Ashwin's day had been anything but ordinary. What was supposed to be a simple evening flight back home for Karwa Chauth turned into a frustrating ordeal. Heavy rains and flooding first in Chennai, then in Mumbai, led to his flight being canceled. Stranded at the airport, he waited anxiously in the lounge, listening intently for updates. Finally, at 1:00 AM, the announcement came—his flight to Mumbai was ready for boarding. Relieved, he quickly checked in and boarded. By the time the plane landed in Mumbai, it was already 3:30 AM.

But the journey wasn't over yet. The roads were blocked, and traffic crawled due to the aftermath of the rain. It took another two hours to reach home. When Ashwin finally stepped inside his house at 5:45 AM, weary and drenched in exhaustion, he was greeted by the sight of Dadi, sprinkling Ganga Jal throughout the house while softly chanting prayers.

"Beta, tu thik toh hai? Bohut thak gaya hoga na?" Dadi said, concern evident in her voice. (Son, are you okay? You must be tired, aren't you?)

Ashwin, despite his fatigue, bent down to touch her feet. "Namaste, Dadi. Main thik hoon, bas thodi thakan ho rahi hai," he replied, sinking into the couch. (I am fine, just a bit weary.)

Dadi glanced around, her forehead creasing. "Ruk... nayi bahu kitchen mein hogi... yahan toh nahi dikh rahi. Main tere liye chai-nashta banane kehti hoon," she said, her tone laced with suspicion as she headed toward the kitchen. (Wait... Your wife should be in the kitchen... I can't see her here. I will tell her to get you some tea and snacks.)

In the kitchen, Chachi was busy preparing tea when Dadi stormed in.

"Woh ameer baap ki pari kidhar hai? Mera Ashwin bhukha-pyasa lauta hai, aur woh gayab ho gayi?!" Dadi demanded, her voice rising. (Where is that rich father's princess? My Ashwin just returned hungry and thirsty from travel, and she is missing?)

Caught off guard, Chachi stammered, "Maa ji... woh... kal raat bhar idhar thi. Aaj subah maine hi usse bola tha ke jaake room mein fresh ho le." She lied, hoping to buy Divya some time. (Maa ji... She.... She was here the whole night. I just sent her to her room this morning to change and get ready.)

Dadi wasn't convinced. "Fresh hone mein itna waqt lagta hai? Ab tak yahan kyun nahi hai woh? Kab se gala fadh rahi hoon main!" she snapped, then turned to the maid standing nearby. "Ei! Idhar aa!" (How long does it take for a person to change? Why is she not here yet? I have been shouting for her for so long!) (Hey! Come here!)

The maid hurried over. "Ji, Dadi, boliye." (Yes, Dadi.)

"Ashwin ke kamre mein jaake dekh, woh karamjali kya kar rahi hai! Woh main bhi toh jaanu!" Dadi barked. (Go to Ashwin's room and check what that witch is doing! I should also know what's going on!)

The maid climbed the stairs and gently opened Ashwin's room door. She found Divya fast asleep on the bed, oblivious to the commotion downstairs. The maid hesitated before shaking her shoulder lightly.

"Chhoti memsahab... uth jaiye. Dadi ji bula rahi hain, aur chhote sahab wapas aa chuke hain," she said softly. (Young mistress... Wake up. Dadi ji is calling for you, and young master has returned.)

Divyansh startled awake, his hair disheveled and voice groggy. "J-ji... kya?" he murmured, trying to process the maid's words. (Y-yes... What?)

"Chhoti memsahab, neeche bula rahi hain." (Young mistress, you are being called downstairs.)

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Divyansh quickly sat up. "Dadi ji se kahiye main aadhe ghante mein aati hoon," he said, scrambling to gather himself. (Tell Dadi ji I will be there in half an hour.)

The maid nodded and returned downstairs to deliver the message.

"Kya bataya usne?" Dadi asked as soon as the maid returned. (What did she say?)

The maid hesitated. "Chhoti memsahab ne bola ke wo aadhe ghante mein aa rahi hain..." (Young mistress said that she'll be here in half an hour.)

"Aadhe ghante?!" Dadi exploded. "Kya kar rahi thi woh? Sach sach bata!" (Half an hour?! What was she doing? Tell me the truth!)

The maid looked down, her voice trembling. "W-wo... chhoti memsahab so rahi thi." (S-she... Young mistress was sleeping.)

Dadi turned sharply to Chachi, her glare icy. "Tune toh kaha tha woh kapde badalne gayi thi! Mujhse jhoot? Mere ghar mein rehkar, meri baat nahi maan rahi?!" she thundered, her fury unabated. (You told me that she had gone to change! You lied to me? She is not obeying me despite staying in my house?)

"Maa ji, maaf kar dijiye..." Chachi whispered, her head bowed. (Maa ji, forgive me...)

Dadi stormed back to the living room, sitting on the sofa with crossed arms, her lips pursed in anger. She muttered under her breath about the disrespect she had endured.

The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Ashwin sat in the living room, savoring the cup his Chachi had given him. The tension in the household was palpable, yet he tried to remain calm. 

"Dadi," Ashwin said gently, trying to ease the situation. "Wo bacchi hai abhi, aur wo raat bhar jaag ke karti bhi kya?" (Dadi, she's still a kid, and what would she have done by staying up all night?)

Dadi's glare could have cut through steel. "Tujhe toh main baad mein dekhungi," she snapped. "Pehle iss aamir baap ki laadli se nipat lun." Turning to Ashwin, she added sternly, "Aur tu chup reh! Meri gair maujudgi main raaste main jo bhi mila, ussi se shaadi karwadi teri!" (I'll get back to you later. First I need to deal with this spoiled princess.) (And you, keep quiet! You were married to any random whore from the street in my absence!)

Ashwin fell silent, knowing better than to argue when Dadi was in such a fiery mood.

Dadi continued, her tone brooking no opposition. "Agar usse iss ghar mein rehna hai, toh mere niyam maanne padenge!" (If she wants to stay in this house, she will have to live according to my rules!)

Just then, Divyansh descended the stairs, his movements slow and weary. He looked utterly drained, having neither eaten nor had a drop of water since the previous morning. His parched throat and empty stomach gnawed at him, but he made his way to touch Dadi's feet out of respect.

Dadi, however, stepped back sharply, her anger flaring anew. "Khabardar jo tune mere pair chhue toh!" she barked. "Jo meri baaton ka palan nahi kar sakta, usse main apne ghar mein nahi rehne dungi!" (How dare you try to touch my feet! Whoever will not obey my orders, I will not let them live in my house!)

Divyansh froze, fear gripping him. This was his worst nightmare come true. Falling to his knees, he clasped his hands together, tears streaming down his face. "Please, Dadi," he begged, his voice breaking. "Aisa mat kahiye. Main aage se aapki saari baatein maanungi! Please, mujhe ghar se mat nikaaliye! Aage se koi galti nahi hogi. Main kasam khaata hoon!" (Please don't say like this! From now on I'll listen to everything you say! Please, don't throw me out from this house! I won't make any mistakes from today. I swear!)

Ashwin watched the scene unfold, his heart aching for Divya. He wanted to intervene but knew better than to cross Dadi in her current mood.

Dadi's gaze bore into her. "Sari baat manegi?" she demanded. (You'll listen to everything I say?)

"Haan!" Divyansh nodded fervently. "Jo bhi aap kahengi, main karungi. Please, mujhe ghar se mat nikaaliye!" (Yes! I'll do every single thing you say! Please, don't cast me out!)

Dadi smirked slightly, her authority reestablished. "Thik hai," she declared. "Toh aaj tera nirjala vrat hoga. Aaj raat ko chand nikalne ke baad hi tu apna vrat kholna. Aur aaj college bhi nahi jayegi. Mera Ashwin itne dino ke baad aaya hai, aur woh thaka hua hai. Tuu uska khayal rakhegi. Samjhi?" (Ok. You will fast today too and that too without having a drop of water. You can break your fast only after the moon comes out tonight. And you will not go to college today. My Ashwin has returned home tired after so many days. You will take care of him. Understood?)

"Ji, Dadi ji," Divyansh replied meekly, his voice barely a whisper. (Yes, Dadi ji.)

Dadi wasn't finished. "Thik hai. Toh ab jaa, aur jaake sabke liye nashta bana. Khabardar jo kisi ne iski madad ki!" Her piercing glare silenced any protest from her daughters-in-law and the household staff. (Fine. Now go and prepare breakfast for everyone. And I warn if anyone tries to help her!)

Divyansh hurried to the kitchen, grateful that Maa and Chachi had discussed the breakfast menu the previous night. At least he wouldn't have to think about what to cook.

Satisfied, Dadi turned to Ashwin. "Jaa beta, tu thak gaya hoga na. Jaake aaram kar. Main tujhe khud nashta ke liye bula dungi." Her voice softened as she stroked his hair lovingly. (Go son, tu must be very tired. Go rest. I'll go myself to call you when breakfast will be ready.)

"Ji, Dadi," Ashwin murmured, rising reluctantly and retreating to his room. (Ok, Dadi.)

Dadi's attention then shifted to Chachi. "Tera beta kidhar hai?" she asked, her tone sharp again. (Where is your son?)

Chachi hesitated before responding. "Woh, Maa ji... Arthit... kal raat apne dost ke ghar par hi ruk gaya tha. Barish ke wajah se road jam ho gaya tha, toh woh nahi aa saka." (So, Maa ji... Arthit .. he stayed at his friend's place last night. Due to the rains the roads got blocked, so he couldn't return.)

"Kounse dost ke paas ruka tha?" Dadi's glare deepened, suspicion written all over her face. (Which friend was he staying with?)

"Maa ji," Chachi stammered, looking down to avoid Dadi's piercing eyes, "meri uske dost se baat hui thi. Usne bola hai ke woh aaj shaam ko Arthit ko ghar chhod dega. Aap chinta na kare." (I spoke with his friend. He has assured me that he will drop Arthit off after college today. You don't need to worry about it.)

Dadi's eyes narrowed. "Apne bete ko kabu mein rakh! Uska aise din-raat ghar se bahar rehna thik nahi hai!" With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward the mandir to perform her morning puja and chants, leaving the household to follow her unyielding rules. (Keep your son on a tight leash! His staying out day and night doesn't sit right with me!)

After preparing breakfast, Divyansh carefully set the table, ensuring everything was in place before walking to the living room, where Maa and Chachi were seated. His steps were slow, and his voice barely above a whisper as he called out, "Maa, Chachi... nashta ban gaya." The exhaustion was evident in his tone, his body now running on sheer willpower as the adrenaline began to fade. (Maa, Chachi... Breakfast is ready.)

Chachi immediately stood up, guilt etched on her face. "Beta Divya, mujhe maaf kar de," she said, holding Divyansh's hands tightly. "Mujhe pata bhi nahi chala ke Maa ji kab uth gayi, aur main tumhe utha nahi payi." (Divya, please forgive me. I didn't even realise that Maa ji was up and I couldn't wake you up on time.)

Maa reached over, gently guiding Chachi back to the sofa. "Beta, tu thodi der aaram kar," she said, her voice soft and filled with concern. Taking the end of her pallu, she wiped the sweat from Divyansh's brow, pity reflecting in her eyes. (Beta, go and rest for a while.)

Touched by their warmth and care, Divyansh melted into their embrace. His voice trembled as he looked up at Chachi and said, "Chhoti Maa, koi baat nahi... Aapne mujhe kamre mein bheja tha, nahi toh shayad ek pal ki bhi neend nahi milti mujhe." He paused, his gaze falling to the floor. "Aur yeh toh meri galti hai, ki main iss ghar ki bahu banne ke layak nahi hoon..." (Chhoti Maa, it's okay. Had you not sent me to my room, I would not have gotten any sleep. And it is my fault that I don't deserve to be a wife in this household.)

Before he could say more, Maa pulled him into a comforting hug. "Tu humari bahu nahi hai... Beti hai tu humari, samjhi?" she said firmly. Stroking his back, she added, "Humare liye Ashwin, Arthit, aur tere mein koi farak nahi hai. Hai na, Chhoti?" She turned to Chachi with a smile. (You are not our daughter-in-law... You are our daughter, okay? For us, there is no difference between Ashwin, Arthit and you. Isn't it, Chhoti?)

Chachi nodded enthusiastically, tears brimming in her eyes. "Bilkul sahi bola aapne, Didi. Bhagwan ne humein beti nahi di, lekin aaj Divya ko humare paas humari beti ke tarah bheja hai," she said, gently petting Divyansh's head. (You are absolutely right, Didi. God didn't grant us a daughter, but he has now given us Divya as a daughter.)

At these words, Divyansh broke down completely, the weight of the morning's events and the kindness shown to him overwhelming him. He hugged both Maa and Chachi tightly, tears streaming down his face.

"Shh, beta," Chachi whispered soothingly, holding him close. "Shaant ho jaa. Waise hi tu itni kamzor ho gayi hai, aur royegi toh bimaar pad jayegi." (Calm down. You're so weak to begin with, and if you cry anymore, you'll fall sick.)

Maa chuckled softly, brushing Divyansh's hair back. "Main sabko bulati hoon," she said, her tone light but purposeful. "Der ho gayi toh Maa ji phir se kaunsa naya kaand shuru kar dengi, pata nahi." She rose to her feet, heading to call the rest of the family for breakfast. (I'll go and call everyone. If it gets late, no one knows what new drama Maa ji will cook up.)

As Maa left, Chachi turned to Divyansh with a gentle smile. "Divya, tu aaram kar. Main jaake table set karti hoon," she said, heading to the dining area. (Divya, you go and rest. I'll set the table.)

Divyansh closed his eyes for a long moment, leaning into the sofa. His body yearned for rest, but he couldn't shake the thought of Dadi's reaction if she came down and found him sitting idle. With a sigh, he stood and followed Chachi to the dining area to assist her.

A short while later, Maa returned with Papa in tow. "Aap baithiye," she said, guiding him to the table. "Maa ji Ashwin ko leke aati hi hongi." (Sit down. Maa ji should be coming with Ashwin any moment now.)

As they all waited, the warmth of familial love momentarily eased the ever-present tension in the household.

Ashwin sat on his bed, fresh from his shower, his hair still damp as he absentmindedly flipped through his phone. His thoughts, however, were far from the device in his hand. Dadi's harsh treatment of Divya weighed heavily on his mind. He wanted to intervene, to stand up for her, but he knew all too well that doing so would only make things worse for her. Dadi's anger was a storm, and anyone caught in it suffered its wrath.

As he mulled over the situation, a knock at the door broke his reverie. Sighing, he got up and opened it to find Dadi standing there.

"Ji, Dadi," he greeted respectfully.

Dadi's tone was softer now. "Chal beta, nashta ban gaya hai. Pata nahi kabse bhookha hai tu. Chal." (Come son, breakfast is ready. I don't know when you had your last meal. Come.)

"Ji, chaliye," Ashwin replied, following her downstairs to the dining table. (Yes, let's go.)

At the breakfast table, Papa looked delighted at the spread of food before him. "Wow! Aaj itna saara khaana kis khushi mein bana hai?" he asked cheerfully. (What's the occasion that so much has been cooked today?)

Maa smiled as she served him. "Sab tumhari pyaari beti ne banaya hai!" (Your lovely daughter has cooked everything!)

As Dadi descended with Ashwin, she caught Maa's words, and her face darkened. "Badi Bahu!" she snapped. "Ek baat yaad rakho, ek bahu kabhi beti nahi ban sakti. Woh bahu hai aur bahu hi rahti hai. Uska kaam hai apne sasural walon ka aur apne pati ka dhyan rakhna, unke liye khana banana – na ke college jaana!" Her glare shifted to Divyansh, who stood quietly, his head bowed. (Badi bahu! Remember one thing, a daughter-in-law can never become a daughter. She is a daughter-in-law and remains one. Her job is to take care of her in-laws and her husband - she is not supposed to go to college!)

Papa's cheerful expression turned serious as he greeted Dadi. "Namaste, Maa. Baithiye na." His tone was firm as he added, "Divya meri beti hi hai... aur woh padhegi." He held her gaze, unyielding. (Divya is my daughter... And she will study.)

Ashwin quickly stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. "Dadi, aap baithiye na," he said, guiding her to her seat before taking his own. (Dadi, please have a seat.)

Divyansh moved silently around the table, serving food to everyone. His stomach growled in protest, but he ignored it, knowing he couldn't eat due to the fast Dadi had imposed.

Dadi's sharp voice cut through the air. "Divya, tujhe yaad hai na ke aaj bhi tera vrat hai? Kahin pata chale ke mere se chup ke tu khana kha le." (Divya, you remember right that today is your fast? I must not find out that you sneakily had food thinking that I won't find out.)

Divyansh stood frozen, clutching the end of his pallu tightly, his head bowed.

Maa, sensing the tension, spoke up gently. "Divya beta, tu apne kamre mein jaa." She tried to shield him from Dadi's anger. (Divya, go to your room.)

Divyansh began to walk away, but Dadi's shout stopped him. "Yeh har baat pe apne kamre mein kyun chali jaati hai?" (Why does she always go to her room?)

Papa, his temper fraying, glared at her. "Toh kya karwana hai aapko meri beti se?" he demanded, his voice barely contained. (So what more do you want my daughter to do?)

Divyansh stopped mid-step, halfway up the stairs, unsure of what to do.

Ashwin, glancing at Divya, tried to intervene. "Dadi, usse jaane dijiye. Usne apna kaam toh kar hi liya na," he said, his eyes urging Divya to leave. (Dadi, let her go. She has finished her work, hasn't she?)

Divyansh shook his head slightly, refusing the silent plea. He wouldn't risk doing anything that might upset Dadi further. He stood in place, torn between going to his room and returning to serve.

Dadi's gaze flickered between her son and grandson. She couldn't fathom why they were opposing her authority. Her frustration boiled over.

Papa, his patience wearing thin, addressed Divyansh directly. "Divya, tum apne room mein jao beta," he said, offering a reassuring smile. (Divya, you can go to your room child.)

Divyansh nodded quietly and continued up the stairs, disappearing into his room.

Dadi, now thoroughly exasperated, huffed as she began eating her breakfast. "Tum logon ko jo karna hai karo," she muttered. "Main kuch din ke liye bahar kya chali gayi, tum log toh mere asool hi bhool gaye." (Do whatever you want. I went away for a few days, and you people forgot my morals.)

Papa, his voice low but filled with bite, muttered under his breath, "Asool nahi bhule... aap insaniyat bhool gayi hain." (We didn't forget our morals... You have lost your humanity.)

The tension hung heavy over the table, but no one dared to say more.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Sorry guys, it took me this long... I had to divide this chapter in two parts...😭
I swear karwa chauth doesn't want to end only! But I promise you'll like the next part and it will be much longer than this one.

Happy reading!

Enjoy, Adiraj and Priya!