and the moment between them slipped away as quickly as it had come. Anaya hesitated, her hand gripping the doorknob a little tighter as she watched him, his eyes now focused on the screen, his fingers already moving to resume the work he had left unfinished.
The air between them still hung heavy with the weight of things unsaid. But Rudra, in his cold and commanding way, had moved on—already back to his calculations, his code, and his world where emotions didn't seem to have a place. Anaya's heart sank as she realized that, for tonight at least, whatever fragile connection they might have found was gone.
She couldn't stop the disappointment that welled up inside her, but she couldn't blame him either. This was who Rudra was—a man who carried the weight of his world on his shoulders, locking everyone out in the process. And she? She was just someone caught in the middle, trying to make sense of her own chaotic feelings toward him.
She exhaled softly, the tension still lingering in her chest as she finally turned the knob and stepped out of the room. The door closed quietly behind her, leaving Rudra alone once again with his thoughts and work. As she made her way back toward their bedroom, her thoughts were a whirl of questions, uncertainty, and confusion.
Why did you stop me? she wondered. Why did you want me to look at your work?
But the more pressing question was one she couldn't shake: Why did you marry me?
She still didn't have the answers, and Rudra wasn't offering any clues. His cold exterior, his control over every situation, and the way he commanded her attention with just a look or a word—it all left her feeling like she was walking a tightrope between him and herself.
As she neared the door to their bedroom, Anaya paused, her mind still swimming with everything that had just happened. She hadn't meant to share that part of her past, not with him, not in the cold light of his office where emotions seemed out of place. But she had, and it left her feeling exposed.
Why did I tell him about my parents? she asked herself as she leaned against the wall, pressing her hands to her temples as the memory of the nightmare resurfaced.
The tears threatened to return, but Anaya blinked them back, refusing to let herself fall apart again. She had been strong for so long, keeping the weight of her past hidden deep inside. But tonight, in Rudra's office, the nightmare had ripped open an old wound, and for the first time, she had let someone in—if only for a brief moment.
But now, as she stood alone in the hallway, she felt the cold emptiness returning. Rudra hadn't offered her comfort, hadn't asked any questions or given any reassurances. He had listened, yes, but he had also pulled away, back into his world of work and silence.
And so, just as she had so many nights before, Anaya was left to face her demons alone.
The bedroom was dimly lit by the soft glow of the moon through the curtains as Anaya slipped back under the covers. The bed, still large and empty on one side, felt colder than before. She curled up on her side, pulling the blanket closer, trying to find some warmth or comfort, but it didn't come.
Her mind kept replaying the nightmare, the memory of that fateful night when her parents were taken from her. The screams, the crash, the darkness—all of it haunted her, even after so many years. And now, the questions surrounding her marriage to Rudra weighed just as heavily on her heart.
Why did he choose me? she thought again, her brow furrowing as she stared at the dark ceiling. Was it out of duty? Or something else?
She wanted answers, but she knew that Rudra wasn't the type of man to offer them freely. He was a puzzle, a mystery wrapped in layers of coldness and control. And she? She was just trying to survive in the world he had thrust her into.
Anaya let out a long sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as she tried to force herself to sleep. But her mind wouldn't rest. Her thoughts kept circling back to the same thing—Rudra, his distance, and the nightmare she had shared with him.
Had he really heard what she said? Did he even care?
___________________
Hours passed. Anaya wasn't sure when she had finally fallen asleep, but when she did, her dreams were fractured, restless. She tossed and turned in the large, empty bed, her mind caught between the past and the present. The nightmare had stirred up memories she had spent years trying to bury, and now they had come rushing back, leaving her feeling raw and vulnerable.
But there was no comfort. No hand reaching out to steady her, no voice to soothe her fears.
When the first light of dawn finally crept through the curtains, Anaya's eyes fluttered open. The room was quiet, the stillness almost deafening. She blinked a few times, disoriented by the lingering haze of sleep, before she realized where she was.
Rudra's side of the bed was still empty.
Her heart sank as she sat up, rubbing her tired eyes. She hadn't expected him to come to bed, but some part of her had hoped he might. After their brief, tense conversation in his office, she had thought—hoped—that maybe things would change. But now, in the cold light of morning, it was clear that Rudra had remained as distant as ever.
Maybe I'm asking for too much, she thought as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, stretching her sore muscles.
But even as she tried to push the disappointment away, the questions remained.
______________________
The morning light was golden and soft as it filtered through the large windows of the Singhaniya mansion. It bathed the grand dining room in a serene glow, but despite its warmth, Anaya felt a coldness that came from deep within her. The night had been long, fraught with restless dreams and a sense of unease that seemed to seep into every part of her being. She had tried to shake it off, but the lingering feeling of loneliness clung to her like a shadow.
As she descended the staircase, her footsteps slow and deliberate, she could hear the faint clatter of breakfast preparations coming from the dining room. The familiar sounds of plates being set and quiet conversations among the staff should have brought her some comfort, but today, they only seemed to remind her of the distance she felt from everyone around her—especially Rudra. The night before had left her with more questions than answers, and the coldness in their relationship was beginning to feel insurmountable.
Her thoughts wandered back to their brief interaction in his office. She had wanted so desperately to connect with him, to understand him, and to find some explanation for the way he kept her at arm's length. But instead of answers, she had been met with silence and a quiet dismissal. The memory of it lingered in her mind, and even now, as she stepped into the dining room, she could feel the weight of that unresolved tension hanging over her.
Mrs. Singhaniya—Rakhi—was already seated at the table, her posture graceful and poised as always. She exuded warmth and strength, the kind that came from years of holding her family together. It was a comforting sight, but one that also made Anaya feel strangely out of place. She had only been part of this family for a short time, yet the disconnect between her and Rudra made her feel like an outsider.
Ria was at the table too, her phone in hand, her fingers scrolling through the screen as she occasionally glanced up to check on her surroundings. She looked relaxed, at ease, the opposite of how Anaya felt. The rest of the family hadn't arrived for breakfast yet, and the room was quieter than usual. The silence only deepened the sense of isolation that had been gnawing at Anaya's heart.
Anaya's steps slowed as she approached the table. She felt a lump form in her throat, and her chest tightened with emotions she couldn't quite name. It wasn't just the events of the night before that were weighing on her—it was everything. The suddenness of her marriage to Rudra, the coldness between them, the memories of her past that haunted her dreams. And now, standing there in the presence of a family that wasn't truly hers, she felt a longing that she hadn't expected.
Without thinking, she found herself looking directly at Rakhi. The word came out before she could stop it, her voice trembling slightly as it passed her lips.
"Mumma…"
The room fell silent.
Ria stopped scrolling on her phone, her eyes flicking up in surprise. She stared at Anaya, wide-eyed, as if trying to make sense of what she had just heard. Rakhi's gaze softened as she looked at Anaya, a faint smile playing on her lips, but her expression was one of quiet concern.
Anaya swallowed hard, feeling the tears that had been threatening to spill over since last night beginning to well up in her eyes. She had never called anyone "Mumma" before—not since she was a small child. The word felt foreign on her tongue, yet at the same time, it carried with it a deep, aching need. A need for connection, for comfort, for the kind of love that she had lost so long ago.
"Mumma," she said again, her voice breaking slightly this time. She hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest as she forced herself to continue. "Can I… Can I hug you?"
The words hung in the air, fragile and tentative, and for a moment, Anaya wasn't sure how they would be received. Her body felt tense, her breath shallow, as she waited for a response. She wasn't even sure why she had asked—it had just come out, a sudden, overwhelming need for affection, for some kind of reassurance that she wasn't as alone as she felt.
Rakhi's smile deepened, her eyes softening with understanding. She stood up from her chair and moved toward Anaya without hesitation, her arms outstretched. "Of course, my dear," she said gently. "Come here."
Anaya didn't need to be told twice. She stepped forward, her body trembling slightly as she fell into Rakhi's embrace. The warmth of the older woman's arms wrapped around her, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Anaya felt safe. She hadn't realized just how much she had been craving this—this simple, maternal comfort—until now.
Ria watched from her seat, her phone forgotten as she observed the scene in front of her. There was a flicker of something in her eyes—surprise, perhaps, or maybe even a hint of jealousy. But it was quickly replaced by a look of understanding as she leaned back in her chair, quietly giving Anaya the space she needed.
Anaya buried her face in Rakhi's shoulder, her body shaking with silent sobs. The tears she had been holding back for so long finally spilled over, and she let herself cry, the weight of everything she had been carrying pouring out of her in waves.
Rakhi held her close, her hand gently stroking Anaya's hair as she whispered soothing words. "It's okay, Anaya. It's okay. You're safe here."
Anaya clung to her, her arms wrapped tightly around Rakhi's waist as if she were afraid that if she let go, the world would crumble beneath her feet. She hadn't expected to break down like this, hadn't expected to feel so overwhelmed. But in this moment, all she could do was hold on and let the tears fall.
After what felt like an eternity, Anaya finally pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her face was flushed, her cheeks damp with tears, but there was a sense of relief in her expression—a release of emotions that had been bottled up for far too long.
Rakhi smiled at her, her hands gently cupping Anaya's face. "You don't need to be so strong all the time, you know," she said softly. "It's okay to let yourself feel."
Anaya nodded, though her throat was still tight with emotion. She didn't trust herself to speak, so she simply leaned into Rakhi's touch, letting the warmth of her words wash over her.
"I love it when you call me 'Mumma,'" Rakhi added with a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood. "But if you don't like that word, you can call me 'Mummy' or 'Mommy.' I don't mind."
Anaya let out a small, breathless laugh, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. "No," she said softly, her voice still shaky but filled with warmth. "Mumma is perfect."
Rakhi beamed at her, her smile full of affection as she pulled Anaya in for one more brief hug. "Good," she said, her voice light and playful. "I like it too."
As they parted, Anaya couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. It wasn't just for the hug, but for the acceptance, the love that Rakhi had shown her. In this moment, she didn't feel like an outsider in the Singhaniya family. For the first time since her marriage to Rudra, she felt like she belonged.
Ria, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, finally cleared her throat, breaking the momentary silence. "Well," she said with a grin, "that was sweet. But seriously, Anaya, if you're going to make a habit of crying at breakfast, we're going to have to get you a tissue box."
Anaya laughed, the sound light and genuine. It felt good to laugh, to let some of the heaviness lift. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, smiling at Ria.
Ria winked at her, her playful tone taking the edge off what had been a deeply emotional moment. "Good. Now come on, sit down. We can't have breakfast without you."
Anaya wiped the last of her tears away and took a seat at the table, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. Ria went back to her phone, scrolling through her social media feed as though nothing had happened, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
The atmosphere around the table began to feel lighter as Rakhi and Ria resumed their conversation about the day ahead. Anaya listened quietly, content to just be part of the family dynamic for once. For so long, she had felt like an outsider, a stranger in her own home. But today, with Rakhi's hug still fresh in her mind, she felt a sense of belonging.
##To be continue ...**