Dharini's POV

I went in the grandmother's room.

"Baith ja, kha nahi jaungi tujhe" (sit, I will not eat you) she said

I sat beside her uncomfortably.

Nobody asked for my opinion when selecting a bride for my Aanu, but what happened happened. Now you have come so I must tell you this, he is a piece of my heart and now that you are married to him, it's your responsibility to take care of his needs."

"Ji" (yes)

"Did you understand what I meant?"

I just looked at her because I didn't!

"I mean, fulfill his physical needs, so that he will be tied to you forever and if you fail to do it, he will find it somewhere else"

I don't understand anything but too scared to ask her so I just looked down and nodded.

"Let's sleep" she said and lie down on the right side of the bed. I came to left side and noticed there are two sheets on the bed. I took one and covered my body in it.

Despite being tired, I couldn't sleep, because of happiness that I passed in first division and fear that I have habit of waking up late, if I didn't woke up early, she might scold me. Can someone feel two emotions together?
I saw out of window and realized it's almost dawn and I haven't slept even for a minute, resulting headache.

I can hear sounds of "Aum" chanting. Someone must be awake. I checked time, it's 5 AM. I got up to go out of the room and saw that most people are awake including him.

"Oh Dharini, you woke up dear, go take a bath and come in the kitchen, as we are going to Adhavat today so I'm making tiffin for us and you have to make something sweet for grandmother and grandfather or else she will say ' nayi bahu ke hath ka khaya nahi' "
(Didn't ate food made by new daughter-in-law)

"Ji ma"

I came to his room and opened my luggage.

"Dharini"

I turned and saw him on the door

"Ji"

"Did grandmother said anything to you?"

"No"

"If she said, please don't mind her words. She was always like this, even with ma an.."

"It's ok, she didn't say a..anything"

I stared at me for few seconds, making me self conscious. "Ok" he replied almost like whisper and left.

I locked the door and went for a bath.

Uhh huh...again saree pleates. I opened the door a bit and peeped out..oh God..nobody is here...then I spotted him.

"Suniye" (listen)

He turned and saw me with raised eyebrows.

"Uh..um can you ..um call didi. Please?"

"Didi is sleeping.... What happened?"

He came near door

"Um I need..he..help in wearing sa..saree" I replied awkwardly.

"I can help you Dharini" oh my God oh my God oh my God..my teacher..no ex teacher now husband will make me wear saree..

"Dharini??"

"Uh..o..ok"

I opened the door for him to enter. He came in, locked the door and looked at me from top to botton in a gaze that I couldn't decipher. I'm feeling timid under his gaze. I'm not naked but wrapped saree on my waist and holding pallu.

"Uh actually I don't know how to wear saree but if you guide me I can help you" he said sincerely.

"Um..actually I..you..um.. to make pleats, we need..to ho..hold the saree by two fingers and a thumb and wrap it.."

I closed my mouth when he came close to me..I can feel heartbeats in my private part. How?

I came in my private space while holding my gaze. He has such beautiful eyes and sharp nose..

"...orrect?"

"Huh"

"I asked is this correct?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking about pleats Dharini"

"Huh"

He chuckled and held my chin by thumb and a finger and pushed my face down then I realized he is asking me about pleats.

Ship...awkward awkward awkward

"Ye..yes it's correct" by now I want earth to swallow me. He caught me staring.

He gave me pleats, I tucked it in petticoat and looked at him. He is still in my close proximity.

"Can I hug you Dharini?" he asked out of nowhere.

I blushed and nodded while looking down.

He opened his arms..I moved forward to be in his embrace

(Knock)

"Dhariiiniiii? Are you ready?" Ma called

I instantly took two steps back.."yes ma, coming" I saw him, who shut his eyes with hard face and closing his open arms with clenched fists.

"I..I need to go"

He didn't say anything, so I opened the door, got out and released a breath I didn't know I was holding and went to kitchen

"Dharini, you came"

"Yes ma, what do I do?"

"Nothing dear, brides don't work in the kitchen till their henna color fades away. You will make something sweet today just for ritual, other than that, you check if Aanu has kept everything in his bag or not and help him."

"Ok ma...what should I make?"

"Whatever you want..by the way Aanu loves rasmalai" she said last part in a whisper.

"Ok ma"

I started preparing Rasmalai.

****
I sprinkles pista and almonds pieces on Rasmalai and it's done.

"Now go and check if Aanu needs your help in packing"

"Ji ma"

I knocked on his room door

"Come in" he said without seeing me

"...uh...Dharini..you don't need to knock"

"Um I c..ame to help y..you" I said awkwardly.

"My bags are fully packed and these two shirts are not going in, do you have space in yours?"

"Yes"

"Ok, please keep these two in yours" he forwarded his shirts.

"Ok" our fingers touched when I held shirts but he didn't left them and our eyes locked.

"This vermillion and marital chain enhanced your beauty Dharini" he said.

I looked down while blushing and turned to leave but he held my wrist. I looked at my wrist then him.

"Bhaabhiiii can you please come here" I heard didi's voice.

"Mere romance ke dushman" he murmured and left my wrist. I blushed and left the room quickly.
(Enemies of my romance)

****
We departed after enjoying lunch. Everyone adored the Rasmalai and showered me with gifts, except for him. However, he publicly declared his appreciation, saying, "It’s so tasty!" Now, we are on a bus heading to his childhood village, and I’m seated beside him. My sister and brother-in-law are accompanying us and plan to leave in two days.

"Dharini," I awoke to the realization that my head was resting on his shoulder. It was night.

"We've arrived," he informed me as we disembarked from the bus.

We reached home by horse cart and unloaded our luggage.

As I was about to enter, my sister stopped me.

"You can't go in, Bhabhi."

"Why, Didi?" he asked.

"Because you recited a ukhana when you entered after the wedding, but she didn’t. Now, if you want to go in, Bhabhi, say his name in a ukhana."

"Didi, I don't know any," I admitted honestly.

"Think of something, and also sing a romantic song for Anav."

"Inka chalta rahega, chalo hum andar chalte hai" (they will continue this, let's go in), Ma said, entering with Baba and Sanath on her shoulder.

I looked at him, who was staring at me intently.

After thinking for five minutes, I made something up.

"Parinay sutra me bandhne se jud gaya hai ye naata
Anav se milne ke baad dharini ko ab koi na bhaata."

(This relationship has been established by tying this knot. After meeting Anav, Dharini no longer like anyone.)

"Wow bhabhi..your voice is so good. Sing a song please for Anav please"

"But.."

"Please Bhabhi"

"Ok"

I sang the song, becoming so immersed in it that I momentarily forgot where I was. When I opened my eyes, I saw them staring at me in awe.

"Wow, Bhabhi, you have such a beautiful voice," Jijaji and Didi clapped.

He didn't.

Did he not like it?

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