The next morning at 5 a.m., someone knocked softly on the door, waking me up.

I looked towards Viraat, who was in a deep sleep. Maybe yesterday had exhausted him a lot.

I opened the door and saw Maa standing there.

"Ji Maa, tell me..."

I said in a sleepy voice while fixing my hair.

"Beta, how are you feeling now... are you okay?"

"Ji... I am fine for now."

"That's good then... actually your Father in Law has clearly said that from now on...you will cook, so get ready, take a bath and come downstairs."

My heart sank hearing that.

"And yes, I'll send a saree... wear that. This is not a small marriage... maintain some modesty... we don't argue with father-in-law, we respect him... okay? Go get ready."

Maa said all this sweetly and left.

But for me, this wasn't something small... I had done this my whole life. Now here too?

I felt like telling Viraat... but seeing him sleep, I couldn't.

And I knew... if I told him everything, he would fight for me... even with his father. And I also knew... he longs for his father's love... so I decided to stay quiet.

I took a bath and wore that heavy saree. There was already a lot of work on the saree... and even more on the blouse... because of which both were making me uncomfortable.

But I had to manage.

And ever since I got to know that these people had bought me... I don't know why... I didn't have the courage to say no to them.For Anything.

I looked at myself in the mirror... and took a deep breath.

I looked good... but I wasn't happy. Because I wasn't comfortable in these clothes... which is what I needed.

I looked at Viraat... covered him properly with the blanket... and quietly closed the door before going downstairs.

It was 6 a.m. when I entered the kitchen...managing my saree.

The whole house was silent... meaning no one was awake yet. Maa wasn't visible either.

On the slab... there was a list.

It had the entire menu written on it.

And there were approximately 9 items.

"What do these people think of me...?" I clenched my fist over that paper.

But there was nothing I could do... so I started cooking.

Even after 2 hours... I was still in the kitchen. 7 items were done... 2 were left.

The food got ready quickly because I had practice... but I didn't cook with my heart.

I just wanted to finish fast... so I could rest.

From yesterday's exhaustion and fever... my body was still weak... and all I wanted was to sleep.

My legs were hurting badly from standing continuously.

On top of that... the saree was hard to manage... and the blouse was irritating my skin.

Feeling all this... I just wanted to cry.

Another hour passed like this...

I won't lie... but I really wanted Viraat to come here and take me away... just once.

But it was difficult... because today he had taken a leave from his work since yesterday he went for surgery... even though it was supposed to be his day off.

So it was hard for him to even wake up right now.

After some time... Viraat didn't come... but his mother did.

And fortunately... all the food was ready now.

And my legs felt completely crushed.

On top of that... I was hungry too.

She came and checked all the food.

"Oh wow, bahu... it smells so good... now let's hope your father-in-law and our sons like it."

I smiled weakly.

"Maa ji... I was saying... the food is ready... so can I go now...?"

I asked hesitantly.

"Where?" she asked in confusion.

"To my room... I feel sleepy... and my legs are hurting..."

"Oh no beta... first serve everyone... then go."

"When will they arrive to eat ?"

" Just one more hour ..." She said casually.

Ohh god!!

"But there are servants for that...?"

"Yes... but the taste from a daughter-in-law's hands is different..." she said smiling... and honestly... I was getting irritated now.

Just because she is Viraat's mother... and he loves her a lot... I stayed quiet.

"Then you can serve them too..."

"Your father-in-law wants food served by your hands only... so just put in a little effort... okay beta..."

So sweet in tone... yet so bitter in words...

I took a deep breath... and started serving in a plate.

"Arre beta... your father-in-law hasn't come yet..."

"I know... Maa ji..." I continued my work.

"Then for whom are you serving...? I don't eat before your father-in-law..."

I closed my eyes for a moment... and then opened them.

"This food... I am serving for myself... I am hungry..." I said, turning towards her.

"Arrey...!" She quickly came towards me... trying to snatch the plate.

"No no... don't eat now... first the men of the house will eat... then you eat peacefully..."

Ohh godd!! patriarchal Lady .

I pulled the plate towards myself and said,

"And when exactly will these 'men of the house' wake up...? Care to tell me...?"

My frustration was now clearly visible on my face.

"What kind of way is this to talk...?" she glared at me.

"And what kind of way is this... to treat the daughter-in-law of the house...?" I backfired.

"In our house... daughters-in-law are kept like this. I was also kept like this... I never had a problem..."

I took a step towards her.

"You didn't have a problem... or you just never showed it...?"

She got taken aback.

"You might have tolerated it... but I can't. And I am not even sorry for it."

Saying that... I went to a corner of the kitchen with my plate.

I broke a piece... and was just about to put it in my mouth... when suddenly someone hit my hand... making the bite fall... and snatched my plate away.

I looked up.

There she was my mother in law, she was furious.

"Don't you understand in one go...? Till today no one has broken the rules of this house... who do you think you are...? I was being nice till now... but you've grown wings... your attitude won't work on me..."

I just kept staring at her... in anger.

"And this staring... stop it... or I'll have your husband teach you a lesson..."

"Oh really...? The way you get beaten by your husband... like that...?"

"Aye ladki...!" she rushed to hit me... but I held her hand.

And stood up.

"Don't even try..." I jerked her hand away.

"Now watch what I do to you..."

Saying this... she left from there.

Tears were ready to fall from my eyes due to frustration.

I couldn't go to my room... couldn't leave from here... couldn't eat... couldn't say anything... I was uncomfortable... and everything was suffocating me.

Sitting there... another hour passed.

And sitting right there... I don't even know when I fell asleep.

Suddenly... the noise outside woke me up.

A servant told me that I was asked to bring the food to the table... and serve it. And also... that I have to come with a veil.

I picked up a big bowl... filled with rajma... and started walking outside.

Before that... I pulled the veil over my head.

But the problem was... I couldn't see anything.

Even walking from the kitchen to outside was difficult... but somehow I managed.

But before I could place the bowl on the table... my foot slipped over something... and the entire bowl fell from my hands... along with me.

And my veil... slipped off my head...

My eyes were closed in pain...

But then... I heard my name... from that one person...approaching me.

And tears filled my eyes instantly...

9:30 in the morning—that’s when I woke up.

The bed was empty.

“Myra?” I called out, my voice still heavy with sleep, but there was no response.

I checked the balcony… the gym… the closet… even the bathroom.

She wasn’t anywhere.

A strange uneasiness settled in my chest.

I freshened up quickly and headed downstairs to look for her.

I found Maa.

She looked… angry.

“Maa, have you seen Myra?” I asked.

“Haan, she’s in the kitchen,” she replied in a firm tone.

I started walking towards the kitchen, but Maa grabbed my hand, stopping me mid-step.

“What is this? Why are you always running behind her? Becoming a slave to your wife already?”

Her words felt… wrong. Uncomfortable.

“Maa… what are you saying?” I asked awkwardly.

She stepped closer to me and let go of my hand.

“Men who keep hovering around their wives are not real men, beta. Remember that.”

She stepped back slightly.

“Keep your wife under control… or one day she’ll just fly away and you won’t even realize it. Now don’t go anywhere. Go sit at the dining table.”

“But Maa—”

“Jao, Viraat.”

I nodded silently and walked to the dining table.

A few moments later, Papa and Aaditya walked in together, discussing some files.

They were close. Always had been.

Aaditya handled the business with Papa, and Papa was always… proud of him.

Sometimes, I felt jealous.

Because the love Aaditya got… I never did.

They settled into their chairs.

Papa glanced at me.

“Good morning, Papa.”

He ignored me.

But I was used to that silence.

Maa came in after a while, holding some bananas in her hands, and stood beside Papa like she always did.

I’ve told her so many times to sit and eat with us… but she never listened.

She always called it her “dharam.”

But what kind of dharam makes you behave not like a wife… but like a servant?

Papa was still talking to Aaditya.

Maa peeled a banana, sliced it neatly, spread peanut butter on a slice of bread, placed the banana slices over it, and handed the sandwich to Papa.

I scoffed internally.

It always irritated me. So much.

Then she did the same for Aaditya.

Before she could make one for me, I had already started preparing it myself.

After making one, I placed it on my plate… then started making another.

And then one more.

It had always been my habit.

One for myself.

One for Maa.

And today… one for someone else too.

A soft smile appeared on my face as I thought about her.

But then, my chest tightened again.

How must she be? What is she doing ?

“Beta, one is for you, one for me… then who is the third for?” Maa asked.

“This… is for Myra,” I smiled.

That caught Papa’s and Aaditya’s attention instantly.

Papa’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

My smile didn’t falter.

But Maa’s did.

“She could have made it herself. It’s her duty to prepare food for you,” Maa said casually.

“I can do that for her too.”

Aaditya let out a small chuckle.

“Joru ka gulaam,” he muttered.

I said nothing.

Ignored him… like always.

“Achha, fine… then at least eat now,” Maa insisted.

“No Maa… I’ll eat when Myra comes. I’ll eat with her.”

Papa shot me another sharp look. He was about to say something—

When suddenly…

The soft sound of anklets filled the entire room.

My gaze shifted in that direction.

To me, that sound was like a melody.

But the sight in front of me…

Was nothing less than a nightmare.

My wife…

My wife ? Not bad ....

The same girl who had been uncomfortable even with the slightest mention of such things on the first day…

Was now walking towards us… covered in a heavy ghunghat.

No help.

No assistance.

Nothing.

I immediately stood up.

She walked forward, her steps unsteady.

It was clearly visible—she couldn’t see anything through that veil.

I moved forward to help her—

But before I could reach her…

She suddenly slipped on something and fell to the ground… along with a large bowl of food in her hands.

“Myra!” I shouted and rushed to her.

The bowl had rolled away… rajma spilled all over the floor.

She was on the ground, leaning on her back.

Her ghunghat had slipped off.

And the moment it did…

That face—

The one I had always found radiant, with or without makeup…

Was now fully decked up in bridal adornment.

Yet… nothing about it felt radiant today.

I helped her sit up, right there on the floor.

She looked at me…

And the moment I saw her eyes—

Something inside me broke.

There were tears again.

And this… this wasn’t just because of the fall.

“Aap… aap theek hain?” I asked softly.

She said nothing.

Instead, she buried her face in my chest.

From there… I could feel her lips trembling.

She wanted to cry.

Badly.

But not here… not in front of everyone.

Without another second, I lifted her in my arms and started walking towards the stairs.

That’s when my eyes caught something—

Banana peels.

Scattered right in the middle.

But this wasn’t the time to think.

What surprised me more…

Was that when she fell, no one even moved from their seats.

But the moment I picked her up—

Everyone stood up.

“It’s not like she’s that badly hurt that you need to carry her away like this. Make her sit here, she’ll be fine in a while. There’s work to be done—who will handle that?” Papa said, trying to stop me.

I didn’t turn back.

Myra’s grip on me tightened.

“My priority is not work,It’s my wife. And there are servants here to handle work—let them do it.”

Can't take a stand for me , but will do for her . Always.

Without waiting for a response, I walked straight to our room.

I pushed the door open with my foot and walked in.

I gently made her sit on the bed.

Her face was lowered.

She looked… exhausted.

As if she hadn’t rested at all.

I held her ankle carefully.

“Does it hurt, Myra? Did you injure your foot?”

“Pair mat chhuiye, Viraat…” she pulled her leg back.

But I held it firmly.

There was visible swelling.

A lot of it.

“Did this happen because of the fall?”

Cause It wasn't looking like that ...

She looked at me…

And shook her head.

“Then what?”

She lowered her gaze again.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

I gently wiped them away.

“Why are you crying, Myra? Is something wrong?” I asked softly.

She stayed silent for a moment.

“I’m… very frustrated,” she said in a low voice.

“Why?”

“My feet hurt… I had to wake up at 5 in the morning… take a bath… wear this heavy outfit that I can’t even manage… I’ve been forced to keep this ghunghat on… this blouse is irritating my skin…”

Her voice started breaking.

“I cooked nine dishes… it took me three hours… and then I wasn’t even allowed to eat… because the men of the house hadn’t eaten yet…”

Her breathing became uneven.

“And when I finally stepped out… I dropped everything…”

She covered her face with her hands…

And broke down.

I wanted to ask her everything.

Every single thing.

But right now…

That wasn’t what mattered the most.

I stood up quietly…

And walked towards the other side of the room.

The moment I started crying, I felt it—

Viraat… walked away.

I slowly removed my hands from my face and looked around.

He wasn’t there.

My eyes instantly went to the door.

It was open.

And something inside me… sank.

Did he get uncomfortable because I was crying?

Why did he leave like that?

Why didn’t he ask anything further?

Did I become too vulnerable?

My thoughts started spiraling.

I was Overthinking… again.

It was hurting.

So much.

His behavior… it hurt me more than I expected.

And now, stopping my tears felt impossible.

Because now… both my feet and my head were throbbing in pain.

I slowly stretched my legs out on the bed and lay down, placing my arm over my eyes.

And quietly…

I started crying again.

I was lying there, lost in my pain—

When suddenly…

I felt myself being lifted.

I gasped, instantly removing my hand and wrapping it around Viraat’s neck.

“You… you didn’t leave?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“How can I leave you like this… when you’re in pain?” he said softly.

And just like that…

My tears started falling again.

“Why do I feel like crying so much… I don’t want to cry, Viraat…” I whispered.

He carried me into the bathroom and gently made me sit on a chair that was already placed there.

Then slowly…

He dipped both my feet into the bathtub.

And god—

The moment my feet touched the warm water…

A wave of relief washed over me.

The warmth eased the pain instantly, sending a strange kind of comfort through my body. I leaned against the chair.

“Does it feel better?” he asked.

“A lot…” I breathed out.

He smiled.

Then he leaned closer and lightly tapped my nose.

“You look really cute while crying… so you can cry whenever you want. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of looking at such a pretty face.”

The way he said it…

I should have laughed.

But I didn’t.

Instead…

I felt something strange in my stomach.

A feeling I had never experienced before.

He was smiling—

Those same dimples showing.

“You look really good when you smile, Viraat,” I said absentmindedly.

He looked at me for a few seconds.

“Sach mein?”

I nodded.

And he… blushed.

That made me smile too.

For a while, he gently massaged my feet in the warm water.

And it felt…

So much better.

After some time, we came back to the room.

This time… I walked on my own.

I sat down on the bed.

And then Viraat walked to the closet and brought some clothes for me.

Comfortable ones.

“Here… wear these.”

“But Viraat—”

“No one will say anything. Just take them.”

I smiled softly.

And he walked out of the room.

God…

What did I ever do to deserve him as my friend?

But that word—

“Friend”—

Suddenly felt…A little unfamiliar.

🌺

I had just changed into comfortable clothes…

When suddenly, I started hearing loud voices coming from downstairs.

Faint at first… but then

clearer.

Louder.

Harsher.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

I stepped out of the room slowly and walked towards the railing upstairs.

From there, I looked down… trying to see what was happening.

Voices were echoing through the hall.

Something felt… wrong.

And then—

I heard him.

His father.

“He should have been killed the day he was born.”

My breath hitched.

For a moment… everything went silent around me.

As if the world had paused—

But those words…

They didn’t.They echoed in my ears.

Again.And again.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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