Author's POV
Closed eyes with palms covering them there was giggling and rumbling when he opened the door to his room. Inhaling a large puff of air huffed crossing his arms, standing in front the door frame.
Standing there, was his younger brother by 3 years, Siddharth with his wife and college sweetheart Riddhi who was 22,fresh out of college and married 6 months ago, followed by his baby sister Ritu who's 20 standing beside his cousin Akash also 20. Seriously they both can fight anywhere and anytime doesn't matter the reason. How can you forget his annoying best friend Aarav.
Siddharth opened his left eye peaking through his fingers while others kept their eyes covered smiling like idiot.
"Hufff...zone safe guys, you can look ..", he said and they all removed their hands.
He didn't say anything but, still questioned them with raised eyebrow.
"ahh…actually bhai, you guys still didn’t came down so....",Siddharth dragged the word, "so?", Nirmaan questioned.
“so..nothing …we thought to call you..”Riddhi explained.
"Bulane aaye hain, sab sath main?"(To call? Everyone? Together?), he questioned. "Nahi wo humain laga ki aap dono ek sath...", ( No, I mean..actually we thought..maybe)this time ritu spoke looking little flustered.. Nirmaan didn't say anything but hearing this poor Subí's face went red.
Just when he was about close the door, they all barged in. "Kya bhai hum to bhabi se Milne aaye the,haina?,( C'mon bhai, we came to meet bhabi, isn't it?), Aarav said, asking rest to confirm. "Haan..Haan.."(yes...yes..), they all said in unison.
Toh bhabi, yeh bataiye aaj aap pehli rsaoi main kya bnane wali hain?...aapko pata hai aapke hath ka bana khane ke liye ...main kab se bhooka baitha hoon.."(, So, bhabi, what are you going to prepare on your first day..I haven't eaten anything...just so I can taste your food), Akash said with a pout, putting his shoulder around his bhabi.
When a smack hits his head with full force. "Jhoothe, shaadi main akele hi aadhi baarat jitna khana kha kar bhi,keh raha hai maine kuch nahi khaya",( Liar, you are like a pig at wedding, and now you are saying I haven't eaten anything)said ritu. "Haan toh tujhe to tere hisse ka mil gaya tha na",(So what?, You got your share didn't you?) he was about to hit her back when she ran behind Nirmaan saving herself.,
"Kya yaar bhai, aap har baar isse bachata lete ho"(What bhai, you always save her?) he complained whining like a kid. "Haan to,ek Lauti hoon, teri tarah nahi, Jise mandir se uttha kar laye the", she showed her tongue., ( Ofcourse he will, I'm one and only sister, not like you, whom they picked from temple)
"Okay, that's enough, chalo bahar niklo ab"( get out everyone), Nairmaan pushed everyone out.
They all came out wiggling and complaining for throwing them out.(everyone out)
All this while Subí was just chuckling at their silly antics, which was reminding her of her own home. She was dying to go meet them.
He intertwined theirs figures, "chalein?(shall we?)", to which she just nodded her head in yes.
Coming out of the room, by the stairs he didn't leave her hand , but when they reached near the dining area she quickly removed her hand. Seeing all the people gathered there.
She quickly went to the kitchen, while Nirmaan just looked her in amusement, "Aise sharmati raho gi to kaise chalega BIWI, baat to aage bhadaani padegi na?"(If you'll just keep blushing, how will we progress BiWI?), he thought.
Subi was in kitchen where other ladies were making preparation for her, she went to her mother in law and took blessings. Both maa and choti maa patted her cheeks with smile. While Riddhi and Ritu hugged her wishing a good morning.
"Toh BATAO, mitthe main kya banaogi, pehli rasoi ke liye?",( So what are we going to make?)maa asked her.
Heading this her whole face lightened up, she loves cooking, especially when it's something sweet.
"Maa main Halwa banau, aapko pata hai ghar main sabko mere hath ka halwa bohot pasand hai..especially bade papa ko"(should I prepare Hslwa..you know it’s my specialty. Everyone loves it, especially bade papa.),
"Okay, we'll help you with the rest"her mother in law said to which she refused. ,"
Lekin bache itna sab akele kaise...",( But my child how will you manage?)her mother in law was saying but she didn't listen, at the end they all left her alone.
Giving herself a prep talk, she tucked her saree's pallu to her waist band. Tieing her long hair in a bun. Subi started her work. Within an hour and half she was done with almost everything. Now all that left was Halwa.
She was halfway to making it when she turned to add some food colour. She was rummaging through the spices when she saw it next to hing in a corner of the the spice cabinet.
She was about pick it when she felt someone's close proximity she suddenly turned only to collide into a strong chest. He held her in his arms to stable her.
"Aap...kuch chahiye?"(you..do you need something ?), she asked nervously. "Coffee", "okay, 10min", she said turning away, when he pulled her back from her wrist. Subí's hands were on his chest. Her eyes went wide.
Nirmaan enjoying her blushing state to every extent. Moving his hand from her right shoulder to her bare waist. With the back of his fingers from her waist to her belly button and slowly brushing to her waist band. He removed her tucked pallu out from waist and opening her hair to fall back covering her backless blouse and whispered, " no one is allowed to see you, other than me", and kissed her earlobe.
He left but, Subí's feet were fixed on the spot, she was too stunned to even process everything let alone react.
Absent minded and lost in her thoughts she prepared Halwa and coffee. Just when she finished Riddhi came in. "Bhabhi, you done?", she nodded her head in yes, Riddhi picked the lids one by one.. "waah bhabi! , aaj toh bhaiya aapke hath hi chum lenge,kya khushbu hai",(Today Niraam is literally going to kiss your hands., it smells amazing.)
"Riddhi?", "hmm?", Riddhi hummed busy in transferring the food in bowls.
"Kuch gadbad to nahi hogi na?"(do you think everything will be fine?)she asked nervously biting her nails.
"Don't worry bhabi,kuch nahi hoga, aapko pata hai maine toh galti se kheer main namak dal dia tha, itni nervous thi, phir bhi kisi ne kuch nahi kaha..."(Don’t worry, you know when it was was first time I actually added salt in nervousness.)
Riddhi told with a smile, "Seriously?",Subi asked with a shock.
"Nahi...main to sirf aapka mood lift kar rahi thi,(No, I was just trying to lift your mood.)let's go now, everyone is waiting, it's already 9:30, everyone is already late for work."
Hurrying they placed everything on the dining table. Maa, choti maa, papa, chote papa, Aunt and Grandpa came along with all young gang for breakfast.
"Kya kya banaya hai"(What do we have?), Akash asked.
Riddhi opened the lids and the fragrance of food spread across the table hitting their nostrils.The food was looking mouthwatering.
Aloo Paratha with mango pickle, fresh lassi and Halwa.
Everyone quickly took their seats but dadu(Grandpa) was first, he about to serve himself halwa.
"Dadu...papa...."everyone said together, giving him side eye.
Dadu just gave a sheepish smile. Knowing he was caught. He has high diabetes and was strictly prohibited from eating sweets. Subí was already told by maa. She came with Dadu's breakfast. Placing next to his plate. "Dadu, yeh raha aapko breakfast"(Dadu..here is your breakfast.)
Dadu scrunched his nose looking at Upma. But didn't say anything.
Subi was about to serve when she was stopped by maa. "No need bachche..everyone will serve themself, go take your seat." She nodded obediently and took her seat next to Nirmaan.
They all served themselves. Everyone took bite while Subi was looking nervous.
"Waah bhabi!!..yeh toh bohot tasty hain...aise parathe to Riddhi bhi nahi banati..",wow, Bhabhi, it's so yummy, even better then what Riddhi makes.)Siddharth said while Riddhi kicked him under the table. "Tum kamre main chalo, phir batati hoon kya kya bana sakti hoon",( I'll tell you what i can make once you come in the room.)she whispered but, it was audible enough for Subi and rest to hear hear and chuckle.
"Sach main Subi bohot accha hai..(yes Subi everything is fantastic.) Everyone was praising her, which formed a big smile on her face which soon faded away when bua ji (Aunt)spoke, "Thik thak hain, itne kuch khas bhi nahi hain, isse achche to Main banaa Leti hoon",(I mean it's okay, but I could make much better.)
"Vaise bua ji, zaraa recipe to batana, are nahi woh kya hai na, bina kitchen main kabhi Ghusse bhi aap itna achaa khana bnaa sakti hain....humaine bhi to pata chale aisa kona tareeka hai", (by the way Bua ji could you give us the recipe. It's just that you could cook such good food without even entering the kitchen.) Siddharth mocked and everyone tried controlling their laughter.
After breakfast it was time for dessert. A helper served halwa in bowls and passed one to each. Everyone dug in taking first bite they gave some weird expressions. Subi was looking them confused and asked about about it.
They all approved her. Bua ji was about to say something, when Dudu held his hand signalling her to keep shut.
Subi looked happy and immediately took a spoon full of halwa before anyone could stop her. The moment she took a spoon in her mouth she spat it out. Looking into glass of lassi which was empty she took Nirmaan coffee mug expecting the sweet liquid to change the taste of her taste buds. Which was again wrong because coffee had salt instead of sugar. The coffee that she took sip of came out of her mouth with spat and she started coughing. Riddhi ran to bring the water while Nirmaan rubbed her back.
She took the water from Riddhi and drank it full. Feeling a little better she calmed herself. "Yeh halwe ka taste kitna Ganda hai...isme to namak hai itna sara Aur hing bhi", ( this tastes soo disgusting it's so salty.) .she said making weird faces. The moment she said so all the kids, who were controlling very hard till now ran towards kitchen to drink some water. While Nirmaan didn't say anything at all.
Bua ji again opened her big mouth, "Humain laga tha chotte ghar se aai hai,aur kuch aaye na aaye ,ghar ka kam to aata hi hoga. Tumari maa ne kuch sikhaya bhi hai ya nahi?, are haan tumhari to maa hi nahi hai", ( I thought she's from a middle class family so she might all the chores if nothing else. Looks like your mother never taught you anything.)
Dadu and all elders were looking her in shock and anger while the young clan was about to snap at her but, before anyone could say anything a cold voice made pin drop silence on the table.
"Aapki ticket aapko mil jayegi, apna saman bandhiye aur nikaliye yaha se...",( you'll get your ticket you may Get out as early as possible.)he said in a cold stern voice in clear words, loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. Leaving no room for argument he took Subí's hand and pulled her with him to their room.
No one said a word as everyone would do what Nirmaan says, his words were always the last. No one dared argue with him especially when he is pissed.
"Dekh lena, yeh ladki ek din ghar main ladai karegi, aate hi tumhare bete ho apni unglio pe nachaa rahi hai",( mark my words, this girl will split this family.)she said trying to poison their brain.
Dadu punched the table. "Apna saman bandh aur nikal, suna nahi."(pack you bags and leave) And he left the table. All the elders as well.
Bua ji was also leaving when Ritu called her,she turned with angry face, " make sure ki aap apna koi bhi saman bhoolain nahi,",( make sure you don't leave anything behind.)she looked them confused " woh kya hai na, toxicity humain iss ghar main pasand nahi",( it's just that we don't like toxicity in this house.)with a smirk Siddharth said, she stomped her foot and left while they all burst out laughing.
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In the room Subi was shedding silent tears. Bua ji's words her pinning her like needles. She kept looking down when Nirmaan turned towards her after taking deep breaths and calming himself. He took her in a warm and tight hug
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