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

Diwali Shopping 🛒

The days after Karwachauth were quieter, but the silence often brought its own weight. Divyansh endured his grandmother’s biting remarks with practiced resilience. Compared to the wounds left by his parents’ words, Dadi’s constant reminders of his perceived inadequacies were tolerable, though they still cut deep. Despite the efforts of the other family members to shield him, they couldn’t always succeed.

Time trudged forward, and soon, the preparations for Diwali were in full swing. It was a crisp, sunny Sunday morning when Maa decided it was time for shopping.

Maa, sitting comfortably in the armchair in the living room, called out, “Divya beta, aaj Ashwin ke saath jaake yeh saman le aao.” She handed him a list with a smile. (Divya, go with Ashwin today and get these stuff.)

Ashwin, lounging lazily on the couch, glanced at the list. His expression soured. “Nope, I’m not going,” he declared with exaggerated finality.

Maa’s eyes narrowed. “Aur kyun nahi jayega?” (And why are you not going?)

“I have other plans,” Ashwin replied casually, clearly not taking her irritation seriously.

“Shopping ke baad chale jaana,” Maa retorted, unwilling to relent. (Go after shopping.)

Before Ashwin could argue further, Dadi entered the room, her tulsi mala rolling rhythmically between her fingers.

“Main akele chali jaungi, Maa,” Divyansh interrupted softly, his docile voice barely rising above the tension. “Koi baat nahi, aap chinta mat kijiye.” (Maa, I will go alone. It's okay, you don't have to worry about it.)

Maa was having none of it. “Tu chup reh! Yeh gadha jayega tere saath!” she snapped, glaring at Ashwin. (Keep quiet! This idiot is going with you!(

Dadi, who had been quietly observing, decided to intervene. “Arre, jane de na usse akele! Jab wo bol rahi hai ke wo chali jayegi, toh Ashwin ko pareshan kyun kar rahi hai?” Her voice carried a sharp edge of annoyance. “Wese bhi, sara din karti kya hai yeh ladki? Subah muh uthake college chali jaati hai, shaam ko aake padhne baith jaati hai, phir peet bhar ke khaana khati hai aur sone chali jaati hai. Bhagwan jaane yeh mere Ashwin ko khush bhi kar paati hai ya nahi…” she muttered under her breath. (Hey, let her go alone! When she is telling that she can go alone, why are you disturbing Ashwin? Nevertheless, what work does this girl do the entire day? She goes to college in the morning, then has her fill in the evening and goes to sleep. God knows if she is even able to satisfy my Ashwin or not...)

Divyansh, who had grown accustomed to such comments, lowered his head, hands trembling slightly. “Maa, main akele chali jaungi,” he repeated, voice even quieter. “Aap chinta mat kijiye.” (Maa, I will go alone. It's okay, you don't have to worry about it.)

Ashwin, despite his earlier reluctance, felt a pang of guilt. He hated seeing Dadi unfairly berate Divyansh for things beyond his control.

“Maa, main jaunga Divya ke saath,” Ashwin said suddenly, standing up. “List dijiye.” (Maa, I will go with Divya. Give me the list.)

Divyansh looked up, startled. “Aapko sach mein jaane ki zarurat nahi hai,” he murmured hesitantly. “Aapko aur bhi zaruri kaam honge.” (You really don't need to come with me. You must have other important work.)

Maa, sensing the shift in Ashwin’s tone, handed him the list with a smile, though her eyes flicked briefly to Dadi, silently cursing her for her harshness.

“It’s no problem, Diya,” Ashwin said gently, slipping the list into his pocket. “I wasn’t doing anything important. Chale?” He stood, ready to leave. (Let's go?)

Divyansh nodded, adjusting his pallu nervously. “Ji,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Before stepping out, he bent to touch Dadi and Maa’s feet, a quiet display of respect ingrained in him despite everything. (Yes.)