Author's POV
The Rathore Mansion, which was always filled with laughter and conversations, felt unusually quiet after Akshara's arrival.
Everyone had gone back to their routines.
But the atmosphere had changed.
The servants whispered among themselves.
Some wondered why the new young lady looked so cold.
Some felt sorry for her.
Others simply followed orders.
Upstairs...
Akshara quietly unpacked her luggage.
There were only a few clothes, a laptop, a few books, and a framed photograph of her and Meera from years ago.
No expensive accessories.
No unnecessary belongings.
Her room was elegant, spacious and beautifully decorated.
Yet...
It didn't feel like home.
Because home wasn't built with walls.
It was built with people.
And Akshara had never expected to find that here.
Meera stood outside Akshara's room with a tray of hot chocolate.
She knocked softly.
"May I come in?"
Akshara looked up from arranging her books.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"The door is always open for you, Mom."
Meera entered and placed the tray on the table.
She looked around the room.
Everything was already neatly arranged.
Just like always.
She sat beside her daughter.
"I'm sorry."
Akshara looked at her in confusion.
"For what?"
Meera lowered her eyes.
"For putting you in this situation."
Akshara immediately held her mother's hand.
"Aapko sorry bolne ki zarurat nahi hai."
Translation: You don't need to apologize.
Meera smiled weakly.
"But they..."
Before she could continue...
Akshara interrupted her gently.
"Mom... mujhe kisi ki acceptance ki zarurat nahi hai."
Translation: Mom... I don't need anyone's acceptance.
She smiled softly.
"I'm here because you wanted me here."
"And that's enough for me."
Meera's eyes became moist.
She knew her daughter.
Whenever Akshara said she was fine...
It usually meant she had decided to bear everything silently.
Meera caressed her hair.
"I just want you to be happy."
Akshara rested her head on her mother's shoulder for a brief moment.
"I already am."
It was a lie.
Both of them knew it.
Neither chose to expose it.
Vikram's POV
Vikram stood in his study, staring out of the large window.
His thoughts refused to settle.
Aryan's words echoed in his mind.
"Hum tumhe kabhi apni behen nahi maanenge."
He sighed deeply.
He had expected resistance.
But not on the very first day.
A gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.
Raghvendra entered.
"You look worried."
Vikram nodded.
"I don't know how to become a father to her."
Raghvendra smiled knowingly.
"No one becomes a father in one day."
Vikram looked at his father.
"What if she never accepts me?"
Raghvendra placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Don't force the relationship."
"Earn her trust."
"Children don't remember expensive gifts."
"They remember who stood beside them when nobody else did."
Those words stayed with Vikram.l
For the first time...
He wasn't thinking about whether Akshara would call him 'Papa.'
He simply hoped that one day...
She would stop calling him 'Mr. Rathore.'
Akshara's POV
Akshara stood near the balcony, watching the gardens below.
The evening breeze gently brushed against her face.
She closed her eyes.
Silence.
That was all she wanted.
Just then...
There was another knock on the door.
She opened it.
Vikram stood outside.
He looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Can I come in?"
Akshara stepped aside.
"Please."
He entered and looked around.
"I hope the room is comfortable."
"It is."
"If you need anything..."
He paused.
"...anything at all, just let me know."
Akshara nodded politely.
"Thank you, Mr. Rathore."
The words hit him harder than he expected.
Mr. Rathore.
Not Papa.
Not even Uncle.
Just...
Mr. Rathore.
He forced a small smile.
"I'll leave you to rest."
As he reached the door, Akshara spoke.
"Mr. Rathore."
He turned around.
"I know this marriage is new for all of us."
"I don't expect anything from this family."
"So... please don't worry about me."
Her voice was calm.
There was no accusation.
No complaint.
Only acceptance.
Acceptance of loneliness.
Vikram looked at her for a long moment.
Then nodded.
"I'll still worry."
"Whether you like it or not."
For the first time that day...
A tiny flicker of surprise crossed Akshara's face.
It disappeared almost instantly.
But Vikram noticed it.
As he walked out of the room...
He silently made a promise to himself.
He wouldn't force Akshara to accept him.
He would patiently wait until she trusted him enough to see him as family.
Even if it took years.
___
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