••||••||••

It's a dream, the same one I have been having for last couple of months, playing infront of my closed eyes.  The dream where I would be running tirelessly in a beautiful gown, and everytime I end up being close to my prince  charming but this time the dream was different.

This time, the prince charming of mine was in a sherwani, I was in a heavy golden and red lehenga. Around us was my whole family, along with some of new faces added. And suddenly, when I see the face of my prince charming, the blue eyed man Shivaay, I was in seconds turned into that married woman. Hands filled with bangles, hair partition filled with sindur and around neck it was mangalsutra. And it took me by---

Something crawling...

"Anikaa"

My deep state broke, now I felt something moved around my elbow,  pulling me in the state of half sleepiness. It feels like some finger tips with little pressure tried shaking my hand. But instead, they feel more like tickling me.

"Hmm" I hummed, ignoring everything else, removing the source of tickling abruptly and snuggling deeper to this pillow, tried sleeping again to continue that dream.

"Anikaa!"

Again a tug, this time some more pressure on my arm.

"Lemme sleep some more maa... I'll be up soon!"

And without being disturbed further I slept, more and more squeezing the pillow, it's commendable despite being hard and uneven,  how nice and warm it actually feels!

"Anikaa," a forceful tug and this time, I felt some part of pillow also moved beneath me, "Wake up!"

It was a low gruff, voice unlike maa moreover--

A manly voice

A man?

My sleep ran away out of window!

This was the moment when my sleepiness, completely left and the awareness took upon its height. The last few minutes of night, and this place and this voice came into my notice even before I open my eyes. When I opened them up it took me moments to take in the view.

The view that wasn't the one I may have expected on my first morning here!

What have you done Anika!

My eyes roam, glancing for a moment at our position. I literally have snuggled into him whole night! Though we are covered in blanket but I can feel his body beneath my arm and legs in a very awkward position.

In a jerk, I brought my arms and legs to my side. But if that wasn't enough, I looked up, his jaw in my view and I realised not only my limbs, but head was also comfortably resting on his shoulder.

I instantly moved about a hand distance away from him. I must have crushed his whole arm that was under my neck, because now poor him, he has to tender it to himself, check his own hand and fingers moment is working or not.

"I'm sorry." It came all as morning voice, low and softer than usual. "I'm habitual of snuggling pillows. I didn't realise it was... you."

We both sat down at the same time. He muttered something under his breath, unrecognisable for me in this early morning. As his kurta's sleeve slipped down my shoulder, I immediately held it and covered it up saving my dignity. However his eyes which was accidentally here, looking this little slip, on its own looked away, his palm instantly massaging his face.  It was awkward, this moment and everything.   To overcome this awkwardness and grave silence I asked him without thinking anything else, "waise, how is your stomach now... and allergy?"

He gave me a look. A look, like no one else have ever dared him to question such humiliating thing from him.

" If it still paining you know I can tell you a home remedy, might help you--"

He cut me off, saying out slowly and clearly. "No need."

He didn't say looking at me. He more like deadpanned like never he wants to talk about it. Well, looks like it's more awkward for him now.  I frowned, shrugging my shoulder off, "you sure?"

"I'm fine." He forced out, though his voice a little different, kind of hoarse, indicating he has just woken up.  He than looked away,  around the bedside table, reaching for his phone.

Ha, Rude Singh Oberoi

Meanwhile I looked outside, the darkness was still there, seems like midnight to me. Even though I so want to sleep right now, in this bed but presence of him somehow kept me seated at my place.

This moment also made me realise, howmuchever I may have hated when maa daily came to my room and wake me with ghanti, and mantras and gangajal, but this moment, I missed it more than anything else. Her presence being not  here, it churned my heart, I so want to see her soon.

"It's past five already." He said in our silence, and lazily I turned to him, stretching my feet and arms out of habit.

"It's so early." I commented, already thinking to sleep for an hour more. As a habit, I grabbed my phone checking for any important call or messages.

He nodded while standing up, wearing his slippers. "I assumed you want me to wake you early."

Wake up early? And I looked from my feet to him, suddenly remembering about pehli rasoi  rasam. It's already five thirty and I need to cook dishes, quickly.

"Oh god"

In a jiffy, as if my rear was on fire, I stood up. Shivaay also looked at me, with raised brows. I shook my head, saying more to myself, "Shit, I am late!"

"It's not that late," he said coolly, while taking his own clothes out of his cupboard. "Infact you're two hours early."

"You're not getting it." I quickly made our bed properly, keeping everything at it's place. "Cooking and me, takes time to go along!"

And with that, I pulled a red coloured suit out, with matching light jewellery and necessary accessories. I was thankful enough to Mallika, for having my own toiletries bag here.

Meanwhile, I saw him going to  the washroom, moments later coming out in a black coloured track suit, wiping his face with his little towel and taking his sports shoes out his shoe rack.

Seriously? Excercise in this early wintery morning? Damn, if I would have been in his place, I wouldn't even think twice before snuggling in that warm blanket and sleep off my tiredness!

Shrugging the thoughts off, I made my way to washroom.

"Anika?"

I turned back, to see him all ready, and about to make his way out. "Hm?"

"The left tap in there, is for hot water." He indicated towards bathroom. "I had switched on the plug, it takes five minutes to warm up."

I nodded quickly though I was surprised at his generosity too. "Okay, thanks."

He slightly nodded back but before going out, told me, "don't switch it off."

I nodded, going on to my way, shutting the washroom door and simultaneously hearing our bedroom door closing after him.

••||••||••

"Desi ghee, where are you man!"

It has been more than fifteen minutes, I'm here in the Oberoi's kitchen and I am not even able to find necessary ingredients here.

The kitchen's corners were filled with sweets boxes. Even though there is more than enough space, infact a wide space but still, else than sugar I couldn't find anything.

Meanwhile I heard the sound of footsteps, coming this ways only. It's still not even six, and as Shivaay has told me it's too early for anyone to wake up, I wonder who it can be?

I looked past the dining hall, a figure coming to this way only but due to darkness at that side, I couldn't see the face.

A moment later, it turns out to be a middle aged, short, lady stepping inside the kitchen. Her face lits up, seeing me here, smiling brightly and coming infront of me, folded her hand, saying, "ary nahi dulhan, Pranaam. This early morning, you in the kitchen?"

I smiled at her, folded my own hands and positively greeting her and saying, "wo... I need to cook for pehli rasoi rasam." And chuckling helplessly I confide to her, "and now I'm unable to find any of ingredient here."

She smiled, brightly. Just as a mother shook her head at her daughter, she did the same. And i don't know why, she looks so positive, her aura motherly and a person like, whom you can confide in without thinking twice.

"Don't worry, nayi dulhan. Now that I'm here, you don't have to worry about anything." She smiled, nodding at me and her mere words gave me the much needed assurance.

I nodded at her, gratefully but still confused as she doesn't look like a family member or a helper. I haven't seen her here before also. "But you are...?"

I left the sentence incomplete, she looked at me, with her usual motherly smile introducing herself, "Kamla Dogra, a cook here, now. Earlier I used to work as nanny for Shivaay baba, Prinku baby."

"Oh," I smiled, " it's nice to meet you Kamla aunty--"

"You can call me amma," she nodded, continuing, "everyone here calls me amma."

I nodded and soon after our exchange of pleasantries, she asked me, "now, what items do you need?"

"Wait, amma can you tell me what all like to have here? In sweet dish or breakfast."

She chuckled, "unless it's sweet, they will have whatever you'll prepare."

I pouted, helplessly. "The same thing, Shivaay told me."

On Shivaay's name she smiled  with raised brow, "Did he?"

I nodded, "yeah, but I want to know their favourites. And other than you, who would know here everyone better? Please amma, Help me out?"

My pleading face, she couldn't resist and nodded smilingly, "Kheer is something here everyone loves to eat. But as it's winter time, gajar halwa is love of all."

"Oh great" I nodded smilingly, already taking the gajar out, "so gajar halwa it is... and kheer I could prepare. Thankyou amma."

"Mention not, nayi dulhan." She meanwhile took out the milk, rice and ghee and dry fruits out, adding further, "but Shivaay baba, doesn't like any kind of sweet dish, except  the moong dal one."

I stopped in my tracks, looking at her with blinking eyes, "there's dal halwa also?"

Amma chuckled, nodding her head. "There is. You haven't tried it ever?"

"Amma, it's first time I'm hearing about it."

"Ah, so you should taste it once. It's    taste is so mouthwatering that I couldn't speak about it now."

I laughed, while washing the carrots. And when Amma started peeling those off, I simply took out off her hand, shook my head, "No amma, I'll do it myself, today. You sit here and tell me what all here loves in breakfast."

Even though Amma persisted repeatedly, I forcefully made her sit comfortably. She shook her head in disbelief, but lastly smiled, complimenting me on my generosity.

"Whatever you'll cook with love, nayi dulhan, they'll love it." Amma repeatedly told me but at last I made her spill out everyone's favourite. It was quite simple, the elder Oberois loves desi food like stuffed paratha, pakode while younger Oberois loves healthy yet diet concious food more, like poha, sandwiches, omlette.

Not that I ask but amma told me, white sauce mushroom pasta and french toast are favourite of my dear husband.

For an hour, amma and I kept talking, I got to know much about Oberoi's daily life, their habits, their festival celebrations and new plans that I was still unaware of, day after tomorrow, 31st December, after our reception is new year party too. For an hour Amma, told me as much as she could, brushing up the main things here so that I am no more feel like a stranger in this house.

I loved Amma. She is a motherly figure, I'm so grateful to have here. While we talked, the kheer, gajar halwa and stuffed parathas and sandwiches are ready. As it is a ritual, I thought it's better to be all vegetarian, egg might not liked by all.

It was an hour, amma didn't even made me realise for once I have to look for recipe on net. She was there and she guided me whenever I needed. Though the corner of my heart contemplated seeing the tab of moong dal recipe on my phone's screen, to actually prepare it or not?

After another ten minutes of my contemplation, I put the phone aside, slimmer down kheer's gas and turned to amma, asking,  "Amma, do we have moong daal right now?"

Amma grinned, teasingly "oh, moong dal? You want to prepare it for Shivaay baba?"

I grinned back, "Naa, I want to prepare it for you Amma. Bhul gaye, you were mouthwatering for it?"

She laughed, standing up and from fridge taking out a bowl looks like soaked dal in there. Soon, she was guiding me throughout it's recipe, correcting me and for another half an hour it all went to only prepare half of it.

It was also past seven, I think due to tiredness everyone are still sleeping, there is no evidence that anyone other than two of us lives here.

"You know" Amma spoke, breathing in the smell and  covering the lid of halwa. She turned to me with a small smile, "it's been years since this halwa is prepared in breakfast. And this smells heavenly!"

I frowned, "years? But isn't it Shivaay's favourite?"

"It is, but"  a smile turned into sad look passing through her smiling face, "it was also choti bahurani's favorite."

My smile falters too,  thinking about Shivaay's mother. "Oh"

"Earlier the whole family used to sit together, choti bahurani, chote sahab, everyone. Whole family's laughter and chatter  would roam in every corner of this house." Amma smiled, a smile of living the past once more played on her lips,  "Shivaay baba's laugh would give life to this house. It was than and now" Amma shook her head  adding, "That time once in every week on his insistence, this halwa, choti bahurani will prepare herself."

A sad smile played on my lips, it's hard to imagine Shivaay like this, this carefree and laughing after witnessing this present cold one. I asked her than looking at moong dal halwa cooking on gas, "and now Shivaay doesn't like to have this."

Amma looked at me, shook her head, "no no, it's not like that. He likes it, and as so far I have known him since his childhood, he miss it. But after choti bahurani's accident..." She stopped searching for words and a little hesitancy came over her, "he don't eat much as like before."

Accident? I inwardly frown realising, I don't really know anything about Shivaay's parents. But seeing amma's hesitancy on the topic I realised it's not my place and the right time to know about this for now.

Here Amma was such open book, she is worried that she made me sad. I gently held her shoulder with one hand, passed her a assuring smile and said to her, "it's alright Amma. I understand. If he doesn't want to have it today, it'll be fine. I'll be more than happy if you had this halwa and gave me your blessings."

Amma  hugged me on this, happily blessed me for a long happy life. We both than turned to a smiling dadi and badi maa standing outside of kitchen. As per ritual I immediately went to her, and about to touch her feet when she made me stand and hugged me, blessing me. "Jug jug jiyo, puttar."

On the other side, badi maa was surprised with the preparation I had already done, she was too astounded, to scold me lovingly for not taking her help.

It was past eight and now the Oberoi Mansion has once again it's hustle bustle back. The workers were shifting things, the helpers were cleaning. Bade papa, Om and our sleepy Ru came down in mandir, soon followed by Prinku who was packed in sweaters and mufflers, with a pink nose looking all cute  and some of our guest including buaji, smiling too sweetly.

Lastly there was Shivaay, now in his formal wears, coming down the stairs, greeting to dadi and all our elders, taking his place beside me.

As it was my first day here, I was asked to do pooja. Shivaay and me did the aarti together, later on it was me, distributing the parshad to everyone and he, well this early morning only he got buzy in office phone calls.

Soon, as the smell of food reached everyone's nostrils, and knowing I had prepared it,  firstly our Rudra whined for it, later on Bade papa and dadi expressed their eagerness to taste.

With the help of amma,  and some staff the food was bought on dining table. The seats here, seems like already allocated. Dadi at head seat, bade papa on her one side and so did Shivaay on other. It was a seat beside Shivaay now Prinku intentionally emptied it, signing to me from now on to sit down there.

"Wow bhabhi, you had prepared it all." Om said, eyeing the food, meanwhile I served dadi first, the little bit of everything.

"Hn O, all of this looks so mouthwatering!" Ru saying so was about to forwarded his hand, when badi maa slapped it off, warning him to behave.

"The smell," bade papa inhaled a deep breath, a smile playing on his face, "it's muli paranthe, isn't it?"

"Ji bade papa"" I smiled at him, serving him a plate full of parathas.

"Anika" badi maa started, while signing to helpers, "you don't have to serve, Shyama and other helpers can do that. Come here, sit down now. You are already working since early morning."

I shook my head, "it's okay badi maa, it's no problem."

"No, now you also sit and eat with us."

"Han puttar," Dadi said, "Jahnvi is right, you now don't worry about anything and eat your breakfast too, Avantika had already called, Haider and Mallika are on their way for picking you up."

And like that, I was made settled down. Infront of me, there are  two plates full of everything I had made plus a glass of orange juice.

Somehow everyone decided after serving the food, it'll be Shivaay, first taster of my cooking. Although he was free to have his sandwich that was alone in his plate but Amma said out loud, that moong halwa is specially made for Shivaay and it was such that, despite all our family teasings, I couldn't deny it but sat there with red cheeks and awaiting for his reaction. Also, his slightly amused expression didn't help me much. He was truly surprised knowing I had cooked his favorite for him.

We all looked at Shivaay, as he was about to intake the spoonful of halwa. The suspense was created, all of us silent and here Shivaay looked with a frown, maybe at his family or the taste might be not that good, I don't know.

"Now tell us, how is it?" Dadi broke our silence.

Here Shivaay nodded quietly while his tongues roaming over his lips, "it's... good."

He said that looking at all, than at me. I nodded at him, he nodded back slightly. I think it's our way of saying a silent thankyou, our way of showing the positive gesture to each other.

I smiled at him and soon smiled with my new family, seeing as they relish every last bite from their plates and complimented me so much. Dadi,  Bade papa, Badi maa, buaji even handed me nek, despite my reluctance. Though buaji did criticized for being too sweet and lack of dry fruits in sweet dishes, but smiling sweetly she gave me the double the nek I got from all. It felt weird, she'll criticize me and her smile doesn't even look that she is much happy with all of this and specially my presence and than she will give me this much of nek.

I looked at Shivaay. Beside his whole plate of sandwiches, the moong dal halwa kept untouched. The spoon from which he tasted was kept on corner of his plate, never had been used again. A thought stuck to my mind, maybe he really didn't like it much as  he had said infront of whole family. Maybe it wasn't that good that I expected it to be made. Or maybe as Amma told me, it's just he doesn't have it much now.

I looked at my plate, the rest of our breakfast I had quietly. Had some of my food, tried engaging with all of them. But i don't know my mood to relish the breakfast as was before has been vanished suddenly. Maybe everything is too overwhelming.

Or maybe all of it is so new.

Or maybe, just maybe it's disappointment somewhere in small corner of my heart itching me much.

The breakfast went on a good note, the rare time when Rudy'll give up his diet and have oily food, it was today. So that has to be good!

Mallika and Haider zizu arrived soon as we were about to finish. Seeing her, I couldn't stop myself but stand up abruptly from my seat and hug her tightly. However when she brought up the topic 'how my suhaagraat was' I had to quickly move away from her and stuff a big morsel of paratha in her big mouth. Jeez! Dadi and every other elder younger all are here, if they would have hear, I don't know how I would have spend my days here!

Well, I see, I wasn't alone, even zizu whispered something in Shivaay's ear that got him glaring him so hard that zizu had to smile intentionally and punch Shivaay's arm playfully, commenting "oh, so you enjoyed a lot...I mean enjoying a lot. Good good."

We all looked at them confused, and here Mallika had that constipated look which screams 'she is dying to laugh so hard when she shouldn't' situation. I know it very well but for now looked at her confused, and when I tried asking she shrugged me off in pretence of talking to dadi and everyone else.

A few moments later when bade papa and Shivaay stood up to leave, dadi stopped Shivaay, reminding him of his one more week of leave. Just as mine. However much he tried persuading dadi, bade papa laughed and gave him tip  to enjoy this phase, everything else he'll handle himself.  Shivaay was also told to pick me up later in the evening, and when he went upstairs, here Mallika send me behind him too, with the meaning to gave my special goodbye to my dear husband privately. I slapped her arm lightly, warning, shutting her mouth as well as her pervert thoughts off.

When I came upstairs to his, now 'our' room, to take my purse and phone, there was Shivaay sitting on study table and deeply engrossed in typing over laptop as well as talking over his phone but for a second his orbs moved to my presence, before sticking back to the blueprints on the screen.

Removing my gaze from him, I picked my necessary stuff up. It's my own house I'm going, it's obvious all my stuff would be there intact. Although I'm excited to be there soon, eat with maa, from her hand and enjoy the day as I used to.

"Anika"

I stopped before I could step out this room, as he called me out suddenly.  Turning to him, I looked at him questioningly.

"One sec Mishra" he put his phone a little away from his mouth, turning his head slightly towards me, "One of your photo identification, original one, is required. Do you have One with you, now?"

"Oh, but why?" 

It was clear he doesn't like someone questioning him. Maybe because his family trusts him blindly and also practically he is the boss, and ordering is his part of life, not the other way around.

But this time, unlike our initial days when he would lash out meaninglessly, he hanged up the call without any explanation to other person, or any excuse and actually started speaking to me, in his cool tone yet nor soft or hard.

"For one of our joint account, and your black card. And some official procedures, for transferring. And also, a copy of your signature is required."

I frowned, not understanding any of these three things. "Wait, what are you talking about? Our Joint accounts? And this card, transferring? I thought  we had already sorted out everything, in our pre nup."

"We did." A moment of silence fall heavily between us, before he again started speaking, "but as an Oberoi, that's your right now."

Oh

I told him clearly, "You know, I don't need or want any of those things. It's fine."

"You may not want or need it, but you should have them." He was hell bent on it.

And when I tried interfering, "Shivaay, seriously--"

He cut me off, "And Bade papa also wants it."

"Bade papa?"

"Yes. So, don't argue with me--"

And this time it was Haider zizu, calling out for me. It seems like he and Mallika is coming this way only.

"Fine" I nodded vigorously, getting late. But when I searched my purse for any of my photo identification card, there was none of it. "I don't have it now. I think, it's with Maa back at my home."

He nodded, "don't forget to bring it back in evening."

And he turned towards his laptop screen, back to his work.

I was about to turn when a thought came to my mind.

"Ah Shivaay?" I called out loud, making his head turned my way, "don't forget to bring a pair of your kurta pajama in evening"

His eyesbrow raised by a millimetre, "Why?"

"Anika!" Mallika entered unannounced, grabbing me by my hand, she whispered so low that even our family downstairs could hear her, "I understand it's hard to be away from your husband specially when you are newly wedded, but this is a rasam, we have to go now."

"Mallika!"

She gave me a 'i-know-it-all' smile, meanwhile enthusiastically greeting Shivaay, "oh, hey jiju!"

"Hello Mallika" unlike Mallika, Shivaay's tone was clipped and neutral.

But it didn't affect Mallika's bright smile. I heard zizu calling us down the stairs, Mallika here, once again held my hand started pulling me, telling Shivaay, "byee, see you in the evening, Jiju"

"Don't forget to bring them!" I quickly told him.

And before we could have Shivaay's reply, she pulled me down and in minutes, after hugging each and every member of my new family I was placed back in back seat, with Mallika and zizu's own ongoing  usual banter, literally eating my head off.

But what took my mind off was, aside from our whole family standing here seeing me off, there was standing tall figure of Mr Oberoi, far up there, while talking on phone, looking down here from our room's window.

••||••||••