We carried the halwa together, carefully pouring it into small bowls for everyone.

"Smells so good, right?" I chirped, a soft excitement lacing my voice.

"Obviously... after all, who made it?" Viraat said, pointing between the two of us with a teasing smirk.

And I couldn't help but grin.

Honestly... I had never imagined cooking could feel this good.

All my life, whenever I stepped into the kitchen, it was never by choice-it was forced upon me.

Yes, I knew how to cook.

But I had never learned it with my heart... only under my mother's strict instructions.

But today...

Standing beside Viraat, making halwa with him-

It felt different.

For the first time...

I didn't just cook.

I enjoyed it.

And somewhere, a quiet thought began to bloom in my heart-

What if... I cooked for Viraat... not out of compulsion, but because I wanted to? Would he like it ?

We placed all the bowls neatly on a tray, and Viraat picked it up.

We were just about to step out of the kitchen when his phone rang.

He paused, gently placing the tray back on the slab before answering the call.

"Hello...?"

Something was said from the other side-

And I saw it instantly...

That faint crease of worry forming on his forehead.

"Okay... I'm coming."

He cut the call.

All this while, I was just... watching him.

"Myra... it's the hospital. I have to go. There's an urgent surgery," he said, his voice hesitant, regret evident on his face.

"Of course... you should go, Viraat," I assured him softly.

"I'm really sorry... it's just the second day of our marriage. I swear, I had taken three days off but-"

"Can I hold your hands?" I interrupted gently.

He didn't say anything.

He simply placed his hands in mine.

"Viraat... I understand how important your work is," I said, looking straight into his eyes.

"And I want you to promise me something-whenever your duty calls, don't ever think about how I'll feel. Just focus on your work."

"You're a doctor... people see doctors as their second God."

"And how can I ever come between... a God and the people who need him?"

"So go... take as much time as you need. Just come back home safely."

"...I'll wait."

I smiled.

His grip on my hands tightened.

"Thank you... so much. Please take care of yourself. And if anything happens, call me... okay?"

I nodded.

"And... please eat something," I added softly.

"Ji."

That dimpled smile appeared on his face again-

And the next moment, he was gone.

The kitchen suddenly felt... empty.

I took a deep breath, picked up the tray, and walked out.

As I entered the dining area, my steps slowed down.

Seated at the head of the table... was Viraat's father.

For the first time-

I observed him... properly.

A thick beard. Heavy moustache.

And a face so stern... it felt like he could order someone's death without blinking.

Viraat's words echoed in my mind-

My father didn't ask me... he told me.

A faint bitterness rose within me as I looked at him.

I don't like men like that.

Men who don't care about someone else's choices... their voice... their consent.

My gaze lingered on him.

He was busy with his phone.

Beside him stood his wife-

Not sitting... just standing.

And something about that didn't sit right with me.

She didn't look like a wife.

She looked like... a shadow.

On the other side sat the younger son of the house-

Equally lost in his phone...

With that same disgusting aura I had noticed before.

I stepped forward, placed the tray on the dining table.

Though my eyes were lowered, I could still feel it...

Every gaze in the room was fixed on me.

At first, I ignored it.

But when the feeling didn't fade-even after a few seconds-it started to feel... strange. Uncomfortable.

So I looked up.

And what I saw made my chest tighten.

Viraat's father was staring at me.

No... not just staring.

He was glowering at me. Anger burned in his eyes.

I turned to Maa.

Her face was pale. Terrified.

She looked at me as if I had committed some unforgivable mistake.

And then-

A chuckle.

I heard it.

A low, mocking chuckle.

I turned slightly and found the younger son leaning back, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Where is your ghunghat?" Viraat's father's voice came out sharp, almost a growl.

"And... what kind of attire is this? This much light Saree"

I froze for a second, taken aback by his tone... by his words.

Where were his manners?

Before I could respond, Maa rushed towards me and quickly tried to pull my pallu over my head.

But I gently held her hand and stopped her.

"What are you doing, Maa?"

She looked at me, then nervously at her husband.

"Beta... cover your head. Your Papa ji is here..."

I frowned.

"Even if he is... why should I?"

Her lips parted in shock.

I turned to the man who was still glaring at me.

"Tell me... what exactly is the problem? With my clothes Or with me not covering my head?"

"Cover your head!" he barked. "These are the values of our house. Don't argue with me."

I held his gaze, my anger rising.

"First, learn how to speak respectfully... and I'm not comfortable-"

Before I could finish-

He slammed his plate onto the floor.

The sound of shattering echoed through the room as food spilled everywhere.

My Breath Hitched.

I looked at the broken plate... then back at him.

My hands clenched.

I was furious.

But he was Viraat's father... older than me.

So I stayed silent.

He took a step toward me, his anger escalating.

And instinctively, I straightened.

I wasn't going to take a slap quietly.

But before anything could happen, Maa rushed in again, hurriedly pulling the pallu over my head.

Her eyes pleaded with me.

"Please, bahu... don't create a scene..."

I stared at her in disbelief.

A scene? I was creating a scene?

"See... it's done," she said quickly, forcing a tight smile as she turned to him.

"From tomorrow, I'll make sure she dresses properly."

What even was improper in my Saree?

He scoffed.

"Tell her to stay within her limits. And if she can't, then ask that useless husband of hers to control her... at least do something in life to prove his manhood."

I felt anger rising within me .

How could he talk about Him like that ?

With that, he stormed off.

"Aap kuch kha to lijiye-" Maa rushed after him, but he shoved her aside.

"Chup reh."

She fell.

And just... stayed there. On the floor. Watching him walk away.

I ran to help her up, but she jerked her hand away.

"It's because of you... because of you my husband left without eating today."

I blinked in shock.

Even now... she cared about him?

The same man who had just pushed her?

I felt bad seeing her cry... but at the same time, anger burned within me.

Still... I couldn't judge her.

Maybe this was what she had been taught all her life.

She stood up and walked away.

And as I turned back-

I saw him.

That disgusting face.

He leaned casually against the table, smirking.

"Well, bhabhi... created quite a morning drama, didn't you?"

He stepped closer.

I didn't move back.

Not even an inch.

He leaned in, way too close.

"Have to admit... bhaiya never had the guts to speak against Papa like that. And you..." his eyes trailed down slowly, disgustingly.

Then back up to mine.

"You tried to argue on your very first day after marriage... but sadly... didn't work out, did it?"

He smirked but then slowly His expression darkened.

"Now listen carefully. Jokes apart."

His voice Dark .

"My father is the head of this house. You will do as he says. Otherwise... next time, I won't stay silent."

His voice dropped, threatening.

"Insulting my father will cost you. I'm not useless like your husband."

He smirked.

"And before we show you your place... fix yourself."

With that, he walked away... laughing.

And I just stood there.

Still.

My eyes fell on the tray of halwa on the table.

The halwa Viraat and I had made together... with so much happiness.

And suddenly... it hit me.

We both had something in common now.

We were both insulted.

My chest felt heavy.

I had been blamed... insulted... forced... threatened... all in just a few minutes.

Anyone would break down.

Did I feel like crying?

Yes.

But would I?

No.

Absolutely not.

Living with these people... I had already understood one thing-

This wasn't a one-time thing.

This would happen again.

And again.

So I had to be ready.

I looked at the halwa again.

Would I really let Viraat's effort go to waste?

No.

I picked up two bowls and walked to my room.

If they want to eat, they can.

I won't wait for people who don't even deserve it.

But as I took a bite, I groaned in Satisfaction. It waa damn tasty . For the first time I liked my cooking . And may be the reason is my Husband.

Not maybe . Absolutely.

Suddenly ,A thought crossed my mind...

If Viraat finds out what happened today ...will he be angry at me?

Sho

uld I have just covered my head?

But then-

If I gave in today... I would have to give in forever.

And why should I accept something that makes me uncomfortable?

I'm not their slave.

They don't own me.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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