Mere tasavvur mein tum roz aati ho...
Chupke se tum aakar mera ghar sajaati ho...
Sajni bada pyara yeh roop hai tera...
Gajre ki khushboo se mehka hai ghar mera...
Happy reading guyssss๐๐
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Soft sunlight brushed against Nitaanshu's face as he ran a hand through his hair and slowly opened his eyes. His gaze widened when it fell on Keerti - asleep on top of him, one hand resting on his chest, her head near his shoulder, a tiny pout on her lips and her hair scattered messily around her face.
He looked at her with quiet affection, his heart softening at how peaceful she looked. He wanted to gently move her hand away, but then paused, afraid he might wake her. And besides, he realized she didn't even know she was sleeping like this - touching her without her awareness felt wrong to him.
So carefully, without disturbing her sleep, he slowly slipped out of bed. After one last glance at her, he gently covered her with a blanket, picked up his clothes, and walked to the bathroom.
After his shower, Nitaanshu came back into the room to get dressed, a towel wrapped around his lower body, his chest bare, water droplets still sliding down from his hair. Just then, Keerti slowly woke up.
Nitaanshu was busy searching for his clothes in the cupboard, his back toward her, while Keerti kept her eyes shut, pretending to sleep. But when he walked closer to the bed to grab his comb from the side table, her eyes opened fully, and stayed wide open.
Flustered, she quickly got off the bed and turned her face away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She said,
"Aapko sharm nahi aati aise bina kapdon ke mere saamne aate hue?"
("Don't you feel any shame coming in front of me like this without clothes?")
Nitaanshu smirked teasingly and replied,
"Kahan bina kapdon ke hoon? Dhyaan se dekho, towel lapeta hai maine."
("Where am I without clothes? Look properly-I'm wrapped in a towel.")
Keerti tried to hide her tomato-red face and said,
"Jo bhi ho, aap apne kapde pehn lijiye... warna main aapko room se bahar nikaal dungi, phir towel lapete poore ghar mein ghoomte rahiyega."
("Whatever it is, just put your clothes on... otherwise I'll throw you out of the room, and then you can roam around the whole house wrapped in a towel.")
Her tone was sharp, but her eyes gave away how flustered she really was, and Nitaanshu couldn't help smiling at her innocence.
But just as her words ended, a tiny mouse suddenly darted across the floor. In that instant, all her bravery vanished. She screamed,
"Chuaaaaaaaaa!"
and ran straight toward Nitaanshu without thinking.
He instinctively caught her by the waist to keep her from falling, but his own balance slipped, and the next moment, both of them landed on the bed, hearts racing, breaths uneven, and eyes wide with surprise.
Keerti was pressed against Nitaanshu's chest, the fresh scent of soap clinging to him, warm and comforting. Her hands rested on his shoulders, while his instinctively settled on her waist, not holding too tight, just enough to steady her. For a moment, Nitaanshu forgot everything else around him, lost in her eyes, as if the world had shrunk down to just the two of them.
Keerti's cheeks burned red with shyness, her loose strands falling over her face. Gently, almost without thinking, Nitaanshu tucked her hair behind her ear. That simple touch made her heart flutter wildly, butterflies dancing in her stomach, and her face turned an even deeper shade of crimson as she quickly looked away, suddenly very aware of how close they were, and how fast her heart was beating.
Keerti looked up at him softly, her voice barely above a whisper,
"Choriye, mujhe nahaane jaana hai."
("Leave me, I need to go take a bath.")
Nitaanshu gently released her waist, giving her the space she wanted. But Keerti didn't seem to even notice this time. She repeated, a little more firmly,
"Choriye na jaane dijiye."
("Leave me... let me go.")
Nitaanshu raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes, and said,
"Agar aap chahti hai mai aapki kamar pakadu to aap bina jhijke keh sakti hai, vaise bhi maine aapki kamar nahi pakadi hai."
("If you want me to hold your waist, you can say it without hesitation... anyway, I haven't even held your waist.")
Keerti's little secret was out. She hurriedly tried to stand, her cheeks turning red, but just as she took a step, her foot slipped on the smooth floor of the room.
Before she could hit the ground, Nitaanshu caught her instantly. Their bodies tumbled slightly, and for a heartbeat, they both ended up leaning against each other, hearts racing. Carefully, he lifted her, holding her steady, and guided her upright.
Keerti's heart was pounding; a mix of embarrassment, surprise, and the closeness of the moment made her cheeks burn hotter. Nitaanshu, on the other hand, felt his chest tighten with the responsibility and protectiveness he couldn't hide, all he wanted was for her to feel safe.
Keerti started moving forward, trying to make her way ahead, when Nitaanshu gently caught her wrist.
Her heartbeat instantly raced, a mix of surprise and shyness flooding her. Nitaanshu stood right in front of her, blocking her path, his presence suddenly so close that she could feel it in every nerve.
He noticed that holding her wrist seemed to make her a little uncomfortable, so he quickly let go. Then, bending slightly to meet her height, he said softly,
"Keerti ji, aap mujhe Nitaanshu bulaa sakti hain."
("Keerti ji, you can call me Nitaanshu.")
Keerti's cheeks flamed red, and she shook her head, murmuring,
"Nahi mai aapka naam nahi le sakti, dadi ne mana kiya hai."
("No, I can't take your name-Grandmother has forbidden it.")
With that, she turned and dashed toward the bathroom, her steps hurried, but her heart still fluttering.
Nitaanshu watched her go, a shy smile tugging at his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling both amused and a little flustered, the warmth of the moment lingering with him.
Nitaanshu walked downstairs into the hall, where Rekha looked up at him with a warm smile and asked,
"Nitaanshu beta, Keerti uth gayi?"
("Nitaanshu beta, has Keerti woken up?")
He nodded with a smile and replied,
"Haan maa, uth gayi hain... bas naha kar aati hi hongi."
("Yes, Mother, she's awake... she'll be out after her bath any moment.")
Up in the room, Keerti got ready like a newlywed bride, draping herself in a red saree, adding a touch of kajal, light lipstick, a small bindi, and carefully filling her sindoor. After combing her hair, she smiled at her reflection and whispered,
"Haaye... main kitni sundar lag rahi hoon."
("Oh my... I look so beautiful.")
Then suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Looking at herself in the mirror, she wondered how her husband looked so handsome without putting on anything at all. And just like that, the memory of falling on the bed with Nitaanshu flashed in her mind, making her cheeks burn with shyness.
Just then, Rekha's voice echoed from downstairs,
"Keerti beta, neeche aa jaao... aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai."
("Keerti beta, come downstairs... today is your first rasoi (first cooking ceremony).")
Keerti's eyes widened as she remembered. Taking a deep breath, gathering her emotions, and adjusting her pallu, she finally stepped out of her room, ready to begin the first ritual of her new life.
The moment Keerti stepped out of her room, she instinctively pulled her ghunghat over her head. Rekha's words echoed in her mind - that there was no need for a veil in this house - but Keerti reminded herself that she was still a new bride, and her dadi had clearly told her to keep her ghunghat in front of elders. So she gently adjusted it back into place and began walking downstairs slowly.
But halfway down, her foot got tangled in her saree. Before she could understand what was happening, she slipped and fell hard on the steps, a sharp cry escaping her lips,
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!"
Hearing her scream, Rekha, Nitaanshu, and Shaurya - Nitaanshu's father - dropped whatever they were doing and rushed toward her. Seeing Keerti lying on the floor, Shaurya immediately knelt beside her and asked anxiously,
"Beta, tum gir kaise gayi?"
("My child, how did you fall?")
Her eyes had already filled with tears, her hands trembling, and the whole room suddenly felt heavy with fear and concern.
Just then, Rekha and Nitaanshu rushed over. Rekha knelt beside Keerti and asked anxiously,
"Keerti beta, kaise giri tum?"
("Keerti beta, how did you fall?")
The worry on everyone's faces was impossible to miss, it was clear how deeply they cared about her.
Nitaanshu moved closer and said gently,
"Aapne ghunghat kyun li hui hai? Pakka ghunghat mein kuch dikh nahi raha hoga, isliye aap gir gayi."
("Why are you wearing a veil? You probably couldn't see anything because of it-that's why you fell.")
Rekha immediately lifted the veil from Keerti's head and said softly,
"Keerti beta, maine tumse raat mein kaha tha na... ghunghat lene ki koi zarurat nahi. Tum hamare ghar ki beti ho."
("Keerti beta, I told you last night as well... there is no need to wear a veil. You are the daughter of our house.")
Tears welled up in Keerti's eyes as she whispered,
"Maaji, mujhe maaf kar dijiye."
("Mother-in-law, please forgive me.")
Rekha wiped her tears lovingly and said,
"Arre beta... maafi kyun maang rahi ho?"
("Oh dear... why are you asking for forgiveness?")
Just then, Shaurya smiled lightly and said,
"Keerti beta... maana meri biwi thodi budhi ho gayi hai, par aise maaji mat kaho, itni bhi budhi nahi hui hai."
("Keerti beta... I agree my wife has gotten a little old, but don't call her 'maaji' like that-she hasn't become that old yet.")
Rekha glared at Shaurya and said,
"Kya matlab hai aapka? Aap honge buddhe, main nahi... abhi to main bohot jawaan hoon!"
("What do you mean? You must be old, not me... I'm still very young!")
Then, thinking about her husband's words, she turned toward Keerti and said warmly,
"Keerti beta... tum mujhe maa kaha karo, maaji nahi. Abhi main itni buddhi nahi hui hoon."
("Keerti beta... you should call me 'Maa', not 'Maaji'. I'm not that old yet.")
Keerti smiled through the pain and said,
"Thikk hai maa."
("Okay maa")
Nitaanshu tried to help her stand, but the moment she put pressure on her foot, her face twisted in pain, she couldn't get up at all. Her leg was hurting badly.
Shaurya immediately stepped in, his voice firm yet worried,
"Nitaanshu, keerti beta ko utha kar kamre me le jaaoo..mai doctor ko call karta hu."
("Nitaanshu, pick Keerti up and take her to the room... I'll call the doctor.")
Nitaanshu looked at Keerti. Keerti was already looking at him, her eyes damp, lashes trembling, trying to stay strong. Gently, he asked,
"Kya mai aapko utha lu?"
("Can I pick you up?")
Keerti nodded quietly.
Carefully, as if she were made of glass, Nitaanshu lifted her into his arms and carried her to the room, laying her down softly on the bed. His voice turned anxious as he said,
"Keerti ji, apne per dikhaaiye mujhe."
("Keerti ji, show me your foot.")
But as he spoke, his hand brushed against her legs.
Keerti immediately moved his hand away and said,
"Ye aap kyaa kar rahe hain, aap mere per mat chuiye mujhe paap lagega na."
("What are you doing? Don't touch my feet, it would be a sin for me.")
Nitaanshu laughed softly at her words, his eyes warm, and replied,
"Aree, aapko koi paap nahi lagega..aap mere ghar ki laksmi hai aapke per chu kar mujhe aashirwad milegaa.."
("Oh no, you won't be committing any sin... you are the Lakshmi of my home. By touching your feet, I'll be blessed.")
Her heart skipped, not because of the pain, but because of the way he said it, like he truly meant every word.
But Keerti refused to let Nitaanshu touch her feet, no matter how much he tried to convince her.
Just then, Shaurya and Rekha arrived with the doctor. The doctor carefully examined Keerti's feet and gently wrapped them in bandages. Like a small child, Keerti stretched out her hands too, both her palms were bruised as well.
The doctor smiled softly, bandaged her hands, wrote down a few medicines, and handed the prescription to Nitaanshu, who immediately left to get them.
Rekha and Shaurya looked at Keerti with concern and said,
"Beta, aaj tum aaraam karo pura..kisi chiz ki zarurat ho to bataa dena hame."
("Beta, rest completely today... if you need anything, just let us know.")
Keerti nervously fidgeted with the edge of her saree pallu, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at Rekha.
"Maa... aaj to meri pehli rasoi hai... main yeh rasm kaise poori karungi?"
("Maa... today is my first cooking ceremony... how will I complete this ritual?")
Rekha smiled softly and said,
"Koi baat nahi beta... jab haath theek ho jaayenge tab kar lena."
("It's alright, beta... you can do it once your hand gets better.",)
But Keerti shook her head, her voice trembling slightly.
"Nahi maa... phir mujhe paap lagega. Aaj mujhe thoda sa sahaara de do... main rasoi mein chal kar kuch bana leti hoon."
("No, Maa... then it would feel wrong to me. Please just support me a little today... I'll go to the kitchen and cook something myself.")
Shaurya spoke gently, trying to calm her down.
"Arre bacche, aaj sirf aaraam karo."
("Oh dear, just rest today.")
Rekha lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked at Shaurya with hesitation.
"Lekin papa... rasm ka kya?"
("But Papa... what about the ritual?")
Then suddenly, a small smile curved her lips, as if an idea had just clicked.
"Are beta, Nitaanshu bana dega. Tum patni bani ho, toh vo bhi pati bana hai na. Tumhari jagah aaj vo kuch bana dega... jab tum theek ho jaogi, tab tum bana lena."
("Don't worry, beta-Nitaanshu will make it. You've become the wife, so he's the husband now, right? He'll cook something in your place today... and when you recover, you can do it yourself.")
Keerti blinked in surprise, her heart softening instantly. Somewhere deep inside, the thought that her husband would step in for her made her feel strangely warm, like she wasn't alone anymore, like this house was slowly becoming hers.
Nitaanshu returned to the room with the medicines in his hand. Rekha and Shaurya looked at him gently and said,
"Bahu ka dhyaan rakhna acche se..."
("Take good care of the daughter-in-law...")
and then quietly left them alone.
Without saying a word, Nitaanshu placed a tablet in Keerti's palm and handed her a glass of water.
Then he sat beside her, silent, his shoulders stiff, as if something heavy was resting on his heart. The room felt strangely still, wrapped in an unspoken tension.
Keerti looked at him carefully. She could tell... something was bothering him. His jaw was tight, his eyes distant, and the warmth he usually carried felt hidden behind a wall of quiet.
She softly patted his shoulder and asked,
"Aap gussa hain kya?"
("Are you angry?")
He replied in a low voice,
"Mai kyu gussa hounga?"
("Why would I be angry?")
Keerti tilted her head slightly and said with a small, unsure smile,
"Baat to aap sahi keh rahe hain... bina vajah gussa kyu honge aap."
("You are right... why would you get angry without any reason.")
But even as she said it, her heart wasn't convinced. Because sometimes, the loudest emotions are the ones that stay completely silent.
Nitaanshu looked at Keerti and, like a sulking little kid, complained,
"Par main gussa hoon aapse."
("But I am angry on you"
Keerti scratched her head in confusion and said,
"Areeee! Abhi to aapne kaha 'main kyun gussa hounga?'"
("Hey! Just now you said, 'why would I be angry?'")
Nitaanshu shrugged and replied, "Jaane do, kuch nahi."
("Leave it nothing")
Keerti nodded seriously and said,
"Theek hai... jaane deti hoon."
("Okay let it go")
Keerti took her medicine and soon drifted into a soft, peaceful sleep. Her face looked calm, almost fragile, like she was finally free from the pain for a while.
Nitaanshu sat beside her quietly, his eyes never leaving her face. The way her eyelashes rested on her cheeks, the gentle rise and fall of her chest , everything about her made his heart feel heavy yet warm at the same time.
Slowly, carefully, he reached out and touched her feet, afraid even the slightest movement might wake her. His chest tightened as he thought,
"It must be hurting so much...."
His eyes softened with emotion. What hurt him more was something else, the fact that she hadn't let him touch her feet, but allowed the doctor to.
"I'm your husband... don't I have that right?"
he thought sadly, his fingers curling slightly as he pulled his hand back.
Looking at her sleeping face, he whispered in his heart,
"I just want to protect you... always."
And with that thought, a quiet ache settled inside him, the kind that comes only when you care too deeply.
Rekha called Nitaanshu gently out of the room, her eyes warm and full of affection, but with that teasing sparkle that made him slightly nervous. Her voice was soft, yet it carried the gentle authority only a mother could have.
"Beta, Keerti to Aaj pehli rasoi ka rasm nahi kar sakti, tum uske badle kardo..vo chahti hai ye rasm Puri ho."
("Beta, Keerti can't perform the first cooking ritual today, so you do it in her place... she wants this ritual to be completed.")
Nitaanshu blinked, uncertainty flickering across his face, his hands fidgeting slightly.
"Par maa mai kaise ?"
("But Maa... how can I?")
Rekha smiled softly, placing her hand reassuringly on his shoulder.
"Kya matlab mai kaise, Keerti tumhari biwi bani hai to tum bhi uske pati Bane ho na..chalo ab jaaoo rasoi me aur hamare liye aur Keerti ke liye kuch bana do."
("What do you mean 'how can I'? Keerti is your wife, so you are her husband too, right? Now go to the kitchen and make something for us and for Keerti.")
Then, teasing him a little, her voice playful, she added:
"Use apne haatho se khilaa bhi dena..uske haath me lagi hai na."
("And feed her with your own hands too... her hand is injured, isn't it?")
Nitaanshu felt a sudden warmth rush to his cheeks, rubbing the back of his neck shyly.
"Ji maa, jaisa aap kahein."
("As you say maa")
Rekha chuckled softly, that warm, comforting sound filling the corridor, and walked away. Nitaanshu stood there for a moment, heart racing, a mix of nervousness and excitement bubbling inside him, the thought of preparing food for Keerti, and feeding her himself, making him smile quietly to himself.
Nitaanshu immediately rushed to the kitchen, determination shining in his eyes. He started gathering ingredients to make sooji ka halwa for Keerti, his heart beating a little faster at the thought of doing something special for her.
The aroma of ghee and cardamom filled the air as he carefully stirred the halwa, lost in concentration.
Just then, his father, Shaurya, entered the kitchen and smiled warmly.
"Betaa, bahu ke liye kuch bana rahe ho kya?"
("Beta, are you cooking something for the daughter-in-law?")
Nitaanshu looked up, a shy grin forming on his face.
"Haa papa, aaj meri pehli rasoi hai."
("Yes, Papa... today is my first cooking ritual.",)
Shaurya's eyes twinkled with mischief and nostalgia as he replied:
"Mai bhi apni biwi ke liye kuch bana deta hu.."
("I'll also make something for my wife.")
And just like that, both father and son were busy in the kitchen, preparing food for their beloved wives. Each of them felt a quiet pride in their hearts, a warm, satisfied happiness growing with every stir and every sweet they made, imagining the joy and appreciation their wives would show.
Nitaanshu carefully finished the sooji ka halwa, and Shaurya plated the gulaab jaamun. With gentle hands and hearts full of love, they carried the plates to their respective partners, feeling a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. The simple act of cooking had become a beautiful, silent expression of their love.
Nitaanshu carried the plate of sooji ka halwa quietly toward Keerti. She was still asleep, curled up under the blanket, her hair falling softly around her face.
For a moment, he paused. She looked so peaceful, as if she had been waiting for centuries to rest. His heart clenched seeing her like this.
But then he remembered, she hadn't eaten anything since morning. His resolve hardened. He couldn't let her skip breakfast.
He gently approached the bed and called her softly a few times by her name.
"Keerti ji.."
"Keerti..uth jaaiye.."
("Keerti jii wake up")
She didn't move.
Carefully, Nitaanshu leaned closer and pressed her cheeks gently, coaxing her awake. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered, and she stirred.
"Aapne kyu uthaaya mujhe..mai Kitna achha sapna dekh rahi thi na"
("Why did you wake me up... I was having such a nice dream?")
she murmured, still half in dreamland.
He smiled softly and replied,
"Aap pehle ye khaa lo..meri pehli rasoi ka halwa fir vapas so jaana"
("Eat this first... my first-cooking halwa, then you can go back to sleep.")
Her eyes fell on the halwa. The rich aroma made her mouth water immediately.
"Ye aapne banaya?"
("Did you make this?")
she asked, looking at him with wide, curious eyes.
Pride shone in Nitaanshu's face.
"Haa, aapke iklaute pati ne banaya"
("Yes... made by your only husband.")
Keerti's cheeks turned a deep crimson. She bit her lip shyly, unable to look directly at him.
"Chakh ke bataaiye na kaisa bana hai"
( "Go on, taste it and tell me how it is.")
he urged softly, teasing.
Keerti reached for the spoon, but then she saw her hand bandaged. Her expression fell, eyes a little sad as she looked at him.
He noticed immediately and asked gently,
"Kya mai khilaadu aapko?"
("Can I feed you?")
She nodded.
With a small smile, Nitaanshu scooped up a spoonful of the halwa and fed it to her carefully, just like one would feed a little child. Keerti's eyes softened, and a small giggle escaped her as the warmth and sweetness of the halwa melted in her mouth, and in that moment, all the morning's tension, pain, and shyness seemed to fade away.
Nitaanshu watched her intently, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. She looked so delicate, so cherished, and yet so vibrant. He knew that no matter what, he would take care of her always.
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Dheere dheere dono ek dusre ko pasand kar rahe hain๐๐ฆ
Which scene did you like? Do let me know in the comments!
Andddd did you find the leads cuteee?????๐
See you in the next chapter... until then,
keep reading... and keep voting on and commenting on the chapters!๐ฉท
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