Chapter 1
A soft tinkling sound of anklets made Dev realize that Sonakshi was up and getting ready. He turned around and tried to sleep but it seemed like his entire family had been conspiring against his sleep ever since he got married. Breakfast used to be a silent affair in Dixit house but not anymore. He could practically hear Nicki's voice as if she was standing next to him.
Giving up his attempts at sleep, Dev sat upon his bed. His five days old wife was nowhere to be seen and Dev understood she must have gone to Maa to check up on her breakfast. That had been her job for past one year.
Yes, Sonakshi Bose, Now Sonakshi Devrath Dixit, was his mother's permanent nutritionist. After Ishwari's continuously deteriorating health had left Dr. Sinha puzzled, he came to the conclusion that Ishwari wasn't very careful with what she's been eating. Dev had wanted to appoint a full-time nutritionist and his secretary immediately hired Sonakshi bose.
Although just another staff, Dev had been cautious about this Bose girl. Afterall she would be in his house, with his family all day. He had allowed Tina to appoint her only after a thorough background check.
During the one year of her job, Dev had seen her only a few times. Owing to his busy schedule, he had only seen her instructing kichu bhaiya on those rare weekends when he was home at lunchtime. So it was natural for him to be shocked when his mother sent a photo of Sonakshi in his office and proposed marriage.
He was already pondering over another proposal from Natasha Gujral when his mother decided to pour all her energy in convincing him for Sonakshi. He had never seen his mother so determined for anything. He had also never said no to his mother but this matter was about his entire life! Dev wasn't even sure he wanted to get married. But at the end, his belief in his mom won, and he agreed.
What baffled him that how eager everyone was to this match. Apparently sonakshi's grandmother was seriously ill and she wanted her to get married as soon as possible. This resulted in a very quiet and low affair wedding within two weeks and dev was still trying to gulp the fact that he was married now!
Dev quickly showered and realized he didn't have any meetings lined up until 11 so today he might have breakfast with everyone. He remembered his mother's terrified face when he left for office the very next day of his wedding. Dev didn't want to hurt her but he had to be in his office when a very angry Gujral was hell-bent on destroying his reputation in the market! Dev had kept a tight check on the press from printing any kind of shit about his personal life but he knew, anyway, media would cook up a juicy story if they ever get to know he and Natasha were pondering over marriage thoughts.
As he reached downstairs he saw his entire family at the dining table and the scene immediately warmed his heart. He loved these people. No, he lived for them.
"Good Morning Bhaiya" Nicki said and immediately looked at riya before both of them teasingly smiled at each other. Another thing that Dev had come to despise, being teased like a teenager every damn morning. He made a mental note to snap at Riya next time she does this.
"all the guests gone?" Dev askes as he didn't spot any unusual face around.
"Yes, buaji and her family left this morning only" Maa replied, much to Dev's pleasure as relatives who came to attend his wedding were finding it really hard to give up the comforts of Dixit Mansion. He was glad that the extended sangeet nights would finally end today.
Right then, he spotted Sonakshi coming out of Kitchen. For a moment she looked surprised to see him on the breakfast table, but immediately smiled with a meek good morning. Dev nodded politely too.
As he saw Sonakshi arranging his mother's plate according to the chart she diligently prepared, his mind went back to his first night. Sonakshi seemed nervous and he told her right away that he would need time to adjust in this marriage. She had gladly accepted his idea and ever since, they did not even have a proper conversation.
Dev wondered if she felt bad about how he approached his wedding but he wasn't guilty one bit. They were practically strangers before this and hardly talked during the rituals of the wedding. She couldn't possibly think that they would start acting all rosy since the first day! Or, did she?
Dev noticed how easily she gelled up with his family. Of course, she knew them for a year now. He also noticed that she smiled, a lot, albeit not in his presence. She was usually very chirpy with his family members but with him around, she was always this nervous, quiet woman.
Dev's rivery broke with His sister's voice.
"Bhaiya, it's gonna be the new year in few days. Where are our gifts?" Riya demanded.
"You'll get them tonight" Dev's voice got lost between his screaming sisters as his mom showered him with her affection glances. Mamiji looked excited like a child and Mamaji was just happy seeing everyone around him laughing. He had seen Ishwari's family go through some really hard time and moments like these sometimes felt surreal.
Their laughter broke with the cries of a baby. Dev looked around, but the baby's mother wasn't there.
"Where's Neha?" Dev enquired.
Ishwari was already getting up to attend ridhima, his 8 months old niece when Sonakshi stopped her and went to check on the baby.
Dev could see the uncomfortable faces of Dixits and immediately summoned a servant to call Neha from her room.
As a yawning neha appeared on the breakfast table, Ishwari asked in anger, "Where were you Neha? Ridhhi was crying!"
"good morning to you too maa" Neha said, unfazed. "And where's her nanny?"
"She leaves in the morning!"
"Well then we should hire a nanny that stays here 24*7!" Neha said in anger and left the table.
"Maa, what happened?" Sonakshi came back, with Ridhhi in her arms. The baby comfortably rested her face in the crook of her neck and seemed fascinated with the mangalsutra her mami was wearing!
Sonakshi seemed to understand the situation as she quickly took the matter in her hands. She pointed out how nicki was getting fat and she should make a chart for her too. Nicki looked at Riya for support who sided with Sonakshi and just like that, the playfulness was back in the room!
Dev could suddenly point a finger at what was bothering him about his wedding as if a realization just hit him. His sister was married to a gold digger of the worst kind, known by the name of Ranveer and he was skeptical about Sonakshi for the same reason. He just realized why he was opposite the idea of marriage. He had trust issues. Sonakshi seemed like a genuine person, but one can never be too careful.
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Later that night, Dev reached home early with his car full of gifts. He loved pampering his family. It was weirdly satisfactory to give them what they once couldn't even dream about. Dev reached his room where his sisters were already surrounding their Sona Bhabhi and jumped in excitement as soon as they saw him.
And then, Dev's room was filled with laughter and jokes for the next one hour as everyone opened their gifts. Maa, mamiji and Sonakshi looked happy with their Sarees while nicki was going crazy over her new phone. Neha loved the Jewellery set he bought and Vicky was busy admiring his limited edition shoes.
After midnight, when everybody left his room, not to forget the teasing goodnights, dev resumed his work on his laptop. He could feel the uncomfortable silence in the room and he was only giving Sonakshi a chance to fall asleep before he finishes his work.
"Mr. Dixit" Dev heard her call out his name and turned around. This was probably the first time she was starting a conversation with him.
"Thank you for the saree. Its really lovely!" she smiled at him.
"Never Mind"
"This is for you" she said as she extended a box wrapped in a beautiful golden paper.
"What is this for?" Dev looked confusingly at the box.
"Mr. Dixit. It's your new year too. So just a small gift!"
"Gift...for me?" Dev fumbled. He was used to the gifts by his clients and partners but for his family, he was the Dev Dixit. He could get whatever he want, so they never bothered with the gifts.
Dev realized he felt excited about not knowing what he was about to get no matter how mundane it was. It was probably years after he was receiving a gift from someone with whom he did not a corporate relationship.
He took the box from her hand and carefully opened it. A beautiful watch was there, with silver straps and a simple dial. Aesthetically pleasing, just the way Dev liked things.
"This...thank you for this!" Dev genuinely said and Sonakshi had a content smile on her face. Wishing him goodnight, she retired to bed.
Later that night as Dev slid inside the sheets with Sonakshi sleeping beside him, he wondered if now he probably had someone for whom little things about him mattered!
Current Affairs
