RESTART

chapter 4

The morning sun streamed through the large windows, bathing the kitchen in a warm glow. Jeevika stood by the counter, glancing nervously at the assortment of ingredients before her. Today was her first day preparing breakfast for the entire family, and the expectation of making something sweet hung over her like a cloud.

The tradition was clear: the newlywed bride would make sweets for her in-laws as a symbol of warmth and welcome into her new family. And while Jeevika was a master of spicy dishes—something that delighted her own taste buds—she felt a little less confident when it came to making desserts. But this was important, not just because it was a ritual, but because Abhiman loved sweets.

Her heart gave a small flutter at the thought of him. The previous night had been a mixture of fear and relief, but his patience and kindness had shifted something inside her. Now, as she prepared to face the day, she wanted to do something special for him.

With a deep breath, she set to work on the **kheer**, a rich, creamy rice pudding that was a family favorite. Her hands moved skillfully, though her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how the family might react. She could already picture Abhiman’s brother, Veer, and his sister-in-law, Meera, teasing her, and the image made her smile.

As the kheer simmered on the stove, Jeevika began preparing the rest of the breakfast. **Aloo parathas** with spicy pickle—her favorite—were soon sizzling in the pan, the savory smell mingling with the sweetness of the kheer.

The kitchen was soon filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked food. Just as Jeevika finished garnishing the kheer with slivers of almonds and saffron, she heard footsteps approaching.

"Smells amazing in here!" Veer exclaimed as he walked in, followed closely by Meera. They both grinned mischievously, clearly in a mood to stir up some fun.

"Looks like bhabhi is spoiling us today!" Riddhi said, winking at Jeevika. “We’re all in for a treat, I can tell.”

Jeevika smiled shyly, wiping her hands on a towel. “I hope it turns out well. It’s my first time making kheer for everyone.”

Veer chuckled, leaning against the counter. "Bhai ko toh aaj kheer mein dooba do! He’s the real sweets lover here."

“Exactly!” Riddhi chimed in, nudging her husband playfully. “Bhai will be over the moon. He’s been waiting for this since the wedding.”

Just as she spoke, Abhiman entered the kitchen. His usual composed expression softened into a smile as his eyes landed on Jeevika. He could smell the sweetness in the air and knew she had gone out of her way to make something special, despite her love for spicier food.

Veer couldn’t resist the opportunity. He glanced between his brother and Jeevika, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "Bhai, dekho! Bhabhi ne aaj aapke liye kheer banayi hai!" Veer said, teasingly. “Lagta hai aaj sab kuch extra sweet hone wala hai.”

Abhiman gave his younger brother a mock glare, though the corners of his mouth were twitching. "Bas, Veer," he said, shaking his head, though he couldn’t hide the warmth in his eyes.

Riddhi joined in, giggling. “Oh come on, Abhiman! You’ve been quiet since last night, but we all know what’s going on. I bet bhabhi made this kheer just for you.”

Jeevika, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, lowered her eyes and busied herself with setting the dishes on the table. She wasn’t used to the teasing yet, but the lightheartedness of the moment made her feel welcome, like she was truly becoming a part of this family.

Abhiman, sensing her discomfort, decided to jump in. "Alright, enough teasing. Let’s see if the kheer lives up to its reputation," he said, moving to take a seat at the table.

Veer and Riddhi followed, still laughing, and soon the rest of the family gathered as well. Plates of **aloo parathas**, **achar**, and the fragrant kheer were passed around, and the room filled with the clinking of spoons and the hum of conversation.

Abhiman took a spoonful of the kheer and paused, savoring the flavor. Jeevika watched him from the corner of her eye, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. His expression was unreadable for a moment, and then—finally—a smile spread across his face.

“It’s perfect,” he said, meeting her eyes. “Thank you, Jeevika.”

Relief and happiness washed over her. She couldn’t help the small smile that escaped her lips, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The teasing continued around the table, but now it felt lighter, more playful. She was no longer an outsider in this dynamic but was slowly finding her place within it.

Riddhi leaned over and whispered, “You’ve set a high standard, bhabhi. Next time, I’ll help you add a bit of spice to the mix.”

Jeevika grinned, glancing at the spicy pickle on her plate. “I’d love that.”

As breakfast continued, she realized something important. It wasn’t about the food itself, or whether it was sweet or spicy. It was about creating moments of connection, about being part of something larger than herself. And for the first time since her wedding, she felt like she was truly home.

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