The morning light streamed gently through the sheer curtains of her room. Diya stirred from sleep, her body still curved slightly in the position she had fallen asleep in. But the warmth she felt wasn't from the blanket - it was from the lingering calm of last night.
She sat up slowly and looked at the clock.
6:15 AM.
Realising what day it was, her eyes widened a little. Pehli rasoi... in her new home. Saxena House.
She got up, showered, and carefully wore the outfit she had picked the night before - a deep red salwar suit, elegant and full-sleeved, with delicate golden thread embroidery near the cuffs and neckline. Her wet hair was softly towel-dried and parted neatly, falling down her back. She applied a small bindi, lightly kohled her eyes, and wore a pair of golden bangles - not too many, just enough to chime gently as she moved.
She took a long breath in front of the mirror.
"Nayi shuruat hai, Diya... sab theek ho jaaye bas."
She walked downstairs quietly, the house still wrapped in the silence of dawn. But the aroma of incense from the temple corner told her Komal ji was already awake.
The kitchen was larger than she expected , yet carried the warmth of a family home. There were old spice jars labelled in faded ink, a small stool near the gas stove, and a stack of steel tiffins on one shelf. Every corner felt lived-in, cherished.
Diya tied her dupatta around her waist and began prepping for halwa, the traditional first sweet of the bride.
She carefully roasted the suji in ghee, letting it turn golden and fragrant. She added milk, sugar, crushed elaichi, and a generous sprinkle of dry fruits.
She didn't want to disturb anyone yet - she wanted them to wake up to the smell of home.
Just as she was garnishing it with almonds, a soft voice came from the doorway.
"Tum subah se kitchen mein ho?"
She turned.
It was Komal ji, dressed in a soft cotton saree, her hair tied back in a neat bun, a surprised but gentle expression on her face.
Diya immediately stepped back from the stove, folding her hands.
"Namaste maa... aapko utha diya?"
Komal ji walked closer, her eyes falling on the halwa.
"Nahi beta... mujhe toh iski khushboo ne jaga diya. Itni suhani khushboo... yaad aa gaya jab main pehli baar iss kitchen mein aayi thi."
Diya smiled softly, suddenly nervous.
"Maa... aaj meri pehli rasoi hai. Socha halwa se shuru karu. Bas dua kijiye sabko pasand aaye."
Komal ji took a spoon, dipped it into the halwa gently, and tasted it.
She looked at Diya, paused, and said:
"Sirf pasand nahi aaya, Diya... yeh toh mann jeet lene wala hai. Tumne sach mein dil laga ke banaya hai."
Diya's eyes welled up just slightly, but she quickly blinked them away.
"Aap sabne itna pyaar diya... toh khud-bakhud pyaar aa gaya haathon mein bhi."
Komal ji touched her cheek softly.
"Bahut khush raho. Aur yaad raho - yeh ab tumhara ghar hai. Kitchen bhi tumhara hai. Tumhare haathon ka pehla swaad... is ghar ki sabse pyaari yaad ban gaya hai."
Just then, a sleepy voice interrupted.
"Maa... kitchen mein itni meethi meethi khushboo..."
It was Agni, still in his nightwear, his hair messy, but his eyes lighting up the moment he saw Diya in red.
YOU ARE READING
"Ehsaas"~ A Story Of Falling In Love
Romance"For all the girls who crave a love that's gentle in the daylight yet consuming in the dark. The kind of man who holds your hand with warmth, speaks with quiet devotion, and protects you like his own heart-until the door closes. Then, he's all fire...
