Officially mine [ MINE series book#1 ]

CHAPTER 9

Heer's POV:

The whole day went in a daze. After Ayaan and Pita-saa had left for the office, I was with Maa-sa. We made dinner together, and she told me all about Ayaan's likes and dislikes, his favorite food, and etc. She literally made me write the food recipes down, saying and believing that the way to a man's heart is food.

"You know, Ayaan's father was just like him, maybe a little bit more expressive, but even we had an arranged marriage. But thanks to my cooking skills, he was head over heels in no time," she said, opening her arms in a dramatic manner, almost knocking the cake we spent the last 3 hours perfecting.

I smiled. After losing my mother, it's been a long time since I have felt motherly love. It was still as warm and comforting, soothing all the pain and making you forget all about your worries. Maa-sa has a lot of qualities like Mama used to have, always cheerful, optimistic, and lovingly selfless. Tears brimmed in my eyes, some escaped. I hurriedly wiped them away, not wanting Maa-sa to worry.

The bell rang, bringing me out of my trance as Maa-sa and I made our way towards the direction of the door. The door opened to reveal a tired Ayaan and an overenthusiastic Ishaan eating his ear off. abhishek just looked in their direction while shaking his head like this is an everyday routine, while Maa-sa smiled at them 

"I am telling you, like in the end, all of them won the war but ---" he stopped in the middle and looked at me.

"Oh, Bhabhi, hello. How are you?" Ishaan said, forwarding his hand for a shake.

I smiled, shaking his hand. "I'm fine, thank you."

Ayaan rolled his eyes coming in as he touched his mother's feet while Pita-saa followed. I greeted him as he touched my head and went to freshen up.

"Reyansh aur Abhimaan nahi aaye beta?" Maa-sa asked Ishaan.

"Nahi aunty, woh office mein hi hain."

"Chalo jao, fresh ho kar aajao. Mai dinner set karwati hun," Maa-sa told him as he nodded his head, going away like an obedient kid.

As he went away, Maa-sa shook her head, going towards the kitchen as I followed her. We set the table with the help of some maids, as the men started filling the room. Ayaan sat at the head of the table, as Pita-saa and Maa-sa sat on one side and me and Ishaan on the other. I sat on the seat beside Ayaan's, even though it couldn't be more awkward.

Before starting to eat, all of us did a silent prayer, and I was about to start serving when I saw Pita-saa taking both hands of Maa-sa and kissing them before he served her and then himself.

Nothing could hide the pure love Pita-saa's eyes held for Maa-sa as my heart filled with awe.

"Every day, before dinner begins, Uncle kisses Auntie's hands as a ritual, thanking her for the delicious food she's prepared," Ishaan whispered in my ear, leaning over.

I smiled, looking at the couple. A little sigh escaped my lips, knowing that I could never experience this love. The dinner had finished quietly as everyone, except Ayaan, was seated in the lounge. While Pita-saa was busy with the newspaper, Maa-sa was showing me and Ishaan Ayaan's childhood album.