Marriage. A single term that had my life swiveling around it for about past multiple whiles and still there's no peace in my heart. The hurt I have endured will never abandon me with myself. My life is absolute chaos and nothing different. I am like a shattered composition but now lonesome too. I do not know what I want for myself and Rehan and what I would be doing further.
Everyone currently might cherish me but I am too broken to be loved again. Now and then, I think of myself as a piece of meat rather than a living being. Now my life is stuck far and wide, someone is behind me to kill me, sending me hazards and bloodstained roses. Additionally, there's Rajveer whose tape recording someone transferred me and now subsequently all this I think they're trying to break me again by sending me those personal effects which I used to get countless times back. The only thing streaming down in my veins is guilt.
I'm jolted off from my unhealthy debates when there's a light tap on my shoulder and I suppose I might have zoned out the whole drive from the courtroom after bidding a sincere farewell to my Massi. Tears were pouring down my cheeks but there was someone — My husband who coaxed me every nanosecond before we were seated in his pitch-black Mercedes G- wagon.
I look at the person standing by my side who is now My husband and is holding his right hand out for me to take and foot out. He's a gentleman there's no denying, but I feel a sore taste in my mouth at the fact that I excused him of cheating while he was trying his best to communicate and unfold everything. I feel naive for being like that.
" Mrs. recently wed Rathore would you do your husband a courtesy of helping you step out of this car?" My husband's whisper reached my ears as he observed me with eager eyes to react to him. Taking a huge drag of air, I took his hand in mine. Unexpectedly his hand was much further warmer than mine and he held my cold hand tightly rubbing his thumb on the back of it as if soothing my formerly nervous jitters.
We both took the main stairs which led us to the main house, the house would be an understatement for this unearthly manner. It's like a dream and I feel like I jumped into the fairy tale. There are a few guards, two of them standing outside the main door of the mansion.
I gawk at his manse-like house for an elongated time I did not honor the voices circling me. Eventually, I let my scrutiny shift towards the main door where everyone is standing with grinning faces there's Rajveer's mother who clutched thaali for doing Aarti and moreover there's Rehan and Anita standing hand in hand holding small flower bouquets in their hands and hell they look so cute.
I look over towards Rajveer who is already smiling and I think I would die of his smiling face.
"Mumma, Papa, come fast," Rehan shouted making all of us chuckle at his impatience.
"Baby, they are coming just wait for a few more minutes," Anita spoke to Rehan and in response, he gave her a little nod and then looked over at us.
Rajveer clutched my left hand in his right one and gave it a light squeeze as if assuring me to calm my nerves down a bit. We climbed the stairs leading towards the door where everyone was watching us with sweet and welcoming smiles. I craved it. My broken soul craved the love that I didn't receive. My life had been hectic after my teenage and it was the first time someone ever loved me like this. My heart has finally found its home, in here with everyone. I never would have thought that anyone would someday listen to me and my heart but this whole family has a heart of gold.
As we both climbed up the stairs we both stood in front of Rajveer's mother who held Aarti ki thaali and did Aarti. Then we both took blessings from everyone present there and in the end Rehan and Anita greeted us by giving us flower bouquets.
"Beta Adhvika, step your right foot inside by giving a light tap to this Kalash." Rajveer's chachi told me with a smile and I did as she instructed me to do. Everyone clapped as I stepped inside the house which is huge with marble floors and warm ceiling lights.
The hall has a large space and there are golden plush sofas there are a set of stairs running on both from left and right sides and connecting with the upper floor. There are matching golden carpets on their stairs and the door handles and the same with the table placed in front of the sofas. The stairs divide the hall into two wings and on the left, I assume there is a kitchen and room because from here I can see a few golden-colored cushioned chairs. On the right side, I assume there are rooms. My trail of thought was broken when everyone's chatters filled the hall. I looked over them and saw them already plopped on the sofas and here I was standing in my daze. I looked to my side and saw Rajveer already looking at me with awe, giving a light tip of his head he gestured for me to come inside and I did the same.
We both sat on the two-seater sofas on the side where Daddi was sitting. Soon, Maa and Chachi brought a golden-coloured vessel along with a jug of milk held by Chaachi. "Okay so let's play a game everyone." Maa cheered as she came and put the empty vessel in front of us and watched both of us with mischief in her eyes.
"Which game Daddi?" Rehan came up to her and smiled at her and here I was staring at him with wide eyes because this boy didn't even acknowledge his own mother and was already playing around.
The Traitor, I thought.
'He is a kid' A little voice inside my head chided.

 
I looked at Chachi who was now smiling and pouring the milk in the empty vessel along with rose petals. She gave me a quick smile which I reciprocated by giving her a small smile.
"In this game, I'll put this gold ring inside this milk and whoever finds it first will have the upper hand in this marriage and there are a total of three rounds. Let's start this now." Maa spoke as she put the gold band in the milk and the hall erupted in cheers and clapping from the family members. Everyone is now seated in their respective places, Daadi sitting with Dada ji and Maa and Chachi sitting together and the two Rathore brothers are beside them. Meanwhile, Rehan is seated on Anita's lap staring at the vessel full of milk and then he looks up at me with shiny eyes and his sweet smile adorning his little face.
"Let's start it now," Daadi spoke up this time and everyone nodded agreeing with her.
"Yes! Bhabhi I'm on your side." Anita exclaimed loudly and Rehan almost jumped at her loud voice.
"What you are abandoning your own brother in a precious game! " my husband said to Anita, making everyone chuckle.
"I'm not abandoning you broo, I'm on my bhabhi's side its so simple." Anita gave Rajveer a huge grin which made Rajveer shake his head at her thoughts.
"I'm also on my new Daughter's side." Maa said with a smile surprising everyone.
"Mee too." Chachi said and then everyone present did the same which made Rajveer flustered a bit and I am unable to stifle my laugh.
"What? Everyone's on her side, so who is on my side? Am I not your only son? Am I a stranger?" Rajveer scoffed, and then a smile pulled up on his frowning face, mischief glinting in his eyes.
"Broo, You are giving me chills by giving that smile." Anita squirmed while saying the sentence and I know why she think so because I'm thinking the same that something's going in his mind.
"I was thinking that you all are on my wife's side and my wife is on my side so its all same." Rajveer spoke which made my cheeks heat up from his words and everyone else is staring at us which is torturous at this very moment.
"Like Father, Like son." Maa muttered which unfortunately everyone listened and burst out laughing. I looked at my husband who gave me his precious smile which I want to lock only for myself. We maintained eye contact which was interrupted by a throat-clearing sound and I almost jumped on my place as if caught stealing.
"So, Now start the game guys. I'm counting. 3....2....1..." Anita counted and as her counting finished, I and Rajveer dipped our hands in the vessel searching for the ring. Our hands brushed together sending cold shivers down in my body, I looked at everyone who were staring at us and Anita and Rehan cheering.
"Go On Dad, you are going to win." Rehan shouted cheering Rajveer. The traitor changed the teams. Everyone else is cheering me and this guy is on his dad's side. I was busy glaring at my kid when a warm hand gripped my fingers in his making me shiver, I looked at him who is looking at our joined hands without any expressions and pretending to find the ring. Seconds later he left my fingers and Suddenly I felt the lose of his warmth. Ignoring it, I started to find the ring when I felt a cold sensation on my index finger. That is when I know that he slipped the ring on my index finger. Fortunately, the ring wasn't of my size and it came out easily without the use of another hand.
Smiling at everyone I pulled out the ring from the vessel and they all clapped in unison and Rajveer did the same which made my heart flutter at how he is deciding to accept defeat for me that too with smiling face.
"Okay calm down everyone. So the round one winner is Adhvika. So let's see who is going to win the second one." Chachi announced tossing the ring inside the vessel and then again Anita counted. We both dipped our hands inside the vessel and started our search. After a few minutes of searching and splashing milk I found the ring but decided to give it up like Rajveer did for me. I know its only a game meant for enjoyment but I don't want anyone to tease him. I went near his hand holding the ring and tried to give it to him. I looked at him who is already watching me with the same intense gaze.
He gave a little push to my hand as if avoiding the ring, but I am more stubborn than him. I tried again keeping my eyes trained on both of our hands but he did it again by pushing my hand a little. A wise man once said one must keep trying and he will achieve his goals one day. I tried again and this time I tried to push the ring in his hand but instead, he held onto the other side of the ring and pulled both of our hands out of the vessel shocking everyone including me. I kept my poker face but glared at him which he just ignored and smiled at everyone who are shocked and quiet.
"Oh No, the Second round ended up in a draw. But don't worry we have a third round still pending." Chachi said in a dramatic voice making everyone nod. Then she again dropped the ring in the vessel.
"Let's start the game, 3...2....1.." As Anita finished we both dipped our hands again for the third time and started doing our task of finding the ring. This time without wasting any time I tried finding the ring but didn't get any result. I looked at Rajveer's hand finding the ring and decided to try again but before I moved my hand further he held the gold band high showing it to everyone. Everyone clapped except Anita who was huffing.
"What happened dear?" Dada ji asked Anita as he noticed her huffing session.
"Nothing Dada ji, Bhai just killed the excitement by ending the game in draw." She pouted and Dada ji chuckled at her.
"Okay, No problem, Now let's give a gift to the couple and then go to sleep its already past eleven," Dad spoke for the first time and Chachu nodded agreeing to his brother.
"Yes, you are right," Maa said and pulled out two boxes neatly wrapped with red paper and a bow sit on it. The boxes are not large but normal-sized. Maa handed those gifts to me and Rajveer which we took with a smile.
"Thank You, Maa." I thanked her with a smile and she smiled back at me.
Everyone then stood up from their respective places and I and Rajveer wished them good night. They all made their way toward their bedrooms and only ones remaining behind are me, Rajveer, Rehan, and Anita.
"Adhvika beta, tomorrow is your first rasoi and everyone gathers at the dining table at 8 in the morning. Have a Good night both of you." Maa smiled and then went towards the kitchen maybe to call the maid to clean up the mess here. Anita and Rehan came up to us smiling.
"Bhabhi, I want to sleep with Rehan but he doesn't want to," Anita whined, her bottom lip jutted out.
"No, I want to sleep with Dad," Rehan spoke with innocent eyes and made grabby hands towards Rajveer asking him to pick him up and Rajveer did the same making Rehan sit on his forearm.
"Bhai, this is bad." Anita glared at Rajveer which he returned with a grin showing his perfect teeth.
"Anita, Let him sleep for today. Slowly he'll get used to." I said to Anita and she nodded like an obedient child and then again glared at Rajveer.
"Good Night Bhabhi. And you too Rehan Baby." She said waving at us and then going upstairs towards her room.
The only ones left now were me and Rajveer, I looked at him who is already looking at me, and Rehan who had his head put on Rajveer's shoulder. Rajveer gave a nod to me and then walked ahead of me towards the stairs which Anita took but as we reached I looked at both sides having double tinted doors. Anita took the right side and here we turned towards the left side which is dark and scary but as Rajveer opened the door the lights turned on in the hallway automatically giving a sweet appearance to the entire hallway which have wall sconces and light grey wall colour.
"Here." Rajveer gestured to the second room on the right of the hallway as he opened the door with one hand and on his other side Rehan is already sleeping sound. I entered his master bedroom which was not so decorated but has light metal colored walls and a king-sized bed of the same color as the entire room. In front of the bed, there is a bookshelf and on the corner, there is a tinted sliding door. There are then windows leading to a balcony which is not so brightly lit up.
"This is the attached bathroom. You may change if you are not comfortable, your luggage is already set in the cupboards." His voice startled me and I turned to take a good look at him who was standing near the bed after he put Rehan on it. Giving him a nod I stepped inside the dressing room which is the same metal coloured and wide.
On the front wall there is a wide mirror and behind there are cupboards and a glass cupboard where different watches are placed so beautifully organized. This dressing room fits his image perfectly and the more I know about him the more person is visible through him. Behind his whole facade, he is something else.
Opening the door on the far left, the bathroom lights turned on automatically showcasing the similar coloured vanity cabinet upon entry and the next there is a toilet. There is huge glass separating the vanity and cabinets from the shower.
Reaching the vanity cabinets I pulled them open to find all the necessary items and I think I found a whole of the shop in here. There are sanitary napkins, tampons, and even menstrual cups. Baby products are on the other side of the cabinet. This man is something else and shows himself as someone else. Pulling open the drawer I found a new brush and did my night routine after removing the makeup I put on.
Exiting the bathroom I took out my Pjs from one of the many cupboards and wore them. The only thing left is my hair which is to be undone as quickly as possible. I stood in front of the huge mirror and started opening the hair design which was simple but the makeup artist who did it used a lot of pins. I pulled out the hairpin and winced when it got stuck in my hair.
"Ouch!" I winced again when I pulled another pin out of my tangled hair. Frustrated, I pulled my hair and huffed in defeat. Now What's this God why it is always me who gets stuck in every situation?
"Do you need some help?" A heavy voice startled me and my soul nearly jumped out of my body. I glanced at the door where my husband was standing with a raised eyebrow. I thought to reject him at first but nodded when I looked at my hair and how it would take a whole night to pull these pins out of it.

I am sitting beside Rehan who is sound asleep whereas Adhvika—My wife is freshening up in the bathroom. Oh God! How much I like the title on her. Never in my dreams, I'd thought that I would get married in this life and obsess over my newlywed wife and her kid. I never met anyone who had this effect on me and my mind but my wife is sitting in my mind enjoying in there too much. I am getting crazy day by day and I think therapy is much needed now.

A small sound came from the adjoining closet, in the next moment I was standing up from my place and walking towards the glass door sliding them open. Relief washes over me when I saw Adhvika struggling with her hair sitting on the stool in front of the wall-sized mirror wearing her night Pjs. I walked near her when she spotted me with wide eyes.

"Do you need some help?" My voice came out heavier than I intended to and she watched me for a minute longer before nodding her head one time. I moved behind her and started pulling out the pins from her hair. There are way too many pins on her head it seems like she's carrying a whole shop on her little head. I smooth out her mid-length dark wavy hair with my fingers before pulling the rest of the pins.

"Ouch!" She winced when the pin got stuck in her hair and I glanced at her face in the mirror. My heart leaped when our eyes connected in the reflection and her body shivered a little under my fingers I smirked internally knowing that I have the same effect on her as much as she has on me. I smoothed her hair a bit more to ease out the pins, "I'm sorry but it'll hurt a little more." I said looking at our reflection and when she met my gaze she gave a nod. I got back to my work, pulling out the pins.

After a good time, I sighed when all the pins were out from her hair and her shoulders slumped. "May I?" I asked her when she picked a comb from the drawer and started smoothing her hair with it. She didn't say anything and nodded again. I don't know what got into her that she is behaving like this. I started smoothing her tangled hair while thinking of some reason to start the conversation.

"Are you okay, sunflower?" I asked while I focused on my work but she again nodded without answering to any of the questions I'd been asking her. "Should I braid your hair too?" I asked again and her head shook in a yes so without any other question I started braiding her hair.

After I was done braiding her hair I looked at her who is sitting there but her mind is somewhere else. Thinking and debating with myself for a minute I put my hands on her shoulder and her body went stiff in alert. Her eyes moved to the mirror watching my every move with a questioning gaze and her lips trembled. Now I got to know what she is thinking because her eyes say more than her face or words. I locked my eyes with hers and there is fear in them that I would do something without her consent or would even hurt her but she didn't know me yet.

"Adhvika, I know you are thinking a lot but please don't do that." As my words left my mouth her eyes shined and I know I like her sparkling eyes so much more. Turning her stool around so that she is facing me now, I sat on my knees in front of her so that we were on same level. Her eyes went wide when I did this and something danced within me saying that I would be doing this a lot in front of her. "Why aren't you talking to me?" I asked her again and she opened her mouth but closed it again as if thinking to speak up or not.

"Adhvi listen to me I am saying this very clearly to you, I would never touch you in other way without your consent—never but I want you to speak up everything you have in your mind." As I spoke this, her eyes shined with unshed tears and Now I don't know why but still I spoke to her.

"And this sounds a little more childish but I want you to pinkie promise me that you would share your every problem with me and never go still and quiet digging the grave of your words in yourself." I held my right hand's pinkie finger for her to seal the promise and she let out a laugh making me grin widely. She held my pinkie finger in her own and sealed the promise.

"Now Will you please give your warm and beautiful smile, Mam?" I tease her and she let out another laugh and I put my hand on my heart dramatically letting out a relieved breath. "Yes, Sir." She said smiling more widely now making my heart fluttered at the sight. "I like you calling me Sir." I grinned teasing her more and she hit me lightly on my chest this time making me laugh a little. "Okay, Sirr." She said with a teasing sound stressing on the word R a little more and batting her lashes and now I'm drowning.

I stood up and leaned on her and kissed her forehead which took her by surprise and her cheeks went red when I pulled back to take a good look at her. "I like your Rosie cheeks so much that I would make sure that they remain like this forever." I smiled at her which she returned and I stepped back a little from her leaving a space between us.

"I am going to take a shower, you can sleep on the bed and Rehan is already dozing off," I said picking up my clothes from the cupboard. "Where you'll sleep?" She asked looking at her feet and I am in awe. "On the bed, Darling," I stated and she nodded looking at me flushed. "Are you going to watch me shower, sunflower?" I teased her a bit more making her go red this time and she shook her head while she looked anywhere but me. "Good Night." She wished me her sound so low that I barely made out the words."Good Night, Mrs. Rathore," I said and stepped inside the bathroom with the biggest smile that my face hurt.