I awoke to banging on my door and groaning as I rolled onto my back. I opened my eyes and immediately closed them because the sun was shining directly on my damn face.

The banging grew louder, and I looked up to see that it was afternoon. I jumped out of bed and almost stumbled because I was dizzy. I have never slept for so long in my life.

I should stop taking sleeping pills.

It was too early for a headache, I thought as I walked to the door, rubbing my temples. When I opened the door, my sister was standing there with her hand on her waist.

"It is about time; Prince Charming decided to wake up from his beauty sleep," she said, pushing me aside and inviting herself into my room.

"What do you want?" I asked groggily, and she gave me the side-eye. I rubbed the back of my neck and cleared my throat.

"Mom told me I needed to wake you up for the rituals. I almost assumed you went to the office because you did not answer the door." Muktha said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I cleared my throat again and closed my eyes, feeling sore.

"What happened?" she asked, coming near me.

"I think I have a sore throat, and it hurts to speak. "I will be down shortly, and please send someone with warm water," I said.

"You- you said, please!" She screamed, and I winced and closed my eyes. I ignored her and went inside the bathroom.

I returned to the room, wrapped a towel around my waist, and went into the closet. I decided to wear a white kurta set. When I returned to the room, fully dressed, I noticed a glass of water on the table. I finished the water and went downstairs.

I was about to eat breakfast at the table when I was interrupted by the sound of heavy anklets. I turned around to see Chandini enter the room with plates full of sweets. She has not noticed me yet. She walks slowly and carefully, her gaze fixed on the tray.

Everything seems to cease around me. The only sounds I can hear are my heart thumping in my ear and the heavenly sound of her anklets.

My mouth dries up as I stare at her with wide eyes. My gaze darts around her face, taking in her alluring beauty—she is looking divine in that red saree, her partition filled with vermillion, and the mangal sutra dangling brightly around her neck.

"What happened to you?" She stepped in front of me and yanked me out of my thoughts. I cleared my throat while blinking frequently and shaking my head.

"Why are you staring at me with your mouth wide open? And your ears are turning red," she asked, wiggling her brows.

"Do not get ahead of yourself; I was looking at the sweets, not you," I said, touching my ears. "And you-you look stunning." I said, clearing my throat.

"No, I saw you staring at me--wait--thank you!" I raise my brows as her cheeks turn slightly pink.

"But why are you seated at the table?" she asks, her gaze averted from mine. I gave her a puzzled look, and she sighed and shook her head.

"Darling, from what I know we sit here to eat," I said and tried not to smile as she glared at me.

"We are not supposed to eat or drink anything until we perform the pooja; it is considered a bad omen—that is what your mother said." She explained as she walked behind me, leaving the plate on the table.

"Uhh, I had water in the morning," I mumbled as I rubbed the back of my neck. Muktha did not say anything about it, and she could have at least informed me. Now Mom is going to be angry.

She looked at me but did not say anything before walking into the kitchen. What is going on, and is she okay? She refuses to speak with me one moment and then acts as if nothing has happened the next. My headache was getting worse as I pinched my brow.

Muktha said, "Bhaiya, let us go to the pooja room." When I entered the room, I noticed Chandini sitting there, whispering something to Mom. Mom glared at me as I sat beside Chandini.

She told her!

We did the aarti (lamp-waving) first, and then everyone else followed suit. After that, I was told to fill her partition with vermillion again, and we made each other eat some sweets and then drink water. When she handed me the glass of water, I noticed her disapprovingly twisting her lips.

Oh, for God's sake, I had no idea!

Then we went to breakfast, with Chandini sitting beside me and Athwa next to her, smiling and cheering, making her smile. He has been staring at her since the pooja and hovering around her.

"Bhai, are you all right now?" Muktha asked, drawing everyone's attention.

"Mhmm," I hummed, my gaze fixed on my younger brother's hand, which was resting on my wife's. He noticed my stare and quickly looked down at his plate.

Chandini noticed this and turned to face me, her eyes filled with confusion, but she said nothing. After breakfast, I went to my room to call Rahul and see how things were going in the office.

Anklets. This sound is quickly becoming my second favourite. The first is her voice.

The ringing of her anklets echoed before she walked into the room, and Mom was behind her. She was looking around, and I noticed her eyes light up when she saw the balcony. I have the best room in the mansion, and the balcony holds a special place in my heart because it was my mumma's favourite. The views of sunsets and sunrises are incredible from here.

"Chandini, this is your room now. Take a seat and relax for a while. "I know it is boring, just like him," Mom said, pointing at me. I looked around my room, which had cream-coloured walls, black furniture, and black curtains. It is not dull.

Chandini simply nodded and smiled as Mom walked away. She did not even look at me and went straight to the balcony, settling into a spot on the couch and staring ahead.

I went back to work and called Rahul, who informed me of some meetings that I needed to attend. I sat down on the couch in the room and began my meetings one at a time.

I rolled my neck as I leaned back and stretched. I have been working for several hours now. I looked out of the room and saw Chandini sleeping soundly. I went over to her and pulled sheets on her. My fingers came to a halt at her tear-stained cheeks. Why was she crying? I did not do anything; in fact, I kept my distance from her.

I walked downstairs from my room. Athwa ran right into me, but I caught him.

"Why are you running around the house?" I asked, gritting my teeth.

"Oh, Chand-ini bhabhi, mom wants her in the kit-chen. I was going to call her," he stuttered.

I moved aside, nodding my head, and he raised his head, wide-eyed at me, and ran towards my room.

I went to the office because it is the only place where I can relax or forget about everything around me.

I indulged myself in the work, going through documents. I was looking at the last file of Singh's project that Aditya had offered. A project to construct a five-star hotel. He offered partnerships through this. Like hell, I'm going to work with him ever.

A knock startled me, and Rahul entered with a worried expression on his face.

"What are you doing here at this hour? You should be spending time with your wife at home. Thank God, I noticed the lights in your room were turned on. Go home, Rudra," he said with a shake of his head.

I checked my watch; it was past midnight. I stood up, sighed, and thanked him for reminding me.

I could not get the image of her tear-stained cheeks out of my head as I drove home. Everyone around me is in pain, and it is all because of me.

I arrived at my house and parked my car. I went straight to the kitchen to have dinner. The lights were turned on when I walked in, but they are always turned off this late. I saw the dining room glowing and confused, I moved towards it.

Chandini is sitting on the chair with her legs crossed and her arms on the table, supporting her head. She is still dressed in the same red saree, her hair falling across her face. As I got closer to her, I noticed she was sleeping with her mouth open.

I took a look at the table, which was piled high with dishes. I sat down beside her and gently removed her hair from her face, taking care not to disturb her sleep. And I just sat there, staring at her like a creep.

I am a creep; I have been watching her for a long time without her knowledge. I can rest assured that she is now mine and will be with me all the time and for a long time. What can I say? I simply cannot get enough of her.

I was sitting there, staring at her, and thinking when was the last time someone bothered to wait for me, and I didn't realise when a tear left my eyes.

No one after my mumma had waited for me. It's the first time in what feels like forever.

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