Quotes of the chapter
"You know that moment when you realize you deserve better? Yeah, that's where I am now. 🌱"
"I used to be lost in the dark, but now, with love, I'm finding my way home. 🌙"
Kaashi 🐾 💗
Happy reading
Everyone stepped out of the kitchen, and Naina carefully placed the pot of kheer on the table. But despite completing the task, a small pout formed on her face. After all, she hadn't really contributed much—she had only touched the spatula while the others did everything.
Seeing her adorable pout, the entire family burst into laughter.
Grandma (smiling): "Why does my daughter have a pout on her face?"
Naina lowered her gaze and mumbled softly.
Naina (in a low voice): "Meine toh kuch kiya hii nahiii... sab toh in logo ne kar diya..."
"I didn't do anything at all... They did everything themselves..."
Meghana stepped closer, gently cupping Naina's face with a knowing smile.
Meghana: "Ohh my baacha, aap thak gayii thii na? Aur waise bhi, in logo ko sorry kehna chahiye tha... Ab bas inhe maaf kardooo..."
"Ohh my dear, you were tired, right? And honestly, they should have apologized... Now just forgive them..."
Sarita: "Haan, baache..."
"Yes, dear..."
Naina's lips curled into a smile as she nodded. A realization settled deep in her heart—this family, her in-laws, were giving her something she had craved all her life. Her own family had never even treated her as a human, but here… here, she was cherished, handled with love and care, as if she were a delicate glass doll.
Suryaveer & Pratap (grinning): "Maaf kiya na humein, baache?"
"You forgave us, right, dear?"
Naina tilted her head slightly and spoke .
Naina: "Uncle..."
Hearing that, Suryaveer and Pratap turned around, looking behind them in confusion.
Pratap & Suryaveer: "Koi aur bhi hai kya... Idhar?"
"Is there someone else here... around us?"
Pratap furrowed his brows, scratching his head in amusement.
Pratap: "Uncle kaun hai, baache?"
"Who is this 'uncle,' dear?"
Before Naina could respond, Meghana rolled her eyes with a sigh.
Meghana: "Oof! Aapse ne bhi toh apna introduction nahi diya na... Confuse toh hogi na?"
"Oh, come on! You haven't even introduced yourselves properly… Of course, she'll be confused!"
Aaradhya, always eager to take charge, grinned excitedly.
Aaradhya: "One minute, Bhabhis! Let me introduce them first, and then we'll eat!"
She turned dramatically towards Naina with a playful smile.
Aaradhya: "Sunno ji, Dulhaan! Inse milo ji!"
"Listen up, dear bride! Meet them!"
With an exaggerated hand gesture, she pointed towards an elderly woman sitting comfortably, observing everything with a knowing smile.
(Aaradhya is like mereko maauka chhahiye camera men jaldii focus karoooooo.....)🖋️🤣🤣🤣🤣
Aaradhya: "Yeh hai hamari Dadi ji! Ghar mein chalta inka raaj! Bohot chulbula inka andaaz!"
"This is our Grandma! She rules the house! And oh, she's the most lively and mischievous one here!"
Her words brought laughter all around, and Naina, who had been feeling like an outsider just a few days ago, now felt like she truly belonged.
Aaradhya stood in the center with a wide grin, clapping her hands together dramatically.
Aaradhya: "Toh suno jii, Dulhaan! Aaj aapko aapke naye parivaar se milwaa dete hain!"
"So listen up, dear bride! Let me introduce you to your new family today!"
She turned toward a man who carried an aura of strength and authority. His sharp eyes held wisdom, and though his expressions were firm, there was an undeniable warmth in the way he looked at Naina.
Aaradhya: "Sabse pehle milo, Aapke father in law ! Yeh sirf iss ghar ke bade nahi, balki hamari sabse badi taqat bhi hain. Ek faisle lene wale insaan jo hamesha sahi aur galat ka farak jaante hain… lekin apni family ke liye ek aise protector jo kabhi peeche nahi hatte!"
"First, meet your father in law! He's not just the eldest in this house, but also our greatest strength. A man of decisions who always knows the difference between right and wrong… but for his family, he's a protector who never steps back!"
Suryaveer gave Naina a firm yet reassuring look.
Suryaveer: "Ghar sirf rishte se nahi, rishton ki ehmiyat se banta hai, Baache. Yeh ghar ab tumhara bhi hai."
"A home isn't made by relations alone, but by valuing them, child. This house is yours too now."
Naina's heart warmed at his words.
Next, Aaradhya gestured toward a graceful woman standing beside Suryaveer. She had an air of quiet strength, her soft eyes filled with affection.
Aaradhya: "Aur yeh hain hamari Meghna Maa! Sirf iss ghar ki bahu nahi, balki har musibat ki dhaal bhi hain! Pyaar aur discipline ka perfect combination… ek maa jo daant bhi sakti hain, lekin usse zyada pyaar bhi karti hain!"
"And this is Meghna Maa! Not just the daughter-in-law of this house, but also a shield against every hardship! A perfect combination of love and discipline… a mother who can scold but loves even more!"
Meghna stepped forward and cupped Naina's face gently.
Meghna: "Yeh ghar sirf ek jagah nahi, ek parivaar hai… aur tum bhi ab is parivaar ka hissa ho, beta."
"This house isn't just a place, it's a family… and now, you are a part of it too, dear."
Naina felt a lump in her throat, emotions swirling inside her.
Aaradhya then turned toward a lively couple standing nearby. The man had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, while his wife stood beside him with a knowing smirk, as if she had long mastered handling his antics.
Aaradhya: "Aur yeh hain hamare Partap Chachu aur Sarita Chachi! Yeh ghar ki hasi-mazaak ki jaan hain! Chachu jo taang kheenchne mein expert hain, aur Chachi jo hamesha inki shararaton ko sambhalne mein busy rehti hain!"
"And these are our Partap Chachu and Sarita Chachi! The life of all jokes and fun in this house! Chachu is an expert in teasing people, and Chachi is always busy handling his mischief!"
Partap (grinning): "Bina masti ke ghar toh suna suna lagta hai, hai na?"
"A house without fun feels too dull, right?"
Sarita (smiling): "Bas, inki har baat par bharosa mat karna, Naina. Ye jitne sharaarati hain, utne hi dil ke acche bhi hain."
"Just don't trust everything he says, Naina. As mischievous as he is, he has a heart of gold."
Naina chuckled at their playful exchange.
Then, Aaradhya pointed toward two young men standing side by side.
One had a calm and composed demeanor, his quiet strength evident in the way he stood. The other, however, had a playful glint in his eyes, as if he was always up to something.
Aaradhya: "Aur yeh hain hamare Kunal Bhaiya aur Vedant Bhaiya! Kunal Bhaiya—shaant, samajhdar, aur hamesha sabke saath khade rehne wale! Aur Vedant Bhaiya—iss ghar ke official troublemaker!"
"And these are our Kunal Bhaiya and Vedant Bhaiya! Kunal Bhaiya—calm, understanding, and always standing by everyone's side! And Vedant Bhaiya—the official troublemaker of this house!"
Vedant (grinning): "Arre, aisa kya bol diya? Main toh bas thoda naughty hoon!"
"Hey, what did I do? I'm just a little naughty!"
Kunal (smirking): "Thoda? Yeh toh 'thoda' ka bhi 'thoda' hai."
"A little? That's an understatement."
The family laughed as Vedant pouted dramatically.
Aaradhya then dramatically placed a hand on her hip before introducing herself.
Aaradhya: "Aur aakhri mein, main khud! Aaradhya—iss ghar ki sabse sweet, bubbly, bindaas, lekin sabse zyada caring nanad!"
"And finally, me! Aaradhya—the sweetest, bubbliest, most carefree, but also the most caring sister-in-law in this house!"
She winked at Naina playfully.
Aaradhya: "Koi pareshaan kare ya tang kare, bas mujhe batana, samjhi?"
"If anyone troubles you or bothers you, just tell me, okay?"
And then, finally, her gaze landed on the man standing at a slight distance—the one who hadn't uttered a single word so far.
He stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, his presence impossible to ignore. His sharp features held an intensity that sent shivers down Naina's spine. There was something about the way he looked at her—his dark eyes unreadable, his jaw set in that stubborn way.
Aaradhya smirked before speaking in a teasing tone.
Aaradhya: "Aur sabse aakhri mein… aapke pati! Devanash Bhai! Iss ghar ka sabse charming, sabse grumpy, aur sabse gusse wala insaan! Jo pyaar toh karta hai, par dikhata nahi!"
"And finally… your husband! Devanash Bhai! The most charming, the grumpiest, and the angriest bull of this house! He loves, but he doesn't show it!"
Devanash's jaw tightened slightly, his intense gaze never leaving Naina's. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable authority in his words.
Devanash: "Mujhe kisi introduction ki zaroorat nahi hai, adhya."
"I don't need an introduction, Aaradhya."
Aaradhya chuckled and leaned toward Naina, whispering just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Aaradhya (whispering): "Matlab bas itna samajh lo… gusse mein rahenge, lekin pyaar bhi utna hi intense karenge!"
"Basically, just know this… he'll always be grumpy, but when he loves, he loves just as intensely!"
Naina's heart pounded as she met Devanash's piercing gaze. This was her new family—full of warmth, mischief, and love… and at the center of it all stood the man who was now her husband.
At that moment, Vedant chimed in with a teasing remark as he called out:
Vedant: "Aab khana khaye bhabh' s."
("Now, eat your food, dear Bhabhi!")
Not long after, Suryaveer and Partap exchanged amused glances and added in unison:
Suryaveer and Partap: "Maaf kiyaa naa bachhe."
("You forgave us, didn't you, dear?")
Naina's eyes sparkled with a gentle smile as she replied warmly:
Naina: "Yes papa... and chote papa."
("Yes, Papa... and little Papa.")
Devanash and everyone present shared tender smiles, clearly delighted as they saw Naina gradually embracing the warmth of her new family.
Soon, the entire family moved toward the dining table, settling down to share the meal. Just as Naina was about to serve the food, Meghana interjected with a playful yet affectionate tone:
Meghana: "Beta, aap apn arakhoo sab yaha khudhii rakh ke khate haiii. Independent hai haii 🤣🤣"
("Dear, you all keep yourselves happy here while you eat. You're independent now, haha!")
(Author : I know there is no reason to laugh but laugh,you know laughter is the good medicine 🤣🤣🤣🤣)
In that lively moment, laughter and gentle teasing filled the room, marking another step in Naina's heartwarming journey of belonging.
After the meal, Suryaveer and the others began presenting Naina with gifts as part of the ritual, but she kept shaking her head, politely refusing. A soft, nostalgic smile played on her lips, but her eyes held a quiet reluctance.
However, the moment Suryaveer's voice softened, and he called her "Gudiya", her breath hitched.
"Baba ko mana karogi aap?"
"Will you refuse your father?"
The words struck a deep, unhealed wound in her heart. Her chest tightened as a flood of memories washed over her—memories of a warm embrace, of laughter echoing in their old home, of a voice filled with love that once called her by the same name. Gudiya. It had been her father's special name for her. A name wrapped in love, warmth, and protection. A name that had died with him.
Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and before she knew it, they spilled over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks. A shuddering breath escaped her lips as a sob built in her throat.
Meghna immediately noticed and rushed to her side, concern etched in her voice.
"Baccha, why are you crying now?"
"My love, why are you crying now?"
Devanash, who had been watching her closely, felt a jolt of panic. His heart clenched at the sight of her trembling shoulders, the way her hands clutched the edge of her dupatta as if holding herself together.
"Mi Todo, what happened? Why are you crying?"
"Mi Todo, what happened? Why are you crying?"
But Naina couldn't answer. Her sobs had taken over, breaking past the walls she had tried so hard to keep intact. The weight of longing, of grief, of years of silence pressed down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Suryaveer's face darkened as he turned toward Devanash, his protective instincts flaring. His voice was sharp, yet laced with deep concern.
"You nalayak! Why is my daughter crying? I'll pluck your eyes out, you little monster!"
"You worthless fool! Why is my daughter crying? I'll pluck your eyes out, you little monster!"
Devanash blinked, utterly bewildered.
"Papa, what did I do?!"
""
Suryaveer didn't let up. His brows furrowed, his voice rising in exasperation.
/("Tune kuch nahi kiya, wohi toh problem hai! Teri biwi ro rahi hai aur tujhe pata bhi nahi kyu? Gadha kahika!")
"You did nothing, and that's the problem! Your wife is crying, and you don't even know why? You are an absolute fool!"
Devanash groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair.
"Papa, yaar! Shaadi ho gayi hai meri, kuch toh izzat baksh do!"
"Papa, come on! I'm a married man now, at least give me some respect!"
His complaint only made everyone laugh. Even amidst her tears, Naina found herself smiling, her lips curving just slightly. The warmth of the moment, the ridiculous yet affectionate banter between father and son, eased some of the ache in her heart.
Vedant grinned mischievously and turned to her.
"Bhabhi, yaar, roya mat. Woh department chipkali (Adhya) ka hai!"
"Bhabhi, don't cry! That department belongs to the lizard (Adhya)!"
Aaradhya immediately smacked his arm, rolling her eyes.
"Chup kar, chipak kalla kahin ke!"
"Shut up, you annoying idiot!"
As the laughter faded, Pratap's voice cut through, softer and filled with quiet understanding. He reached out, gently brushing a tear from Naina's cheek.
"Why did you cry, bacche?!
Naina sniffled, looking down at her hands as she whispered, her voice raw with emotion.
"Woh… my papa used to call me 'Gudiya' when I was small. After his death… no one ever called me that again. It just… it made me emotional."
Kunal frowned in mock betrayal, dramatically folding his arms
"Bade Papa, Bhabhi aapki wajah se royi thi aur aapne Bhaiya ko daant diya?"
"Bade Papa, Bhabhi was crying because of you, and you scolded Bhaiya instead?"
Suryaveer narrowed his eyes at him.
"Chup kar oye, khoteya!"
"Shut up, you idiot!"
Sarita clapped her hands together, bringing everyone back to the moment.
"Chalo, ab bohot ho gaya rona-dhona. Le lo gifts!"
"Alright, enough with the tears! Take your gifts now!"
One by one, everyone handed Naina their gifts. Kunal, Vedant, and Aaradhya promised her a day out filled with shopping and an unlimited pani puri party.
But amidst the cheerful chatter, Naina's eyes flickered toward Devanash.
He stood a little away from her, watching. His gaze was soft, his lips curled into the faintest of smiles, but he hadn't spoken a word. He hadn't handed her anything.
Her heart clenched unexpectedly. It wasn't about the gift itself—she wasn't materialistic—but everyone had given her something. Even though she still wasn't happy with the way he had married her, a small part of her had hoped that he would do something. Say something.
But he remained silent. Just watching.
And for some reason, that stung more than it should have.
Author: Devanash, pehle apni biwi ko nihaar toh le…
"Devanash, at least admire your wife first…"
No 1 admirer husband of the year goes too "Devanash Rajpurohit" 🥇 🏅 🏅
Just as the atmosphere began to settle, a sudden voice echoed through the house, cutting through the warmth like a blade. The tension in the air sharpened as everyone turned toward the source. Standing at the entrance were three people—Naina's mother, her brother Raghav, and her so-called bhabhi, Priya.
Raghav strode forward, his face twisted with anger, waving a set of papers in his hand.
"You bitch, just sign these papers!"
His voice was laced with cruelty, his words stabbing through the air like venomous daggers.
Naina stepped forward, her spine straightening despite the tremor in her heart. Her voice was firm, but her eyes held unshed tears.
"No, I will not."
"No, I will not."
Her mother scoffed, her expression filled with disgust.
"First, you got married without our permission, and now you dare to speak back? Such a shameless creature… I regret giving birth to you."
"First, you got married without our permission, and now you dare to speak back? Such a shameless creature… I regret giving birth to you."
Priya sneered, stepping forward with fury in her eyes.
"Where is my brother, you slut? First, you devoured your father, and now you're after my brother!"
"Where is my brother, you slut? First, you devoured your father, and now you're after my brother!"
Naina's breath hitched. The words cut deeper than any wound. Tears filled her eyes, her body trembling under the weight of their accusations.
Her mother stepped forward, her voice sharp and demanding.
"Just sign the papers, you—"
Before she could finish, her voice died in her throat.
A powerful, commanding voice sliced through the tension like a thunderclap.
"Avi tak aapki sun rahe the kyunki aap Naina ki maa hain aur badi hain…"
"Till now, we were listening to you because you are Naina's mother and an elder…"
Devanash's tone was dangerously low, his voice vibrating with restrained fury. His sharp gaze locked onto them, his entire body radiating authority.
"Maine apni biwi se waada kiya hai ki aapko koi nuksaan nahi pahunchaaunga. But agar ek shabd aur suna toh ho sakta hai yeh waada tod doon…"
"I made a promise to my wife that I would not harm you. But if I hear another word, I might just break that promise."
His words were not just a warning—they were a death sentence hanging in the air.
The rage in the room shifted. Naina's in-laws, who had remained silent out of respect, were now fuming. Their patience had run out.
Geta, Devanash's grandmother, stepped forward, her voice unwavering and filled with unshakable authority.
"Agar kisne hamari bachhi ko ek shabd bhi aur kaha, toh narak ke darshan ke liye tayyar ho jao."
"If anyone dares to say another word to our daughter, then be prepared to witness hell itself."
Sarita and Meghana, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, immediately wrapped their arms around Naina. Her sobs broke free, muffled against Sarita's chest as she clung to the warmth, seeking comfort from a motherly embrace she had long been deprived of.
Meanwhile, Kunal and Vedant exchanged dark looks before Kunal spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"And as for you, naagin,"—he pointed directly at Priya—"your dear brother is already in police custody. As per bhabhi's request, she doesn't want anyone from your family to be involved with her ever again."
"And as for you, snake, your dear brother is already in police custody. As per bhabhi's request, she doesn't want anyone from your family to be involved with her ever again."
Vedant's lips curled into a cold smirk, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"Aur jaishi galtii kihe hai, maut hi milegi usse…"
"And the one who has committed such sins… will meet only death."
Priya lunged forward in fury, raising her hand to slap Vedant. But before she could, another hand shot out, gripping her wrist in a bruising hold.
Aaradhya.
Her voice was like steel, her eyes burning with protective fire.
"How dare you raise your filthy hand on my brother?"
She pushed Priya's hand back with force, making her stumble.
"Mera bhai aurat pe haath nahi uthaata iska matlab yeh nahi ki koi bhi uspe haath uthaye. Usko maarne-pitne ka haq sirf uski behen ka hai—matlab mera."
"Just because my brother doesn't raise his hand against women, doesn't mean anyone else gets to hit him. The only one who has the right to scold him is his sister—which means me."
Vedant, in his usual dramatic manner, clutched his heart, his voice exaggeratedly emotional.
"Hayee, meri little savior! Kahaan hain aapke pair? Charan choo loon aapke!"
"Ahh, my little savior! Where are your feet? Let me touch them in worship!"
Raghav, watching this unfold, gritted his teeth.
"Band karo apna