✨Chapter 8✨

The Festival of Lights

"The past."

Those two words haunted Meera for the next three days.

Every time she saw Veer, she remembered the look in his eyes outside the locked room.

Not anger.

Not irritation.

Fear.

As if whatever was hidden behind that door still had power over him.

And that realization bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

Because Veer Pratap Singh didn't seem like a man who feared anything.

Three days later, Devgarh prepared for its annual monsoon festival.

The entire village transformed overnight.

Colorful lanterns hung across streets.

Music echoed from every corner.

Food stalls lined the market square.

Children ran around laughing while women decorated doorways with flowers.

For the first time since arriving in Devgarh, Meera felt excited.

The city girl inside her couldn't help it.

Festivals had always been her favorite.

Even as a child.

"Everyone attends this festival," Gauri explained while helping Meera get ready.

"Even Veer?"

The older woman laughed softly.

"Especially Veer."

That surprised her.

The image of Veer dancing and celebrating felt impossible to imagine.

The man barely smiled.

Forget dancing.

An hour later, Meera stood in front of the mirror wearing a dark green saree.

Simple.

Elegant.

Comfortable.

The color made her eyes appear brighter than usual.

For the first time in days, she genuinely liked her reflection.

Maybe village life wasn't completely terrible.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

She opened the door.

And froze.

Veer stood outside.

Black kurta.

Rolled sleeves.

Silver watch.

That dangerous calm expression.

Everything about him looked unfairly attractive.

His eyes lifted toward her.

Then paused.

Just for a moment.

Long enough for her pulse to betray her.

Something dark flickered in his gaze.

Gone before she could understand it.

"Everyone is waiting."

His voice sounded rougher than usual.

Meera nodded quickly.

Why was it suddenly difficult to breathe?

The festival grounds looked magical.

Lanterns illuminated the night sky while music drifted through the warm evening air.

The entire village gathered around the central square.

The moment Veer arrived, people greeted him from every direction.

Children ran toward him.

Elders stopped him for conversations.

Villagers asked for help with problems.

Advice.

Decisions.

Everything.

And surprisingly—

Veer listened.

Patiently.

Respectfully.

A completely different side of him emerged.

The cold sarpanch remained.

But there was kindness too.

Responsibility.

Care.

Watching him changed something inside Meera.

Because for the first time—

she understood why people followed him.

"Meera bhabhi!"

A group of village women approached smiling.

Unlike before, their expressions carried warmth.

Not judgment.

The difference felt strange.

Comforting.

Soon Meera found herself talking, laughing, and exploring the festival with them.

For the first time since her wedding—

she felt accepted.

The feeling was addictive.

An hour later, she stood near one of the food stalls alone.

The women had wandered off somewhere.

Veer remained occupied with village matters.

For once, Meera enjoyed the freedom.

Until someone spoke beside her.

"You must be Veer's wife."

She turned.

A young man stood nearby.

Tall.

Friendly smile.

City clothes.

Not from Devgarh.

"I'm Arjun."

Meera smiled politely.

"Meera."

Arjun laughed.

"I know."

The conversation started innocently enough.

Small talk.

Festival questions.

Harmless things.

But after several minutes, Meera noticed something uncomfortable.

Arjun wasn't looking away.

At all.

His attention remained entirely fixed on her.

The realization made her uneasy.

Across the festival grounds, Veer signed some paperwork for a local farmer.

Then his eyes lifted.

Automatically.

Searching.

Finding.

Meera.

And the man standing beside her.

The smile vanished from Veer's face instantly.

A dangerous stillness settled over him.

The farmer noticed immediately.

And wisely ended the conversation.

Back near the food stalls, Arjun leaned slightly closer.

"You don't seem happy here."

Meera frowned.

"What?"

"Come on."

He smiled.

"You're a city girl trapped in a village marriage."

The comment irritated her.

"You don't know anything about my marriage."

Arjun opened his mouth again.

Then suddenly stopped.

His expression changed.

Confusion.

Fear.

Respect.

Meera turned around.

And immediately understood why.

Veer stood behind her.

Silent.

Watching.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Arjun stepped back.

Smart man.

"Veer bhai."

Veer ignored him completely.

His gaze remained on Meera.

"Come with me."

Not a request.

A statement.

Meera stared at him.

"What?"

"Now."

The firmness surprised her.

Annoyed, she crossed her arms.

"I'm talking."

Big mistake.

Because something dark flashed across Veer's eyes.

Not anger.

Possessiveness.

The realization sent heat rushing through her.

Veer looked toward Arjun slowly.

And finally spoke.

"You should leave."

His voice remained calm.

Too calm.

Arjun swallowed immediately.

Then disappeared faster than Meera thought humanly possible.

The moment he left, silence exploded between them.

Meera turned toward Veer.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"The way you spoke to him."

Veer's jaw tightened faintly.

"He was making you uncomfortable."

"I could handle it."

"I know."

The exact same answer as before.

And somehow even more frustrating.

For several seconds neither spoke.

Festival music echoed around them.

People laughed nearby.

But the world suddenly felt very small.

Just her.

And him.

Then Veer stepped closer.

Not enough to touch.

Enough to make her heart race.

His eyes remained locked on hers.

"Did you enjoy his attention?"

The question shocked her.

What?

Was he jealous?

The possibility felt impossible.

And yet...

The look on his face said otherwise.

Meera's pulse accelerated dangerously.

"No."

The answer came softer than intended.

Something relaxed in Veer's expression immediately.

A tiny change.

Barely noticeable.

Yet she saw it.

And suddenly—

she realized she liked the fact that he cared.

Far more than she should.

Later that night, the festival ended with fireworks.

The entire village gathered in the open field.

Colors exploded across the dark sky.

Beautiful.

Bright.

Temporary.

Meera watched in awe.

Until she felt someone standing beside her.

Veer.

Close.

Quiet.

Comfortable.

Neither spoke.

For once, silence didn't feel awkward.

It felt peaceful.

Then another firework burst overhead.

The loud sound startled her unexpectedly.

Instinctively—

her fingers brushed against his hand.

A mistake.

An accident.

She immediately pulled away.

But before she could—

Veer's fingers closed around hers.

Firm.

Warm.

Certain.

Meera stopped breathing.

The world disappeared.

The crowd.

The fireworks.

The noise.

Everything.

Only his hand remained.

Holding hers.

Neither acknowledged it.

Neither moved away.

And under a sky filled with light—

Meera realized something terrifying.

She was falling for her husband.

And she had absolutely no idea how to stop.

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