*Kirthi Pov*

"Going to work?" I got startled hearing that question and turned to glance at Aunty who is ordering the staff regarding the house cleaning.

"Yes, Aunty!" I replied and she nodded before walking towards me.

"They will be cleaning the whole house for the next two days. Tell them when you are free so that they will clean your room at that time." I nodded before glancing at the staff.

"Tomorrow evening is fine with me." They nodded after which I turned to leave but found Satvik climbing down the stairs.

"I am going for work, Aunty." She completely ignored him and walked back towards the staff while he shrugged reaching my side.

"She is still mad at your breakfast." I whispered and we both walked out of the house together.

"I am not free today but will practice again this coming Saturday." I stared at him with a blank expression after hearing those words.

"What is it?" he asked frowning as I stopped walking.

"I am planning on how to order some breakfast without letting anyone know." I explained and he laughed shaking his head.

"I will drop you at the hospital." I accepted as this house is kind of far from the hospital and today even Ansh had to go early to work.

When we reached the hospital, he frowned at the person who just parked beside his car. I turned to find it to be my Ex-fiance.

"Is he still bothering you?" he asked gesturing that person.

"Why? Want to show the power of a brother?" I asked back to which he didn't react and just waited for my answer.

"Don't worry! After a small lesson from Ansh, he stopped bothering me anymore and is acting completely professional." I assured him before opening the door to get down.

"Good morning, Ms. Kirthi!" I stopped smiling as I am still not used to his way of respect.

"Good morning, Doctor!" I greeted him back and continued to walk into the hospital ignoring him again.

Even I will stay professional and will not talk to him unless there is a need to. I greeted the staff I met on the way and finally reached the room to change my attire.

When it was time to leave, I checked my phone to see whether I can find a bus at this time only to smile at the message I received nearly half an hour back.

After rushing to change back into my dress, I walked out of the hospital to find his car waiting in the parking lot.

He is actually lying down on the steering wheel with a tired look. I knocked on his window which startled him but he smiled when he realized it is me.

"You should have left when I didn't reply to your message, Ansh." I mumbled sitting inside the car.

"I thought you would be busy and that's why didn't reply. I didn't realize how much time passed." He explained while moving his hand to start the engine.

However, I held his collar and pulled him closer before kissing him which surprised him but he immediately kissed back.

"What's with the sudden kiss?" he asked shifted his hands around my waist to pull me closer.

"Just felt you are cute." I replied shrugging and patted his hands.

"This is still a parking lot. Let's go!" I mumbled but he shook his head.

"I was very polite and was about to just drive us home but you are the one who took this step. So, how about we go to your place?" he asked caressing my waist.

"Nope! We were nearly caught that day when we returned so late. It feels weird to get questioned like that." I replied shaking my head.

"I don't understand why are they treating us like teenagers." He mumbled sighing and leaned to kiss me again before starting the car.

"You must be tired as you woke up early to go to work." I commented but he shook his head in negative and I smiled staring at him.

"Let's go to my place." He glanced at me when he had to stop near the red signal.

"Let's go there and take rest." I added rolling my eyes and he chuckled shaking his head.

"It's okay! If we go to your place then you will not rest and keep on cleaning the house. It is better to go to my parent's place only." Saying that he continued to drive and I didn't stop him.

When we reached the house, his Mom stopped him from going to his room saying, "I need some help with the things in the storeroom. Come with me, Ansh!"

"Aunty! He is tired today as he left early. If it is fine then I can help you." I offered before he could react and she glanced at him to find his tired look.

"You go and rest." She ushered him before glancing at me.

"You must be tired too. I will ask someone else." She added before walking towards the dining area.

"How about I help, Aunty?" Satvik asked out of nowhere and I turned to find him already sitting in the dining area while peeling an apple.

"No need!" she replied and he sighed shaking his head.

"You don't want the fruits I am offering and not even my help. You give too much respect to me, Aunty. I guess it is really true that the In-laws will always care about their son-in-law more than their son." He continued to talk while I shook my head and climbed the stairs knowing well their bickering will not stop anytime soon.

****

"Is our cook learning from Satvik or what?" Ansh asked after taking a bite from the breakfast and I am glad I didn't take any bite.

I remember Satvik mentioned that he will cook on Saturday and that's why I stayed back without eating to see the reaction of others.

Aunty called for the cook but to their surprised Satvik stepped out smiling at us. I smiled back but pushed the plate away to not even touch it accidentally.

"Don't tell me you cooked today's breakfast." Ansh commented while I chuckled.

"You already knew?" He asked and I shrugged making him glare at me.

"I gave leave to the cook for two days and so I will prepare all three meals during these two days." Satvik stated and I sat straight at that.

Is he serious? I thought of taking a rest during these two days as I have leaves due for this month.

And I can't even escape as everyone heard Ansh talking about it yesterday in a loud voice as he too decided to not go to work unless it is urgent.

"Where should I get a temporary cook? No one comes to this area properly and how hard it was to hire one those years back. I can't even call him back after this person gave leave to him." Aunty commented while holding her head.

"We can order food, Mom." Ansh offered and I nodded accepting those words.

"Then what about the groceries I bought. What if they go waste?" Satvik asked frowning and I stared at him feeling amazed.

He is definitely crazier than me to not leave any loophole and get his work done somehow. Anusha or her parents definitely don't have a chance to fight against him if he wants something.

"Why don't you cook during these two days?" Uncle asked looking at Aunty.

"You know how to cook, Mom?" Ansh asked in a surprised tone.

"You even had her cooking when you were a kid." Uncle replied nodding.

"It's been so long and I am not confident to cook anything properly." Aunty mumbled and Satvik who is standing beside my chair moved his leg to push mine.

I frowned at him while he gestured towards Aunty and I realized what is he trying to do. I shook my head not wishing to go through this but he glared at me.

He really seems to be my brother with the way he is forcing me now. I sighed at him before clearing my throat to get attention.

"I can help you, Aunty." I offered and this time she didn't reject immediately.

"She cooks really good, Mom." Ansh added and she accepted looking at me.

Great! Am I going to get accepted into this family because of my cooking or what? I shook my head and stood up to prepare some breakfast first.

When I checked the batter he used, I added a few ingredients to correct it while Aunty stood near the entrance to see what I am doing.

I ignored her presence and finished preparing while she helped me to get them to the table. Everyone finished the breakfast in silence while Satvik had this achieved look covering his face.

"Let me know what you want to cook so that I can cut the vegetables." Aunty asked when everyone left after breakfast.

"We can do it together, Aunty." I offered as I am not that uncomfortable to cook with whatever size the vegetables are and it is better to do it together so that I can get it done as I wish for it to be.

We stayed silent even while cutting the vegetable but when I started cooking, she calmly asked, "Where did you learn cooking?"

"My last foster parents had a huge hobby of cooking all kinds of cuisines and I learned from them during holidays." I replied and turned to take the bowl from her hands but found her holding it tightly.

"Last foster parents?" She asked frowning.

I calmly explained about my actual parents and then about the relatives and the orphanage. She heard everything without commenting or stopping me anywhere and I finished cooking in the meantime.

I don't know whether my past will actually make her reject me even more but it is better that she knows instead of worrying in the future thinking what if they find out.

"This tastes really good." Uncle commented while Aunty stated that I am the one who cooked everything and not her.

"You will cook soon and then even I will complement you the same." He assured her making her smile.

"If you cook for us then she will also complement you, Uncle." I mumbled and he froze while I thought I shouldn't have said anything.

"He cooks really well but makes a huge mess and so I stopped him from cooking long back. But when I was pregnant with Ansh, he handled everything and then hired a cook when it was Anusha's time." Aunty explained and I nodded calmly but actually didn't expect her to say all those things.

From that moment, she didn't stop talking even when it is just both of us. And finally, she decided to cook the next day but asked for me to assist her to make sure everything goes well.

"Happy?" Satvik asked as I continued to stand in the dining area even after Aunty left after saying those words.

"I can't believe you did all this for my sake. I thought it is to get closer to them." I mumbled and he shook his head.

"I need to make sure that they accept you which will make Anusha happy and that's all I am thinking about." He explained and I sighed at those words.

"By the way, what are you talking to Uncle all the time?" I asked frowning at him as even Ansh felt weird to see his Dad close with Satvik.

"Secret!" saying that he walked away while I thanked him to which he waved his hand without turning around.

****

"How is it?" Aunty asked as I took a bite to taste it.

"It tastes good, Aunty." I replied smiling and she gave a relieved look.

"Okay! This was a simple breakfast but the main hurdle is lunch and if that goes well then I will ask Anusha to come for dinner." She mumbled while I took the tray which is filled with the breakfast she made.

And as expected everyone like it while she said it is because of my help. I shook my head saying, "You did everything, Aunty. I was just standing aside."

"You were patient with me no matter what I asked." She pointed out.

"She is a nurse, Mom. She dealt with more serious situations and stayed patient. You don't know what kind of trouble I gave her when I first met her. I even said I need to meet her supervisor to complain about her but she dealt with me so calmly." Ansh commented while I stepped on his leg which he completely ignored.

"When?" Uncle asked frowning.

"When Anusha got hurt and hospitalized...." He stopped talking realizing what kind of topic it is.

"It is because I concentrate on not just patient but also patient's family who stay at the hospital. It is better to keep an eye on them otherwise they may fall ill due to worry." I explained and Aunty nodded at those words.

"I remember falling ill while taking care of Ansh when he had an accident during his schooling. His Dad ended up taking care of both of us." She commented and I diverted the topic completely as Satvik seems like he is ready to rush out of this place after hearing Ansh's words.

"Are you okay?" I asked reaching him as I found him standing in the garden and he shrugged.

"I am supposed to feel guilty as no matter how much I repent, I nearly lost her because of my anger." He replied and I sighed not saying any comfort words as he is right.

I have seen how depressed Anusha was even after her wound healed. I like him now but for the past, I stand with Anusha.

If not for her feelings, I wouldn't have supported him at all. But as even she is hurting in the process, I feel it is better to get together instead of both hurting like this.

I patted his shoulder before walking inside as Aunty is already ready to start the lunch process. I really hope she doesn't remove the cook from his post after getting too involved in cooking like this.

****

"What are you doing?" I turned to find Ansh standing near the doorway of my room.

"Checking the recipe for the dish Aunty is going to prepare for dinner." I replied turning back to browse on my phone.

He walked into the room and I heard him closing the door before laying down beside me with a sigh.

"We didn't go out at all during this weekend. Let's go and we don't know when will you get a proper leave again." He mumbled while shifting his head to kiss my cheek.

"I already promised your Mom that I will help her." I pointed out.

"I am going to kill Satvik one day for creating this mess." He fumed while I chuckled to put the phone aside and hugged him.

"He did this so that I can get closer to your Mom. Still, want to kill him?" I asked leaning over to lay on his shoulder.

"Maybe not! But if you are closer to her then let's get married, Kirthi." I immediately replied negatively to his question.

"But why? Aren't you both close now? Isn't that enough?" he asked frowning while I chuckled.

"Do you really think just because I know how to cook, they will accept me as their daughter-in-law? If they just want this ability then they would have just got all kinds of renowned chefs as your blind dates." I pointed out.

"Also, they may reject me even more than in the past. I told Aunty about my past without leaving any detail. So, it will be a long run." I added and he frowned turning to glance at me.

"It's been two months since we are staying separately, Kirthi." He pointed back and I laughed at those words.

"Why are you lying like that? Didn't we stay at my place whenever we got a holiday? Did you forget?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"How does that count? We never stayed together during the nighttime. Nights are more important, Kirthi." He definitely seems to be serious and I don't know whether it is fine to laugh after hearing those words.

"Leave it, Ansh! Let me go through this recipe once again." Saying that I took my phone and he frowned beside me.

"Is it so important over us?" I frowned at that question and turned to find his upset look.

"Why are you getting mad? I am doing this for your Mom." I pointed out but he shook his head.

"Then for us, let's get married." He is still stuck to that part and before I could open my heard we both heard his Mom calling me.

"I need to go and get some brownie points from your Mom. Don't get mad and understand." Saying that I pressed my lips to his before rolling over to get down the bed from the other side.

"Fine! Go and do the thing which is more important than me." I sighed turning to glance at me but walked out as Aunty continued to call me.

When I reached downstairs, she looked around asking, "Did you see Ansh? I didn't find him in his room."

"No, Aunty! Why?" I asked clearing my throat as if I say he is in my room then it would be awkward.

"I thought we can ask him to taste it so that we can have a second opinion." She replied and I immediately shook my head.

If she actually asks him that then he may just storm out of the house to stay at my place while making me stay here alone.

"He must be busy with some work, Aunty. Don't worry about taste." Saying that I rushed her to the kitchen where she was already done with the ingredients.

"What is going on here?" I heard Anusha's voice but I stayed silent to make sure there is no mistake in the process Aunty is doing.

Instead of preparing a simple dish, she planned for a complicated one for dinner as it is Anusha's favorite. Even I am not that confident and if it goes wrong then all the work Satvik made to get us together will go waste.

Aunty took a step back after everything is done and glanced at me. I nodded at her smiling as I think it wouldn't go wrong and she sighed in relief.

"Now, I just need to wait for a half an hour, right? So, I will just go and take the shower. I am feeling too sweaty." Aunty said after giving Anusha a glance.

"Sure! I will be here." I assured her and she smiled before walking towards Anusha.

"I will just be back." Saying that to Anusha she walked off happily while I shook my head smiling at her excitement.

"What happened to her?" Anusha asked entering the kitchen while I am taking care of the last details and also keeping an eye on the dish.

"What do you mean?" I asked turning to glance at her.

"What do I mean? I was just invited for a dinner and when I came, I just saw my mom standing inside the kitchen and cooking. To top that surprise list, I can see both of you doing it together." I chuckled at the way she looks confused before walking towards her to hug her which shocked her even more.

"All because of your Satvik." I said before stepping back.

"Not mine! But what did he do now?" She asked frowning at me.

"Well, he gave leave to the cook without anyone's permission and no one knew until he served breakfast again to all of us yesterday." I explained and she groaned.

"Where is he getting time to do all this?" She mumbled shaking her head while I sighed at her confused look.

"Anyway, Aunty realized either we should get a new cook which is a very difficult job as she already went through it a few years back or someone else should cook. She didn't want to ask me to do that as she still feels I am an outsider, but she is fine with taking my help." I explained in detail while hoping she will understand he is no longer the same like in the past.

"And she just cooked the dinner?" She asked staring at the dish with a shocked expression.

"She knows how to cook, but just never thought of doing it much. Anyway, now she is also talking to me properly." I replied smiling.

"I am so happy for you." She smiled and I chuckled at her excitement.

"Yeah? Then go and thank your Satvik." I commented and her smile slipped from her face.

"Done?" We both heard a harsh voice and turned to find Ansh standing near the door while throwing daggers through his eyes at me and I couldn't help but laugh at his expression even though I know it would just raise his temper.

"Half an hour!" I replied and he just huffed before walking away.

"You both fought?" Anusha asked frowning at me.

"No! I just didn't accept his idea." I replied vaguely as I don't want her to think much about it.

But when she didn't back down, I finally sighed before dragging her to the dining area and we both sat down.

"From the time we are here that is these last two months, we are staying you know in separate rooms and it finally ticked him off. He asked me to marry him and..." she cut me off and pulled me into a hug.

"I am so happy." She said grinning and I shook my head before letting her leave me.

"Why? He already asked me a few times before. Anyway, I said I will not marry him." I continued and she gasped at me hearing those words.

"What? But why?" She asked with a confused expression.

"Well, because I don't want another situation like the one that happened in your life. I want your parents to completely accept me before I marry your brother." I replied and she stared at me in shock.

I know I am kind of digging her past with these words but it is better to tell her truth so that she doesn't worry much to think about the answers.

"It will never happen to you." She promised after a few seconds.

"Why? I feel there are more chances. What if I became the reason for complete seperation between your brother and parents. When Satvik who is very close to his parents and mainly his mother can let the situations arise as such whatever happened then why can't Ansh who is already angry at your parents?" I asked putting out all the doubts I have in my head and she is the only person I am able to talk this honestly right now.

"Bhai would never hurt you." I smiled at those words.

"But we both already did that to each other." I said shrugging.

"And who knows what will he do when some situations arise? How can I make his tensions increase and destroy our relationship?" I asked and she frowned at me.

"You think I am overreacting, not accepting Satvik back into my life? You think he has made no mistake?" She suddenly asked and I immediately shook my head in negative.

Why is she even thinking like that? And from where did she come to those conclusions? I stared at her with a serious look which made her frown.

"He did! And he too knows that, but I just want to say that throwing each and every wrong at his feet is also not correct." I said placing my hand on hers.

"I didn't mind much whatever his family did you know, but when he... when he repeatedly accused me... I just..." She stopped in the mid-sentence and I squeezed her hand.

"And he is beating himself about that every day. Trust me when I say that." I mumbled but she didn't reply.

"Now that Mom is talking to you and everything is fine, why don't you marry Bhai?" She asked frowning at me.

"Yeah! All thanks to Satvik about that, but I want to wait for some more time." I replied and stood up to leave.

"What do you mean, thanks to Satvik?" She asked but didn't seem confused at all and seems like she already knows a bit about it.

"Didn't you get it already? All this was his plan so that Aunty and I can spend time and also she can accept me." I replied before walking towards the kitchen to take care of the dish.

If this finishes soon, then I can go and calm my Ansh a bit. I sighed thinking what should I do to calm him down a bit and make him understand my view.