The late afternoon sun slanted over the snow-kissed peaks of Shimla, casting a golden glow across the sprawling Singhania Mansion. At the main entrance, the family had gathered. The car halted, and as Kabir stepped out, a wave of warmth and pride swept across the Singhania clan. He extended his hand  steady, protective to Kashish. Kashish emerged slowly. Her eyes, still tender from farewell tears, widened at the sight of her new home  grand, imposing, yet welcoming in its grace. 

Akriti Singhania,  stepped forward with the aarti thaal, Beside her, Diya and Piyali  whispered teasingly, their smiles full of affection.  The women sang a traditional welcome song softly as the aarti circled around Kashish, the flame reflecting in her moist eyes. She touched the rice-filled kalash at the doorway with her foot, watching as the grains spilled onto the floor, her first step into the Singhania Mansion as their daughter in law. Kashish, her bangles tinkling, lifted her Saree slightly and dipped her delicate feet into the kumkum thaal which was held by Paridhi . A hush fell over the hall. With each step forward, her vermilion-red footprints bloomed against the cool marble floor  delicate, yet powerful, as if announcing the arrival of a new era within the Singhania Mansion. Kabir's eyes softened. He walked a step behind, protective yet proud, his gaze fixed on those footprints as if they were marks of destiny, binding Kashish to the family forever. Kashish dipped her slender hands into the red kumkum , her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She pressed her palms against the smooth wall one after the other  leaving behind two bright scarlet handprints, alive with promise, devotion, and blessings. The family applauded gently,  with playful cheers. 

As the hand-printing ceremony concluded, Piyali grinned mischievously and said,
"So Kashish, now the real drama begins." Tanushri and Sanaya appeared, carrying a beautiful silver bowl filled with milk and rose petals. They placed it on the center table, and Jay stepped forward with a theatrical seriousness he added "This is the main ritual. Whoever finds the ring first wins. But Kabir, even if you win remember you'll still have to listen to Kashish."

Everyone burst into laughter. Kabir and Kashish sat opposite each other, Nandini badi maa slipped the ring into the silver bowl. 

Just then, Naksh leaned in with a cheeky grin. Naksh said "Bhabhi, don't worry, you've got me on your side—you're winning this for sure."

Ivaan and Yatharth immediately chimed in. Ivaan said "Count us in too, Bhabhi. We're Team Kashish." Yatharth going at the side of kashish said  "Yes, Kabir Bhai has no chance."

Akriti added warmly,  "And I'm with my daughter-in-law, of course." Kabir raised his eyebrows dramatically and said  "Oh, so I have absolutely no supporters? My own family has betrayed me?"

Tanushri patted his shoulder with a teasing smile and said  "Not true, I'll always stand by my favorite devar."

Alia and Arohi joined in with their own mischief. Alia said  "Bhabhi, I'm totally on your side. But  I'll give Bhai some moral support so he doesn't cry when he loses."

The whole family laughed at Kabir's expression.

Arjun added, "Kabir beta, I'm afraid I have to support our new bride ." Kabir replied to Arjun saying "Yes, Chachu"

One by one, almost everyone sided with Kashish, leaving Kabir mock-pouting. Then all eyes turned to Raiansh, the composed and quiet one of the lot. He folded his arms and said calmly, "I won't betray you, Kabir, like these so-called brothers of ours. You have my support."

Kabir clutched his chest dramatically and said "Finally! A true brother among traitors!"

Everyone laughed again as the ritual began. Kabir and Kashish dipped their hands in the silver bowl. Hands splashed through milk and petals, laughter filled the hall as cousins shouted encouragement. After a playful tug-of-war, Kashish's fingers finally closed around the ring.

A radiant smile spread across her face the first truly effortless, glowing laugh she had allowed herself all day. Kabir, sitting across from her, found himself unable to look away from that smile.

And Kashish had noticed something too, throughout the game, Kabir's hand moved deliberately slow, making only half-hearted attempts, as though he wanted her to win.

When Kashish held the ring aloft, cheers erupted. Aman chuckled and announced, "Well, that's it then. Our neurosurgeon is gone. From today, his entire life belongs to Mrs. Kabir Singhania."

The family laughed, clapped, and surrounded the newlyweds, pulling them both into warm hugs.

✨✨

After all the games and laughter, the family finally sat together for food. By the time plates were cleared and conversations softened, dawn had already stretched itself across the horizon. 

Kabir and Kashish finally walked towards their room. His room, his private space that until now had been untouched by anyone else.

Kabir stopped at the door, his hand resting lightly on the polished brass handle. With a quiet smile, he pushed the door open and stepped aside, letting Kashish enter first.

"This is yours now," he said softly, a hint of warmth lacing his otherwise calm tone.

Kashish's heart skipped. For the first time, she was stepping into Kabir's world his space, his walls, his silence. The room reflected him entirely, pristine, disciplined, yet layered with quiet depth. Books were neatly arranged on the shelves,  and his medical journals lay stacked in perfect order on the side table.

Her luggage had already been brought in and placed carefully by the staff, perfectly aligned against one side of the room. Yet, in that moment, Kashish felt the weight of belonging not just her suitcases in his room, but her presence in his life.

She stepped in slowly, her anklets making a soft sound against the marble floor, while Kabir leaned against the doorframe, watching her quietly. For a man who had always lived with clinical precision and routine, her entry had shifted something. The room wasn't just his anymore it was theirs.

Kashish wandered slowly around the room, her eyes taking in every corner, the muted tones, the orderliness, the stillness that so clearly reflected him. She couldn't help but admire the quiet elegance of it all.

Breaking the silence, Kabir's voice came with a playful edge, "Are you looking for any architectural mistake, Kashish? I should warn you, I made a few changes in this room just for you. But if you don't approve, I'll let you redesign it from scratch."

Kashish turned to him with a small smile, shaking her head. "No, I like it. It feels serene and beautiful."

Her words seemed to soften something in him. He stepped forward and gently opened the door to his massive walk-in wardrobe. The polished wood gleamed under the warm lights, and the space was neatly divided.

"This," Kabir said, motioning towards one entire section, "is yours, I had it made for you, you can place your clothes here. If you need, the staff will help you arrange everything later."

Kashish's eyes widened slightly. The wardrobe wasn't just large, it was thoughtfully designed—more like a private suite in itself. She brushed her fingers over the polished shelves and smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Good," Kabir replied with his quiet charm. "Now, you should rest. The day has been long enough. Freshen up, take your time. Later, I'll ask the staff to help with your luggage."

And with that, he gave her the privacy she needed. Kabir stepped out, closing the door gently behind him, leaving Kashish alone in the wardrobe space, her new corner of his world.

She stood there for a moment, her heart warm, realizing how seamlessly he had already begun carving space for her, not just in his room, but in his life.

✨✨

Kashish was almost done setting her clothes neatly in the massive wardrobe, her sarees and dresses arranged color-wise, her handbags and shoes lined with precision. She had insisted on doing it herself, refusing to let the staff touch her things.

                    (Kabir designed a wardrobe for her, in which she arranged her things.)

Just then, Kabir walked in, finishing a quick call about a patient. He leaned against the doorframe of the wardrobe area, his sharp eyes catching the neat arrangements.

Kabir teased, "Playing interior designer for your wardrobe now? Why not let the staff handle it; they'd be quicker."

Kashish smiled, organizing her things. "It's fine, Kabir. It wasn't a big deal, and I prefer managing my own belongings."

Kabir examined the overflowing closet "Armani, Gucci, Dior, Manolo, Jimmy Choo... you've spared no brand. Need a second wardrobe?"

Kashish raised an eyebrow, amused "Not quite. I'm still missing a few pieces. Chanel and Louboutin are next on the list."

Both stared at each other for a beat before bursting into laughter.

Kabir chuckled and said , "So we're even my medical journals versus your brands." Kashish replied "At least mine are beautiful, not just boring.

They both laughed, realizing they were equally good at pulling each other's leg.

Just then, Kashish took out a few jewelry boxes and looked confused about where to keep them. Kabir noticed.

Kabir asked looking at Kashish "What happened?" Kashish replied "Where do I keep these? I don't want them just lying around."

Without a word, Kabir walked her deeper into the wardrobe and stopped at a sleek built-in locker. He punched in a code, the door clicked open, revealing neatly placed jewelry pieces, some documents, and a stack of cash.

Kabir  said "You can keep your jewelry here. The locker's secure." Kashish carefully placed her boxes inside, glancing at him with a little smirk. Kashish replied "This is so hidden, even a RAW agent wouldn't find it."

Kabir chuckled, pointing to the tiny set of keys resting in a side drawer "The backup keys are here. If you need anything, just take it."

As he was about to shut the locker, he paused dramatically and said "Actually... now that I'm married, I should probably change the password." Kashish looked and Kabir and said laughingly "No need. This one is already tricky enough. I wonder how you even remember it."
Kabir said "Then you set the new one."

She tried to deny it, but Kabir insisted. Finally, Kashish tapped in a new password, their marriage date, but coded in a clever, tricky format.

Kabir smiling, watching her fingers type and said  "Good choice. Now it's something I'll never forget." Kashish said softly "Exactly, Some dates are meant to be remembered."

✨✨

After setting the wardrobe, they went down together for dinner and returned to their room together. 

As they stepped into their room, Kabir adjusted his watch and casually asked, "So, Kashish when are you planning to rejoin your firm?"

Kashish, settling gracefully on her side of the bed, leaned back against the headboard and replied, "Probably day after tomorrow. Jiya and Aryan are handling everything well for now, but you know how demanding the AIIMS project is."

Kabir smiled knowingly, slipping his hands into his pockets said "Of course, how could I forget about the AIIMS project? You've been living, eating, and breathing that one for months."

She chuckled softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then turned the question back at him. "And what about your surgeries, Doctor? Don't tell me you're already planning to vanish into the OT tomorrow morning."

He shook his head, his eyes holding hers with quiet reassurance. "No. For now, my team is handling the cases. I'll officially join back day after tomorrow too. Till then, I have one priority"

He paused deliberately, letting her curiosity rise. Kashish raised a brow, teasing, "And that is?"

Kabir's lips curved into a rare playful smile. "You."

Kashish's cheeks warmed, but she tried to hide it with a half-smile. "You sound like a very dangerous doctor right now, Dr. Singhania."

"And you," he countered smoothly, "sound like a very stubborn architect who won't even let the staff help her."

As the conversation about work faded, a little silence settled between them. Kashish sat at her side of the bed, smoothing the sheet nervously with her palm, while Kabir leaned back, resting against the headboard.

Neither knew what to say next  the familiarity of family and rituals had kept them busy all day, but now, in this quiet room, they were just two people still learning each other.

Kabir broke the silence first, his tone calm. "It's been a long day. You should rest."

Kashish gave a small nod. "You too."

She adjusted her pillow, lying carefully on her side of the bed, keeping a polite distance. Kabir turned off the bedside lamp and lay down as well, leaving a small space between them.

The darkness was comforting. She could hear his steady breathing, and somehow it made her feel less out of place. He didn't crowd her, didn't force conversation, just gave her the quiet she needed.

"Good night, Kashish," he said softly, almost formally. "Good night, Kabir," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

A faint smile tugged at his lips in the dark. She closed her eyes, still aware of his presence beside her, but strangely comforted by it.

And slowly, with the fatigue of the day weighing down, they drifted to sleep  two near-strangers, sharing the same roof, the same bed, for the first time, not yet close but no longer distant either.

*************************************************************************

That's all for today.

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