Chapter 48

I slowly opened my eyes as I felt a wet sensation at the back of my neck followed by a warm breath

I turned around and saw Agam with his arms wrapped around my waist, leaving open-mouth kisses all over my neck with a mischievous grin on his face

“Good morning bee” he whispered near my ear in a deep voice causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin

He slipped his hand inside my nightgown, drawing patterns on my inner thighs

“Good morning-aah” I was not able to complete the sentence as he gave a tight squeeze on my inner thigh and I glared at him to which he just smiled and continued

“Where’s yug?” I asked him, cause it was clearly just the two of us

“He woke up so he went back in his room” he replied

“He went back in his room? Or you moved him back?” I asked him raising my eyebrows, to which he replied nothing and kept on kissing my neck

“That is so bad Agam, how can you do this with our baby?” I said while lightly hitting his arm

“Can I just have this moment with you?” He said while turning me around.

He cupped my face in his hands and gently placed a kiss, “you look so beautiful” he complimented

“Yeah sure” I scoffed at his words

“Btw what’s the time? And why did you get up this early?” I asked

“Umm- actually, we are late. It’s 7 already” he said in a low voice

“What!?” I almost screamed in shock as I abruptly got up

“Why didn’t you wake me up? I was supposed to prepare breakfast for everyone. What will everyone think now, Agam” I started blabbering while taking out my clothes from the closet

He walked towards me and turned me around, “Calm down bee, maa said not to wake you up early cause you must be tired. The breakfast is already prepared you just have to get ready and we’ll go downstairs” he said and kissed my forehead

“Okay, but I wanted to cook something for you all” I pouted while hugging him

“Abh to tumhe yhi rehna hai. Kitchen bhi tumhari, ghar bhi tumhara aur me bhi tumhara” he replied while kissing my head making my smile like a fool

(Now you will be living here. Kitchen is yours, the house is yours and I am also yours)

“Okay leave me now! I have to take a bath” I said pulling out of the hug

“Let’s just save time and shower together” he said and I glared at him

“I don’t want to be late, Mr Malhotra. So go and get ready in yug’s room” I replied

“Jaisa aap kaho madam” he frowned and left the room, making me laugh.

(Whatever you say, madam)

I knocked at the door and pushed it open.

I saw her standing near the jhumka closet in a red saree, her hair cascading over her shoulder, the vermillion filled in the partition of her hair. The chhoodha jingled softly as she moved her hand to pick out a jhumka. Her big doe eyes looking at all the jhumkas with such love and admiration, making me smile

I silently moved closer to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. She smiled and said “This is the best surprise anyone has ever given to me, thankyou so much Agam”

“Anything for you, my love” I said and kissed the side of her head

“Which one are you wearing today” I asked

“I am so confused all of them are so beautiful” she replied

“I just love jhumkas so much” she said

“And I love jhumkas on you” I added while picking out the gold one that matched with her saree

“Try these” I said while handing them to her

She wore them instantly and turned around, seeking my approval. For the first time in my life I was tongue-tied, she looked too real to be true, like a goddess-My goddess

I could stand here all day long, staring at her, admiring her. She could just smile at me a little or even just look at me and I’d be done for the rest of my life.

“Marr gaye na mujhe dekh ke?” She asked, grinning

(Died, didn’t you, upon seeing me?)

I shook my head as a no, and her smile turned into a pout. I pulled her closer and whispered in her ear “Aapko dekh kar he toh jee rhe hain”

(Living only by seeing you)

A blush spread across her face as she heard those words.

“Can you help me with the jhanjhar as well?” She asked

“Ofcourse love” I replied

She went towards the bed to sit on it and I followed her. She handed me those jhanjhars that I had gifted her and I helped her wearing them

“These jhanjhar look good on you” I said

“They will look better when they are dangling on your shoulders” she instantly replied, making me choke on the air I was breathing as I was taken aback by her response

“We haven’t tried that till now” I managed to reply but could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks

“Oh, but I have imagined it” she said as she got up from the bed and sat on my lap

“And it’s a view worth watching” she leaned and whispered in my ear

She looks at me for few seconds and bursts into laughter then, “You look so cute when you get all shy and red” she said in between her laughs and placed a small peck on my cheeks

I couldn’t help but smile looking at her laughing like that. “Let’s go now, everyone’s waiting for us downstairs” I said, she got up and we both moved out of the room

Maa, papa, Aashna and Yug were already present at the dining table. We walked towards them and bee bent down to touch maa’s feet. Maa stopped her and said “Humare yha betiya paaon nhi chhuti beta” and hugged her

(Daughter’s don’t touch feet here)

“Kitni pyaari lag rhi hai meri bachi” she added, complimenting bee

(How beautiful my daughter looks)

“Bhabhi, you look so pretty. I knew red was your colour” Aashna said in excitement

“Saru Mumma looks very pretty” Yug said while munching on apples

“Yug what is this ‘Saru mumma’ you should not take her name like this” I said to him and he pouted and turned towards Sarah making her laugh

We all settled at the table and were enjoying the breakfast when we heard a few voices from the main entrance

Within few seconds we saw my dadi entering the dinning hall with her 7-8 friends. Laughing and chatting about something

“Are maa aap” papa said as he got up from his seat followed by maa and then us

(Mom, you?)

She approached us and said “Sarah beta tum toh bohot sundar lag rhi ho, too fresh for someone who cooked all of this breakfast”

(Sarah beta, you are looking very pretty, too fresh for someone who cooked all of this breakfast)

“Dadi vo-” Sarah tried to speak but was interrupted by maa

(Dadi, actually-)

“Maa mene hi mana kiya tha sarah ko breakfast banane se, Bichare bache thak gye the isliye-” maa tried to cover up for her

(Mom, I refused her from cooking breakfast, the kids where tired so)

“Thak gye to purane riwaz bhul jaye?” Dadi asked, I was about to say something but Sarah stopped me

(Got tired, and forgot the old traditions?)

“Chalo koi baat nhi, abhi to din shuru hua hai. Sarah beta tum ek kaam karo lunch prepare kar lena, mere guests aaj lunch karke jayenge” dadi said and Sarah’s eyes bulged out of shock

(It’s okay, the day has just started. Sarah beta, you can cook lunch, my guests will go after having lunch)

“Maa itne saare logo ka khana akele-” papa tried to stop her

(Mom, cooking for so many people and alone-)

“Kyu? Nahi bana payegi tumhari bahu? Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai savi ne toh banaya tha” she taunted

(Why? Your daughter-in-law can’t make it? As far as I remember, Savi made it.)

“Papa, I’ll make it. Don’t worry” Sarah assured papa and dadi left the hall with her guests

“I am sorry Sarah beta” papa said

“Papa no, please don’t be sorry” Sarah replied

“Maa can you please guide me where all the things are kept in the kitchen, I’ll start preparing for the lunch” Sarah said went to the kitchen with maa

“Yeh dadi villain era me kabse aa gyi?” Aashna asked and I shrugged my shoulders

(When did dadi enter the villain era?)

One of our house help came and informed us that maa was calling everyone in kitchen

I picked up Yug, we got out of the hall and went straight towards the kitchen

“Hnji maa” I said as we entered the kitchen, maa looked at Sarah and smiled

“I know how to cook, but it’s just that I have never cooked food for so many people. It was always me, mumma and papa” Sarah said in a low voice

“And there’s nothing to be embarrassed about it bache” maa said and continued

“So here’s the plan! We’ll order food from different restaurants, because if I will cook, then Maa will know just by the first bite.

So, we’ll sneak the dishes inside one by one” maa said outlining my strategy.

“Okay! But why from different restaurants?” Aashna asked

“So that each dish has a different taste. That way, she won’t be able to guess we got them from any restaurant” Maa explained.

“Dadi is smart” Yug whispered in excitement making all of us laugh

“I am asking Kavya and Lara to bring the breads and desserts” Sarah said

“Okay good! And you Agam, call Akshit and Abhigyan and ask them to bring Dal Makhni and any sabzi from different places” maa instructed me, to which I nodded

“Okay and I’ll call Krutika for my moral support cause I am very bad at hiding things” Aashna said

“Yes please call my doll, koi samajhdar hona chahiye tumhare saath” maa said making aashna whine like a kid, as we all laughed

(Yes please call my doll, there should be someone sensible with you)

“Right now it’s 10 am, I want everyone to bring all the things by 12 and then I’ll explain how we’ll sneak everything inside” maa said

“Aye aye captain” all of us said together

“Also, one more thing,” she added, looking at Papa. “Sorry in advance, but Maa is quite clever. She’ll definitely come to check the kitchen. Aashna, make sure she doesn’t enter. And Sarah, you prepare some basic salad and another dish for dinner. If she does enter, she’ll only see you working.” She instructed

“Okay maa” Sarah replied and we all moved out of the kitchen feeling like we were on some kind of a mission

I was making salad dressing when I heard someone clearing their throat behind me and I instantly turned around

Agam’s dadi was standing there with a smile plastered on her face, as fake as the cooking I was doing in this kitchen

“I needed some water” she said and moved closer to get the water jug

“Why did you trouble yourself, Dadi ji? I could’ve sent it through any house help” I said with a tight lipped smile

“Apne ghar me kaam karne ki aadat hai mujhe beta” she replied

(I have habit of doing work in my house, beta)

“Mujhe bhi” I said

(I also do)

“Chalo achi baat hai vo toh, fir kya bana rhi ho aaj?” She asked and I got tongue-tied. I don’t know what were Abhigyan and Akshit bringing. I gulped and she was looking at me with skeptical expressions

“I- I am making..” I tried to speak and then aashna entered the kitchen

“Bhabhi vo me keh rhi thi ki mene Raju bhaiya ko bola hai vo laa rhe hai paneer, aapke matar paneer ke liye” she said

“Thankyou Aashna” I thanked aashna

“Matar paneer dadi” I turned around and said to her

“Teekha thoda kam rakhna” she said and turned around to leave the kitchen

(Keep the spice a little less)

“Han han aapki zuban thodi hai” Aashna muttered making me laugh

(Yes yes, it isn’t your tongue)

“Hush! Bacha liya tumne” I said to her

(You saved me!)

“Vaise vo log matar paneer laa rhe hai?” I asked Aashna

(By the way, are they bringing matar paneer?)

“Nahi!” She replied while texting someone on her phone

(No!)

“Toh phir Aashna tumne kyu bola? Abh kuch alag aa gya fir?” I asked instantly

(Then, why did you say it Aashna? What if something different comes?)

“Don’t worry bhabhs, mene Akshit bhaiya ko bol diya hai ki matar paneer hi laaye” she replied

(Don’t worry bhabhs, I told Akshit bhaiya and he is bring matar paneer only)

“Omg bhabhi what a nice aroma, definitely something tasty is being made!” I heard Krutika as she entered the kitchen

“Kya funny baat kardi na ha! ha! ha!” Aashna faked laugh at her words and in return Krutika rolled her eyes at her and gave me a hug

(You are so funny ha! ha! ha!)

“I just hope everything goes as planned” I said

“It will bhabhi, don’t you worry” Krutika reassured

“Chalo tum log bahar sambhalo, I’ll just call Kavya and Lara pata nhi kaha reh gyi hai yeh dono” I said and picked up my phone to dial Kavu’s number, while Krutika and Aashna left the kitchen

(Now you guys go and handle outside, I’ll just Kavya and Lara, I don’t know where they are)

Chapter 49

We were all gathered in the kitchen, standing in a circle with the door locked.

Maa stood in the middle surrounded by us, planning on how to bring in all the food

“Aunty baaki sab to theek hai but hum yeh konsi jung pe jaa rhe hai?” Akshit whispered, making us laugh

(Aunty, everything else is fine but which war are we going to?)

Abhigyan and Agam had already sneaked in with the Dal and naan, I had already prepared the rice. Now just the paneer and the dessert were left

“Maa will be here any minute. Sarah, tell Kavya to bring in the sabzi and dessert. Someone has to keep her busy… umm… Akshit, you’ll keep her busy in the lobby,” she instructed

“Me? Why me?” Akshit asked, looking around nervously

“Because you’re the only one she talks nicely to because of all the fabric lessons you took from her” maa replied

He took a deep breath before saying, “Okay, taking one for the gang!” and left the kitchen dramatically

I instantly picked up my phone from the shelf and dialed Kavu’s number.

“Hey! Where are you guys?” I asked.

“Sitting in the car,” Kavya replied, her voice muffled as if her mouth was stuffed with something.

“Kavya, please tell me you did not eat the food that you brought,” I said.

“Haan, khaa gayi saara aur kuch?” she snapped at me.

(Yes, I ate all of that, anything else?)

“Calm down, woman! And come inside, but be careful of dadi,” I said to her.

“Send someone to keep her busy, na” she whined.

“Yeah, yeah, maa has sent your husband” I replied, trying to stifle my laugh

“Very good, yhi hona chahiye uske saath” she replied and ended the call

(Very good, this should happen with him)

I was heading to the kitchen to check if everything was okay when I saw dadi engrossed in a conversation with Akshit, showing him the embroidery on her saree’s pallu. My eyes then caught the sight of Kavya and Lara entering the hall with food in their hands

I sprinted towards dadi, startling her a bit with my sudden movement

“I want to talk to you about something,” I said.

“Okay, talk,” she replied.

“Not here,” I said.

She nodded and moved towards the study.

“Yes? What’s wrong?” she asked as soon as we entered the study.

I felt something inside me screaming to tell her everything I felt about how she treated my son. About how she mercilessly hated an innocent soul whose life she had indirectly ruined. But I stopped. As always, I stopped.

“Dadi-“ I managed to say, but she cut me off

“If you’re here to tell me I shouldn’t have asked your wife to cook then let me remind you, it is a ritual in our house. I did it, your mother did it and Savi did it too” she said

Her words made the last thread holding me back snap. I felt all the anger from past surge inside me, trying to break free. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts and simmering emotions

“The ritual is about cooking for family members, not for random people whose faces we’ve never seen. She is my wife, not your private chef. And for once, stop comparing her to anyone else. She is different, and I like that difference. No, actually, I love that difference. But you won’t understand that, and that’s fine. How can I ask you to show mercy to her when you haven’t even spared a mere four-year-old kid? From this point onwards, I don’t expect anything from you. But I swear, if there’s even a hint of disrespect towards my wife at that lunch table, I won’t hesitate to throw those ladies out of my house.”

I said this through gritted teeth and left the room.

I headed towards the kitchen, where Sarah was instructing the house helps to place the dishes on the dining table. I patiently waited for them to leave and as soon as they left, I closed the door

“What are you doing?” She asked, giggling as I wrapped my arms around her waist

“Trying to hug my wife” I replied, burying my head in her neck. I could feel goosebumps erupting on her skin

“Someone might come Agam, leave me” she said, squirming out of my hold

“Apni biwi ke saath hi to hu, me konsa koi padosan ke saath yeh sab kar raha hu” I replied

(I am with my wife, it's not like I am doing all this with my neighbour)

“Haha, very funny. Okay, now leave me. I have to take this salad inside” she said firmly. I persisted, but this time she glared at me, making me laugh. I kissed her on the lips and let her go.

“Such a desperate man” she whispered under her breath, running out of the kitchen before I could catch her.

After sometime everyone was seated at the lunch table and the food was served. Dadi had a very surprised reaction on her face after looking at the dishes

Everyone ate the lunch peacefully while praising Sarah for the delicious food. My eyes shifted towards her, she was sitting beside me with blank expressions

I softly touched her thigh under the table and she looked at me.

“What happened? Why are you not eating?” I asked, whispering in her ear

“Nothing” she said, plastering a smile on her face

After the lunch was over dadi called Sarah over and gifted her a pair of Emerald earrings.

“Is she the same dadi?” Akshit asked from behind

“Shocking, right?” I replied

My eyes were fixed on Bee, who was clearly overthinking something. I knew I had to find out what was on her mind otherwise, this woman would drive herself crazy.

“Sarah beta, we’ll have the desserts in the hall” Dadi said.

Bee nodded and left for the kitchen and I followed her.

I went inside the kitchen with the box of earrings in my hand. As much as I loved this plan, I started hating it too. I don't think I deserve getting compliments and gifts from Dadi for something I haven't even done.

“What happened? Where are you lost?” I heard Kavya’s voice

“Nothing” I whispered

“What’s for dessert? They’ll have it in the hall” I informed them

“Kheer and guess what who made it?” Kavu asked with excitement

“Lara?” I guessed, glancing at her standing next to Lara

“I mean, yeah, partially, but me too,” she said proudly. “Lara helped me make it.”

“Is it edible, Lara? Were you watching her while she was cooking?” I asked, making both of us laugh

“Has lo ek bite bhi nhi milegi tumhe” kavya said, starting to serve the kheer in dishes

(Laugh as much as you want, you won't get even one bite)

“Acha na kavu, sorry. I was just joking” I apologised, and she started smiling again

We three were about to leave the kitchen when Agam came in and asked me to stay.

"Abh kya hua?" I asked him.

(What happened now?)

"You tell me. What’s going on in that big brain of yours?" he said.

"Nothing," I replied.

"Are you sure, Bee?" he asked again, stepping closer to me.

And I just shook my head no. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer into a hug. I could feel myself melting in his embrace.

"Kya hua, bacha?" he asked again, and I started whining like a kid.

(What happened, kid?)

"We shouldn’t have done this. I should’ve cooked the lunch myself. I feel so bad now, the way everyone was praising me, and Dadi even gave me these beautiful earrings. I don’t think I deserve them," I let it all out in one go.

"No bee, you deserve it all and a lot more. You're not supposed to cook lunch for 10 strangers just because she wanted to make things difficult for you. As for the earrings, consider them an apology gift from her," he said, comforting me.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"And who said you didn’t cook anything? You made rice and oh my god, they were so delicious that I couldn’t stop myself from eating them," he joked, making me laugh.

"Acha chalo, I want to eat kheer," I said, and we both went towards the hall.

(Let's go now, I want to eat kheer)

I saw Lara and Kavya serving the guests and Kavya had this weird, ear to ear smile on her face

As soon as they finished serving everyone kheer, they came towards me. I couldn’t help but ask her “what’s with the smile” trying to stifle my laugh

“As fake as one of those Dior bags that bitch has hanging on her shoulder” she replied, making Lara choke on the air she was breathing

“Oh my god Lara, are you okay?” I said, rubbing her back as she coughed

Krutika appeared out of nowhere with a glass of water for her and Lara immediately took it, gulping it down in one go

“Thankyou” Lara said to her. Krutika just nodded and left with Aashna

"I am sorry, Lara” Kavya apologised

"It wasn't your fault, I should've been more careful” Lara replied

"By the way, how are you so sure about the fake part?" I asked, still curious about her statement

"Lara told me” Kavya replied and my gaze shifted to Lara.

She hesitated a bit but then replied, "It's like a hidden talent I have. I love bags and used to have a big collection of them at my hom- …umm, my parent's place."

I nodded at the explanation. I knew mostly everything about her current life but nothing about her past. One thing was clear: she didn't have a good relationship with her family.

“Sarah, come here” I heard Dadi calling me and we moved towards them

“The kheer is very delicious, dear” complimented one of her friends.

“Yes it’s really very tasty, but how did you manage to make all of this by yourself?” another asked.

I looked around and replied, “Actually aunty, Kavya made the kheer. I was busy with the lunch, so she helped me with the dessert.”

“Well, that’s very nice of her. Otherwise, we felt bad for making you do so much work” another one said.

Kavya and I smiled at them, and soon they left along with Dadi.

We were all seated in the hall with maa.

"Hush! Chalo, sab achhe se ho gaya," maa sighed

(Hush! Thank god everything went well)

"Thank you, maa” I said while resting my head on her shoulder

"Thank you kis baat ka, meri bachi? I am always there for you," she said, kissing the side of my head

(What are you even thanking me for, my daughter? I am always there for you)

"Sara pyaar Sarah ke liye hi hai," we heard Kavya entering the room. She side-hugged maa and sat on the sofa beside us.

(All your love is for Sarah only)

Maa opened the bag that was kept near her and took out two boxes, handing them to us. "Yeh tum dono ke liye” she said

(This is for both of you)

"What’s this?" Aashna asked out of curiosity, followed by Lara and Krutika

Kavya and I opened the box to find the prettiest evil eye lockets

"This is so beautiful, maa” I gasped

"Thank you so much, aunty” Kavya thanked maa

“Mummy mujhe bhi chahiye” Aashna whined like a kid, making all of us laugh

(Mom, I also want)

“Learn to cook something first, then we’ll see” Akshit taunted her

“FYI, I know how to cook” she snapped back

“Making coffee is not cooking, Aashu” Agam teased

“Bhabhi aap apne pati ko chup karayenge or should I shut him up?” She turned to me

(Bhabhi, are you gonna make him shut up or should I?)

“Stop it, Agam! Ofcourse she can cook, don’t forget she lives alone in NYC” I said, trying to stifle my laughter

“Sab hass lo me jaa rhi hu, let’s go ika” she declared, getting up from the sofa and stomping away

(Everyone laugh, I am leaving, let's go Ika)

“But kaha?” Krutika asked, rushing after her

“Kardi na naraz tum logo ne, chote bache ho kya tum log abh?” Maa said

(You all made her angry, are you kids or what?)

“Don’t worry maa she’ll calm down soon” Agam reassured her

“Chalo we’ll take a leave now” Kavya said, getting up

“Yes, same here. I need to go check on the shop” Lara added.

“Koi kahi nhi jayega, itna khaana mangvaya hai, abh sab dinner karke hi jayenge” maa said

(No one is going anywhere, I ordered so much food, now everyone will go after having dinner)

“Bilkul sahi kaha, aunty. Mene to lunch bhi nhi kiya” we heard Raghu, as he entered the hall

(Absolutely right, Aunty. I haven't even had lunch)

“Where were you? Why didn’t you come on time?” Maa asked

“English seekh raha tha” Akshit joked

(He was learning english)

“Vo to isse already aati hai” maa replied, confused by Akshit’s statement

(He already knows how to speak)

“No, Aunty. He knows American English. Now he’s learning British English” Akshit explained. Maa nodded, still confused but trying to follow along.

We all got the reference, so we exchanged looks and chuckled while Raghu glared at Akshit.

“Chalo jao dono ladkio ko mana ke laao aur yeh abhigyan pata nhi kaha chala gya hai, usse bhi bolo dinner yhi karke jayega. No excuses” maa said and left

(Now go and convince both the girls to come, and find out where Abhigyan has disappeared too as well. Tell him he'll be having dinner here, no excuses)

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