Chapter 11 The First Morning
The first rays of sunlight entered the room through the large glass windows.
Aadhira slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
Then reality settled.
Rathore Mansion.
Her new home.
Her new life.
Her new responsibilities.
She sat up quietly.
On the other side of the bed, Arjun was already gone.
The neatly folded blanket indicated he had left long ago.
Aadhira wasn't surprised.
She freshened up, changed into a simple saree, and tied her hair into a neat braid.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath.
Another day.
Another role to play.
Without wasting time, she left the room.
Downstairs, the mansion was already awake.
Voices drifted from the kitchen.
As she entered, she found Savitri Devi, Nandhini, Sunita, and Riya already present.
Aadhira folded her hands respectfully.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
The greetings were returned.
Politely.
Formally.
Nothing more.
No warmth.
No hostility.
Just distance.
Aadhira had expected nothing else.
Nandhini looked at her.
"Today is your first rasoi."
Aadhira nodded.
"Ji."
"You only need to prepare something sweet."
"Okay."
Before anyone could say anything further, Aadhira quietly tied an apron around her waist.
Then she began taking ingredients from different shelves.
The women exchanged glances.
Riya raised an eyebrow.
"What are you making?"
"Breakfast."
Aadhira answered simply.
"We only asked for sweets."
"I'll make both."
Her answer was short.
Calm.
Certain.
The women looked surprised but said nothing.
Soon the kitchen filled with aromas.
Freshly prepared aloo parathas.
Paneer bhurji.
Vegetable cutlets.
Poha.
Coconut chutney.
Fresh fruit platter.
And finally-
Warm kesar kheer for the first rasoi ritual.
Even Riya looked impressed.
Though nobody openly commented.
Nearly two hours later everything was arranged on the dining table.
One by one, the Rathore family arrived.
Rajveer Singh Rathore.
Mahendra Singh Rathore.
Vikram Singh Rathore.
Aditya Rathore.
Arjun Rathore.
Raghav Rathore.
Karan Rathore.
Aarav Rathore.
Vivaan Rathore.
Everyone took their seats.
Aadhira stood quietly beside the table.
She could feel the occasional glance directed toward her.
The infamous daughter of the Devraj family.
The girl accused of kidnapping her cousin.
The girl who had become Arjun's wife.
Nobody was openly rude.
But nobody appeared eager to know her either.
Except two people.
Vivaan smiled at her the moment he sat down.
Aditya gave her a small nod.
Aadhira politely nodded back.
The breakfast began.
Soon silence filled the dining hall.
Not awkward silence.
Surprised silence.
Everyone continued eating.
Then taking another serving.
Then another.
The food was genuinely delicious.
Even Rajveer looked impressed.
Vikram rarely praised anyone.
Yet even he found himself reaching for another paratha.
Arjun glanced briefly at the food before continuing his meal.
His expression remained unchanged.
But internally-
He had not expected this.
The women exchanged subtle looks.
The breakfast was exceptional.
Still...
Nobody openly complimented her.
Aadhira didn't seem to care.
She simply stood quietly.
As though she expected nothing.
After breakfast, Savitri Devi called her forward.
Aadhira approached respectfully.
Savitri placed a velvet box in her hand.
"This is your first rasoi gift."
Soon the others followed.
Jewelry.
Cash envelopes.
Traditional gifts.
Family blessings.
Aadhira accepted each gift politely.
"Thank you."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
A little later, everyone gathered in the living room.
Savitri suddenly looked at Arjun.
"You need to drop Aadhira for her post-wedding visit."
Arjun looked up.
His expression clearly showed he wasn't interested.
Unfortunately-
When Savitri Devi spoke, refusal wasn't an option.
"Fine."
Half an hour later, Arjun and Aadhira sat inside the car.
The drive remained silent.
As expected.
Arjun focused on the road.
Aadhira looked outside the window.
After nearly twenty minutes, she finally spoke.
"Take the next left."
Arjun frowned.
"Your house is straight."
"Not going there."
For the first time, Arjun looked at her.
"Why?"
"I have somewhere else to go."
The answer was short.
Nothing more.
Eventually she gave him another address.
Without asking further questions, Arjun drove there.
Soon the car stopped in front of a luxury apartment building.
Aadhira opened the door.
"Thank you."
Then she stepped out.
Arjun watched her enter the building before driving away.
Meanwhile...
Devraj Mansion.
The family sat waiting.
Traditionally, the newly married daughter returned home after marriage.
So despite everything...
They waited.
Because she was still family.
At least by obligation.
An hour passed.
Then another.
Finally Harshvardhan called her.
The phone connected.
"Where are you, beta?"
A brief pause followed.
"At my friend's apartment."
The room fell silent.
"What?"
"I won't be coming."
The words stunned everyone.
"Don't wait for me."
Her voice remained cold.
Detached.
As though she was speaking to strangers.
Before anyone could respond-
The call disconnected.
Silence filled the room.
Vedha scoffed.
"I told you."
Everyone looked toward her.
Vedha crossed her arms.
"She never changes."
"Always selfish."
"A complete bitch."
Nobody responded.
Yet nobody defended Aadhira either.
Elsewhere...
Aadhira stood outside Apartment 1204.
She pressed the doorbell.
The door flew open.
"AADHIRA!"
Before she could react, she was pulled into a tight hug.
A genuine smile appeared on Aadhira's face.
"Naina."
Naina Kapoor pulled back dramatically.
Her eyes widened.
"Look at you!"
"Mrs. Rathore."
Aadhira sighed.
"Don't."
Naina grinned.
"Oh, I'm absolutely doing it."
Then she grabbed Aadhira's hand and dragged her inside.
The apartment was exactly how Aadhira remembered.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Safe.
A place where nobody judged her.
Naina placed both hands on her hips.
"Okay."
"Tell me everything."
"There isn't much."
Aadhira sat on the sofa.
Naina stared at her.
"You got married yesterday."
"There is definitely much."
Aadhira shrugged.
Naina narrowed her eyes.
"How is the husband?"
"Fine."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Naina threw a cushion at her.
Aadhira caught it effortlessly.
For the first time in a long while-
She laughed.
A real laugh.
Naina froze.
Then pointed dramatically.
"There!"
Aadhira frowned.
"What?"
"You laughed."
"So?"
"So?"
Naina nearly shouted.
"You barely smile these days."
"You disappeared to London."
"You came back."
"You got married."
"And now you're sitting here laughing."
Aadhira's smile slowly faded.
Naina immediately noticed.
Her expression softened.
She sat beside her best friend.
The same friend who had stood beside her through every painful year.
The same friend who never once doubted her innocence.
Naina gently squeezed her hand.
"How are you really?"
For several seconds Aadhira remained silent.
Then-
"I'm okay."
Naina snorted.
"That's a lie."
Aadhira didn't deny it.
Naina sighed.
"I still hate them."
Aadhira looked up.
"Naina."
"No."
Naina interrupted immediately.
"I mean it."
Her eyes flashed with anger.
"They threw you away."
"They didn't even listen."
"And now suddenly everyone expects things to go back to normal?"
Aadhira looked away.
"Naina."
"I'm serious."
Naina's voice softened.
"You deserved better."
The room fell silent.
For a moment, Aadhira simply stared out the window.
Then she spoke quietly.
"It doesn't matter anymore."
Naina knew better.
It mattered.
It always would.
But she also knew Aadhira wasn't ready to talk.
So instead she leaned back against the sofa.
"Fine."
"We won't talk about your depressing life."
Aadhira raised an eyebrow.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
For the first time that day-
Both friends smiled.
And for a few precious hours...
Aadhira allowed herself to feel normal again.