Discordance

Chapter Eight

Akshara had chosen a bright pink salwar suit for her first day in the house, she knew how much Abhimanyu would hate it, if his dark and colorless room was any indication and that brought her immense joy. Whatever, if she was called a sadist by him then so be it. But when she saw his eyes flare up as he clocked in her attire she knew she had hit the nail right on the head. Pissing him off was lately becoming one of her life's one true mission and Akshara was nothing if not diligent in making sure her mission would be a success. Once she had known that he wouldn't touch her inappropriately, especially when she saw the affronted look on her face at her insinuation, all her worry had melted and she felt her anger at his general audacity coming back with full vengeance.

"Ugh, why do you look so bright? Do you plan to blind me with that outfit?" he muttered as they made their way downstairs to where she was sure everyone was waiting. Akshara shocked at the fact that he was talking to her, slipped on the last step forcing Abhimanyu to extend his arm out and catch her before she face planted. The moment his arm caught her waist something unhinged crossed his eyes and Akshara wasn't sure how to decipher it. So shrugging his touch off she quickly righted herself only to realize that his entire family was looking at the two of them with heart eyes.

"Awww" Nishtha and Neil yelled causing her to blush involuntarily.

"You have to teach me your ways of acting this perfectly, planning your fall to the T, bravo" the monster murmured behind her before stomping away from her leaving her gaping at his back. HUH? Why did he have such a low opinion of her? Why the fuck would she pretend to fall?

Before she could spend more time pondering over it, Manjari Aunty had walked over to her and cupped her cheek, "you look so lovely, unbelievably beautiful" her compliment made Akshara blush and everyone listening to it giggle, except a certain mean man and Anisha Didi. Akshara had tried to stay away from her as much as possible because frankly she didn't need someone else hating her openly like Abhimanyu and she had no interest in converting her terrible opinion to a positive one. If she disliked her that was well and good, she wasn't selfless enough to follow someone be it Anisha or the monster and make them like her. They could be grumpy on their own time.

"Everyone's just drinking tea and coffee, would you like something?" Harsh Uncle asked kindly and Akshara felt overwhelmed just by that simple question. Shaking her head she meekly trained her eyes to the ground right as the monster took a seat noisily at the table.

"Oh no nooo, get up Mr. Newly married." Chachi said loudly causing everyone to stop and stare as chachi and manjari aunty burst into giggles.

"Akshu you know how you're expected to cook the first meal for everyone today? Well in our family we expect the couple to cook it together. So don't worry you'll have tons of help." Akshara's heart fell through her stomach at her words, and she wildly glanced at Abhimanyu to see him staring at her equally dazed. At least someone understood exactly how torturous this would be for her!

"C'mon off you go" Manjari patted Abhimanyu on the back who groaned loudly about how insufferable they all were and without waiting for her barged right into the kitchen. Akshara giggled softly at his obvious discomfort making him whirl around and glare at her

"Can you even cook?" he had the audacity to ask her. Akshara crossed her arms across her chest glaring right back "Yeah, Can you?" she tilted her chin towards him in a challenge.

"yeah, probably better than you. You look like you barely eat, what kind of cooking would you even be doing if you can't stomach your own food." For some reason his words cut her deeply and she couldn't think of a sassy response. Turning her back quickly so he wouldn't see the hurt on her face and not wanting to give him any more ammunition she just shrugged.