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“No one, only the moon
witnessed the truth,
the love that I have for you...

Today morning I got up earlier than usual. The whole house was still quiet and for a moment it felt like time itself had slowed down for me. The first thing I did was look at my hands.
The dark red henna covered my palms and wrists and the colour had turned deep and rich overnight. Ma
always said that the darker the henna, the more love you get from your husband.

I smiled faintly, but at the same time, guilt covered my heart. This year my fast was not for Vivek. It was not for the man everyone thought I loved and respected as a husband. This year, my fast was for Viraj. My heart beat faster when I whispered it to myself. I was doing all this for him because I loved him, because I wanted him to live a long and safe life, because I couldn’t imagine my world without him in it.

I went into the bathroom and took a long, fresh bath. I let the cold water calm my body and the nervousness running in my veins. Then I dressed myself carefully in my red suit. Red had always been my favourite colour, but today it felt different. It felt powerful, meaningful like it carried every hidden emotion inside me.

When I stepped out, I saw Ma already dressed beautifully in a red saree. She was adjusting her pallu in front of the mirror when she turned and noticed me. Her face lit up with a warm smile.
“You are looking so beautiful, Shreya,” she said lovingly.

I bent down and touched her feet. “You too, Ma. You are glowing.”

She blessed me and stroked my head gently. That small gesture made me feel both happy and heavy inside. Because here I was, receiving blessings for a fast that wasn’t even kept for Vivek.

I quickly excused myself and went into the kitchen. “Let me prepare breakfast, Ma.”
She nodded and said “Yes beta, make something light.”

I got busy in the kitchen, but the truth was I wasn’t allowed to eat anything today. My fast had already started since sunrise. Still, I wanted to keep myself engaged in work so that my hunger wouldn’t bother me too much. I made breakfast for everyone, set the table and forced a smile when serving.

After about half an hour, Papa and Vivek left the house for their work. Vivek didn’t even look at me properly, just nodded and walked out. My heart didn’t ache for that. It was used to his distance. But my heart longed for someone else.

Fifteen minutes later, as I was cleaning the kitchen, Viraj walked in. Like always, he came quietly and leaned against the counter, watching me. I turned around and froze. He was staring at me with that soft yet mischievous smile.

“Shreya” he whispered, his voice full of warmth, “wow… you are looking so beautiful today.”

I blushed instantly, lowering my gaze. “I know” I said softly. Then with a trembling heart, I added, “I’m doing this all for you.”

His eyes widened a little. “For me?”

“Yes” I whispered. My throat went dry but I had to say it. “I want you to live a long life.”

Viraj’s lips curved into the sweetest smile. He stepped closer, his voice dropping low. “Oh, Shreya… I love you so much.”

I could feel tears almost coming in my eyes. He reached out, cupped my cheek and said, “But you also need to take care of yourself, okay? Don’t strain too much today. Don’t push your body. Promise me.”

I nodded, my heart melting at his care. That was what made him different. He always thought of me.

Before leaving, I whispered, “Come today on time, okay?”
“I will” he said, hugging me briefly. Then in my ear, he murmured “I’ll be there for you.”
He left, and I was left standing in the kitchen, my heart fluttering like never before.

The rest of the day went painfully slow. My stomach growled, my lips were dry and I wanted to drink water so badly. But I kept reminding myself, this fast was for Viraj. Every time my head ached, I told myself I was doing it out of love.

By evening, my body felt weak. Still, I got ready with Ma to go to the neighbour’s house. That’s where the Karwa Chauth rituals were done. Women gathered together, listening to the story of Karwa Chauth, singing and praying.

As we walked, Ma said softly, “Don’t worry, Shreya. Vivek will come home soon. He won’t make you wait till midnight like last year. I’ve told him to come early.”

Her words made my heart heavy. I only nodded, but inside I panicked. What if Vivek really came early? How would I perform the pooja with Viraj then?

At the neighbour’s house, I tried to concentrate on the rituals. I tried to sing along with the women. But my mind was far away. All I could think of was Viraj. All I could think of was whether he would come on time, whether I would get a chance to secretly perform the ritual with him.

When we returned home, I froze at the sight. Vivek and Papa were already sitting on the couch, watching TV casually. Viraj was nowhere to be seen. My heart sank.

Ma immediately asked, “So you brought him along with you?”
Papa smiled proudly. “Of course I had to. You had warned me. You know it required so much effort! Vivek was about to have an important meeting with a client, but I brought him along with me. And I convinced Viraj to go for the meeting instead.”

I blinked in shock. “What?” I whispered.

Papa laughed lightly. “Yes, he wasn’t ready for the meeting. But somehow, I convinced him to attend it. Otherwise, Vivek would have missed tonight’s rituals.”

My heart twisted painfully. Guilt flooded me. How am I supposed to do the pooja with Viraj.

Ma smiled happily. “You did Good thing” she said to Papa. Then she turned to me. “Shreya, let’s decorate the arti thali now.”

I nodded quietly and followed her, though my mind wasn’t present. My eyes kept drifting to my phone. I had messaged Viraj, asking when he would arrive, but the message wasn’t even seen yet. I prayed desperately, asking God to show me a way.

The evening stretched slowly. I decorated the arti thali with flowers, diyas and rice grains. I arranged the sieve and the lota for water. Ma gave instructions and I followed silently. Outside I looked calm, but inside I was breaking.

How will I do this without him?
How can I perform the rituals with Vivek when my heart only beats for Viraj?
Will Viraj even make it in time?

Every second, I kept staring at the door. Every second, I hoped to hear his footsteps. But all I had was silence.

I bit my lip, fighting the tears. Tonight was supposed to be for him. Tonight was supposed to be our night.

My lips were dry and my body was weak from the fast. But my heart, my heart was still beating fast with one single thought: When will Viraj come home?

I had sent him so many texts, but none were even seen. My mind kept making excuses for him, maybe he was busy, maybe that client meeting had gone longer than expected, maybe his phone was on silent.

Now it was time to get ready for the actual pooja. I changed from my suit into a bright red saree. The colour felt powerful and bold against my skin. I applied a deep red lipstick and carefully filled the parting of my hair with sindoor. I tied My hair in a low bun. My bangles clinked softly as I adjusted my pallu. When I looked in the mirror, I smiled weakly.

From outside I looked like the perfect wife getting ready for her husband. But inside, I knew who I was actually waiting for. I didn’t want Vivek to be the one I broke my fast with. My heart only wanted Viraj.

I sat on the edge of the bed, clutching my phone, staring at the screen, waiting for his name to flash. Nothing. My throat tightened. Viraj, please come… please don’t make me do this with someone else…

Just then, Ma entered my room. “Shreya, the moon is out. Let’s perform the pooja.”

My heart stopped for a second. Already?
“Yes, Ma” I said softly, forcing a smile.

Reluctantly, I got up and followed her. My legs felt heavy, as if each step was pulling me farther away from what I truly wanted.

We all went up to the terrace. The night sky was clear and the bright full moon hung above us, glowing softly. All the women stood with their thalis decorated with diyas and flowers. My heart was pounding so loudly I was scared someone might hear it.

I performed the arti to Vivek, moving the decorated plate in front of him. My hands trembled as I lifted the sieve. I looked at the moon through it, then turned to look at him just as the ritual required. But in my mind, I wasn’t seeing Vivek at all. I imagined Viraj standing there instead, smiling at me, his eyes full of love.

It hurt, pretending. It hurt, lying in front of everyone.

When Vivek was supposed to make me drink the water, panic rose inside me. I couldn’t let this moment belong to him. Not when I had kept the fast for Viraj. Not when my every heartbeat whispered his name.

So I acted. I clutched my stomach and gasped softly. “I’m feeling nauseous” I said quickly and before anyone could stop me, I ran downstairs.

In the kitchen, I leaned against the sink, pretending to be weak. My heart was racing. A few seconds later, Ma rushed in behind me. Papa and Vivek followed, concern on their faces.

“Shreya, are you okay?” Ma asked, holding my shoulder.

I forced a weak smile. “I’m not well, Ma. I think I’ll just rest for a while.”

“At least eat a little” she insisted.

I shook my head, acting like I was stumbling. Just then, I felt strong arms catch me. My heartbeat rised when I realised it was Viraj. He had returned. His face was tense with worry.

“Are you okay, bhabhi?” he said softly, his eyes scanning my face.

The word bhabhi felt strange right then. It was his cover, but his eyes told a different truth.

Vivek also came to my other side, supporting me. Together, they helped me to the bedroom and made me lie down. I closed my eyes, pretending to drift into sleep.

I heard them moving away, but my heart couldn’t resist. In my fake sleep, I reached out and caught Viraj’s hand. My eyes fluttered open just enough to see his face.

“Shreya…” he whispered, his voice trembling.

“Just feed me the water” I murmured softly.

He blinked in surprise. “Hmm?”

“Do fast and give me the water” I said quickly. “No time for explanation.”

He smirked faintly, understanding. “Are you faking all of this?” he asked in a low voice.

“Yes” I admitted honestly. “Now please… just feed me the water.”

His eyes softened. He grabbed the water bottle from the table, poured it into a glass and brought it close to my lips. Slowly, he tilted it, making me drink. His gaze never left my face.

As the cool water slid down my throat, relief washed over me. My fast was complete. But more than that, it was complete with him. I smiled faintly, whispering, “Thank you.”

“Now go” I said softly. He nodded and quietly slipped out of the room.

I turned to the side and finally closed my eyes, feeling fantastic.

I must have dozed off, because when I opened my eyes again, it was already midnight. Ma was by my side, gently shaking me.

“Shreya, are you okay now?” she asked worriedly.

“Yes, Ma” I said softly.

“You should eat something. Come, do the pooja properly with Vivek first, then eat. You will feel better.”

I nodded and got up slowly. Vivek was sitting on the couch in the living room, looking tired. Together, we went up to the terrace again.

Under the moonlight, I performed the pooja with him as expected. I moved the sieve, looked at the moon, then at his face. He made me drink the water. But inside, I felt nothing. Because my real fast had already been broken earlier, with the one I truly loved. This was just an act, just a cover.

We came back downstairs. I turned to Ma and said, “You all go to sleep. I’ll eat something and then rest.”

“Are you ok?” she asked.

“Yes Ma.”

So Ma, Papa and Vivek went to their rooms. The house fell silent.

My heart pounded again. Finally, the moment was mine. I quickly dialed Viraj’s number and whispered “Meet me at the terrace.”

I prepared my thali again, diyas, flowers, everything perfect this time. My hands trembled with excitement. When I stepped out onto the terrace, the cool night air kissed my skin. And there he was.

Viraj was already waiting. He wore a simple white kurta and in the moonlight, he looked breathtaking. My heart melted just seeing him.

He smirked when he saw me. “Waah, come inside, my actress” he teased.

“Shut up” I said softly, blushing. “I did all this only for you. And you didn’t even answer my messages!”

He sighed, stepping closer. “I know, baby. I was stuck in the meeting. I couldn’t escape.”

“Fine” I said, pretending to pout. “Anyway, let’s perform the pooja quickly.”

This time, everything felt perfect. I lifted the sieve, looked at the glowing moon, then at him. His eyes were locked on mine and we both smiled softly. I felt a strange completeness in that moment, as if the universe itself had witnessed our secret love.

He took the glass of water and lifted it to my lips. Slowly, he made me drink. My heart fluttered wildly. This was what I had been waiting for. This was my real ritual, my real blessing.

Afterwards, as I turned to go back downstairs, he suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. My breath caught as he held me against his chest.

“Thank you” he whispered in my ear. “Thank you for all this effort. You don’t know how much it means to me.”

I blushed, my cheeks burning.

He cupped my face, his eyes soft but intense. “I love you, Shreya.”

My lips curved into a trembling smile. “I love you too, Viraj.”

And then, under the moonlit sky, we kissed. Slowly at first, then deeper, pouring out all the hidden love, all the longing, all the secrets of our hearts.

The diyas flickered around us, the night breeze wrapped us closer, and the moon became our silent witness.

For the first time that night, I felt complete.

_______

That's it guys, I hope you all liked the chapter.