Chapter 4 – Bonding with the family ..
"Kria" Rey called out softly to wake her up , but she didn't even stir .. He came close to her .. sat on the bed and looked at her sleeping form ..
She seemed to be in such a deep sleep .. he smiled looking at the way she slept .. her right hand above her head concealing her one eye and her left on the stomach .. and her body turned to a side slightly and legs one top of the other ..
He almost laughed at the way he slept .. always on his stomach ..
He had woken up early and had already freshened up … His mom had sent the tea up and had told him to come down for breakfast after Kria wakes up ..
Now it was already 8:30 AM and she had still not even moved .. he didn't know how to wake her up ..
He looked at her and thought .. should I call her Kria or something else .. how about Honey .. Nah .. ajeeb lagega .. what about Baby .. nooo .. cute hai .. but she won't like being called Baby .. Shona .. arre yeh toh iske real name se bhi lamba ho jayega .. Uff .. why is your name so small ..He frowned .. Look at my name .. Reyaansh .. and short name kitna perfect banta hai .. Rey .. He smiled .. Kriyu .. umm na .. He shook his head .. forget it .. Kria hi accha hai .. he smiled at her ..
He gently shook her by touching her shoulder .. "Kria .. utho .. "
He saw her slowly rousing "Papa sone do na " she spoke in her sleep and then pulling the blanket till her face turned to the other side ..
He was bemused .. "Kria .. I am Reyaansh Singhannia , your husband and we are in our bedroom .. " he spoke a bit loudly grinning and waiting excitedly for her reaction ..
She almost jumped and sat on the bed as if she had been given and electric jolt .. Her eyes wide open , her hair all messed up , her mouth parted , staring at him with an expression as if she had absolutely no idea what the hell was he talking about ..
He grinned even wider now .. "Hellooo " he moved his hand in front of her face .. " You are Kria Reyaansh Singhannia .. I hope you remember that we got married " he showed her the ring in his finger and then held her hand where her ring was .. he just couldn't help himself and kissed it ..
She quickly pulled her hand back .. and bit her lower lip .. blushing furiously she looked down .. Of course when she had woken up she had totally forgotten .. but this was not the way to wake your new wife .. she thought and then frowned at him .. even though she liked it when he called her by her full new name ..
"Mujhe yaad hai .. " she said slowly ..
"Oh Really .. " he smirked .. "Tumhe dekh ke aisa lag raha tha ki, you thought you were kidnapped and you might scream any moment .. " he laughed and expected her to get angry but she surprised him ..
"Kidnap toh kiya hai aapne .. but usmein meri marzi thi " she smiled and ran her fingers thru her hair and then tied them in a loose bun ..
Rey couldn't have imagined a more beautiful start to his day .. He smiled whole heartedly at her .." Chalo jaldi tayar ho jao , Mom ne chai room mein bheji hai .. And we have to be down for breakfast " .. he held the newspaper in front of him to read ..
"Hmm"
Then she saw the red ros kept on her bed side table .. She held it in her hand .. " A good morning rose for my beautiful wife " he said sweetly as he had seen her pick the rose..
He could see her cheeks turn red again as he had bend the paper a bit to check her reaction..
"Tum hamesha aise late uthti ho ?" He decided to change the topic and not tease her anymore ..
"Nahi toh "
"Phir kal tumhari neend thik se nahi hui? " he enquired ..
"Ya I was a bit tired .. " she picked her clothes quickly before more questions were bombarded on her .. "Main aati hun " and walked inside the washroom ..
***
She very well knew the reason for sleeping till late in the morning .. It was nothing to do with her tiredness ..
It was more to do with Rey .. But how was she supposed to tell him that ..
When they got in the bed after their conversation in the gallery , Rey fell asleep almost immediately on his side .. she knew that because she could hear his light snores ..
But as for her, she lay wide awake staring at the ceiling .. Thinking ..She had never shared a bed with a guy .. And this guy being her husband .. His close proximity was making her tensed .. She knew this would happen .. Of course she is married to him .. So won't he sleep next to him .. ??? But even with his slight movement her body would stiffen .. She would immediately crouch a bit more inside her own self ..
She wondered if every girl went thru these emotions .. It was not that she was scared of him .. She liked talking to him .. She felt very nice when he complimented her .. She liked how he observed some minute details about her .. But sleeping next to him definitely made her conscious ..
As Rey turned on his stomach to sleep, his face towards her , she curiously looked at him .. She smiled at the way his mouth was slightly open .. How his one leg was straight and the other near his stomach as if he was running in his sleep .. He was not even aware of the blanket which he had thrown off the bed when he turned ..
She slowly got off the bed .. Picked his blanket and spread it over him and came to her side of the bed ..
She lay on her back and adjusted her head on the soft pillow and took a deep breath .. trying to make herself believe that she is comfortable , she smiled to herself ..
A beginning to a new chapter in my life .. A life to be shared with someone .. Someone who is a stranger ..
She turned to look at Rey ..
But now, he no longer seems to be a stranger .. I just hope whatever dreams I have , I want him to be a part of everything and I just hope he feels the same about me ..
She sighed and thinking about them she fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning ..
***
Kria touched Rey's mom's feet to take her blessings as they came for breakfast ..
Vicky was already seated on his chair ..
His mom smiled " Good morning beta .. and iski koi jarurat nahi hai ...Mere nalayak bte yeh kabhi nahi karte ... " she looked at her boys who simply gave a Not-again-Mom look ..
His mom made her sit on the chair next to her .. "Come .. Tum Beti ho is ghar ki ., so no formalities ok .. "
Kria smiled and settled down .. Rey sat in front of her ..
"Tum Bahut pyari lag rahi ho ... " she commented ..
Kria's smile widened and and Rey couldn't but feel a bit proud because again he had selected the saree which she wore ..
Kria wore a simple lemon yellow colored saree .. A bindi on her forehead .. Mangalsutra .. Sindoor on the top of her forehead ... Simple earrings to match her saree and a few bangles ...Without any makeup .. not even her regular Kajal and lipstick , she was glowing ..
Rey thought it must be definitely because of him .. she married him .. so she must be really happy .. he couldn't help but take the credit himself .. and smiled at his own egotism ..
As his father came down he greeted her "Good morning Kria beta " and sat on his chair ..
She smiled "Good morning pa " and paused , she suddenly remembered something and said .. " Pops "
His father almost choked on the piece of paratha which was in his mouth ..
Rey's mom's eyes popped out as she stared at Kria ..
Vicky burst out laughing loudly ..
Only Rey suppressed his giggle and kept a straight face .. He had totally forgotten that he had told Kria about calling his Dad ,Pops .. he had never imagined that she would remember and even address him that ..
"What .. what did you call me ?" His father asked ..
She looked at him innocently .. " Pops"
"Kya tum apne papa ko aise bulati ho ? " he asked ..
" Nahi " she said .. a bit confused and a bit tensed ..
"Then why did you call me that ?"
"Woh " .. and she looked at Rey feeling embarrassed.. he could see how conscious she had become as everyone's eyes were on her .. he had meant to have some fun .. but it didn't turn as he had thought .. he could see her eyes getting moist ..
Rey's mom saw the ready to be shed tears in her eyes too .. "Aap pehele apni class lena bandh kijiye .. Jarur kisine usse kaha hoga " she told her husband ..
And his mom glared at Rey ..
"Dad. aur kaun hai jo Kria ko aisi patti padhayega " and he slapped Rey hard on his back .. and then came close to his ears and whispered " ab tu toh gaya beta "
Rey twitched his nose at him and said weakly .. " Main toh aise hi majak kar raha tha "
"Aise majak karte hain ... Vicky, kaan kheecho uske jor se " his mom spoke sternly ..
Vicky was not going to miss this opportunity .. and he boxed his ears till they were red ..
"Kria isse bach ke rahena .. Iski Aadat hai .." Vicky said as Rey screamed in pain..and covered his sore ear with his hand ..
"Kria beta , remember one thing agar Rey ki galti nahi bhi hogi na , tab bhi hum sab tumhare side pe hain .." His mom side hugged Kria ..who gave a small smile ..
"Chalo bolo Rey ko kya punishment dena hai" His Dad joined in now ..
"Nahi kuch nahi" She said softly ..
"Arre aise kaise jaane de" Vicky also interjected ..
"Seriously nahi" she said now smiling for everyone's sake ..
"Sorry" Rey said holding his ears ..
"It's ok " she said and looked down ..
But Rey could see her smile had faded and she hardly ate anything .. He kept trying to catch her eye but she avoided looking at him throughout the whole breakfast time .. and chatted with everyone casually ..
Beta kuch toh karna padega to bring that smile back ..
Someone else also had noticed the change in her ..
As everyone had finished , Rey's Dad left for some office work and his mom had some work in the kitchen ..
"Kria I need your help" Vicky said quickly before she left behind his mom ..
Both Rey and Kria were surprised and Rey glanced at him suspiciously ..
"Haan kya chahiye"
"I need to go for a client meeting tomorrow, so I want you to select a shirt and tie for me ..."
Rey almost coughed .. " Arre abhi tak toh hajaron meetings attend ki hogi janab ne par aaj tak toh kabhi help ki jarurat nahi padi then aaj kya hogaya .." Rey eyed him and asked sarcastically ..
"Important meeting hai .. , Ok " Vicky looked evenly at him ..
"But main" Kria was confused ..
"Haan tum.. Chalo mere kamre mein" Vicky almost pulled her from her chair ..
Daal mein kuch toh kala hai Rey murmured to himself ..
"Kal meeting hai na so aaj kyon" he spoke aloud ..
"Because later she will get busy with packing etc to go for your honeymoon " and he almost pushed her "Chalein "..
Before Rey could say anything more, they were already climbing the stairs ..
He cursed his brother under his breath .. Here he was thinking what to say to Kria .. now she has gone with Vicky .. then he was sure she would go to his mom ..
Hell !!! when is he going to get to talk to her .. and after what he did .. is she going to be angry with him ..
What were you thinking when you thought of this stupid prank .. Where are your brains , you moron .. he now started getting angry on himself ..
***
"Mujhe nahi pata ki main aapki kya madat kar sakti hoon " She said as they entered Vicky's room ..
He smiled "I called you here to talk .. "
She looked a bit confused ..
"Come sit here .. " He pulled a chair for her and made her sit on it and then sat opposite her on the bed ..
"Kria main tumse yeh kahna chahta tha ki even though mom ne tumhe mere liye initially passand kiya tha .. But I had not even thought about you much .. So I just wanted to clear this from my side .. I would really love to see a sister in you which I never had .. " he spoke earnestly ..
She stared at him for a moment and then blinked her tears away .. this guilt had been eating her since her marriage had been fixed with Rey .. Everyone had readily selected Rey for her because he had liked her.. and in her confusion .. she had also selected him ..
Many a times this thought had crossed her mind .. what must Vicky be thinking about her .. what kind of a girl is this .. he had come to see her and she liked his brother ..
"Actually main bhi aapse baat karna chahti thi .. But shadi ki gadbadi mein I couldn't.. " she paused .. "I wanted to say sorry to you …" she said slowly ..
"No no .. no sorry .. .. I am very happy ki tumhe Rey passand aaya and usse tum " he smiled honestly ..
"And yes if he ever troubles you , you know whom to come to "and he winked ..
She started laughing .. and felt a lot relieved ..
"Actually he is the pampered one as he is the younger one ..But ab main usse apni Behen ko satane nahi doonga " he spoke with the authority of the elder brother ..
She giggled happily …
"Waise tumhe rice kheer banane aati hai ?" he suddenly asked ..
"Haan kyon ?" She asked a bit surprised..
"Sabko Bahut passnd hai na .. Aaj lunch mein banaogi , please ?" he made a cute pleading face ..
"Of course .. And buaji ne kaha tha ki pehele din mujhe kuch meetha sabke liye banana chahiye ... aisi rasam hai" she smiled ..
Wow great !!!
***
"Papa .. I am sorry I forgot to call you during the day .. Kaise ho aap ? "Kria called her Dad in the evening ..
"I am fine .. and I am very happy that you forgot .. " he gave a short laugh ..
"What ?" She asked shocked ..
"Yes .. tum apne ghar mein busy ho gayi and Papa ko bhul gayi .. Ab mujhe koi chinta nahi tumhari .. I know you will be very happy .. " he smiled but a few tears fell from his eyes ..
"Papa .. please " she didn't know why but she blushed and at the same time she was sad ..
"Ab roti hui surat mat banao .. ok .. here talk to your Bua .. "
"Kaisi hai Kria .. sab kaisa hai " her aunt asked gently ..she had been also missing her daughter .. she never had a daughter of her own .. Kria was the only one for her ..
"Main thik hun .. " Kria felt really good to hear the concern .. "Sab bahut acche hain .. "
Her aunt could feel Kria getting emotional .. as there was silence for a few moments from her side .. and she could hear a few sniffs from her side ..
"Aur suna .. suhaag raat kaisi thi .. " her aunt immediately changed the topic and Kria almost screamed in the phone as if a bomb had been dropped on her "WHAT"
Her aunt started laughing .. "Itna bada jhatka mere poochne se laga ya raat ko laga "
And here Rey instantly came next to her to enquire what happened .. he was worried why did she scream ..
He found it weird that her body was tensed but she was blushing .. What's wrong with her .. he narrowed his eyes ..
"Buaji .. aisa kuch nahi hua .. " she whispered going a little away from Rey .. she couldn't even meet his eyes .. and she couldn't believe that she is having this conversation with her Aunt ..
Her aunt was still laughing at her condition ..
"Ok Ok .. did you make any sweet dish for them ?" she asked …
Now Kria couldn't help but laugh .. all her tension and nervousness absolutely gone when she remembered and narrated what happened when she made the rice kheer for lunch ..
***
It was almost lunch time and Rey was still sulking because after talking to Vicky , Kria straight away went to kitchen and got busy cooking something and chatting with his mom ..
She didn't even glance at him when he came on the pretext of drinking water .. then to get some fruits .. then to again get some juice ..
He was really irritated now ..
And he had absolutely no idea what would happen to him at the lunch table .
After they all had lunch , his mom came with the bowls of sweet dish ..
"Aaj ki sweet dish ,Kria ne banayi hai " she said and looked at Rey ..
Rey smiled after a long time .. Now he could praise her and then at least Kria will smile .. he thought to himself ..
But , all his plans went down the drain when he saw the rice kheer bowl kept in front of him ..
He gulped .. once .. twice .. Oh no .. I hate this .. I am not going to have it ..
But before he could voice any of his thoughts ..
Vicky and his mom spoke together "Apni wife ke hath ki kheer nahi khaoge " they both stressed on the word kheer ..
He looked at them feebly and then at Kria who was waiting for him to taste expectantly.. and then again looked at the kheer ..
He took a spoonful of it and again looked up at the 4 pair of eyes staring at him .. his mom , his brother and his father who all knew how much he hated this kheer and his innocently newly wed wife who had no clue that his whole family was on her side and playing the game on him in which he was already defeated .. and now the only thing left was to be guillotined ..
And he had to do that with a smile on his face .. just because he was the reason for bringing those teary pearls in her eyes ..
He immediately swallowed the first spoon of kheer and smiled at her .. "It's very good , Kria .. " And the smile she bestowed on him .. he felt he was ready to eat all the kheer that was made in the house ..
Oh Oh .. Wrong timing for this thought !!!
He shouldn't have thought that .. because his brother only knew him too well ..
"Rey .. you loved it .. Kria .. give him more .. come come .. fill this bowl also for him " he pressed Kria to serve him more which she happily did .. and in the end Rey grudgingly ate more than 4 bowls of kheer for lunch with a smile plastered on his face and pouring out compliments for Kria ..
And when he pleaded with his eyes to Vicky to stop , did Vicky inform Kria about Rey's dislike for kheer ..
***
Kria was still laughing even after keeping the phone down ..
"Has lo .. aaj tumhara din hai .. ek toh meri poori family tumhare side mein ho gayi hai .." he scowled as he had heard how she had narrated everything that happened on the lunch table to her aunt ..
"Mujhe pata nahi tha ki apko kheer nahi pasand .. I wouldn't have made it .. "she said now controlling herself ..
"Ya I hate it .. but since you were angry on me .. I had no other choice but to eat it .. I didn't want to make you more angry by not eating it .. " he looked at her with a cute pout ..
She smiled .. " Main aapse naaraz nahi thi .. haan thoda bura laga tha .. "
Before she could continue .. he interrupted "THODA .. Please .. tumhare aanso tapkne wale the .. "
She lowered her lashes .. feeling really nice that he was affected even by her unshed tears ..
"And I can't see you like that .. "
"Hmm .. .. jab mujhe gussa aata hai na .. I stop the conversation from my side .. I know it's not right .. but I can't help it .. I just want to be alone at that time .. "
"So tum gussa thi ?" he smirked .. she looked away ..
He came forward and cupped her face in his hands .. "If you ever get angry on me .. make as much kheer as you want .. I will eat everything without a word .. but please don't stop talking to me .. " he said gravely ..
She smiled and nodded at his request ..
Looking deeply in her eyes , he withdrew his hands back and then a bit hesitantly brought then around her shoulders .. still not touching her ..
She understood what he wanted .. she gladly moved forward into his arms without thinking twice and without any reserves and wrapped her hands around him and kept her head on his chest and smiled contentedly ..
He felt her relax against him and he slowly engulfed her in his arms and smiled ..
***
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Shiv Shakti
12