Lovingly

The next day

Manvi's POV

Waking up at 5.00 the next day was a task. As it is the bed or better yet the couch was uncomfortable as hell. Giving a mental glare to Adit I go to the washroom to start getting ready for the day. Approx. 45 minutes later I head downstairs. Seeing that no one is out of their rooms, I decide to wait for anyone to come before doing anything. I sit on the huge living room couch going through my phone, social media and reading and sending some important mails as usual. Sometime later Priya, Divya as well as Nalini aunty came.

"Oh you're here already?" Nalini aunty exclaims shocked seeing me already ready. "Uhh yes, I have a habit of waking up early since my shift starts at 7.00." I say "Oh my God we didn't know otherwise we would have gotten up earlier to make the breakfast." Nalini aunty says as she starts rummaging through the vast kitchen banging pots and pans. "Oh no it's fine aunty. I could have made it myself but I didn't want to intrude." I say looking down now embarrassed.

"What is this aunty? You are my daughter just like Divya and Priya, so start calling me mom. And what intrude, this is your house also from now so you're welcome anywhere anytime." she says cupping my face in her hands. I can feel the tears threatening to come out. No one has been this sweet to me except dad. Not even my bloody own family. "Ohhhk aunt....sorry Mom" I say slightly giggling. She hugs me and not even a second later, "Girls group hug" and both of them join the hug. I laugh out loudly at the pleasant welcome.

"Ok so now for the ritual Manvi you have to make a sweet dish for the family." Mom says. "Don't worry you just have to make the sweet today and we'll make the breakfast." she adds. I nod as the four of us go to the kitchen. I decide on making the apple pudding which is really healthy. All of us start doing our work as bhabhi asks me questions on what I do and all. Half an hour later everything is done and ready to be served. Everyone including Adit was sitting on the dining table ready for the food. Keeping everything on the table I didn't know whether to sit as well or to wait till tehy have finished.

"Beta sit down." Jay uncle says looking at me in confusion. I sit down beside Adit since that is the only seat empty. I smile and serve myself some. "So Manvi what have you made?" Uncle asks from the head seat of the table. "Uhh it's not much but I made apple pudding. It's sugar free and very good for health." I say hoping he likes it. He smiles and, "Well what are you waiting for, give me" he says. I smile and serve all of them a little and sit once again waiting for their reaction.

"Are you sure you made this?" Aakash Bhai asks. From the corner of my eye I could see Mr. Arrogant smirk a little. No I'm not gonna give him a chance to laugh at me. "Yes, why? Is something wrong?" I ask worriedly. I am sure I didn't mix up the recipe.

"Manvi this is the best sweet dish I've ever tasted in my life and that too a diet sweet dish!" Uncle exclaims and ladies and gents, teh big smirk on Adit's face dropped as it was my chance to smirk at him. "Thank you uncle." I appreciate. "Not uncle, call me dad from now on just like all my other kids." he says. "Ok dad." I nod. "Come here and take your gift." dad says and I get up. "No dad what for?"

"All the members of the family have to give the new daughter-in-law a gift on her first dish she makes." he explains. Ohh. So he gives me a velvet box, "From me and Nalini." It was a beautiful diamond necklace. "Thank you so much papa." I hug him. "Instead of thank you just make me these sweet dishes, so that your mom would not have a heart attack." he asks "Of course I will."

"Manvi this is from me and Divya." Aakash bhai says. He gives me a pair of rose gold earrings and a matching ring. "It's so pretty bhai. Thank you." I smile once again getting emotional. "And this is from me and Aman" Priya gives their gift. It is a beautiful customized bracelet with my name on it. "Thank you so much. Thank you all of you for all of this." I thank all of them again as I keep the boxes on the table and hug them.

"Adit where's your gift?" Mom asks breaking the silence. "Why the hell would I give her a gift?" he exclaims rudely and storms out of the house. Everyone is in a shock at his outburst, "I'm sorry about him." Mom joins her hands in front of me saying sorry. "No mom it's not your fault. Ok now I have a shift. I am getting late I have to go." I say as I go to the room to take my bag and all the things.

"Do you want me to drop you somewhere on the way?" Divya di yells from downstairs "Could you please I still don't know the way from here." I ask her

"Sure as it is I'm going to the office. Come fast." I nod and run up to get my stuff. Downstairs she is waiting for me. We go out and a Audi waiting. ON the way we chat along the way getting to know each other. She owns a clothing store or rather a huge clothing line in the main area of the city. She designs her own clothes, traditional as well as western. I am definitely gonna visit for sure. She also told me that Priya di works in Mehra Industries itself as Aman's assistant. Priya and Aman bhai had a love marriage, they had been dating for quite a long time before marriage. Whereas Divya di herself and Aakash bhai had an arranged marriage. It was quite interesting. At first they could not tolerate each other but now it's so difficult to separate them. She seems so happy while telling her love story. She drops me off at Dhruvi's house where papa is staying for the day.

As I enter the house, loud screams and cheers could be heard. I shake my head and face both the people sitting on the couch in the living room with popcorn and a remote controller in their hands.

"Oh my God Dhruvi you are still not ready. What are you doing? And dad you popcorn and soda in the morning?" I place my hands on my waist looking at them. Dhruvi scrambles on her feet and rushes to her room to get ready. I huff and sit down beside dad.

"So dad what do you want to do? Do you want to stay here? Or do you want to go back to the house?" I ask seriously. "I don't want to go to that house without you but I can't stay here and intrude her personal space." he says. "Yes it's true but you don't worry about anything. You tell me what you want. Don't worry I am going to buy an apartment as soon as the money is arranged do that you can shift." I tell him.

"Ok fine, but for the time being I'll stay at our house." he keeps his head down. I hug him tightly thinking about the condition we are in. "Ok for today you stay here and me and Dhruvi will drop you at the house at night." he nods the same time Dhruvi comes out all dressed. "Let's go I'm ready." and we were off to the hospital not before keeping snacks and everything for dad.

"So how was your first day at the Mehra house?"

"It was good. All of the members are very sweet, well except for Mr. Arrogant. His ego is always at the tip of his nose." I laugh and shake my head. "Anyways we are late let's go." and we enter the hospital going on our own way doing our jobs.