The entire villa looked like something straight out of a dream. Blood orchids adorned every corner, their fragrance mingling with the soft glow of the chandelier that hung proudly in the center of the hall. Velvet carpets muffled footsteps, and the delicate tunes of the shehnai wrapped the space in a melody of celebration. It was the most important day in Trisha's life, her wedding day, the day she would finally become one with Trayambak, her long-time love, the man who meant the world to her.

Her eyes sparkled differently today. She sat gracefully, draped in a stunning red lehenga, every inch of it whispering stories of love and commitment. Her hands, richly adorned with mehendi, carried Trayambak's name deeply etched into her palms. Sets of heavy bangles clinked softly as she moved, but strangely, they didn't feel heavy at all. Her heart was light. She was marrying the one she had dreamed of for years.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Trayambak. She picked it up with a wide smile blooming on her face.

"  Hello my dear   dharampatni   ,  "Vardaanteased. ["Hello my dear wife"]

"  Kya aap bhi, abhi tak shaadi hui nahi  ," she joked back, chuckling. ["Oh come on, the wedding hasn't even happened yet."]

Trayambak's tone changed ever so slightly as he replied, "  Ho to jayegi kuch   ghanto mein  ." ["Well, it will happen in a few hours"]

The words made her cheeks flush. She bit her lip, shy and glowing, unable to stop the blush from rising. He sensed her silence and added with a playful tone,"  Arey sharmao mat, abhi to bus shuruwat hai, agey dekho hota hai kya  ." ["Don't be shy, this is just the beginning - wait and see what's to come."]

There was something in that sentence. It was light on the surface, but it lingered strangely in her mind. A passing shiver. She brushed it off.

"  Trisha beta, jaldi chal niche baarat aa gayi,"  called her mother, Madhuri, from downstairs. [Trisha dear , come quickly, the groom's procession has arrived"]

"  Aai Mumma  ," she responded, rising ["Coming mumma"] from the ottoman stool. She gave herself one last look in the mirror, adjusted her lipstick carefully and, before ending the call, said with a smile, "  Chalo goodbye my dear boyfriend and hello my dear husband."  ["Okay then, goodbye my dear boyfriend, and helly my dear husband"]

Both of them giggled together, a sound that had always felt like home to her.

Later, sitting besideVardaanin front of the sacred agni, surrounded by chants and blessings, Trisha felt herself drifting. The pandit's voice rang out, "  Vadhu ke maang mein sindoor bhare."  Her heart pounded. ["Now the groom has to fill the bride's hair parting with vermillion"]

Even after two years of being in love, something inside her tightened. A strange anxiety curled in her chest. Was it fear? Or just the overwhelming reality that she was stepping into a new life? She told herself it was normal. Marriage was a roller coaster, after all. Everything changes.

She zoned out, lost in thoughts until the touch of vermillion brought her back. She felt it fall on her nose, and in that moment, the weight of it all hit her. She was married. Married to Trayambak. To her love.

He leaned in close and whispered with a smirk, "  Ab ho gayi permanent booking, ab kahi jaane nahi dunga."  ["Now you are permanently booked- I won't let you go anywhere now."]

She smiled, but the words felt tight. She searched his face for warmth but found none. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe it was just exhaustion.

The time came for vidaai, and the emotions swept over her like a storm. Trisha clung to her father, crying uncontrollably.

"  Beta aise nahi rote. Hum yahi hai. Koi dikkat hogi to tere baap ki   dehleez   tere liye humesha khuli hogi,  " her father Nirmal said, his voice thick with emotion. ["Don't cry like this my child. We are here for you. If there is ever any trouble, your father's doorstep will always be open for you."]

His words broke something deeper inside her, and she sobbed harder.

"  Chal chal, bohut ro li. Ab tera room mera. Jaldi nikal yaha se,"  her brother Dhanay tried to joke through his teary eyes. ["Alright, alright, enough crying. Now your room is mine. Get out quickly!"]

"  Tu chup kar Dhaniya  ," she retorted, smacking his arm lightly. [You shut up, Dhaniya"]

"  Arey shaadi ho gayi, ab to ladna band karo bandaro,"  said Madhuri, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone chuckled through their tears. ["Come on, you are married now, stop fighting now, you little monkeys."]

As the car prepared to leave, Nirmal went to Trayambak. He folded his hands with trembling fingers and moist eyes.

" Vardaanbeta, ek hi beti hai meri. Mere liye sabse keemti hai. Iska dhyan rakhna. Yeh laadli hai meri isko koi taklif mat dena  " ["Trayambak, son, she is my only daughter. She is most precious to me. Please take care of her. She is my darling, don't let trouble her."]

 Vardaandidn't respond with words. Just a slight nod. Trisha noticed it, , she wanted him to say something but she kept quiet.

They arrived at the Pratap mansion, which looked like a palace dressed in gold. Inside, Niharika was ready to welcome her daughter-in-law.

"  Aaj se tum humari ghar ki beti hui  ," she said, gently touching Trisha's head. ["From today, you are the daughter of this house."]

Blessings rained from all sides. A moment of calm touched her heart.

"  Beta, ise kamre mein le ke jao, thak gayi hogi,"  an elder said to Trayambak. [Dear, take her to the room, she must be tired."]

"  Arey chachi, abhi thakne se nahi hoga. Puri raat jo jagna hai  ,"joked his cousin Shivesh. [Oh come on aunt, she can't get tired yet, she has to stay up all night!"]

Trisha's cheeks turned crimson. Embarrassed, she looked down. Trayambak's expression turned cold. He glared at Shivesh without saying a word. Shivesh awkwardly backed out of the room and tried to laugh it off.

Looking at the exchange, the family chuckled.

Niharika gently took Trisha to her new room, a chamber filled with floral fragrance. She handed her a glass of milk and said softly that it was forVardaanwhen he arrived.

After some time,Vardaanentered. Trisha straightened, her heart fluttering. But he didn't even glance at her. He walked straight to the closet, changed out of his wedding clothes into something casual, and moved to leave.

"  Kahi jaa rahe hai  ?" she asked, confused. [ "Are you going somewhere?"]

He didn't respond.

She got up, walked toward him, gently touched his arm.

"  Aaj humari pehli raat hai. Aap kaha jaa rahe hai  ?" ["Tonight is our first night. Where are you going?"]

He turned sharply. His voice was sharp, cutting like glass.

"  Pehli raat? Kyu pehli kabhi soi nahi tu mere sath? Itna shauk hai mera bistar garam karne ka?"  ["First night? Why, have you never slept with me before?Are you that eager to warm my bed?"]

She froze. Her breath caught. The words hit her like a slap.

"  Yeh aap kaisi baat kar rahe hai?"  she cried, choking. ["What are you saying? How can you talk like that?"]

He yanked his arm away and pushed her aside slightly. She stumbled, nearly falling.

Without a second glance, he walked out.

The door clicked shut.

She stood still, her whole body trembling. Her mind couldn't grasp what just happened. TheVardaanshe loved never spoke to her like that. He had anger issues, yes, but this was cruel and humiliating.

She sat on the bed, tears sliding down her cheeks. The red lehenga suddenly felt too heavy, too tight. She changed into something comfortable.

She lay on the bed, the silence around her growing louder. Her thoughts spiraled in search of meaning. What had changed? What had she missed?

There were no answers.

Only the soft sound of her crying, fading into the night as sleep eventually pulled her under.