Anu's pov :

Today after returning from my office, I went to Rupa's house to give her the drawing.

She really got excited seeing the drawing. She thanked me many times.

"The drawing is so beautiful Anu. Thank you so much. " She said hugging me tightly.

"My pleasure. " I said returning the hug.

We both got seated and started talking about our respective work.   I'm sharing about my colleagues and office culture and she is sharing about her gardening work and the tricks she learned in editing videos.

We enjoyed our evening time peacefully with tea and pakoras(snacks made with besan).
.
.
.

"You sure got a talent girl. Thank you once again for such a lovely gift." Rupa said coming to the doorstep along with me while I'm returning.

"I'm happy you liked it so much. " I said smiling.

.
.
.
.
After returning home, I got fresh up and started preparations for dinner.

I prepared chana masala and Chapattis(Rotis).

.
.
.
.

Vikram returned home and went to fresh up.

I'm arranging the dining table in the meanwhile.

We usually have our dinner immediately after Vikram returns and fresh up.

Vikram likes to have early dinner. I also prefer to eat early.

Vikram came back in his t-shirt and shorts.

"Wow. Chana Masala. " He said checking the dishes on the table.

He served for both of us while I'm bringing the water bottle.

"Wow. You really have magic in your hands Anu. The curry is yummy." He said after a few bites.

His sweet compliments always make me so happy. Such a sweet talker.

We completed our dinner sharing each other day.
.
.
.
.
Today both of us have no extra work to do at home so we got reached in the living room sofa watching a rom-com movie.

"Have you given the drawing to Rupa? " Vikram asked.

"Yes. She liked it. " I said with a smile.

"Why wouldn't she? My wife is really talented. These hands do magic." He said taking my hand into his.

He placed a kiss on my forehead and took me into his arms.

I blushed at his actions. Though forehead kisses and kiss on the cheek became common among us but I still feel a little shy. The word wife made my heart flattered.

"Ashok has once shown your drawing pics to me during our college days. I still remembered it. He used to be very happy seeing your drawing gifts for him during our stay at the hostel." He said.

"Oh. " I said feeling happy to know it.

We cuddled in each other's arms continuing the movie.

The night went peacefully.

10 days later:

At present, I and Vikram are boarding a bus to go to our in-law's house.

Today is Friday night, Saturday and Sunday are weekend holidays and Monday is Vinayaka Chauviti holiday. This our first festival after marriage, my father-in-law called and invited us to celebrate the first festival there.

Vikram grandmother would also feel happy seeing us there. Her health is not recovering but she is ok at present. So we decided to go there to celebrate the festival.

The bus started moving. We one by one drifted into sleep.
.
.
.
.

We reached Vikram's hometown in the early morning at 4.30.

Vikram's father came to pick us.
.
.
.
We reached home within 15 minutes.

Vikram's father advised us to sleep for some more time as it is still early morning. I and Vikram also tried with journey, so we took a small nap.

By the time I woke up again it is 6 o'clock. Vikram is still sleeping. I got fresh up and got ready in a single Orange saree. Generally, I prefer churidar or top and legging but my mother clearly advised me to wear a saree at my in-law's house. Next moved to the living room. My father-in-law is sitting in a chair reading newspaper.

"Good morning Mamaya (father-in-law )." I greeted him.

"Good morning ma." He said with a smile.

After a small conversation, I moved to the kitchen. My mother-in-law is cooking something.

I greeted her. She gave me a nod and continued her work.

I again initiated the conversation. She said, she is preparing idli and ragi java for Vikram's grandmother and asked me to take care of Garelu (In some places it is called Medu Vada).

              Ragi java and idli.

She said Vikram likes Garelu so much so she soaked the grains yesterday night itself and already prepared the batter just now.

My mother-in-law went took the breakfast she prepared for Vikram's grandmother and went to her room.

I first prepared coconut chutney and ginger chutney and started preparing the Garelu.

Garelu is a famous South Indian breakfast.

I continued frying the Garelu, in the middle my mother-in-law came and arranged a plate for my father-in-law and served him.

I almost completed making Garelu for everyone, so I asked her to join my father-in-law and I served for her also.

By the time they completed their breakfast Vikram is up and came to the hall.

I and Vikram together had our breakfast.

"Let's prepare the lunch early. We need to clean the house for the festival. " My mother-in-law said.

I nodded my head as ok.

We started lunch preparations.

Vikram's grandmother has to take a separate meal so my mother-in-law took care of her dishes while I prepared the other lunch dishes.

I prepared Thota Kura Pappu (Amaranthus dal), potato fry and plain rice. My mother-in-law prepared brinjal (Eggplant) and tomato roti pachadi (A pickle grind using a stone grinder/mixer).

After completing our lunch preparations, we both started our cleaning session.

I changed into a churidar before started cleaning as it would be more convenient.

My mother-in-law said first to clean my and Vikram's room. She started cleaning their bedroom.

My father-in-law arranged an extra helper to help us with the cleaning. There is also a maid at home to help my mother-in-law to take care of Vikram's grandmother and other household work.

After cleaning our respective rooms we moved towards the third small guest room probably looks like a mini storeroom. Next grandma's room.

Vikram and my father-in-law already completed their lunch at 12'o clock and went out.

By the time we reached the hall, it is already 2'o clock

We thought to complete hall and then take a break for today. Still, there is a kitchen and pooja room (A room where we worship god and goddess).

By 2.30 Vikram and my father-in-law reached home and scolded all of us for not having lunch till now and made us stop our work for today.

We all took a bath and then had our lunch.

.
.
.
Later the remaining day we got relaxed.

Author's pov :

At Night in Vikram's parent's room:

"Are you still angry with Anu?" Vikram's father asked his wife.

She stayed silent.

"I understand as a mother you have desires on your only son's marriage. To search for a bride yourself but it is not Anu's fault right. Our son is the one who liked her first, not vice versa. She just agreed to the proposal which she got." He said softly.

"I know it." His wife said stubbornly.

"Anu is a nice girl. Haven't you seen how she helped with all the cleaning like your own daughter? She wants to have a nice bond with you. Hope you understand it." He explained.

She reminded silent.

"You are a great wife and a good mother. You took care of this family so well. Do you remember you wished to have our second child girl but unfortunately we are not blessed with a second child? Now you got a chance to become a mother to our daughter-in-law, why are you losing it? Once clearly think everything. " He advised his wife and slowly drifted into sleep.

Vikram's mother thought about his husband's words for some time and she also drifted into sleep.

Next Morning :

The next morning also went the same as yesterday, the only difference is Vikram's mother carefully observing her daughter-in-law.

Her husband words are true. Her daughter-in-law is trying for chances to initiate a friendly conversation with her.

Today she replied softly with Anu.

By afternoon they completed the remaining cleaning work.

Vikram and his father went out to buy the necessary items for tomorrow pooja.

.
.
.
After returning Vikram's father started preparing a small clay Ganesh idol.

They can buy the idol but it is a habit for Vikram's father to prepare it with his hands.

Anu got excited seeing it and got seated along with her father-in-law carefully observing his way of making it. She liked the idea of making the idol with our own hands. In her parent's house, they used to buy the clay idol from the market.

The day went out with the festival preparations.

********************************

Hope you all are doing well.

What do you think about the chapter?

Vinayaka Chauviti is my favourite festival.

Can I know your favourite festival?

Take care. Stay home. Stay safe.

Bye. See you all in the next chapter. Take Care.