Chapter 8: The First Morning

The aroma of fried puris and masala chai drifted through the air.

Reet stood in the kitchen, dressed in a light peach salwar suit, her mangalsutra lightly brushing her neck as she moved. Her hair was loosely tied, her eyes still carrying the fatigue of the past few days. She didn’t know where things were going—everything felt too sudden, too unfamiliar.

Meena  (mother-in-law):
“Zara tezi karo, Reet. Time dekh rahi ho? Sab uth chuke hain. Breakfast table pe sab kuch ready hona chahiye.”

Reet (softly, respectfully):
“Ji mummyji, ho jaayega.”

Reet was chopping coriander, hands trembling a bit as she adjusted to the fast-paced kitchen. Every spoon she picked, every drawer she opened—it all felt alien.

Just then, her taiji walked in and looked her up and down.

Taiji (mocking tone):
“Shaadi toh itni jaldi ho gayi... dekhte hain kaam kaise karti hai bahu.”

Reet kept quiet, choosing not to respond. She just gave a small smile and went back to stirring the aloo sabzi.

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At the dining table

The family gathered around, chatting and laughing.

Abeer entered the room, hair still wet from a shower, dressed in a plain black kurta. He sat at the far end of the table, eyes scanning the room and finally landing on Reet, who stood silently behind the table, serving rotis to his uncle.

Meena:
“Reet, beta, Abeer ko poori do. Garam dena.”

Reet picked the plate and moved toward Abeer, carefully placing two hot pooris on his plate. Their hands brushed lightly, and both immediately pulled away. Reet looked down. Abheer cleared his throat and looked away.

Chacha:
“Bahu bohot achha bana leti hai. Abeer, kya kehte ho?”

Abeer (flatly):
“Haan... theek hai.”

Reet didn’t react.

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Later that day

While most of the family members rested after lunch, Reet was called again by her mother-in-law to clean the living room and help prepare for some guests expected in the evening.

From the corner of the stairs, Abeer watched her quietly, noticing how she was constantly being instructed—ordered even. But he said nothing. Not yet.

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Evening: A Phone Call

Reet was finally sitting alone for a moment in the room when her phone buzzed.

Preet (voice message):
"Reet! Tu kahaan hai yaar? Hostel kab aa rahi hai? Sab tujhe miss kar rahe hain... Mujhe bhi bata, tujhe kis se shaadi hui, kaisa ladka hai... Sab kuch!"

Reet stared at the message and sighed.

Reet (whispering to herself):
“Kis se shaadi hui hai, yeh main khud nahi samajh paayi hoon abhi tak...”

Just then, the door opened. Abeer walked in, stepping midway as he saw her with the phone.

Abeer:
“Main... bas paani lene aaya tha.”

Reet stood up slightly, out of habit.

Reet:
“Main le aati hoon...”

Abeer (quickly):
“Nahi, main le lunga.”

There was silence again. Heavy. Unspoken.

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As night fell, Reet folded her dupatta neatly before lying down on the bed. Abeer took his pillow and moved toward the sofa again.

Before turning off the light, he paused.

Abeer (softly):
“Kal tumne kuch nahi khaya... Tum theek ho?”

Reet looked at him, surprised.

Reet:
“Main theek hoon... Bas thoda thak gayi hoon.”

Abeer:
“Hm. Theek.”

He turned around and laid on the sofa. Reet switched off the light and lay down.

Two strangers. One room.
And an unexpected life just beginning.

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Thank you for reading Chapter 8.
In Chapter 9, Reet will slowly start to question her place in the family, and Abeer may finally take his first step toward understanding her.
Don’t miss it — the tension builds next! 💫