A short scene or story for MunRik, since I am not happy with the lack of screen space for them.
In Between
The night air drifted softly through the half-open windows, carrying a warm breeze that made the curtains sway like slow breaths. The room glowed under mellow yellow lights, wrapping everything in a quiet, golden calm. Munni stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dupatta, her reflection steady — almost too steady for a bride.
“Chale?” Ritik asked gently as he stepped inside.
The door clicked shut behind him.
The moment he saw her, he paused.
She looked breathtaking — not because of grandeur, but because of simplicity. The red lehenga fit her petite frame perfectly, flowing around her like a soft flame. The gold jewelry rested lightly against her skin, catching the warm light and glowing instead of shining. She didn’t look decorated. She looked complete.
“Hmm…” she murmured, as if his voice had pulled her back from somewhere far away.
He walked in slowly, hands tucked casually into his pockets.
“Maine poocha chale… ya phir hamari Collector Madam ko thoda aur waqt chahiye sajne sawarne ke liye?” he teased, his tone playful, eyes warm.
She looked at him through the mirror first. Then slowly turned.
He didn’t look sad.
No heaviness. No hesitation. Just that familiar calm smile — the one that always made everything feel normal.
And that unsettled her.
Why wasn’t he hurting?
Why did she want him to hurt?
Was she the one who was sad? But Why?
In less than an hour, she would be married to Rahul — her senior, the man who respected her, who had returned with sincerity in his eyes and regret in his voice. He had apologized for doubting her, for asking her to cut ties with the only friend and family she had ever known. There had been no doubts in his tone, he wanted to make this work.
There was no reason to question him.
And yet her chest felt tight, as stared at Ritik.
Was she still in love with the man standing in front of her?
How unfair that thought felt. Like she was doing exactly what Rahul had accused her for.
This was the same man who had once crushed her with his pride. Who had made her feel small for loving him. Who had said things she had never fully forgotten.
And still… here she was.
Looking at him like this.
“Kahan kho gayi, Munni?” Ritik snapped his fingers lightly, smiling.
She blinked. “Kuch nahi,” she replied softly.
“Toh phir chalein?”
He turned toward the door.
“Aap Rahul ke paas kyun gaye?”
Her voice was calm, but it stopped him instantly.
He turned back slowly, surprised — though he shouldn’t have been.
“Matlab?” he asked.
“Aap jaante hain… aap Rahul se mile the. Isliye usne mujhse maafi maangi. Par kyun?”
The breeze shifted again, lifting a strand of her hair.
He exhaled gently.
“Kyunki tum meri dost ho, Munni,” he said simply. “Aur main kaise dekh sakta tha ki meri wajah se tumhara rishta toot jaye? Rahul tumhare liye perfect hai. Haan, usne thodi jaldbaazi kar di… hamara rishta samjhne me liye. Par usme uski galti bhi nahi hai, pata nahi Mitali ne usse kya kya keh diya.”
He stepped a little closer — unconsciously.
“Sach kahun… main tumhe khush dekhna chahta hoon. Aur Rahul tumhe khush rakhega, iss baat par yakeen hai mujhe.”
His voice softened.
“Aur ek baat kehna chahata hun… phir himmat mile na mile.”
She didn’t move.
“I am sorry, Munni. Uss din ke liye. Jab maine tumhari feelings ka mazaak banaya. Jab maine tumhe disrespect kiya. Kitna stupid tha main… kitna egoistic.”
He gave a small, self-mocking smile.
“Tumhara dil toda tha maine. Aur sirf dil nahi… tumhari izzat, tumhari self-respect ko bhi chot pahunchayi. Maine tumhe feel karaya jaise tum kam ho.”
He shook his head lightly.
“Sach yeh hai… kam main tha. Main insecure tha. Log kya kahenge, apne status ko leke, kitna idiot tha na mein, mera status to kuch tha hi nahi us waqt.”
His eyes lifted to meet hers.
“Woh sab hone ke baad bhi tumne meri help ki, meri dost bani. Tum bohot achhi ho, Munni… aur tum utna hi achha ladka deserve karti ho. Isliye main Rahul ke paas gaya tha.”
He hadn’t realized when he had taken her hands into his.
Their fingers rested together — naturally.
“Ab khush?” he asked gently, lowering his head slightly to meet his eyes.
She nodded, not knowing what to say.
“Good.” He smiled.
He turned again toward the door but extended his hand fully this time.
“Chalo. Sab intezaar kar rahe hain.”
There was no rush in his voice.
She placed her hand in his.
As her fingers curled around his, his heartbeat quickened — a quiet betrayal he masked with a steady expression. He wrapped his fingers around hers gently, memorizing the warmth without meaning to.
They walked toward the mandap side by side.
He loved her.
Not in a dramatic, sudden way — but in the slow, steady way. He had always felt most like himself around her. Always.
If only he had understood that six years ago — the day she had confessed her love.
He had been foolish. Small. Cruel in the name of pride.
Rahul was kinder. More deserving.
That was why he had made sure she would not lose something good because of him. Because she had always given him what he lacked, the confidence in himself.
Even if his heart was breaking at loosing her for the second time. He knew things would have to be different now, he would have to maintain his distance for her benefit.
He stole a last glance toward her she was looking ahead, but her eyes seemed lost.
Together, under the warm night air, they walked in silence — a silence that held regret, affection… and a love that would remain unspoken.
Ria
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