It was around mid night, most of the guests were asleep and others were about to sleep. The back garden suffered the aftermath of the party. Mehra house was all quiet and crowded with people sleeping on mattresses in hall and living room as all the extended family was there, it was a little too full for a house with 12 rooms.

Rati was in her bedroom changing into something comfortable and light. She heard a knock on the door. She checked the time, it was 1am. She briefly looked at the room before opening the door.

“Were you sleeping?” Vardhaan inquired. “I needed something. Do you mind?”

“sure.” she opened the door letting him in. She sat on the bed while he fiddled in the almirah.

“Just a minute.” He said trying to find something.

“It’s okay. Take your time.” she said with a grin.

“Looks like you had a good time tonight.” He said noticing her smile.

“Kind of. Did you not enjoy? After all everyone was talking about you.” She said teasing him.

“All of them made up stories at my expense just to impress you…at MY expense. No wonder you had fun ‘cause I didn’t…” he complained.

“Made up stories? Huh…“

“Um hmm… lies!”

“Well…they sounded believable to me. They go well with your past reputation. So, I believe every single story. Vardhaan’s Mischief chronicles.” She joked.

“Reputation?” he said raising an eyebrow at her.

“Yes… someone told me that you have a history of trouble making, those stories go well that.” She explained.

He liked her interest in him and in his childhood. “Coat marriage would have been better. I hate them all.” He said with a fake sigh.

Rati giggled, crinkles formed around her eyes. His chest all warmed up seeing her smile that reached her eyes and slowly to his lips. He loved that she was comfortable enough to joke around. She was making conversations; small talk. He was pretty pleased with this given how sad she was during their journey from Wanaasi to Gisebrai. He thought it would at least take 2-3 days before he could see her smile.

“You shouldn’t. You have fantastic memories of childhood. That’s a good thing to have. You know something you could remember and laugh at from time to time and...” she stopped mid sentence like she was unsure of something.

“And…? Go on” he said, intrigued.

“And it is a blessing to have a safe heaven inside your head when you have hardships and loneliness to deal with.” She said staring in his eyes, inspecting if he was offended.

“Hmm.” He hadn’t understood at first but when she was done he went silent. “Hardship and loneliness; It was about my parents… It must’ve been. She isn’t wrong though, it did help.” He thought. He nodded in agreement and resumed to look around. “Thoughtful. But is it really necessary to bring my job or ‘hardships’ every time we talk…Ah! There you are. Let’s get you out before it’s too late.” He muttered to himself and put a small packet in the pocket of his trousers.

“I’ve a question.”

He turned around saying “Ask away.”

“Uh… around what time everybody wakes up?” she said positioning the pillow.

“Around 5...6. Breakfast is usually a little late these days due to guests and all.”

“Hmm. Good night.”

“Good night...”, as soon as he was out of the room the door was closed. He couldn’t tell why the door was shut on his face. He left a little confused.

On the other side of the door Rati’s heart was racing. She double checked the door after locking it. “Was he trying to make me comfortable so that he could have sex? I don’t think so, he sounded genuine. Then why he was looking for condoms? What if he was and I’m just too blinded by his uniform and parents death to see that he had a motive? No, he is nice…ofcouse he is nice but nice guys also like sex. Everybody likes sex. I’m his wife and there is nothing wrong in wanting sex from your wife.” She mumbled pacing around the room. “What should I do if he comes back? I’ll just tell him ‘go f##k yourself’. No, no that’s rude… what else then. Just tell him straight I don’t want to. What if asks why not? Then what am I going to say… when the arranged marriages are all about ‘f##k now, love later’.” She slumped on the bed feeling defeated.

“What have I done?” she sighed putting her face in her palms. “I‘ll give myself seizures at this rate. There is no going back.” She took deep breaths as she lay on the bed. “Rati Shayani, don’t panic. You’re going to deal with it and everything will be fine. Remember – No Regrets.” She closed her eyes letting the darkness engulfed her.