The morning sun shone brightly through the kitchen window as Diya set the table for breakfast. Her mind was elsewhere, still lingering on the events of the previous day. It had been a hectic week of balancing work and settling into the new dynamics of her marriage. Yet, there was something she couldn’t shake—a nagging feeling that had started to creep into her mind ever since Rudra’s return from his trip.

The week had been quieter than usual, with Diya feeling as though she was finally starting to adjust to the rhythms of shared life. The simple act of cooking breakfast for two, setting the table, and making small talk with Rudra had begun to feel... normal. For the first time, she found herself looking forward to these mundane moments. She hadn’t expected that.

However, there was something else that had been simmering in the background of their peaceful routine: the incessant gossip from family members and friends. Diya had heard whispers about their marriage being fake—mostly from her own relatives, but also from people they both knew well.

Auntie Suman, a family friend who prided herself on knowing everyone’s business, had dropped by the house unannounced the previous evening. Diya and Rudra had been sitting in the living room, sipping tea and talking about the upcoming weekend when Auntie Suman came marching in, her disapproving eyes scanning the room.

"Well, well," Auntie Suman had said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "so, this is what it’s come to? A marriage, I suppose?"

Diya had stiffened, her smile faltering. Rudra, ever the composed one, had simply nodded politely, as if Auntie Suman’s words were insignificant. But Diya had noticed the tension in his jaw, the subtle way his posture had tightened. He hated gossip, hated the fact that their personal lives were fodder for idle chatter.

And yet, Auntie Suman wasn’t the only one. Diya had overheard a conversation between her own parents the night before. Her mother’s voice had been low but insistent.

"Have you heard the latest? People are saying Diya’s marriage to Rudra is nothing more than a formality. No chemistry, no real affection. It’s all a sham."

Diya’s heart had dropped to her stomach. She hadn’t expected such criticism, not from her own family, but then again, she’d never been one to live her life according to the expectations of others.

It wasn’t long before Rudra began to pick up on the growing undercurrent of doubt. His phone had been buzzing incessantly with messages from friends and distant relatives who were asking about the state of his marriage. Some had even sent him memes poking fun at the situation.

Diya had no doubt that the rumors were spreading like wildfire. Auntie Suman, as much as she hated to admit it, was an influential figure. Her words had weight, and people were listening. And even though Rudra and Diya hadn’t officially addressed the issue, the reality of the situation had begun to weigh heavily on them both.

On the morning after Auntie Suman’s visit, Rudra came into the kitchen with a distracted air. He had changed out of his work clothes, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of frustration that wasn’t there before. Diya watched him as he poured himself a cup of coffee, his usual confidence replaced with an unsettling quietness.

"Good morning," Diya said softly, watching him carefully. There was an unspoken tension in the air between them that she couldn’t ignore. She was used to Rudra’s stoic demeanor, but today felt different.

"Morning," he replied, but his voice lacked its usual warmth. He wasn’t looking at her as he took a sip of his coffee.

There was a long pause, the silence thick and awkward.

Finally, Diya decided to break the tension. "You’ve heard, haven’t you?" she asked, her voice low. She didn’t need to elaborate—the rumors about their marriage had spread far and wide.

Rudra looked up at her then, his eyes narrowing with frustration. "I’ve heard," he said, his voice clipped. "It’s ridiculous. But I don’t know how to stop it."

Diya felt a pang of sympathy for him. He was always the calm one, the one who handled situations with cool logic. But even he was struggling with this. "It’s not your fault," she said, her tone gentle. "People are always going to talk."

Rudra leaned against the counter, his gaze far away. "I know. But that doesn’t mean it’s any easier. Especially when it’s coming from people we know. Auntie Suman was here last night, spreading her usual poison." He let out a bitter laugh, but there was no humor in it. "I’ve dealt with people like her all my life, but this... this feels different. This feels personal."

Diya nodded, feeling a weight in her chest. "It’s hard when the people closest to you don’t understand. It’s like they don’t see what we’ve been trying to build, but it's true whatever they're saying we are not real married couple"

The conversation hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken truth: this marriage, no matter how real it had started to feel for them, wasn’t something everyone accepted. The weight of their shared secret—what they truly felt for one another—was something they had yet to fully acknowledge, let alone share with the world.

"You know," Diya continued, her voice steady, "we have to prove them wrong. We can’t let them think our marriage is a joke."

Rudra looked at her, his eyes searching hers, as though weighing her words. Slowly, he nodded. "I agree. We need to show them that we’re serious about this—about each other."

The thought made Diya’s heart skip a beat. Did he truly mean that? Was he beginning to feel the same shift in their relationship that she was?

Later that afternoon, the two of them came up with a plan. They couldn’t control the gossip, but they could control how they responded to it. Diya suggested they attend a family gathering together, one that was already in the works, and make it clear—without saying a word—that they were united as a couple. They would act as if they were the picture-perfect pair, showing everyone that there was no room for doubt.

Rudra, ever the strategist, agreed. "Let’s put on a show," he said with a smirk, the playful spark in his eyes returning. "Let them see for themselves what they’re dealing with."

The night of the family gathering arrived, and Diya found herself standing in front of the mirror, applying a light touch of makeup. She couldn’t deny that a small part of her was nervous. Was she ready to step into this role completely? Could they pull it off?

When Rudra walked into the room, dressed in a sharp suit and looking effortlessly handsome, Diya felt a flutter in her chest. He was as composed as always, but there was an intensity in his gaze that spoke volumes. For the first time, she realized how much he cared—how much he was willing to fight for this. For them.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice warm with admiration.

Diya smiled, feeling a blush creep up her neck. "You’re not so bad yourself," she teased, though her words were laced with sincerity.

As they arrived at the gathering, the air was thick with whispers. Their family members exchanged knowing glances, the gossip already in full swing. But Diya and Rudra weren’t fazed. They walked into the room with a sense of purpose, their united front unshakable.

Throughout the evening, they played their roles to perfection. Diya smiled as Rudra placed his hand gently on her back, guiding her through conversations with relatives. Rudra laughed at her jokes, his eyes soft when they shared private moments of teasing and laughter. The two of them were a team, and they knew it.

As the night drew to a close, Diya caught a glimpse of Auntie Suman whispering to one of her friends, eyeing them from across the room. But this time, there was no judgment in her gaze—only confusion, perhaps even curiosity.

For the first time since their marriage, Diya felt a sense of pride in their bond. The rumors weren’t going to stop. But with Rudra by her side, she knew they could face whatever came their way. Together.

And in that moment, as Rudra’s hand brushed against hers, Diya realized something: it wasn’t just about silencing the rumors. It was about proving to themselves—and to each other—that what they had wasn’t just a marriage of convenience. It was something real, something worth fighting for.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Leave your Vote and comments.. Because I need to know what you think about the story.

Intresting?

List of Ongoing Stories.

1) Sunn Yaara (RagLak)
2) Falling For my Wife (RagLak)(os) ✓
3) The Twist of Fate (TeZain)
4) When we Meet Again (TeVin) ✓
5) BROKEN TRUTH ✓