Chapter 8
AAYAT'S POV:
The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains of Rayyan's house. The mansion was buzzing with hushed whispers, laughter, and the footsteps of relatives who had stayed overnight after the grand nikah. For Aayat, though, this wasn't just another day-it was her first morning as Rayyan's bride.
She woke up early, heart racing, palms a little sweaty. Standing in front of the mirror, she adjusted her dupatta, trying to calm herself. "Itni ghabrahat kyu ho rahi hai... sab kuch theek ho ga," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath.
The tradition was simple-new brides often made something sweet for the family on their first morning. Aayat, though nervous, wanted everything to be perfect. She decided to make kheer, her mother's recipe, something she had mastered before.
The large kitchen was already alive with the sounds of maids bustling, but today everyone knew: the bride herself would prepare the sweet dish. Aayat stepped inside, sleeves rolled up slightly, her delicate hands busy measuring rice and milk.
"Baji, hum madad kar dein?" a maid asked softly.
Aayat smiled nervously. "Nahi, main khud banaungi. Dulhan ki pehli kheer hai... tum bas cheeni aur chawal ready kar do."
She stirred the pot, the aroma of simmering milk filling the air. She felt oddly proud, imagining everyone praising her cooking.
But just as she finished and carefully garnished the kheer with almonds and pistachios, a pair of sharp eyes watched her from the doorway-Ramsha.
Ramsha had barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Rayyan looking at Aayat-softly, lovingly, the way she had once wished he would look at her.
The sight of the two together was unbearable.
And now, seeing Aayat in the kitchen, all dressed in delicate bridal clothes, cooking with a shy smile-Ramsha's jealousy flared.
"Aaj main isay sab ke saamne sharminda karugy, sab ko dikhana hoga ke issey sirf sajna aur sawarna ata hain, aur kuch be nahi ata." Ramsha thought bitterly.
When Aayat left the kitchen for a moment to fetch a tray, Ramsha quickly walked to the pot. Her hands shook slightly as she lifted the lid. With a cold smirk, she poured a large amount of sugar into the kheer-so much that it would surely taste unbearable.
"Ab sab ke saamne iski beizzati hogi... Rayyan bhi dekhega ke uski dulhan sirf nakami hai. Pehle padhai mein toh thi hi , ab toh ghar k kam mein be ." she whispered to herself before slipping out, her face calm as though nothing had happened.
Soon after, Aayat entered with the tray of bowls, her hands trembling slightly. Relatives were already gathered in the large dining hall-Rayyan's parents, cousins, uncles, and a few aunts. The atmosphere was cheerful, everyone teasing the new bride.
Rayyan was seated quietly, his usual calm expression on his face, though his eyes followed Aayat carefully as she walked in.
"Kya baat hai, dulhan apne haathon se meetha banake laayi hai," an aunty chirped. "Chalo chalo, sab taste karte hain."
Aayat smiled shyly as she began serving the kheer. Her heart raced when she placed a bowl in front of Rayyan. For a brief moment, his fingers brushed hers. She looked up-his eyes held reassurance, as though silently saying "don't be nervous, I'm here."
Everyone lifted their spoons and took the first bite.
Within seconds, the cheerful chatter shifted into startled expressions. Some coughed slightly; others exchanged awkward glances.
Rayyan's cousin muttered under his breath, "Yeh toh... itni meethi hai ke daant gir jayein."
Another cousin burst into laughter, "Hai Allah, sugar ke dabbe mein kheer girayi thi kya ya sugar ka daba kheer mein?"
The table erupted in muffled giggles. Aayat froze, her heart sinking as she realized something was terribly wrong.
Ramsha, sitting with a perfect poker face, finally spoke, her tone sharp yet coated in fake politeness.
"Aayat, tumhe kheer banani bhi nahin ati? Itni cheeni daal di... yeh toh khaane laayak hi nahi hai."
A few aunts exchanged awkward looks but said nothing. Some cousins snickered.
Ramsha leaned forward, twisting the knife deeper. "Rayyan ki bewi ho aur cooking ka basic bhi nahi aata? Pehle din hi aise haal hain toh aage kya hoga?"
Aayat's eyes burned with unshed tears. Her lips trembled but she remained silent, staring at her bowl. She wanted to scream-"maine toh normal banayi thi!"-but she knew defending herself would only make it worse.
The entire table looked toward Rayyan, expecting him to join the laughter. Instead, he slowly set down his spoon and looked directly at Aayat. His gaze was calm, protective, almost defiant.
"It's fine." His deep voice cut through the giggles.
The room fell silent.
"Dulhan ki pehli kheer hai," he looked at ramsha and said, "Meethi ho gayi toh kya hua? Meetha toh acha hota hai dulhan k haath se... aur mujhe pasand ay , jis ko nahi ay wo mat khaye , pr ab ek lafaz aur koi apne muh se na nikale ."
He deliberately took another spoonful, ignoring the excessive sugar, and ate it with a straight face. His words carried weight-an unspoken warning to anyone who tried to ridicule her further.
Aayat's heart skipped a beat. His gesture felt like a shield between her and the world's harshness.
Ramsha, however, clenched her fists beneath the table. His defense of Aayat only deepened her bitterness.
The rest of the meal continued awkwardly, though the teasing subsided after Rayyan's words. Aayat excused herself quietly, escaping to the bedroom, her emotions swirling-gratitude, shame, confusion.
She stood by the window, biting her lip, whispering to herself. "Kisi ne cheeni kyu daali? Maine toh perfect banayi thi... aur sab ke samne maine khud ko sharminda kar diya aur rayyan ko be."
Just then, the door clicked softly. Rayyan entered.
He didn't speak immediately, just walked to the dresser, removed his watch, and placed it down. Then he turned, his eyes meeting hers.
"Don't cry." His voice was calm but firm.
She quickly wiped her tears. "Main... main bas embarrassed ho gayi..."
Rayyan stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Sabse galtiyan hoti hain. But tumne koshish ki, bas wahi kaafi hai."
Aayat blinked at him, surprised by his unexpected kindness.
For the first time, a tiny smile tugged at her lips. "Shukriya..." she whispered.
He didn't reply, just gave a small nod, but his eyes lingered on her a moment longer before he left.
Downstairs, Ramsha paced furiously in her room. "Woh ladki... sabko hansaaya maine uspe, aur Rayyan usi ka saath de raha hai? Mujhse kabhi aise baat nahi ki usne."
Her nails dug into her palm as she vowed silently: "Main isko chain se jeene nahi dungi. Sab ke saamne iski image kharaab karni hogi , agar mujhe rayyan ko pana hai toh."
And so, the poisonous seeds were sown.