Krisha’s POV

My alarm rang.

I opened my eyes with a confused frown, still half asleep, and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before the realization hit me.

“Ayein????”

I grabbed my phone and looked at the screen.

7:00 AM.

I blinked.

Then blinked again.

“Mummyyyy yaar!” I groaned, pulling the blanket over my face. “Alarm tak set kiya hai is aurat ne mera.”

I slowly sat up, rubbing my sleepy eyes.

“Seven fucking AM?”

I looked at the time again as if somehow the numbers would magically change.

They didn't.

“Itni jaldi kyun yaarrrr? Mummyyyyyyyy!”

I was about to throw the pillow over my head and go back to sleep when something suddenly clicked in my mind.

Oh.

Mera pati bhi toh hai ab.

I immediately turned my head toward the other side of the bed.

Nobody.

I frowned.

Did he sleep beside me last night?

I looked at the mattress carefully.

No wrinkles.

No displaced pillow.

Nothing.

The mattress looked absolutely untouched, as if nobody had slept there at all.

I stared at it for a few seconds.

Then where was he the whole night?

I shrugged.

“Huh. Mujhe kyaaaa?”

Why should I care about that seven-foot dusht praani?

I had enough things to worry about already.

I got out of bed, opened my luggage, and immediately sighed.

“Ughhh.”

I looked at the pile of clothes.

“Mujhe ye sab aaj unpack bhi karna hai? Itna saara kaam?”

I started rummaging through my luggage, trying to decide what to wear.

“Kya pehnu… kya pehnu…”

And then I spotted it.

A neatly packed red saree was lying inside my luggage, folded carefully.

There was a small sticky note placed on top of it.

I picked it up.

“Wear this on your first day. ❤️”

I smiled immediately.

“Of course, Mummy. Meri mummy hi meri asli support system hai.”

I carefully took out the saree.

“Fine.”

I headed toward the bathroom.

A long, warm shower later, I came out feeling much more awake and refreshed. Honestly, that shower had been exactly what I needed. I stood in front of the mirror with the saree in my hands and stared at it for a moment.

“Uggghhh… this saree.”

I started making the pleats.

One.

Two.

Three.

I adjusted them.

They fell apart.

I tried again.

Finally—

“YESSSS!”

The pleats were finally in place.

I smiled proudly at my reflection.

“Of course I know how to wear a saree.”

I adjusted the pallu over my shoulder.

“Mata Shri ki den hai sabhi.”

I walked toward the vanity and sat down.

First, I took my makeup pouch and started doing some basic skincare. I dried my hair with a towel first and then picked up the hair dryer, running it through my hair until they were almost dry. I left them slightly damp because I loved keeping my hair a little wet; somehow, they always looked better that way.

I applied moisturizer and then reached for my lipstick.

A simple red.

After that, my hand automatically moved toward the small container of sindoor.

I paused.

For a few seconds, I simply stared at it.

Then I picked it up and carefully applied it to the parting of my hair.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

The red line stood out against my hair.

My eyes slowly moved toward the mangalsutra around my neck.

I touched it lightly.

Why did I care so much about putting this sindoor on when he had already made it clear that it didn't matter to him?

It was only for a year.

One year.

Then what?

I sighed and shook my head.

“No.”

I wasn't going to spoil my first morning here because of that dusht praani.

I checked the time.

7:40 AM.

“Okay, Krisha. Chalo.”

I got up and went downstairs.

The hall was already lively.

Well…

Not that kind of lively.

There was no laughter or family chatter.

Instead, servants were moving from one place to another, carrying things, arranging tables, preparing breakfast, and going about their morning work.

I stood there for a moment.

The moment the servants noticed me, they stopped.

All of them stared.

I blinked.

Oh.

Obviously.

Kal tak yahan koi lady nahi thi, and suddenly ek chudi wali ladki saree pehen ke saamne aa jaaye toh becharon ka reaction toh yahi hoga.

I smiled awkwardly and walked toward a woman who looked slightly older than me.

“Namaste! Aap mujhe bata sakti hain kitchen kahan hai?”

For a few seconds, she simply stared at me in complete shock.

I could hear whispers starting around me.

Just then, an elderly woman stepped forward with a little authority in her voice.

“She is the daughter-in-law of this house. Everyone greet her.”

Every servant immediately straightened.

For one second, they looked at me with their mouths slightly open before suddenly greeting me.

“Good morning, Badi Maalkin.”

I smiled politely.

“Namaste and good morning, aap sabhi ko.”

Then I immediately added, “Aur please, mera naam Krisha hai. Maalkin nahi.”

The old woman looked at me.

I smiled at her.

“Kaki?” I asked softly. “Aap mujhe bata sakti hain kitchen kahan hai?”

She looked shocked again, but this time she quickly composed herself.

“Badi Maalkin, aap humein bata dijiye aapko kya chahiye. Hum bana dete hain.”

I walked closer to her.

“Kaki, pehle toh aap mujhe ye Badi Maalkin kehna band kijiye. Maine pehle bhi bola, mera naam Krisha hai. Aap mujhe Krisha kehke bulaiye.”

“Ni, ni,” she immediately protested. “Aap is ghar ki bahu hain. Hum aapko naam se kaise bula sakte hain?”

I sighed.

“Kaki, aap mujhse umar mein badi hain, aur mujhe ye Maalkin-waalkin bilkul pasand nahi hai. Aap mujhe naam se bulaiye, please.”

I gave her my best pout.

She stared at me for a moment before finally smiling.

“Theek hai, Krisha beta. Ab bataiye, aapko kya khana hai?”

I smiled brightly.

“Ye hui na baat, Kaki ji!”

I lightly held her arm.

“Bas aap mujhe itna bata dijiye ki kitchen kahan hai.”

She finally nodded and led me toward the kitchen.

The moment I walked inside, I stopped.

Of course, I had expected the kitchen to be big.

But this?

Ek kamre jitna toh kitchen hai inka!”

I looked around in disbelief.

Kaki chuckled.

I turned toward her.

“Achha Kaki, ab mujhe bataiye ki sabko khane mein kya-kya pasand hai.”

“Beta, aapko ye sab karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Yahan cooks hain, woh bana denge sab.”

“Ni Kaki,” I immediately said. “Aaj meri pehli rasoi hai. Khana toh main hi banaungi. Aap mujhe bas itna bata dijiye ki sabko kya-kya pasand hai.”

She looked at me for a moment and then smiled.

“Theek hai, jaisa aap kahe, beta. Aur sabko toh jo mil jaaye, woh kha lete hain. Sab roz breakfast mein ek saath nahi baithte. Jab jisko time milta hai, tab kha leta hai. Kabhi kaam zyada ho jaaye toh poora din bhi theek se nahi khaate.”

I frowned slightly.

Poora din nahi khaate?

That sounded terrible.

“Achha…”

Kaki continued, “Bade Malik ko aloo ki sabzi bahut pasand hai. Jab Badi Maalkin thi na, toh unke liye pyaar se banati thi. Rudransh Baba aur Yuvraaj Baba ko paneer ki sabzi pasand hai. Ranvijay Baba ko aloo puri pasand hai. Veerraj Baba ko kheer bahut pasand hai. Aur Abeer Baba… woh toh sab kha lete hain. Unko sab pasand hai.”

She smiled.

“Lekin aloo ke paranthe sabhi ke favourite hain.”

I listened carefully, then made a little O with my mouth.

“Theek hai.”

I nodded decisively.

“Toh decide ho gaya. Aaj breakfast mein tasty-tasty aloo ki sabzi, paneer aur kheer banegi.”

I paused dramatically.

“Aur raat ko sabke favourite aloo ke paranthe.”

Kaki smiled.

“Achha Kaki, ab aap please mujhe bata dijiye ki saara samaan kahan hai.”

She nodded and started helping me.

I first chopped the potatoes and began preparing the jeera wali aloo ki sabzi. The aroma of cumin slowly filled the kitchen, followed by the smell of spices as I stirred everything together. After that, I prepared the paneer bhurji, making sure it wasn't too spicy, and finally started preparing the kheer.

By the time almost everything was ready, nearly an hour had passed.

Kaki had already told me that everyone usually came for breakfast around nine.

I looked at the clock.

8:50 AM.

Ten minutes.

“Okay, Krisha. Puri.”

I quickly prepared the dough and then started heating the oil.

One by one, the puris puffed up beautifully in the hot oil.

I smiled.

“Perfect.”

I placed them in a serving bowl and started arranging everything on the table.

The aloo ki sabzi.

Paneer.

Kheer.

Puris.

Everything was ready.

I looked around the dining room.

The table was set.

The food was ready.

Now all I had to do was wait.

I stood there, waiting for everyone to arrive, when I heard footsteps coming from the staircase.

I looked up.

Ranvijay.

I smiled.

“Good morning.”

“Morning,” he replied.

I stared at him for a second.

Huh?

Good kahan hai?

Kha gaya?

Still, I didn't give up.

“Did you sleep well?”

I was genuinely trying to make conversation.

He simply nodded.

Okay.

Conversation over.

Then Veerraj came downstairs, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants.

I smiled.

“Good morning, Veerraj.”

He smiled back.

“Good morning.”

I smiled internally.

Okay.

At least ek smile toh mili.

Then came Yuvraaj.

He walked downstairs, and the moment his eyes landed on me, his jaw clenched.

“What are you doing here?”

I blinked.

Ayein?

What kind of question was that?

Naach rahi hoon. Naachoge?

Still, I maintained a polite expression.

“Good morning to you too.”

He rolled his eyes and sat down.

I sighed silently.

Is aadmi ko mujhse problem kya hai?

Before I could think any further, I heard a familiar, cheerful voice.

“Good morninggggg, Bhabhiiiiii!”

Abeer.

He came toward me and immediately side-hugged me.

“Good morning, Abeer,” I said, smiling.

I ruffled his hair.

He immediately pulled away.

“Not my hair, Bhabhi !”

I laughed at his cute, annoyed expression.

Then came Baba Sa.

I immediately walked toward him and bent down to touch his feet.

But he stopped me before I could.

“I told you not to touch my feet.”

He patted my head affectionately.

I smiled.

I looked toward the staircase again.

I was waiting for him.

Him.

My husband.

For one year.

Pata nahi kahan chale gaye subah-subah.

I was just thinking about him when I heard footsteps again.

I turned.

Fuck.

I mean…

Shit.

Hot.

Rudransh walked downstairs wearing a fitted black shirt that clung perfectly to his body, paired with black formal trousers, while his coat rested casually in his hands.

I stared for a second longer than I should have.

Banda hot hai…

Par baatein bekaar karta hai.

He walked toward the table and wished everyone good morning.

Everyone.

Except me.

He didn't even look in my direction.

Khadoos.

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

Abeer, thankfully, didn't seem to care about the tension.

“Wow, Bhabhi! Aaj toh khushboo bahut achhi aa rahi hai. Kya bana hai?”

He looked at the covered bowls and immediately started opening them.

“Wowww! Aloo ki sabzi!”

He opened another.

“Paneer!”

Then another.

“Oh my God! Kheer!”

I smiled.

“Bhabhi, ye aapne banaya hai?”

I nodded.

“Wow, Bhabhi! Thank you!” he said happily. “Wahi main sochu, is ghaas-phoos aur bread se bhare ghar mein ye garam-garam puri, aloo aur paneer kahan se aa gaye. Aur ye kheer toh bonus mein mil gayi!”

I chuckled.

Baba Sa looked at me.

“Krisha beta, you didn't have to do all this.”

“I wanted to pa—”

I stopped myself.

Papa.

I had almost called him Papa.

What if he didn't like me calling him that?

I looked at him uncertainly.

He smiled.

“You can call me Papa or Baba, just like everyone else.”

I looked at him and nodded.

“Ji, Baba.”

His smile widened slightly.

Then Yuvraaj spoke.

“What's all this? We don't eat these things. Bring my coffee and salad.”

I looked at him.

Before I could say anything, Baba Sa's voice came.

“Yuvraaj.”

Yuvraaj looked toward him.

“Krisha ne bahut pyaar se banaya hai. Hum sab yahi khaenge.”

I saw Yuvraaj's jaw clench.

“But I don't want to, Baba Sa.”

He sounded irritated, almost as if he were trying to argue.

I immediately intervened.

“It's okay. If he doesn't want to eat this…”

“No,” Baba Sa interrupted firmly. “Yahi khayenge sab. Bas keh diya maine.”

Yuvraaj fell silent.

Abeer, meanwhile, was already placing two puris on his plate along with a generous serving of aloo ki sabzi.

“Koi khaaye ya na khaaye, main toh khaunga.”

I smiled.

He took his first bite and immediately looked at me.

“Wowww, Bhabhiiii! Kya sabzi hai!”

He pointed at the plate dramatically.

“Aapke haathon mein toh jaadu hai!”

I laughed.

“Thank you so much, Abeer. Aur khao.”

I put another puri on his plate.

He happily nodded and continued eating.

Baba Sa took a bite and looked at me.

“Krisha beta, sach mein bahut achha bana hai.”

I smiled warmly.

“Thank you, Baba.”

I looked around the table.

The others were eating quietly.

There were no major expressions on their faces.

Ranvijay remained composed.

Veerraj ate silently.

Yuvraaj looked as though he were doing the biggest favour of his life by eating the food.

And Rudransh…

He was sitting there silently, eating without showing any expression at all.

I sighed.

I decided to at least serve everyone kheer.

I took a bowl and started going around the table.

Abeer took his bowl without any drama.

Actually…

No.

He practically snatched it from my hands.

I laughed under my breath.

I moved toward the others.

They accepted it quietly and continued eating.

Finally, I reached Rudransh.

I held the bowl toward him.

He glanced at it.

“I don't like sweets.”

And just like that, he got up and left.

I stood there holding the bowl.

I watched him walk away.

Okay.

Then I turned toward Yuvraaj.

He hadn't even put the kheer in his plate.

He simply stood up and left as well.

I stared after him.

Fine.

Baba Sa was the last to leave.

Before going, he handed me a pair of bangles.

“Pehli rasoi ki shagun.”

I immediately tried to refuse.

Baba, ye rehne dijiye…”

But he insisted.

I finally accepted them with a small smile.

One by one, everyone left.

Abeer eventually left for university.

The dining room slowly became quiet again.

I stood there alone.

I looked at the table that had been full of people a few minutes ago.

The empty plates.

The half-empty bowls.

The scattered spoons.

And the pair of bangles in my hands.

For a moment, I simply stood there, watching the empty room.

This was my first morning in the Rathore house.

My first rasoi.

My first attempt to make a place for myself among people who had spent years living without me.

And now…

Everyone was gone.

I looked down at the bangles in my hands.

A small smile appeared on my face despite everything.

Maybe it would take time.

Maybe this family would not accept me easily.

Maybe my husband didn't even want to acknowledge me as his wife.

But I had entered this house.

And somehow, whether they liked it or not…

I was now a Rathore. Only for 1 year.