Diya's pov..

The next day, I got up early to arrange and decorate the pooja cupboard. I also cooked food simultaneously. After, I arranged the food in the dining. I began my pooja. It has been long since I sat in front of god. I always feel strong to proceed the day only after I pray to God in the morning.

That's when I heard the door sound and I turned to see Ryan looking around to process what was happening around him. He came and stood next to me.

"Wow. You had decorated it well"  he said, looking at the cupboard in detail.

"Thanks. Wait for 5 mins, we will have breakfast"

"No. Teach me"

"Huh? What?"

" To pray. Teach me on how to pray your God" he said casually, but I was amazed.

" Really!! I didn't expect" saying this, I taught him to fold his hands and pray. Then, I lighted the diya and took aarthi. I hesitated at first but kept a thin  line of vibhuti in his forehead while he looked at me confused.

" What's that?"he asked me. I must say he looked funny, cute and different when I kept this.

"We keep this to protect from all evil forces" I said and he nodded.

I turned to him and asked him to keep the vermillion in my forehead. Then, I bent down to touch his feet. This was our first time doing pooja so, I wanted to do this.

" Hey Diya. NO!! what are you doing?" he asked me shocked

" It's a gesture of respect we give to our husband. I know we always have respect each other a lot and that's enough. But accept this for me once"

" No. I saw you doing this to my mom and dad at our marriage. They accepted it knowing the custom. But, I can't accept this" he said with a stern face.

"Ok" I said in a low voice.  I wanted to do it as it was the first time and also I was ok with it. Thinking these, I was about to turn. When he stopped me by holding my wrist.

"I know you wanted to do this. Whatever crazy custom it is, I can't accept for your sake too. Your place should be in my heart not in my feet" he said looking deep into my eyes like he wanted me to be ok with it and understand him.

"I didn't get offended. I understand. Relax. Let's go and have breakfast" I said by keeping the aarthi plate in the cupboard.

We had breakfast and he postponded the schedule after an hour because he wanted to come with me to see the restaurant.

We reached and he parked the car. We walked along the street to reach the restaurant. He opened the door and we got in and was welcomed by Rahul in the cash counter.

Tamil - Good morning. Oh Diya!! Nan ungala ethir pakala. Neenga offer ah reject panitinga nu nenachen
("Good morning. Oh, Diya!! I didn't expect you suddenly. I thought you rejected the offer")

"Hello. He's my husband. I couldn't say my reply yesterday due to some reasons" I said. I replied in English because Edward was there and he would feel out of place.

" I'm Rahul. Owner of this restaurant" he said and extended his hand.

"Edward Ryan" Ryan said and shook hands.

"Please come in" Rahul said, as he invited us to his cabin.

"Take your seat"

" You must have known that I wanted Diya to be a chef here" He started.

" Yes, she told me. I personally wanted to visit the restaurant. She is new to this city and you know people could easily cheat. I don't want anything to happen to my WIFE" he said gritting his teeth. I have never seen Ryan talk to anyone like that. It was rude.
I looked at him with confusion, but he didn't look at me.

" Yes. I understand Mr. Ryan. I will come straight to the point. After my graduation, I didn't want to use my father's money for business so, with a little saving I opened this restaurant. I was unlucky with the other chef. He was a drunkard so, I fired him. I need to look particularly for a Indian chef as you know this is an Indian restaurant. I happened to know her that day. She has a very good talent. So, I offered her the job. That's it. I have also hired freshers yesterday, Nivetha and Sanjay who will work with her" he said and sat back to his chair.

"I know she had got a big talent in her" he paused and I intervened

" You said you can only afford only one chef " I asked him confused.

" Yes, I told like that. But, my loan amount got sanctioned from the bank yesterday and I didn't know you would join or not. So, I employed them"

" Oh,ok" I said.

"Can I see the kitchen?" He asked and I looked at him again. God!! Is that necessary? He is behaving like a parent who takes their kindergarten child to their classroom, making them find a seat and then leave.

"Sure" Rahul said and we took a tour of the entire restaurant and came again to the cabin.

"She can work here. Her safety is important to me. Can I get your address and personal number?" Seriously Ryan.

" Yes, sure. I assure you, for her safety. You can have my parents number if you need it. We all live together" Rahul said and handed over the number and address. why is he even tolerating Ryan's attitude?

We all stood up and Rahul went to the cash counter telling me to  start today as already the restaurant was closed yesterday. Now, it was only Ryan and me in the cabin. I turned to him

" What was thatt?? You know it's rude" I said with anger, but didn't shout.

"I didn't do anything unnecessarily. When will you get home?" he asked me, not properly answering to my question.

"I will get back before 7. I will go by myself. Don't worry about me and come home in your regular timings" I said, but he stepped closer, locking me.

"I want you to be careful. Call me if anything. I hope you have Linda and John's number too" he said with such seriousness in his face.

" Why are you angry now? If you don't like me going to work you could have said that at home " I said with glassy eyes. Then, two drops of tears fell down my cheeks. May be he is like some men who doesn't allow their women to work.

He stood there studying my face and slowly released his creased eyebrows and frustratingly ran his hand behind his back neck and then looked at me.

" Diya..Look. I'm sorry. I'm not a male chauvinist. I want you to follow your passion and work hard to prove yourself. Your success makes me happy. I'm proud to be called as Diya's husband than, them referring  you as Edward's wife. It's just that I am worried about you. This place everything is new to you. Wait!! I know you are not a child and I may have over reacted.It's just that I was you to be safe. I breaks my heart to you in tears" he said

He came close and his close proximity made my heart beat fast. He bent and kissed my forehead. Then, he touched his forehead with mine, looking straight into my eyes "Come home safe" he said and turned around quickly to go out without waiting for me to reply. I touched my forehead with a smile.Did he kiss me? Diya!! Don't get too much excited. This is just a caring kiss.

Apart from all this, one thing was sure, he cares for me so much
|| A man who truly loves you will protect you when you're in danger. A father will ensure you don't get into trouble in the first place || This time I saw my father in him.

I went out and saw Rahul.

"I'm sorry. He normally doesn't talk to anyone like that" I said, a  little worried.

He laughed and said " It's ok, Diya. I understand. Even I'm possessive about my girlfriend. Sometimes I fight with guys if anyone comes close to her. I can see that he really loves you so much"

" What he loves me? No way" I said with a shocked and confused face.

-×-×-×-×-

Hope you liked the chapter.

Next update - Tomorrow. After that chapter, there will be 4 months leap.

~ 1444 words~