It had been two months since Ashwin and Divyansh's wedding when the auspicious day of Karwa Chauth arrived. The day carried a deep cultural significance, especially for newlywed couples. However, Ashwin was away on a business trip, managing the family enterprise, despite his mother's strict instructions to return home by evening. Divyansh, meanwhile, was about to experience his first Karwa Chauth in his new home, a blend of tradition, familial expectations, and a simmering fear of discovery.

The morning began far before sunrise. Divyansh woke up and freshened up before coming downstairs, his heart pounding with anxiety. He was constantly on edge, terrified that someone might uncover the truth about him. As he reached the main hall, he came face-to-face with his stern grandmother-in-law, Dadi Ji.

"Namaste, Dadi Ji," Divyansh said, touching her feet and trying to hide his nervousness.

"Itni late kiyon aayi?" Dadi scolded. "Tere liye sab log intizar kar rehe hai... Time ka andaza hai bhi ki nahi tujhe?" (Why were you so late? Everyone is waiting for you... Do you have any guess what time it is now?)

Divyansh's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and fear churned in his stomach. Before he could respond, his mother-in-law's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Divya, beta, idhar aana zara!" (Divya, child, come here!)

"Maaf kijiye, Dadi Ji," Divyansh muttered, quickly escaping to the kitchen. (Forgive me, Dadi ji)

There, he found his aunt-in-law, Chachi, waiting with a warm smile. "Aao, Divya. Lo, yeh pakdo apni sargi ki thali. Do you know what to do next, or should I explain?" (Come, Divya. Here, take your plate of sargi.)

Divyansh nodded, forcing a smile. "Pata hai, Choti Maa. Abhi nahane ke baad puja hai, phir shaam ko vrat todna hai." He took the plate of sargi from her, his hands slightly trembling. "Aap log nahi khayengi?" (I know it Chhoti Maa. After bathing, there will be the puja and we can break our fasts in the evening. Are you not going to eat?)

Before anyone could respond, Arthit, Divyansh's playful brother-in-law, hopped into the kitchen with his signature cheeky grin. "Did someone say something about eating?"

Chachi pulled his ear lightly. "Dekho, khane ka naam liya aur kumbhkaran hazir! Roz jaldi uthne ko bolti hoon, tab toh uthta nahi. Aaj suraj ugne se pehle kaise uth gaya?" (See, just as we started talking about eating, Kumbhkaran is here! When I tell you to get up early every single day, you never listen to me. So, how are you awake before the sun today?)

Arthit tried hiding behind Divyansh, which was amusing since he towered over him. "Bhabhi! Dekho na, Mumma mera mazaak uda rahi hai!" he whined. (Bhabhi! See, Mumma is making fun of me!)

Maa joined in the teasing. "Aaj tujhe itni jaldi bhookh kyun lag gayi?" (How did you get hungry so early in the morning today?)

Arthit pouted dramatically. "Badi Maa! Aapko pata hai na, mujhe sargi kitni pasand hai!" (Badi Maa! You know how much I love to have sargi!)

Chachi laughed. "Haan, pata hai mujhe. Bachpan se har saal subah uth kar sab ke saath sargi jo khata hai. Tere liye bhi ek plate rakhi hai." (Yes, I do! You've been getting up early every year to have sargi with us since childhood. I've saved a plate for you too.)

She handed him a plate, and Arthit's face lit up as he began munching. "Umm... as tasty as ever!"

Dadi Ji walked into the kitchen, her cane tapping against the marble floor, her Tulsi mala in hand. She saw Arthit devouring the sargi and then fixed her piercing gaze on Divyansh.

"Hay Ram, satyanash ho tera! Arthit, tu yeh sargi kyun kha raha hai? Aur, Choti Bahu, tum isse rokti kyun nahi? Tumhare andar bilkul bhi samajh nahi hai!" (Oh God, you'll be ruined! Arthit, why are you having sargi? And, you, Chhoti Bahu, why are you not stopping him? Do you have any sense or no!)

Chachi chuckled nervously. "Maaji, bas sargi hi toh hai. Har saal khata hai, iss saal bhi kha raha hai." (Maa ji, it's just sargi. He has it every year, so he's having it this year.)

"Satyanash!" Dadi Ji huffed but shifted her attention back to Divyansh. "Aur, Bahu... aaj tumhara shaadi ke baad pehla Karwa Chauth hai. Aaj puja aur ghar ke kaam tumhe hi sambhalne hain. Jaldi apni sargi khatam karo aur kaam pe lag jao." (God forbid! And you... it's your first Karwa Chauth after your marriage. Today you have to do all the house chores and do the arrangements for the puja. So, finish your sargi fast and get to work.)

With that, she left, her cane making sharp sounds as she walked away, muttering Krishna's name under her breath.

Arthit looked down, trying not to let the scolding dampen his mood. He thought about Zayn who always encouraged him to stay positive. Divyansh, on the other hand, felt his hands clammy. What if Dadi suspected something? What if today was the day his secret would come to light?

"Maa, kya kya banana hai?" he asked tensed, trying to control his nerves. (Maa, what is to be made?)

"Tu uss baare mein chinta mat kar," Maa reassured him, sensing his tension. "Puja ke baad college chala jaana. Arthit, tu bahu ke saath jayega na aaj?" (Don't worry about it. Go to college after puja. Arthit, you are going with her today, right?)

Arthit nodded. "Haan, lekin Badi Maa, mujhe college ke baad ek dost ke ghar jaana hai assignment karne ke liye. Toh aane mein thoda late ho jayega. Bhabhi aap akele laut sakte ho?" (Yes, but Badi Maa, I have to go over to a friend's house after college for an assignment. So, it will be late before I return. Bhabhi, will you be able to come home by yourself?)

Divyansh gave him a reassuring smile, though his mind was racing. "Haan, Devar Ji, main aa jaungi." He quickly finished his sargi, determined to juggle everything seamlessly while staying under the radar. (Yes, Devar ji, I can.)

Chachi clapped her hands lightly. "Chalo, ab jaldi se sargi khatam karo. Tayyar bhi hona hai, aur puja ke baad kaam bhi sambhalna hai. Didi, main keh rahi thi, subah ka kaam pehle khatam kar lete hain, phir Divya aur Arthit college chale jayenge." (Now finish you sargi fast. We need to get ready, and take care of the chores after the puja. Didi, what I propose is, let's wrap up the morning chores and then Divya and Arthit can leave for college.)

Divyansh hurried through his sargi before bathing and getting ready. After the puja and katha, he and Arthit left for college. It had been a long, exhausting day, but he couldn't afford to miss classes anymore—his grades were already at risk because of the numerous rules Dadi kept imposing. By the time he returned, the sun had set, and the streets glistened faintly with the threat of rain. Divyansh took a cab home, fighting exhaustion and hunger.

As he entered the house, Dadi was sitting in the living room, her Tulsi mala in hand, doing her jaap. The rhythmic murmurs of her chants halted the moment her eyes landed on him. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. "Wahin ruk ja, nayi bahu!" she barked, her voice echoing through the quiet house. She got up from the sofa, her cane clacking sharply against the marble floor, and marched toward him with anger radiating from her. (Stop right there, new bahu!)

Divyansh froze in his tracks. He was parched and light-headed from fasting all day without even a sip of water. "Ji... Dadi Ji..." he stammered, his voice weary.

"Tujhe koi laaj-sharam hai ke nahi?" Dadi began, her voice sharp. "Aaj tera pehla vrat hai aur tu besharmon ke tarah muh utha ke bahar chali gayi! Tu kya chahti hai? Ke mera Ashwin mar jaye?" Her words felt like a slap, harsh and unwarranted. (Do you have any shame? Today is your first fast and you went to college shamelessly! What do you want? That my Ashwin dies?)

Divyansh's eyes widened in horror. "A-aap yeh sab kya keh rahi hain! Main bhala aisa kyun chahungi? Main toh bas college gayi thi..." he tried defending himself, his voice barely above a whisper. But the fear gnawed at him. Every word she said was a reminder that he didn't belong, that he was on borrowed time. (What are y-you saying! Why will I want that? I just went to college..)

"Chup!" Dadi cut him off, her voice thundering. "Yeh bata, tu karegi kya padh likh ke? Tera kaam hai shaadi ke baad apne pati, parivaar, aur ghar ka dhyan rakhna! Tera pati tere liye kama raha hai na? Mera Ashwin do din se ghar nahi aaya. Pata nahi kuch khaya hoga bhi ya nahi... aur tu idhar nirlaaj ke tarah bahar ghoom rahi hai!" (Quiet! Tell me, what will you do after studying? Your work is to take care of your husband, family and house after marriage! Isn't your husband earning for you? My Ashwin hasn't returned home in two days. I don't even know if he has had his meals... and you are roaming outside without an inkling of shame!)

Before Divyansh could muster a response, Papa intervened. "Maa, aap yeh kya bol rahi hain?" he said firmly, stepping into the room. "Divya bacchi hai abhi. Yeh uske padhne likhne ki umar hai. Aur maine usse wada kiya hai ke main uske sapne poore karne dunga. Ashwin ko bhi iss baat se koi pareshani nahi hai." (Maa, what are you saying? Divya is a kid. It's her age to study. Moreover, I promised that I'll let her fulfil all her dreams. Ashwin too doesn't have any issues with this.)

Turning to Divyansh, he softened his tone. "Beta, Divya, tum jao apne kamre mein." (Divya, go to your room.)

Relieved and on the verge of tears, Divyansh nodded and slipped away to Ashwin's room. He took a quick shower to wash away the tension of the day before getting ready for the evening rituals. Once dressed, he went down to the kitchen to help with the dinner preparations, eager to avoid further confrontation.

As the evening progressed, the sky darkened further, and thunder rumbled faintly in the distance. The entire day had been overcast, and the ominous clouds now threatened rain. When the moon finally made a fleeting appearance, Maa and Chachi began preparing to break their fasts. The household buzzed with activity, a blend of tradition and quiet urgency as everyone hurried to complete the rituals before the downpour began.

Chachi whispered to Maa, "Didi, Ashwin kidhar hai?" Her voice carried an edge of concern, her eyes darting toward Divya, who sat on the couch, visibly drained. The young bride's first Karwa Chauth had been a grueling ordeal, and now it seemed her only lifeline—her husband—was nowhere near. (Didi, where is Ashwin?)

Maa whispered back, her tone tinged with worry, "Uski flight aane mein delay ho gaya hai... Chennai mein bohot tez baarish ho rahi hai. Aate aate bohot raat ho jayegi." She sighed heavily and turned to Divyansh, gently taking his cold hands in her warm ones. "Divya, beta... Ashwin ke lautne mein der hogi. Tum humare saath vrat khol lo, thik hai?" (His flight got delayed. It's raining very heavily in Chennai. It will be very later before he returns. Divya, child... Ashwin will return late. You should break your fast with us, ok?)

Divyansh hesitated, the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on his shoulders. He wanted nothing more than to collapse in the comforting presence of Ashwin, to hear his familiar, reassuring voice tell him everything would be fine. But before he could respond, a sharp voice pierced the air.

"Nahi!" Dadi's cane struck the floor with a loud crack as she stood abruptly, her voice seething with authority. "Aisa nahi hoga! Shaadi ke baad pehla Karwa Chauth hai! Itna bada apshagun nahi ho sakta. Tum sab milke mere pote ko marna chahte ho!!" (No! This will not happen! This is her first Karwa Chauth after marriage! I cannot let such a bad omen occur! All of you want to kill my grandson!)

Maa flinched at the outburst but quickly rallied, her frustration evident. "Woh mera beta hai, aur ek number ka gadha bhi. Maine bola tha din rehte wapas aane ko..." Her tone softened as she turned back to Divyansh. "Divya meri beti hai, Maaji. Usne subah se kuch nahi khaya hai! Bas 18 saal ki hai yeh! Uski takleef nahi dikh rahi aapko?" she asked, exasperation lacing her words. (He is my son and an idiot too. I told him to return home by sundown. Divya is my daughter, Maaji. She hasn't had anything since morning! She is just 18! Can't you see her pain?)

Dadi glared at her, her voice rising even further. "Tu kaisi maa hai? Ek paraayi ladki ke liye apne bete ko marwaana chahti hai? Maine pehle hi bola tha ke isse shaadi mat karo. Mere Ashwin ke liye main ek acchi ladki dhoond laati. Yeh ladki mere Ashwin ke liye ek din ka vrat bhi nahi kar sakti?" Her venomous words hung in the air, their sting sharp. (What kind of a mother are you? Do you want to risk your son's life for a stranger of a girl? I told you earlier to not arrange a marriage between them. I'd have searched for a suitable wife for my Ashwin. Can't this girl fast for a day for my Ashwin?)

Divyansh clenched his fists, his heart pounding. The weight of Dadi's hatred bore down on him, a constant reminder that he didn't belong in this family. He looked up, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Dadi... please aisa mat kahiye. Main vrat rakhungi..." He felt tears prick his eyes, but he blinked them away, swallowing the lump in his throat. He couldn't risk showing weakness, couldn't risk them seeing through his façade. If they ever found out who he really was, he would lose Ashwin—and perhaps his freedom. The thought terrified him. (Dadi... please don't say like this. I'll keep my fast...)

Chachi stepped in, her voice steady but pleading. "Lekin Maa... ismein Divya ki kya galti hai? Humne toh Ashwin ko bola tha ke time se ghar aa jaye. Ab woh nahi aa paya, toh iss baat mein Divya ka kya kasoor hai?" (But Maa.... What is Divya's fault in all of this? We had told Ashwin to return home in time. But now that he could not reach, what can Divya do about it?)

"Tum dono chup karo!" Dadi snapped, silencing them instantly. Her cane struck the floor again for emphasis. "Aur apna vrat kholo. Barish kabhi bhi shuru ho sakti hai. Aur nayi bahu, tum... tum aaj saari raat jaag ke mere Ashwin ke aane ka intezaar karogi." (You too keep quiet anf break your fasts. It will start raining anytime now. And you, new bahu... you will stay awake the entire night waiting for my Ashwin to return home.)

Papa, unable to hold back, stepped in. "Maa, yeh kaisi baatein kar rahi hain aap? Divya poori raat kyun jaagegi?" (Maa, what are you saying? Why should Divya spend a sleepless night?)

But Dadi cut him off, her voice resolute. "Bas! Faisla ho gaya hai. Ab tum dono apni biwiyon ka vrat kholo. Mujhe aur kuch nahi sunna." (Enough! I have decided. Now, you two break your wives' fasts. I do not want to hear anything else.)

As the family broke their fasts amidst the crackle of thunder, Divyansh remained seated on the couch, his body trembling with fatigue. His empty stomach ached, and his dry throat burned with every breath. He stared blankly at the rain pelting against the window, the storm outside mirroring the turmoil within him. Every passing minute felt like an eternity, his heart yearning for Ashwin's safe return.

When the family retired for the night, Chachi found Divyansh still on the couch, his face pale and his body visibly weak. "Divya, beta, tum jao jaake so jao. Ashwin aa jayega toh hum tumhe bula lenge," she urged gently. "Tumne subah se na kuch khaya hai, na paani piya hai. Ab raat bhar jaagogi toh tabiyat kharab ho jayegi." (Divya, go get some sleep. We will call you down when Ashwin returns. Neither have you had nor drank anything since morning. If you stay up the entire night, you will end up falling sick.)

Divyansh shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. "L-lekin Dadi..." (B-but Dadi...)

Chachi cut him off with a reassuring smile. "Maa so chuki hai. Tum chinta mat karo." (Maa is fast asleep. Don't worry.)

Slowly, Divyansh rose to his feet, swaying slightly as dizziness overtook him. He steadied himself against the couch, his voice faint. "I hope woh sahi-salamat laut aaye..." His gaze lingered on the storm raging outside before he turned and trudged toward his room, the ache in his heart heavier than the hunger in his stomach. (I hope he returns safely...)

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Did I shamelessly use chatgpt to grammar check? Yes. Do I regret it? Absolutely not! But AI is a pain in the ass to properly command, because apparently it doesn't know much about Indian soap opera! 

Yes, like you guys, I too hate dadi! I hate her from the bottom of my heart, but we needed a villain and I also forced PriyaRout0 to be dadi.. if you find the character is out of line, feel free to complain to her! 

So many of you guys wanted an update on this one that I couldn't stall any longer. I have some more parts drafted but editing is a proper bitch, whom I don't know how to tackle!!! We will have some cute moments soon, too!

Also, tell me if you actually want to read smut in this story.

Enjoy, Adiraj and Priya!