Chapter 14 Bonds Begin to Form
The next morning arrived with the soft golden rays of the sun filtering through the large windows of Rathore Mansion.
Like every day after her marriage...
Aadhira was already awake.
After getting ready in a simple cotton saree, she quietly walked downstairs.
As expected...
The kitchen staff had already begun preparing breakfast.
Before they could greet her, Aadhira smiled politely.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Bhabhi ji."
One of the servants hesitated.
"Madam... we'll prepare everything."
Aadhira shook her head gently.
"I know."
She tied an apron around her waist.
"But I like cooking."
The servants exchanged helpless smiles.
There was no convincing her anymore.
A few moments later...
Savitri Devi entered the kitchen.
Seeing Aadhira already chopping vegetables, she sighed dramatically.
"You never listen to us."
Aadhira looked up.
"I do."
"No, you don't."
Savitri replied with a smile.
"We have enough servants."
"You don't need to do this every morning."
Aadhira smiled faintly.
"I only cook when I'm free."
"It makes me happy."
Savitri looked at her for a few seconds.
There was sincerity in her voice.
No desire to impress anyone.
No expectation of praise.
She simply enjoyed it.
Without another word, Savitri walked beside her and began arranging the serving bowls.
Aadhira looked surprised.
"You don't have to help, Dadiji."
"I know."
Savitri smiled.
"But today I want to."
From outside the kitchen...
Nandhini and Sunita silently witnessed the scene.
Neither woman said anything.
Soon...
The entire Rathore family gathered around the dining table.
Rajveer Singh Rathore.
Mahendra Singh Rathore.
Sunita Rathore.
Vikram Singh Rathore.
Nandhini Rathore.
Raghav Rathore.
Aditya Rathore.
Arjun Rathore.
Riya Rathore.
Karan Rathore.
Aarav Rathore.
Vivaan Rathore.
Breakfast began.
Vivaan looked toward Aadhira.
"Bhabhi..."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Can I have another paneer paratha?"
Without a word...
She placed another one on his plate.
"Eat slowly."
Vivaan grinned.
"Okay."
Karan laughed.
"Vivaan..."
"You've completely changed."
Vivaan looked confused.
"What?"
"You only ask Bhabhi to serve you now."
Vivaan shrugged innocently.
"Because she remembers I like extra butter."
Everyone became quiet.
Even Aadhira looked slightly surprised.
She hadn't realized he had noticed such a small thing.
Rajveer silently continued eating.
But his eyes briefly shifted toward Aadhira.
He noticed everything.
Even the smallest gestures.
After breakfast...
Everyone began leaving for work.
As Aadhira stepped outside the mansion...
Her driver had not yet arrived.
Aditya happened to be walking toward his own car.
He noticed her standing alone.
"Your driver hasn't come yet?"
Aadhira nodded.
"He'll be here."
Aditya checked his watch.
"I can drop you."
"It's on my way."
Aadhira smiled politely.
"Thank you."
"But he'll be here in a minute."
Aditya nodded.
"If you ever need anything..."
"You can ask me."
"I know."
She replied sincerely.
"Thank you."
Before anyone could misunderstand anything...
Her car arrived.
She quietly got inside and left.
From the balcony...
Riya watched everything.
She tilted her head.
"Aditya Bhai rarely offers anyone a lift."
Karan laughed.
"He's just being polite."
Riya nodded.
"Maybe."
Neither gave it another thought.
Meanwhile...
Devraj Mansion.
The dining table felt unusually empty.
Meera absentmindedly placed an extra plate on the table.
Only after a few seconds did she realize...
There was no one to sit there.
She quietly removed it.
Devayani noticed everything.
But chose not to say anything.
Harshvardhan folded his newspaper.
"Rajesh."
Rajesh looked up.
"Hmm?"
"Have you spoken to Aadhira?"
Silence.
"No."
Harshvardhan sighed.
"You should."
Rajesh lowered his eyes.
"I don't know if she'll even answer."
Nobody replied.
The guilt that surrounded the family was heavier than words.
Nearby...
Aarav noticed his mother's moist eyes.
He clenched his fists.
For the first time...
He wondered if they had truly done the right thing seven years ago.
Elsewhere...
Inside an elegant fashion studio...
Vedha reviewed sketches for her upcoming bridal collection.
Her assistant placed another file before her.
Just then...
Kavya walked inside.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Vedha."
Vedha looked up.
"Kavya."
The assistant quietly left.
Kavya sat opposite her.
"I heard Aadhira has become quite comfortable in the Rathore Mansion."
Vedha's expression immediately hardened.
"So?"
Kavya leaned closer.
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"Everyone will slowly forget what she did."
"They'll start treating her like the perfect daughter-in-law."
Vedha's jaw tightened.
Kavya continued.
"If you don't remind them..."
"They'll forgive her."
A long silence followed.
Finally...
Vedha spoke.
"They shouldn't."
Kavya smiled in satisfaction.
"I knew you'd understand."
"I have a plan."
Vedha simply nodded once.
"I'm listening."
Rathore Group Headquarters.
Arjun had just finished an important meeting.
Several senior managers left the conference room.
He returned to his cabin.
Barely had he sat down...
The door opened without knocking.
Rohan Singhania walked in confidently.
Behind him came Siddharth Khanna and Dev Oberoi.
Rohan smirked.
"So..."
"Married life."
Arjun didn't even look up.
"What about it?"
Rohan sat on the chair opposite him.
"That's the problem."
"Nothing."
"You've been married for days."
"You still look like you're attending board meetings."
Siddharth chuckled.
"Leave him alone."
Rohan ignored him.
"So tell us..."
"How's Bhabhi?"
Arjun continued reading a file.
"Fine."
Dev raised an eyebrow.
"That's all?"
Arjun finally looked up.
"What exactly do you expect me to say?"
Rohan dramatically sighed.
"I expected romance."
"I got quarterly reports."
Even Arjun couldn't stop the corner of his lips from twitching.
Seeing that...
His three friends exchanged knowing smiles.
Evening...
Rathore Mansion.
Aadhira returned from work.
As soon as she entered...
Vivaan came running.
"Bhabhi!"
She looked at him.
"What happened?"
He excitedly held up a paper.
"I got the highest marks in Science!"
A genuine smile appeared on Aadhira's face.
"Congratulations."
Vivaan smiled proudly.
"I told you I'd do it."
"You did."
She gently patted his head.
"Keep working hard."
"I will."
Standing nearby...
Rajveer and Savitri quietly watched.
Savitri smiled.
"Children understand people better than adults."
Rajveer didn't reply.
But for the first time...
He found himself questioning whether the girl before him truly matched the rumours he had heard.
Night...
After dinner...
Arjun and Aadhira returned to their room.
Like every night...
Silence accompanied them.
Arjun opened his laptop.
Aadhira picked up a business magazine.
For nearly an hour...
Neither spoke.
Eventually...
Arjun looked toward her.
She was completely absorbed in reading.
Calm.
Composed.
Peaceful.
Not once had she complained about the distance everyone maintained.
Not once had she tried to gain anyone's sympathy.
She simply lived quietly.
Arjun returned his attention to the laptop.
But strangely...
His thoughts remained on the woman sitting a few feet away.
Perhaps...
The rumours had told only one side of the story.
And perhaps...
It was time he started seeing the other side himself.