if there was something far darker lurking beneath the surface.
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