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Advika's POV

Before I could gather the courage to ask about Sana, Shanti Kaki spoke gently, "Kya didi, aap bhi in baaton mein lag gayi..." She smiled lightly. "Choriye in sab ko. Aaj bahurani ki pehli rasoi hai."

Maa shook her head faintly, as if brushing the topic aside.

Then she turned toward me. Her voice softened again.

"Beta, kuch meethe mein bana lijiye. Pura nashta banane ki zarurat nahi hai. Lagbhag sab ban hi gaya hai."

"Thik hai, Maa," I replied with a small smile. Just then, one of the helpers entered and said, "Badi malkin, aapko Dadiji bula rahi hain. Puja ki taiyari ke liye."

Maa nodded calmly, "Bas aa rahe hum."

Then she looked back at me. "I'll come in sometime. Till then, if you need anything, Gauri will help you."

I nodded. "Ji."

And just like that, Maa and Shanti Kaki walked out. The kitchen suddenly felt quieter.

Less intimidating.

But also...

more real.

For a moment, I just stood there and looking at the ingredients arranged neatly.

The shining utensils.

The stove waiting to be lit.

My first rasoi.

"What should I make..." I whispered softly to myself.

Something simple?

Something traditional?

I was thinking about making kheer. It wouldn't look too heavy, not too simple either.

Just... right.

Safe.

Respectable and traditional.

Before I could say it aloud, Gauri turned toward me and her voice dropped slightly, teasing glint in her eyes. "Waise didi... aap kheer bana sakti hain."

She paused dramatically.

"Ekansh bhaiya ki favourite hai."

Without thinking, I replied, "Haan...kheer sahi-" And then, my words caught up to my brain.

Ekansh bhaiya... ki favourite?

My eyes widened slightly. Slowly. Very slowly.

I turned toward her and there it was. That smirk. I cleared my throat and shaking my head lightly said, "Wo... wo hum kheer hi banane wale the, h-hum..."

Why was I explaining myself?

Gauri laughed softly. "Relax, didi. I was just teasing you."

My cheeks felt warmer than the stove.

She moved toward the shelves and began bringing down the ingredients- rice, milk, sugar, dry fruits.

Placing them neatly in front of me then she added mischievously, "aur waise ek baat bataun... Ekansh bhaiya ko kheer toh pasand hai par 2-3 chammach se jada nahi khate kabhi."

I shook my head at her, trying not to smile too much. She reminded me of Navya- same bubbly energy, same habit of teasing without mercy.

I tied my pallu around my waist and lit the stove. The soft flame flickered to life.

.

The milk simmered softly and the gentle sound of it boiling felt comforting. I stirred slowly, carefully, watching the rice soften.

Beside me, Gauri talked relentlessly about everyone and everything and I just listened.

Usually, I prefer silence when I cook. Silence helps me think. Helps me breathe. But surprisingly... her voice didn't feel irritating.

It felt... warm and alive.

Through her chatter I got to know a lot about this family like-

Dadu has diabetes but occasionally, he eats sweets without getting noticed by Dadi.

Aditya and Aditi fight like children. Loud. Dramatic and endless but love each other the most.

But Aditi... being Ekansh ji's favourite, eventually gets the upper hand in every argument.

Poor Aditya.

Dadi isn't the strict, orthodox type I feared. She's calm, balanced, soft-spoken but observant, very observant.

Maa... she looks after everyone- Dadi's morning puja. Dadu's medicines. Breakfast arrangements. Staff coordination. Everything without ever announcing it. She is the quiet backbone of this house.

Papa technically retired, gave the business position to Ekansh ji but still visits the office often.

Maybe habit.

Maybe attachment.

Maybe guidance.

And then...

Ekansh ji.

He loves his mother more than anything in the world that much was clear and Sheru... Sheru is unquestionably his favourite. I almost smiled at that thought.

And Gauri...

She's two years younger than me and currently pursuing MBBS.

Bright.

Bubbly.

Full of life.

This family, now mine was nothing like the picture people paint of wealthy households.

No arrogance. No cold glances. No superiority.

Just warmth. Laughter. And care.

The kheer was almost done. The milk had thickened perfectly.

Gauri handed me the finely chopped dry fruits.

I mixed them gently, watching them disappear into the soft white sweetness. Then I turned off the stove.

A small, satisfied smile forming on my lips.

Just then, Maa entered.

"Kitni achi khushboo aa rahi hai..." Her tone carried genuine approval.

Before I could say anything, Gauri spoke dramatically, "I got hungry just from the aroma of kheer."

Maa chuckled softly. Then she looked at me.

"Advika beta... go call Ekansh for breakfast." A soft flutter rose in my chest.

I nodded slightly.

"Ji, Maa."

I turned toward the stairs. As I reached the corridor, my heartbeat wasn't steady anymore , it was loud and clear almost betraying me.

I stood outside the door for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then, gathering a little courage, I pushed the door open and stepped inside and immediately wished I hadn't.

Because right in front of me-

Ekansh ji was walking out of the bathroom.

In nothing but a towel.

For a second my brain completely stopped working. Then-

"Ahhh!" I shrieked, instantly turning around and covering my face with both hands. My heart started racing wildly.

Behind me I heard his calm, slightly amused voice.

"Oh hello."

As if this was the most normal situation in the world. I kept my back firmly towards him and said quickly, words tumbling over each other, "Aapko sharam nahi aati aise bina kapdo ke ghumte huye? Koi dekhega toh kya sochega?"

I heard the faint rustling of clothes behind me and then his voice- unbothered and far too comfortable,

"Bina kapdo ke abhi dekha kahan hai aapne? And my wife is seeing me like this... not someone else."

My eyes widened.

What?!

Heat rushed straight to my face.

"Ni-nirlajjata ki bhi hadd hoti hai!" I blurted out, completely flustered.

Still refusing to turn around.

"Maa bula rahi hain aapko breakfast ke liye!" I added quickly, almost in one breath and before he could say anything else I walked out. My steps were fast almost stomping.

"Hey bhagwan..." I muttered under my breath, "Yeh aadmi... itne besharam hai." But then my mind drifted back to him.

His hair- still damp, strands falling carelessly over his forehead.

The way water droplets traced down his skin...

from his neck...

to his chest- to his tow-

I froze mid-step.

"What the-" I whispered to myself, shaking my head quickly, as if I could physically throw the thoughts away.

What was I even thinking?!

Heat rushed to my cheeks all over again.

I tightened my grip on my saree,

trying to compose myself.

Trying to act normal.

And without allowing my thoughts to wander any further, I hurried downstairs.

After reaching downstairs, I walked toward the mandir. Dadi and Maa were already there, busy arranging everything for the morning puja and the soft fragrance of incense and flowers filled the air.

I joined them and helping them where I could.

After sometime, everyone started gathering one by one and the puja began.

After the puja ended, I turned to go when my gaze lifted and collided with his. For a second , everything stilled. There was something in his eyes- calm, knowing, almost amused.

My breath hitched slightly and I looked away instantly. My heart betraying me once again.

.

Everyone gathered around the breakfast table and voices of light conversations, small laughter, cutlery clinking softly against plates floated around.

I sat quietly.

Trying to blend in.

And beside me-

Ekansh ji.

He was eating silently- composed, serious and focused.

For a moment, I couldn't help but think,

Wow... he can be serious too.

Because the man from a few minutes ago... was definitely not this calm. I quickly looked down at my plate, hiding the faint smile that almost escaped.

Everyone was talking about something or the other-

Aditya arguing about something random, Aditi interrupting him, Dadu occasionally adding comments.

Then, "Advika beta..." Dadu's voice pulled my attention again.

"...so what do you think about your job? When are you going to join the company? I heard that you have qualified the position for Marketing Manager in Agnihotri enterprises."

The question caught me off guard. My fingers stilled around the spoon and a slight nervousness crept back in.

"Dadu..." I said lightly, trying to keep my voice steady, "I think... I will try to apply in different company after some time."

The moment the words left my mouth-

I felt it.

Beside me,

Ekansh ji's posture stiffened slightly.

I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. His expression had changed.

Serious.

Focused.

As if he was about to say something.

But before he could Dadu spoke, "Why would you apply somewhere else when you have already passed the interview in our company."

Yes, I qualified for the job, but how can I join now?

I said, "Dadu...I-I-"

Before I could said anything else Ekansh Ji's voice come calm and serious, "Well, you have cleared the interview and are more than capable of this position than anyone. Don't let the others think otherwise." He said looking at me.

Right!

I nodded and Aditi said cheerfully, "okay, enough of this serious talk. It's time for the kheer made by my favourite bhabhi."

Aditya said flicking her head slightly "She's the only bhabhi we have idiot." And Aditi make a face at him.

I smiled but nervousness filled my chest what if they don't like the kheer... or I've added too much sugar?

Just then Ekansh Ji's whispered, "Don't worry, it's not an interview and I'm sure everyone like it."

Easy for you to say. Huh!!

Shanti kaki served the kheer to everyone and I nervously waited for their reactions. I also tasted it and it softly melted in my mouth, its flavors spreading beautifully.

Ahh!! Kya banate hain hum... khud ke haath chumne ka mann ho raha hai.

Then I remembered where I was and instinctively turned to Ekansh ji to see his reaction and wow!!!

He had almost finished the kheer.

Itni bhookh kahan se aati hai...

After eating, everyone praised me and gave me gifts for my first rasoi. Dadi gave me a heavy-looking necklace, and Maa gave me a saree with embroidery work on it. Even Aditi and Aditya bought a bracelet for me.

Ekansh ji left after eating kheer for an important meeting without saying anything to me.

It's not like I'm waiting to hear even a single compliment from him about the kheer. Right?

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