After taking the blessings from the elders and handing over the money to Sakshi in exchange for my shoes, we all went to have lunch. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes filled the dining hall, making it feel warm and festive.

Once the food was served, Dad suddenly raised his hand. "Are.... are.... ruko.... (Hey.... hey.... wait....)"

"Kya hua dad....?? (What happened, Dad....??)" I asked, curious and slightly puzzled.

"Bhai dekho.... Shivansh.... Kavyashree.... tum dono ke liye ek challenge hai.... (Listen.... Shivansh.... Kavyashree.... I have a challenge for both of you....)" Dad said, a playful twinkle in his eyes.

Amused, I raised an eyebrow. "Kaisa challenge dad....?? (What kind of challenge, Dad....??)"

"To bhai challenge ye hai ki.... tum dono ko bina haath mode.... khaana khana hoga.... (So.... the challenge is.... you are not supposed to fold your hands while eating....)" Dad said with a smile.

Kavyashree and I were left dumbstruck, staring at each other in disbelief, while everyone else happily dug into their lunch. How are we supposed to eat without folding our hands? I wondered.

Suddenly, Kavyashree took a spoonful of Kheer and held it out to me. I blinked in surprise. "Ye aap kya kar rahi hai Ms. Sharma....?? (What are you doing Ms. Sharma....??)"

She smiled mischievously. "Rajesh uncle ka challenge pura kar rahi hoon.... (I’m completing the challenge given by Rajesh uncle....)"

I raised an eyebrow. Wait, she’s actually doing it?

"Oho.... Mr. Singhania.... Rajesh uncle ne kaha tha na.... Ki hum apne haath mod nahi sakte.... mera to haath nahi mud raha.... (Oho.... Mr. Singhania.... Rajesh uncle had said we cannot fold our hands.... see, my hands aren’t folding....)" she added, a playful glint in her eyes.

I leaned forward and ate the Kheer she offered, then gently fed her a spoonful in return. This is… unexpectedly sweet… I thought, feeling a warm flutter in my chest.

"Ms. Sharma.... may I ask you something....??" I asked, still feeding her.

She fed me another bite and hummed in response. "Can you please call me Shivansh.... instead of.... Mr. Singhania....??" She just nodded with a smile.

Few moments later "Shivansh... can I ask something too...??" She said, feeding me another bite of puri.

Her words made my heart skip. She actually called me Shivansh… I felt my ears grow warm, a blush creeping across my cheeks. I could only hum in response, my mouth full.

She smiled softly, "To aap bhi mujhe Ms. Sharma mat bulayie.... Kavyashree.... ya sab jaise Shree bolte hai.... vaise hi bulayiye.... (You also don’t call me Ms. Sharma.... instead call me Kavyashree.... or Shree like everyone else....)"

I smiled back, my voice low and earnest. "Jo sab bulate hai vo mai nahi bulaunga.... kyunki.... aap kisi aur ke liye special ho ya nahi.... par mere liye to hai.... isiliye kucch special naam to banta hai.... (What everyone calls you.... I won’t use that.... because…. you might not be special to them, but for me, you are.... so you deserve a special name....)"

Kavyashree chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Accha.... to kya naam se bulayenge aap....?? (Hmm okay.... then by what name will you call me....??)"

I grinned. "Kavya.... Kavya thik hai...?? (Kavya.... Kavya sounds good, no....??)"

She smiled and hummed softly in response.

I feel like the happiest person alive today, I thought, my heart swelling. I had married the woman I fell in love with at first sight. She had fed me with her hands, called me by my name—it all felt surreal.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Kavya said, "Shivansh.... chaliye.... shaam ko reception ke liye tayyar nahi hona hai....?? (Shivansh.... come on.... aren’t you going to get ready for the reception....??)"

I smiled and nodded. After finishing lunch, we returned to our rooms to prepare for the evening reception, which started at 7:30 P.M. Guests began arriving, and our family members were busy welcoming everyone.

By around 8 P.M., we stepped out. I wore an off-white sherwani with mojdis, accessorized with a Titan watch. Then I saw Kavya.

Oh God. She looked breathtaking. A maroon Banarasi silk saree draped perfectly over her, adorned with diamond jewelry. Her red choora still gleamed on her wrists, hair tied in a sleek bun with jasmine gajra, her maang parted neatly with sindoor. She looked ethereal, like a vision out of a dream. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, my mind threatening to wander to all kinds of naughty thoughts. I quickly pushed them aside as guests came to greet us.

It was around 1 A.M. when the photo session ended, and almost all the guests had left. Kavya turned to me, eyes sparkling. "Shivansh.... I'm hungry.... can we go and have some food....??"

"Yes.... even I’m starving.... let’s go...." I replied with a grin. We practically ran to the food counter, diving into the food as if we hadn’t eaten in years.

Once we finished, Shashi uncle appeared. "Come Kavyashree.... we have to do the Vidaai Ceremony...."

Kavya nodded, and I followed, our family members close behind. Noticing that Maa and Chachi Maa were missing, I asked, "Dad.... Chachu.... where is Maa and Chachi Maa....??"

Chachu smiled gently. "They went home to prepare for your and Kavyashree's Griha Pravesh (Home Coming) ceremony...."

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After we had finished our food, Papa gently called us over for the Vidaai Ceremony. I went along with him, following each step of the ritual as instructed, my hands trembling slightly from the weight of the moment. And then came the part I had been dreading—the farewell.

Saying goodbye to my family after twenty-four years of shared memories, laughter, arguments, and love was unexpectedly hard. My eyes welled up, and a lump formed in my throat. Though I had my share of issues with my parents, leaving them still felt like leaving a part of myself behind. Everything—the childhood, the lessons, the scoldings, the celebrations—it’s all ending here tonight.

Shivansh noticed my silence and the glint of tears in my eyes. He leaned closer and whispered softly, "Kavya.... if you don’t want to leave your parents.... it’s okay.... let’s stay here only...."

I shot him a glare, partly annoyed, partly amused. "Kya aap bhi.... kucch bhi bolte hai.... (What.... are you kidding me....??)"

"Are mai mazak nahi kar raha hoon.... (Hey, I’m not kidding....)" he replied innocently.

I couldn’t help but smile at his playful nonsense. Then he added with a mischievous smirk, "Ab chale ya.... (Now… should we leave…. or…?)"

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my emotions, and we stepped into the car. The drive to the Singhania Mansion was about an hour and a half, the roads quiet and lined with shadows under the moonlight. My heart felt both heavy and fluttering with anticipation.

By the time we arrived at the mansion, it was around 3:30 A.M. Lata aunty and Sucheta aunty were waiting for us, their smiles warm but eyes twinkling with expectation. Sucheta aunty performed the aarti, and as the fragrance of incense wafted around, she pointed to the Kalash and instructed me, "Kavyashree.... apne dahine pair se Kalash ko gira ke.... phir aalte me pair rakh ke.... dahine pair se grih pravesh karo.... (Kavyashree.... push this Kalash with your right leg.... place your foot into the aalta.... and enter the house with your right foot....)"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest, and followed the ritual.

Then Lata aunty added with a gentle smile, "Aur Shivu.... tum bhi apna dahina pair rakh kar andar aana.... (And Shivu.... you also enter the house with your right foot....)"

I looked up at Shivansh, his hand warm around mine, and felt a wave of reassurance wash over me. This is our beginning… the first step together into a lifetime of memories.

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Kavya and I followed the instructions, stepping into the mansion as a newly married couple. The warmth of the home mixed with the lingering fragrance of the evening’s celebrations, and for a moment, everything felt surreal. I was about to take Kavya to my room when Chachi Maa suddenly interjected.

"No... no... Kavyashree will not sleep with you today..."

I froze, confusion flashing across my face. "What.... but why....??"

"That’s because.... it is also a ritual...." Maa said, smiling serenely as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

What the hell ritual is this now?? I thought, incredulous. They’re actually separating me from my wife… seriously?!

"Then.... where will she sleep....??" I asked, trying to keep my emotions under control but feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Before anyone could answer, Ritu barged in with her usual mischievous grin. "Bhai.... Bhabhi will sleep with me...."

And Nikhil, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, added with a smirk, "And.... I will sleep with you...."

I groaned in exasperation, throwing my hands in the air. "Tu.... mujhe pata hai.... ye sab tera aur is bandaria ka hi plan hoga.... Tum dono ko to bas mujhe satana hi aata hai.... (You.... I know.... all this is planned by you and this monkey.... both of you just love to piss me off....)"

They both erupted into laughter. Ritu waved at Kavya with a playful grin. "Come Bhabhi.... let’s go...."

Kavya nodded, looking amused yet obedient, and followed Ritu.

Waah kya kismat hai meri.... shaadi ke baad ki pehli raat.... meri saath Noor nahi.... ek langoor soyega.... (Wow... what luck…. first night after my marriage…. not with my wife…. but with this monkey…) I thought miserably as Nikhil practically dragged me to the room.

Once we were inside, he tilted his head, pretending to be concerned. "What happened....?? Why have you become so dull....??"

I threw myself onto the bed, exasperated. "Abe langoor.... saara mood kharab karta hai.... aur phir pucch bhi raha hai ki kya hua...?? Kamine.... (You monkey.... first you ruined my mood.... and now you come and ask me.... what happened....?? Asshole....)"

Nikhil chuckled, clearly enjoying my frustration. "Accha.... to aap uss baat pe bikar rahe hai.... bhai mujhe sach me nahi pata tha.... ki aisi koi rassm hoti hai.... mai to bas teri taang khinch raha tha.... (Oh.... so you’re angry because of that.... I really didn’t know a ritual like this existed.... I was just pulling your leg.... that’s it....)"

I rolled onto my side, burying my face into the pillow. "Leave it.... I’m very tired.... let’s sleep...." Exhaustion finally took over, and more than anything, I really just wanted to sleep.

Nikhil hummed softly in agreement, and soon, the room fell silent except for the quiet rhythm of our breathing as we drifted off into much-needed sleep.

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I was utterly exhausted, so as soon as I laid on the bed, I fell into a deep sleep. The next thing I knew, sunlight streamed through the curtains, and I blinked groggily. It was already 9 A.M. A jolt of panic ran through me. What the hell… what will they think of me… I shouldn’t be sleeping this late… Oh GOD…

Ritu stirred beside me and noticed my distress. "What happened, Bhabhi....??" she asked, her voice still husky with sleep.

"Ritu.... it’s already 9.... where should I freshen up....??" I said, panic evident in my tone.

She smiled reassuringly and said, "Relax, Bhabhi.... you can freshen up here.... I’ll get your clothes."

I nodded and made my way to the washroom, splashing my face with cold water and trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. After my shower, I chose a lavender-colored saree, carefully applied some sindoor to my hair parting, and smoothed my hair into place. Feeling a little more presentable, I descended the stairs toward the living area.

The house was quiet, and I didn’t see anyone around. I asked a maid where Sucheta aunty was, and she pointed me toward the kitchen. As soon as I entered, I saw Sucheta aunty busy with the morning preparations.

"I’m really sorry, Sucheta aunty.... I woke up so late...." I said, a hint of guilt in my voice.

She waved her hand dismissively with a warm smile. "Are.... are.... beta saans to le le.... aur vaise bhi koi baat nahi.... kal itna thak gaye the tum sab.... to neend nahi khuli to kya hua.... (Oho.... hold on, beta.... take a breath.... you were all so tired yesterday.... so what’s the problem in sleeping a little longer?)"

"Par aunty.... aaj pehla din hai.... aur mai.... (But aunty.... it’s my first day.... and I…)" I began, only to be interrupted by Sucheta aunty.

"Beta... koi baat nahi... tum bhi hamari beti ho.... jab Shivu... Nikhil... Ritu.... ye sab der tak sote hai tab kisi ko problem nahi hui.... to tumhare sone se bhi kisi ko problem nahi hai.... theek hai.... (Beta.... it’s okay.... you are our daughter too.... when Shivu, Nikhil, Ritu sleep in late, no one complains.... so your sleeping late is absolutely fine.... okay?)"

I nodded in agreement and asked, "Aunty.... should I help you with something....??"

Just then, Rajesh uncle entered the kitchen, followed by Lata aunty and Ramesh uncle. "Yes... there's one thing which you could do...??" He said, with a warm smile.

"Yes uncle.... what is that...." I asked, feeling a little nervous.

He smiled and said, "Beta.... tum beti ho hamari.... aur betiyan uncle.... aunty to nahi bolti na!! Tum ho sake to jaise Shivu hume.... Maa, Dad, Chachi Maa, Chachu bulata hai.... vaise bula sakti ho.... lekin han jab tumhe sahi lage tab.... koi jald baazi nahi hai.... thik hai.... (Beta.... you are our daughter.... and daughters don’t call us uncle or aunty!! If you can, you can call us the same way Shivu calls us—Maa, Dad, Chachi Maa, Chachu.... but only when you feel comfortable, there’s no hurry, okay?)"

He placed his hand gently on my head, and I felt a rush of warmth. This is so overwhelming… they really care about making me feel at home.

"Thank you so much Maa, Dad, Chachi Maa, and Chachu...." I said softly, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Chachi Maa hugged me and whispered, "Don’t ever thank us.... we should be thankful.... you left your home, where you lived 24 years of your life.... and came to this new house.... so it’s our responsibility to make you comfortable."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Maa added with a twinkle in her eye, "Beta.... aaj tumhari pehli rasoi ki rassm hai.... to tum kucch meetha bana lena.... (Beta.... it’s your first day in the kitchen after marriage, so prepare a sweet dish today....)"

I smiled and asked, "Okay maa.... can you tell me.... who likes which sweet....??"

Chachi Maa chuckled warmly. "Sab ke liye ek hi mithai bana so bete.... humare yahan to sab chatore hai.... in logon ko kucch bhi accha de do.... kha hi lete hai.... isiliye tumhe jo easy lage.... wo bana lo.... theek hai.... (Make only one sweet for everyone.... everyone here is a foodie.... whatever you make, they’ll eat happily.... so just make whatever seems easiest to you, okay?)"

I nodded, a little excited now, and said, "To theek hai.... mai moong dal halwa bana deti hoon.... (Okay then.... I’ll prepare moong dal pudding....)"

Rolling up my sleeves, I began preparing the halwa. The kitchen soon filled with the comforting aroma of simmering ghee, roasting lentils, and cardamom. After twenty minutes, the golden halwa was ready, its sweetness perfectly balanced and inviting.

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Nikhil had already woken up and gone to freshen up. But before he could even start, Chachi Maa had called him three times to wake me up. After he was done freshening himself, he tried again, and Chachi Maa reminded him two more times. By now, Nikhil was completely fed up.

With a dramatic huff, he grabbed a whole jar of water and splashed it over my face. I shot upright, wiping the droplets away, blinking in shock.

"Chain se sone kyun nahi deta hai?? (Why don’t you let me sleep peacefully??)" I exclaimed, still half-drenched.

Nikhil, clearly irritated, grunted and scowled. "Abe oh Kumbhkaran ki aulad.... uth ja.... Lata aunty tab se paanch bar aake jaa chuki hai.... aaj Bhabhi ki pehli rasoi bhi hai.... chal uth jaldi.... (Hey you.... son of Sleeping Beauty.... Lata aunty has come five times asking for you.... today is Bhabhi’s first day in the kitchen too.... get up now....)"

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed for a second, then finally sighed. "10 minutes.... I’ll get ready and come...."

Nikhil gave me a satisfied nod, a smirk playing on his lips, and left the room. I quickly shook off the water, hurried to the washroom, and started getting freshened up, my heart still slightly racing from his little “wake-up call.”

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It was around 11 A.M. when everyone gathered for brunch. Shivansh came downstairs, wearing a black v-neck t-shirt and grey track pants. I don’t know why, but today he looked… different. Maybe I was just noticing him properly for the first time. His hair was messily tousled, and somehow it made him look incredibly dashing. I quickly pushed away the thoughts and focused on arranging the table.

Today’s meal was prepared by me. I had cooked puri, bhaji, and moong dal halwa (pudding). Carefully, I served everyone and stood back, watching as Maa noticed me lingering.

"Beta.... you also sit.... and have breakfast...." she said warmly.

"But maa.... I.... I’ve to serve...." I said hesitantly, feeling a little nervous.

Shivansh smiled and said softly, "It’s okay Kavya.... the maid will do it...."

I was about to protest, but before I could, he gently pulled me toward the chair beside him and made me sit. My heart skipped a beat at the simple yet intimate gesture. He served some halwa on my plate and whispered, "Humare ghar me sab saath me hi baith ke khate hai.... sab me tum bhi aati ho.... (In our house, everyone sits and eats together.... and you are also included in everyone....)"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, coloring them a deep crimson. I simply nodded, too flustered to respond.

Just as we were about to start, Maa chimed in, "Kavyashree.... Shivansh.... pehle ek dusre ka muh to meetha karao.... (Kavyashree.... Shivansh.... first make each other eat the sweet....)"

We shared a shy smile and fed each other halwa, the sweetness of the pudding somehow mingling with the warmth of the moment.

Once the breakfast was over, all the elders presented me with small gifts as a token of appreciation. I felt a flutter of happiness and gratitude in my chest—this little ritual, this small act of inclusion, made me feel truly welcomed in their home.

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Author's Note

My dewdrops… today was more than just a wedding day—it was the start of a thousand little beginnings. From the playful banter over shoes to feeding each other halwa, from nervous whispers to stolen smiles… every small moment held a universe of love and warmth. 🌸

It’s funny how family and love wrap around you in ways you never expect, making strangers feel like home, and home feel even more magical. 🏡💞

As Shivansh and Kavya take their first steps into this new life, I hope you felt their hearts fluttering, their quiet promises, and the simple beauty of togetherness. Remember… love is in the little things, the shared laughter, the stolen glances, and the comfort of being understood. 💖

So, tell me… which moment today made your heart skip a beat? 💭💛