Yor25389
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aradhya stood near the window, fingers lightly gripping the edge of her dupatta.
She knew this conversation was coming.
Still...
She wasn't ready.
Footsteps.
She didn't turn immediately.
She already knew who it was.
Rudraksh.
He stopped a few steps away.
Not too close.
Not distant either.
For a moment-
Neither of them spoke.
Then finally-
"Don't expect anything from this marriage."
His voice was calm.
Flat.
It didn't sound like anger.
It didn't sound like hesitation either.
Just... final.
Aradhya slowly turned.
Her eyes met his.
He continued-
"Not from this family..."
a small pause,
"...and definitely not from me."
Something in her chest tightened.
"I don't love you."
No softness.
No apology.
"And I won't."
Silence filled the space between them.
Aradhya felt her throat go dry.
But she didn't look away.
"This is just an arrangement," he said.
"A decision taken for convenience."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"You'll have your space," he added.
"And I'll have mine."
A pause.
"No interference. No expectations."
His gaze stayed steady.
Unmoved.
"Whatever you're hoping for..."
he said quietly,
"drop it."
That hurt.
More than she expected.
But she didn't show it.
Instead-
She lifted her chin slightly.
"I'm not expecting anything."
For the first time-
A faint shift.
Almost unnoticeable.
But there.
"Good," he said.
A pause.
"Then we won't have a problem."
Silence again.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then he turned.
Like the conversation was over.
Like it never mattered.
But just before leaving-
He stopped.
Without looking back-
"Learn one thing," he said.
A small pause.
"Don't mistake this for something it's not."
And then-
He walked away.
Leaving her there.
Alone.
Not broken.
But not untouched either.