Chapter 7: The Silent Room

The wedding was over. The rituals were complete. The smiles were fading, and now came the real part — Griha Pravesh.

As Reet stepped over the threshold with her feet dipped in red alta, leaving behind tiny prints, everyone clapped and welcomed her warmly. She looked beautiful but tired, her eyes slightly puffy from the emotional bidaai earlier.

Abheer walked beside her, hands in his pocket, his expression neutral. Their relatives teased and laughed around them, making jokes and clicking pictures. But both Reet and Abheer were lost in their own thoughts.

After the aarti and Griha Pravesh rituals, Reet was led to Abheer’s room — now their shared room. Reet hesitated at the door, her eyes nervously scanning the room.

It was simple but neat. There was a large bed in the center with a maroon bedsheet neatly spread over it, and a sofa tucked in the corner near the window.

“Chalo beta, ab tum dono thoda rest kar lo. Subah se bohot thak gaye hoge,” said Abheer’s chachi sweetly, placing a tray of warm milk near the bedside table.

“Haan haan, aur Reet beta, subah jaldi uthna padega. Pehla din hai, yaad rahe,” his mother added with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Reet forced a polite smile. Abheer nodded once, hands still shoved in his pockets.

As everyone left, the room finally fell into silence.

Reet stood near the window, trying to untie her jewelry while Abheer walked to the cupboard, pulled out a t-shirt and joggers, and headed into the bathroom. When he returned, he glanced at Reet, who was now sitting at the edge of the bed, still in her bridal outfit.

Abheer cleared his throat awkwardly.

Abheer:
“Umm... Tum bed pe so jao. Main sofa pe so jaata hoon.”

Reet looked up, a bit surprised, but then gave a small nod.
Reet (softly):
“Thik hai...”

She got up and started adjusting the pillows while Abheer threw a bedsheet on the sofa and lay down with his phone in hand. They didn’t talk further. The room was filled with quiet — not tension exactly, but not comfort either.

Occasionally, they peeked at each other. Not with interest — just confusion, discomfort, and the weird realization that they were now... married.

Neither of them said anything as Reet finally turned off the bedside lamp and lay down, her back turned. The soft light of the moon coming through the window was the only glow in the room now.

---

Next Morning...

It was still dark when the room door creaked open. Reet stirred in her sleep.

Sushma (Abheer’s mother):
“Reet beta, uth jao. Subah ho gayi hai. Aaj pehla din hai. Kitchen ka kaam dekhna hai.”

Reet blinked her eyes open, a little confused.

Reet (groggily):
“Ji...”

Sushma left the room after that, and Reet slowly got up, rubbing her eyes. On the sofa, Abheer was awake, though he pretended to sleep. He had heard everything. He saw her walking quietly to the cupboard to find a suit to change into.

He turned his face to the other side and shut his eyes again.

No words. No reactions.

Just silence.

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Thank you for reading Chapter 7!
In Chapter 8, Reet faces her new life in this strange house, while Abheer begins to question what's really expected from this marriage.
Stay tuned! 💫