The grand hall was alive with the hum of chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the rustling of elegant fabrics. Diya stood near the edge of the room, her eyes scanning the guests as they mingled and exchanged pleasantries. Tonight was a celebration-an annual gathering of friends and family, a night meant for joy, but she could feel the undercurrent of tension swirling around her. The rumors about her marriage to Rudra had become an uncomfortable constant in her life, but tonight felt different. Tonight, things were going to change.

She had been preparing for this day for weeks-making sure the house was ready, organizing the details, but tonight wasn't about hosting a flawless event. It was about presenting their marriage in front of people who had been whispering about it for months. Diya wasn't just acting for the sake of her family anymore; she was acting for herself.

Rudra, on the other hand, was already making his rounds with ease, his commanding presence drawing the attention of their relatives and friends. He was the epitome of cool confidence-charming, articulate, and effortlessly handsome in his perfectly tailored suit. But Diya couldn't help but notice the slight crease between his brows as he spoke to their guests. His demeanor was slightly off tonight.

She watched as he made his way over to her, his hand outstretched to lead her to the dance floor. The soft music was playing in the background, and it was clear that the evening was reaching its peak.

"Shall we?" Rudra asked, his voice low but warm. There was an unusual sincerity in his eyes, something that made Diya's pulse race unexpectedly.

"Sure," she replied, placing her hand in his. He led her across the room, and for a brief moment, all the noise around them faded into the background. They were the center of attention, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them.

The orchestra played a gentle waltz, and Diya allowed herself to relax into Rudra's arms, the rhythm guiding them as they moved around the dance floor. Their steps were in perfect sync, as they had become in many things since their marriage-practiced, smooth, and comfortable, though always with an undercurrent of tension.

As they danced, Rudra's fingers lightly brushed against her waist. The touch was subtle, but it made her heart race. Diya couldn't explain why. The connection between them, though still new and fragile, was beginning to feel less like a charade and more like something real.

"You're quiet tonight," Rudra observed, his eyes soft but searching.

Diya smiled, though her stomach fluttered. "Just thinking," she replied. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it? All these people... all the expectations."

Rudra nodded but didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted around the room, settling briefly on the cluster of guests, most of whom were stealing glances at them. It was as if the entire night had been building up to this one moment-the moment they would prove their marriage was solid, that it was real.

And then, as if the weight of it all suddenly became too much for him, Rudra took a deep breath and turned his full attention to Diya. His hand tightened around hers.

"I know we've been trying to show everyone that we're a perfect couple," he began, his voice a little shaky. "But I can't keep pretending anymore. Not with you."

Diya froze, her heart skipping a beat. His words hung in the air between them, unexpected and jarring.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling just slightly.

"I mean..." Rudra's eyes searched hers, the tension in his jaw betraying the storm of emotions he was trying to hold back. "I mean that I like you, Diya. Maybe I love you. Not because it was part of some arrangement, not because of some duty, but because... I do. I can't imagine my life without you now and i coun't keep my mind off you even I was physically away i kept thinking about you, I cannot pretend anymore."

The words were raw, unplanned, and utterly impulsive. Diya's breath caught in her throat as the room seemed to blur around her. Did she hear him right? Did Rudra, the man who had always kept his emotions buried deep, just say that he loved her?

For a moment, everything around them seemed to fall away-the murmurs of their guests, the clinking of glasses, the laughter. It was as if Diya and Rudra were the only two people in the world.

But before she could fully process what he had said, there was a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Guests at nearby tables had started whispering excitedly, eyes darting back and forth between them. It was like a ripple had passed through the crowd. Diya felt a flush creep up her neck as she realized the gravity of the situation. Rudra had just publicly confessed his love for her in front of their entire family.

Rudra, sensing her discomfort, didn't pull away. Instead, he tightened his hold on her, as though trying to steady her, but his face was unreadable. "Diya, I know this might surprise you," he said softly, "but I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

Diya's heart was pounding in her chest, her mind a swirl of conflicting emotions. She wanted to say something-anything-but the words caught in her throat. What was she supposed to say to that? Could she even say it back? They had barely begun to understand each other, and now... now this confession had changed everything.

"I..." she started, but the words escaped her, like birds flying too far for her to catch. "I need some time," she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rudra's face softened, his hand still resting gently on her waist. "I understand," he said quietly, his eyes full of empathy. "Take all the time you need. But know that I'm not going anywhere."

The music seemed to fade back in, and the moment passed. The guests resumed their conversation, and the buzz of excitement grew louder. Diya felt a sense of urgency rise within her. She needed space-she needed to think. But there was something else, too. Something more profound that had awakened in her chest. The seed of affection that she had been nurturing for weeks had suddenly blossomed into something much deeper. She couldn't deny it.

Rudra's confession had shaken her to her core, and as the evening wore on, Diya couldn't stop replaying his words in her mind.

Later that night, when the party had thinned out and most of the guests had begun to leave, Diya found herself alone in the garden, leaning against the cool stone wall. She stared out at the twinkling lights in the distance, trying to calm the whirlwind inside her.

The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of jasmine. She closed her eyes, letting the calmness of the night settle over her, but the events of the evening were still too fresh in her mind. Rudra's confession had opened a door she wasn't sure she was ready to walk through.

Just as she began to lose herself in her thoughts, she heard the soft crunch of footsteps on the gravel. She turned to see Rudra walking toward her, his hands in his pockets, his face still bearing the faint traces of the tension from earlier.

"Diya," he said quietly, his voice laced with concern. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you earlier. I just... I couldn't keep it in anymore."

Diya took a deep breath and met his gaze. "I know. But it's just... everything feels so sudden. I don't know what to say, Rudra. I'm not sure if I'm ready to say it back, and I don't want you to think that I don't care."

Rudra stepped closer, his gaze steady and unwavering. "I'm not asking for you to say anything, Diya. I just needed you to know how I feel. Take your time. I'll be here when you're ready."

Diya's heart ached as she looked at him. There was so much more between them than she had initially realized, and she felt the undeniable pull toward him-one that she couldn't ignore. She didn't know what the future held.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

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