A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Responsibility vs Passion

As everyone gathered for breakfast, the air crackled with playful teasing. Annika found herself the target of good-natured jabs, everyone urging her to ditch the formal "Mr. Oberoi" and address Shivay by his name.

After a breakfast filled with laughter, Tej broached a serious topic. "Shivay," he began, "when are you planning a press conference? The media and public are clamoring for answers about your wedding and the rumors of a power shift within the Oberoi empire."

Shivay furrowed his brow. "I need to consider that carefully before I hold a conference," he replied thoughtfully.

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the table, a reminder of Viraj's unsettling words from the wedding day.

Annika, sensing the tension, decided to break the ice. "Actually," she announced, "I have something to say as well," her voice clear and determined.

"First and foremost, I'd prefer to keep my identity private," Annika continued. "Being known solely as the Oberoi bahu isn't something I desire."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Pinky scoffed. "See, Mummy ji? Girls dream of becoming an Oberoi bahu, and here she is, refusing the title!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with disdain.

Dadi, her eyes filled with concern, turned to Annika. "Annika, beta," she began gently, "why do you hesitate to embrace your role as our daughter-in-law? Don't you consider us your family?"

Annika, sensing Dadi's disappointment, shook her head fervently. "No, Dadi, that's not it at all! I consider you all my family now. But I also have a passion for event planning, and I want to build a name for myself in that field. If everyone knows I'm an Oberoi bahu, they'll only become my clients because of my last name, not because of my skills and hard work. I want recognition for my own talent, not for my marital status."

Pinky chimed in again, her voice dripping with condescension. "But why do you need to work? Look at Jethani ji, . She quit her job after marriage when  father-in-law asked her to focus on her duties as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Oberoi family. You have the same responsibility, Annika. How will you manage a job on top of that?"

Annika, however, bypassed Pinky's snide remark and directed her answer to Dadi. "Dadi, I don't know what circumstances led Jhanvi aunty to give up her work, but I'm not one to back down easily.  You don't have to worry. I can manage both my work and my responsibilities as an Oberoi bahu. You'll never hear a complaint about me neglecting my duties."

The room hung heavy with a tense silence. No one quite knew how to respond to Annika's bold declaration.

Dadi finally broke the silence. "Annika," she said, her voice laced with a hint of compromise, "you may continue your event planning work. However, if your job ever interferes with your duties here, you will have to choose."

Annika's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Dadi! I promise I won't disappoint you. Can I start going back to the office today?"

Dadi chuckled, a twinkle in her eye. "Not just yet, beta. You have to wait another week, until the henna on your hands fades. Until then, you're on Oberoi family duty."

Annika nodded in understanding. As everyone dispersed the weight of the new reality settled in, each carrying a storm of emotions within them. The days ahead promised both challenges and opportunities, and only time would tell how they would navigate their new normal.

As dusk painted the sky, Shivay returned home from a long day at work. He settled onto the living room couch, a weary sigh escaping his lips when Pinky, comes there. Still fuming over Annika's announcement at breakfast, she saw an opportunity to fan the flames of Shivay's discontent.

"Shivay," she began, her voice dripping with faux concern, "Mummy ji told Annika to stay at home today. But after lunch, I saw her sneaking out. It seems work is more important to her than respecting Mummy ji's wishes. After all, it means more money in her pocket. I told you she wasn't as innocent as she pretends to be. And look, she still hasn't returned!"

Pinky's words ignited a spark of anger within Shivay. The image of Annika blatantly disregarding Dadi's orders fueled his frustration. He stormed towards his room, determined to confront his wife.

After freshening up, he returned downstairs, only to be met with a sight that sent his anger soaring even higher. Annika, surrounded by the family, sat amidst lively conversation, a plate of steaming hot chaat in her hand.

"Annika!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room. The sudden outburst startled everyone, causing Annika's plate to clatter to the floor.

Annika rose, her face a mixture of shock and annoyance. "What happened, Shivay? Why are you shouting?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.

Shivay, his face contorted in fury, pointed a finger at her. "How dare you leave the house, Annika?" His booming voice left no room for explanation.

Annika's initial shock morphed into anger. Here he was, fuming at her in front of the entire family, without even bothering to hear her side. "How did I leave? On my feet, I presume! she retorted, her voice laced with defiance. "And for your information, I don't need your permission to come and go as I please."

Shivay, taken aback by her fiery response, countered, "I am your husband, and you should seek my permission before going anywhere."

"And I am your wife," Annika shot back, her voice firm, "capable of making my own decisions."

The family watched the escalating argument, their amusement barely concealed. Rudra, unable to contain his excitement, chimed in, "Go Bhabhi, wherever you want to go! We're with you!"

Shivay whirled around, his voice laced with irritation.  "Shut up, Rudra!"

Ignoring Rudra's theatrics, he then turned back to Annika, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. "Dadi asked you to stay inside for a week. How could you defy her orders?"

"Dadi never said I couldn't leave the house," Annika clarified, her voice calmer now. "She specifically asked me not to go to the office. Besides, she knew where I was going and with whom."

Shivay, however, was in no mood to listen. He cut her off, his voice dripping with authority. "From now on, you're not allowed to leave the house not even the bedroom without my permission!"

Before he could utter another word, a cold splash of water sent a jolt through his body. Annika, her anger reaching its peak, had grabbed a glass of water and thrown it on him.

"Billu ji," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "perhaps you should cool down and listen properly. I wasn't at the office. I was with Om and Rudra, at my house, fetching clothes and locking up the place. Look, those suitcases by the door? They're mine."

With that, she grabbed a suitcase and marched towards their room, leaving a bewildered Shivay and a stunned family in her wake.

Dadi, breaking the tense silence, turned to Shivay. "Billu," she said, her voice laced with disappointment, "why did you shout at her without knowing the whole story? I asked her to go with Om and Rudra to bring her belongings here.  My poor child, she just arrived five minutes ago, exhausted after packing up her entire house. And even brought chaat for everyone! She hasn't even had a chance to enjoy it."

Shivay, mortified by his actions, mumbled an apology and retreated to his room, his head hung low in shame.

Rudra, unable to contain his laughter, broke the awkward silence. "Dadi," he said playfully, "I think we'll never be bored around here. Daily entertainment is guaranteed with Bhabhi and her Billu ji!"

A wave of laughter washed over the room, the tension dissolving as quickly as it had risen.