(A request, kindly point out the mistakes if you see them.)

Maanya POV

Never in my dreams, I imagined that I will be spending time with a man I love and his family.

But look at me now, I'm not only traveling with the man I love, but I'm also going shopping with his mother and aunts.

"I hope you are okay with Palak and Reshma joining us," Mrs.Tanvi asks from the front seat.

"Of course Mrs.Singh," I exclaim with a smile.

"Mrs.Singh? Call me mom, You are now my daughter." She asserts.

With a skip of my heart, I say a word that I have nearly not said in 5 years.

"Mother?" I whisper. The word sounds so foreign.

"Yes," Mrs.Singh announce.

My eyes meet Arhaan's in the mirror and a lone tear slip my eyes.

Instantly the screeching of the breaks is heard causing me to jerk forward.

"Arhaan!" Mrs.Singh chides loudly. But he ignores her and exits the car, a few seconds later, the door to my side opens and he bends in.

"Beautiful?" He whispers worriedly, I look at him stupefied.

He gradually puts his hand on my cheek and starts stroking it gently.

"Arhaan?!" I slap his hand away from my cheek and peek at Mrs.Singh.

My mortification intensifies when I see Mrs.Singh smiling at us.

But when our eyes meet.

"Did I say something wrong?" She aks looking at both of us.

"No!" I announce before Arhaan could.

"It's just that I have not said that word in 5 years, and after saying it today, my mother's face flashed before me," I confess.

"I'm sorry dear, I never knew that, you can call me anything you want." She apologizes.

"Ma, please don't" words tumble out of my mouth. A smile gaze at my and Mom's face.

"Now Son, As much as I like you taking care of your wife, we have two restless women waiting for us." Ma jests looking at Arhaan.

Arhaan nods and gets back to his seat.

Drive to the mall took nearly 5 minutes.

"Meet us inside," Ma announces to Arhaan before exiting the car at the mall entrance.

I get to follow her but Arhaan stops me.

"Come to the front," He asks.

I look at mom and she nods smiling at me.

With a blush, I take the passenger seat, and Arhaan drives through the underground parking.

"Do you know, how hard was it for me to sleep yesterday?" He questions.

"Why?" I ask worriedly.

"What why? Knowing I have a newlywed wife and on our first night together we are in different houses." He frowns.

A relief chuckle leaves my lips.

"You are laughing?" He asks annoyed.

"Didn't you miss me?" He asks like a timid child.

"Of course I did, but you were there with me, so I didn't worry much," I reply.

"I was with you?" He asks veering towards me.

"UHuh!" I nod my head in confirmation.

"How?" His face scrunches up in confusion. He looks so cute.

"Because you are here. And whenever I miss you, I touch it and I sense you." I confess grabbing his hand and placing it on my heart.

His confusion-filled orbs are now filled with warmth.

"I love you!" He exclaims inching forward.

"I love you too," I respond following his action.

Just as our lips are about to touch his phone ring.

With a frustrated sigh, he picks up the call, "Yes Aunty?" He answers.

"Okay, we are just coming." He replies and hung up.

"These people will never let me have a private moment with my wife." He huffs taking off his seat belt.

I smile at his childish resentment and exit the car.

Rounding off he takes my hand and guides me inside the mall.

    ................................

"Dear this will look beautiful on you," Ma says upholding a saree.

I nod with a smile and partially drape it over.

"Di, you have such a beautiful daughter-in-law." Aunty Palak exclaims looking at me.

I shy away and look anywhere but the three ladies.

My gaze falls on Arhaan, who is sitting beside me, working on his phone.

I ignore him and walk along the long shelves. Here are some very expensive dresses, way costly than my whole wardrobe.

Skimming through the shelves my eyes land on a beautiful red saree.

Looking at the beautiful red embroidered net saree my eyes gloss.
It is beautiful.

Cautiously I brush my finger through the fabric when a voice startled me, "Beware, It costs more than your yearly income." 

Glancing beside me, I see Aunty Reshma sneering at me.

Instinctively I retrieve my hands and get to walk away.

" why don't you ask your husband to buy it for you." She nags. I try disregarding her offensive tone but it is hard when she is just beside you.

"Aunty-" I refer to her.

"Shh, don't you call me aunty, for you I'm Ma'am," she asserts angrily.

I nod and say, "Ma'am, I have enough money to fulfill my needs. I don't need a man to do so for me."

From the time I stepped into the mall, she is being constantly trying to make me feel docile.

Sometimes it is about my clothes, sometimes about my cheap perfume and whatnot.

"Really?!" She arrogantly snorts and says, "if it is so, then why don't you buy this saree? It appears that you are fond of it."

Irritation spike through me, and I call the nearby sales lady."Can you pack this for me?"

The young girl excitedly nods and a triumphant smile grace my face looking at Reshma Aunty, no, Ma'am's face.

She huffs like a child and saunters off.

When she leaves, I discretely check the price tag.

The floor slips under my feet when my sight lands on the bold 5 digit number printed on it.

I mean it is not that much but still a little too much for me who has no cash with her.

With a heavy heart, I turn around to cancel my order, when I remember the money Paakhi handed me this afternoon, checking my bag, I smile feeling a bundle of money.

With a swag in my steps, I return to others," where were you?" Arhaan asks when I take a seat beside him.

"Just buying stuff," I reply and look towards Ma and Aunties.

"Tanvi? Did your daughter in law told you she brought a saree just now?" Aunt Reshma announce.

Ma looks at me with surprise and asks, "Where is it?"

"Umm..." I pause for a moment. Which allowed Aunt Reshma to come at me.

"Oh? Did you return it? Was it costly?" I can see through her fake empathy.

"It's okay beautiful, I'll buy it for you," Arhaan whispers to me.

I look at him and others to see sympathy.

For the love of God, someone save me.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" The girl from the earlier interfere.

I look at her and sigh in relief.

"Your order is packed and with other stuff at the counter." She informs.

I smile at her and say, "Thank you,"

She nods and leaves.

I look at Aunt Reshma and smile. Her face is contour into a scowl.

"Excuse me, ladies, I will pay the bill and meet you at the front," Arhaan says standing up.

I follow him and stand up instantly,  "I will come with you, have to pay for my saree..." I answer his questioning gaze.

"Dear, come with us, Arhaan will take care of it," Ma says taking my hand.

"Ya, save that last penny of yours." Aunt Reshma taunts passing me.

"Ma please," I implore, she looks at me apologetically and lets me go.

I step towards the counter and say, "the red saree? I will pay for it."

"I have it managed, you go with others," Arhaan mumbles softly.

I ignore him and look persistently at the employee.

He nods at me and passes me the bill, I take it from him and pay for my saree.

Leaving the shop, I walk towards the exit when Arhaan stops me.

"Why were you so persistent about paying for it?" He asks.

With a sigh, I reply, "you guys already bought me so much, And this saree, I liked it so I thought I should pay for it."

He shakes his head and says, "Now I can't even complain about your dignified self."

"Why?" I ask confuse.

"Because it is one of the many things I like about you." He admits.

A smile crosses my face hearing him.

He looks at me and smiles. My smile turns into a grin.

"I love you." He blurts.

"I love you too," I reply with a chuckle.

"Let's have some coffee and then we will go to a jewelry shop." Aunt Palak announces, seeing us near them.

I nod and follow them to the food court.

Arhaan goes off to order all of us some coffee when Aunt Reshma opens her mouth, probably to insult me.

"We have to get her a mangalsutra." She says instead.

I look at her surprised, is she concerned about me?

"You are right, I forgot about it." Ma chuckles nervously.

I smile at her in acknowledgment when she explains with a laugh, "I didn't because we don't want people to think we have less with her because she is needy."

Here it is, why did I even think that she will think about me.

I gently huff and look in Arhaan's direction.

"Reshma!" Aunt Palak chides.

"Dear, when will you tell your family?" Ma asks to change the topic.

I turn to look at her and say, "Probably tomorrow, Paakhi will tell them."

"Paakhi? Why?" Aunt Palak asks.

"She is better at this stuff," I admit.

"Ya, she is a fine girl, Sana always tells us about her practical decisions." Aunt Palak asserts.

I nod with a smile.

"Di?" She abruptly quips.

Ma looks at her expectantly.

"Is Komal and her family coming to the reception?" She asks her.

Ma nods curiously but doesn't pry. On the other hand, Aunt Palak rubs her hand excitedly.

My attention shifts from her to my handsome husband who takes a seat beside me.

"What did I miss?" He asks passing around a cup of tea.

"We just realized, we need to buy Maanya mangal sutra," Ma tells him.

"Oh yes," he explains looking at me.

"After that, we are going home, do you realize it is already7. " Aunt Palak informs checking her watch.

We all scurry towards the jewelry store. Before entering the shop, Arhaan's phone rings.

He stays back to receive it, I speculate whether not going inside or wait with him.

I don't have to think much because when I hear the anger in his voice, I decide to stay with him.

"I'm coming." He announces on the phone and hangs up.

"What happened?" I ask him.

"There is some problem I need to solve, I'm sorry, I need to leave." He explains.

"But-"

"Don't worry I will send a driver for you and mom." He announces and walks away.

"Arhaa-" I shush when he disappears from my sight.

With a heavy heart, I enter the store and tell others about his abrupt dispersal.

Everyone didn't mind him leaving, but my mood got trivial.

_________________________________________________________

PAAKHI POV

"Didn't know you had it in you to even cheat," his accusation breaks my heart.

"Arhaan-"

"Oh please, save it! I'm not interested in whatever you have to say. I came here to see for myself how low can you steep." He scowls.

"Was it fun?" He asserts.

I keep quiet.

"Was it fun playing with my brother's heart?" He pries taking a threatening step forward.

I stand my ground, he will not hurt me, not physically though.

"Arhaan, please, Stop." I comfort.

"Why?" He demands.

"Do you stop? Do you even think for a second about how will your actions affect others?" His tone exacerbates.

"Arhaan what are you talking about?" I murmur.

"How do you play this role of a soft, caring woman? When in reality you're a cunning, manipulating woman." He scoffs.

The thing that hurts most his tone, he is accusing me, For the first time, I'm feeling scared of him.

I whimper back and my back touches the wall.

"Why are you playing with my brother's feelings?" He shouts punching the wall beside my head.

A loud whimper leaves my mouth.

"Paakhi?!" I hear Prithvi yelling my name.

He pulls Arhaan away from me and stands in between us.

"Who is this guy?" He asks eyeing Arhaan.

Arhaan glare at Prithvi.

"Who I'm doesn't matter but what I'm going to do to you, does!" Arhaan challenge.

Prithvi cracks a smile and says, "I would love to see that, but sadly not here, leave my property before I have you removed."

Arhaan glare at him and then at me before walking away.

I heave a sigh and fall to the ground.

"Who was he?" Prithvi asks stooping to my level.

"Was he some crazy stalker? Should I call the police?" He beseeches.

I shake my head and say, "No, no, he's Arhaan, Maanya's boy-, husband." I correct myself.

"What? Then why was he behaving like this?" He asks skeptically.

I shrug, how am I suppose to tell him something that I don't know the answer to. I get it he is hurt, scared for his brother but hurting me is not the solution.

"You should probably go home." He suggests stroking my arm slowly.

"But my shift is not over yet," I complain.

"It was your first day and you did enough, come back tomorrow early nearly around 5 and help out here, okay?" He deals, with a nod I stand up and walk towards the exit.

Instantly I stop and turn around to say, "Thank you!"

He smiles at me and replies, "Always Pika."

                      .....................

Opening the door to the apartment, the first thing that welcomes me is a whiff of freshly brewed curry.

"Who is it?" I hear Aditi's loud voice from the living room.

I roll my eyes, knowing that she must be slumping on the sofa with a bag of chips on her lap and a movie playing on the screen.

Entering the living room, I slump beside her and an exacerbated sigh leaves my mouth.

"Did you have fun?" She asks pausing her movie and glancing at me.

Looking at her warming eyes, my restraint breaks, and tears spill from my eyes one after the other.

"P?!" She moves towards me and strokes my hand.

"What happened?" She asks changing positions and taking me in her arms.

"Did something happened in the club?" She implores.

I nod and try controlling my tears before speaking.

"What is it? Please tell me." She requests.

"Arhaan came to the club and accused me of cheating Viren," I tell her.

"Arhaan?" She asks shocked.

I slowly nod my head, "He's been angry with me from that party." I admit.

"But when he came to the club unexpectedly, he started accusing me," I recall the words he said to me.

"P..." She consoles.

Few seconds pass by with my head on her shoulder and her stroking my hair.

When I hear some shuffling I sit straight and ask, "Where are Maanu and Sana?"

"Maanu went for dinner with her mother-in-law and Sana is in the washroom." She replies munching on a chip from the bag. I grab one for myself and munch on it. But when I see her eating another one, I snatch it from her.

"Hey!" She shrieks.

I scowl at her and stand up.

"I always tell you to not eat these things," I utter with annoyance.

"But I like them," she whines.

"It doesn't matter, they are not good for a child, so no more oily stuff." I declare.

"I agree, and for the record dinner is ready, Paakhi you go change and I will serve the dinner," Sana announces entering the room.

I pass her a smile and follow her instructions.

Changing into my pj's, I rush towards the dining table and grab my plate.

"Having you here is a true blessing," I exclaim taking a spoon full of the dish in my mouth.

"It is not that much," she replies modestly.

"No seriously, now I don't have to worry about food when I'm getting late," I admit, adding more rice to my plate.

"Oh hush, you guys are making me embarrassed." She exclaims frowning at us.

Aditi and I laugh at her scrunched-up red face.

"We love you, Sana!" Aditi announces standing up and cradling her, I follow her, and hug them both.

"I love you guys too, I thank God every day that I met you guys." She confesses.

"Should we watch a movie?" Aditi whisper.

"I'm -"

"Till we are waiting for Maanu to return." She asserts interrupting me in between. We all pull away and I nod, thinking this can be our quality time spend together.

"Which one?" Sana asks standing up and collecting dishes.

I scoot forward and help her compile them. 

"You guys decide," Aditi declares walk-in in towards the television and switching it on.

"What is the use of doing it when at the end we will watch what you have already decided." I scowl walking into the kitchen.

It is always like this, she asks us to decide but in the end, she wields us to watch the one she had in mind.

"You know me," she laughs, drawing the curtains and switching off the lights.

"I wonder how!" I quip, wiping the dinner table clean.

She ignores my comment and says, "We are watching Mirror Mirror."

I shake my head but don't comment, it is one of my favs.

"Paakhi! Come!" Sana shout from the living room.

"Geez," I reply while wiping my hands to my pajamas.

"Why didn't you switched on the fairy lights?" I ask switching them on.

I love how luminous our room becomes switching on these cute fairy lights.

Taking my seat in between them, I watch the beautiful tale of love, truth, lie, and family. 

.....................

"Paakhi..." Someone mumble my name.

I open my eyes to see Maanu.

I sit up and look beside me to see Sana dozing off, her head resting on the headrest.

On my other side, Aditi is sleeping peacefully stretched out, her head is on my lap and her legs are dangling from the end of the handrest.

"What time is it?" I ask rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"1" she replies embarrassed.

"What?" I ask loudly. But shut up when Aditi shuffles in my lap.

I slowly stand up with her head resting on my hand and grab a cushion from behind my back and lay it under her head.

Then I tug Maanya to the balcony.

"Maanu? Where were you?" I chide.

"You are now a married woman, you can't be out this late." I assert irked.

"I was with Ma and Aunties. We were doing shopping and from there we went to a restaurant, there Riya and Maira joined us. We were having so much fun that I forgot about the time." She replies nervously.

"You were with them?" I confirm.

She nods her head, "So I'm sorry for yelling at you," I apologize.

"It's okay, I know you did that for my betterment." She says with a smile.

I smile back and ask her, "so how was the shopping with the inlaws?"

"Uff..." She exclaims and pulls me over to the daybed on the balcony.

Her day with her inlaws can be summed up as an adventure of emotions. I like how she keeps calling Mrs.Singh, Ma. Whenever she says that a smile automatically caves her face.

"Where is your mangal sutra?" I ask eyeing her neck.

"It needs some changes, so will be delivered tomorrow." She replies stifling a yawn.

"Okay, now let's go to sleep, tomorrow we have to talk to Nona and Everyone else..." I insinuate.

"Ya..." She says nervously.

"Don't worry, they love you." I ensure.

"Ya, but still..." She infers sadly.

"I have an idea, tomorrow or I should say today, we should visit the cafe early and prepare a breakfast for them and then tell them?" I propose.

"Yes!" She agrees instantly.

I smile and stand up, together we walk in to see Sana waking up.

"Let's go to our room," I tell Sana. She nods her head and sleepily saunters to our room.

I walk over to Aditi and gently shake her.

But instead of walking up, she snores loudly.

With a chuckle, I let her be and walk over to her room. From there I grab a blanket and walk back to the living room.

Gently I lay a blanket over her and walk to my room.

Entering my room, I smile in gratitude, sana has laid my bed before dozing again.

Switching off the lights, I grab my phone to set an alarm and settle on my bed. Unlocking my phone, I see 2 missed calls from Viren. And a text.

Opening the text, I read, 'Maybe you are already asleep, take care and love you.'

A smile stretches upon my face and I regret missing his call. I miss him.

With a heavy heart, I seek an appropriate reply. What should I say?

'Yes, I was sleeping...', I erase it and think of another reply, after 15 minutes of typing and erasing, I reply with a 'good night and a heart.'

With a frustrated sigh, I set an alarm and get to sleep.

.............

The whole night I was tossing and turning, waiting for his reply. But he read it and didn't reply.

Maybe Arhaan had told him and he is angry with me.

"Paakhi?" Someone whisper my name.

I peek at the door to see Maanu hiding behind the door.

I groan and wake up, no more sleep.

I stand up and fold my bedding and walk out of the room.

"Coffee!" She hands me a mug with a Cheshire grin.

"Why are you so happy?" I ask skeptically, walking to the balcony.

She follows me and says, "just trying to relax my nerves."

"Like this?" I tease.

She lightly pushes me and sits on the day bed.

I chuckle and settle my mug on the balustrade and crouch down to grab the watering can.

"I'm nervous." She whines taking a sip of her coffee.

I take a sip from mine and walk over to the tap.
Filing the can to the top, I start watering my plants, in between taking a sip here and there.

"There should be someone else who should be worried but look at them..." I exclaim spraying water on my babies.

"Arhaan?" She sounds confused.

"Aditi!" I correct her.

"She is pregnant and we have to tell them that too," I confess.

"Not today!" Maanu outcry.

"I know, I know, I will not say anything, that's her decision to make," I say keeping my can aside.

"Now, get ready, and let's go to the cafe," I say walking back inside.

She nods and takes the empty from my hand. So I walk towards Aditi and wake her up.

"Aditi..." I call her name.

She doesn't reply so I  shake her, this could be the worst decision because the next thing I know I'm lying on the floor with a tingling sensation on my face.

"Hey!" I shriek in pain.

"Oh sorry," she says picking up the cushion she just whipped me with.

"You stop smiling and get her ready!" I condemn Maanu who is smiling looking at me.

"Where are we going?" She asks looking at me.

"To the cafe," I say getting up and walking away.

I go to Aditi's room and get her meds.

Entering the living room, I see Aditi eating Rusks with her morning tea.

So I settle the meds beside her and say, "I'm going to get a bath first then I will call Sophie and ask her to have things ready."

They both nod and I walk back to my room.

Seeing Sana still sleeping, I slowly open my cupboard and grab some clothes.

Before exiting the room, I grab my wallet and phone.

Instinctively my mind goes to the text that Viren didn't reply to. So before my mood dampens again, I enter the washroom and do my routines.

After a quick shower, I exit the washroom and call maanya to go in.

As Maanya walks inside the washroom, I go into the kitchen with my phone. I try dialing Sofie but she doesn't pick my call, so I text her instead.

Waiting for her reply, I look at the dishes from last night and feel like kicking myself. I should have washed them first and then take a bath.

But I can't let Sana do all the work, so I grab an Apron and start washing the dishes.

After wiping off the slaps, I thoroughly wash my hands and prepare Aditi fruit salad.

Walking to the living room, I see no one around, so I arrange the cushions and fold up the blanket.

Just as I straighten up the last pillow over, Maanya and Aditi enter the room together.

Seeing Maanya, my eyes become glossy.

"Now what?" She asks with a smile.

"I will never get over the fact that you are a married woman now," I confess. Every time I see sindoor (vermillion) on her forehead, I feel a surge of satisfaction. She looks beautiful in her green suit.

"I'm hungry," Aditi whines.

"It has become your most-used words now," Maanya laugh.

I chuckle and pass her the box with fruits in it.

"You can have them while we walk," I say grabbing my keys and wallet.

"So Sofie didn't reply to my call or text, so we have to go and check if we have all the materials or not," I say on our elevator ride.

"Why am I coming with you guys?" Aditi asks chugging a piece of Apple in her mouth.

"You will help us set the table and assist any patron that arrives," I tell while grabbing a piece of an apple and munching on it.

"A patron at 6:30 in the morning?" She quips. I shrug and continue walking to the cafe.

"After telling your news, if we get out alive then I may prepare myself to tell  them my news." Aditi confides.

"Thank you for the prep talk," Maanya scowl at her.

I chuckle at their banter and check my phone, initially, it was to check the time but then I clicked the message icon, and then Viren's contact.

Still no reply,

"What happened?" Aditi whispers to me. I look at her and with a smile shake my head.

She looks at me for a second then gets back to eating.

I look beside her to see Maanya on her phone, probably talking to Arhaan.

Reaching the cafe, I take out the spare key and open the door.

Walking in, we directly go into the kitchen.

Flipping the switches on and opening the windows, the next thing I do is check the refrigerator.

Thankfully it is fully stocked.

"So the good news is, we have a fully stocked refrigerator, the only thing we need to decide is what to prepare?" I raise a question.

"Nana likes aloo parantha, Nona likes halwa poori, and Abby likes aloo poori," Aditi exclaims.

"And I like Bread Upma." She suggests.

"Who asked for your preference?" I tease.

She pouts and huffs. I laugh at her scrunched-up face.

"Guys hurry up, they will be down soon." Maanya asserts rushing around.

"Listen!" I stop her, "first boil some potatoes, I will start preparing halwa."
I instruct.

"What should I do?" Aditi asks.

"Prepare the table in the garden," I instruct her, she nods and leaves the kitchen.

"Play some music will you?" I ask Maanu and then we both get into action.

An hour and a half later, we look at our hard work.
Everything looks and smells so delicious.

"I hope they get happy after seeing this," Maanu exclaims nervously.

"They will! Now let's go outside and see what Aditi did." I say. She nods and together we go to the garden.

"Wow," Maanya exclaim, wow indeed.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Aditi bows down.

"You seriously outdid yourself." I acknowledge.

"I just hope everything goes the right way." She mutters walking towards me.

I take in my arms and indicate Maanu to come too. We all hug.

"What is happening here?" We all part away when we hear  Abby's voice.

Turning around, I see Abby, aunty Savy, Nona, and Nana walking towards us.

"What are you guys up to?" Nona asks looking at the table.

"We prepared you breakfast..." Maanu exclaims nervously.

"Really?" Nona asks happily.

She nods her head and steps away to let them sit. Nona passes her but suddenly halt.

She looks at Maanu and says, "You look different,"

Maanya shies away when Nona grips her chin and assesses her face.

"What is this?" She proclaims with wide eyes.

"What?" Abby asks stepping forward.

"Maanya?!" Nona scolds.

"Paakhi?" She asks me when Maanya looks down.

I take a deep breath and say, " Maanu got married,"

"What?!" Abby exclaims shocked.

"Will you say something other than 'what'? it's irritating." Aditi interfere.

Abby and I both glared at her. She huffs and takes a seat at the far need of the table.

"Who is that bastard?" Nana shouts.

"Harsh!" Nona scolds.

"Who is it Maanya?" He asks again but in a softer tone.

"Arhaan," she replies with a whimper.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Nona ask.

"Aunty, why would she tell us? We don't mean anything to them. They don't need our permission or anything." Aunt Savy interfere.

"Aunty.." I try,

"You are right Savita." Nona mumble looking sadly at us.

"But before going, congratulations on your wedding," Nona say laying a hand on Maanu's head and blessing her.

Without another word, they all turn around and start walking.

"Nona! Nana! Aunty! Please..." I yell after them.

"You are our family," I announce.

"Really? So You don't tell or even invite your family to your wedding?" Abby quips.

I look at Maanya who is a crying mess right now, then I look at Aditi, she is crying too.

"Nobody knew about her wedding. She eloped with Arhaan." I inform them."Due to some family misunderstandings, Arhaan asked Maanya to marry him, and she did. Why? What happened? I don't know, what I know is she's happy. And being her family I'm happy for her." I confess.

"When did this happened?" Nana asks.

"Day before yesterday, they don't even live together. " I try to assure.

"Are you happy?" Abby asks walking towards her.

"Very much, he loves me." She mumbles.

Abby holds her in his arms and she sobs hardly.

"I'm sorry, please don't leave me." She mumbles.

"He better treats our girl properly, otherwise I will chop him and feed him to my tigers," Nana exclaims taking Abby's place and placing a small kiss on her forehead.

"Nana you don't have tigers." Aditi points.

"Hush, he doesn't know that." He exclaims causing everyone to laugh.

"Harsh, get aside, I want to see my child too," Nona calls out pushing Nana aside.

"Everyone please sit down, we will reheat the food till then," I announce, grabbing the utensils.

"No need, come sit, and tell us everything." Nana asserts taking a seat.

I laugh and sit down beside everyone.

Dishes are passed around, jokes are cracked and laughter resonates making it the best family gathering.

"What about the shopping? I don't  have anything to wear for tomorrow." Aunty stress.

"We should go shopping today," Aditi cheers.

Aunty and Nona agree, making me stress a bit.

Again shopping? Where will I get money from?

"Paakhi are you done?" Aditi asks excitedly.

I look around and see everyone looking at me excitedly. I nod my head and stand up to collect the dishes.

"Sofie will clear this, you guys go," Nana says slapping my hands.

"I need to use the washroom first," I say and walk away from everyone.

Instead of going to the washroom, I go around the cafe and call Prithvi,

"Hello?" I say when the line connects.

"Paakhi? How are you?" He replies.

"Yes, yes, I'm okay, thank you," I say.

"Okay?" He halts.

"Prithvi?" I ask.

"Yes, Paakhi?" He replies.

"Can you give me some money in advance? You can cut it off from my salary or anything..." I pursue.

"How much?" His tone becomes stiff.

I feel so embarrassed asking for money. But I need it for my family.

"2 lakhs?" I say unsurely.

"Ok! Send me your bank details and be on time for the work." He says and hangs up.

With a sigh of relief, I send him my details and join others in the waiting cab.

"What took you so long?" Aditi whines.

"Sorry," I apologize and adjust myself.

"So first we have to shop for your inlaws and then for us," I announce happily.

"Do we have enough money?" Maanu whisper.

I nod looking at my phone. Just got a statement from the bank.

"Amazing!" She claps her hand excitedly.

I smile seeing her happy. My embarrassment, shame doesn't matter till my girls are happy.

"Shopping time!!!!" Aditi exclaims exciting the car.

We all follow her to the jewelry store first.

"Aunty, Nona, I don't need more jewelry, yesterday, Ma bought many of them for me,"  Maanu tells, hearing that some of my tension fades. Fewer things to buy, limited expenses.

The whole shopping experience would have been more fun for me if I don't keep thinking about the expenditures.

I just hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.

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