ch-11. A Stepmom's Scheme, a Daughter-in-Law's Strength

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Eager to make a good impression, Annika darted past Shivay and hurried to the dressing table. Visions of Dadi's disapproval spurred her on as she tamed her unruly hair and applied a touch of makeup. Shivay chuckled at her flurry of activity, then opened the door to find Priyanka waiting impatiently.

Priyanka flashed Shivay a quick grin before turning to Annika. "Come on, slowpoke," she teased, "unless you want a first-day scolding as the new Oberoi bahu."

With a playful tug, Priyanka whisked Annika away, leaving Shivay to watch their blossoming camaraderie with amusement.

The car ride to the temple was a stark contrast to the morning's awkward tension. Laughter and playful banter filled the air as Annika and Priyanka chatted animatedly.

At the temple, Dadi's face lit up with approval upon seeing Annika draped in the traditional saree.  Her disappointment from the previous night had vanished, replaced by pride.  The ceremony itself was a whirlwind of chanting priests, fragrant incense smoke, and colorful offerings.  Despite the unfamiliar rituals, Annika found comfort in Shivay's presence, stealing glances at him throughout the day.

After returning home, Shivay headed off to work, leaving Annika alone in her room. The day's events replayed in her mind – the unfamiliar traditions, the watchful eyes of the Oberoi family, the surprisingly fun time with Priyanka. Exhaustion battled with a sliver of hope in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this arranged marriage wouldn't be all bad.

Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the peace. "Come in," she called out, her voice swallowed by the vastness of the room.

The door creaked open, revealing a maid who curtly announced, "Pinky Madam has summoned you to her chambers."  With a nod, she followed the maid, her curiosity piqued.

Pinky, adorned in a silk saree, sat regally on a plush couch, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Annika, my dear," she began in a saccharine tone, "as a new addition to the Oberoi family, you must participate in our first rasoi ritual. It's a way to welcome our new daughters-in-law." Annika offered a polite nod, still unsure where this conversation was headed.

Pinky's smile widened, revealing a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Our rituals are a tad… unique, of course. You'll be preparing a feast for a hundred guests, entirely by yourself. Five delectable dishes, mind you, to be distributed amongst the less fortunate."

Annika's jaw nearly hit the floor. A hundred people? Five dishes? Alone? This first rasoi was shaping up to be more of an obstacle course.

"Sheela will escort you to the makeshift kitchen in the garden," Pinky continued, gesturing to the impassive maid beside her. "Good luck, my dear. May the kitchen gods be ever in your favor."

With a pointed look from Sheela, Annika knew this was no ordinary test. Pinky's seemingly sweet welcome had a bitter aftertaste, and Annika couldn't help but wonder what culinary chaos awaited her in the garden.

Annika followed Sheela, her nerves tightening with each step. Emerging from the opulent mansion, they entered a sprawling garden, a stark contrast to the luxurious interior. But her heart plummeted at the sight that awaited her – a tiny, makeshift kitchen. It was a far cry from a professional setup, consisting of a single gas stove, a rickety table, and a collection of utensils that had clearly seen better days.

"This is all you get, Madam," Sheela announced curtly, offering no assistance. Dismay flooded Annika as she surveyed the meager resources. How on earth was she supposed to prepare a feast for a hundred people with these limitations?

Steeling her resolve, Annika set about the task at hand. She rummaged through the dusty cupboards, unearthing a mismatched assortment of pots and pans. The ingredients weren't much better – a few wilted vegetables, spices of questionable quality, and a bag of rice that seemed to harbor unwanted visitors.

Despite the daunting circumstances, a spark of defiance ignited within Annika. Pinky's little test wouldn't break her. Memories of her teenage years, working in a restaurant to earn extra money, flooded back. With practiced efficiency, she meticulously cleaned the vegetables, chopped them with speed, and began crafting a menu that maximized flavor with minimal resources.

Hours melted away as Annika transformed the limited ingredients into a symphony of aromas. A simple lentil dal simmered on the stove, its earthy fragrance filling the air. A vibrant vegetable stir-fry sizzled in a pan, promising a burst of color and taste. She even managed to whip up a surprisingly delicious chutney using the questionable spices, its tangy flavor adding a delightful contrast.

Exhaustion washed over Annika as she finished the last dish. Surveying the makeshift feast before her, a deep sense of accomplishment bloomed in her chest. Despite the lack of a fancy kitchen or a team of helpers, she had created something delicious.

Meanwhile, Pinky, back in her room, checked the time. Three hours had passed since Annika had been sent to the kitchen. With a malicious glint in her eye, she instructed her maid Sheela to bring a hundred beggars to the mansion.

An hour later, a hundred bewildered beggars sat outside the garden, waiting for a meal they didn't understand. Pinky, brimming with false concern, sashayed into the garden, convinced that with such limited resources and time, Annika wouldn't have been able to cook anything substantial. Feeding a hundred people was unheard of in the Oberoi household. The whole thing had been a ploy to torture Annika and establish her dominance. Pinky envisioned the beggars leaving hungry, tarnishing Annika and Shivay's reputation in the process.

But as she entered the garden, her face contorted in shock. The beggars were not famished or disgruntled. Instead, they were digging into the food with gusto, their faces lit with genuine smiles. Praise and blessings for the kind-hearted cook flowed freely. Pinky fumed in silent anger. Her carefully crafted plan had backfired spectacularly.

Masking her emotions, Pinky approached the beggars. "Thank you all for coming," she said, her voice dripping with forced sweetness, "and for giving my daughter-in-law your blessings." With that, she retreated to her room, her face thunderous.

Annika, meanwhile, was completely drained. Cooking for four hours straight, standing on her feet without a break, had taken its toll. Exhausted but content, she returned to her room and collapsed onto the bed, sleep claiming her almost instantly.

***************************************

Shivay returned home to a silent mansion, the late hour casting long shadows through the hallways. He found Annika fast asleep in their room. After changing into his sleepwear, Shivay felt a pang of hunger and decided to grab a bite from the kitchen.

As he entered the kitchen, a hushed conversation between two maids caught his ear. Straining to listen, his blood ran cold. The maids were gossiping about Annika, their voices laced with sympathy.

"I feel so terrible for the new bahu," one maid whispered sympathetically. "It's her first day, and Pinky Madam made up some story about a house ritual, asking her to cook for a hundred people! She even went and set up a makeshift kitchen in the garden. Poor thing, she had to cook in that scorching heat with barely any ingredients or proper utensils."

The other maid chimed in, her voice laced with cynicism. "They say a stepmother can never truly be a mother, don't they? I wonder if Pinky Madam will make Rohit Babu's wife cook for a hundred people too, just like she did Shivay Babu's wife."

Shivay's fists clenched with fury. The simmering resentment towards Pinky for her constant meddling finally boiled over.He stormed out of the kitchen, his mind racing with a plan.

Tomorrow he would make a decision that would change everything. He would ensure Annika wouldn't be subjected to such treatment any longer.

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