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ANAISHA'S POV
The first rays of dawn, tender and golden, stole through the intricate patterns of the curtains, painting a warm glow across my face. I stirred, slowly opened my eyes, still sleepy, not quite remembering where I was for a fleeting moment. Then, the realization dawned—I was no longer in my childhood room, but in a new one, bathed in the quiet hush of a house that was now mine, yet not entirely.
I turned my head to the left, and my heart fluttered… he was there, my husband, still soundly sleeping on his stomach, lips slightly parted, one hand near his face, hair messy. He looked like a cute, innocent boy, unaware and unbothered by all the burdens of the world—not the man who silently carried the responsibilities of a CEO on his shoulders. In this moment, he was away from everything, lost in his dreams, and a faint smile touched my lips. And, the memory of last night flashed in my mind, and my heart skipped a beat. I had been waiting for him to eat dinner with me. I knew he was exhausted; I could see it in his eyes. Yesterday was a tiring day for both of us, and just like me, I knew he hadn't had time to eat properly. Well, my reason was different.
“You can throw me out of this room, if you want, Biwi Ji.” Was he flirting with me? That sly grin on his face, the twitch of his lips, and that wink. My cheeks turned crimson; the butterflies in my stomach went wild. I turned my face away, burying it in my left palm in a wave of shyness.
I looked at the clock hanging on the wall: "7 AM." My eyes widened. “God, I’m late… this is my first day; I should have woken up early.” I always woke up early, so what happened today? I sighed. I think it was because I slept so late and the sheer exhaustion made me oversleep. I quickly got up from the bed, went to the closet, took my clothes from the wardrobe, and headed to the bathroom.
I took a quick shower, wore a red saree since it was my first day in this house after the wedding, and some rituals were still pending. I sat down at the vanity. My hair was damp from the shower, and I applied light, glowing makeup. I wore red bangles, a small but beautiful diamond necklace, and diamond earrings—not too big, not too small, just the way I liked. I placed a red bindi on my forehead, in the center of my eyebrows. I held the small box of vermilion, the vibrant red powder. With a steady hand, I used a tiny fingertip to draw a clean, bright line right at the parting of my hair. The red color was intense, bold, and beautiful, warming my heart with emotions I couldn't quite name yet.
I reached for the Mangalsutra—the sacred necklace. It was a delicate chain of small black beads, threaded with a gold chain, with a small, exquisite forever diamond design woven into it. As I fastened the clasp behind my neck, I looked into the mirror. This was more than just jewelry; it was a visible sign of a new commitment, a promise of togetherness. A deep sense of belonging settled over me.
I stood up, looking at my reflection in the mirror one last time. I saw a girl dressed beautifully in red, my forehead crowned with sindoor, and my neck graced with the Mangalsutra. I was ready. The newly wed girl had gracefully stepped into the new chapter of her life.
When I entered the room, my eyes fell on him. My husband, Ekansh, was still asleep. I looked at the clock, and it was 7:30. I needed to wake him up. So, with a thumping heart, slow steps, nervous eyes, and trembling hands, I stood beside his side of the bed. I gently tried to wake him up, I called him softly “Ekansh…” No response. “Ekansh…” He stirred but wasn't fully awake, so I tried a little louder this time, “Ekansh… Uthiye” (Ekansh….. wake up). He slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the light. Then he finally looked at me, his eyes intense, watching me with unknown emotions. When I couldn't bear the intensity of his gaze, I whispered softly, “Uth Jaiye” (Please get up)…”
“Hmm… I’ll take a quick shower, then we’ll go together for breakfast. Okay?” He said in his morning husky voice, half asleep and my heart fluttered. God! What was this?
“Okay,” I said.
He nodded and went into the closet. He came back after ten minutes in a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt. His hair was damp from the shower but neatly set. He was looking devilishly handsome.
I quickly looked away. What was wrong with my heart? Why was it beating so fast?
“Chalein” (Shall we go)? he asked in his husky voice.
I just nodded.
We came downstairs together. Everyone was there in the living room, his mother and Dadi (grandmother) were talking with each other, his father was reading the newspaper, and his siblings were laughing while sitting on one couch together.
We reached his Dadi and touched her feet together. “Khush raho, hamesha saath raho, aise hi.” (Be happy, always stay together, just like this) she blessed us, patting our heads lightly.
Then we approached his father. “Khush raho beta” (Be happy, children) he smiled.
Then to his mother. “Mere bachche…” (My children) she said lovingly, caressing our faces.
“Bhabhiiiiiiiii!” (Sister-in-law) Avni ran and hugged me tightly. “Good morning!”
“Good morning, Bhabhi,” Tanish wished me with a side hug.
“Suprabhat Bhabhi (Good morning, Sister-in-law)… Wow, Bhabhi, you are looking so beautiful! Bhai (Brother) is definitely gone!” Lakshya teased his elder brother and hugged me.
“Right!” Tanish chimed.
“Bhai, you okay?” Avni asked her brother with a devilish smirk.
“Shut up,” he snapped at his siblings with a fake glare.
I was standing there, my face the color of a tomato. Our eyes met, and he smirked—my husband was clearly enjoying this. I immediately lowered my eyes, a shy smile on my lips. But I could see his ears were red. Everyone laughed.
“Okay, okay, enough… Anaisha beta, it’s your first rasoi (first cooking ritual). You don’t have to make everything; breakfast is ready. Just make something sweet for the ritual.” his mother said with a soft smile, stopping the siblings’ teasing session.
“Ji, Aunty” (Yes, Aunty) I nodded, ready to walk toward the kitchen.
Dadi’s stern voice stopped me in my tracks. “Wait, what is this Aunty?” Her face was firm. “She is your husband’s mother, your mother-in-law, and now your mother too.”
“Beta, call me Maa or Mom, just like Ekansh. I am your mother also,” my mother-in-law said softly with a sweet, motherly smile.
“Yes, Bhabhi,” Tanish added.
I glanced at Ekansh, he nodded slightly.
My eyes glistened with tears.
I nodded with a smile, “Ji, Maa.” (Yes, Mother)
Everyone smiled, observing the small bond forming between us.
Maa—that word. I remembered my own mother, her love, her care.
But I didn’t want to dwell on memories now. I didn’t want to cry, not now. This moment was for my new family, my new life.
I turned and went into the kitchen and started preparing kheer for the ritual.
The kheer was done. I sprinkled some almonds and cashews on it. I set it on the dining table. The rest of the dishes were already there: orange juice, toast, parathas, and fruits. Everyone was sitting in their seats.
“Come, child, you also sit,” Dadi said.
I nervously sat beside Ekansh, waiting for everyone’s reaction.
“Very good, child, it’s very tasty,” Dadi praised.
“Waah (Wow), from now on, your kheer is my favourite, beta! You’ve surpassed your mother-in-law in making kheer,” Papa said, teasing Maa.
“Bhabhi, there is magic in your hands,” Lakshya declared dramatically.
“I have never tasted kheer this tasty before, except Maa's. You are the best, Bhabhi!” Avni said, giving me a thumbs-up and a flying kiss.
“Really… Bhabhi, you made our day,” Tanish said.
I shyly murmured thank you to everyone, but I was waiting for that one person’s reaction, my husband’s. I glanced from the corner of my eyes. He was eating the kheer silently, as if nothing was reaching his ears.
“Bhaiya… how’s the kheer? It’s good, isn’t it?” Avni prompted. All eyes turned toward him now.
“Come on, Bhaiya, say something! Bhabhi is waiting,” Tanish smirked.
My heart was thumping. I didn't know why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like I hadn't made kheer before, I knew how to cook, and kheer was Ankit’s favorite too, so I made it for him when I was at my parents' house before my marriage. But I was so anxious right now.
“It’s delicious,” he finally said, glancing at me.
And my heart leapt. Butterflies danced in my stomach, and my cheeks turned crimson. “Thank you,” I whispered, a shy smile tugging at my lips.
“This is for you, beta. My mother-in-law gifted this necklace to me. I have kept it safe for my Ekansh’s wife. Now, I’m giving it to you,” Dadi said, handing me the box. I took her blessings.
“Everyone has their own car in this house, so here is the key to your car. I know you already have one, but this is from your Papa,” Papa said, patting my head. I smiled back.
“These bangles will look even more beautiful on your hands, beta.” Maa said, sliding the diamond bangles onto my wrist.
“And our love is all for you, Bhabhiiiiiiiiii, forever!” Tanish, Lakshya, and Avni exclaimed in unison, opening their arms.
Then they turned their attention to their elder brother with mischief in their eyes.
“Bhaiya, your gift?” Tanish asked Ekansh.
“Bhaiya must be giving Bhabhi a special gift, Right bhaiya?” Avni grinned, eyes wide with excitement and mischief, as she looked at her brother.
“I want to see! Bhaiya, give Bhabhi her gift. She is waiting, and so are we,” Lakshya pleaded with puppy eyes.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes, my cheeks red from the constant teasing.
He didn't look up at first. Then, after a few seconds, he removed the chain he was wearing around his neck. He tied it around mine. “My gift to my wife.”
Silence, and then, “Wow, Bhaiya, so romantic!” Avni screamed, placing her hands over her heart.
“Exactly! We didn’t know our Bhaiya is this romantic,” Tanish teased.
“Always saying no to marriage, and now look at him. Bhaiya, smart, huh?” Lakshya said knowingly, teasingly.
Maa, Dadi, and Papa were also smiling.
And I was utterly red. God! When I glanced at my husband, he was clearly enjoying himself, there was a smirk on his face.
“I’ll put the gifts in the room” I said, almost running to his room, just wanting to disappear from the teasing.
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