Everything Has Changed

7 | Rishta

"While us elders talk about the Roka formalites, you and Shubman may go and have a chat in your room." Her chacha suggested.

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As Devanshi and Shubman were ushered into her room to chat, the air between them crackled with tension, each step heavier than the last. Devanshi closed the door behind them, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for the inevitable confrontation.

Shubman wasted no time in getting straight to the point, his voice cold and accusatory as he fixed her with a steely glare. "Tum khudko samajhti kya ho, Devanshi?" he demanded, his tone laced with disdain. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you had no hand in what happened that night?"

Devanshi's jaw clenched at his words, her hands balling into fists at her sides as she fought to keep her composure. "You think I planned all of this?" she shot back, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "You think I would stoop so low as to drug you and then propose marriage to you?"

Shubman scoffed at her words, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "I don't know what to believe anymore," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I do know one thing—I won't be fooled by your lies."

Devanshi's heart shattered at his words, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she struggled to make him understand. "Aapko kuch bhi nahi pata hai." she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea what I've been through, what I've had to endure to get to where I am today."

But Shubman remained unmoved. "Save your sob story for someone who cares," he retorted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Bohot ho gaya tumhara!"

With a heavy heart, Devanshi realized that no amount of pleading or reasoning would sway Shubman from his convictions. In his eyes, she would forever be nothing more than a spoiled princess—an obnoxious brat.

The whole room went silent only to broken by Devanshi's abrupt question. "Shubman do you have a girlfriend."

"Had." He sighed and stood up from the bed turning to the window. "I and Sara broke up days before we met in goa."

He immediately left the room indicating his disinterest in no further conversation.

And so, with a silent nod of understanding, Devanshi made a decision. For the sake of their families, they would play along, pretending to have reconciled their differences while keeping their true feelings hidden beneath a facade of civility.

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As they emerged from Devanshi's room, their faces carefully schooled into expressions of polite indifference.

Shahneel smiled approvingly. "We are so pleased to see you clearing your doubts," she remarked, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

"So, we decided to get the Tilak ceremony done tomorrow at Elkingji." Devanshi's grandfther declared to the couple.

At the dinner table when everyone was finished having the last meal of the day. Vedant informs,"We are apologetic for the inconvenience but the guest rooms are getting renovated. Lakhwinder ji and Kerat ji, you may take up the room next to ours. It's tidy. Shahneel beta, if you dont have any issues, you may share a room with our younger daughter, Anaya."

Shahneel nodded and grinned, "it's more than fine, uncle. I'll be pleased to be in Anaya's company." Anaya beamed and sat next to Shahneel.

"Shubman beta, aapka saman humne Devanshi ke kamre mai rakha diya hai. Aaj aap vahi ruk jaiye." Both Shubman and Devanshi got uncomfortable on the call and looked away from each other.

"Dev, Padmanabh is going to come tomorrow for the roka ceremony. He'll arrive in udaipur from flight and then we can go together to the temple." Her grandfather notified.

"Purnima, Varsha. I hope all the arrangements for the ceremony are done." The two nodded at their Ma sa. "Well then, let's call it a night." She stood up after her husband and greeted then a good night.

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As the night settled over Udaipur, Shubman found himself reluctantly settling into the confines of Devanshi's room. The air between them crackled with tension, each moment weighed down by the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

Devanshi watched him from across the room, her eyes guarded as she tried to decipher the thoughts racing through his mind. "I hope you find the room comfortable," she ventured, her voice cautious as she broke the silence that hung between them.

Shubman nodded curtly, his gaze lingering on the bay window that framed a breathtaking view of Pichola Lake. "It's... nice," he admitted, his voice grudgingly appreciative as he took in the serene beauty of their surroundings.

Devanshi smiled faintly at his response, a flicker of warmth softening the edges of her features. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice tinged with gratitude.

As the night wore on and the silence stretched between them, Shubman's gaze wandered to the study attached to Devanshi's ensuite, his curiosity piqued by the array of fashion equipment scattered haphazardly across the room. "Is that your office space?" he ventured, his voice tentative as he broached the subject.

Devanshi's eyes lit up at the mention of her passion, a spark of enthusiasm igniting within her chest. "Yeah," she replied.

Shubman nodded, his interest piqued by her revelation. "That's... impressive," he admitted, his tone begrudgingly admiring.

As the night stretched on and exhaustion began to weigh heavily upon them, they prepared for bed, their movements stiff and awkward as they navigated the unfamiliarity of their shared space.

"I'll take the washroom first," Shubman announced, his voice terse as he retreated into the ensuite, leaving Devanshi alone with her thoughts.

Devanshi changed in the closet and went to the bedside putting her phone on charge. "Why don't you have a sofa in your room?" He inquired.

"Why is there need of a sofa?" She raised her brow.

"Are we both going to sleep on this bed." He asked absurdly

"Agar aapko sofe pe sona hai to living room mai bohot sare hai!" She switched the lamp on her side and covered herself with the blanket.

Shubman scoffed and laid on the bed without putting the comforter over him. A while later Dev sighed and covered him in the large jaipuri razai which comforted her too.