Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-33: The First Bite of Forever

The spoon trembled slightly in her hand, not from fear but from the weight of the moment. Feeding him felt too intimate, too raw for two people who barely knew each other.

The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the room as I sat on the edge of the plush sofa, my lehenga spread delicately around me. The room was a subtle blend of luxury and warmth, but I could barely focus on my surroundings. My thoughts were racing, and the weight of what was about to happen was pressing heavily on my chest.

Ansh, oblivious to my turmoil, was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, playing with a toy car. His giggles as he made the car zoom around the imaginary track gave me a faint smile. At least someone was having a good time.

Just as I was starting to get lost in my thoughts again, there was a knock on the door. Before I could respond, the door opened, and in walked Neyonika Aunty, Mukti, and Alya. Their energy instantly filled the room, and I stood up hurriedly, adjusting my dupatta.

I bent slightly to touch Neyonika Aunty’s feet. “Namaste, Aunty,” I said softly.

She placed her hand on my head, her smile warm and genuine. “God bless you, beta. You look beautiful.”

Before I could respond, she reached for a small black mark on her wrist and gently put a kala tika behind my ear. “For protection,” she said, her voice maternal.

“Thank you,” I replied, my heart softening a little at her gesture.

Mukti and Alya wasted no time in enveloping me in a hug, nearly squeezing the life out of me.

“Wow, Nandini,” Mukti said as she pulled back, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “You look like a dream.”

“Manik is going to lose his mind,” Alya added with a wink.

I laughed lightly, shaking my head. “You two are no less. You both look stunning.”

Mukti flipped her hair dramatically. “Of course, we do. We have to match the vibes of this grand occasion, don’t we?”

Before I could respond, Alya leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, Nandu, tell us, how does it feel? Any butterflies?”

“Or are you already imagining your happily-ever-after with Manik?” Mukti added, her grin wide and teasing.

I rolled my eyes at them, though a small smile played on my lips. “You two are impossible. Can’t you leave me alone for one day?”

“Not a chance,” Mukti said, crossing her arms.

“Girls,” Aunty interjected gently, her tone firm but kind. “Stop troubling her. She’s already nervous as it is.”

“Sorry, aunty,” they chorused, though their grins said they weren’t sorry at all.

She gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, beta. Everything will be fine. I’ll see you downstairs soon.”

With that, she guided Mukti and Alya out of the room, leaving me alone with Rudraksh Bhai, Prisha Bhabhi, and Ansh.

As the door clicked shut, Bhabhi walked over and sat beside me, taking my hands in hers. “You know, Nandu,” she said softly, “this smile of yours? It suits you. You should keep it on more often.”

I chuckled weakly. “Easier said than done, Bhabhi.”

Bhai knelt in front of me, his expression serious. “She’s right, Choti. I know this isn’t what you wanted. But I truly believe you won’t regret this decision. Manik is a good guy. He’s stubborn and maybe a little too blunt at times, but he has a good heart. I’ve seen it.”