Anaya stepped into the large, dark bedroom, feeling the silence wrap around her like a heavy cloak. The room, bathed in smoky black and gold tones, was imposing, almost overwhelming in its grandeur. Rudra wasn't home yet, and the stillness of the space made it feel even larger, even emptier. The deep hues of the walls and gleaming gold accents caught the faint light from the moon streaming in through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor. It was 9 p.m., but Mrs. Singhaniya had mentioned earlier that the men of the family, including Rudra, usually didn't return until closer to 10 p.m.
As Anaya stood in the doorway, she felt the weight of everything—the past few days, her new role as Rudra's wife, the tension between them. This room, with its polished black surfaces and cold gold touches, seemed to mirror the man who lived here. It was grand, powerful, but distant. Last night, it had just been an unfamiliar space, a strange room in an even stranger house. But tonight, it felt different.
She walked further into the room, her footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor. Her eyes wandered over the furniture, the large king-sized bed that seemed to dominate the room, the dark velvet curtains drawn halfway, allowing only slivers of moonlight to creep in. She moved toward the large windows that led to the balcony, her fingers brushing against the sheer curtains as they swayed gently in the night breeze. The stars twinkled softly in the distance, but instead of finding comfort in their beauty, she felt more isolated than ever.
"The room I entered last night…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, "now this is not just a room. It's my room. My and Rudra's shared bedroom…" Her breath hitched as the weight of her new reality settled on her shoulders. "Oh God, why did this all happen to me?"
She hugged herself, trying to ward off the cold feeling that was creeping up her spine. Her life had changed so quickly. The sudden marriage to Rudra had turned her world upside down, and now, standing in this room that she was expected to share with him, she felt even more lost. She stared out into the night, her mind racing with questions—about Rudra, about the future, about how she could ever truly belong in a world so foreign to her.
Before her thoughts could spiral any further, a soft knock on the door startled her. She turned quickly, wiping at her eyes, though there were no visible tears. The door opened gently, and Mrs. Singhaniya, her mother-in-law, stepped into the room with her usual grace. There was something about the way she moved—calm, poised—that seemed to command respect without demanding it.
"Anaya," Mrs. Singhaniya spoke gently, cutting off whatever anxious thoughts had been swirling in Anaya's mind, "maybe something is happening, or maybe… it's something special."
Anaya blinked, taken aback by the words. They weren't what she had expected, but they were filled with a kind of warmth that felt both surprising and comforting. Mrs. Singhaniya's eyes were soft as she approached Anaya, who was still standing by the window.
"You might not see it now," her mother-in-law continued, "but sometimes, life surprises us. What may feel confusing, even overwhelming, could be the beginning of something far more meaningful than you can imagine."
Anaya swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to believe what Mrs. Singhaniya was saying, but everything felt too complicated, too uncertain. "I just… don't know if I'm ready for all of this," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mrs. Singhaniya walked closer, her presence bringing an unexpected calm into the room. "I understand, Anaya. I truly do. This family, this life—it's a lot to take in. But I want you to know something." She paused for a moment, her eyes searching Anaya's. "You don't have to do this alone. We're here for you. I'm here for you."
There was a sincerity in her tone that made Anaya's heart ache. She hadn't expected this kind of warmth, not from someone like Mrs. Singhaniya, who always seemed so put-together, so composed. Anaya had assumed she would be left to navigate this new life on her own, but now… now it seemed different.
Before Anaya could say anything, Mrs. Singhaniya took a step closer, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you," she said, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "You've been calling me Mrs. Singhaniya since the day you arrived. And while I understand why, I want to ask you for a small favor."
Anaya blinked, caught off guard by the shift in the conversation. "A favor?"
Mrs. Singhaniya's smile widened just a little, and she reached out to gently place a hand on Anaya's shoulder. "I would love it if you would call me Mom instead."
Anaya froze, her breath catching in her throat. The request was so simple, so ordinary, but it carried with it an emotional weight that Anaya wasn't prepared for. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes before she could stop them. She hadn't called anyone Mom in so long. Having grown up in an orphanage, she had never experienced the comfort of a mother's love. And now, standing here, hearing those words… it was too much.
"Mom…" Anaya whispered, her voice trembling as the tears she had been holding back spilled over.
Mrs. Singhaniya's expression softened as she saw the tears in Anaya's eyes. Without hesitation, she pulled her into a warm, comforting embrace, holding her close in a way that Anaya had never experienced before. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured softly, stroking Anaya's back as the younger woman's shoulders shook with quiet sobs. "Don't cry, my dear."
Anaya's body trembled as she let out a soft, shaky breath. The walls she had built around her emotions—the ones she had constructed out of necessity—began to crumble. It wasn't just about calling her Mom. It was about finally feeling like she belonged, finally having someone to turn to when things got hard. For so long, Anaya had carried the weight of her life on her own shoulders. And now, for the first time, someone was offering to help carry that burden.
Mrs. Singhaniya continued to hold her, gently stroking her hair as Anaya cried softly into her shoulder. "You're not alone anymore, Anaya," she whispered. "You're part of this family now, and you'll always have a place here, with us."
Anaya nodded weakly, unable to speak through the tears, but the words meant everything to her. The coldness she had felt since entering the room began to melt away, replaced by the warmth of the embrace. It wasn't just the physical comfort of being held—it was the emotional comfort of knowing that she wasn't alone.
After a few moments, Mrs. Singhaniya gently pulled back, cupping Anaya's face in her hands. Her smile was filled with love and understanding. "I'm sorry if 'Mom' is too much for you," she said playfully, trying to lighten the mood. "If you don't like it, you can call me Mumma or Mommy. Whatever makes you comfortable."
Anaya laughed softly through her tears, the sound a mixture of relief and gratitude. "No," she said, her voice still shaky. "I like 'Mom.' It's just… it's been a long time since I've had someone to call that."
Mrs. Singhaniya's smile deepened, and she pulled Anaya into another tight hug. "Well, from now on, you have me," she whispered. "And I hope you know that no matter what happens, I'm always here for you."
Anaya let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, feeling a weight lift from her chest. "Thank you… Mom," she said softly, the word feeling more natural now. It felt right, like a piece of her heart that had been missing was finally falling into place.
Mrs. Singhaniya gave her one last squeeze before pulling away, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Now, no more tears, okay? We can't have my new daughter-in-law crying all night. Besides, if Rudra comes home and sees you like this, he'll think I've been giving you a hard time."
Anaya chuckled, wiping at her eyes as she shook her head. "I don't think Rudra would even notice," she said, though there was a touch of sadness in her voice.
Mrs. Singhaniya raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. "Don't be so sure about that, Anaya," she said quietly. "Rudra may seem distant, but he notices more than you think. He cares—he just has his own way of showing it."
Anaya bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She had seen glimpses of something deeper in Rudra—moments when his cold exterior had cracked, even if just for a second. But those moments were fleeting, and she still wasn't sure how to reach him, how to break through the walls he had built around himself.
Mrs. Singhaniya seemed to sense Anaya's uncertainty, and she gave her a reassuring smile. "It takes time," she said gently. "But you're strong, Anaya. And you'll find your way."
Anaya nodded, feeling stood still in the dark sky, twinkling brightly as if offering silent promises of hope and possibility. For the first time since entering this new life, Anaya felt a small flicker of peace.
Mrs. Singhaniya's words echoed in her mind. Maybe something is happening… or maybe it's something special. Anaya didn't know what the future held, but there was comfort in knowing she wasn't alone. She had a family now. A real family.
She smiled softly to herself and whispered, "Thank you, Mom."
Anaya stepped away from the window and moved toward the bed, her fingertips grazing the dark fabric. The room still felt large, still felt like Rudra's space more than hers, but slowly, it was becoming something more—a space where she could belong, where she could create her own place in this life. But the empty side of the bed, the coldness that had settled there without Rudra's presence, lingered. She wondered when he would come home, if he would say anything when he finally did, or if he'd simply retreat to his office or study, as he usually did.
Just then, the soft sound of the door opening startled her, and her heart leapt in her chest. She turned, half-expecting it to be Rudra, but it was one of the house staff.
"Mrs. Anaya," the young maid said, bowing politely. "Mrs. Singhaniya has asked if you'd like anything before you retire for the night. Tea, perhaps?"
Anaya smiled, appreciating the gesture. "No, thank you," she replied. "I'm fine for the night."
The maid nodded and exited the room, leaving Anaya alone once more. The brief interruption had pulled her from her swirling thoughts, but the silence that followed felt comforting this time, rather than suffocating.
Anaya moved toward the large wardrobe on the far side of the room, running her fingers along its smooth wooden surface. Her clothes had been neatly organized by the staff earlier, but as she opened the wardrobe doors, the sight of her few modest outfits among Rudra's sleek, tailored suits made her feel small. She sighed softly, pushing away the feeling of inadequacy. This was her life now, and she would find her way, no matter how overwhelming it seemed.
She closed the wardrobe gently and walked back toward the bed, deciding to get some rest. She was just about to sit down when she heard the faint rumble of a car engine from outside, followed by the sound of the front gate opening. Her heart skipped a beat. It had to be Rudra.
Anaya moved toward the window again, pulling back the curtain just enough to peek outside. Sure enough, she saw the sleek black car roll into the driveway. Rudra had returned.
A mixture of nervousness and anticipation settled in her chest as she stepped away from the window, unsure of what to do next. Would he come straight to the room? Or would he head to his office, as he usually did?
Minutes ticked by, each one feeling longer than the last, but there was no sign of Rudra. Anaya bit her lip, torn between waiting for him and going downstairs to check on him. The thought of approaching him so directly felt daunting, especially after the coldness he had shown her since their marriage.
Suddenly, a soft knock sounded at the door again, and this time, Anaya's heart raced. It must be him.
She swallowed hard, calling out softly, "Come in."
The door opened, but it wasn't Rudra. Instead, it was Ravi, Rudra's loyal assistant. He stepped into the room, his expression respectful as always, though there was a hint of apology in his eyes.
"Mrs. Anaya," Ravi said quietly, "Mr. Rudra has asked me to inform you that he will be working late tonight in his study. He won't be coming up to the room for dinner."
Anaya's heart sank, but she tried her best to keep her face neutral. She had expected this, hadn't she? Rudra was always busy, always distant. Of course, he wouldn't come to the room tonight.
"Thank you for letting me know," she said softly, trying to mask her disappointment.
Ravi gave her a polite nod. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
Anaya nodded, watching as Ravi quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. The silence returned, heavier this time, but not because of the room itself. It was the silence between her and Rudra that weighed her down—the distance that seemed to grow wider with each passing day.
She moved back to the bed, sitting down on the edge as her mind raced with thoughts of what she could do. Should she try to talk to him? Should she wait for him to come to her? Every interaction with Rudra felt like walking on eggshells, and she didn't know how to bridge the gap between them.
She sighed, running her fingers through her hair as she glanced toward the door, half-expecting it to open again. But it remained closed, and the room remained as quiet as ever.
Rudra's distant behavior was starting to take a toll on her. She wanted to understand him, to break through the walls he had built around himself, but she didn't know how. He was like this room—beautiful on the surface, but filled with shadows that were hard to navigate.
As the minutes passed, Anaya leaned back against the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She had married Rudra out of duty, out of obligation, but that didn't mean she didn't want to know him. She did. She wanted to understand who he was beneath the cold exterior. She wanted to know what made him smile, what made him happy, and why he kept everyone at arm's length.
Maybe something is happening... or maybe it's something special. Mrs. Singhaniya's words echoed in her mind again.
Anaya closed her eyes, feeling a sense of quiet resolve settle within her. If something special was going to happen, if she was going to find her place in this marriage, she would have to make the first move. Waiting for Rudra to open up to her wasn't going to work. She had to be the one to reach out, to try and understand him.
But tonight wasn't the night for that. Tonight, Rudra was locked away in his study, immersed in his work, and she was alone in their room. Alone with her thoughts, her worries, and her hopes.
With a soft sigh, Anaya shifted under the covers, pulling them up to her chin as she settled into the large, empty bed. The coldness of the room still lingered, but it wasn't as oppressive as before. She had her mother-in-law's warmth, her acceptance, and that was enough to get her through the night.
Tomorrow would be another day. And maybe, just maybe, tomorrow would bring something special.
As her eyes fluttered closed, her last thought was of Rudra—wondering what he was doing in his study, what thoughts consumed him as much as hers did.
Anaya whispered into the dark, "Why did you marry me, Rudra?" But the room remained silent, offering no answers, only the quiet hum of the night as she drifted into a restless sleep.
##To be continue....**