The night had settled over the Poddar Mansion, blanketing it in a serene stillness. The warm glow of chandeliers illuminated the grand dining hall, where the family gathered around the expansive wooden dining table. The table was elegantly set, adorned with pristine white plates, silverware, and delicate napkins folded neatly beside crystal water glasses. The soft clatter of utensils against plates echoed through the room as everyone ate in silence. 

Ruhi and Abhira moved gracefully around the table, serving dishes to the family. The two women worked in tandem, neither exchanging words nor glances, as they fulfilled their roles. The atmosphere was tense, heavy with unspoken emotions, the quiet only punctuated by the sounds of spoons scraping against the ceramic. 

Madhav, breaking the silence, looked up from his plate and addressed them. “Abhira, Ruhi, you both should sit and eat now. The food will get cold,” he said with a faint smile. 

Ruhi quickly moved to sit beside Rohit, her steps careful and measured. Abhira, on the other hand, scanned the table, her eyes landing on the only empty seat beside Krish. Just as she began to pull the chair out, Krish shifted in his seat, scooting over to make room for her next to Armaan. 

The subtle action didn’t go unnoticed. Abhira shot a pointed glare at the chorus gang, who were stifling their chuckles behind their hands. They exchanged mischievous grins, clearly pleased with themselves, before focusing back on their plates. 

Kaveri, who had just tasted one of the dishes, hummed appreciatively. “Ah, this is so well-cooked. Absolutely delicious.” Her tone carried genuine delight as she praised the food. 

Vidya, quick to seize the moment, added with a wide smile, “Ruhi must have made it, Maa Saa. She is putting in a lot of effort to fulfill her duties.” She turned to Ruhi with an approving nod, her expression glowing with pride. 

Ruhi’s smile was tight and awkward, her hands fiddling with the edge of her saree. “Thank you, Maa,” she murmured softly, barely meeting anyone’s gaze. 

Vidya continued, clearly basking in her own words. “Maa Saa, don't you feel Ruhi has really taken up the responsibilities of the house so well. She’s exactly how an ideal daughter-in-law should be.” 

Kaveri nodded in agreement. “You’re absolutely right, Vidya. With someone like Ruhi, the household atmosphere becomes so much better.” 

Manisha, who had been quietly observing the exchange, set her fork down with a little more force than necessary, her expression betraying her irritation. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Abhira subtly shook her head. Her calm but firm gaze stopped Manisha, who huffed but relented, picking up her fork again. 

Armaan, sitting beside Abhira, noticed the exchange. His eyes flickered between Abhira and Manisha, catching the quiet tension that passed between them. He also noticed the brief, sarcastic chuckle that escaped Abhira’s lips as Vidya and Kaveri went on about Ruhi’s cooking. Despite her quiet demeanor, her expression revealed her thoughts loud and clear. 

He could make out there was something related to the conversation on the dinner tablee that did not settle well with Abhira but choosing not to involve himself in the matter, Armaan focused on his plate, picking at the food with deliberate concentration. The soft hum of praise and occasional murmurs from across the table continued, but he kept his head down, his moments rigid and focused.

The subtle clinking of utensils ceased as Kaveri cleared her throat, a commanding sound that instantly drew everyone’s attention. She set down her glass, her authoritative gaze sweeping across the table. 

“Everyone,” she began, her tone calm but firm, “make sure your schedules are clear for tomorrow. It’s Gangaur Puja.” 

The mention of the festival brought a ripple of interest. Kaveri continued, “Since it is Ruhi’s first Gangaur after marriage, I have invited a few close relatives, Ruhi’s family, and some of our closest associates for the occasion. It will be a significant celebration, so I expect everyone to be on time and prepared.” 

Armaan’s head turned slightly at her words, his brows furrowing ever so slightly. His gaze lingered on Kaveri as she spoke, and then his eyes moved toward Abhira. She didn’t look up, not even for a moment, as she continued to quietly eat, her face calm and unreadable. 

“Wow, Dadi sa,” Rohit suddenly interjected, his tone cheerful. “That means tomorrow will be a grand celebration. After all, it’s not just Ruhi’s first Gangaur but also Bhabhi’s.” 

Abhira, startled by Rohit’s mention, lifted her gaze slightly and passed him a small, polite smile. Rohit nodded in response, a quiet exchange of acknowledgment that didn’t go unnoticed by Armaan. He watched them closely, the slight crease on his forehead deepening. Kaveri, too, seemed to notice, her expression momentarily tightening before she masked it with a composed demeanor. 

“The ladies will be observing a fast tomorrow,” Kaveri continued. “You can eat anything you like tonight, but after that, nothing until the idol immersion and evening puja. I will also be handing over the shagun for the festival to all the women at the temple, so everyone should be ready on time.” 

Kiara’s eyes lit up with excitement as she clapped her hands. “Dadi sa, can we also join the festival with everyone else? Please!” 

Charu chimed in eagerly, “Yes, Nani sa, please let us participate too. It will be so much fun!” 

Krish, grinning mischievously, leaned back in his chair. “You two can’t even go a few hours without snacks. How will you survive a whole day of fasting?” 

Both Kiara and Charu gasped, clearly offended. “Armaan Bhaiya, look at Krish Bhaiya!” Kiara complained, her tone dramatic. 

Charu added, “He’s making fun of us. Tell him something!” 

Armaan leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He glanced at Krish and said in a mock-stern tone, “Dare you trouble my sisters, Krish.” 

Krish raised his hands in mock surrender but Aryaan added “Fine, fine. We'll behave. But don’t blame us when they come crying out of hunger halfway through the day.” 

Before the playful banter could escalate, Kaveri raised her hand. “Bas, that’s enough,” she said, silencing them instantly. She turned her attention to Kiara and Charu. “If you both want to join the festival, then you may. But remember, no shortcuts. You’ll observe the fast just like the rest of the women. Understood?” 

Both girls nodded eagerly, excited to be included. 

Kaveri then rose from her chair, her posture exuding authority. Her gaze swept across the table before landing on Abhira for a lingering moment. “Sab dhyan rakhna. Make sure everything goes smoothly tomorrow,” she said pointedly. Then, her tone sharpened as she added, “Khas kar tum, ladki.” 

Abhira’s grip on her spoon tightened momentarily, but she kept her face neutral, refusing to react. The tension in the room was palpable as Kaveri walked away, leaving behind an air of unspoken expectations. 

___________

The faint glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room as Armaan stepped in, with a jug of water. Abhira stood by the window, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared out at the night sky. The silence between them was heavy, the tension from dinner still lingering in the air. 

“Abhira,” Armaan began softly, his voice cautious as he approached her. 

She turned, her posture rigid. “Ye..Yes Mr. Poddar?” 

He hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’ve been thinking…you shouldn’t fast tomorrow.” 

That caught her attention. She turned to face him, her brows knitting together. “What?” 

“You’re still not completely well,” Armaan said, his voice filled with concern as he stepped closer to her. “You’ve barely recovered, Abhira. Fasting will only make things worse. I don’t want you to push yourself unnecessarily.” 

A bitter smile tugged at her lips, and she crossed her arms defiantly. “I’m fine, Mr. Poddar. It’s just a fast. I can handle it.” 

“That’s not the point,” he replied, his tone still gentle but firm. “I know you can handle it, but why put yourself through something you don’t have to? You don’t need to prove anything by fasting.” 

Her voice rose slightly, frustration bubbling up. “I understand your concern, Mr. Poddar,” she shot back. “Thank you for being so considerate, but I will still choose to fast.” 

Armaan’s expression hardened with worry. “It’s not necessary, Abhira. Trust me, nothing will go wrong.” 

“Really?” Abhira’s voice was laced with sarcasm as she turned to face him. “I know what will go wrong, after what happened at the aarti today mroning and then at the dining table, incase Dadi Sa finds out I did not fast she will find another reason to judge me.” 

Armaan fell silent, struggling to find the right words.

“And even if I consider my health and choose not to fast who will tell Dadi Sa that, you?” Abhira looked at Armaan. “Who will explain to her that I don’t need to fast?”

“Abhira...” Armaan tried to reason but failed.

Abhira’s tone grew sharp. “Mr. Poddar. I understand your concern. But that way your family will get another reason to taunt me, right? Another reason to point fingers and question my place in this house?” 

“No Abhira..” Armaan tried to reason but Abhira stopped him.

“You know it Mr. Poddar,” She took a step back, her arms wrapping around herself as she spoke, her voice thick with emotion. “cuz this is exactly what will happen, isn’t it? They’ll say I’m incapable of following a simple tradition. That I’m weak. That I’m not worthy of being a Poddar bahu. Isn’t that what this is all about? Proving myself every single day?” 

Armaan ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Abhira, this isn’t about them! It’s about you. Your health. I am worried about you.” 

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Well, thankyou, Mr. Poddar. But not fasting is not an option cuz unlike Ruhi, I have to live with their taunts and judgment every single day. I’m the one under their microscope, every moment” 

His jaw tightened, and his body becoming rigid. He knew abhira was right. His family would put her through worse.

“I’ll fast tomorrow,” she said, her tone final. “Not for them, but for me. Because I refuse to give them the satisfaction of thinking I can’t handle this.” 

“Abhira—” he began, but she cut him off again. 

“Please, Mr. Poddar.” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just let me do this.” 

He stared at her for a long moment, his expression a mixture of frustration, guilt, and helplessness. Abhira let out a sigh, her mind racing with the unresolved tension of their conversation. She turned abruptly to leave the room, her focus elsewhere, and didn’t notice her foot catching on the edge of the rug. In an instant, she stumbled, her balance faltering. 

“Abhira!” Armaan lunged forward to catch her, but the momentum sent them both tumbling onto the bed and then rolling off onto the floor in an unceremonious heap. 

Abhira gasped as she landed on her back, and Armaan landed above her, their faces mere inches apart. The room suddenly felt charged, the air between them heavy with an unspoken intensity. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breath mingling with his as their eyes locked. 

Neither of them moved, caught in the moment. His hand was braced beside her head, and her fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt. The tension crackled, their gazes dipping to each other’s lips briefly before snapping back up. 

“I…uh…” Armaan stammered, his voice low, but neither made an effort to move away. 

Her cheeks flushed as she whispered, “You should get off me.” 

“I’m trying,” he muttered, but his hand slipped against the smooth floor, causing him to fall even closer to her. 

Their failed attempts to untangle themselves turned into a mess of haphazard movements, their faces brushing unintentionally as they tried to shift positions. 

And then, loud voices broke the spell. 

“Humne kuch nahi dekha!” 

“Bilkul kuch nahi!” 

Both of them froze. Their heads whipped toward the door to see Rohit, Krish, Kiara, Aryan, and Charu standing there with wide grins, hands over their eyes in mock innocence. 

Armaan and Abhira scrambled to their feet, their faces red as tomatoes. 

“Tum log yahan is time par, sona nahi hai. Aur yeh why are u people smiling like shameless creatures?” Armaan growled, adjusting his shirt. 

“Oh, we’re shameless, no doubt,” Rohit quipped, leaning against the doorframe. “But that was quite a performance, bhaiya. Almost like a rom-com scene!” 

“Rom-com? More like a full-blown Bollywood blockbuster!” Krish chimed in, wiggling his eyebrows. 

Kiara giggled. “Armaan bhaiya, aap toh bade smooth ho. Floor pe romance karna tha toh darwaza lock kar lete!” 

Abhira crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure. “It wasn’t like that!” 

“Oh, we know exactly what it was like!” Aryan teased. “Bas ek background song ki kami thi.” 

“Pehla nasha…pehla khumar…” Charu began singing dramatically, earning laughter from the group. 

Armaan groaned, running a hand down his face. “Will you all just leave?” 

“Leave? Abhi toh mazza aa raha hai!” Krish said with a wide grin. 

“Bhaiya, we were just passing by when we heard some thuds,” Rohit added innocently. “Hum soch rahe the, sab theek hai ya nahi. Turns out, sab bohot theek tha!” 

Kiara clapped her hands. “And the way you two were looking at each other—uff! Chemistry level max!” 

Armaan had enough, he pointed toward the door, glaring at them. “Out. Now.” 

Charu smirked. “Okay, okay, we’re leaving. But next time, please keep it PG-13. Poor Aryan’s too young for this!” 

Aryan pouted. “I’m 20! Stop treating me like a kid!” 

Rohit grabbed Aryan by the shoulder, pulling him along as they began to retreat. “Chalo, chalo. Let’s give the lovebirds some privacy.” 

As the group finally left, their laughter echoing down the hall, Armaan and Abhira exchanged an embarrassed glance. 

“You…uh…” she started, but he shook his head, holding up a hand. 

“Don’t,” he said. “Let’s just pretend this never happened.” 

“Agreed,” she mumbled, though the faint blush on her cheeks said otherwise. 

They both sat back, awkwardly avoiding each other’s gaze, the room now filled with an awkward silence punctuated only by the faint laughter still audible in the distance.

As they were about to move on from their earlier awkwardness, Aryan popped his head back into their room yet again. “Waise Bhaiya, Bhabhi, neeche chaliye! We’re having a mango party!” 

Abhira looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Mango party? Abhi? Yeh kab hua?” 

Aryan grinned. “Bas abhi hua. Ab chaliye jaldi!” 

Curious, Armaan and Abhira followed Aryan downstairs. As they entered the courtyard, they found the entire chorus gang already seated around a low table laden with mangoes of all varieties. Ruhi was also there, sitting quietly to one side, fiddling with her plate. 

Krish spotted them first. Jumping to his feet dramatically, he announced, “Hamari aam si party mein hamare do khaas logon ka swagat hai!” 

Abhira shot Armaan an awkward glance before walking straight to Krish and grabbing his ear. “Zyada nahi ho raha tumhara abhi?” 

“Ouch, sorry, Bhabhi! Sorry!” Krish winced, rubbing his ear when she let go. 

Abhira smirked. “Achha, yeh party aaj achanak se kyun?” 

Aryan chimed in, grinning. “Bhabhi, kal toh sab fast karenge, toh maine socha aapke liye thoda special kuch kiya jaye.” 

Abhira narrowed her eyes playfully and twisted Aryan’s ear. “Aapne socha? Aryan sa, tum sochte bhi ho kabhi?” 

Aryan made exaggerated puppy-dog eyes. “That’s not fair, Bhabhi! Aap toh meri team mein thi na!” 

The group burst out laughing as Abhira released Aryan. Armaan, who was watching the interaction unfold, was surprised. He had never seen Abhira interact so freely with anyone in the family. Her laughter, her ease with Krish and Aryan—it was a side of her he hadn’t seen before, and it made him smile. 

Rohit interrupted the moment. “Guys, aam ko wait mat karao, warna bura maan jayenge. Please unpe focus karein!” 

Everyone laughed and eagerly reached for their plates. Abhira’s eyes lit up as she filled her plate with mango slices and sat down beside Armaan. Her excitement was evident as she picked up a piece, but her smile faded when she noticed Armaan had taken the seed part of the mango. 

“Mr. Poddar?” she asked, frowning slightly. “Abhi bhi achhi slices bachi hain, phir bhi yeh seed wale pieces kyun?” 

Before Armaan could respond, Krish noticed her expression and chuckled. “Bhabhi, Bhaiya aise hi hai. Hamesha humein best parts lene dete hain, aur khud seed ya bacha-kucha le lete hain.” 

Armaan immediately defended himself. “Aisa kuch nahi hai. Tum log itni importance mat do khud ko.” 

Kiara smirked, leaning forward. “Oh come on, Bhaiya! Itna bhi pyaar mat karo hum buddhuon se!” 

Armaan laughed, shaking his head. “Tum buddhu hi sahi, lekin mere ho. Tumhare liye main kuch bhi kar sakta hoon.” 

Charu made a face, pretending to gag. “Bhaiya, itna senti mat ho. Mera night care spoil ho jayega!” 

Armaan burst out laughing. “Chal nautanki!” 

The group continued to joke and laugh, but Abhira wasn’t paying attention anymore. Her gaze was fixed on Armaan. She noticed the soft smile on his face as he talked about how much he loved his siblings. There was a warmth in his expression, a tenderness that pulled at her heart. 

Without realizing it, she picked up a piece of mango from her plate and quietly placed it on his. Armaan noticed the gesture and glanced at her, his eyes meeting hers which she was quick to divert. In that moment, they said nothing, but the quiet understanding between them spoke volumes. 

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he took the piece of mango she offered, and they continued eating in silence, the noise of the group around them fading into the background.

___________

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Armaan and Abhira’s room, casting a warm glow over the soft beige walls. The air was heavy with a mix of lingering unease and unspoken tension, yet the faint chirping of birds outside provided a gentle backdrop. 

Abhira stood in front of the dressing table, her brows furrowed in concentration as she struggled to tuck in the heavy, intricately embroidered dupatta of her maroon and gold lehenga. The weight of it was cumbersome, and her fingers fumbled as she tried to drape it gracefully over her shoulder. Her expression was a mix of irritation and exhaustion, her dislike for getting ready in traditional outfits evident. 

Behind her, the door creaked open, and Armaan stepped in, freshly dressed in a matching maroon sherwani with gold embroidery that complemented her lehenga perfectly. He had deliberately chosen to get dressed in Krish’s room, knowing she needed the space and time to ready herself without him hovering. His gaze swept over her briefly before settling on her struggle with the dupatta. 

Without a word, she reached for a stapler to pin the dupatta in place, but Armaan’s hand shot out to stop her. 

“Are you seriously about to use a stapler for that?” he asked, his voice low and slightly incredulous. 

Her eyes flicked up to meet his in the mirror. “It’s efficient,” she said, defensive but weary. 

“Efficiently ruining the fabric,” he muttered, stepping closer. “Here, let me.” 

Before she could protest, he gently took the dupatta from her hands. The proximity made her tense, her breath catching slightly as his fingers brushed against her shoulder. He carefully pinned the fabric in place, his movements precise but unhurried. 

“You know,” he said, his voice breaking the silence, “for someone who hates getting dressed up, you always manage to look quite cute.” 

Abhira scoffed lightly, her lips curving into a faint, sarcastic smile. “Flattery won’t make me like this any more than I already do.” 

“I wasn’t trying to flatter you,” he replied, focusing on adjusting the folds of the dupatta. “Just stating a fact.” 

Her gaze dropped, and for a moment, the tension between them felt heavier than the dupatta itself. 

He stepped back slightly, grabbing the box of jewelry from the dressing table. “Earrings next,” he said, holding them up. 

She turned her head to the side reluctantly, allowing him to fasten the dangling gold earrings. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a jolt through both of them, but neither acknowledged it. 

“Why do you even have to wear all this?” he asked, his tone lighter this time. “You’d still look fine without it.” 

“Because it’s tradition,” she replied, her voice soft. “And your family values tradition above all else.” 

He didn’t respond, his jaw tightening slightly as he picked up the necklace. “Hold still.” 

She obeyed, tilting her chin up slightly as he clasped the necklace around her neck. His fingers lingered for a fraction of a second too long before he stepped back. 

“Done,” he said, his voice quieter now. 

“Not yet,” she replied, lifting the anklets from the table. 

He raised a brow. “You want me to…?” 

“Do you see anyone else here?” she said, her tone clipped but not unkind. 

He knelt down without another word, gently taking one of her feet in his hand and fastening the anklet. His touch was firm but careful, and she found herself unable to look anywhere but at him. 

As he finished the second anklet, he glanced up briefly. “There. Now you’re ready to face the day.” 

She let out a small, humorless laugh. “And whatever comes with it.” 

He stood, brushing off his sherwani. “You always manage to handle it, don’t you?” 

She didn’t answer, turning back to the mirror to adjust her bangles instead. The silence returned, but this time it felt less oppressive, a fragile truce between them as they prepared to step out into the chaos of the day.

As he stepped back to admire his handiwork, he said, “Perfect. No staplers required.” 

Abhira let out a laugh, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.” 

He grinned. “And you’re looking cute.” 

For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them lingering in the charged silence. Then, as if to break the spell, Armaan reached out and tapped her nose lightly. 

“Now, let’s go,” he said. “Cuz dadi sa wait kar rahi hai and main tumhare baadle dant nahi sununga.” 

Abhira chuckled, shaking her head. “Fine. Let’s go.” 

As they walked out together, Abhira couldn’t help but smile. Moments like these even in the chaos of Poddar house seemed a fresh breath.

___________

Armaan and Abhira descended the grand staircase of the Poddar mansion, their steps synchronized, yet their minds on different paths. The soft hum of festive music floated through the air, mingling with the scent of marigold garlands adorning every corner of the hall. Abhira’s eyes scanned the crowd gathered below—a sea of faces, vibrant colors, and a hum of excited chatter. 

As the scale of the event settled into her, she instinctively reached out, her fingers gripping the sleeve of Armaan’s sherwani. He glanced at her briefly but said nothing, letting her hold onto him as they continued downward. 

Abhira’s thoughts raced as she took in the grandeur. In the six months of her marriage to Armaan, the Poddars had never celebrated any occasion on such a lavish scale until Rohit’s wedding. She had seen family dinners, small rituals, but nothing like this. For the first time, it hit her with full force—she wasn’t truly one of them. 

Before her thoughts could spiral further, a cheerful chorus of voices broke through. The chorus gang—Krish, Kiara, Aryan, and Charu—rushed toward them, their eyes lighting up as they approached. Manisha and Manoj trailed behind, smiling warmly. 

“Whoa, look at you two!” Kiara exclaimed, her tone playful. “If there’s a competition for the best-looking couple tonight, you’ve already won.” 

“Bhabhi, you’re looking extra pretty today,” Krish teased, grinning widely. “What’s the occasion? Oh wait—it’s Gangaur. Makes sense now.” 

Abhira managed a small smile, glancing at Armaan. “You’re not bad yourself,” she replied lightly, trying to ease her nerves. 

Before more teasing could ensue, Rohit and Ruhi entered the venue, immediately drawing the attention of Vidya and Kaveri. Both women rushed forward, showering Ruhi with praises. 

“Ruhi, you look absolutely stunning,” Vidya gushed, adjusting Ruhi’s dupatta slightly. 

“Perfect, as always,” Kaveri added with a nod of approval. 

Ruhi smiled modestly, murmuring a soft thank you, but her eyes darted briefly to Abhira, as if gauging her reaction. 

Abhira stood silently beside Armaan, offering a polite smile when necessary. However, as more relatives began to arrive, her discomfort grew. Compliments began to shift in her direction, one after the other. 

“Oh, you must be Abhira! Such a beautiful young woman!” 

“Armaan’s wife, right? You’re glowing, beta.” 

“This lehenga suits you so well. Look at her grace, Vidya ji.” 

Abhira felt the weight of every pair of eyes on her, their kind words unintentionally overwhelming. She shifted uneasily, inching closer to Armaan until she was almost half-hidden behind him. 

Armaan noticed immediately. He always did. His hand, strong and steady, reached for hers, giving it a light squeeze before he leaned in slightly, his voice low. 

“Relax,” he murmured. “You’re doing fine.” 

She glanced up at him, her eyes betraying the turmoil she couldn’t voice. His reassuring smile was subtle but enough to keep her grounded. Standing by her side, shielding her from the crowd’s attention, Armaan silently vowed to ensure she never felt alone amidst the grandeur of a family that still hadn’t fully embraced her.

*..*..*..*..*..*

Views on this one ?

Gangaur part 2 coming up soon.

~TheLostSoul