It was early morning, and the sun peeked through the curtains of Shubman and Sara's room, casting a warm glow. The air was filled with a sense of excitement as Shubman's cousins had gathered at their house for the post-wedding celebrations. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and chatter, but inside their room, all was quiet as Shubman and Sara enjoyed a much-needed rest.

Shahneel, Shubman's mischievous sister, leaned in with a playful grin. "Let's go wake them up!" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Preeti, one of their lively cousins, eagerly nodded. "Come on, di, let's do it!" Together, they made their way to Shubman's room, whispering and giggling as they reached the door. They exchanged glances, excitement bubbling as they started knocking loudly.

In the room, Shubman stirred from his sleep, rubbing his eyes groggily. He had opted for shorts and no shirt, feeling the humid weather pressing against his skin. As he opened the door, Preeti peeked in, her eyes widening as she noticed Sara still fast asleep beside him.

"Bhaiyya," she exclaimed with a teasing grin, "looks like you had an amazing night!"

Shubman blinked, confused. "Huh??"

Preeti pointed to his shirtless state and smirked, "Amazing night."

Realization dawned on him, and he quickly replied, "Nothing like that. What do you want?" His voice carried a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.

Shahneel chimed in, "Get ready and come down! There are so many rituals to complete. Wake up Sara as well!"

Shubman nodded, closing the door with a chuckle. "Sara, wake up!"

Sara, still half-asleep, groaned, "Five more minutes, Mumma!"

Shubman chuckled and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her lips. "It's not Mumma; it's Shubman."

"Let me sleep, Shub!" she whined, turning slightly away from him, pulling the blanket over her head.

Realizing he might have to employ a different tactic, Shubman decided to get ready first. After a quick shower, he donned a crisp kurta and pants, the fabric soft against his skin. He felt refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead.

"Alright, now wake up, Sara," he called out, a playful edge to his voice. "You need time to drape your saree."

Sara finally opened her eyes, looking grumpily at him. She shuffled to the bathroom, mumbling, "Meenie."

Shubman laughed, "I heard that!"

Sara smirked from the bathroom, her voice muffled. "It was meant to be heard."

With a laugh, Shubman settled on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to finish. The playful banter between them was a reminder of the lightheartedness they shared, even amidst the chaos of wedding rituals. He couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in those moments, knowing they were now starting this new chapter together.

After a few moments, Sara emerged, looking slightly more awake. "Okay, I'm up! But you better help me with this saree!" she insisted, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Anything for you, Mrs. Gill," Shubman grinned, stepping closer to help her with the intricate draping of the saree.

As he assisted her, their hands brushed together, sending a spark of warmth between them. Shubman couldn't help but admire how stunning she looked, the saree accentuating her curves while adding an air of elegance that took his breath away. "You look beautiful," he whispered, meeting her eyes.

Sara smiled shyly, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Thanks, Shub. Now hurry! We can't keep everyone waiting," she said, playfully nudging him.

As they finished getting ready, they both knew that the day ahead would be filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments with their families, marking the beginning of their beautiful journey together.

As the morning rituals continued, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of sacredness and celebration. A small pooja was arranged in the living room, with family members gathering around. The air was fragrant with flowers and incense as they offered their prayers for the couple's happiness and prosperity.

After the pooja concluded, Keart, Shubman's mother, turned to Sara with a warm smile. "Sara, dear, I know you have work at the hospital today. You should head out soon," she said, her voice filled with understanding and encouragement.

Sara smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Ma. I'll make sure to finish my work and be back in time for the evening festivities."

Just then, Lakhwinder's sister, Vidhya who had been observing the interactions, couldn't resist the opportunity to chime in. "Oh, look at you, Sara! A working woman, huh? Doesn't quite fit the Punjabi bride stereotype, does it?" She smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, isn't it supposed to be all about cooking and taking care of the household?"

The taunt hung in the air, and a few family members chuckled nervously, unsure how to respond. Shubman's eyes narrowed, his protective instincts kicking in as he turned to her. "That's not fair, buaji and you know it. Sara's doing amazing work at the hospital."

Vidhya waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, please, Kaka. You really think working as a doctor makes her any more worthy as a wife? What's next? Cheating on you with a nurse at the hospital?" she taunted, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

Shubman felt a rush of anger surge through him. "That's enough!" he snapped, his voice rising. "You have no right to speak to her like that. Sara is an incredible person, and she's doing what she loves. It doesn't make her any less of a Punjabi bride."

But Vidhya wasn't finished. She leaned in closer, her expression mockingly serious. "Oh, really? Are you going to stand against your own aunt for her, Kaka? Is this how you want to start your marriage? By letting your wife run off to work while you sit back and let her? It's not how things are done in our family."

"Her name is Sara, and yes, I will stand up for her," Shubman said firmly, glaring at her. "You don't get to define what a Punjabi bride should or shouldn't be. Sara belongs to this family now, and we support each other."

Vidhya however, softened her tone, putting on a facade of emotional vulnerability. "Kaka, you really would stand against your Buaji for her? Think about it. What kind of wife is she if she chooses work over family? How will this look to everyone?"

"Stop it," Shubman warned, his voice low but filled with intensity. "You're crossing a line. Sara is not just some stereotype you can belittle. She's my wife, and she deserves respect."

The tension in the room thickened as Shubman stood his ground, his gaze unwavering. He was prepared to defend Sara against anyone who dared to belittle her.

Vidhya crossed her arms, an insolent look on her face, but the confrontation had clearly shaken her confidence. "Well, you'll regret this decision one day," she said, her tone bitter, before turning away, leaving the atmosphere charged with unresolved tension.

Shubman exhaled deeply, turning to Sara, whose eyes held a mix of gratitude and concern. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that," he said softly, reaching for her hand. "You don't have to listen to her. You're amazing just the way you are."

Sara squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with appreciation for his support. "Thank you, Shub. I know who I am, and I won't let anyone make me doubt that," she replied, her determination shining through.

With a newfound resolve, they moved forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.