Chapter 7

Naira wandered into the sprawling garden, hoping the fresh air would clear her head. Her Pehli Rasoi was over. She was nervous about it but after Aashi's outburst, no one commented on how the food was. Everyone ate silently, appreciated her dish, gave her gifts and left - the men to the office, Ved and the girls to their college, and her two mothers-in-law to their respective rooms. Now she had nothing to do in this new, big house of hers.

Her new family was undeniably good to her. Their smiles felt genuine, their welcomes warm. Maa and Chachi treated her with kindness that she hadn't expected. Papa and Chachu always seemed fatherly. Rohan was a constant source of lightheartedness, he didn't have a great sense of humor, but his attempts to joke around helped Naira distract herself. At least she smiled at those. Kriya made sure Naira didn't feel left out during group conversations and Payal had offered to listen if she needed to talk. Naira appreciated the sentiment, but what did she need to talk about? How could she explain the tangled mess of emotions that she felt? How could she voice the strange discomfort of wearing her sister's life like a borrowed coat?

Ved remained an enigma, his gaze rarely lingered on her, and she couldn't decipher the thoughts that lay behind his reserved demeanor. Every encounter with Aashi, on the other hand, felt like a battle, an aggressive jab here, a veiled insult there.

And then there was Anurag. Her husband.

Their interactions were polite and considerate. But beneath the surface of shared smiles lay a chasm of unspoken emotions. They were strangers navigating a marriage born from chaos, each unsure of the other's feelings, each uncertain of the path ahead.

What was the future of their relationship? Would they be able to build a life together, brick by brick, on the foundation of a disrupted wedding? Or would they forever remain two souls adrift in a sea of expectations?

Expectations? Did she even expect something from this marriage? From Anurag?

Was she playing a role in a story whose ending is unknown?

"Naira?"

She was brought to the present when she heard a gentle voice. She turned around, and Anurag was approaching her.

Didn't he go to the office?

"Hey," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I thought you left."

Anurag saw the shadows in her eyes.

"I did, but then I couldn't stay there knowing you were upset."

It was enough to crack the dam she thought was built. Anurag had left his office. He had left all his work, just to come back because she was upset. A mix of relief and gratitude washed over her.

"I know things haven't been easy," he said softly, his gaze earnest. "I know Aashi is being difficult. I am going to talk to her. But you need to tell me what's bothering you. I can't fix what I don't know."

The words, the gentle concern in his voice, felt like a balm on a raw wound. Naira felt overwhelmed.

"I just...I want to fit in. I want everyone to like me. But I don't know what I am doing wrong." Naira explained, carefully choosing her words.

"Don't let it get to you, Naira," he said softly. "She takes time to warm up to people. It's not about you. It's just her."

"But everyone else has been so welcoming," Naira whispered, tears pricking at her eyes. "Why not they?"

"They?" Anurag frowned.

She wanted to tell him about Ved's indifference, but he had never insulted her, never blamed her for what happened as Aashi did. Maybe he needed time, she should give him space.

"Aashi, only."

Anurag held her hand and caressed her palm.

"Give her time, Naira. Don't force it. Just be yourself. She'll come around eventually. And even if she doesn't, remember that you have all of us. Everyone loves you here."

His words, spoken with such sincerity, felt like a balm on her wounded spirit. She nodded and looked at their intertwined hands, drawing strength from it.

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The Singh family was gathered in the living room in the evening. Naira perched a little awkwardly on the edge of the plush sofa and tried to follow the conversation with Mandira and Sunaina about the her and Anurag's reception party. She offered a small, hesitant suggestion about the decorations, which was met with polite nods.

Payal had a notebook in her hand, noting down the things her Maa and Badima dictated.

Kriya and Rohan rushed in excited smiles on their faces.

"Bhabhi, would you play UNO with us?" Kriya asked.

Naira looked at the elderly women who were smiling at her. She looked back at Kriya.

"Sure!"

"I'll join!" Payal closed the notebook and pulled out a mat on the floor. "Where is Ved?"

"He just came back from cricket practice," Rohan replied settling down. "He said he is tired."

Payal nodded and looked at Anurag who was sitting on the sofa across the hall, typing something on his phone.

"Bhai, come let's play!"

Anurag looked up and saw Payal, Rohan, Kriya, and Naira sitting on the floor. Rohan was shuffling the cards.

"You play," he looked back at his phone. "I have work."

"Come on, Bhai!" Rohan insisted. "Just one game."

"No, Rohan."

"Let him, Bhai." Kriya winked at Rohan. "Maybe he is scared that Bhabhi will win."

Anurag looked at Kriya but didn't say anything.

"He isn't scared."

Everyone looked as Aashi spoke, her eyes engrossed in the tablet.

"Maybe just like me, he doesn't want to be around her too."

Anurag looked at Naira. A few minutes ago, she had an excited smile, now her face had fallen. He put his phone in his pocket and walked towards her. Naira smiled and moved a little to give him space. Anurag smiled back as he sat beside her.

"Yayy!" Payal chimed at Naira and Kriya. "Let's make an alliance and defeat these two! It's girls vs boys, 3 vs 2!"

The girls giggled and Anurag raised an eyebrow.

"Alliance? In UNO? What is this, Roadies Double Cross?"

"Precisely," Kriya shrugged. "Get ready to loooooossse!"

"We-will-win!" Rohan challenged back.

"If you win Rohan," Payal offered. "I will find you a girl as beautiful as Bhabhi."

Everyone erupted in laughter except Naira. She noticed that Rohan just smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He was avoiding Payal's eyes. Was he hiding something? Naira knew that it was none of her business, but seeing a sudden shift in Rohan's mood which went unnoticed by rest of the people in the room made her worried in a way she couldn't fathom, as if he suddenly needed to be protected.

Suddenly, the doorbell chimed.

"I am back!" a loud voice called out.

Everyone looked at the intruder of their game that hadn't started yet. A vibrant young woman walked in.

"Seher!" Rohan exclaimed seeing her after a long time.

"Anurag Bhaiya!" Congratulations!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "I am so sorry, we couldn't attend the wedding. My grandmother fell ill. But where's Bhabhi? I had seen her photo only, can't wait to meet her!"

Anurag managed a weak smile. Seher literally grew up in the Singh family. Her father used to work with them in the factory. She was like a little sister to him.

"Seher, it's... complicated," Payal said in a low voice.

Seher frowned and her gaze finally shifted to Naira, who was now standing, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "And who's this lovely lady? Did Tamannah Bhabhi bring a friend?"

A tense silence descended upon the room.

Kriya stepped forward.

"This is Naira Bhabhi, Anurag Bhai's wife."

Seher blinked, her playful demeanor faltering. "Wife? But... Tamannah... what happened?"

Naira felt the weight of Seher's gaze, a mixture of pity, curiosity, and a hint of resentment.

Before anyone could answer, Aashi spoke.

"She didn't want to be forced into a marriage. Unlike some people, she values her freedom and doesn't just latch onto the first available man."

A gasp escaped from Mandira and Sunaina. Anurag and others shot Aashi a warning look, but the damage was done.

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