Romaisa stirred awake due to soft morning light which was filtered through the curtains but end up casting it's gentle rays on her eyes. For a moment, she smiled remembering the events of the previous day which held the rituals, the laughter, the blessings. It felt like a dream, a beautiful dream that had been waiting to unfold for years. She was finally married to Prihan, the man she had loved for so long. But as her senses adjusted and consciousness kicked, her smile began to fade. She realized that the bed next to her was cold and untouched.

Prihan was not there next to her, on her first day as a married woman. Romaisa's heart sank. She sat up slowly as her fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket as she scanned the room. The vibrant colours of the wedding décor were still present yet it Felt dull to her ,embroiled in emptiness and hollow feelings. She had imagined waking up in Prihan's arms but reality had other plans. Her throat tightened as she swung her legs off the bed and let her bare feet touch the cold marble floor.

The silence in the room felt deafening with each passing second and the hope she had clung to faded away. "Where is he?" she whispered to herself shaky and with a growing sense of dread. Romaisa got up and walked towards the large window, Her fingers curled into fists and she felt a lump rise in her throat. This wasn't how things were supposed to be and This definitely wasn't how she had imagined her first morning as a wife. She turned away from the window, her eyes scanning the room hoping for some sign but there was nothing to indicate that he had even thought of her.

The door opened and Romaisa's heart skipped a beat. She wiped at her eyes and turned around with her heart racing with a mixture of hope and fear. Prihan stepped into the room dressed in casual clothes but his face unreadable. There was no smile or warmth, just an indifferent gaze as his glance fell on her. "You're awake" he said devoid of any emotion. Romaisa felt her chest and throat get tighten, "Prihan-" she began with her voice barely above a whisper. He stopped but didn't turn to face her, "what is it?" he asked in a flat tone.

"But it's our first morning together," Romaisa said with her voice breaking, "I thought- I thought it would be different-". "Different how?" he asked while his eyes narrowed slightly as if her words seem crazy to him. "We're married now and you don't need to cling to these childish fantasies" he finished. Romaisa flinched at his words feeling as he knocked the air out of her system. Childish fantasies? Was that what he thought of the love they had shared? The love she had held onto all these years?. She clinged onto her hope and continued, "But it's our first morning together"

"So what?" asked Prihan coldly which ripped Romaisa's heart apart. "How can my Prihan act like this? Why are you behaving like this" asked Romaisa in her shaky voice in dire need of answers for her pain. "Go and complaint to Shamsher Sazal, but wait- you're in Rishi Manvik's mansion and not the Sazal Mansion, Act accordingly and feel free to go complaint" said Prihan and walked out of the room by slamming the door. Tears started to drip down Romaisa's eyes and wondered what to do, She sat in the bed aimlessly with no clue on what to do.

Romaisa heard some knocks on the door, she wiped her eyes and opened the door. "Madam the stylists will arrive in 30 minutes, Vanya Ma'am asked you to change and be ready for them by the time they arrive" said the househelp and Romaisa nodded, "Ok, Thankyou". Romaisa accepted the dress bought by the househelp and she closed the door. She fell onto the bed and wiped her tears. She took a deep breathe then rushed to the bathroom to change into the dress bought by the househelp. Romaisa sat in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with a mixture of dread and sorrow.

Her eyes were red-rimmed from the tears she had shed a few minutes ago, tears that she had tried to wipe away before anyone saw. Today was supposed to be her first day as a newlywed bride, a day she had dreamt of all her life but the joy she had imagined was nowhere to be found. She changed into the outfit and she heard some knocks. She opened the door to find the stylists stand there with a smile, "Come in" she said softly and let them inside the room. She took a deep breathe to keep the facade.

Keeping facade is not a new thing for the members of such influencial families, she was born into keeping a facade. Vanya had arranged for the finest stylists to help her get ready. They moved around her in quiet efficiency, adjusting her hair, securing her dupatta, and ensuring that every detail of her appearance was flawless. Romaisa forced a smile when they praised her beauty but she in the inside she felt hollow. The words of admiration washed over her without leaving an impact. Her heart felt bruised and in pain from the hurt Prihan's words had inflicted.

"Mrs.Manvik, you're looking absolutely radiant" one of the women helping her said with a smile which broke Romaisa's reverie. She nodded trying to return the smile but her lips barely moved. The title felt so foreign to her, "Mrs. Manvik". She had once dreamed of it but it now felt like a hollow label. Hearing the name now, all she felt was bitterness and pain. Her eyes fell down, The marks on her hands once a source of pride and anticipation now felt like shackles binding her to a marriage that already is falling apart even with the love they held.

"Are you all right Romaisa?" her mother-in-law, Vanya asked as she entered the room with concern flickering in her eyes. Who else but Vanya would know the weight and pain of the tag now which belonged to Romaisa too. Romaisa snapped out of her thoughts and quickly nodded, "Yes Mo- Yes I'm fine," she managed to reply correcting herself mid-sentence. Calling Vanya "Mom" felt odd as She didn't feel like part of the family, not yet. Maybe she's never, thought Romaisa to herself. Vanya's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she nodded approvingly.

"Remember, today you'll meet the rest of the family and You must make a good impression" said Vanya and continued, "They're expecting to see a happy and radiant bride". "I know things aren't perfect but i don't expect any less than not showing the ugly from you, after all you're a Sazal and I mean it in a way that you're born into showing the good parts and hiding the ugly, Unlike Laila I've better expectation in you of keeping the perfect and powerful image, You've learned to do that your whole life" said Vanya and hugged Romaisa, Romaisa felt frozen even though she knew Vanya muttered facts.

Romaisa tried to muster the strength to smile and nodding obediently, "In this household we prefer words instead of nods, Something you'll pick up easily with some mindfullness" said Vanya and left. She felt like a performer in a play expected to display happiness and charm on command. But how could she? How could she portray joy when her heart felt weighed down by betrayal and confusion? Her hands clenched in her lap while her fingers tracing the ornate bangles adorning her wrists. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, in an attempt to steady herself.

Romaisa went down to find Vanya by the the dining table, "Good morning" she greeted softly and Vanya replied, "Good morning, Had a good sleep?". Romaisa nodded positively in response even though that was a lie, "Words Romaisa" reminded Vanya. "Yes I did" said Romaisa softly. Vanya noticing Romaisa's slight unease, she reached over to touch her hand gently. "Relax dear" she said softly and continued, "This is your home now and We're all very happy to have you here." Romaisa felt a wave of relief, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Vanya's presence was reassuring and Romaisa appreciated the genuine warmth behind her words.

The first to arrive was Prihan, her husband entered with a soft smile which was directed towards his mom. "Good morning Mom" Prihan greeted with his tone warm and welcoming. Next came a young man with a playful grin lighting up his face. "Romaisa this is Pulkit, the youngest of the Manvik family" Vanya introduced him with a fond smile. Pulkit extended a hand in greeting with his grin widening, "Good morning, sister-in-law" he greeted. "I hope Prihan hasn't driven you crazy yet" Romaisa laughed softly, "Not yet but I'll keep you posted" she replied playfully. The people she heard about from the talks from Prihan and the dreams she had to meet them had come true, people stayed true to the fantasy but the constant she had thought of has swayed away. She has heard a lot about the Playful Pulkit, she being an only child had longed for a sibling and hearing tales of Pulkit had made her long for it, she was somewhat near that dream fulfilment.

"Good morning" said Prachi with the biggest smile. "Finally my princess has woke up" said Vanya and kissed her head. "Good morning Sister-in-law" said Prachi playfully, teasing her. "Good morning Prachi" said Romaisa with a smile. Prihan always had a lot to say about Prachi, his youngest sister. She was always a sharp contrast to the elder Purvi, whom Romaisa knew was very bold and arrogant to an existent. Prachi was the sunshine soft spoken one, who spread smiles wherever she went. The transition from description to reality meet in the case of Prachi, only Prihan's transition seem to disappoint and break her heart.

"Finally you both are here" said Vanya. "Good morning" said Parth and Laila, her voice barely heard. "This is my eldest Parth and his wife Laila" introduced Vanya with a smile. "Laila will help you get a hang of things and I know that you'll be accostomed with it soon" said Vanya and Romaisa nodded. "Words Romaisa" said Vanya and Romaisa remembered, "yes" answered Romaisa. The whole room went silent and eyes darted towards the stairs, Rishi Manvik ascended down the stairs in his calm demeanor. Romaisa could see the discipline they had under his effect, matching what she heard prior.

"Good morning" said Rishi and the chorus of Good morning was heard. "Vanya the gift" said Rishi and Vanya signalled the help to bring. A rectangular box of velvet was given to Vanya and she handed it over to Romaisa, "Your first day as a Manvik" said Rishi, the truce was called but the jabs weren't. "Thank you" said Romaisa softly. All of them sat for breakfast, Romaisa sat there replying when asked and mostly observing what's going on.....

Authors note
Before y'all come for my blood, I finished 90 percentage of this a while ago but I'm having back to back exams rendering me helpless. Yesterday I finally slept after a long time so that's that, I used to be a picky writer who needs a certain set up but now I end up writing in my phone because I didn't update in a blue moon. It's finals season but I'll try to update.
The remaining book might have mature content so I'm wondering what to do, if my book will die in the process so any advices to stop that.