2.

The muh dikhai ceremony was in full swing.

One by one, ladies from the neighborhood came over, gently lifting Naina’s veil to see her face, praising her softly, and handing over their shagun.

The cycle repeated again and again, each woman smiling, chatting, and complimenting the new bahu.

“Bahut sundar bahu hai! Veer ki toh lottery lag gayi,” one neighbor exclaimed.

“Haan, kitni pyaari aur bholi si lag rahi hai,” added another.

Naina’s cheeks flushed red, and she smiled shyly, lowering her eyes.

Pratibha watched with amusement and teased lightly, “So toh hai hi… bahu kiski hai!”

Then Rukmani, Veer’s bua, leaned back with a smirk. “Bahu toh sundar hai… par itni bhi kuch khaas nahi. Meine toh kaha tha Pratibha, Veer ke liye mere padosi ki beti badiya thi. Kitni sundar aur badiya jodi lagti dono ki.”

Naina’s heart sank a little and she looked down, feeling awkward and sad.

Pratibha’s eyes flicked to Rukmani, her expression turning firm yet playful. “Koi baat nahi, Rukmani. Aap apne bete ki shaadi kara dena usse , hamari Naina humein bahut pasand hai,” she said, giving her a gentle but clear comeback.

Naina looked up, relieved and grateful, feeling a little warmth in her chest.
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It was evening, and the soft glow of the lamps filled the room. Naina sat on the floor, carefully arranging her clothes in the cupboard, her fingers moving slowly as she tried to keep everything neat.

Suddenly, Veer entered the room. Naina flinched silently, looking up at him.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said quickly, noticing her reaction.

“Koi baat nahi,” Naina murmured, returning to her task.

Veer watched her for a moment before speaking again, “Main help karun?”

Naina shook her head gently. “Nahi, aap thak gaye honge… main kar lungi.”

“Arre, main kara deta hoon… koi baat nahi,” Veer said softly.

He stepped closer, near her suitcase, and began handing her clothes one by one.

Naina hesitated for a second, then took the clothes from his hands, arranging them neatly on the shelves.

They worked in silence, the quiet punctuated only by the soft rustling of fabric.

Then, Naina glanced at a piece of clothing in Veer’s hand "her bra"— and her cheeks immediately turned pink.

“Aabbb… main kar lungi… aap rehne dijiye,” she stammered, quickly snatching it from him.

Veer looked at her, confused for a moment, then realization dawned on him.

“Naina… aap humse itna sharmati kyun hai?” he asked gently.

Naina looked at him, still uncertain.

“Hum aapke pati hai,” Veer continued, his voice calm but firm. “Aur ab hume ek saath rehna hai… puri zindagi. Agar aap humse hamesha sharmati aur darti rahengi… toh kaise chalega?”

Naina just nodded, feeling a little embarrassed but also safe.

Veer gave a small, teasing smile. “Acha… theek hai. Agar aapko itni sharam aa rahi hai, toh ek kaam kijiye aap hamare undergarments bhi dekh lijiye hmm?”

Naina’s cheeks flushed even more, but she quickly composed herself, putting the piece of clothing away and holding out her palm for the next one.

Veer smiled again, handing her the next piece, and together, they continued arranging the clothes — quiet, close, and slowly growing more comfortable in each other’s presence.
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Naina was helping Pratibha in the kitchen, gently wiping down the shelves, while Pratibha washed the dinner utensils at the sink.

“Mummy ji, aap kyun kar rahi hai? Main kar lungi,” Naina said softly, reaching for a rag.

“Arre beta, main kar toh rahi hun… aur tum kya kya karogi?” Pratibha replied with a small smile.

Naina just looked at her and let out a soft sigh.

Pratibha glanced at her and spoke again, “Aur haan, Naina… kal se itna jaldi subah mat uthna.”

“Kyoon, mummy ji?” Naina asked, curious.

“Aaj toh tumhari pehli rasoi thi, isliye main tumhe khana banane diya,” Pratibha explained. “Par kal se hum milkar bana lenge… jaldi ban jaayega. Isliye thoda aur so lena.”

Naina began to protest, “Par—”
Pratibha cut her off gently, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

“Main pyaar se bol rahi hun… agar mana kiya, toh saas ban jaungi, dekhna!”

Naina couldn’t help but laugh, a small smile spreading across her face.

“Thik hai, mummy ji,” she said, finally giving in.
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Naina entered the room quietly. Veer was sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

As soon as he saw her, he put the phone down and smiled warmly.

Naina returned the smile and handed him a glass of milk. “Aapka doodh,” she said softly.

Veer looked at her curiously. “Aap apne liye nahi lai hain?”

“Mujhe pasand nahi hai,” Naina replied, sitting on her side of the bed.

Veer raised an eyebrow. “Kya kya nahi pasand hai aapko?”

Naina glanced at him. “Bas doodh hi nahi pasand… baaki mein phir bhi kha leti hoon.”
Veer nodded thoughtfully.
Naina looked at him and asked" aapko kya kya nahi pasand hai "?

Veer leaned back, a smile on his face .“Mujhe jyada oily khana pasand nahi… jaise chole bhature, samosa… aur jyada meetha bhi.”

Naina blinked in mild shock. “Aapko chole bhature nahi pasand?”

Veer smiled. “ aapko pasand hai?”

She nodded quietly.

Veer chuckled softly. “Koi nahi… ab kha lunga.”

Naina felt her cheeks warm up at his statement. She yawned softly.

“So jaate hain?” Veer asked.

Naina simply nodded and lay down. Veer switched off the light and lay on his side beside her.

“Good night,” he murmured.

“Good night,” Naina replied, her voice soft in the quiet darkness.

That's it for this chapter.

961 - words

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