~THE LUSCIOUS AFFECTION~

"SARANSH... SARANSH..."

"Where are you?! How could you do this to me?!" The voice trembled with hurt. "Not only did you hide your marriage from me, but you didn't even have the courage to ask me... Did I mean nothing to you? You should've at least thought about me before doing this!"

The frustration and sadness in her words filled the air. My heart ached as the voice grew louder, a mix of sweetness and authority.

I stepped out, wanting to understand who this was. Just then, Saransh's cold, distant voice cut through the tension.

"Stop shouting, Mahi. This isn't a concert, it's my house."

"So what, Saransh!" Mahi snapped, her voice laced with irritation.

"Why are you here, Mahi?" Saransh asked, his voice calm, almost too calm.

"Why can't I be here?" she shot back, her tone dripping with mockery. "Bhai, you've changed so much after your marriage. I can't believe it..." Her words stung as her sharp gaze flicked over to me like an unspoken accusation.

Yes, she was Saransh's sister-the same Mahi I had met at the hotel that day. The tension in the room was suffocating, so I quietly slipped away to the kitchen, leaving them to sort through whatever storm brewed between them.

I busied myself with breakfast, hoping the clattering of pots and pans would drown out the muffled voices from the living room. As I stirred the kheer, its sweet aroma filled the kitchen, bringing a small sense of comfort. Once everything was ready, I carefully laid out the dishes on the dining table, the kheer gleaming in the morning sunlight. A part of me hoped the warmth of the food might ease the chill in the air.

I asked the maids to call Saransh and Mahi for breakfast. A few moments later, they walked in together-Mahi laughing softly, her face lit up with amusement, while Saransh maintained his usual calm demeanor, though there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It was subtle, almost invisible, but I noticed.

When their eyes fell on the breakfast table, a flicker of something unspoken passed between them-joy, perhaps? Excitement? Whatever it was, they quickly masked it. Typical siblings, I thought, their personalities so alike-guarded, deliberate, and always trying to conceal what they truly felt. But in that fleeting moment, the shared spark between them was undeniable.

(Ek chamgadad to dusri chudail dono insaan toh bilkul nahi ho skte!!)

After breakfast, Mahi handed me a delicate pair of payal as a gift for the pehli rasoi ritual. The intricate design shimmered softly in the light, and though she didn't say much, her gesture spoke volumes. It felt warm, almost like an unspoken acceptance.

Meanwhile, Saransh was devouring his breakfast like a child who feared someone might steal it away. Bite after bite, he ate with such speed that it almost made me laugh. It was clear he liked it, though he'd never admit it out loud. Watching him enjoy something I made filled me with a quiet sense of happiness. I was glad-more than glad. It felt like a tiny victory in this new chapter of my life.

Mahi shot me a pointed look, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "Don't get the wrong idea," she said, her tone cool and deliberate. "I only gave you the payal because of the ritual. Don't think for a second that it means I've accepted you."

(Toh mujhe bhi kisi chudail ki bhabhi bnne ka shauk nhi hai!!)

Her words stung, but I managed to keep my expression calm. I wasn't expecting warmth, but hearing it so plainly still left a hollow feeling in my chest. I nodded silently, clutching the delicate anklets in my hand, reminding myself that relationships, especially with someone like Mahi, would take time.

I was almost done with my food when my phone buzzed. The name on the screen made me freeze-Pratyush. He rarely called, and when he did, it was only for something serious. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the screen, uncertainty creeping in.

A part of me hesitated, wondering what could have happened, while another part was already bracing itself for whatever news he had to share.