The Perfect Marriage

Kartik Naira were sleeping while cuddling each other

The alarm buzzed softly.

The tone of alarm was loud but —just a melodic chime echoing through the dimly lit bedroom.

 Outside, the sky was still dark, blanketed by silence, waiting for the first light of dawn to crack it open.

Kartik opened his eyes slowly while  blinking the sleep away.

A small smile played on his lips.

Today was not just any morning.

It was their first Gangaur together.

He turned his head and looked at Naira

She was still curled up under the blanket. Strands of her hair were scattered across her cheek, and her breathing was slow and  peaceful.

He leaned in  touched her cheeks to wake her up 

 "Naira... wake up, It is the time of our sargi now " says Kartik 

She stirred slightly while stretching under the blanket with a sleepy pout.

 "Kartik... two more minutes, Let me sleep , Please " says Naira 

"No , The time is very limited , It is gangaur today , We need to be hungry whole day, You told me last night that sargi should be eaten  before sun rise and then we will also  watch the sun rise together from our balcony... remember? Naira wake up now " says Kartik 

She blinked and then suddenly sat up like a happy flower bloom .

 "Oh! Yes! Today is Gangaur! Our first gangaur , I cant sleep now " says Naira in excitement 

He laughed at her innocent burst of joy.

Naira looked at him, and her heart fluttered with happiness. She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead.

" You know I am so happy that this is our first gangaur " says Naira happily 

He smiled again and gently caressed her cheek. 

"You brush your teeth and freshen up and By the time I will  warm the food and set the table for us because  Sargi must be perfect for my perfect wife." says Kartik 

" Okay go and arrange everything , I will just come in some time " says Naira 

Kartik stood up and left the room while Naira rushed to the washroom, still humming a happy tune.

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Down stairs in the dinning area , On the dinning table , Kartik had arranged everything with care. Bowls of warm cup noodles steamed gently beside chilled glasses of lassi. The fruit custard was in little glass bowls, and he had even placed a tiny diya on the table, lighting it to give the meal a festive touch.

He looked around and smiled.

Perfect. 

While up stairs , Naira comes out of the washroom 

She has taken a shower 

Then she wears a soft cotton white frock , perfect for a sleepy early morning. Her hair was damp, lips freshly balmed and face glowing with joy.

She walked barefoot, as she always did in the morning.

Step by step, she descended down the stairs while  humming softly—

Then she reached the dinning area 

While walking in the dinning , She shouts in pain when she realises she is walking on broken glass . 

Their were broken glass piece scattered on floor 

The pain was instant and sharp.

"AAAAH!"  screamed Naira with tears in her eyes 

Her foot jerked backward, but the damage was done.

The glass had pierced her skin.

Her body stumbled forward, and she gripped the side of a chair to keep herself from falling.

Blood was coming out from her foot due to the glass 

She sat down on the chair, clutching her foot with  teary eyes.

"KARTIK!" calls Naira 

Within seconds, Kartik rushed out of the kitchen

"Naira?! What happened?"  asks Kartik while holding her feet 

" I stepped on glass. There is glass broken on the floor. " tells Naira 

He looked at the floor 

"Oh god... oh no... I dropped a glass earlier while heating the noodles, I thought I cleaned it all. I did not see this one... I am so sorry, Naira." says Kartik 

Tears welled up in her eyes, not just from the pain—but from the interruption of a perfect morning she had dreamt of.

" Stay here , I am bringing first aid box " tells Kartik while going away 

He comes back and gently placed her foot on his thigh and took a closer look. The glass had pierced her feet skin 

He removes the glass while she winces in pain 

Then He dabbed the antiseptic on a cotton and began cleaning the wound

Once the antiseptic was done , Then he wrapped her foot carefully in a bandage.

Naira looked down at her foot and then back at him.

"How the hell will I supposed  dance or even walk now " asks Naira sadly 

" I am so sorry , My fault " says Kartik 

" I was without slippers , It is not your fault " says Naira sadly 

Kartik then picked up the glass pieces and went away to throw it and wash his hands 

Then he came back 

"We have limited time before sun rise , so let us eat " says Kartik while sitting on a chair near her 

They began eating their sargi 

Naira suddenly lifted a spoonful of custard and held it near his lips.

He smiled and ate it from her hand 

As they finished, Kartik got up and picked up the plates.

"Kartik..." says Naira 

" Hmm " asks Kartik 

"Can you help me go up stairs? I don't think I can walk with this foot." says Naira 

" Naira... actually... my arms have been aching .I  don't think I can lift you in my arms ." says Kartik 

"Oh... okay..." says Naira sadly 

"  You can sleep here in the guest room in ground floor " says Kartik 

He gave a smile and walked off without waiting for her reply.

Naira remained seated sadly 

She slowly looked around the empty dining space, then down at her foot.

"This was supposed to be our first Gangaur, And It is destroyed so easily , I am now here alone because I cant walk due to this feet injury , I wanted to see the sun rise and spend time with him , Atleast I wanted to sleep comfortably on bed " thinks Naira in her mind sadly 

She leaned forward and placed her head on the dining table with her tears falling silently from her eyes.

No words.

No more strength.

Only silence, and a broken and sad heart.

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