Advika's POV

I turned around and was about to walk to the door when Shravan called me from behind.

“Wait,” he said. I turned back, my brows knitting in confusion.

“Don’t you think you’re forgetting something?” he asked, his tone teasing.

Forgetting?

I looked down at myself, puzzled. “Am I supposed to take something down?”

“Yes,” he replied, the corner of his lips twitching upward.

“What?” I asked.

It was my first time being married—I had no clue about anything!

“Your brain,” he deadpanned, bursting into laughter.

My blood boiled instantly. Here I was, nervous about meeting everyone downstairs, and he was busy cracking jokes.

“Okay, okay!” he raised his hands in surrender when he noticed my unimpressed glare. “I’m talking about the one thing that transforms you from Miss to Mrs.”

My eyebrows furrowed even more. Why was he speaking in riddles?

“Stay here,” he said, disappearing into the closet. Moments later, he returned with a small silver box.

“What is it?” I asked hesitantly.

He opened the box, revealing a pinch of sindoor.

Oh.

Carefully, he took a small amount between his fingers and stepped closer. My heart raced as he gently filled the partition in my hair.

A strange but pleasant feeling stirred in my stomach, something I couldn’t quite put into words.

Shravan’s movements stilled, and for a moment, his eyes locked with mine.

“Now, you truly look like a new bride,” he smirked, turning me toward the mirror. “Mrs. Shravan Singhania.”

I felt odd when he called me with his name. I mean, I am still not able to digest the fact that I am married. But all my thoughts were cut short when I saw my reflection in the mirror. The sindoor added an unexplainable glow to my face, a charm I hadn’t seen before.

As much my face was glowing with the charm but deep down I knew that all of this wasn't permanent. I shouldn't be getting too much happy.

After giving me so many problems, God forgot to add happiness to my life.

"Let's go" Shravan nudged me from behind.

We walked out of the room. He was walking at a hand distance from me until we reached the stairs from where everyone could see us. He immediately took a step beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to himself.

Arya was complaining about something to Mr. Singhania while he was sitting there, listening to his princess while holding one of his ears. While mom was standing beside them.

They were looking so adorable together.

No one else can make Mr. Singhania hold his ears except his princess and Queen.

"Shravan, Advika" Arya was the first one to notice us.

All of them looked up and Shravan tightened his hold.

Mom’s smile widened as she approached me, her gaze sweeping over my saree-clad frame.

“Advika,” she exclaimed, her happiness shining through her eyes.

Shravan withdrew his arm, shoving his hands into his pockets as Mom reached for me.

“You look absolutely beautiful in this saree,” she said warmly.

Arya rushed to me, her mouth falling open in mock astonishment. “I must say, Advika, you have a brilliant eye! You picked the most exquisite saree from Mom’s collection.”

Mom’s collection?

“Mom, do you own a boutique?” I asked, surprised.

I’d assumed she was a homemaker.

“Yes, Advika. Our mom is an all-rounder,” Arya chimed in proudly. “She doesn’t just manage the house; she also runs her brand.”

I aspire to be like her one day.

"She is exaggerating. It's nothing like that. I am just doing what makes me happy"

I smiled at her. Even after doing so much, these guys are so down to earth. I don't know from whom Shravan has taken those self-boasting and egoistic traits.

“Come, let’s begin your first rasoi rasam. Atharva is starving. He gets cranky when breakfast is late,” Mom said with a chuckle.

I followed her to the kitchen while Shravan and Arya settled at the dining table.

“Everything is ready,” Mom said. “You just need to add the sugar to the halwa.”

“What? But, Mom, I was supposed to make it!” I pouted.

She giggled at my reaction. Cooking wasn’t exactly my forte, but halwa was one of the few things I knew how to make.

“You don’t need to prepare everything today,” she explained gently. “This rasam is just a formality so that you could come into the kitchen whenever you want. Just in case the Chef is not around and I am not home, you can make something for yourself." She told me "Just add the sugar and everything will be done"

“Please, Mom,” I pleaded. “Let me finish it. I know I’m late, but I want to do it myself. I’ll be quick!”

Mom chuckled, shaking her head.

“Okay, fine. I’ll set the table while you finish.”

As she left, I smiled to myself. This marriage might be temporary, but it was still my first and only one. I wanted to savor every little ritual.

I quickly added sugar to the boiling water and stirred in the roasted semolina. Finally, I garnished the halwa with a handful of dry fruits.

“It smells wonderful,” Mom said as she walked into the kitchen.

I smiled nervously, silently praying it would taste as good as it smelled.

“Come,” she said.

I took the halwa in a bowl and placed it on the table before taking a seat beside Shravan.

I was a bit surprised when I saw that they joined their hands and thanked God before starting the meal. Everyone then had breakfast in silence. My heart was pounding with nervousness.

What if the sugar isn't the way they prefer?

“Advika, serve the halwa to everyone,” Mom said.

Although the helper served breakfast, Mom specifically asked me to serve the halwa. Maybe it was because I had made it, or maybe it was part of the ritual.

I carefully served the halwa to everyone, anxiously awaiting their reactions.

“Mmm...” Mr. Singhania was the first to respond. “This is delicious!”

A wave of relief washed over me, and a smile spread across my lips.

Mom nodded approvingly, her smile warm, while Arya added, “I can’t believe you can cook this well. Impressive!”

I giggled softly, feeling a bit more confident. My eyes darted to Shravan, hoping for his reaction.

Though knowing the reality of this relationship, I shouldn't have cared what he thought about me, but still, my heart was waiting for his reaction.

My heart sank and I looked down when he didn't say a word even after finishing the whole bowl.

Why am I expecting anything from him?

“Here,” Mom said, gently grabbing my wrists. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she slid a pair of delicate gold bangles onto my wrists.

“What’s this, Mom?” I asked, surprised.

“Your gift for the first rasoi,” she said with a smile.

“But—”

“Shh... It’s a small token from me. Consider it a blessing,” she said softly.

I bent to touch her feet, but she stopped me and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Stay happy and blessed,” she whispered.

“This is from my side,” Arya chimed in, handing me a box filled with high-end makeup products.

“Arya, I don’t need this,” I said, shaking my head.

“I know,” she teased. “But I’ll borrow it whenever I need it, so just keep it, bhabhijaan.”

One of my eyebrows lifted when she called me Bhabhijaan. She never called Shravan bhaiya, and she is calling me bhabhi.

I know she is just teasing me.

"Atharva," Mom nudged Mr. Singhania, who was busy savoring the halwa.

I couldn’t believe how much he seemed to enjoy it.

“Advika, can I have some more halwa?” he asked innocently, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

I was about to serve him when Mom stopped me.

"Yeah, why not" I was about to give him more halwa when mom stopped me.

“Advika, don’t!” she warned. “He’s prediabetic. The doctor has strictly advised him to limit sweets.”

Oh, he has a sweet tooth, that's why he loved it so much.

“Yes, but today is my daughter-in-law’s first rasoi. No one can stop me from enjoying it,” he said, giving me puppy-dog eyes.

Unable to resist, I served him another bowl.

“Your gift,” he said, handing me a small envelope.

My eyes widened when I saw what it was—a credit card.

“No, Mr. Singhania, this is too much,” I said, shaking my head.

“Just keep it,” he insisted. “And call me Dad.”

My chest swelled with emotion as I mumbled, “Dad,” testing the word on my tongue.

My father had never cared for me, but someone was willing to go out of his way to make me happy. If only this happiness could last forever.

“Shravan, won’t you gift her something?” Arya asked, breaking my thoughts.

“She already has me. Isn’t that enough?” Shravan said casually, wiping his fingers with a napkin and shrugging his shoulders.

I didn't want anything from anyone but his comment hurt me.

"Shravan!" Mom scolded him.

“Fine, I’ll get her something tonight,” he said begrudgingly before turning to Dad. “I’m heading to the office.”

“Seriously, man?” Arya interjected. “It’s your first day after the wedding. Shouldn’t you spend it with your wife?”

Shravan rolled his eyes. “Stop reading your romance novels. In real life, people have responsibilities beyond romanticizing everything. And we’re going on a trip next week, aren’t we?”

“Business trip,” Arya corrected, her tone sharp.

“Whatever,” he muttered before standing up and walking away without looking back.

What happened to him all of a sudden? He was looking in such a nice mood in the room.

Dad hugged Mom and followed Shravan out. I stayed back, given that I had been granted a two-day leave.

Arya stood up and mumbled under her breath as she left, “I can’t believe they two had a love marriage.”

~~~~~~~~

What do you think happened to Shravan all of a sudden?

The next chapter is going to be on Karwachauth. Do you think Advika will keep fast for Shravan?

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