The café had been running for a few months when the Hindu festival of Karva Chauth arrived — a day when married women fast and pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands.
Riya wasn't married to Aziz.
But in her heart, she loved him with a purity and depth she had never known before.
And on this festival, for the first time in her life, she wanted to fast not out of duty…
…but out of love.
---
🌅 The Morning Fast
Aziz woke up early and found Riya from the kitchen window, standing on the balcony facing the rising sun. Her eyes were closed, palms joined, whispering a quiet prayer.
He stepped beside her, confused.
"Riya… why are you up so early? You didn't even drink water."
She smiled softly without opening her eyes.
"Today I'm fasting."
Aziz blinked.
"For whom?"
She finally looked at him.
"For you."
Aziz felt something warm rise in his chest — surprise, gratitude, a little fear, and a lot of love.
"Riya… you don't have to. This festival—"
She placed her finger gently on his lips.
"I know. I'm not doing this because I have to. I'm doing it because your life… your safety… means everything to me."
Aziz held her hands.
"You make me feel like the luckiest man alive."
---
🌼 The Sacred Puja
In the afternoon, when the café was empty, Riya lit a small diya and set it near the counter. She placed marigold flowers, a little rice, incense sticks, and a picture of Shiv-Parvati.
Aziz watched from the doorway, his heart full.
She closed her eyes and prayed silently:
"Keep him safe. Keep him healthy. Keep him in my life for as long as I live."
The sunlight hit her face, making her glow.
Aziz had seen her as strong, broken, smiling, tired — but this version of her, praying with pure love, felt divine.
He didn't disturb her.
For a few minutes, he simply admired her — silently, gratefully.
---
🌙 The Evening Moonrise Ritual
By evening, Riya was weak from fasting the whole day without water.
Aziz kept telling her to rest, but she insisted on completing the ritual.
She wore a simple red saree — the same one she had worn in her youth during festivals.
Aziz saw her and froze for a moment.
"You look… beautiful," he whispered.
Riya's cheeks warmed.
"I wanted to look good for you."
They went to the terrace to see the moon.
Riya held the sieve and thali with trembling hands.
Aziz stood beside her in silence, feeling honored and humbled.
When the moon finally appeared through thin clouds, Riya lifted the sieve and looked at the moon… then at Aziz through the sieve's tiny pattern.
Her eyes softened.
"This ritual is for the person who holds your heart," she said softly.
"You are that person for me."
Aziz stepped close, gently holding her hands.
"Then let me be worthy of it… every day."
---
🥣 Aziz Breaks Her Fast
Following tradition, Aziz took a glass of water and held it to her lips.
"Please drink," he whispered.
She took the first sip.
Then he fed her a small piece of sweet.
Her fast was broken.
And in that moment, under the moonlight, surrounded by silence, their hearts felt like they were bound in a sacred promise.
---
💛 A Quiet Moment of Love
After the ritual, Aziz wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and they sat together on the terrace steps.
Riya leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Aziz… no one has ever cared for my happiness. Not the way you do."
Aziz touched her cheek gently.
"You prayed for my long life… but Riya, I want your life to be long too — so I can spend every year of it beside you."
She smiled, eyes moist.
"Then today, the moon has blessed us both."
They didn't need fancy ceremonies or crowds.
In that quiet festival night, with diya lights flickering and their hands intertwined…
…they felt married in their hearts.