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And as per the requests, female kead's name is changed to Athiya

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The driver was driving the car this time as Rahul being recently married none from the village allowed him to drive and Lokesh was still not in that state of mind to drive. It's been 21 days and almost all rituals which should be done after Mahesh were completed and now technically Athiya was going to her 'Sasural'.

Rahul and Athiya were sitting at the back seat and Lokesh and Rajeshwari in the middle one. RahIya both were looking outside the window both lost in their own thoughts. They both were busy in rituals and meeting people who used to come to offer their condolences. Finally now they were going Home..

Rahul sighed and looked here and there and his gaze fell on Athiya who was still in the veil as in their family, there was this stupid ritual that the face of the bride will be seen by everyone in 'Muh Dikhai' ritual and thus even her husband too is not allowed.

Rahul (in mind): Itne idiotic cheeze kon banata hain.. She is coming to a new house, a new city and Maine uska chehra tak nahi dekha. Agar kahi kho gayi to dhundhuga kaise.

They reached at Home and got down from the car. Rajeshwari went inside while Lokesh & Rahul with the help of their driver were taking out the luggage.

Rajeshwari first did Aarti of Rahul and Athiya and then asked them to come inside. Then she took them to house temple to seek blessings from the God and then asked them to go and get freshen up.

Rahul: Mom.. I want to talk to you

Rajeshwari: Rahul beta pehle fresh ho jao.. baad me baat karte hai

Rahul: Mom please..

Lokesh: Bolo kya bolna hai

Rahul looked at Athiya once and then looked at his parents. Lokesh and Rajeshwari exchanged the worried glances.

Rajeshwari took him to a side and was talking to her in low voice.

Rajeshwari: Kya kar rahe ho Rahul? Biwi hai woh tumhari. Uske samne aise behave karoge ki ghar me koi ajnabi hai to usko kaisa lagega

Rahul: Mom.. she is a stranger

Rajeshwari (sternly): Rahul..

Rahul sighed.

Rahul: Mom.. I don't want to argue on anything. But can we please stop with this veil drama? Are uska chehra tak nahi dekha hai Maine. Agar galati se nayi jagah pe kho gayi to kisko puchhunga kidhar hai woh?

Rajeshwari kept looking at her son for a while without saying anything.

Rahul: What??

Rajeshwari: You are right. Main aaj hi muh dikhai ki rasam karwa leti hoon. Abhi jao aur Jake fresh ho jao

Rahul nodded in yes and first went to his parents' room to keep their luggage there.

Rajeshwari was talking to Lokesh in low voice.

Rajeshwari: Rahul ko Tia ki chinta ho rahi thi. Bol raha tha uska chehra tak nahi dekha.. kho gayi to kaise dhundhuga

They both left out a small chuckle.

Lokesh: Woh nibhayega na Raj iss rishte ko?

Rajeshwari: Hopefully.. lekin aap jante hai na usko apne emotions dikhana nahi aata itna. Abhi dekha na chinta kar raha tha lekin kaise bola baat karni hai. Pata nahi Tia ko kaisa laga hoga

Lokesh: Tum baat karo usse.

Rahul came there and took his bag and was looking at Athiya's hold over her bag. Rajeshwari noticed it.

Rajeshwari: Rahul .. beta apna aur Tia ka samaan leke jao. Main Tia ko room me leke aati hoon

Rahul nodded in yes and Athiya too left her hold from her bag and Rahul went to his room. Rajeshwari took Athiya to his room which was now her room too.

Rahul went to washroom to get freshen up.

Rajeshwari: Tia.. beta Rahul ko apne emotions itna dikhana nahi aata. Itna easily open up nahi hota. Hamesha kuchh na kuchh ulta sidha ho jata usse. Abhi usko chinta ho rahi thi ki kahi tum yaha pe ghum na ho jao aur kyuki usne tumhara chehra nahi dekha woh dhundhega kaise tumhe and tumne dekha na kaise usne baat ko initiate Kiya.. (mimicking Rahul) Mom mujhe apse baat karni hai..

She left out a chuckle. Athiya smiled lightly hearing this. Rajeshwari caressed her head.

Rajeshwari: Aaj hi Muh dikhai ki rasam kar lete hai. Tumhe bhi iss ghunghat se chhutkara mil jayega. Tumhe sahi lag raha hai ya aaj rest karke kal kare?

Athiya didn't say anything but she was feeling quite nervous.

Rajeshwari: Waise aaj din to shubh hai.. Aaj hi kar le?

Athiya nodded in yes. Rahul came out from the washroom.

Rajeshwari: Tia.. beta tum bhi fresh ho jao.

Athiya nodded in yes.

Rahul: Mom.. Woh floor thoda slippery ho gaya hai. Dhyan se chalna padega. Aaj house help ko bol ke ek baar clean karwa dena

Saying so he went from there.

Rajeshwari: Maine bola tha na iska Aisa hi hain. Achchha lekin beta dhyan se chalna okay.

Athiya nodded in yes. Rajeshwari went and then invited the ladies for Muh Dikhai. She then helped Athiya in getting ready and asked her to wait until she asked her to come. Rajeshwari then went downstairs.

Rajeshwari: Rahul.. Lokesh.. aap dono bhi change kar lo. Sab aate hi honge. Waise to itne log nahi hai lekin phir bhi.

Lokesh: Kaka ne sab ke khane ka intezaam kar diya hain. Hum log bhi bas ready hi hone ja rahe hain. Tum ek kam karo uper ready ho jao. Tia ko achchha lagega

Rajeshwari nodded in yes and went from there taking her clothes. Lokesh and Rahul too got ready. Soon enough the ladies started coming. They welcomed them and greeted each other while the ladies were teasing Rahul on being Chhupa Rustam to which he just smiled at them while fumming in anger from inside.

Rajeshwari came downstairs with Athiya and made her sit on the sofa.

Aunty 1: Raj.. let's start the ritual.

Rajeshwari: Haan.. Rahul ..

Rahul: Haan..

Rajeshwari: Beta rasam shuru karo

Rahul (surprised): Main???

The ladies chuckled.

Rajeshwari: Athiya ke yaha Aisa riwaaz hai. Pati sab se pehle dekhta hai aur rasam shuru karta hai

Aunty 2: Waise to sirf naam ki hi rasam hai. Isne to pehle najane kitni baar dekh liya hoga.. kyu??

The ladies chuckled and Rahul made a fist. Athiya was fidgeting with her fingers.

Lokesh: Rahul beta shuru karo

Rahul sat on his knees and once again the ladies chuckled. Rahul's hands were at his knees and Athiya could see how tight his fist was. She became more nervous and scared.

Rahul (irritatedly): Ab kya hua Mom?

Aunty 3: Are aise baith ke kon dekhta hai?

Rahul: Are lekin iske level pe to aana padega na

Lokesh: Beta inke kehne ka matalab hai ki khade rehke bhi dekh sakte hai na

Rahul (in mind): Ab inko kya batau..

Rahul: To baith ke nahi kar sakte?

Rajeshwari: Kar sakte hai

Rahul: Okay to ab baith ke kar leta hoon. Aap log khade hoke kar lena

His tone was still stern and irritated though the neighbours were least bothered about it.

Rahul irritatedly and angrily opened the veil and looked at Athiya who was looking down. Rahul was just looking at her. He has never thought she would be this much beautiful. She was looking so much pretty in the Red Saree with simple yet elegant neckpiece and slight heavy earrings.. Though there was minimum mack up such as Kajal, Lipstick but she was looking more pretty with her bindi, mangalsutra and sindoor in her hair partition.

All were looking at him while his gaze was fixed at her. Athiya slowly looked upwards and saw him.. their eyes met for the first time after their marriage.. She saw his neatly combed hair with his well managed facial hair.. He was looking handsome in traditional attire he was wearing. Both were just looking at each other.. The anger, irritation and nervousness all long forgotten.

The ladies were chuckling whereas Rajeshwari and Lokesh felt quite relieved as they could see that their son was bowled by the beauty of their Daughter In Law.

Rajeshwari: Rahul..

No response as he was busy in looking at his wife.

Rajeshwari (quite loudly): Rahul..

It broke Rahiya's trance.

Rajeshwari: Bas beta.. itna hi karna hota hai

The ladies chuckled whereas Rahul looked here and there as he realised what he was doing and cursed himself internally whereas Athiya blushed looking down.

Aunty 1: Achchha ab gift to do apni wife ko

Rahul: Gift to nahi hain. I didn't know dena hota hai

Rajeshwari: Koi baat nahi beta.

Rahul looked at Athiya and then looked down.

Rahul (in low voice): Sorry..

Athiya looked at him while he got up and went from there. She frowned but didn't say anything.

One by one Rajeshwari, Lokesh and other ladies completed the ritual. That's when Rahul came back. All looked at him.

Rajeshwari: Kidhar chale gaye the bina bataye?

Rahul: Woh.. gift lene gaya tha. Rasam adhuri reh jati na bina kuchh diye

He then went to Athiya and forwarded the gift. She looked at gift and then at Rajeshwari who blinked and Athiya took it.

Later Rajeshwari and Athiya served food to the ladies and they left after having it. Then finally the family settled for lunch. Athiya was serving food but Rajeshwari made her sit beside Rahul who looked at other side feeling slightly weird.. He was not uncomfortable but he was not comfortable either.

Rajeshwari: Chalo sab shuru karo. Waise bhi Tia ne sab ko paros hi Diya hai

Lokesh and Rajeshwari started eating. Rahul too started. Athiya though was not feeling like eating anything ate a small morsel. They were having lunch silently when Rahul cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.

Rahul: Mom.. actually..

Lokesh: Kuchh kehna hai?

Rahul nodded in yes

Lokesh: Haan to bolo na.. Tum kab se hesitate hone lage?

Rahul clenched his jaw and made a fist. He was getting hurt with his parents' normal behaviour as if things are all cool. He knew his father has said it normally but he was not liking anything from past few days.

Rahul: My leaves are about to get over.

Rajeshwari: Are Haan.. Tum to kal early flight se Mumbai Jane ka soch rahe the na

Rahul nodded in yes

Lokesh: Tickets book ki?

Rahul: Nahi ab karni hai.

Rajeshwari: Haan to koi baat nahi. Aap kar dijiye Lokesh. Aur tum lunch karke baki ka saman pack kar lo apna. Aur Tia beta tum bhi apna samaan pack kar lo.

Athiya: Main..

Lokesh: Haan beta.. tum bhi to rahogi na uske sath waha.

Athiya looked at Rahul once and then nodded in yes.

Lokesh: Rahul.. sham ki flight mil jaye to woh book kar deta hoon. Tum log rat ko theek se rest kar paoge.

Rahul: Ji..

Saying so He went from there. Athiya too went from there after completing her chapati and started doing other works.

Lokesh: Kya hoga iss ladke ka?

Rajeshwari: Koi baat nahi. Main Tia ko dekhti hoon

She went to Athiya and asked her to focus on the stuffs she would be needing there and she too went to their room now. Rahul was done with packing and was about to go out when she came and both were about to stumble to each other but Athiya on the right time stopped at her tracks.

Rahul went sideways and allowed her to come inside.

Rahul: Kya kya samaan leke Jana hain? Main niche leke jaata hoon

Athiya: Bas Yeh do hi hai. Aur yeh chhota sa bag hai isme Papa..

She stopped and took a deep breath and continued.

Athiya: Unka samaan hai thoda. Kuchh tasweere hai

Rahul: Theek hai.

Athiya: Iss wale mese thoda samaan nikal leti hoon phir leke Jana hai

Rahul: Okay

Athiya started dividing her stuffs. Rahul was about to go but stopped. He saw her keeping all her gifts into cupboard including his.

Rahul: Gifts nahi dekhe?

Athiya shook her head in no looking down. Rahul went to her and took his gift and gave it to her.

Rahul: Open it

Athiya (surprised): Ji..

She was surprised as none generally give order to open his or her own gift.

Rahul: Are kholo..

Athiya opened it and found a mobile phone.

Rahul: Switched on hi hai.. Aur mera, Mom aur Dad ka number already hai isme.

Saying so he went from there. Athiya smiled lightly at his concern.

Rahul kept his luggage in the hall. He was about to go to his parents' room when he heard them talking.

Rajeshwari: Mujhe Tia ki fikar ho rahi hai. Itne din ho gaye na royi hai na theek se kuchh kha rahi hai. Kahi beemar na pad jaye. Uper se Rahul bhi naraaz sa hai.

Rahul knocked.

Rajeshwari: Rahul.. aao na

Lokesh: Yeh tumhari tickets.

Rahul: Thanks

Rajeshwari: Rahul.. beta Tia ka aur apna dhyan rakhna.

Rahul: Ji..

Lokesh: Naaraz ho?

Rahul: Main Kon hota hoon naraaz honewala. Anyways thanks for the tickets

He went from there and found Athiya coming downstairs while struggling with her bags. He ran to her and took bags from her hands.

Rahul: Maine bola tha na main le lunga

Athiya: Aap kitna kar rahe ho. To maine socha thodi madad..

Rahul couldn't understand whether he should get angry on her or to be thankful that she thought about him.

Rahul: Thanks but main kar lunga. Yeh Nayi jagah hai tum gir jaogi aise karogi to..

Athiya was about to say something but Rahul went from there. Rahul kept the luggage in the car and at last he kept his kit bag. Athiya came there with one more bag and Rahul kept it too but he felt strange at the weight of it but didn't say anything.

They both went inside and took blessings of Rajeshwari and Lokesh.

Rajeshwari: Apna aur ek dusare ka dhyan rakhna dono. Aur pahunch ke phone kar dena

RahIya nodded in yes. Rahul couldn't help but hugged his parents once before leaving.

Athiya: Aap log chinta mat kijiye. Woh Maan jayenge

Rajeshwari: Pata hai beta. Tum iss baat ka tension mat lo. Lekin Tia beta please apna dhyan rakho.

Athiya: Ji Maa..

They both hugged each other and then she too sat in the car. Driver drove towards air port.

Rahul forwarded mask to her. Athiya looked at him confusingly.

Rahul: Air port ja rahe hai. Zarurat padegi

Athiya nodded in yes. They reached air port and Athiya saw media there. She got scared seeing them and hold Rahul's hand who was about to open the door.

Rahul looked at her and then media and sighed. He called the security and asked them to create a walk properly so that none can see either him or Athiya and they did so. The driver quickly took their luggage ahead and then Rahul and Athiya came out while wearing masks and then they went inside the airport taking their luggage. Rahul quickly checked in and sent the luggage. He and Athiya were now waiting for the boarding.

Rahul looked at Athiya who was just sitting silently looking down while fidgeting her fingers.

Rahul: Umm Coffee?

Athiya shook her head in no.

Rahul: Tum yahi ruko. Main waha samne se leke aa raha hoon okay

Athiya just looked at him for a while but then nodded in yes.

Rahul went to CCD and ordered. He made sure that he was visible to her as he could see that she was anxious and nervous.

Rahul came with their coffees.

Athiya: Mujhe nahi chahiye

Rahul: Mujhe akele coffee pine ki adat nahi hai aur na mujse Piya jata.

Athiya took her coffee and took a sip. Her stance was visible quite relaxed after having coffee.

They boarded the flight and reached Mumbai and again wore their masks.

Rahul: Fresh ho jao. Yaha se ghar pahunchane me time lagega

Athiya nodded in yes and went to washroom while he was waiting for her with his luggage. Rahul took out his phone and dialled the only person he wanted to talk to right now.

Rahul: Hello..

---

Rahul: I am coming Home. Bye..

He disconnected the call and sighed. Athiya came and they went outside once again the security made the wall and they got into car.

Athiya was looking outside the window with so many doubts in her mind. She was missing her father a lot.

Rahul was looking at her every now and then not knowing how he should comfort her.

They reached home. A servant saw him and ran inside. Rahul shook his head at his antics. They came out of the car.

Rahul: Chalo..

Athiya: Samaan?

Rahul: Woh sab sambhal ke le aayenge room me. Tum chinta mat karo.

Athiya nodded in yes. They reached the main door and Rahul was about to open it but it was closed.

Rahul: Are yaar.. mujhe dekh ke bhi bandh kar diya.. Had hai inki..

He shook his head and rang the bell.

Rahul and Athiya were waiting for the door to get opened and once it opened they both were shocked.

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So here is the first chapter. Hope you guys will like it

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