Bengal, Choudhury House

"Ouch," Saudamini's brows scrunched as the bangle refused to slide in through her wrist. Her old bangles refused to fit in any more. She shook her head silently, as Pratima's lips curved into a smile. Her caretaker was the only woman she had known, apart from her mother. Pratima adhered to the next pair of bangles, a size bigger than her previous one, "I knew these wouldn't have fit you." 

Saudamini just responded with a meek smile, "I missed you...."

Pratima halted slipping the bangles in her wrist. That was the last thing she had imagined hearing from her mistress's mouth, was to acknowledge her in that manner. The entire life she had spent in the child's company, without expecting anything. And Saudamini being her own vain self, rarely cared. 

At one point of time, she had almost felt once she wasn't her Saudamini anymore. She was turning into an adult from a child, and that included a change in everything, including the distance she began to create. She was just there, like a silent caretaker as ever. 

She softly nodded, "I never knew you would ever say that to me."

Saudamini glanced away, blinking with a subtle smile which didn't convey any emotions of hers.

Time changes everything, and her mistress wasn't any exception.

"Are you, happy?" Pratima gazed at her briefly, and then sat behind her to comb her tresses. It would be a joke if she was unaware about her mistress's obsession with Satyakaam once upon a time. What she was seeing now was more of a lady than a girl, a more gathered personality than she expected. Pratima began pinning her long hairs, hooking the chains of her earpieces on them.

"Am I supposed to be?" 

"You'll fall in love again, mistress," Pratima whispered against her ear, not knowing any better words to convey her at the moment, "It's not the end of everything."

"I don't want to." 

Pratima pressed her lips, shaking her head. 

The same, old stubborn mistress of hers. 

.

.

.

The sounds of musical instruments playing rang through the atmosphere, the entire Choudhury house feeling colorful and lively. People ran helter skelter for the rituals that would take place before marriage, where the bride and groom would be officially engaged; a practice that had subtly crept into the society after the English influence, but mostly the wealthy families undertaking it since it is them who can afford such expenses without any worry.

The Chatterjee family was already there, welcomed cordially by the bride's family. 

Saudamini was sitting in a corner quietly, decked up in yellow and gold and watching everyone silently. Ladies were gossiping around, sitting on the floor, while she was softly nodding to them; not feeling the urge to it. 

And that's when her gaze fell upon Anirban. 

He was adjusting the sleeve of his bright red and golden kurta, with his lips curved in a half smile. Saudamini would lie if for a fraction of a second, her breath didn't hitch. He was the clear answer as to what women saw in him. His soft, thick tresses parted to one side, it was neat but slightly messy at the same time; his brows curved down solemnly as he was busy fixing the sleeves, yet there was a lingering boyish and youthful charm in him that radiated from his demeanour. For women, he wasn't handsome. He was beautiful. And very less men had the ability to be beautiful, and Anirban fitted into that very well, atleast externally. His gaze trailed at her almost the next moment, as he winked at her; causing her to break her stare. 

Her cheeks flushed due to embarassment, as she glanced away for a moment and again gazed back. But this time he dropped his usual mischievousness and waved at her, signaling her to come up towards him. 

Her brows thinned; no, she wasn't going to give in this time. She glared back at him and shook her head, and stole her gaze.

Anirban clicked his tongue, and again signaled her to come up. This went on for sometime, until he finally folded his palm, and Saudamini felt that this might be something concerning or genuine. Carefully getting up, she silently sneaked from the ladies group and strode towards him, "What happened?" 

"I am hungry!" He sighed looking around, keeping his hands on his waist.

"Uh? What am I supposed to do?" Saudamini blinked. 

"Do what logic says? Give me something to eat of course!" He shrugged.

Saudamini rolled her eyes, "But the ceremony will begin shortly!" 

"So? We still have time for the ceremony right?" 

"No....this isn't right-" She pressed her lips together, "If someone sees us entering the kitchen they will screw us-" 

"Exactly the reason I need your help," He gave a playful blink, making her jaw drop.

"What? How the heck can I help you?"

"Why? You are the mistress of this house! Can't you get me something to eat?" He innocently claimed, more to annoy her. Saudamini huffed in frustration, "Learn to control your hunger." She was about to leave, when Anirban held her arm and dragged her back, making her gasp softly.

"Come on you can't be this stone hearted. Don't you love me at all?" He raised his brows, making her squint her eyes, "No." 

"Hawww, liar liar!" Anirban gasped pretentiously, keeping a hand on his heart, making Saudamini roll her eyes vividly, "I am going...."

"Sorry sorry sorry sorry," He tried to control his snicker, standing in front of her, "Please, give me something to eat! I haven't eaten anything since morning you know? Please, please?" He sounded a bit genuine this time. 

Saudamini's gaze softened for a moment, as she licked her lips. But from where was she going to arrange for anything to eat now? The kitchen must be occupied, her mother would whack her if she was caught sneaking in. 

"Uh," She mumbled, "I think mother has kept a box of sweets in my room....."

"Excellent! Now where is your room?" Anirban beamed.

Saudamini shrugged, "Follow me."

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

🙈👉👈Tbh, I really like the Arrogant FL x Goofball ML trope, idk why it fits so well for me.

Like the FL gets irritated by the harmless jokes cracked by ML, but can't do anything about it but just smile 🤣🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍.

Btw, today is the last day of 2023 ✨🥺😍, Wishing everyone a prosperous and very Happy New Year!

Signing off for today!

Nushkie