I had been waiting anxiously in the new room for the past ten minutes, it was my wedding night. I was startled by my thoughts when someone came into the room. I slowly turned to look at who it it and it was him, my husband, the great Kartavya Raichand. I gulped looking at him and the only thought I had when I looked at him was ‘he’s the most beautiful man I've ever seen’. He slowly walked towards me without breaking eye contact.

I had to raise my head to look at him standing over me at  6’3 to her 5' 6 height with broad shoulders and a lean body. He was the epitome of perfection with his hazel eyes which I noticed during these past few days change color according to his mood and his perfect straight nose and lips which looked so soft and red. I just stood there staring at him in trance, after a few beats when I noticed his lips moving. Coming out of my trance I concentrated on what he was saying.

“We need to talk.”  He said with ice lacing his voice. I looked at him confused not understanding why he was angry. Nodding I told him okay and waited for him to continue.

“Listen I don't know how to tell you this but I will tell you that I didn't want this marriage. My mother and grandmother forced me to marry" My eyes widen at his admission. "So I agreed to make them happy. As your husband I will respect and take care of you and provide you with anything you want, that's it, so don't expect any love and affection from me,” he said looking at me in the eyes intensely to see if I understood or not. 

After hearing what he said I was not the least bit surprised, as I already knew he did not want to get married to me. I was already prepared to not expect anything from him since I got to know from Amaira, my cousin who is friends with his cousin, Kavya that he was forced into this marriage by his family, just as I was by mine. So when he said that I understood him but somewhere in the corner of my heart I hoped Amaira was wrong.

"Okay, I understand. I didn't want this marriage either and I did it to make my grandparents happy." I said, he was slightly surprised by what I said but he quickly masked it.

"Okay, then it is settled, we will behave like a normal couple in front of others but in our room we are strangers and we don't interfere in each other's business." He said with a firm tone. Then without waiting for my response, he walked away.

"If we are done then I'm going to change." With that, I walked into the bathroom after collecting my clothes from my suitcases.

Ugh. I don't know what I expected but not this. I thought we could at least be friends but not this. Fine, whatever if he wants us to stay as strangers then so be it I'm not going to force him.

The bathroom was just as classy and beautiful as the rest of his room. As soon as I walked in I looked at myself in the mirror as my friends and family said I looked gorgeous, in a stunning pastel pink lehenga with a lot of embroidery work it was simply just show-stopping and my makeup was done professionally highlighting my features and ending with a matte red lipstick. I took a bath and changed into some comfortable night clothes.

I walked out of the bathroom with my clothes and noticed he was talking on the phone while sitting on the bed. He looked up when he noticed I was standing there awkwardly. He raised an eyebrow as if asking me what. I rolled my eyes at him and turned away.

"I'm going to take a bath. You can arrange your clothes in the closet." Collecting his clothes he walked into the bathroom. Feeling pretty tired from the day I decided to sleep, not wanting to take his bed, I took a pillow from the bed and searched for an extra blanket in the closet when I found it, I made my way back to the couch and slept on the couch.  As soon my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.

It was the next morning, and I was done getting in a red floral silk saree which was given to me by my mother-in-law early this morning with minimal makeup and jumkhas. I went out of the closet looking for Kartavya who was doing something on his phone. He was already in his grey suit as if he was going to work.

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked with a hint of panic in my voice.

" Do you think Maa will let me leave the house on the second day of my marriage?" He asked, amused. I let out a sigh of relief which he noticed.

"What happened?" He asked, walking closer to me. Not wanting to let him know that I was scared to go down alone, I just shook my head and moved to fold the blanket on the couch. "I can't solve your problem if you're not going to tell me what's bothering you" 

"Um-uh I don't know anyone here and It will be awkward to go downstairs alone. So I am waiting for you so I can go with you." I said with a sheepish smile. He looked at me with a smirk on my face and asked.

"You're scared. You know you have to get used to it since this is your home now. I won't always be there." I just shrugged. "Come on let's go" Mirth was clearly in his voice, shaking his head as he asked if I was ready to go. Nodding my head we head downstairs. 

"Anika beta itna jaldi kyu ute?" Maa asked as soon I entered the living room. "You must have been tired from yesterday"

(Why are you up so early?)

"Good Morning, Maa it's okay I'm used to it," I say.

"Oh look the new brides up so early." I hear Choti Maa from behind with a teasing smile. "You could have slept some more, no one will say anything. After all, you must be tired from last night." Oh, how can I tell them that nothing happened last night? I just force a smile and greet her.

"Okay don't tease her, Urmila. Now you have woken up, let's do Pooja then start your 'Pehli rasoi' rasam. You have to make a sweet dish, you so know how to cook right?." Maa asked while walking into the kitchen.

"Yes, Maa I know how to cook." She smiled at me. "Good now prepare whatever you want okay?" I nodded and thought of making Kheer as it was easy and not time-consuming.

"I want Kheer."

"I want gajar ka halwa."

I heard two voices behind me, turning I looked at Karthik and Kavya who are Choti Maa's children. 

" Good morning Bhabhi. You can make kheer since Bhai likes it." Kavya said while hugging me. I greet her back and look at Karthik who has a pout on his face.

"Not fair bhabhi, even Avni Bhabhi made kheer. This time you should make gajar ka halwa." He whined, as he came and stood beside me.

"Bhabhi tell me what are you thinking of making and be honest," Kavya asked.

"I thought of making Kheer." I heard a groan from Karthik and Kavya sniggered.

"Come on pay up." She held her hand out. I frowned.

"What is going on?" I asked. "Oh, nothing Bhabhi we just had a bit about what you would be making today and I can I won." Karthik rolled his eyes and was about to say something when their mother interrupted them.

"Oye chup tum dono, Anika beta tumhe jo atha hai vo bana dena tik hai. Chalo tum dono bahar. If you need any help just ask Girja kaki okay" Choti maa said fake glaring at the siblings. With that, all of them went out. I started gathering all the items needed for gajar ka halwa. As Kavya said he liked Kheer so I don't want to make something he likes, yeah sometimes I am petty like that. Avni Bhabhi, who was the only one I talked to, felt a little comfortable around, came into the kitchen.

(Oye shut both of you, Anika dear it is okay to make whatever you know. Come on you two out.)

"Good morning, wah devrani ji apo toh jaldi uth gayi." She said standing next to me. 

(Wow sister-in-law, you got up early)

"Not you too bhabhi." Groaning, I started making the sweet dish. Laughing, she asked me what was for breakfast and if I needed any help. After that, I started making breakfast and sweets with the help of Avni Bhabhi and the cooks.

Avni Bhabhi and Kavya were setting the table while the maids and I brought the dishes. As soon as the table was set everyone sat down on the table.

“Wow! There are so many dishes. Anika, did you make all these?” Dadu, Kartavya’s grandfather asked.

"Avni Bhabhi and I both made the together," I answered as I went to sit in the chair available next to Avni Bhabhi.

“Arrey Anika,  sit next to Kartavya. Karthik go and  sit next to Avni Bhabhi.” Maa said. Groaning internally I went and sat beside Kartavya. I started serving myself and again I was interrupted by someone.

“Anika, don't you know that you should first serve your husband? Didn't your parents teach you all these?" She paused, I was shocked to hear what she was saying. "Oh, I forgot you don't have parents,” Kartavya’s Bua Damini said in a mocking tone with a smirk on her face. When I heard what she said I turned to look at her with tears brimming my eyes.

“Damini, I asked you to keep your opinion to yourself and shut your mouth if you don't have anything nice to say,” Papa said annoyed before I could say anything. 

I looked at Kartavya I don't know what was going on inside him but he just shook his head as if telling me not to cry. With a nod, I started serving him food but his plate already had food and he was putting food in mine too. His little gesture sent warmth through me.

“Darshil, are you now going to take her side? And what I said was not wrong. I was just teaching her something that no one taught her.” She huffed angrily.

“That’s enough Bua. She doesn't have to do that.” Kartvaya said in a cold tone looking at her. She huffed and started eating.

“Everything is delicious, Anika.” Aviraj bhai Kartavya’s elder brother said with a smile on his face. With that everyone started praising my cooking. After breakfast, everyone started preparing for the ‘Muh Dikhai’ ceremony when Dadi called me into her room. I entered the room to find Maa and Choti Maa were present in the room. 

“Anika, Aao beta,” Dadi said as soon as I entered the room.

(Come dear.)

“Kya baat hai Dadi,” I asked sitting next to her. Taking a box of jewellery present next to her she extended it towards it.

(What's the matter grandma?)

“Here take this. You're ‘nekh’ for making such delicious food for your ‘Pehli rasoi’ ” She said passing to me.

“But I can't take this Dadi. No, I can't.” Shaking my head and passing back the box to her 

“No beta, this is your blessing from me,” She said while opening it, there's a beautiful gold necklace with emeralds along with a beautiful pair of earrings. Taking the box from her, I stood up and touched her feet for blessing. 

“Here Anika this is from me.” Maa gave me a beautiful diamond necklace and kissed my forehead. “My Kartavya might behave very cold on the outside but on the inside, he has a beautiful heart which I know he will show you very soon.”  Choti Maa also gave me gold bangles. I touched both of their feet and took their blessings.

“Now go and rest, you have ‘Muh Dikhai’ in the afternoon,” Maa said and sent me to my room.

                                                                       ******

It was afternoon and I was getting ready for ‘Muh Dikhai’ with the help of professionals.  Avni Bhabhi and Kavya were also getting ready beside me. I was in a white lehenga with blue lace work all over it. The lehenga was stunning. Avni Bhabhi was adding the last touches to my makeup.

"And all done." She said, turning me towards the mirror. She did a really good job with makeup and I loved it. "Come on everyone has arrived and is waiting for you downstairs." Avni Bhabhi who finished getting ready before me said.

We went out of my room and could hear people chattering and there were a lot of people.

"How many people are here?" I asked no one in particular.

"At least 50 people for the ceremony  and their families are in the backyard." One of  Kartavya's cousins said. Oh god, I groaned internally. 

"Don't worry it'll be over soon. Even I felt the same and I will be right by your side." Avni Bhabhi assured me. 

When I went down Maa greeted me and hugged me. " You look so beautiful, Anika. Kiski nazar na lage." Saying she put Kohl from her waterline behind my ears. I smiled and thanked her. " Come on let's go they are waiting."

(Hope no one puts an evil eye on you)

With that, the ceremony started and one by one all the ladies came and lifted my veil and complimented me giving me gifts, some compliments were genuine and some were fake.  It was a tiring task to sit there and wait for everyone to come and look at you but it was done and I was really happy about it. 

After the ceremony, everyone started mingling around while having food. That's when a group of young girls came and stopped me while I was going to get some water. Along with them were Kavya and Kushi, who was Damini Bua's daughter. 

"Hi! How is it to marry Kartavya? Because everyone here wanted to marry him at one point. You're lucky you got him." One of the girls said. I just smiled and looked around for Avni Bhabhi or Karthik.

"I don't think he was willing to marry you. I know he was forced to marry you. You're not even that pretty." Someone else said in a bitchy tone. I looked at the girl who said it and remembered her being Amaira's friend. Amaira, my cousin, Kavya, and Kushi were all friends since they went to the same college. No wonder she is behaving like that

"Yet here we are. He was forced to marry so many times wasn't he Kavya?" I asked looking at Kavya who looked embarrassed. "But he married me, there must be something in me that he finally decided to settle down, right?." I said with a raised eyebrow. The girl turned with anger or embarrassment but I couldn't care less. " Now if you'll excuse me." I headed to get some water.