chapter 4

Suryavanshi Mansion – Living Room

The atmosphere was still charged. Though the wedding rituals had concluded, everyone’s minds were spinning with the events and remaining customs. The grand living room of the Suryavanshi mansion buzzed with quiet chatter. Relatives sat on plush sofas.

Mrs. Suryavanshi looked at the newlyweds with a warm, composed smile and gestured toward the empty space beside her.

Mrs. Suryavanshi:

"Aao beta, tum dono yahan aake baith jao."

(Shivansh and his bride—who still had her veil over her face—looked at each other before quietly taking their place on the sofa. The bride kept her eyes low, the weight of the sindoor and mangalsutra making her feel like an imposter in someone else’s life.)

Dadi (whispering to Mrs. Suryavanshi):

"Bahu, mujhe lagta hai ki baaki ki rasmein hum kal kar lete hain. Sab thak gaye honge… dulha aur dulhan bhi."

Mrs. Suryavanshi:

"Ji, maa ji. Aap theek keh rahi hain."

Dadi:

"Aur haan, bahu ko main—mera matlab hai—Shivansh ki patni ko humare room mein le jaati hoon."

Shivansh’s sister (teasingly):

"Par kyun, Dadi? Aaj to bhai ki suhagrat hai!"

(At those words, Shivansh's bride froze. Her fingers clutched her lehenga tightly, and her eyes widened with fear. Her breathing became shallow, and she unconsciously shifted closer to the armrest of the sofa. Shivansh noticed her trembling hands.)

A flicker of mischief crossed his face.

Shivansh (cold, provoking tone):

"Haan Dadi, aap meri biwi ko apne room mein kyun le jaayengi? Suhagrat hai aaj toh meri."

(The bride’s eyes shot up in panic, and she looked at him through her veil—her fear was unmistakable. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. Dadi immediately noticed the fear in the bride’s trembling hands and glared at her grandson.)

Dadi (pulling Shivansh’s ear gently):

"Haath! Badmaash, apni biwi ko daraata hai! Huh!"

(She turned to Shivansh’s wife and gave her a warm smile.)

Dadi:

"Tu dar mat beta. Aur tu, Shivansh..."

(She turned to her grandson again, wagging a finger at him.)

Dadi:

"Aaj se poore ek hafte tak teri biwi mere kamre mein soye gi. Samjha?"

Shivansh (smirking but quiet):

"Jaisa aap kahein, Dadi."

Cousin (confused):

"Par kyun, Dadi? Ab to unki shaadi ho gayi hai… to ab kya rukawat hai?"

Dadi (with authority):

"Shaadi hui hai, par kuch rasmein abhi bhi baaki hain. Aur... suhagrat ka samay bhi humne ek hafte baad ka rakha hai. Tab tak dono aaraam se ek-doosre ko samajh lein ge."

Shivansh’s sister and cousin (teasing in unison):

"Oooooooo..."

(Shivansh’s bride blushed, her cheeks reddening, though still unsure whether it was relief or embarrassment.)

Dada ji (firmly, interrupting the light moment):

"Bas, ab sabki baatein ho gayi hongi. Ab sab apne-apne rooms mein chale jao. Raat bohot ho gayi hai."

Everyone:

"Ji, theek hai Dada ji."

(Everyone began dispersing. Just as Shivansh stood up, Dada ji’s voice stopped him.)

Dada ji:

"Shivansh, beta… tum mere room mein aao. Tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai."

Shivansh (curious but composed):

"Ji Dada ji… par kya main pehle fresh ho kar aa jaaun?"

Dada ji (nodding):

"Haan, theek hai beta. Main intezaar kar raha hoon."

(Shivansh’s bride looked up through her veil slightly as Shivansh walked away, unsure of what was coming next. She stood beside Dadi, who gently placed a hand on her shoulder.)

Dadi (softly):

"Aaj se tu meri granddaughter-in-law nahi, meri granddaughter hai, beta. Chal mere saath."

(Shivansh’s bride gave Dadi a small nod, trying to steady her heartbeat. This house, these people, and this marriage—everything had changed in just a few hours.

And yet, this was only the beginning.)

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