Arranged Love

28. New Beginnings

Disclaimer: All the characters written below are imaginary and a work of pure fiction. There is no resemblance to any incident or situation and is written as a work of fiction.

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Warning: Reader's discretion! Slightly mature content ahead! I have warned you😉

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Smriti's POV -

I woke up to the soft morning light seeping through the curtains. The room was bathed in a gentle golden glow, and the day outside promised warmth and serenity. It was a beautiful day, with a clear sky and a hint of a breeze playing with the curtains. As I stretched my arms, I couldn't help but sigh. The empty space beside me in the bed echoed the absence of my husband, Vivek.

In the past month since our marriage, I had gotten used to waking up in Vivek's warm embrace every morning. But these last three days had been different. Vivek, my dedicated doctor-husband, had been caught up in a series of night shifts at the hospital. His absence in the mornings, although temporary, kind of left a void in my new routine. I missed the reassuring weight of his arm around me, the way he'd pull me closer in his sleep, creating a cocoon of love and warmth.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The familiar room seemed different without Vivek's presence. I knew he was working tirelessly, saving lives, and fulfilling his duties. But the quiet mornings without his laughter, his whispered 'good morning, love,' made me yearn for his presence even more.

With a determined sigh, I pushed the covers aside and got up. I decided to start the day with a cup of tea, hoping that the aroma of the brewing tea would fill the room and, in a way, bridge the gap his absence had created. As I made my way to the kitchen, I couldn't help but smile, thinking of how I would tease him about being the best tea-maker in the world, a title he had proudly claimed since our marriage.

As I descended down the stairs, a strange sense of emptiness settled in the house. The familiar hum of activity was missing, making the space feel unusually quiet. I noticed the house help, diligently dusting the shelves, and halted my steps.

"Why does the house feel so empty today?" I inquired, my voice echoing the solitude around me. "Where is everyone?"

The house help looked up, her face gentle and understanding. "Ma'am and Sir had to rush to the hospital early this morning," she explained, her tone soft. "Rohit Baba and Amrita Baby are still asleep."

I nodded, absorbing the information. The house help's words hung in the air, and a sigh escaped my lips. With a determined purpose, I continued toward the kitchen. The need for a steaming cup of tea became urgent, not just to awaken my senses but to dispel the fog of sleepiness that clouded my mind.

As I sipped my tea, the warmth seeped into my bones, but my thoughts were elsewhere, drifting back to the whirlwind of our wedding last month. Those days were undoubtedly the happiest I had ever experienced. The laughter, the celebrations, the love that surrounded Vivek and me was something I had never anticipated. His family welcomed me with open arms, and in those moments, I felt an unspoken bond weaving us together.

Oddly, those joyous days had also rekindled a connection with my own family, a bond I thought was long lost. But reality hit me hard after we returned home. The warmth I felt during the wedding seemed to fade away in the mundane routine of everyday life. Messages remained unsent, calls unmade. It wasn't that I didn't miss them, but every time I considered reaching out, a wave of apprehension held me back.