(Roohi pov)........The car slowed down.

My heart did the opposite.

I straightened slightly, my fingers tightening in my lap as I looked outside.

A large house stood ahead.

Elegant. Grand.

Unfamiliar.

“This is it…”

The thought echoed quietly in my mind.

The car stopped.

For a second—

No one moved.

Then the door opened.

A soft breeze brushed against my face as I stepped out slowly, my eyes adjusting to the bright lights outside.

The entrance was decorated beautifully.

Flowers. Lights.

A perfect welcome.

As if nothing had gone wrong.

A group of women stood near the entrance, smiling softly, whispering among themselves.

And in the center—

Stood her.

Mrs. Khan.

Graceful. Composed.

Her presence calm… yet commanding.

She stepped forward, her eyes resting on me.

Not harsh.

But observant.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to do.

How to stand.
How to breathe.

“Come, beta…”

Her voice was gentle.

I moved forward slowly.

A decorated plate was brought forward.

The soft clink of bangles, the faint scent of rose petals in the air.

She performed the welcoming ritual, her movements steady and practiced.

Everyone watched.

Smiled.

I lowered my gaze slightly, following along quietly.

“Right foot first,” someone whispered softly beside me.

I nodded faintly and stepped inside.

And just like that—

I crossed the threshold.

Into a house that wasn’t mine.

Soft murmurs of “Mubarak ho” filled the space as I walked in.

But I couldn’t focus on them.

Because I could feel it.

The difference.

The distance

This wasn’t warmth.

Not really.

It was formality.

Control.

I glanced slightly to the side.

Zayan stood there.

Calm. Silent.

Unbothered.

As if this moment…

Didn’t matter to him at all.

Mrs. Khan turned toward me again, her expression softer now.

“You must be tired,” she said gently.
“Come, I’ll take you to your room.”

Room.

Not home.

I nodded quietly.

As I followed her through the large hallway, my eyes moved across everything—

The walls.
The decor.
The unfamiliar space.

Every step felt heavier.

Behind me, I could hear faint whispers.

Low. Curious.

“Isn’t she the younger one…?”
“Something happened, right…?”

I lowered my gaze further.

My chest tightened again.

Mrs. Khan stopped in front of a door and opened it slowly.

“Rest for a while,” she said softly

stepped inside.

The room was beautiful.

Neat. Perfect.

Decorated for a bride.

But it didn’t feel like mine.

Not even a little.

I turned slightly—

But he wasn’t there.

Of course he wasn’t.

The door closed behind me.

And for the first time since I entered this house—

I was alone.

Completely alone.

I sat down slowly on the edge of the bed, my hands still trembling.

This was it.

My new life.

A place where everything looked perfect…

But nothing felt right.

The room was too quiet.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting in my lap, fingers twisting nervously with the edge of my dupatta.

The heavy jewelry still weighed me down.
The silence weighed even more.

This didn’t feel real.

A few hours ago…

I was in my home.

Now—

I was here.

In a stranger’s room.

As someone’s wife.

My breath felt uneven.

I didn’t know what to expect.

Didn’t know what would happen next.

And that scared me more than anything

The sound of the door opening broke the silence.

My heart skipped a beat.

I didn’t look up immediately.

I couldn’t.

His footsteps were slow.

Measured.

I could feel his presence before I saw him.

Zayan.

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

Silence again.

But this time…

It felt heavier.

I finally lifted my gaze.

He stood across the room, removing his watch calmly, as if this was just another normal night.

No hesitation.
No awkwardness.

Nothing.

for a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then—

“You can relax.”

His voice was low.

Calm.

I blinked slightly, confused.

I’m not here to make this harder than it already is.”

The words caught me off guard.

I didn’t know how to respond.

He walked toward the chair and sat down, keeping a distance between us.

“This changes nothing from what I said earlier,” he added.

My fingers tightened slightly.

Of course.

“No expectations.”

I nodded slowly.

“No questions.”

Another nod.

No assumptions.”

My throat tightened.

Silence stretched between us again.

I gathered a little courage, my voice soft.

“Then… what am I supposed to do?”

He looked at me then.

Properly.

For a second—

It felt like he was actually seeing me.

Not just the situation.

“Live,” he said simply.

I frowned slightly.

“As long as you don’t interfere in my life… I won’t interfere in yours.”

The words settled heavily.

So that was it.

Not a marriage.

Not even a relationship.

Just… coexistence.

I nodded faintly, even though something inside me ached.

He stood up again, moving toward the other side of the room.

“You can take the bed,” he said.

“I’ll manage.”

I looked at him, surprised.

But I didn’t question it.

Because questioning…

Wasn’t allowed.

I slowly removed my jewelry, one piece at a time, the soft clinks filling the quiet room.

Every sound reminded me—

This was real.

from mirror i saw him laying down on couch scrolling through his phone casually my chest ache as i ignore it and start opening my hairs.....then i picl my bag take out clothes and went to washroom to change.

Inside i change my clothes the heavy weight finally take over as finally breath properly i look at mirror and my reflection stares back this isn't me I was never like this...

i wash my face did little skin care brush my hairs and return the room was dark now only one lamp beside me was open i look zayan his back to me the blanket covring him

When I finally lay down, my eyes stared at the ceiling.

Sleep didn’t come.

Not when everything had changed so suddenly.

Not when the man in the same room felt like a stranger miles away.

And not when I knew—

This wasn’t a beginning.

It was something else entirely.

Something colder.

Something I didn’t understand yet.

But I would.

Soon.

𝓣𝓗𝓐𝓝𝓚 𝓨𝓞𝓤 🖤✨

☝🏻 this cat Is like my cat Rusty and guess what he is my most favorite baccha💗