Shiddat

Chapter 43

It was a warm Sunday morning, and the Rathore family elders had already gathered around the breakfast table, savoring the delicious spread Ananya had prepared. Cooking on Sundays had become her quiet way of expressing love for her new family—a gesture that had quickly transformed into a cherished tradition.

Footsteps echoed on the staircase as the younger members of the family trickled in. Aksh burst into the room first, still in his pajamas, dramatically sniffing the air. "Ah, the sweet aroma of parathas and unconditional love!" he declared, flopping into a chair as if he were royalty.

"Sit properly, Aksh," Maya scolded gently, trailing behind him. "You're not auditioning for a Bollywood drama."

"But I'm living the dream, Di," Aksh shot back with a cheeky grin, grabbing a paratha. "Bhabhi's Sunday breakfast is the highlight of my week. Admit it—you look forward to this as much as I do!"

Arjun walked in next, running a hand through his slightly ruffled hair. Pausing mid-step to stretch, he greeted everyone with a casual, "Morning, everyone. What's going on?" He settled into the seat beside Ananya, glancing at his brother with mild curiosity.

"Oh, nothing important," Aksh replied with mock seriousness. "Just pointing out that your wife is the best thing to happen to this family. Honestly, you should be worshipping her for this breakfast!"

Ananya laughed softly, brushing a straystrand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes met Arjun's for a brief moment, a small smile tugging at her lips, but there was a faint tension in her gaze—a quiet uncertainty that only he noticed.

Arjun smirked as he reached for the serving spoon, his fingers brushing hers as he took it. "Ignore him," he said, his voice warm, though his eyes flickered with something else. "He's just hoping for some favor."

Aksh gasped in feigned offense. "Bhai! How can you say that? I'm just speaking facts." He turned to Ananya with a dramatic flourish. "Bhabhi, I hope you know you're a national treasure."

"You're too much, Aksh," Ananya said with a laugh, shaking her head. But her hand lingered on her pendant, the weight of it suddenly feeling heavier. "Now eat before everything gets cold."

Rohan joined the table, rolling his eyes as he sat down. "One day, Aksh, you'll learn to appreciate food without turning it into a Bollywood movie scene."

"Not today, Rohan Bhai," Aksh retorted, his mouth already full of paratha.

Maya's eyes landed on Ananya, noticing something. "Anu," she said warmly, "you're wearing the pendant I gave you on your first rasoi."

Ananya's fingers instinctively touched the delicate chain around her neck, her breath catching ever so slightly. A soft blush crept onto her cheeks as she nodded, but it was clear that Maya's words had stirred something in her, a mix of gratitude and something unspoken. "Yes, I love it," she replied, her voice just a touch quieter than usual.

"It suits you beautifully," Maya said with a satisfied smile.

Sumiran, Arjun's grandmother, watched the scene with a contented smile, her eyes twinkling as they met her husband Rajveer's. He, too, looked amused, seated comfortably at the head of the table.

"Ah, it does look lovely," Sumiran agreed before turning her mischievous gaze to her grandson. "Arjun, my boy," she began with a teasing lilt, "you weren't around for Ananya's first rasoi, but you've been thoroughly enjoying her cooking every Sunday since then. Where's her gift?"

Arjun froze mid-bite, his hand tightening around the fork. His jaw clenched for a moment before he relaxed, but the tension in his posture didn't go unnoticed. "Uh, Dadi..." he started, but Sumiran cut him off with a wave of her hand.