The mansion loomed before them, its grand architecture illuminated under the soft golden glow of the exterior lights. The night breeze carried the scent of freshly bloomed jasmine from the garden, blending with the faint hum of crickets. As soon as the car came to a halt, Anaya unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out with a cheerful bounce, adjusting her handbag over her shoulder.
She was in a good mood.
The playful banter with Aarav had left her smiling, and now, the familiar warmth of home wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. With light steps, she began walking toward the entrance, the heels of her sandals clicking against the stone pathway.
But just as she was about to step onto the porch, a voice called from behind.
"Bhabhi."
She froze.
The word—simple yet so significant—hung in the air, making her heart pause for a brief second. Anaya slowly turned, her gaze landing on Aarav, who stood next to the car with one hand casually resting on the door handle. There was something unreadable in his expression, but his tone had been clear—firm, yet not teasing this time.
Anaya's lips parted slightly, her curiosity evident as she tilted her head. "Haan?"
Aarav leaned back slightly against the car, his hands slipping into his pockets as he spoke. "Aapka library clean ho chuka hai… aur kuch new stuff bhi aaya hai. Check kar lena dinner ke baad." (Your library has been cleaned… and some new things have arrived. Check it after dinner.)
Anaya's eyes brightened at the mention of her personal library. Her gaze flickered with delight, and she took a step toward him, curiosity bubbling in her tone. "Who did this?"
Aarav shrugged, his expression remaining neutral. "Dad ka order tha. Unhone kuch nayi books bhi mangwayi hain aapke liye." (It was Dad's order. He also brought some new books for you.)
A warm feeling spread in her chest at the thought of Dev Singhaniya personally selecting books for her. It was rare for him to openly express affection, but small gestures like these spoke volumes. She smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Lekin kyun?" she asked. "Main toh Sunday ko kaam ke baad clean karne waali thi." (But why? I was going to clean it after work this Sunday.)
Aarav smirked slightly as he shut the car door and locked it with a click. He turned on his heel, walking toward the main door as he spoke over his shoulder. "Kyunki hamaare paas naukar hain jo saaf karne aur cheezein arrange karne ke liye hain, Bhabhi." (Because we have servants to clean and arrange things, Bhabhi.)
His voice carried a hint of amusement, as if the idea of her cleaning anything in this mansion was absurd.
Anaya rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small chuckle as she followed him inside.
The grand double doors of the mansion opened smoothly as they entered, the soft glow of the chandelier casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floors. The air inside carried the faint aroma of sandalwood and fresh flowers, a scent that always made Anaya feel at home.
As they stepped into the living room, a servant immediately approached, carrying a tray with two glasses of water. He bowed slightly before placing them on the center table.
Just as Anaya reached for the glass, another staff member stepped forward.
"Ma'am, Grandmother Komal is calling you in the kitchen."
Anaya paused, glancing up. "Kitchen?"
The staff nodded. "Haan, ma'am. Unhone kaha aapko turant bulana hai." (Yes, ma'am. She said to call you immediately.)
Anaya exchanged a quick look with Aarav, who merely raised a brow but said nothing.
"Theek hai, main ja rahi hoon." (Okay, I'm going.)
Placing her handbag on the couch, she adjusted her dupatta and turned toward the hallway leading to the kitchen.
As she walked away, she could hear Aarav behind her, already unlocking his phone, most likely checking work emails or messages.
Anaya took a deep breath before stepping into the kitchen, wondering what Komal Grandma wanted at this hour.
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As Anaya walked toward the kitchen, she noticed that Ria and Misha weren't around. Curious, she glanced around before stepping inside, where she found Komal and the other women of the house busy preparing something. The rich aroma of roasted gram flour and ghee filled the space, making her stomach grumble slightly.
"Dadi, aapne bulaya?" Anaya asked, heading toward the basin to wash her hands. Her eyes flickered to the table, where trays of sweets were being packed into small decorative boxes.
Komal looked up from where she was carefully placing laddus into a tin and smiled warmly. "Haan beta, bas zara madad chahiye thi."
Anaya dried her hands and stepped closer. "Itne saare sweets? Holi toh kal hai na?" she asked, her brows knitting together. "Aur yeh toh bahut zyada hain…"
Just then, Rakhi walked in, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Anaya. "Oh meri jaan, ghar aa gayi!" she exclaimed, moving forward and pulling Anaya into a soft embrace.
Anaya chuckled, hugging her back. "Mumma, sab toh theek hai, lekin yeh laddoo kis liye? Kitna banaya hai aapne?"
Rakhi exchanged a knowing look with Komal before shaking her head with amusement. "Tumhe nahi pata Singhaniya ke ladkon ke baare mein? Yeh log mithai ke liye ladte hain! Tumhare sasur bhi tumhare devaron ke saath competition mein hote hain."
Anaya raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Sach mein?"
"Bilkul!" Komal added, smirking. "Aur jaise hi koi aane wala hoga, bas chup jao… dekhna tamasha."
Hearing this, Anaya suppressed a giggle. She had been in the Singhaniya household long enough to know that the men of the house had their quirks, but the idea of them fighting over sweets was still amusing.
Just as expected, footsteps echoed from the corridor, and before Anaya could react, Rakhi pulled her behind the door. Komal continued packing as if nothing had happened. Moments later, Aarav entered the kitchen, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Dadi, mom yahan nahi hai na?" he asked cautiously, as if making sure the coast was clear.
Komal, keeping a straight face, shook her head. "Nahi beta, yahan nahi hai."
Aarav let out a relieved sigh before walking toward the counter. His eyes locked onto a glass jar filled with freshly made besan laddus. He licked his lips slightly, his fingers reaching out to grab one.
Just as he was about to pop it into his mouth, a sharp tug on his ear made him yelp. "Ouch! Mom!" Aarav turned to see Rakhi standing behind him with a smirk, her grip firm on his ear.
"Maine kya kaha tha? Pooja se pehle koi haath nahi lagayega!" Rakhi scolded, though her voice held a motherly affection.
Anaya, who had been watching from behind the door, burst into laughter. "Toh yeh asli mushak yahaan hai!" she teased.
The entire kitchen erupted in laughter, Komal nodding along. "Aur sirf yeh nahi, tumhara pati bhi aisa hi tha."
Anaya turned to Rakhi in surprise. "Sach?"
Rakhi sighed dramatically, letting go of Aarav's ear. "Bilkul! Tumhare husband ko bhi mithai chhupakar rakhni padti thi, warna ek din mein sab khatam!"
Anaya shook her head in amusement. "Toh ghar ke bade aur chhote dono ek jaise hain!"
Aarav, rubbing his ear, huffed. "Main chhota nahi hoon! Aur bhabhi, aap bhi unki team mein hain ab?"
Anaya smirked. "Main toh hamesha sahi team mein hoti hoon, devar ji!"
Komal chuckled, shaking her head. "Bas bas, ab sab tayyar ho jao. Kal ka din busy hone wala hai."
As the laughter in the kitchen settled, Anaya couldn't help but smile. She watched as Aarav rubbed his ear, still pouting from his mother's scolding. The mischievous glint in his eyes, however, showed that he was already planning his next attempt at stealing sweets.
Komal, still packing the laddus (sweet gram flour balls), shook her head with amusement. "Bas bas, ab sab tayyar ho jao. Kal ka din busy hone wala hai."(Enough, enough. Now, everyone should get ready. Tomorrow will be a busy day.)
Anaya nodded and turned to Rakhi. "Mumma, kuch madad chahiye?"(Mom, do you need any help?)
Rakhi smiled warmly, placing a hand on Anaya's head affectionately. "Nahi beta, sab ho gaya. Bas tum jao aur aaram karo. Kal subah bohot kaam hoga."(No, dear, everything is done. Just go and rest. Tomorrow morning, there will be a lot of work.)
Anaya hesitated for a moment before nodding. She turned toward the door but glanced back once more to see Aarav still eyeing the laddus with longing. She chuckled softly before stepping out of the kitchen.
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As Anaya walked toward the stairs, ready to head up to her room after a busy evening, she was interrupted by a soft voice calling her from behind.
"Anaya?"
She turned around to see Ria, who was descending the stairs with a smile on her face. The younger girl was dressed casually, yet she carried an air of grace that Anaya admired.
"Hey, Ria! Going somewhere?" Anaya asked, her tone light as she watched Ria pause midway down the stairs.
Ria smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "I was just heading to the kitchen to grab some water. But you—what's up? You seem... different today."
Anaya hesitated for a moment, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I am. It's just been one of those days, you know?"
Ria tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "Is that so? You've been smiling a lot more today, especially with everything going on in the house."
Anaya laughed softly, shaking her head. "I guess I just felt a little lighter today. Maybe it's the festive mood or just... things falling into place."
Ria's gaze softened. "That's nice to hear. You know, you've been doing great. The way you've adjusted to everything here—it's impressive."
Anaya looked at Ria, her eyes appreciating the sincerity in her words. "Thank you, Ria. That means a lot to me."
Ria grinned and then, in a playful tone, said, "I'll be honest, though, I'm still trying to figure out who is the real boss of this house—you or my brother."
Anaya chuckled at the remark, her laughter light and easy. "I'm not sure I've earned that title yet."
Ria shrugged, giving her a teasing smile. "Well, you've definitely earned my respect. You're stronger than you let on, Anaya."
Anaya smiled warmly at her. "Thanks, Ria. You don't know how much that means."
Ria gave a mock salute. "Anytime, Anaya. But for now, I'll let you go upstairs. You look like you're heading for some well-deserved rest."
Anaya laughed softly. "Yes, I definitely need some. See you tomorrow, Ria."
Ria smiled. "Goodnight, Anaya."
As Ria continued down the stairs and Anaya started to ascend, she couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in her heart. The house was slowly feeling more like a home, and Ria, with her bright personality and kind words, had definitely become a part of that comfort.
But as Anaya reached the top of the stairs, she paused for a moment, reflecting on everything she had just experienced. The house, the people, the little moments of connection—it was all slowly beginning to make sense. Tomorrow was Holi, and for the first time in a long while, Anaya was excited. It felt like a new chapter was beginning for her, and she couldn't wait to see what it would bring.
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As Anaya entered her room after a long, tiring day, she made her way to the bed and immediately felt the comfort of her own space. The night air was cool, and the soft breeze from the window added a touch of peace. The moonlight spilled gently through the curtains, casting a calm, silvery glow over the room. She let out a deep sigh, taking in the calm ambiance that surrounded her.
Her eyes immediately fell on the food tray placed on the small tea table beside the bed. A soft smile touched her lips as she thought to herself that the staff must have brought it for her. "They must know how tired I am," she murmured, feeling a little appreciative, even though the sight of the food made her wonder if she had forgotten about her own dinner. "A little snack wouldn't hurt," she said quietly, as she reached for the plate.
The scent of warm food filled the air as Anaya picked up the spoon, preparing to take the first bite. The moment she was about to bring the spoon to her mouth, though, something unexpected happened.
A hand, swift and strong, snatched the spoon from her hand.
"Anaya," came a voice that sent a jolt of fear through her spine. It was deep, with a certain tone of authority that she had come to recognize. She turned, her breath catching in her throat, only to find Rudra sitting on the sofa across from her, his dark eyes fixed on her with a questioning look.
"Are you eating my food?" Rudra asked, his voice calm but firm, a touch of amusement dancing behind his words. But there was a sharpness to his tone that made Anaya's heart race, her palms suddenly feeling clammy. She hadn't expected him to be there, let alone catch her in the act of eating what she assumed was her food.
Anaya froze, her gaze locking onto him, and then she quickly gathered her thoughts. "Umm, yeah, it's food, but I think they forgot to bring my meal... I'm sorry. I thought it was mine," she stammered, feeling a wave of embarrassment rise within her.
But Rudra didn't respond right away. Instead, he stayed silent for a moment, his eyes still fixed on her, making her feel like she was under scrutiny. She shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to do or say.
Suddenly, she felt his strong grip on her wrist. Before she could even react, Rudra pulled her toward him with a force she wasn't prepared for. She stumbled, unable to stop herself, and found herself sitting beside him on the sofa.
Anaya's heart raced as she realized the distance between them had vanished. Rudra, despite sitting next to her, remained towering above her. He was six feet two inches tall, and she was five feet five inches, but right now, the height difference felt all the more intimidating. His presence filled the space entirely, as if there was no room for anything else.
Without saying another word, Rudra grabbed the spoon that he had taken from her and scooped a bit of food from the plate. His fingers were steady, his grip powerful, as he lifted the spoon toward her mouth.
"Eat this," he said, his voice low and authoritative.
Anaya felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She stared at the spoon, her thoughts racing, as her pulse quickened. She was scared. Not just because he had pulled her toward him so suddenly, but also because of the way he was looking at her, his expression unreadable. There was a commanding presence in his gaze, and it left her feeling vulnerable, exposed in front of him.
She hesitated for a moment, but Rudra's stare didn't waver. She knew better than to challenge him. With trembling hands, she took the spoon from him, her heart pounding in her chest, and slowly brought it to her lips. As she ate, she could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move. The food felt like it was stuck in her throat, but she forced herself to chew, her body stiff with nervousness.
Rudra's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her. "Chew properly before speaking," he murmured, his tone almost like an order, and yet, there was something more behind it. Anaya couldn't help but feel a strange mix of fear and curiosity. Why did he have this effect on her? Why did he make her feel so small, yet so drawn to him at the same time?
She nodded, though her throat was dry. She continued chewing, trying to suppress the tremble in her hands, but the moment seemed to stretch forever. As she finished chewing and swallowed the bite, Anaya finally dared to look up at him. Rudra was still watching her, his face inscrutable, but there was a faint glint in his eyes that made her wonder if he found this entire situation amusing in some twisted way.
Anaya felt the need to break the silence, but she wasn't sure what to say. It felt like the air between them was thick with unspoken tension. She had no idea what was going on in his mind, but the way he looked at her—demanding, expectant—made her feel like she was walking a fine line.
"You're looking at me like I've done something wrong," she finally said, her voice quiet but steady.
Rudra didn't immediately reply. Instead, he looked down at the spoon in his hand, still gripping it as though it were some kind of weapon. "I never said you did anything wrong," he muttered under his breath. His words were more to himself than to her, but Anaya caught them nonetheless. "But you never really follow the rules, do you?"
Anaya didn't know how to respond to that. She couldn't understand why he was so cryptic, why he was so guarded, yet so intense. It felt like every time she tried to get closer to understanding him, he would pull away just as quickly.
Her mind raced, but before she could formulate a response, Rudra's voice broke through her thoughts. "You should get some rest, Anaya. It's late," he said, his tone softer, though still firm.
Anaya nodded, grateful for the shift in conversation. "I will," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As she stood up to leave the sofa, she felt his gaze on her again, like a weight pressing down on her back. She didn't look at him as she walked toward the door of the room, her heart still pounding in her chest.
But just before she left, she heard his voice again.
"Anaya," Rudra called, and she paused, her hand on the doorknob.
"Yes?" she replied, turning slightly toward him.
"Next time, don't touch my food," he said simply, his tone carrying a hint of amusement now, though his eyes were still serious.
Anaya swallowed hard, her heart racing once more. "Okay," she said quietly, her voice betraying the nervousness she felt inside.
She left the room, closing the door behind her, but she couldn't shake the feeling of Rudra's presence lingering in her mind. What was it about him that both scared and intrigued her? Why was it that every time she thought she understood him, he would shift, change, and leave her questioning everything once again?
As she lay in bed later, staring at the ceiling, she couldn't help but replay the moments in her mind—the tension, the quiet intimacy of the room, the way Rudra had held her hand, the way his eyes had locked onto hers. It was confusing. It was overwhelming. But most of all, it made her want to know him better. Even if that meant facing the darkness in his eyes.