Embarrassment would be an understatement because I want to bury myself 6 feet under earth. How can I cuddle him? I didn't even dare to meet my eyes with him. It was my fault and I was busy pointing him out.

I didn't expect my first day at my sasural would be this disconcerting. Manvika you can do this. By looking at my abashed face in the mirror I tried to boost myself.

I have freshened up and adorned myself in an elegant red saree which his mother gave me. By drying hair with a towel I came out as normally I don't use a hair dryer. I let my hair to air dry.

It took me more than 20 minutes to drape the saree. I learnt it by watching YouTube video. But these pleats are challenging to make.

By adjusting the pleats I came out. My handsome husband was staring at me , now it is even more awkward because as in the previous incident it was not enough. Now my pleats were open when tripped on my saree.

Why should all the humiliating things happen to me? It can happen in installments, why all should happen on the same day God. As I was feeling extremely bad for my situation I tightly closed my eyes.

I felt something on my feet. Wait, was he touching my feet? Immediately I tapped my gaze to my feet. I moved back because he is kneeling at my feet.

“ Arjun aap meri pair nahi chu sakte ho. don't touch my feet? You should not kneel in front of me.” I don't want him to do that.

“Why should I not touch your feet? You are about to trip in your saree. You may get hurt.” His voice filled with concern.

“Because a husband should not touch his wife's feet “ I said it as a matter of fact. Because I've been living in this stereotypical world where women are degraded.

“ Mahadev ne Sati devi ki pair chuliya aur Bhagvan sree Krishna bhi Radha Rani ki pair chuliya. Main toh akir insaan hun. Apna biwi ki pair chusakta hun.”(Lord Shiva touched Sati Devi's feet and even Sri Krishna touched Radha Rani's feet. I am a mere human then why can't I touch my wife's feet?)

Arjun elucidated. Wow he knows more about mythology.

“ I know but we are made like this by this stereotypical world. “ My lips formed a pout.

“ Yeah but we should not believe it until it has a valid reason, my dear wife. Do you want me to help you?” He offered help.

“ Mmmm I don't know how to fold these pleats. I have been trying for 20 minutes.” I fisted my palms.

“ Ok I will do it.”

“ How do you know it? Have you ever done this before?” I questioned him. Because how he knows all these. Did he do all this to his girlfriend?

“ I have seen papa helping mom so I learnt it for my wife. I haven't done this to anyone, my jealous baby.” I felt at ease by listening to him.

“ I am not jealous. Why would I be?”

He smiled and neatly pleated my saree, draped it perfectly. I am not feeling shy as the first time I felt when he touched me.

When I felt it was perfect I went to get ready. I did my skincare and applied lip tint and eyeliner, a small bindi. My hands jingle with gold and red bangles. I tied anklets too.All the time he is leaning on the dressing table and gazing at me. I felt timid.

“Don't look at me like that, I can't concentrate.” I murmured as I felt intimidated by his stare.

“Now even I can't look at my wife. I have all the rights to look at you wifey.” I can't fight with him.

Lastly I applied vermilion on my partition and wore the mangalsutra. I respect them because they are sacred and bind two people together. It is also for the well -being of the husband. I may not love him but I want him to be safe.

Setting my hair I gave once over look at my self and went downstairs. Raghvi aunty and Supriya didi were present in the living room.

“ Good morning Aunty and didi…!” I wished them.

“ Morning Manvika…” Raghvi aunty wished back and didi was elatedly raised her brows. I know she is teasing about last night. But to her unknown we didn't do anything.

I performed puja and gave arti to aunty and didi.

As it is my pehli rasoi aunty and didi explained about the stuff in the kitchen. I decided to prepare badam halwa and breakfast too.

They both implored me to help but I could manage it. I got into work by starting with the sweet dish. I love cooking. It is my therapy but was also forced on me by maa.

Soon I was completed with cooking and Raghvi aunty entered.

“Woah beta aroma of the food is too tempting. Wait maids will arrange dishes on the dining table.”

“ Thank You aunty,” I said.

“ Call me maa beta. Now you are my daughter and equal with Ashi and Supriya.” Aunty , I mean maa instructed me.

My eyes glistened with her affection, she gave me a loving hug. After Mumma left I never got to experience my mother's love. But I think I found it now.

“ Thankyou maa” I don't know what to do rather than this.

Everyone settled in their seats but one crack head was missing. That is my husband.

“ Manvika join us…maids will serve.” Raghvi maa suggested.

But I feel content by serving food prepared by me and filling my loved ones stomach.

“It's ok maa I will serve. I love to do this.” I assured maa.

By the time I started serving, Arjun descended the stairs. He is wearing a navy blue shirt which is perfectly hugging his body with matching pants and hair neatly gelled. Paired with sneakers.

He came and sat beside Aditya Bhai. Everyone praised my cooking. At Least I don't suck at this unlike my life.

“ Bhabhi, the food is too yummy. Often send food to my house.” Ashi praised.

“ She is not your personal cook Ashi. She has other business to do.” Arjun said to Ashi.

“ Ashi I will send. Don't listen to your bhai.” I defended Ashika.

“ That's my bhabhi” Ashi hyped.

He rolled his eyes at Ashi. Everyone ate to their heart's content and praised my cooking except one, that is Mr. Boiled potato I mean Arjun.

But I didn't show my desperation. Maa gave me a necklace on my pehli rasoi. I looked at Arjun because I don't like when others give me gifts. I feel burden when I get one. Arjun gave me a nod to accept it.

I accepted gifts.I took maa and Papa's blessings. Aditya Bhai and Supriya di gave me diamond earrings.

Ashi gave me a designer bag. Everyone gave me something but he didn't even praise me. This made me upset. Every other time he will be talking nonstop but now what's wrong with him?

“Arjun drop Manvika at her home for pag pheras. And pick her up in the evening.” Maa instructed him.

This made me pale because I am not expecting to meet that witch again. After the jewelry incident I didn't talk with her. He nodded and went back to room.

I followed him. When we both entered into the room he locked the door. What is he upto? Now I am feeling nervous.

He turned around and circled his arms around my neck.

“Main nahi chahta ki tum apne Ghar jao. Kya hum is rasam ko chod sakte hai?”(I don't want you to go to your house. Can we skip this ritual?”)he said, dipping his head in my neck.

“Nahi kar sakte.” (We can't do that.) I whispered his warm breath is fanning on my neck. This is making me lose my senses.

“ You didn't say anything about my cooking. All praised me but you didn't mind saying anything” I asked him desperately.

“ Because I want to praise my wife in private. “ By that he took out a chain from his pocket by maintaining the same position.

“What is that?”

“ A small gift for my beautiful wife on her pehli rasoi” saying that he moved my pallu near my waist. Slowly circled his hands around my waist. I felt cold metal and the warm touch of his hands at the same time.

This is giving me a strange sensation in my chest and a whole zoo of butterflies are dancing in my stomach.

My breath was heavy with his fingers softly brushing on my waist.Made me feel things that I have never felt. He moved by hooking the chain. It is a waist chain. It is swaying on my curvaceous waist with my movements.

“This is my gift and I am going to quit eating outside. You made delicious badam halwa.” He pecked my forehead.

I smiled when he pecked my forehead. His warm touch and breath fanning on my neck, his hands on my waist are so sensuous to handle.

This is more than what I expected. He sulked as I am leaving now. We got ready to leave.

We took blessings from maa and papa.

He opened the car door for me as usual and we both settled in and he started to drive,all the while holding my hand. He was cringing to do things like this but I am feeling good.

We both arrived at my house and he instructed me to be safe and not to hurt myself . Seriously, I am not a child. Till the yesterday I was taking care of myself. He should stop with this over caring.

“I will come in the evening at 6 pm. Be ready by then I am not listening to any excuses. Don't skip your lunch. Bye” He implored.

I waved to him and with a heavy heart I entered in. He is more than good with me all this time. A smile crept over my face remembering the morning incident. What am I blushing?

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