Siddharth woke up to the sunrise, unable to sleep anymore. He was still tired from the long night and got up from the couch, stretching.

He smiled in self-mockery, realizing the irony! He must've been tired after spending a beautiful night with his wife, but here he is, stretching for a different reason altogether.

Siddharth stepped inside the master bedroom, unlocking the glass door separating the balcony. His eyes involuntarily darted to Avni as he took slow steps towards the washroom. He was in front of her moments later without realizing when his direction of walk changed.

Avni's long hair was all over the sheets and on her face. He would be lying if he said he didn't dream of waking up next to her after their engagement. He found her cute with the comforter fisted in her hands.

Siddharth came out of the trance when he heard her mumbling incoherent words. He marched to the washroom grabbing his track pants, and left the house for jogging.

He returned home and finished reading the newspaper. The clock tick 9 am, but there was no trace of her movements. He was impatient for answers but didn't wish to disturb her.

Siddharth witnessed her sobbing hard last night, and his lips turned up, recalling her uttering his name in her sleep. He was glad that she took his name, relaxing him. The last thing he wanted to hear was her boyfriend's name.

He knew she was stressed and got ready for the office, careful not to disturb her sleep. He prayed to God and opened the refrigerator as his stomach growled in hunger.

Siddharth groaned in annoyance, realizing he had to consume bread and peanut butter like most other days. He enjoyed a delicious Indian breakfast, but he was lazy to cook. He poured himself a glass of mango juice and finished the bread slices.

Siddharth Malhotra entered his thousand-acre tech park in his BMW. As soon as his car came into vision, gates were opened, and the guards saluted him. He parked his vehicle and entered the building, meeting his staff greeting him with their mouths wide open.

He could hear gossip spreading about his arrival just the next day after his marriage. He gritted his teeth and marched into his cabin on the fourth floor. He thanked himself for being super late, meaning more minor suspicions on his married life.

Siddharth urged to shut their mouths with his one glare but chose to be ignorant, not making it an issue.

He drove home late in the evening after a nearly free day. He rushed through his projects and finalized deals before marriage, craving some alone time with his wife.

Siddharth received a call while his car came to a halt in his two-storied independent house. He smiled at the picture on display and answered the call, "Ma, How are you?"

She chuckled, feeling the same affection as every day, and exclaimed dramatically, "What can happen in one day, Kanna?"

His thoughts diverted to last night, and he mumbled to himself, "Life can take a U-Turn!" He quickly composed himself and complained routinely, "I am not a kid anymore, Ma. Stop calling me nicknames!" He could hear his father chuckling.

He knew she would continue calling him 'Kanna,' and he pretended to dislike it. But, His mother knew how much he loved her pampering him like a baby.

He settled on a bench in the garden and stretched his legs, sitting comfortably. They spoke for a while before his mother questioned, "How's Avni doing? Is she alright?"

Siddharth inhaled a deep breath before responding, "She's fine, Ma." He hated lying to his parents.

His mother, Renuka Malhotra, is a sweet lady. His father, Kishore Malhotra, is a gentleman and playful person. They are his most significant support and delight. His younger brother, Nikhil, is a naughty exuberant self. Siddharth is more of an introvert, while Nikhil grabs all attention.

He made an excuse of her being in the washroom when his Mom inquired. The last words he heard before cutting the call were, "Take care of her, Kanna. She's beautiful."

Siddharth recalled his mother's piece of advice given before their parents left for Mumbai yesterday, just before their first night. "The first year of marriage is tough, Kanna. You have to adjust, understand and respect her. Don't take a step you'll regret later. A woman's heart is tender, and I want you to be a gentleman to her. Avni is a beautiful woman, and you'll never find a pure soul like her. You'll know it yourself soon. Also, Avni is your RESPONSIBILITY from now."

Siddharth's mouth curved into a small smile, feeling calm and peaceful. He believed in his mother and decided to converse with Avni before concluding.

Siddharth's eyes wandered across the hall, searching for her, but she was nowhere. The house is dead silent too. He rushed through the entire ground floor -Kitchen, Dining space, Prayer room, Hall, Home theatre, Guest bedroom.

"Did she leave me forever?"

He marched upstairs sweating with a wild fear in his mind. He unlocked the door to his bedroom, holding his breath for a moment. His heart resumed beating only after finding her on the bed sleeping.

Siddharth paced to the bed, confused as to why she was sleeping at this odd hour. He called her a few times, but there was no response. He observed how she was still in the same clothes as yesterday night.

He hesitantly touched her and instantly withdrew his hand, feeling her ice-cold skin. He rang the doctor immediately and took her into his lap, sitting on the bed. He patted her cheek a few times worriedly before she half-opened her eyes.

Siddharth sighed in relief which did not last long. Her eyes closed moments later, and she lied unconsciously. His eyes glistened, seeing her in that vulnerable state. He lifted her and supported her against the headrest.

He brought a scrunchie from the closet and tied her silky hair into a bun to get a clear view of her face. Her face was pale and distressed. He adjusted her wrinkled T-shirt and carried her downstairs to the guest room.

He laid her on the bed, gently tucking her in. He bounced to the kitchen and carried a bowl of hot water with a wet cloth. He rubbed her arms and forehead, not wasting any time.

The doctor walked in half an hour later and followed Siddharth. He cursed himself for declaring leave to his servants for a few days as they were tired from working for marriage.

The lady checked her pulse, requesting him to step out. He waited impatiently, tapping away on his phone.

The family doctor strolled outside after fifteen minutes and informed him lowly, scribbling medicines on the notepad, "Nothing to worry, Mr. Malhotra. Your wife is alright for now. It's the post-marriage stress that resulted in cold fever. I'm sure your warm water massage helped. Please, take care of her diet, and she's a little weak."

Siddharth breathed a sigh of relief, accompanying the doctor to the main door. He ordered his guard to get the medicines while he waited for some groceries he ordered online.

It was past 8 pm, and he knew she wouldn't have gotten out of bed all day. He boiled some water and dropped the powder into it, rereading the instructions to make a soup carefully. He heated Milk and poured it into a glass, setting it on the tray.

Siddharth carried her downstairs to keep an eye on her while he cooked edible food for her. He didn't want to leave her upstairs as he was sure she couldn't give him a loud enough call in case of an emergency.

He walked into the guest room after arranging everything required on the tray, including tablets. He gently patted her cheeks but got no response. Taking her into his arms, He fed her the soup and Milk.

Siddharth watched Avni lying unconsciously and blamed himself for not being home. He sat adjacent to her with his hand above her head, scanning her face intently. He couldn't sleep all night.

He realized the power of marriage binding two people together for a lifetime. He couldn't stop being concerned about her even after those horrible words. It's partly because of his composed nature and primarily due to his mother's advice that he's staying calm. He has never been the man to judge quickly and make regretful decisions. To top it all, It's an extremely sensitive issue and life-related matter.

Avni twisted in the bed the following day around 4 am sweating profusely, mumbling 'Amma (Mom)' in her half-sleep. Siddharth got alerted immediately, feeling the movement, and patted her cheeks anxiously, "Avni... Wake up."

He shoved away the comforter observing the sweat beads on her forehead as she slowly opened her eyes. Avni tried sitting up but couldn't due to weakness. He helped her sit, and she looked deep into his concern-filled eyes.

"What great deed did I commit to deserve you, Siddharth?"

Avni's eyes gleamed in happiness, feeling his gentleness and care. Her eyes wandered as he stood adjacent to her. He marched out in long strides even before she could register anything.

Siddharth returned five minutes later with toasted bread understanding her hunger. She did not make any effort to think and let him feed her.

One week passed in a blur with him being by her side every moment, not letting her move an inch for anything. He even accompanied her to the washroom and waited outside the door till she returned.

Siddharth was in for pleasant surprises in the past one week-

Avni doesn't have coffee or tea. She still drinks Milk every night before going to bed.

Avni loves watching Tom and Jerry, Dragon Tales, FRIENDS. Whenever he switches on the TV and shuffles through the channels, he observed her reaction while he changes Cartoon Network. He noticed her binging on FRIENDS while he cooked.

Avni loves blue and maroon dresses. Her eyes indicated which dress to pick while she waited in the washroom for her clothes before taking a bath. He never let her move until necessary.

Avni loathes roasted bread just like him. She craves some deliciously cooked meals just like himself.

Also, One glimpse of him is enough for her to become disciplined and silent when he entered the room while she watched Tom and Jerry giggling.

One thing he learned before marriage is that she is very stubborn when it comes to food. He laughed when his Mother-In-Law complained that she doesn't even take a bite if the food isn't tasty. He ate everything on the contrary, if it's homemade.

Avni enjoys watering plants in her free time. She adores pets - specifically dogs.

Avni's eyes gleamed with delight when her eyes darted to roses in his garden.

Avni was indeed a genuine person and a kid by heart when she spoke to his parents. Anyone would probably think she's their daughter while they enthusiastically conversed about everything under the sky. He liked her being realistic. She called their parents every day and spent almost an hour talking to them.

Siddharth also acted all new in the past one week -

He learned to cook light food from YouTube and fed her, earning a groan from her. His one stern glare was enough for her to gulp down everything he wanted her to eat.

He didn't step out of the house in the past week, which is very unlike him.

He ate the same tasteless food he cooked for her without complaining.

He boiled green tea for himself while he heated Milk for her.

He controlled the urge to grill her for answers whenever he recalled that horrible night.

He spent time listening to her on the porch swing about random things while she tried opening up. He relished her smile but didn't fail to notice the immediate sadness that accompanied.

He slept on the recliner, watching her comfortably occupy his bed. Though she offered to take the recliner, he shut her up with one glare. He found it amusing that she feared him like a baby.

He woke a little late in the morning due to restless sleep.

Most importantly, he's getting used to her presence and her weird child-like habits. His Mother-in-law informed him that she's as pure as a baby, and he might agree.

It's been four more days, and Avni is getting better.

Siddharth realized she would've been the perfect partner for him: Her modern self with a traditional touch if the whole fiasco of 'I Love Someone Else' wasn't there.

The first five days, he controlled the urge to question her, and in these few days, He desperately postponed querying her for reasons he didn't want to admit. He was scared of losing her now. He slowly accepted the fact that she is HIS Wife now and HIS RESPONSIBILITY too. He got used to taking care of her.

"What if she wishes to go back to her lover?"

"What if her marriage was forced, unlike his conclusion?"

"What if she files for a divorce?"

No matter how much she tried hiding the sadness behind her smile, He could read it in her eyes. The moist pillow he feels every morning is his proof.

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Thanks for reading,

Love,
AishuPurple

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