Midnight Encounter

Gauri stepped into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water when one slipped from the counter and shattered on the floor, the crash piercing the quiet of midnight.

As she bent down to pick up the pieces, another hand reached out at the same time. Her eyes met Hriday’s.

"Mr. Hriday..." she murmured, startled.

"What are you doing here, Gauri? Do you need something?"

he asked gently.

"I just came for some water," she replied softly.

Hriday opened the fridge, retrieving a chilled bottle.

"No, sir. I don’t drink cold water. I catch colds easily."

"Sorry, I didn’t know that," he said, switching to room temperature water.

Gauri sipped quietly as Hriday observed her with concern.

"Can’t sleep?"

"No... I was remembering Maa,"

she replied, her voice trembling.

"May I ask you something?"

he asked, almost hesitantly.

"Yes, sir."

"First, stop calling me 'sir'."

Gauri looked up, puzzled. Hriday chuckled softly.

"I mean, you can call me Hriday. It's not working hours. I'm not your boss right now. We can be... friends."

She left the kitchen. Hriday followed.

"If you're willing to be my friend, that is."

Gauri stepped outside into the garden and sat on the dewy grass.

"Hriday, sit here," she invited.

He joined her. Hriday couldn’t help but notice how sweet his name sounded when she said it.

"You know, I’ve always been an introverted child, just like my mother. We lived in our own quiet, beautiful world. We never harmed anyone. Then why did God take her away? I feel... hollow without her."

Hriday listened intently, watching her carefully.

"When I first saw you at the restaurant, I thought you were the bravest woman I’d ever met," he admitted.

"Restaurant?" she asked, confused.

"Yes, the restaurant," he confirmed, locking eyes with her.

"But let’s leave that. Let me tell you a story. My story."

"There were four of us—my grandfather, my parents, and me. You’ve met my parents, but not Dadaji. I was the only child and was pampered beyond belief. My mother always wished for a daughter, but fate gave her me."

Hriday smiled faintly.

"But that didn’t stop her. She still did all the things a mother might do for a daughter—putting my hair into little pigtails, dressing me in pink frocks, clipping cute barrettes in my hair."

Gauri chuckled, trying to imagine it.

"You’re picturing how ridiculous I looked, aren’t you?"

"No, actually... I was thinking how adorable you must’ve been."

"Are you flattering me just to ease my heart?"

"No, Hriday. I mean it. I adore children. Every child is precious—and you must’ve been so sweet. You still are... handsome, too."

Her words escaped unintentionally. Hriday laughed as her face flushed with embarrassment.

Gauri tried to retreat, but he caught her wrist gently.

"Will you marry me, Gauri?"

She froze.

"H-Hriday... how could you ask me that?"

"I know this isn't the right time or place. But I want to marry you—not out of sympathy, but because you've become my heartbeat. I want to see your eyes every morning, taste your cooking every evening. Whatever this feeling is... the world calls it love."

He stood up, holding her hands in his.

"I’ve never been in a relationship before, never even wanted one. But you’ve changed how I see everything. Please don’t feel pressured. Take your time. I just needed to say it."

"Your hands are cold," he said, rubbing them gently.

"I... I’m sleepy," she said, pulling her hand away and walking inside without a glance back.

The Next Morning

Gauri left early, returning to her own home. Conflicted, confused, and convinced Hriday pitied her, she muttered to herself, "I don’t want to be a burden to anyone."

As she cleaned, her phone rang. It was her Uncle Subhash, calling from out of town for treatment.

"How are you, Gauri beta? Did you have breakfast?"

"No, uncle. I was just about to. What did the doctor say?"

"It’ll be a while before they can start the treatment. I have to stay here for a few months. I wish I could be there for you."

"Don’t say that, uncle. Please. I’m fine,"

she said, wiping away tears.

Meanwhile, at Hriday’s Residence

Hriday looked around the house during breakfast.

"Where’s Gauri?" he asked a maid.

"Sir, she left very early this morning."

Without a word, he rushed to his car and drove to her place. When he arrived, some neighborhood women gave him judgmental stares as Gauri opened the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"That should be my question. Why did you leave without telling me?"

She glanced nervously at the gossiping women.

"Come inside," she said, pulling him in and locking the door.

"You haven’t answered me," he said.

"You first," she retorted.

"Why would I? Ladies first."

"Are you mad?"

"Yes—mad about you."

She tried to maintain composure.

"I can’t stay there anymore. I’m searching for a job. I’ll use my savings until then. You don’t need to worry about me."

"But I love you. I never meant to pressure you."

She poured him tea, but it slipped and spilled on his arm and chest.

"Oh my God! Hriday!" she cried, rushing to help him, unbuttoning his shirt in panic.

"I’m so sorry!"

"It’s okay," he said softly.

She applied ointment as guilt consumed her.

"Let’s go to the doctor."

"I’m fine."

"It’ll scar if we don’t go."

He relented.

After the Doctor Visit

Outside her house, neighborhood women started whispering cruel accusations.

"Who will take care of this girl now? Maybe she already arranged something herself..." one said.

They accused her of inviting men home for indecent reasons.

"You think I’d do that? You’ve known me since I was a child!" Gauri cried.

One slapped her.

"We won’t allow her to live here!" a man declared.

When Hriday returned to give her a forgotten bag, he saw the commotion.

"Stop!" he shouted, rushing to Gauri. "Are you okay?"

They scoffed.

"Why is he touching her in public?"

"Let’s go inside," Hriday urged.

"No, they’ll talk more," she said.

"Then let’s go to my house. If they think they can shame you—they’re wrong."

"What right do you have to take her?"

"What’s your relationship with her?"

"I have a relationship with her... From now on, she’s my wife."

He walked to a small temple nearby, picked up the vermillion, and placed it in her hair.

Gasps erupted. Gauri fainted in his arms.

Later... At the Hotel

Hriday found her in a hotel he booked for her safety.

She cried. "I didn’t want this... You deserve someone who truly loves you. I’m just..."

"You’re not a burden. You were your mother’s princess... now you’re my life partner. I may not know how to comfort you perfectly, but I will always be by your side—as your friend, your protector, and your husband."