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𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐊𝐀

The Next Morning

I woke up slowly, my body still wrapped in drowsiness and my vision a little blurred. For a moment, I almost believed I was still in that cramped little storeroom...

But no.

This... this was a room.

A real room-where humans live, not the shadows,

I sat up and slipped my feet into the soft slippers beside the bed, walking towards the window. I vaguely remembered the curtains being drawn at night-perhaps he had closed them himself.

I reached out and pulled them apart, and instantly-

Sunlight spilled onto my face.

Warm. Pure. Soft.

It felt like life itself had embraced me.

Like a caged bird... I had been set free.

My eyes wandered outside-to the garden.

A sea of daisies, dancing gently with the morning breeze.

So delicate, so alive... like something straight out of a dream.

I smiled.

But then I turned toward the other side of the bed-

Empty.

Not even a bedsheet left behind.

Where had he gone so early?

My eyes flicked up to the wall clock.

7:45 AM.

Wait. What? 7:45?!

My heart skipped a beat.

He didn't wake up early-I woke up late!

Panic hit me.

It was my first day in his house... and I was late.

How would they react?

Would they think I was careless? Mannerless?

After about thirty minutes, I was finally ready, draped in a soft pink cotton saree with delicate floral prints brushing its borders.

I reached for my mangalsutra, my fingers gently grazing the beads as I wore it. Then came the vermillion...

My hand paused midway.

Yesterday...

I remembered the way I spoke to him-the anger, the defiance. But what else could I have done? He had made me feel cornered. Still, I whispered to myself:

"I will apologise."

I took a small pinch of sindoor and filled the parting of my hair.

A soft breath left my lips as I turned toward the stairs and made my way down...

Into the heart of the house-the hall.

Everyone was already there... except Revati jiji and her husband.

Nani Maa was quietly sewing a woollen shawl, her fingers steady and calm.

Dakshit was half-absorbed in his music, headphones tangled in his hair.

Dhritya was gently brushing Lily's soft fur, while Raghav played with Rocky, who was licking his face like a devoted little guardian.

he wasn't there.

Maybe he went out with his brother.

I inhaled deeply, trying to ground myself. My first day in this house... and I woke up late.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice call out:

"Arey, Devika! Why are you standing there? Come here, please."

It was Revati jiji, walking in from the kitchen with a tray of tea. She smiled at me warmly-so warmly that for a second, all the fear inside me melted.

"Uhh... Vo... Vo sorry. I'm late. It's my first day and I didn't even realise when I slept in..."

Before I could spiral further, Nani Maa laughed gently and said:

"Arey koi baat nahi, beti. Tum itna mat socho. Hum zaalim sasuraal wale nahi hain!"

The room filled with soft laughter.

"Yes, Devika!" Revati jiji added with a teasing grin.

"You don't have to be sorry. I was much later on my first day. Trust me, tum toh tab bhi jaldi uth gayi."

Relief fluttered in my chest. I stepped forward with gratitude and bent to touch Nani Maa's feet.

"Suprabhat, Nani Maa," I greeted.

She lovingly placed her hand on my head.

"Suprabhat, beti. Ab kaisi hai tabiyat?"

I nodded with a soft smile, assuring her I was fine.

As I turned to touch Revati jiji's feet, she immediately stopped me.

"Arey, arey, su kare chhe? Behenein gale milti hain, pair nahi chhooti," she said, hugging me tight.

That embrace felt like something I'd never had before-like home.

Dhritya and Dakshit waved at me with warmth "Good morning, bhabhi!" greetings, their smiles genuine and kind.

And in the very next moment, Raghav came running toward me and wrapped his tiny arms around my legs.

"Good molning, chachi!" he beamed, eyes shining.

I sat down to his level and cupped his cheeks.

"Good morning, Raghav," I replied with a smile I didn't know I had been holding in.

He really was a bundle of cuteness.

Just then, Nani Maa looked at me with a thoughtful warmth in her voice.

"Beti, agar tum theek ho toh... pehli rasoi ki rasam kar lein?"

I looked up and nodded with the same warmth.

"Ji."

How could someone hate a forced marriage... when they end up receiving a family like this?

Yes, the way I came here was wrong. But these people-they're everything I ever craved for.

And now that I've been given this chance... I won't disappoint them.

Not even fate can stop me from becoming one of them now.

"Yupp! It's new bhabhi's first rasoi! What will you make for us, bhabhi?" Dakshit asked as he stood up excitedly.

I laughed lightly and replied, "You all can tell me what you want to eat. I'll make everything."

"Tu apni farmahishein baad mein banwa lena, filhaal beti tum kuch meetha aur halka fulka bana lo, Aryan aur Ansh bhi aate hi honge bahar se " , Nani maa said and I nodded ,

"You can make your special requests later, son. For now, dear, just make something sweet and light. Aryan and Ansh should be home any minute now," Nani Maa said warmly.

I nodded with a soft smile.

"Come, I'll help you," Revati bhabhi said as we walked into the kitchen. She began explaining where things were kept, and I listened carefully to every word.

"Okay, so you make the sweet, I'll chop the vegetables and prepare the dough," she said cheerfully. I nodded again, grateful for her company.

The kitchen wasn't overly big, but it had everything a home needed. Sleek marble slabs for the stove, a central counter for cutting, spice boxes lined up neatly in shelves, and a refrigerator standing silently in the corner.

After about twenty minutes, the kheer was almost done. Its sweet aroma filled the kitchen.

"Umm, jiji, it'll be ready in ten minutes. Should I start the puris?" I asked.

"Oh perfect, the sabzi is also done," she replied.

Just then, a voice came from the doorway.

"Bhabhi, Aryan bhai is calling you."

My heart skipped a beat. It was him.

I didn't turn. Instead, I focused harder on kneading the dough.

"He's calling me? Why? I'm helping Devika," Revati bhabhi replied with mild surprise.

"Don't worry bhabhi, I'll help her. You go, maybe he needs something."

"Huh? You'll help her? Really?" she asked, almost stunned. I kept smashing the dough harder, silently praying: Please jiji, don't go. Please.

But God clearly wasn't in the mood to listen today.

"Okay, then you help her," she said and walked out.

With every step she took, my heartbeat quickened.

I could feel him standing beside me.

I felt his gaze-heavy, intense. He stood at the corner of the slab, casually leaning, sipping from his sports water bottle. His forehead was beaded with sweat.

It would be a lie if I said he didn't look tempting.

Oh God, my kheer!

I quickly turned to switch off the stove. Thankfully, I was just in time before it overcooked.

This man is a distraction. Always.

I sighed and turned-only to bump into something hard.

It was him.

I almost lost my balance, but his arms found my waist in time.

My hands landed on his chest for support. Our eyes locked.

"Mere bina kaam bhi sahi se nahi kar pati na",?" he whispered with a smirk playing on his lips.

This man never misses a chance to tease me.

I quickly tried to move away. He let go.

"Mere peeche aap khade the, isliye mai aapse takra gayi, " I muttered

(You were standing right behind me, that's why I bumped into you)

"Aur meri bahon mein gir kar sambhal gayi", he teased again, smugly.

(And you ended up steadying yourself in my arms,)

I gave him a sharp look and pushed him lightly, creating distance.

"pagal aadmi..." I murmured, just loud enough.

"suna maine,"

"haan pata hai ," I replied without missing a beat.

I grabbed a kadhai and placed it on the stove, pouring in some oil. Then I started rolling small rounds from the dough.

Wait a minute-wasn't he here to help?

A smirk touched my lips. I turned to him.

"Aren't you going to help me?"

"Tell me what to do, and I will," he answered.

"Okay, come here. Help me fry the puris," I said, handing him the steel spatula.

He took it without protest and walked to the stove. I blinked in surprise.

He's actually doing it?

"Umm... make sure they puff up from both sides," I instructed.

"Hmm, okay," he replied calmly.

I handed him the next one, fumbling a little.

"Uhh... voh... actually... s-sorry," I stammered.

"For what?" he asked, still focused on frying.

"For yesterday. I shouldn't have shouted at you."

He looked at me, face calm.

"What happened yesterday?" he asked casually as he placed the fried puri in the container.

"Uhh... I... made you sleep on the floor. I shouldn't have done that."

I handed him another uncooked puri.

"Toh aap apne zabardasti ke pati ko apne sath bistar par bula rahin hain",

"So now you're inviting your forcefully married husband to share your bed?" he asked with that same teasing voice.

"ji nahin,mai aapse bass maafi maang rahi hoon" I said quickly ,

(No! I'm just apologising)

Hmm toh tumhari maafi ka matlab yahi hua na tum guilty ho aur ab apne pati ke sath bed share karne ko tayyar ho jise tumne kal kisi gair ki tarah neeche sula diya tha

(Hmm... so your apology clearly means you feel guilty, and now you're ready to share the bed with your husband,whom you left yesterday on the floor like some unknown)

"I never said that! ", I shot back,

"Then what are you trying to say, Devi ji?" he said his posture still relaxed as his focus was on the kadhai,

I sighed deeply.

" Mujhe aadat hai neeche sone ki, toh main neeche so jaungi ",

(I'm used to sleeping on the floor. So I'll sleep on the floor)

"Never. Not even in my dreams".

"Itne saalon baad mili ho, takleef thode hi hone doonga tumhein."

("I've found you after so many years... I won't let you suffer.")

I froze.as he finally turned towards me, deeply gazing on my eyes, as if trying to see my soul,

And His words.

They either shocked me... or silenced me.

I parted my lips to ask something, but before I could-

"Ohh Devika, is everything done?"

Revati jiji's voice rang in the kitchen, and I turned toward her, still holding my question.

Before I could say anything, he answered from behind me,

"Yes, everything is done."

"Okay devar ji, now you should go. If Dadi Maa sees you here, she'll scold us both," jiji warned playfully.

He nodded and started walking out, but not before giving me one last glance-subtle, but intense, like he was still holding something unspoken in his eyes.

Revati jiji moved toward the vegetables and began arranging them on the center slab. Then she turned to me, a warm smile playing on her lips. She took my hands gently into hers.

"You know, Devika... he also helped me during my pehli rasoi (first kitchen ritual). I was nervous too, but he stood beside me, calmed me down, helped me through it," she said, her eyes gleaming with old memories.

She gave my hands a firmer squeeze.

"You're really lucky to have him. Honestly, I was worried. He was turning thirty and still showed no signs of getting married. But then he found you. Just... be with each other, support him. He's been through a lot, and now, for the first time in years, I can finally see him happy."

Her words stirred something in me.

"Umm... where is his mother?" I asked hesitantly.

"And why isn't he living with his maternal uncle?"

She stiffened for a moment, visibly caught off guard by the question.

"Didn't he tell you anything?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Okay let me tell you but I also don't know much about him. When I came after the marriage, I found him already staying here. But I never asked... and he never shared."

Jiji nodded slowly, her expression softening.

"He's been living here since he was ten. His mother... she passed away when he was just sixteen."

My heart dropped.

"His mother died?" I asked, shocked.

She nodded, her voice tinged with sympathy.

"Yes. I don't know much about her family-Ansh also, never spoke about them, and I never asked. The few things I know are from Aryan."

There was a silence that pressed down on us like a weight, filled only by the soft sounds of the kitchen and the distant laughter of Raghav and dakshit's Music,

"Okay now, enough talking. Let's go, everyone's waiting for breakfast," she said, trying to lighten the moment.

"Uhh, okay..." I replied quietly, but her words kept echoing in my mind.

I carefully decorated the bowls of sweet kheer on the tray, the steam from it carrying the delicate scent of saffron and cardamom. With steady hands and a fluttering heart, I followed jiji toward the dining area.

He was already there-sitting at the table, busy scrolling through his phone, completely immersed as if the rest of the world didn't exist.

As jiji began placing the food on the table, the rich aroma of fresh shahi paneer filled the air. She lifted the lid from the dish, and the fragrance immediately made everyone lift their heads in delight.

"hmm, khushboo toh badi achhi aa rahi hai!"

(Hmm, it smells so delicious!) Jiji's husband exclaimed wiping his hands,

"Yes now my hunger increased, bhabhi please jaldi se dedo " Dakshit exclaimed as he dramatically rubbed his stomach,

"Huh, when are you not hungry? You're always hungry, and you eat like a animal,"

Dhritya teased, rolling her eyes.

Everyone giggled.

Even little Raghav, trying to join the conversation, chirped,

"I am alcho hungly!"

His innocent mispronunciation made me chuckle softly as I started serving them all.

When I reached him, I quietly placed the items on his plate, keeping my gaze down. As I was about to leave his side, I felt his fingers wrap gently around my wrist.

"Sit beside me," he said-quietly, but firmly.

I was stunned for a moment. My breath hitched as I slowly turned to look at him. His eyes didn't meet mine-he was placing my plate on the table,

My gaze shifted to Jiji, who was sitting comfortably beside her husband, smiling and chatting. Still, a hesitation clouded my heart.

Maa once told me... the women eat after the men. We have to wait. Not sit beside them.

I froze for a moment, my fingers nervously curling into my saree. But then I heard the soft scraping sound of a chair-he was pulling it out, slightly, just enough.

And with an unexpected gentleness, he guided me down to sit.

I obeyed-quietly, without a word.

I didn't dare lift my eyes to see anyone's expression. What if they thought it was inappropriate? Or wrong? My heart was racing in my chest.

Then I saw him, silently placing food on my plate. Carefully. Like it mattered.

From the corner of my eye, I glanced at the rest of the table, holding my breath.

But to my surprise... Everyone was just enjoying their meal. Smiling. Laughing. Talking about random little things.

No awkward glances. No raised brows.

Just... peace.

And that's when I realized-this was normal for them.

This is what a real family looked like. Where there were no unnecessary rules, no shouting, no fear.

Just love.

Equality.

And warmth.

Here, husbands served their wives. Wives smiled freely. Children laughed loudly.

And I-I was sitting at that table like I belonged.

For the first time in my life... I wasn't just watching a family.

I was part of one.

"Okay, so everyone ready for the sweet?"

Jiji's cheerful voice rang through the room as she uncovered the bowls of kheer. She handed the first one to Nani Maa with respect, then began passing them to everyone else.

Dakshit peered curiously into his bowl, squinting a little.

"Is this some special kind of kheer?" he asked, eyebrows raised in genuine curiosity.

Raghav's little voice piped up right after, even more confused,

"Yeh toh golden hai... kheel toh white hoti hai na !"

(This one's golden... but kheer is usually white!)

My fingers twitched nervously. My heart skipped a beat.

"Uhh... vo actually... it's batashe wali kheer," I explained hesitantly, twirling my fingers into the end of my saree.

"Bengalis make it as an offering to Goddess Durga..."

I looked at their faces, trying to read their reactions, unsure if they'd even like it.

And then-

"Hmm, it's so good, bahu," Nani Maa's voice brought me back to life.

"Mainne toh kabhi yeh kheer nahi khayi... par yeh toh bohot hi swaadisht hai!"

(I've never had this kind of kheer before, but it's absolutely delicious!)

I turned to her in disbelief-her bowl was half empty already, and she was still eating with relish.

"Hmm! It's really good, bhabhi!" Dhritya added, licking her spoon.

"Can you make some more at dinner too?" she grinned.

I blinked, stunned... and then slowly nodded, a soft smile spreading across my lips.

And then-one by one-everyone began complimenting it.

Praising the taste.

Except him, but I didn't care right now,

Because in that moment, I felt something rise in my chest-a swelling warmth that almost reached my eyes.

They liked it.

No-they loved it..

.

.

.

.

.

It was night, and I was finally in my room, sitting quietly and staring at the gifts-neg-his family had given me during my pehli rasoi.

Bangles... earrings... a delicate gold chain... and many more things. All beautifully packed with love and blessings.

My lips curled into a soft smile as I remembered little Raghav's tiny voice:

"Main abhi chhota hoon na... jab bala ho jaunga tab aapko inche achhe gifts laakal doonga, chachi..."

(I'm little right now, but when I grow up, I'll bring you even better gifts, chachi...)

A small chuckle escaped my lips. That boy had already carved a special place in my heart.

I gently placed all the gifts inside the almirah with care, as if they were more emotions than objects.

Turning back toward the room, I saw the wall clock.

10:00 PM.

He still wasn't home.

I let out a breath and pulled out a bedsheet.

If I fall asleep early, I thought, he won't be able to make me sleep on the bed again. Hmm... good plan.

And with that clever little satisfaction in mind, I spread the sheet neatly on the floor and wrapped myself in a soft comforter.

I lay down, quietly. The room was dim, peaceful. And maybe for the first time today, my thoughts weren't swirling like a storm.

I can't make him uncomfortable in his own room. He doesn't deserve that.

It's me... I'm the one who deserves these things.

The floor... the silence... this space.

I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would arrive before he did.

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