Ch20 Biwi Mode ON #3
When I went downstairs, I saw that Bapusa had returned. He was asking a servant about Rudraksh and that foolish man told him everything. That I had thrown his son out of the house.
My heart clenched.
I felt like crying, but no tears came. What would Bapusa think of me now? That I threw his son out of his own house?
Rivanya, you're doomed.
I was lost in these thoughts when I heard Bapusa's voice,
"Rivanya, I was just about to call you. Come here, beta. We need to talk."
I knew exactly what this was about.
I was certain I was about to be scolded.
With my head lowered, I walked toward him but instead of anger, he said with a laugh,
"You will definitely fix my useless son, beta."
I froze.
Completely shocked.
I looked up and asked hesitantly,
"Bapusa... you're not angry with me?"
He smiled warmly.
"Why would I be angry with you, Rivanya?"
I said softly,
"I didn't let your son enter the house..."
He placed his hand gently on my head and said,
"Listen, beta. This is a matter between husband and wife. What concern is it of mine? Whatever you do with your husband is your right. But if that idiot ever disrespects you, tell me I won't spare him."
That was it.
I smiled through tears.
My eyes filled up, and this time, I couldn't stop them.
Seeing my tears, Bapusa grew worried.
"What happened, beta? Why are you crying? Did Rudraksh do something?"
I quickly shook my head.
"No, Bapusa. These are tears of happiness. I just got emotional seeing so much love."
He stepped closer and wiped my tears with his own hands.
"You know, Rivanya," he said softly,
"Rudraksh's mother and I always wished for a daughter someone we could pour all our love into. But maybe I wasn't destined to become a father to a daughter. Or maybe I wasn't worthy enough."
He paused, then smiled at me.
"But when I met you, I felt that if Sikha and I had a daughter, she would be exactly like you. So remember this you are not my daughter-in-law. You are my daughter."
My tears flowed freely now.
"Be as stubborn with me as you would be with your own father. Every wish of yours I will fulfill it with all my heart. You will never feel the absence of a father, beta. Never."
At that moment, I realized
Where my own father had failed to give me the love I deserved, destiny had compensated me a hundredfold through Bapusa.
Today, it felt like I had lost nothing in life.
And whatever I had once lost, Gauri Maa had returned to me multiplied by a hundred.
With tears brimming in my eyes, I gathered the courage and said softly,
"Bapusa... may I ask you for something? Will you give it to me?"
He laughed warmly and replied,
"Daughters don't ask, beta. They command. You have every right to be stubborn with your father. Just name it I will bring the entire world for you if you wish."
I shook my head gently and said,
"I don't want anything... I just wanted to ask
May I call you Papa?"
I asked hesitantly, fear trembling in my voice.
Bapusa smiled, placed his hand lovingly on my head, and said,
"Is that even a question, beta? Call me whatever feels right to you. No matter what you call me, you will always remain my daughter."
I broke down then, tears rolling freely as I said,
"Thank you so much, Papa... for giving me so much love."
He stroked my head affectionately and replied,
"There is no need to thank me. But if you wish, you can give me something instead."
I wiped my tears quickly and smiled.
"Tell me, Papa. What can your daughter do for you?"
He said with a fond smile,
"First, I want to drink a cup of hot tea made by my daughter's hands. And after that, I want to eat the food you cook. Tell me do you accept?"
I smiled brightly and said,
"Papa, is that even a question? Your daughter will prepare your favorite food right away. I'll be back soon."
With that, I went straight to the kitchen. I first prepared tea and brought it to Papa in the hall. After just one sip, he praised the tea so much that my heart swelled with joy. I then returned to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
Today, I felt incredibly happy.
Receiving Papa's love made me realize that there was no emptiness left inside me anymore.
A father-in-law who loved me more than my own father ever had, such a warm and accepting family, a loving Dadi Maa, and now the anticipation of going to Vardhanpur it all felt surreal.
I couldn't wait to reach there, to meet the rest of the family, and to receive their love as well.
And, of course, there would be no shortage of entertainment after all, I had my strict, handsome husband too.
No matter how cold and distant he was, one thing was undeniable Rudraksh was incredibly attractive.
Now I understood why other women's eyes followed him wherever he went.
But there was one thing about him that stood out the most he never looked at another woman.
Forget other women, he barely even looked at me, his own wife.
Still... I liked him.
The realization struck me suddenly.
Did I just think that I liked him?
What? No. That wasn't possible. I was overthinking again.
Then Dhara's words echoed in my mind that I was starting to fall in love with Rudraksh. My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately pushed the thought away.
This overthinking of mine would get me into serious trouble someday. I was sure of it.
After nearly three hours of hard work, I lovingly prepared the entire meal everything Papa liked. Dadi Maa had told me earlier that Papa and Rudraksh shared almost the same taste in food, so I made all their favorites.
By 6:30 in the evening, Rudraksh still hadn't returned. I served Papa first. The dining table was filled rice, dal, gatte ki sabzi, paneer, saag, and many more dishes.
Seeing everything, Papa said with delight,
"Wow, beta! You made so much in such little time. Just looking at this has doubled my appetite."
I smiled and served each dish carefully onto his plate, then stood beside him, eagerly waiting for his reaction.
"Sit and eat too, beta," he said.
I shook my head gently.
"Papa, Rudraksh hasn't returned yet. Once he comes and eats, I'll eat too. Don't worry about me. You eat and tell me how it is."
Papa nodded and took his first bite. Suddenly, he stopped and seemed lost somewhere.
Fear gripped me instantly.
"What happened, Papa? Is the food not good?"
He smiled softly and said,
"The food is not just good it's excellent. It just reminded me of someone."
I knew then he was remembering Shikha Maa.
Just like Rudraksh had become emotional during my first cooking ritual, because my food reminded him of his mother, Papa was feeling the same now.
Not wanting to dwell too much, Papa continued eating with happiness. In the end, I served him kheer, which he enjoyed wholeheartedly.
After washing his hands, he came to me, placed his hand on my head, and said,
"Truly, beta, Goddess Annapurna herself resides in your hands. The food was wonderful. I loved it."
I smiled and replied,
"That's all that matters to me, Papa. Now please go and rest. You haven't rested at all since returning from Vardhanpur."
He nodded, then asked,
"Has Rudraksh told you that Guruji and Gurumaa are arriving tomorrow morning? Are you prepared to meet them?"
I answered confidently,
"Don't worry, Papa. Your son has told me everything. I won't give you any reason to complain. I'll speak thoughtfully and respectfully with Guruji and Gurumaa."
Papa nodded in satisfaction and went to his room.
Now, all that remained was waiting for my husband
who had been missing since morning, conveniently escaping his punishment.
I had no idea why that half-human of a man still hadn't returned. I had made up my mind I wouldn't let him enter the house so easily. He deserved his punishment.
But no matter how angry I was, one thought refused to leave my mind. He hadn't eaten anything since morning. And no matter how hard I tried to act strong, I couldn't ignore that. At the very least, I could make him eat.
Because until he ate, I knew I wouldn't be able to swallow a single bite myself. My throat felt tight just thinking about him staying hungry, wandering around somewhere with that stubborn pride of his.
I could fight with him, scold him, even lock him out but letting him stay hungry?
That was something my heart simply wouldn't allow.
That was the problem with Rudraksh Vardhan.
Even when I was angry at him, even when I was determined to teach him a lesson, my concern for him quietly overpowered everything else.
And I hated how easily he did that to me
without even being present.