Chapter 5

The weight of the silk saree felt heavier than a mountain on Naira's shoulders. It was Tamanna's saree, which she was supposed to wear for her wedding. Now, it was clinging to Naira, a constant reminder of the gaping hole she had left behind, a hole Naira was shoved into to fill.

The sting of Tamannah's disappearance was a constant ache in Naira's chest. It wasn't just the shock of it, the sheer audacity that her sister would abandon her family in such a public and humiliating way. It was the deep betrayal. Tamannah, the one she had confided in, the one she had looked up to, had shattered the bond between them.

Naira never had any idea that Tamannah could had been unhappy. She had never seen any kind of discontent in her sister's eyes since the engagement or even during the other rituals. Not even in her wildest dreams, had Naira imagined Tamannah would choose this path.

The smiling faces around her felt like masks, strained and uncertain. Her in-laws were trying, she could see it in their eyes – a forced warmth, a fragile attempt at acceptance. But behind the polite smiles, she could sense a reservation, a silent comparison to the daughter-in-law they had anticipated.

She glanced at Anurag, standing stiffly beside her as they performed some ritual she barely comprehended. He was a portrait of composure, his dark eyes unreadable. He had always been a man of few words, a sharp contrast to Naira's effervescent personality. He was always quiet and reserved. She had always seen him as the man her sister would marry. Now suddenly he was her husband. The thought felt alien, a surreal echo in the chaos of her mind.

"Welcome to the family, Beta," Mandira Singh said, her voice laced with a gentleness that surprised Naira. It wasn't the beaming, celebratory tone a mother-in-law should have on her son's wedding day. It was more... compassionate.

Naira just forced a smile, hoping it would reach her eyes.

"Welcome to the family, Bhabhi," Rohan said as he walked towards her. "Just to inform you, my family is very sweet. Remember to develop a tolerance for sugar. You're going to need it." He grinned mischievously.

Naira couldn't help but smile back at him. She understood that he was trying to ease the tension.

"That was a horrible joke, Rohan." Payal rolled her eyes and led Naira to a plush velvet sofa in the sprawling living room. "Come, sit. You must be exhausted. Let me get you some tea."

"No. I am fine." Naira said in a voice full of gratitude. "I'll have after all the functions get over."

"Just give yourself and everyone some time," Payal said assuringly. "Things will get better soon."

Amidst the flurry of post-wedding customs, Rohan and Payal felt lifelines. Rohan with his easygoing charm, kept cracking jokes, trying to lighten the atmosphere, and Payal was a whirlwind of energy who fussed over Naira's hair and makeup and talked about everything and nothing. Their efforts were genuinely comforting for Naira.

"You are fine?" Naira heard and turned to look at Kriya who was half-smiling at her.

From the moment Naira and Kriya met, Naira had felt a connection. Kriya was vibrant, quick-witted, independent, and possessed a similar zest for life almost like a reflection of herself.

She knew Kriya would always stand by her.

But then there was Ved. He was always in the corner watching with stoic eyes. He was the most to friendly among the cousins. The had vibed during the functions but he hadn't spoken a word to her since the wedding.

Aashi, on the other hand, was a different story. Her eyes were constantly scrutinizing Naira.

"Welcome to the family," Aashi said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Though I am sure this isn't quite how you pictured your wedding day."

"Aashi!" Kriya said sternly and everyone else frowned at her.

Aashi looked at her brothers and sisters but everyone was glaring at her. She scoffed and left.

"Don't mind her Bhabhi, it's just that she liked Tam... her a lot." Payal tried to justify.

"It's okay," Naira whispered and Anurag could feel the sadness in her voice.

That night, lying on the massive, overly decorated bed in Anurag's room, Naira felt utterly alone. He was on the other side of the room, sitting on the couch, reading a book. The silence was deafening, punctuated only by the frantic beating of her own heart.

She hadn't thought of her wedding but this was obviously not how her life was supposed to be. Now, she was a wife, bound by duty and circumstances to a man she barely knew, in a family she was still trying to understand.

She closed her eyes, hoping the tears would stop. She had to be strong. For her parents, for Anurag's family, and maybe, for myself. She didn't know what the future held, but she refused to be defined by this situation. She would find her place in this family, carve out her own identity, and somehow, some way, find happiness amidst the threads of uncertainty around her heart. She would be Naira, the strong and jovial woman she was, and not just the replacement for Tamanah.

She looked at Anurag. Was this the right time? Shouldn't she wait for him to move on? But Naira wasn't someone who could sit silently for a long while. There wouldn't be a right time, she would have to make the time right, she decided.

"Anurag?"

He looked up at her.

"You want something?" he asked without any expression.

"Yes, I want to talk to you."

Anurag looked at her for a moment and then closed the book. Sighing heavily, he spoke.

"I know this is... a lot. But we have to give everyone and each other time. It's just that they are still registering what happened. My family is a little too sweet, otherwise."

Naira chuckled.

"Rohan already told me that."

Anurag smiled.

"My siblings... they are everything to me. Rohan, especially," Anurag said as he sat on the bed, the corner of his mouth tilting in a small, fond smile. "He's my younger brother, my confidante. He understands me better than anyone. And Payal and Ved... they're children of Chacha and Chachi, just like my own siblings; but Kriya and Aashi..." his voice trailed off, his brow furrowing.

"Kriya and Aashi?" Naira prompted gently.

"You already know, they're my Bua's children, my cousins. They... they lost their parents in a car accident a few years ago. It was devastating for them. I feel a deep responsibility to protect them and to be there for them. They're like my own sisters." He finally met her eyes, a plea in his gaze. "They mean everything for me, Naira. They all. Payal, Ved, Rohan, Kriya, Aashi... treat them as family."

He watched her hoping she understood the weight of his words. This wasn't a request; it was a cornerstone of their relationship.

Naira's expression softened. She understood the importance of family. Her own had crumbled.

"I understand," she said, her voice firm. "I promise you I will respect your family. I will treat them as my own. And I will share that responsibility with you."

A wave of relief washed over Anurag.

"Thank you."

Naira met his gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. She knew this wouldn't be a love story, at least not at first. It would be a journey of mutual understanding, navigating expectations, and discovering whether a marriage built on circumstance could ever blossom into something more.

"And Naira?"

She looked up at him expectantly.

"Don't let Aashi get to you. She is still a bit immature."

Naira managed a weak smile. "I understand."

Anurag smiled back.

But Naira couldn't help thinking about Tamannah again, wondering where she was. Why had she not confided in her? Why had she left Naira to pick up the pieces, to bear the weight of their family's expectations and the unasked questions of the world?

Naira knew she couldn't dwell on these feelings forever. She had a new life now, a husband and a family who needed her. She would fulfill her duties, she would be a good wife and daughter-in-law. But the memory of Tamannah's betrayal would always be there, a quiet reminder of the sister she had lost and the life she might have had. It was a wound that might heal, but would never truly disappear.

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I hope that was nice :)