Chapter 8

*Anusha Pov*

I am definitely going to fail! I thought, staring at these two women who are behaving like I took some tonic and became invisible.

I cleared my throat entering the kitchen and finally mumbled, “Uhm… Aunty!”

“What is it?” Bhabhi asked and I turned to stare at her with a smile even though she has a very impatient expression.

“Can I help?” I asked and aunty immediately replied with a ‘No!’

Well, that went too well and now what else can I do. But then I can’t live with the people who don’t like me with peace, right.

Well, if a client says the same thing what would you do, Anu? I asked myself and nodded to myself thinking of this solution.

“I want to help and learn the things.” I said not backing down and finally, I was given a set of carrots to peel before they turned back to their works.

Aunty continued to clean the utensils, making me frown and I asked calmly, “Isn’t there a maid?”

“Mom doesn’t like outside people involving in house matters much. So, the help is for the work outside the house only.” Bhabhi replied and stared at me.

When Aunty sighed, I realized they are communicating like still an outsider entered their place now and they can’t do anything about it. No! You are thinking too negatively, Anu.

After five minutes the question the revolved in my head was, what have I got myself into? The peel is not at all coming no matter how many times I am trying.

“Like this!” Bhabhi said, moving my hand and I glanced at her to thank her but saw that she is trying not to laugh at me.

“This is my first time in the kitchen.” I explained and she looked surprised.

“First time? What were you doing all these years? Didn’t your Mom say anything?” she asked curiously.

“Err… I used to go to work on holidays as part-time and then after college, I joined the internship and proper job.” I explained not wishing to talk about Mom’s cooking skills.

“Your Mom was fine with it?” she asked frowning.

“Actually, Mom was also busy with charities and then some other stuff.” I replied feeling uncomfortable.

“Never thought such Moms are there.” She commented, shaking her head in complete against whatever My Mom and I were doing.

“My Mom would think the same about what is happening here.” I commented back feeling angry for my Mom’s sake.

“Manvi! Don’t you see there is work here and you are spending it with unnecessary words?” Aunty’s voice reached us breaking the glare of Bhabhi.

“Bhabhi!” I called her, hoping she didn’t take my words to heart.

“It’s Manvi for you.” Saying that she walked off towards Aunty.

I frowned but continued to peel now that she showed me how to do it and finally I sighed in relief before turning around to see both of them near the stove.

“Here!” I said, showing the peeled carrots.

“We prepared another curry.” Manvi said, showing the dish on the stove making me frown.

“Then these?” I asked, gesturing the peeled ones.

“We couldn’t wait until you finished, Anusha. Within a few minutes, the carriage needs to be prepared to take it to the company.” She explained and I stepped back.

Well, she is not wrong because I really took too much time. However, she should have told me that before only.

I glanced at the carrots thinking I need not let my work get wasted here. I immediately smiled and washed them and took a knife before reaching the kitchen platform.

Holding my saree end and tucking it in, I took out the knife and started cutting them properly even though getting uneven pieces. But in the end the cutting was perfect and I grinned at my achievement.

I glanced at them to see that they are packing the boxes and the stove is empty. Should I jump at this too on my first day or leave at this little accomplishment.

No! I have to see how tough this is to be well prepared, right? Just like how you do a trial to know how many mistakes are in a project before correcting them.

You are amazing, Anu! I thought, patting myself mentally, and moved near there with the carrot pieces.

I opened the video on my mobile after searching for a simple curry procedure. I looked around for a proper utensil but couldn’t find one.

“Thanks!” I said the moment Manvi placed the needed one before me.

“It’s okay! Just be careful with your Saree. Aunty asked me to tell you.” She advised and they both walked out of the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath, I played the video and started preparing while pausing in between and throwing a few things on the floor.

I frowned, looking at the dish that got prepared, and waited for it to be ready properly. When my phone started ringing, I lifted it up, smiling.

“Hey! You are coming home?” I asked, smiling, and glanced at the entrance to see no one present.

“Where are you?” he asked and I replied saying home.

“Okay! I am going to have lunch with my friends.” He replied making me frown.

“Satvik! It will be really awkward with just three of us like morning.” I pointed out.

“I know! I didn’t want to stay back, but this is kind of important. And don’t think like that at all. My Mom and Bhabhi will be normal in no time.” He mumbled and I stopped myself from saying ‘Yeah, right!’.

“I prepared my first curry today.” I pleaded with him sighing.

“Really? What is it?” he asked curiously and I turned around to stare at my dish.

“It is burnt one!” I stated looking at the state it went.

“What?” he asked in a confused tone.

“Leave it! We will talk in the evening.” I replied, hanging up feeling shocked that so suddenly the curry just got burnt.

Taking the dish away, I took a piece and placed it in my mouth chewing. It is definitely burnt but it is salty too, and spices are too much.

Throwing the curry in the dustbin, I placed the bowl in the basin to fill it with water. Remembering what Aunty did, I took the piece and started scrubbing off the utensil for the next ten minutes before cleaning it properly.

Well, this is a saving grace, then for the burnt curry! I thought turning around and stopped in my tracks looking at Aunty and Manvi.

“It got burnt!” I gave the explanation to which Manvi raised her eyebrows while Aunty just walked towards a cabin and took out the plates.

“Satvik will not come for lunch.” I added and she immediately dumped one plate back into the cupboard.

“Aunty! Please don’t be this angry.” I said, walking near to her.

“I don’t know you to be angry at you. I am angry at my son.” Saying that she walked off and I sighed following her.

“Then get to know me.” I said, standing near her.

“It is my wish whether I want to know you or not. You wanted to stay here and you got your wish. Now, just don’t disturb the peace any more than what is already disturbed.” Saying that she gestured me to sit before placing the plate before me.

The lunch was a complete silent affair, but still, somehow I tried to stay with them only until they left to take a nap.

I too left for my room and took a notebook from my stuff before making a note of all the mistakes I found with the curry.

Then I sat down and played the videos on my laptop to find easy recipes. Well, I need to start this from tomorrow onwards and maybe it would be better if I buy some vegetables myself for these experiments.

I shouldn’t disturb their grocery things until I feel confident to give out proper dishes. I was so into thinking that I screamed when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Satvik! You scared me.” I said hitting on his leg.

“I called you, Sha. You didn’t hear me.” He explained and sat beside me on the floor.

“So, what are you doing?” he asked, looking at my notebook and the laptop I am using.

“Trying to woo your Mom.” I replied and he immediately frowned.

“You need not do anything which you don’t like to, Sha. She will come around herself and you need not do this.” He said holding my hand.

“Well, I am free now and I think it is useful to learn all this. I just wish someone can teach me though.” I commented.

“You can ask Mom.” He suggested and I couldn’t help but snort making him frown.

“I am her least favorite at present and she is uncomfortable in my presence. I think it is better if I do it by myself. And don’t start suggesting your Bhabhi. We both already had a difference of opinion within a few minutes.” I explained and he frowned more with worry covering his features.

“They are acting too much like I did a crime or something.” He mumbled shaking his head.

“Well, we both did as per our family views. Seems like my brother is the only sensible one in the lot.” I said, showing the frustration I felt today in the kitchen with their behavior.

“I am sorry for leaving you alone here on the first day, but I had to talk to a few friends of mine.” He said pulling me in his arms.

“What so important?” I asked, closing my eyes.

“I am thinking of starting an Advertisement agency with a few friends.” He replied and I immediately moved out of his hold.

“What?” I asked, feeling shocked.

“Yeah! This work I am doing at my Dad’s company is not my thing, Sha. But still, I went along and when I don’t show the passion he is not leaving me alone. Then the day before yesterday he commented I have the job just because I am his son. What is the need for me to work there anymore with no passion and with such a tag? So, I am thinking to leave the job there and even got the needed capital.” He explained while I stared at him getting worried minute by minute.

“Satvik! You are upset and I can understand that. But jumping into this feeling that is not good.” I said holding his hand.

“This is not without thinking, Sha. I am getting the plans ready and I will show them. Within a few days, all the plans will be ready.” He assured me smiling.

“Your family will think this is because of me and they will never like me.” I whispered and this time he frowned.

“Our family! And why would they think of you as the reason? I will let them know why I took this decision. Anyway, I am not going to tell them until the plans are ready, but I will be giving my week’s notice within a few days.” He said taking my notebook and started going through the notes while I was lost in my thoughts.

*Satvik Pov*

“Satvik!” she called when I was placing my clothes in the laundry bag.

“What is it?” I asked turning towards her.

“Just like that, will you place your eaten plate in the kitchen sink?” she asked and I looked at her surprised.

“Sure!” I replied, nodding and she smiled nodding back.

“Is it dinner time? I am feeling hungry with not much food passing into my mouth in the morning and even in afternoon.” She said rubbing her stomach and I again felt guilty.

“Next time will control my emotions and will be there with you during lunch also, okay?” I asked, placing my hands on her cheeks.

“Okay! Now, can we go?” she asked, placing her hands on mine.

“After…” I trailed off stepping closer.

“After what?” she asked teasingly.

“After this!” I replied, pressing my lips to hers and pulled her closer.

“Satvik! I am really hungry.” She whispered and her stomach too growled.

“Okay, Okay! Let’s go!” I said, holding her hand and we both walked out of our room to climb down the stairs but met Bhai and Bhabhi on the way.

We stepped back and let them pass before following them. Before I would have just walked off before them, but after my marriage, everyone is behaving like I am some criminal and it is somehow making me reluctant to be my useful self.

The dinner was filled with a completely unusual silence and I kept on glancing at each one of them, but they behaved like we both are not here.

“This curry is nice.” I said starting the conversation.

“Your wife didn’t make it.” Bhabhi commented making me frown.

“Do you remember the first dish you prepared in this house, Bhabhi?” I asked staring at her.

“I was nervous!” she stated frowning remembering her burnt dish.

“Well, after knowing everything you burnt it, but without knowing anything she did. Isn’t that right?” I asked, ignoring Anusha’s hand pinching my thigh.

“But from next one she did amazingly. Can you say the same?” Mom involved making me frown at her.

“Mom!” I whispered, but couldn’t say anything.

“Can we have dinner in silence?” Dad asked everyone and we finished as he wished.

I stood up and started walking off but heard a throat clearing. I turned to see Anusha gesturing my plate and then I remembered what she asked me to do.

I nodded, smiling, and took my plate before stepping into the kitchen with her following holding her plate. Then she started cleaning both of ours after we washed our hands.

“Good work, husband. Now, make it a habit.” She said, patting my shoulder.

“Good work to you too, Wife.” I said, gesturing the cleaned plates.

After that, we both walked out of the kitchen to see everyone looking at me in shock except Mom who is frowning.

“If there was a problem in taking his plate, I would have done it.” Mom commented and I wish I can say something.

“Aunty! When they can eat, they can take them to the basin also.” Anusha commented back.

“This was how it is done always.” Bhabhi pointed out.

“Then it can be changed. It’s not like she is asking everyone to do it. It is my wish whether to follow it or not and I feel this is a good thing.” I said everything I wish to when Mom commented but now I threw the words at Bhabhi.

Anusha and I walked out from the dining area and I stopped when we reached the stairs making her look at me.

“We generally stay back in the living room and spend some time.” I mumbled frowning.

“But I don’t think they would wish to with me present.” She commented and I slowly nodded.

“Why don’t you stay back and chat while I go to our room?” she suggested making me shake my head.

“We both will go to our room.” I said holding her hand.

“No! They will be more upset. Try to make them less upset.” She whispered, but I continued to frown.

“So that they will accept me soon. You are the blocking for that right now.” She added making me laugh.

“Fine!” I said, nodding.

“You were replying to your Mom’s words earlier when you are giving answers to Manvi, right?” she asked and I nodded.

“I can’t say anything which can hurt her, Sha. I really can’t.” I replied and she nodded understandingly.

“Go!” she whispered, smiling, and started climbing the stairs to reach our room.

“She mocked our way of doing things. Can you believe that?” Bhabhi asked the moment I sat down in the living room.

“Bhabhi! If she had really done that without any reason, then you wouldn’t have stayed this calm.” I said sighing.

“So, your Bhabhi is lying now?” Mom asked frowning at me.

“Mom! Leave it!” I replied, shaking my head.

“Show some respect to your Bhabhi, Satvik. You are being too rude to her.” Bhai suddenly said and I looked at him in shock along with Bhabhi.

“I don’t see you doing the same for my wife ignoring that she was even sitting beside you.” I mumbled standing up.

“Enjoy your time!” saying that I walked off realizing it was a mistake to be here when they are looking at everything in such a bad opinion.

“What happened?” Anusha asked the moment I walked into our room.

“Now, Bhabhi is complaining that you mocked our ways.” I explained making her frown.

“I didn’t mock! I just replied to her comment in the same style.” She whispered and I sighed, realizing something actually happened while I thought Bhabhi was just saying such things.

“Just be careful near Bhabhi. We will feel bad for some things she says, but this family is used to her ways knowing that is how she is. So, you will be pointed out for your reaction and not her action.” I explained and she stared at me dumbstruck.

“But she will help you for sure no matter what that is.” I added and for that, she nodded.

“Her words her harsh, but she is not.” She commented and I nodded.

“Uff! This is not at all what I expected and today is just the first day.” She mumbled, walking near the bed and lay down on it.

“I can imagine! But just for a few days until they adopt all this. This is shocking for them, right.” I explained following her suit.

“Hmm!” she made the sound, staring at me.

“Let’s wait and see what more happens and when it will stop.” She whispered and I moved to press a kiss to her forehead before pulling her in my arms and we both drifted off into sleep.