𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐚 | 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 |

✯ 4 ✯

Target :- 25+ vote

Author's POV:-

The morning passed, and soon they stood at the temple, the sacred chants of the panditji weaving blessings into the air. The couple exchanged glances, silent words passing between them as the rituals unfolded.

They came back home by 11am.

As both ladies entered the kitchen, the familiar scent of spices and warm memories surrounded them. They planned to make khichdi—a dish simple in preparation but rich in comfort and nourishment.

"Apne hath ke bane hua khana ek alag hi taste hoti hai," Kavita remarked, glancing at Saanvi as she skillfully chopped the vegetables, her hands moving with practiced ease.

Saanvi nodded, a small, wistful smile forming as memories of her childhood surfaced. She could almost feel the touch of her mother’s fingers feeding her, the tender way she would coax Saanvi to eat more. Those days felt like a distant dream, a warm, unreachable chapter of her past.

Her reverie was interrupted by her mother-in-law's question, spoken with casual curiosity but carrying the weight of deeper meaning.

"Ghar mein kya tum hi khana banati ho ya kaamwali behan aati hai roz khana banane ke liye?"

Saanvi’s gaze met Kavita’s briefly before she answered, "Haa mom, weekdays mein woh didi aati hai, siway Saturday aur Sunday ke. Un dino mein main khana banati hoon. Usdin hum dono ka off hota hai."

Kavita’s brow furrowed slightly, a sign that Saanvi recognized too well. "Woh sab toh thik hai," Kavita said, her tone shifting, "par aise toh tum kabhi khana banana sikhogi nahi."

Saanvi felt the words like an echo of conversations past, tinged with the subtle expectation and layered advice mothers-in-law are known for. "Shaadi ke baad ghar aur bahar ke kaam eksath kabhi manage nahi ho sakte, Saanvi beta," Kavita continued, the slight shake of her head emphasizing her point.

Listening quietly, Saanvi felt the familiar pressure settle over her. She knew where this was leading. It wasn’t just about cooking or the help; it was about priorities, sacrifices, and what her mother-in-law believed was the natural order of things.

She indirectly wants to ask her to leave the job.

Taking a steadying breath, Saanvi responded, "Main manti hoon mom, aap jo keh rahi hain woh bilkul sahi hai, par ab jo zamana hai usmein sirf ek insaan ke kamaane se ghar nahi chalti. Agar hum dono saath kaam karein, toh ek ke upar saara bojh nahi aata. Main Yash par saara pressure nahi daalna chahti."

Kavita’s expression didn’t change much, though a hint of surprise crossed her eyes. "Jitna main jaanti hoon, Munna toh bahut achi jagah pe kaam karta hai. Abhi kahan pressure hai? Haan, jab tum dono ka apna bacha hoga tab sahi hai tumhari baat. Kharcha barh jayega."

The casual mention of a baby sent a ripple through Saanvi, making her pause mid-chop.

It was the first time her mother-in-law had mentioned children so directly since their marriage.

With a small, polite hum, Saanvi signaled the end of the conversation, turning her attention back to the task at hand.

That one topic she doesn't want to stretch it more.

Later that evening, two ladies came to visit their house. They lived just across the street.

They were surprised to see Saanvi there.

“Arey, Saanvi beta, tum yaha? Kab aayi?” they asked as she served them samosas with milk tea.

Saanvi gave a polite smile and said, “Bas kuch din hui aunty.”

Kavita leaned forward and asked, “Aur bataiye, yaha kaise aana hua? Sab kuch badiya hai na? Priya kaisi hai?”

Saanvi sat beside her mother-in-law, listening intently to the conversation.

The ladies exchanged glances before one of them spoke up with a laugh.

“Wahi batane toh aayi hoon, Kavita ji,” one of the ladies said with a chuckle.

“Beta hua hai mere bahu ko. Wahi khushkhabri sunane aayi hoon,” the other lady announced, her eyes lighting up.

Saanvi stiffened in her seat. She knew Priya and her husband very well. She and Yaash had even attended their wedding.

Kavita's eyes widened in surprise before she congratulated both ladies with enthusiasm.

“Are wah, congratulations dadi aur badi dadi banne ke liye!”

Saanvi also smiled and congratulated them, though inside, she just wanted to escape the room. But there was no easy way to slip out.

“Mom, aap baat kijiye, mein bas apne kamre se aayi,” she said, getting up from the sofa.

As she took just two steps away, she overheard one of the ladies asking her mother-in-law, “Waise, aap ki baari kab ayegi, Kavita ji? Aap kab sunayenge apne ghar ki khushkhabri? Ek saal toh ho gayi...”

Saanvi’s heartbeat quickened, a wave of anxiety washing over her. She hurriedly left the room, not wanting to hear another word.

After the two ladies left, Saanvi made her way downstairs.

It was dinnertime, and Kavita was busy arranging the plates on the table.

“Kya hua, Saanvi beta? Tum achanak wahan se kyun chali gayi?” Kavita asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“Woh, Mom, boss ko ek document bhejna tha... usi ke liye room mein gayi thi,” Saanvi lied, forcing a casual smile.

Kavita nodded, seemingly satisfied. But after a moment’s pause, she hesitated before speaking again. “Waise, ek baat poochu? Bura toh nahi manegi, beta?”

“Arre nahi, Mom. Puchiye na, bura kyun manungi?” Saanvi chuckled, trying to sound lighthearted.

Kavita shifted nervously, her eyes searching Saanvi’s face. “Teri tabiyat thik hai na?”

Saanvi’s smile faltered as confusion clouded her expression. “Haan, Mom. Mein bilkul thik hoon. Achanak aapne yeh kyun poocha?”

Kavita looked around the room, as if seeking the right words. “Nahi, matlab... ab kaise kahoon... tumhari shaadi ko ek saal ho gaya hai na. Ab toh bache ke baare mein... I mean, samajh rahi ho na,” she said, her voice hesitant.

Saanvi froze, every muscle in her body tensing. A sudden wave of emotion surged through her, leaving her breathless. What could she possibly say in that moment?

“Ha, Mom... bas abhi kuch socha nahi iss baare mein,” she whispered, blinking back tears that threatened to spill. Her voice grew heavy, betraying her inner turmoil.

Kavita’s brows knitted in concern as she noticed Saanvi’s unsteady demeanor. “Kuch baat hai kya, beta?” she asked softly, leaning in.

Saanvi shook her head quickly, trying to maintain her composure. She willed herself not to break down, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Just then, Mahir and Yaash walked in, their cheerful banter breaking the tension in the room. Saanvi turned away, discreetly wiping her eyes. She silently thanked the heavens for their timing, sparing her from further questions.

“What happened? Aap log achanak itne chup kyun ho gaye?” Yash asked, chuckling as he set down his bag, his eyes moving from Kavita to Saanvi.

Kavita forced a smile, her motherly warmth masking her worry. “Nahi beta, kuch nahi. Bas aise hi baat kar rahe the,” she said, dismissing his concern.

Saanvi quickly chimed in to support her mother-in-law, though her voice was softer than usual. “Haan, aise hi... meri job ki baat ho rahi thi,” she added, hoping her tone seemed casual enough.

But Yash’s smile faltered as he noticed Saanvi subtly wiping her nose, which was tinged red. He knew that sign all too well—her nose always turned red when she’d been crying.

Saanvi shifted uncomfortably, averting her eyes as he keep on staring at her eyes asking for the unsaid answers.

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