I am his Bride... { an Indian BL saga }

Karwachauth (Part 1)

It had been two months since Ashwin and Divyansh's wedding when the auspicious day of Karwa Chauth arrived. The day carried a deep cultural significance, especially for newlywed couples. However, Ashwin was away on a business trip, managing the family enterprise, despite his mother's strict instructions to return home by evening. Divyansh, meanwhile, was about to experience his first Karwa Chauth in his new home, a blend of tradition, familial expectations, and a simmering fear of discovery.

The morning began far before sunrise. Divyansh woke up and freshened up before coming downstairs, his heart pounding with anxiety. He was constantly on edge, terrified that someone might uncover the truth about him. As he reached the main hall, he came face-to-face with his stern grandmother-in-law, Dadi Ji.

"Namaste, Dadi Ji," Divyansh said, touching her feet and trying to hide his nervousness.

"Itni late kiyon aayi?" Dadi scolded. "Tere liye sab log intizar kar rehe hai... Time ka andaza hai bhi ki nahi tujhe?" (Why were you so late? Everyone is waiting for you... Do you have any guess what time it is now?)

Divyansh's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and fear churned in his stomach. Before he could respond, his mother-in-law's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Divya, beta, idhar aana zara!" (Divya, child, come here!)

"Maaf kijiye, Dadi Ji," Divyansh muttered, quickly escaping to the kitchen. (Forgive me, Dadi ji)

There, he found his aunt-in-law, Chachi, waiting with a warm smile. "Aao, Divya. Lo, yeh pakdo apni sargi ki thali. Do you know what to do next, or should I explain?" (Come, Divya. Here, take your plate of sargi.)

Divyansh nodded, forcing a smile. "Pata hai, Choti Maa. Abhi nahane ke baad puja hai, phir shaam ko vrat todna hai." He took the plate of sargi from her, his hands slightly trembling. "Aap log nahi khayengi?" (I know it Chhoti Maa. After bathing, there will be the puja and we can break our fasts in the evening. Are you not going to eat?)

Before anyone could respond, Arthit, Divyansh's playful brother-in-law, hopped into the kitchen with his signature cheeky grin. "Did someone say something about eating?"

Chachi pulled his ear lightly. "Dekho, khane ka naam liya aur kumbhkaran hazir! Roz jaldi uthne ko bolti hoon, tab toh uthta nahi. Aaj suraj ugne se pehle kaise uth gaya?" (See, just as we started talking about eating, Kumbhkaran is here! When I tell you to get up early every single day, you never listen to me. So, how are you awake before the sun today?)

Arthit tried hiding behind Divyansh, which was amusing since he towered over him. "Bhabhi! Dekho na, Mumma mera mazaak uda rahi hai!" he whined. (Bhabhi! See, Mumma is making fun of me!)

Maa joined in the teasing. "Aaj tujhe itni jaldi bhookh kyun lag gayi?" (How did you get hungry so early in the morning today?)

Arthit pouted dramatically. "Badi Maa! Aapko pata hai na, mujhe sargi kitni pasand hai!" (Badi Maa! You know how much I love to have sargi!)

Chachi laughed. "Haan, pata hai mujhe. Bachpan se har saal subah uth kar sab ke saath sargi jo khata hai. Tere liye bhi ek plate rakhi hai." (Yes, I do! You've been getting up early every year to have sargi with us since childhood. I've saved a plate for you too.)

She handed him a plate, and Arthit's face lit up as he began munching. "Umm... as tasty as ever!"

Dadi Ji walked into the kitchen, her cane tapping against the marble floor, her Tulsi mala in hand. She saw Arthit devouring the sargi and then fixed her piercing gaze on Divyansh.

"Hay Ram, satyanash ho tera! Arthit, tu yeh sargi kyun kha raha hai? Aur, Choti Bahu, tum isse rokti kyun nahi? Tumhare andar bilkul bhi samajh nahi hai!" (Oh God, you'll be ruined! Arthit, why are you having sargi? And, you, Chhoti Bahu, why are you not stopping him? Do you have any sense or no!)