Loneliness

                                        

                                              
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Chapter 3: Loneliness 
The morning dawned quietly over the Singhania mansion, the first rays of sunlight streaming through the large windows and casting a golden glow over the elegant decor. It was a morning like any other, yet for Rashi, today felt different. She sat in her bedroom, her heart uncharacteristically light as she dressed, slipping into a soft, lavender-colored saree. The silk draped delicately over her shoulders, and she paired it with a simple gold necklace and matching earrings. Her look was minimal but graceful, something she had perfected over the past few weeks to blend seamlessly into her new world. 
Raj had just returned to the room, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, his signature look that seemed to reflect his personality—sharp, unapproachable, and meticulously composed. As he adjusted his cufflinks in the mirror, Rashi stole a glance at him, her gaze lingering a second longer than usual. Despite their strained relationship, she couldn’t deny the magnetic quality Raj exuded—a quality that had first drawn her to him years ago. 
But today was not about romance, nor was it about rekindling anything that might never have been there. Today was about something entirely different.
As he finished getting ready, Raj turned to Rashi, his expression as stoic as ever. "I’ll be out of town for the week," he announced, his tone flat, devoid of any warmth. "It’s for business. I don’t expect you to try contacting me. I’ll be busy."
"Like I have your number Raj, you didn't even care that I should have your number in case of emergency" she thought in her mind.
Rashi met his gaze, keeping her voice steady. "Of course. I’ll manage things here."
She kept her tone polite, respectful. She wasn’t one to challenge his boundaries, even if each word, each cold statement, chipped away at her. She was becoming accustomed to the distant nature of their relationship, and over time, her heart had slowly adapted to the lack of reciprocation. For a week she has to live alone without him in this room.
Raj gave a small, almost dismissive nod and turned on his heel, leaving without another word.
As she watched him leave, Rashi took a deep breath, feeling a strange mixture of relief and sadness wash over her. This was her life now—a life without promises, without love, where each day was merely a continuation of the last. She was only 23, yet she already felt like she was decades older, each passing day eroding her youthful optimism.
As the day progressed, Rashi found herself more at ease than she had felt in weeks. The mansion, usually filled with an underlying tension whenever Raj was around, now felt lighter, almost peaceful. She spent the first few hours of the morning tending to household matters, checking in with the staff, and ensuring that everything was running smoothly. Rashi found herself falling into a rhythm, managing the little things that kept the Singhania household running like clockwork.
Later that day, as she sat in the garden, enjoying the rare moments of solitude, Kartik joined her. Raj's elder brother was everything Raj was not—warm, approachable, and considerate. Dressed casually in a light blue kurta and white trousers, he exuded a relaxed aura that immediately put her at ease.
Kartik took a seat beside her on the wooden bench, his gaze gentle as he looked at her. "Rashi, you’ve been adjusting well," he said, a hint of admiration in his tone. "Not everyone would have handled things as gracefully as you have. Raj… well, he’s not an easy person to deal with, as you’ve probably noticed."
Rashi offered a small smile, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "I’m just doing what I can, Bhai," she replied, choosing her words carefully. She didn’t want to delve into her personal feelings about Raj; after all, he was still Kartik's younger brother. But the sincerity in her voice spoke volumes.