I'll post the next chapter tonight if the vote target crosses 15+ in this chapter.

Agastya POV:-

My sleep broke from the sounds of cladding bangles. I opened my eyes to see the beauty infront of me.

Naina is trying to tie the back hook of the blouse but couldn't able to do as her hand not able to reach the place.

She still didn't see me awake as she murmuring some incoherent words to herself.

I get up to help her with the hook. She widens seeing me as she cover her back with the saree pallu.

‘Mein kardu help??’ I asked her to which she shook her head.

‘I can manage Agastya tab tak tum freshen up ho jao’ she says with a small smile.

‘Mein kabse dekh raha ki you are not able to close the hook ..let me help, it will only take a second’ I said softly trying to ease the nervousness of her.

‘Meine kaha na mujhe help nahi mein bhabhi ko bula lungi..’ she said in slightly raised voice..

To which my hand stops right there. This is the first time she raised her voice at me which is quite strange.

Was it discomfort?? Distance? I wasn't sure but it didn't felt right.

Probably she is not comfortable with me...

I pulled back my hand, watching as she avoided my gaze, the hurt I felt probably flickering in my eyes.

But I didn’t want her to feel guilty. I gave her a small, understanding smile.

I gently hold her shoulder facing her towards me, ‘Acha thik hain,tu bhabhi se help le Lena…’ she nods her head visibly relaxed.

‘Par kya baat hai Naina?? Mein kal se dekh raha hu tu bohut silent behave kar rahi hai …utna baat nahi kar rahi ..room mein aake dekha toh you already slept??’ I asked

She looked at me, her voice soft but distant. “Kuch nahi, Agastya... it's just, all these things are new to me. Aur sari changes ko accept karne mein thori time lagegi mujhe,” she said, her eyes downcast.

I gently cupped her cheeks, letting my touch linger as I looked into her eyes, hoping to ease the uncertainty I saw.

“Ek baat hamesha yaad rakhna,” I said softly, my voice filled with affection.

“Hum log husband-wife zaroor bane hain... par uske aage, we are best friends first. I am your best friend before I am your husband. You can share anything with me... jaise pehle karte the hum dono,”

I reminded her, trying to bridge the gap that seemed to have formed between us.

Her eyes flickered with something—maybe guilt, maybe confusion—but she didn’t look away this time.

I smiled gently, continuing, “Mere liye bhi yeh sab naye hai, Naina. But it doesn’t have to be rushed. We can take one step at a time, together. Hmm? And I will do everything to make you feel comfortable’.

This time she nods her head and gives a wide smile.

Author's POV:-

It’s been a month since their marriage, and Agastya has done everything he can to make her feel comfortable.

He talks with her explaining what he has done all day in his office in detail. While coming from office he always bring on bouquet of flowers to make her feel special…calls her whenever he gets free time asking about her day.

Despite his efforts, there’s been no real progress in their relationship. If anything, Naina seems more distant than ever. .

She talks to him like she always does, in a tone that’s friendly yet guarded. But whenever he reaches out to touch her, she gently finds an excuse to pull away. Even in moments as simple as holding her hand, she slips free from his grasp, leaving only the warmth of her fleeting presence.

Tonight, after dinner, Naina decides to watch a movie to pass the time. Agastya, finishing up his work in the study, enters the room and finds her on the couch, eyes fixed on the screen.

He smiles softly, thinking he could join her, hoping maybe this moment could bridge the gap between them.

She smiles back, inviting him to sit beside her. But the moment he settles close, she shifts slightly, creating a small, unspoken space between them.

His smile falters, replaced by a quiet sadness that fills his eyes. His eyes filled with tears.

He’d told himself that she just needed time—that perhaps she wasn’t used to him yet, or to the new surroundings, and that it was all perfectly normal.

But right now, it doesn’t feel normal at all.

A month has passed, yet there’s nothing that resembles the warmth or connection of a newly married couple.

In this moment, one painful truth settles within him: she doesn’t like his touch, his closeness… and maybe, she doesn’t want him at all.

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