I couldn't sleep last night. For obvious reasons.

And now , after tip-toeing back into the room , selecting a saree , taking a cold shower , I am in the wardrobe doing the necessities a married lady must do.

I'll be shifting my stuff in the afternoon when most people will be out for work but right now I have to quickly get out of here because it's just five in the morning and laying in the bed was too boring for me.

Draping a red saree with - what is good for a newly wed girl - heavy jewellery and chura I change my anklets and bichiya.

Am I done?

I stare at myself at the mirror.

But there is something missing.

" Vermillion. " A newly familiar voice hushes close to me. So close that I can feel their hot breath on my neck.

My chin tilts up and without looking at the person I see the parting of my hairs that are falling open, down my back.

Yes , he is right.

" Thanks. " I say before taking the small round metallic ball sized vessel and pinch some of the vermilion and apply it. All this time two dark pair of eyes stare at me and perhaps my heart rate is increasing because of it.

This man's eyes are too much for me.

He steps away and turns on his heels when I finally look at him and speak. " I....I will be shifting my things by the afternoon in the next room..... " He looks over his shoulder. His back flexes beneath that almost transparent white shirt.

" Hmm. " He gives another single nod again and walks out.

-------

" My my! " My mother-in-law exclaims as I walk down the stairs in the living room.

It's seven in the morning and since two hours I have been strolling on the first floor.

Everyone is here right now. My two elder brother-in-laws ( elder brothers of my just-been-husband ) Samraath and Ritwik respectfully. They are sitting with my father-in-law , Raghav Wadiyar, at the breakfast table along with his grandkids.

Ira and Jay are Samraath's kids. The girl is older ; around fifteen years old whereas , Ritwik has two twin boys ( not identical ) ; Maan and Manav.

Then there are the ladies of the house. Helping in serving the breakfast.

My mother-in-law , Rashmi Wadiyar , is helping in setting the breakfast table along with Samraath Bhaiya's wife , Anuradha. She is a pretty woman.

Educated , working and beautiful. She is wearing white salwar and purple kameez , ready for her 9to5 job.

While Ritwik Bhaiya's wife Priya is with Shivi in the kitchen doing something. And the duo are wearing long Kurtis over pants. They are matching their dresses. Both wearing yellow Kurtis and white pants.

" Good morning , mother. " I pass a small smile , not able to match her bright and beautiful one before bowing down and touching her feet.

It's a ritual. A duty. Touching your elder's feet in respect.

" You look so beautiful. " She pats my cheek softly and I walk towards my father-in-law who is going through work files.

" Hello , dear child. " He warmly speaks before looking at me and there is something in his voice that makes me blink my eyes rapidly looking away.

" Good morning , father. " I mumble and am about to touch his feet but he shakes his head taking his feet back.

" No. Don't. " He says , smiling at me . " Don't touch my feet. You are the wealth of this house. Our Laxmi. How can I let you bow in front of me? "

I smile along with others.

" But you can always touch mine in respect. " Ritwik Bhaiya speaks looking up from his phone, forwarding his feet , giving a snigger and I smile widely.

He is like Sid. Mostly happy and full of fun.

" Absolutely. " I am about to go for touching his feet but he laughs and pulls away. " No no. You know I was joking. "

" Yeah. That's all he does. Joking. " Samraath Bhaiya says narrowing his eyes at his younger brother who sniggers again and dives back into his phone.

" Okay. Enough of it. Meera , come here and sit. " Anuradha Bhabhi pulls a chair for me and I take a seat there.

" Shouldn't I help? " I ask and Shivi comes out of nowhere with a big bowl of chopped fruits.

" Absolutely not. " She affirms. " For today you'll just enjoy leisurely and we will treat you like a princess. "

" what do you mean by just today? We won't be telling her to do the entire house's work by tomorrow now , are we? " Anuradha laughs softly and I stare at her in awe.

Oh my . Her laugh is so elegant and soft.

" But where is Dhairya? "

THUMP

My chest kicks itself and silence spreads as all of them stare at me.

No one practically knows that we stayed in separate roo-

" Here. " Dhairya Wadiyar, my just-been-husband , walks down with Urvi in his arms who is clutching onto her father like her life depends on him.

Well , it actually does. Literally.

" Hello my bubblegum! " Ritwik gets up from the seat and is about to grab the girl who probably always reaches into his arms but today she buries her face in her father's chest with a sad face.

Silence spreads in the space and confusion coats everyone's expressions.

" What happened? " Ritwik questions and Dhairya takes a glimpse of me before mumbling something to Ritwik who nods after looking at me with a specific kind of look.

I don't know what it is but it's nothing related to disappointment or anger or me.

I just....know it.

" She doesn't want to go to school. " Ritwik announces and the tension in the air visibly lightens.

" Then she won't. " Anuradha grabs a small piece of apple and walks towards the girl and Dhairya.

" Here. No one is taking you to school. " She passes the apple and when Urvi doesn't take the apple and stays still , clutching her father , Dhairya takes the lead and takes the piece asking the girl to eat who obeys him and munches on it.

" My bubblegum , won't you come to uncle? " Ritwik asks spreading his arms to have her and she finally gets into his arms , hugging him like a koala.

Cute.

" Uh..... I have some business so I am heading out." Dhairya says while touching his parents' feet.

" This early? You haven't eaten your breakfast and..... Meera is here. Take her out some-

Mother is cut in between as he speaks , " It's urgent. I have to reach the warehouse now. And..... Anyone can take her out -

" She is your wife. Ritwik will handle the warehouse work. " Father speaks l

oudly and clearly. As if making him remember what he has forgotten.

Okay. This is suffocating.

I need my medicines.