As the family struggled to deal with the unexpected change of events, the tension in the air grew. Motivated by a misguided bet, Aarti's friends chose to take advantage of the circumstance, further embarrassing an already awkward situation. Aarti hesitantly moved forward to accept the humiliating challenge, and the room became silent. "Aarti,chalo bhi! Aise naachen jaise aapane pahale kabhi nrty nahi kiya ho(come on! Dance as if you've never danced before!)" Driven by the weight of the circumstance and the strain of the bet, Aarti started dancing in a way that made the guests and family feel insecure. The room echoed with an uncomfortable mix of anxiety and judgment, instead of the sacred echoes of a wedding. Masoom whispers to Isha. "Yah ek nigtmare hai. Yah avishvasaneey hai ki vah aisa kar rahi hai(This is a nightmare. It's unbelievable that she's doing this.)" Isha is frowning. "Aarti Chachi,aap kya soch rahe hain(what are you thinking?)" Seeing his mother in pain, Dev experienced a wave of guilt and rage. The family looked at each other, divided between shame for them and worry for Aarti. Dev clenches his fists. "Enough! Mom, stop it!" Panic peaked as Aarti carried on with her awkward dance. Abruptly, Aarti passed out due to the overwhelming circumstances. When the room quieted down, Dev hurried over to his mother. "Mom!Kya kar daale(What have you done?!)" Even in the tense situation, Anna offered help. "Chalo usake liye paani lekar aaen. Hamen usaki bhalai sunishchit karani chaahiye(Let's go fetch water for her. We must ensure her well-being.)" The guests watched in startled silence as the family came together to support Aarti. When Aarti came to, she saw that everyone was looking at her worriedly. "Kya hua(What happened?)" Dev is concerned. "Mom,tum behosh ho gae. Kya tum theek ho(you passed out. Are you okay?)" As Aarti realized how serious her actions were and how they would affect her family, she had a mixture of sorrow and shame. "Mujhe yakeen nahi hai ki mujhe kya mila. Mujhe har kisi ke liye bahut khed hai(I'm not sure what got to me. I am so sorry everyone.)" 

As Anna and Dev came to terms with their forced union, there was a palpable sense of unease and tension in the room. For the newlyweds, the evening of their wedding—typically a time of intimacy and celebration—turned into a melancholy occasion. The uncomfortable stillness that enveloped their shared room as soon as they walked in revealed how strained Dev and Anna's relationship was. Unable to contain his fury, Dev spoke to Anna in a cold manner. "Main tumhaara chehara nahi dekhana chaahata. Bistar ke beech mein parda laga den. Ek hi chat ke neeche, hum ajanabi hain(I don't want to see your face. Put the curtain up in between the bed. Under the same roof, we are strangers.)" Despite being offended by the harsh words, Anna followed Dev's instructions. The room felt like a battlefield of opposing emotions, where the promise of love had once resided. Anna moved silently for the curtain, drawing a temporary partition between the beds. Their physical and mental separation served as a vivid reminder of the realities of their forced marriage. The atmosphere in the room was thick with unspoken grief and unresolved issues. "Mainne apane jeevan ki aisi kalpana nahi ki thi(This is not how I imagined my life.)" The room was heavy with the weight of unmet expectations and the pervasive grief that pervaded everything as they took up their individual positions. The curtain, which stood for their separation, hung there like a silent witness to the intricacies of a bond formed out of obligation rather than free will. The tense relationship between Dev and Anna continued in the days that followed, with a constant sense of tension in the air at all times. One day, when they were alone in the living room, the burden of their unsaid feelings got to be too much to handle. "Anna,mujhe nahi pata ki aap kaun sa khel khel rahe hain, lekin main isamen shaamil nahi hona chaahata. Yah jabaran shaadi sharmanaak hai, aur aap isaka hissa hain(I have no idea what game you are playing, but I don't want to be involved. This forced marriage is shameful, and you are part of it.)" Knowing that Dev was mocking her, Anna made an effort to remain calm. "Dev,yah meri pasand nahi thi; na hee yah tumhaara tha. Hum dono apane niyantran se baahar ki paristhitiyon ke shikaar hain(this was not my choice; neither was it yours. Both of us are victims of circumstances outside of our control.)" Dev is furious. "Mujhe apane jeevan mein tumhaari zaroorat nahi hai, peedit ho ya nahi. Aap n sabhi cheejon ki jeevit, saans leti hui yaad dilaate hain jo galat hui hain(I don't need you in my life, victim or not. You are a living, breathing reminder of all that has gone wrong.)" Anna felt her heart sink after hearing Dev's words pierce through the atmosphere. Though she'd thought time would heal the wounds of their situation, she could feel them getting deeper every day. "Dev,mujhe pata hai ki aap udaas hain. Haalaanki, main aapaka dushman nahi hoon. Hum sab milakar yah pata laga sakate hain ki isase kaise nipata jae(I know you're upset. I'm not your enemy, though. Together, we can figure out how to get through this.)" Dev is scornful. "Ek saath? Yahaan, koi "ek saath" nahi hai. Ek doosare ke liye hum kuch bhi nahi hain(Together? Here, there is no "together." To each other, we are nothing.)" 

Weeks passed, and Dev's enmity for Anna seemed to grow stronger, erecting an unbreakable wall between them. Anna felt the weight of her emotions overwhelming her in those quiet moments by herself. Tears were streaming down her cheeks one evening, and she was too busy crying to notice Ragini, aka Chachi, slip silently into the room. Sensitive and sympathetic, Ragini felt Anna's pain. "Anna,mere bachi, tum kyon ro rahe ho(my child, why are you crying?)" Anna was startled and wiped her eyes hastily, trying to hide the sorrow that was smeared across her face. Anna tries to smile. "Chachi,yah kuch bhi nahi hai. Bas kuch atyant sashakt vichaar(it's nothing. Just a few extremely strong thoughts.)" But Ragini was not to be easily persuaded. She stepped closer to Anna, her eyes softly glowing. "Tumhe apani bhaavanaen mujhase chupaane ki jaroorat nahi hai. Bhale hi hamaare beech khoon ka rishta nahi hai, lekin ab aap hamaare parivaar ke sadasy hain(You don't need to keep your emotions hidden from me. Even though we are not related by blood, you are now a member of our family.)" Feeling reassured by Ragini's presence, Anna relaxed her guard. "Yah bas...sabakuch hai. Jis tarah se parivaar mujhe ghoorata hai, Dev ka napharat. Mainne kabhi nahi socha tha ki meree jindagi is disha mein jaayegi(It's just...everything. The way the family stares at me, Dev's hatred. I never thought my life would go in this direction.)" 

With empathy and compassion, Ragini put a reassuring hand on Anna's shoulder. "Meri pyaar, jindagi hamen aashcharyachakit karane ka ek tareeka hai. Kabhi-kabhi yah apratyaashit bandhanon ke liye dvaar kholata hai, bhale hi yah vah na ho jisaki hamen ummeed thi(My love, life has a way of surprising us. Sometimes it opens the door for unexpected bonds, even though it may not be what we expected.)" Ragini reached inside a cupboard and pulled out a stunning saree as a sign of acceptance and support. "Yaheen tum ho, Anna. Main chaahata hoon ki yah tumhe mile kyonki yah mera tha. Ek nai sari kabhi-kabhi ek taaza drshy pradaan kar sakati hai(This is where you are, Anna. I want you to have this since it was mine. A new saree might sometimes provide a fresh view.)" Anna gratefully took the saree, touched by true kindness. "Thank you, Chachi.Aapaki aasheervaad mere liye bahut mahatvapoorn hai(Your blessing is very important to me.)" Ragini acknowledged Anna's struggles inside the family and smiled kindly. "Meri bachi, tum isamen akele nahi ho. Bhale hi main sab kuch nahi jaanata, phir bhi main aapake liye yahaan rahoonga(My child, you're not alone in this. Even if I might not know everything, I'll still be here for you.)" Ragini embraced Anna encouragingly, and the two women connected in a way that went beyond the confines of an enforced union. At that precise moment, Ragini's acceptance and kindness provided Anna with a glimpse of hope amidst the stormy currents in her life. 

Anna was faced with the difficulties of cooking North Indian food, which was different from her Southern upbringing, in the busy kitchen of the home. The family, used to a different culinary culture, watched her experiments with mixed emotions of interest and worry as she tried to work her way through the variety of spices and methods. Masoom is glancing into the kitchen area. "Anna,kya pakaaya ja raha hai? Isamen ek ajeeb si sugandh hoti hai(what's cooking? It has a peculiar aroma.)" Anna glances down at the stove and smiles. "Main uttar bhaarat ke vibhinn khaady padaarth taiyaar karane ki koshish kar raha hoon. Mujhe aasha hai ki aap inaka aanand lenge(I'm trying to prepare various foods from North India. I'm hoping you'll enjoy these.)" The family was excited and apprehensive about the culinary experiment as the aroma of coriander, cumin, and other spices filled the air. Isha furrows her brow. "Hi Bhabhi,kya aap nishchit hain ki aapako yah mil gaya? Uttar bhaarat ka khaan-paan aapaki jadon se bahut alag hai(are you sure you got this? The cuisine of North India differs greatly from your roots.)" Anna exudes confidence. "Jaise-jaise main aage badhata hoon, main seekhata jaata hoon. Main kisi se bhi sujhaav aur salaah ke liye taiyaar hoon(As I go, I'm learning. I'm open to suggestions and advice from anyone.)" The food limitations presented another difficulty in the meantime. All of the family—aside from Anna—did not eat beef or meat. "Anna,ham maans ya gomaans nahi khaate. Aamataur par, hum shaakaahaari ya chicken aadhaarit bhojan khaate hain(we don't eat meat or beef. Typically, we eat vegetarian or chicken-based meals.)" Anna gives a nod. "Main yah sunishchit karoonga ki main shaakaahaari ya chicken vikalpon par hi kaayam rahoon(I'll make sure to stick to vegetarian or chicken options then.)" The family members looked at each other as Anna carried on with her culinary experiments, not sure what they could expect from this blending of culinary cultures. Dev is sarcastic. "Yah dilachasp hona chaahiye. Dekhen ki kya vah uttar bhaarat ka svaad bardaasht kar sakati hai(This should be interesting. See if she can tolerate the flavors of North India.)" Anna is cheerful and persistent. "Main apana sarvashreshth prayaas kar raha hoon, bhale hi main pahali baar mein ise paraphekt na kar paoon. Mujhe apane pasandeeda bhojan ke baare mein bataen aur main ise aapake liye banaane ki poori koshish karoonga(I'm doing my best even if I might not get it perfect the first time. Tell me about your favorite food, and I'll do my best to make it for you.)" The family assembled in the prayer room's sacred place to carry out their pooja and invokes Krishna, Ganesha, and Mattha Rani for blessings. The incense gave the ceremony an ethereal quality, and the atmosphere was charged with spiritual dedication. But Anna, a Catholic, respectfully observed the religious rituals from the side. "Anna, please aao. Aao hamaare saath pooja karo. Yah din ki shuruaat karane ka ek sundar tareeka hai(come. Come do the pooja with us. It is a lovely way to begin the day.)" Anna gives a headshake. "Thank you, Chachi. Main bhaavana ki saraahana karata hoon, lekin meri aastha alag hai(I appreciate the sentiment, but my faith is different.)" Masoom had to make a sarcastic remark as Anna stepped aside. "Anna ko dekhen kyonki vah ek baahari vyakti ke roop mein hamaare pavitr anushthaan mein shaamil hoti hai. Shaayad pata nahi kya ho raha hai(See Anna as she joins in our holy ritual as the outsider. Probably has no idea what's going on.)" Isha responds in a whisper. "Yah uchit nahi hai, Masoom. Use apani maanyataon par adhikaar hai(That's not fair, Masoom. She has a right to her beliefs.)" Anna remained calm despite the subdued murmurs because she recognized the cultural and religious differences that made her stand out. "Anna,kya aap apane devataon se praarthana nahi karana chaahate? Ya aapake paas koi nahi hai(don't you want to pray to your own gods? Or you don't have any?) 

Anna makes an effort to relax. "Main apane liye ek anokhe tareeke se paramaatma se judata hoon. Haalaanki yah bhinn ho sakata hai, yah kaaphi vyaktigat hai(I connect with the divine in a way unique to me. Though it may differ, it's quite personal.)" Anna took comfort in her quiet prayers, acknowledging the spiritual variety of the family, while the puja went on. For the first time, Dev stands up for Anna. "Masoom,use akela chod do. Har kisi ki alag-alag maanyataen hoti hain. Yah aisi cheez hai jisaka hum sabie ko sammaan karana chaahiye(leave her alone. Everybody has different beliefs. That's something we should all respect.)" Masoom shrugged her eyes and ignored Dev's comments, going back to her own nasty thoughts. "Theek hai, apane aap ko anukool banao. Haalaanki, main hamaari paramparaon ke bina apane jeevan ki kalpana nahi kar sakata(All right, suit yourself. However, I cannot imagine my life without our traditions.)" The puja went on, with the room filled with rhythmic chanting and the aroma of incense. Despite being physically far away, Anna remained a silent spectator, taking solace in her own faith. 

When night fell, Anna took comfort in her room's silence. She was holding the rosary in her hands, her fingers passionately tracing the beads as the brightness of a small lamp illuminated her sacred place. Her voice filled the room as she softly started to sing a beloved Malayalam song that was dedicated to Mother Mary.

(Amme Ente Amme-Malayalam song by Kester and Sreya Jaydeep)

Malayalam:

Amme, ente amme, ente eeshoyude amme

Amme, ente amme,

ennikkeesho thannoramme

Amme, ente amme, ente eeshoyude amme

Amme, ente amme,

enikkeesho thannoramme

Ave maria.. kanyamathave..

Ave maria.. kanyamathave..

Amme, ente amme, ente eeshoyude amme

Amme, ente amme, enikkeesho thannoramme

Verse 1:

Thalamurakal thorum(2X)

paadum bhagyavathi amma

Japamani malakalil

uyarum nanma niranjaval amma

Parudeesayayi amma(2X)daivathinu parkkanPunyashramamayi ammaeeshokku valaran

(Return to Chorus)

With every beautiful note, the verses—a poetic declaration of love and devotion—unfolded. As Anna put her everything into the lyrics, the beauty of the song filled the room. Unknown to Anna, the family had gathered outside her chamber, lured by the soulful sounds that cut over barriers to language, intrigued by the mesmerizing song. Isha speaks softly to Ragini. "Kya Anna vahaan ga rahe hain? Yah bahut hi kam sundar hota hai(Is Anna singing there? It's really beautiful.)" Dev must concur. "Vaastav mein, yah mainne ab tak suni kisi bhi cheez se bhinn hai. Chalo sunate hain(Indeed, it's different from anything I've ever heard. Let's listen.)" Masoom couldn't help but smirk and join the audience as well. "Khair, theek hai, Anna ko apani divy dhunon se hamaara manoranjan karane ki koshish karate hue dekhen(Well, well, look at Anna trying to entertain us with her 'divine' melodies.)"

Verse 2:

Mizhikal nirayumbol amma(2X)

mazhavilayi theliyum

Mozhikal idarumbol

ennude swaramayi theernidum

Dukham akaniduvan amme(2X)

prathicheedaname

Paapam akaniduvan amme

yachicheedaname

English:

Oh Mother, my Mother, my Lord's Mother,

Oh Mother, my Mother,

Have mercy on me, O compassionate Mother

Oh Mother, my Mother, my Lord's Mother,

Oh Mother, my Mother,

Have mercy on me, O compassionate Mother

Hail Mary, O Virgin Mother,

Hail Mary, O Virgin Mother,

Oh Mother, my Mother, my Lord's Mother,

Oh Mother, my Mother,

Have mercy on me, O compassionate Mother

Oh Mother, my Mother, my Lord's Mother,

Oh Mother, my Mother,

Have mercy on me, O compassionate Mother

Verse 1:

Beats of the drums will resound(2X)

Singing, the fortunate Mother,

In the beads of the rosary,

Elevated, she who is filled with virtue, O Mother.

Mother, for the foreign land(2X)

To pray for the divine,

Mother, in the sacred abode,

Nurturing for the Lord to grow.

(Return to the chorus)

Verse 2:

When eyes are filled with tears, O Mother(2X)

Like raindrops in a rainbow,

When lips tremble,

My voice will blend with your tune.

Sorrow will come, O Mother(2X)

Grant me strength to endure,

Sin will come, O Mother,

Seek forgiveness for me.

Anna finished her sincere prayer as the last notes drifted into the atmosphere. She saw the family members gathered outside her door at that moment; their looks a mixture of wonder and curiosity. "Vaah sundar tha, Anna.Gaane ka vishay kya tha(That was beautiful Anna. What was the topic of the song?)" She gets a smile from Anna. "Yah Mother Mary ke sammaan mein Malayalam mein ek geet hai. Yah unase suraksha aur aasheervaad ki praarthana hai(It's a song in Malayalam honoring Mother Mary. It is a prayer for protection and blessings from her.)" Unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation, Masoom had to make a jesting remark. Masoom gives an eye roll. "Well, I hope the concert is enjoyable for Mother Mary. What a show!" Ragini, who was known for her kind and caring personality, was unable to tolerate Masoom's insults. Taking note of Masoom's caustic remark, she inhaled deeply, prepared to offer some much-needed advice. "Har koi apane vishvaas ko vyakt karata hai aur alag-alag tareekon se aaraam paata hai, Masoom. Anna ki praarthana ek marmasparshi kshan tha jisaka sammaan kiya jaana chaahiye(Everyone expresses their beliefs and finds comfort in different ways, Masoom. Anna's prayer was a touching moment that should be respected.)" Taken aback by Ragini's firm reply, Masoom tried to minimize her previous statement. "Main bas majaak kar raha tha. Badi baat kya hai(I was only joking. What's the big deal?)" She gets a warning from Ragini. " Kuch vishayon ko naajuk dhang se sambhaalane ki jaroorat hai, khaasakar jab baat dharm ki ho. Choonki hum sabhi vividh mool se aate hain, isalie ek-doosare ke vichaaron ka sammaan karana aur unhe mahatv dena mahatvapoorn hai.Certain topics need to be handled delicately, especially when it comes to religion. Since we all come from diverse origins, it's critical to respect and value one another's views.)" 

Anna was in the busy kitchen, sitting precariously on a stool, reaching for a pot on a high shelf. Her footing slipped as she extended, precariously perched on the verge. As she struggled, Dev saw her coming and quickly moved to catch her before she could fall. Dev is furious. "Anna,aur saavadhaan rahen! Aap khud ko gambheer chot pahuncha sakate the(be more careful! You could have seriously hurt yourself.)" Appreciative of Dev's fast thinking, Anna blushed, her heart racing at the closeness and intensity of his stare. "Dev, thank you. Mera maanana ​​hai ki meri oonchai ko zyaada aanka gaya tha(I believe my height was overestimated.)" Masoom, Isha, Ragini, and Sunaina, who had been watching the drama develop, looked at each other, each seeing the unexpected event from a different angle. "Ah,mere pyaare, maasoom pyaar. Yah hamaari rasoi mein Bollywood film dekhane jaisa hai(my dear, innocent love. It's like watching a Bollywood movie in our kitchen.)" Sunaina laughs. "Aap aur aapake romantic vichaar Chachi. Ve bas ek-doosare ki madad kar rahe hain(you and your romantic thoughts, Chachi. They are just helping each other.)" Masoom is sarcastic. "Mujhe ummeed hai ki yah unaki aadat nahi banegi. Ye koi romantic drama nahi balki kitchen hai(I hope this doesn't become a habit for them. This is a kitchen, not a romantic drama.)" Isha looks at them. "Khair, agar yah behatar team work ko badhaava deta hai to mujhe koi nukasaan najar nahi aata. Ve saath milakar achakaam karate hain, hai na(Well, I don't see the harm if it promotes greater teamwork. They work well together, don't they?)" 

Holding onto Anna, Dev gave her a sharp glance while trying to hide his slight nervousness. "Anna,bas dhyaan rakhana. Rasie mein koi durghatana na ho(just use care. There should be no accidents in the kitchen.)" Now that she was back on solid ground, Anna acknowledged the mixture of worry and surprising interest in Dev's gaze with a modest smile and a nod.