Chapter 5: Unspoken Tensions

Ishani adjusted the pallu of her saree as she stood before the mirror in her new room. The mansion was grand, cold, and unfamiliar. Everything about it screamed power and wealth, yet it felt distant, much like the man she had just married.

Veer had barely spoken to her since they arrived at his house. The wedding had been a public affair, but the moments after were eerily silent. Now, as she looked at her reflection, she knew she had stepped into a world far different from her own.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Ishani turned to find an older woman standing there, her expression warm but professional. "Madam, dinner is served."

Ishani nodded, taking a deep breath before stepping out. The long corridor stretched endlessly before her, leading to the dining hall where Veer sat at the head of the table. He didn’t acknowledge her arrival, his eyes focused on the documents before him.

“Sit,” he said, not looking up. His tone was neutral, neither welcoming nor dismissive.

Ishani hesitated for a second before taking a seat opposite him. The air was thick with unspoken words, but she wasn’t going to be the first to break the silence.

As the servants placed dishes before them, Ishani took a small bite, her appetite subdued. “So, is this how it’s going to be?” she finally asked, her voice steady.

Veer’s hand froze midair before he set his spoon down. He looked at her for the first time since the wedding, his dark eyes unreadable. “What do you mean?”

“This... silence. This distance. I understand this marriage was forced on both of us, but at least we can try to make it bearable.”

A shadow passed over his face, and for a moment, Ishani thought he would ignore her. But then, he leaned back, his fingers tapping against the table. “I’m not a man who pretends, Ishani. This marriage was never supposed to happen. So forgive me if I don’t know how to play the perfect husband.”

She clenched her fists under the table. “Neither do I. But I’m willing to make an effort. Unless you’d rather we live like strangers under the same roof?”

Veer exhaled sharply, his gaze softening just a fraction. “I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”

“Then don’t,” she replied, lifting her chin. “At least talk to me.”

A long silence followed before he finally said, “Fine.”

Ishani nodded, satisfied with the small victory. But deep down, she knew this was just the beginning of a battle neither of them were ready for.

Later that Night

Ishani stood by the large window of her bedroom, looking at the moonlight cascading over the city. The events of the day weighed heavily on her. She had expected Veer to be distant, but the way he carried himself, as if she was a mere inconvenience, irritated her more than it should.

A knock at her door startled her. She turned to see Veer standing there, looking uncertain for the first time. “I wanted to make sure you’re comfortable here,” he said, his voice quieter than before.

She studied him, noting the way his fingers curled slightly at his side, as if he was restraining himself from saying more. “I am. Thank you.”

He nodded, lingering for a moment before saying, “If you need anything, ask the staff.”

“I’d rather ask you,” she replied before she could stop herself. His eyes flickered with something—surprise, maybe annoyance? She couldn’t tell.

He smirked faintly. “That would require us talking more, wouldn’t it?”

Ishani lifted her chin. “I did say I wanted that.”

Veer let out a quiet sigh before stepping back. “Get some rest, Ishani.”

She watched as he walked away, leaving her alone once again. But this time, the silence didn’t feel as suffocating. It felt like the beginning of something—a challenge, perhaps, or an opportunity. And Ishani never backed down from either.

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