Chapter 3: Loneliness

The morning dawned quietly over the Singhania mansion, the first rays of sunlight streaming through the large windows and casting a golden glow over the elegant decor. It was a morning like any other, yet for Rashi, today felt different. She sat in her bedroom, her heart uncharacteristically light as she dressed, slipping into a soft, lavender-colored saree. The silk draped delicately over her shoulders, and she paired it with a simple gold necklace and matching earrings. Her look was minimal but graceful, something she had perfected over the past few weeks to blend seamlessly into her new world.

Raj had just returned to the room, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, his signature look that seemed to reflect his personality—sharp, unapproachable, and meticulously composed. As he adjusted his cufflinks in the mirror, Rashi stole a glance at him, her gaze lingering a second longer than usual. Despite their strained relationship, she couldn’t deny the magnetic quality Raj exuded—a quality that had first drawn her to him years ago.

But today was not about romance, nor was it about rekindling anything that might never have been there. Today was about something entirely different.

As he finished getting ready, Raj turned to Rashi, his expression as stoic as ever. "I’ll be out of town for the week," he announced, his tone flat, devoid of any warmth. "It’s for business. I don’t expect you to try contacting me. I’ll be busy."

"Like I have your number Raj, you didn't even care that I should have your number in case of emergency" she thought in her mind.

Rashi met his gaze, keeping her voice steady. "Of course. I’ll manage things here."

She kept her tone polite, respectful. She wasn’t one to challenge his boundaries, even if each word, each cold statement, chipped away at her. She was becoming accustomed to the distant nature of their relationship, and over time, her heart had slowly adapted to the lack of reciprocation. For a week she has to live alone without him in this room.

Raj gave a small, almost dismissive nod and turned on his heel, leaving without another word.

As she watched him leave, Rashi took a deep breath, feeling a strange mixture of relief and sadness wash over her. This was her life now—a life without promises, without love, where each day was merely a continuation of the last. She was only 23, yet she already felt like she was decades older, each passing day eroding her youthful optimism.

As the day progressed, Rashi found herself more at ease than she had felt in weeks. The mansion, usually filled with an underlying tension whenever Raj was around, now felt lighter, almost peaceful. She spent the first few hours of the morning tending to household matters, checking in with the staff, and ensuring that everything was running smoothly. Rashi found herself falling into a rhythm, managing the little things that kept the Singhania household running like clockwork.

Later that day, as she sat in the garden, enjoying the rare moments of solitude, Kartik joined her. Raj's elder brother was everything Raj was not—warm, approachable, and considerate. Dressed casually in a light blue kurta and white trousers, he exuded a relaxed aura that immediately put her at ease.

Kartik took a seat beside her on the wooden bench, his gaze gentle as he looked at her. "Rashi, you’ve been adjusting well," he said, a hint of admiration in his tone. "Not everyone would have handled things as gracefully as you have. Raj… well, he’s not an easy person to deal with, as you’ve probably noticed."

Rashi offered a small smile, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "I’m just doing what I can, Bhai," she replied, choosing her words carefully. She didn’t want to delve into her personal feelings about Raj; after all, he was still Kartik's younger brother. But the sincerity in her voice spoke volumes.

Kartik chuckled lightly, crossing his arms. "Raj has always been... different," he said, choosing his words with equal care. "He’s built walls around himself that no one’s been able to break through. Not even Maya could do it."

The mention of Maya—the woman who had broken Raj’s heart years ago—stirred something inside Rashi. Maya was the ghost that still haunted their marriage, a silent reminder of the love Raj had once given freely to another. She had seen the remnants of that love, in the way Raj withdrew from her, and in the way he still seemed to be haunted by the past.

"But," Kartik continued, his voice breaking her train of thought, "I’ve seen how you carry yourself, Rashi. You’re genuine, compassionate. Sometimes, even the most stubborn walls eventually crumble."

Rashi nodded, a faint hope flickering in her chest. "Thank you, Bhai. Your words mean a lot to me."

They shared a moment of understanding, and Rashi felt a renewed sense of purpose. Perhaps her place in this family would not be defined solely by her relationship with Raj. Perhaps she could carve out a role that was hers alone.

Over the next days, Rashi threw herself into her responsibilities, finding solace in the routine of caring for the mansion and its inhabitants. She formed a closer bond with Priya, Raj’s mother, who had taken her under her wing, teaching her the family traditions and the responsibilities that came with being a Singhania daughter-in-law.

One afternoon, Priya invited Rashi to join her in the family temple, where they prepared for a small puja. Dressed in a blue saree with a delicate gold border, Rashi looked every bit the traditional daughter-in-law, her beauty understated yet undeniable. As she helped Priya light the lamps and arrange the offerings, she felt a sense of peace settle over her—a feeling she hadn’t experienced since the wedding.

Priya glanced at her, a warm smile on her lips. "You have such a calm presence, Rashi," she remarked, her voice filled with affection. "It’s not easy, adjusting to life here. But you’ve managed to do so with grace."

Rashi smiled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Thank you, Ma. I just want to be a good daughter-in-law, someone who can be trusted and relied upon."

Priya took her hands, squeezing them gently. "You’re more than that, my dear. You’re family. And one day, Raj will see that, too."

The mention of Raj brought a familiar pang to Rashi’s heart, but she pushed the feeling aside, choosing instead to focus on the kindness in Priya’s eyes. This was the family she had married into, and even if her husband didn’t love her, she knew she was surrounded by people who did.

As the days passed, Rashi grew closer to Kartik as well, finding in him an elder brother she had always wished for. He was a source of strength and support, often seeking her out for advice on family matters or simply to share a cup of tea in the late afternoons.

One evening, as they sat in the garden discussing trivial matters, Kartik brought up Raj's topic again.

"I know it’s not my place to say this," Kartik began, looking out over the garden with a thoughtful expression, "but I think Raj will notice you, even if he won’t admit it."

Rashi looked at him, surprised. "Do you really think so?"

Kartik nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "He’s not as indifferent as he pretends to be. I’ve seen him watching you, in those rare moments when he thinks no one else is paying attention."

A flicker of hope sparked in Rashi’s chest, but she quickly quelled it, not wanting to set herself up for disappointment. "I don’t want to get my hopes up, Bhai," she said softly. "It’s been hard enough as it is."

Kartik placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I understand. But remember, sometimes the most beautiful things take time to grow. Don’t give up on him just yet."

Rashi nodded, her heart touched by his words. Perhaps there was hope, even if it was faint. She would continue to do her best, for herself and for the family that had welcomed her so warmly.

Later that night rashi pick her diary from her side cabinet and start writing about her feelings for raj, as she only write when she feel to emotional rather that share her inner thoughts with others .

शायद कभी ना कह सकूँ मैं तुमको

कहे बिना समझ लो तुम शायद

शायद मेरे ख्याल में तुम एक दिन

मिलो मुझे कहीं पे गुम शायद

जो तुम ना हो रहेंगे हम नहीं

जो तुम ना हो रहेंगे हम नहीं

ना चाहिए कुछ तुमसे ज्यादा

तुमसे कम नहीं

She wrote these lines for him with tears in her eyes as always as she feel to emotional then she kept it on the cabinet and switch the light off and went to the sleep.

When Raj finally returned from his business trip, Rashi had found a newfound strength within herself. She had forged connections with each member of the family, creating a place for herself in their lives. She no longer felt like an outsider but as someone who belonged, someone who was cherished.

The night Raj came back, she was waiting for him in the dining room, having prepared a simple but delicious dinner. She wore a deep green saree, her hair tied back in a loose bun, and a small bindi gracing her forehead. The saree’s emerald hue accentuated her delicate features, giving her a quiet elegance that didn’t go unnoticed.

Raj entered, his eyes briefly skimming over her before he sat down at the table. He looked tired but still exuded his usual cold demeanor. As they began eating, he finally spoke, his tone surprisingly less detached.

"I see you’ve been keeping things in order here," he commented, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than usual.

Rashi met his eyes, her voice calm. "I’ve tried to do my part."

There was a brief pause as Raj continued eating, and for a fleeting second, she thought she saw a hint of something softer in his gaze. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come, and he returned to his usual, stoic self.

Inwardly, Rashi sighed, but she didn’t let it show. She had learned that change wouldn’t come easily with Raj, and perhaps it never would. But she was prepared for that. She had found her place in the Singhania family, and for now, that was enough.

In her heart, however, a small seed of hope continued to grow, nurtured by the warmth she had found in the family.

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This is it for this chapter hope you all enjoyed it and please vote for it and do comments..