The journey to Aarav’s house was eerily silent. Meera sat by the car window, staring at the city lights flashing past, her thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of emotions. The grand wedding, the overwhelming reception, the tearful vidaai—everything had happened so fast that it barely felt real.

She stole a glance at Aarav, who sat beside her, his posture relaxed yet composed. His face, as always, was unreadable. If he was feeling anything about their new reality, he certainly wasn’t showing it.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Meera turned to him, slightly surprised. "Uh… yes, I guess."

Aarav nodded and didn’t say anything more.

The rest of the ride continued in silence.

---

When they arrived at the Malhotra mansion, Meera’s breath hitched. She had visited once before, but seeing it now, knowing she was going to live here, felt different.

The mansion was massive, standing tall with its white pillars and sprawling gardens. Fairy lights still twinkled from the wedding decorations, making it look almost magical.

The doors swung open, and Aarav’s mother, Sunita Malhotra, stood waiting for them, a warm yet authoritative smile on her face.

"Welcome home, beta," she said, holding a thali for the traditional griha pravesh ritual.

Meera stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment. She knocked over the small pot of rice at the threshold, as tradition dictated, before stepping inside, her bare feet sinking into the rose petals scattered on the marble floor.

The house smelled of incense and fresh flowers, the lingering aroma of wedding festivities still present.

Aarav’s younger sister, Riya, rushed forward with a playful grin. "Finally, bhabhi arrives! How does it feel to officially be a Malhotra?"

Meera forced a small smile. "Still sinking in, I think."

Riya giggled. "Well, don’t worry! You’ll get used to all the Malhotra craziness soon enough."

Meera nodded politely, though she wasn’t sure she was ready for any kind of craziness.

---

After what felt like endless rituals and greetings from family members, Meera was finally led to their bedroom.

The moment she stepped inside, she felt a lump form in her throat.

The room was huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The furniture was sleek and modern—dark wood, elegant décor, and a king-sized bed adorned with rose petals, a reminder of their wedding night.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Aarav walked in behind her, closing the door softly. He loosened the buttons of his sherwani and exhaled. "Finally, some peace."

Meera nodded, unsure of what to say.

Aarav turned to her. "I know this is overwhelming."

She met his gaze. "It is."

He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Look, I think we should be practical about this."

Meera frowned slightly. "Practical?"

Aarav ran a hand through his hair. "Yes. We’ve only just met, and even though we’re married, we’re still strangers. I don’t expect you to… adjust overnight."

She let out a small breath of relief. "I appreciate that."

"We can take things one step at a time," Aarav continued. "You can take your time getting used to the house, my family, and… this marriage."

Meera studied him carefully. His tone was calm, businesslike, as if he were discussing a corporate deal rather than a relationship.

"And what about us?" she asked.

Aarav hesitated. "We’ll figure it out."

Meera nodded slowly. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but at least he wasn’t pressuring her into playing the role of a perfect wife right away.

Aarav cleared his throat. "For tonight, you can take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch."

Meera’s eyes widened slightly. "You don’t have to—"

"It’s fine," he interrupted. "It’ll make things more comfortable for both of us."

Meera didn’t argue. Truthfully, she was relieved. She wasn’t ready to share a bed with a man she barely knew.

---

The first night in her new home felt strange.

Meera lay awake, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the day pressing down on her. The lavish wedding, the expectations, the uncertainty of her future—it was all too much.

Across the room, Aarav slept on the couch, his breathing steady.

She turned onto her side, hugging a pillow to her chest.

This is my life now.

The thought both scared and comforted her.

She didn’t know how things would unfold, but for now, she decided to take it one day at a time.