8.
She opened her eyes with the continuous blaring of alarm with so much effort. She was very tired and only wanted to rest and do nothing. She looked up at the ceiling only to find it was different from the one in her house and suddenly reality dawned upon her.
She is married
She stood up in an instant and looked at the time. She breathed a sigh of relief realizing she wasn't late on the first day.
She looked at the sofa only to find it empty. Blanket and pillow were kept like they were the previous night which means he didn’t sleep here.
She was waiting for him till late but he didn’t show up and she also fell asleep because of the exhaustion of the eventful day.
“Where was he all night?” She mumbled. As she was getting late Keeping the thoughts aside She got up from the bed and went to freshen up.
She got ready in a Red Anarkali suit and looked at herself in the mirror. She hadn't applied vermillion yet so she picked the vermillion and applied it on her forehead. Even though this marriage is just an agreement and means nothing for him. She respects the culture.
She went downstairs after getting ready and found Reva there as she didn't know the way she decided to ask her.
“Oh Hey bhabhi” Arya smiled.
“Where is the kitchen?”
“I will take you there” She nodded and followed her.
“What are you going to make?”
“Actually I haven't decided anything yet”
“Okay whatever you decide I will help you”
“You know how to cook?”
“Actually no but I can help you with finding ingredients”
They went to the kitchen to find Avni already in the kitchen. She covered her head and went on to touch her feet. She blessed her and made her stand up.
Avni took off the veil from her head and said "You are our daughter now. You don't need to put on any veil from anyone. You have to live here like a family member" She said and hugged her. Arya was shocked by her behavior and her hands went around her unknowingly.
"Okay Aunty" Arya said and Avni's expression went from excited to sad and Arya couldn't understand the change in her expression.
"It's okay beta, if you couldn't accept me just now but I would love it if you called me Maa instead of Aunty. I would love it if you treated me like your mother," She said with a small smile.
Arya's eyes glistened with tears after listening to her and she smiled feeling proud for not rejecting the proposal. "I will call you Maa" she said with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
Avni also got emotional and hugged her with so much love and soon they both were joined by another person and she was Reva. Three of them broke the hug.
"Ok ok it's not time to be emotional or else we will be late for breakfast" Avni said wiping her tears. "And don't worry, just prepare something sweet. For the rest of the breakfast we have a chef who will prepare it" she nodded.
"I will do my best," Avni smiled. "I am leaving now if you need any help he will help you" She points towards the chef who was nearly in his late 40s passing us a beautiful smile.
"Okay Maa" Avni left while Reva stayed. “Uncle, you can make breakfast. I will help bhabhi” Reva said. She started making kheer by boiling the milk and the Reva helped her to find things like sugar etc. And was also having conversation with her about random things.
They were in the middle of conversation when Arya’s phone rang. Her phone was next to Reva who was sitting on the counter.
She passed the phone to Arya. She got the glimpse of the name Aryan.
Arya attended the call and first things that Aryan Said was.
“Why did you do that?” He was angry. It was clear from his voice. They got to know about all the mess yesterday after the wedding through Navya. Well she was talking with them about how Arya will adjust there. She didn’t want this and more.
She was unaware of the fact that Aryan didn’t know anything of this. After listening to her he made her tell whatever happened.
That’s how he got to know that how their parents not just forced her to marry but also forced her to not to tell anyone about this.
Strictly Aryan because if he got to know he will not let that happen and If any other person knows and this thing goes to media they will make the shit out of this.
They wanted to keep this private as they haven't announced anything about the wedding till now.
“well Good morning to you too”
“Cut the crap Aaru. Why didn’t you tell me before?” She looked at Reva.
“I will go and call everyone, breakfast is almost ready” Arya nodded and she made her way out. She was about to say something when he spoke again.
“Who is with you? They are not bothering you right?”
“It was Reva and no they are not. They are nice”
“Its Good but why didn’t you told me”
“There was nothing remained to be told they had already said yes”
“And you agreed with them”
“I had no choice Aryan.”
“You could have told me. I would have convinced them”
“That’s why they didn’t wanted me to tell you”
“It's your whole life Aaru they can’t just do this”
“Somewhat I wanted this.”
There was silence on the other side for a moment.
“I am sorry Its my fault”
“Whatever happened was not your fault Aryan”
“You can’t just ruin your life Aaru because you wanted this” She didn’t Answer for some time.
“Aryan whatever happened, happened we can’t change anything now”
“Just divorce him”
“Are you serious?”
“I know It's difficult but…” She cut him off.
“Just leave it, You know I can’t do this.”
“But Aaru….”
“I will talk to you later. I am getting late. Byy”
She turned off the screen of her phone.
She was done with her kheer and everyone was gathered at the dining table. Her eyes fall on her husband who just came.
He was wearing black pants with a white t-shirt. His hair was messy and his face was blank like always. He pulled his chair beside Vihaan while Arya sat beside Reva and food was served by servants.
While eating food there was silence. In her house they didn’t sit together while eating only when there is something important to talk about and normally she would eat alone while seeing old episodes of Tmkoc.
She came back from thoughts when Avni spoke "Today Arya had made kheer for her first Rasoi . Arya can you serve kheer to everyone if you are done eating"
"Jii Maa" Arya quickly had her breakfast and rushed towards the kitchen. Chef had already served the kheer in bowls. "Thank you uncle," she said. "It's my duty Madam" she smiled as the chef helped her to carry the tray to the table.
After she served kheer to everyone, she stood up there looking at them as they were eating the kheer. She hopes they like it. She crossed her fingers. She has a habit of crossing her fingers when she expects something to be good. After tasting kheer everyone praised her except one.
After everyone had their breakfast, Avni called Arya.
"It's your first Rasoi gift from Me and Arjun Jii beta," Avni said, forwarding a jewelry box to her.
She knew the ritual but she still felt unsure about taking the gift.
This is still new for her. She hesitated to forward her hand which was understood by Avni and Arjun.
Arjun got up from his chair and put his hand on her head.
"Arya don't overthink, this is your family now where you have to spend the rest of your life.
You have to accept us and these gifts are a step forward of that and not just accept these things but also demand if you need anything" he said with fatherly love in his voice.
Which warmed her heart and also gained everyone's attention.
She nodded her head, took the jewelry box from Avni's hand and touched both of their feet.
"And remember beta, if you both ever got into any argument. I'll always be supporting you" Avni said.
"Yes, beta, you will always be our first priority. We will always prioritize you over our son" Arjun said, making her emotional. She looked at Reyansh who somehow looked offended by his parents' behaviour.
She feels like she has made the best decision of her life by saying yes. The love that she doesn't get from her own parents in her whole life. She is getting here in just one night. They are so sweet. Tears started running from her eyes and Avni and Arjun hugged her
"Beta, why are you crying?" Avni asked, pulling out of the hug. "Nothing...Maa"
As she was about to sit, Reyaan called her and all three of them stood in line. Gave the gifts one by one.
"Arya, these are gifts from us," Vihaan said, forwarding a box. She took the box with anticipation and opened it with curiosity.
There was a beautiful saree and a pair of heels and matching jewelry with it in the boxes given by three of them.
"It is so pretty and thoughtful. Thank you so much" she said with a smile. She wanted to hug them and jump and tell them how happy she was but she didn't know if she could do this. Soon she found herself in a hug. She didn't hesitate to hug them back.
"We know Bhabhi you are a little hesitant but we can guess from your face how happy you are and you wanted to hug" Reyaan whispered and the other two nodded.
"Thank you" she whispered with wet eyes.
"No emotional stuff please" Reva whispered and then added loudly "Now it's the turn of bhai."
And all attention shifted to Reyansh now. Arya's eyes also went to him who was busy looking at his family.
"It's Mrs. Shekhawat's gift and she will get it. You don't need to worry" he said and left from there before any other words would be exchanged leaving everyone shocked at his rude behaviour.