AUTHOR'S POV ~

Sunlight streamed softly through the window, brushing against Ravi's face.

He stirred, rubbing his eyes as sleep slowly faded away. When he tried to sit up, he felt a sudden weight on his waist.

Confused, he looked down -- and smiled.

Madhu's legs were draped carelessly over his torso.

Turning his head, he found her lying beside him, her face close to his shoulder.

Her hair was messy from sleep, yet the vermillion on her hairline glowed brightly, proudly marking her as his.

Her mangalsutra rested gently against her chest, catching the morning light.

She wasn't a slim, fragile girl -- she had softness in all the right places, a warmth that felt comforting rather than delicate.

Her saree had shifted in sleep, reaching just above her knees, making her look adorably unaware of the chaos she had created.

Ravi smiled to himself.

Careful not to wake her, he gently lifted her leg aside and adjusted her saree properly.

There was something oddly intimate about this small act -- like a silent promise. He then quietly went to freshen up.

When he returned, the clock caught his attention. Time was slipping away.

He moved back to her side and bent down slightly.

"Madhu... oh Madhu," he murmured softly.

She responded with a sleepy, "Hmm..." her voice thick with drowsiness.

"uth jaa, subah ho gayi hai," he whispered softly.

(get up, it's morning already.)

The moment she heard his voice clearly, Madhu jerked awake and sat up instantly.

Her eyes darted around the room before landing on Ravi - sitting right in front of her, freshly bathed, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist, water droplets still clinging to his skin, a thin gold chain resting against his chest.

Reality hit her all at once.

She was married.

"Suprabhat," Ravi said with a grin.

(Good morning)

Madhu blinked rapidly. "Hanji... aapko bhi."

(Yes... good morning to you too.)

"Chal, ab jaldi taiyaar ho jaa," Ravi said casually as he took out his clothes and started wearing them.

(Come on, get ready quickly.)

Madhu's cheeks burned red. She immediately covered her eyes with her palms.

"Ji! Aap mere saamne kapde kyun pehn rahe ho?"

(Yes! Why are you changing clothes in front of me?)

Ravi chuckled while buttoning his kurta.

"Kyun? Kya dikkat hai?"

(Why? What's the problem?)

"Dikkat kuch nahi hai," she mumbled shyly, "lekin mujhe bahut sharm aa rahi hai."

(There's no problem... but I'm feeling very shy.)

He stepped closer, gently pulling her hands away from her face.

"Abhi itni sharm aa rahi hai," he teased softly, "jab bina kapdon ke dekhegi toh kya haal hoga tera?"

(You're feeling this shy now... imagine what will happen when you see me without clothes?)

Madhu gasped, flustered. "Aap kaisi gandi-gandi baatein kar rahe ho!"

(What kind of naughty things are you saying!)

Ravi laughed lightly.

"Achha ji? Isme ganda kya hai? Apni biwi se baat kar raha hoon... kisi anjaan se thodi na."

(Oh really? What's naughty about this? I'm talking to my own wife... not some stranger.)

Madhu looked away, her heart racing, cheeks glowing crimson -- while Ravi watched her with quiet amusement, knowing this shy smile was now his forever.

Madhu shifted slightly on the bed, her fingers twisting the edge of her saree pallu, as if clinging to a lifeline.

Her voice trembled a little as she looked up at Ravi.

"Suniye ji... nahana kahan hai?"

(Listen... where is the bathroom?)

Ravi's eyes softened, a hint of amusement dancing in them, but there was something protective in the way he looked at her.

"Bathroom mein aur kahan."he replied

(In the bathroom, where else?)

Madhu bit her lip, cheeks warming with embarrassment.

"Woh toh mujhe bhi maloom hai... par woh hai kidhar, yeh bataiye."she asked.

(I know that much... but tell me where it is.)

Ravi's smile understanding the situation. He stood up, the morning light brushing his face.

"Achha, chal... mere saath."he said and looked at her.

(Alright, come with me.)

He led her gently outside, the courtyard bathed in soft golden sunlight.

The air smelled faintly of jasmine and dew, and the distant hum of a morning bird made the world feel calm.

At the far end, a small bathroom stood beside a tiny shed-like room.

Ravi pointed toward it, his tone practical yet caring.

"Yeh raha bathroom."

(This is the bathroom.)

Then, as if remembering her comfort mattered just as much as the directions, his voice softened, almost tender.

"Aur sun... nahane ke baad iss kamre jaakar kapde pehen lena."

(And listen... after bathing, go inside this room and change your clothes.)

"Warna nahi toh andar saree geeli ho jaayegi." he told her.

(Otherwise, your saree will get wet inside bathroom.)

Madhu nodded quickly, eyes lowered, heart racing-not just from shyness, but from the warmth in his tone.

"Ji." she whispered.

Ravi turned and walked back into the angan, the soft clinking of bangles echoing in the morning quiet.

His mother appeared then, holding the aarti thali, her eyes gentle and welcoming.

"Bahu uth gayi?" rupa asked.

(Has the daughter-in-law woken up?)

Ravi's lips curved into a respectful smile.

"Ji, maa." he replied

(Yes, Maa.)

His mother's face lit with a satisfied glow, the ritual movements of the aarti blending with the quiet intimacy of a household that was slowly becoming a home.

Madhu adjusted the pleats of her saree one last time and stepped out after getting ready.

As she entered the angan, the soft chime of her anklets broke the silence of the quiet morning.

Ravi, who was sitting on the cot with a cup of morning tea in his hand, paused mid-sip.

The sound reached him before she did.

He looked up.

Madhu walked past him towards their room, her pallu neatly covering her head.

For a brief second, their eyes met-just a second, yet enough to make her heart skip.

Ravi's gaze held warmth, curiosity, and something unmistakably possessive.

Madhu instantly lowered her eyes, her cheeks warming with nervousness.

Madhu walked into the room, adjusting the pleats of her saree.

Ravi followed her inside quietly, smiling as he looked at her through the mirror.

"Main kuch madad kar sakta hoon?" he asked looking her reflection in the mirror.

(Can I help you with something?)

Madhu, still fixing her pleats, replied shyly.

"Haan... zara meri iss rang ki saree se milti choodiyan laga dijiye." she said.

(Yes... please help me wear the bangles that match this saree.)

Ravi nodded and took out the orange glass bangles from the bag she had brought with her.

He sat on the bed patiently starts matching the bangles.

Madhu put her bindi and sindoor and walked toward him.

"Ji, ho gaya?"she asked stood in front of him.

(Is it done?)

"Haan... yeh le." he said and took the bangles which was on bed neatly arranged.

(Yes... here you go.)

As Madhu reached out to take the bangles, Ravi gently held her wrist and slowly slid the bangles onto her hand, one by one.

His touch was soft and caring. Madhu smiled at his affection.

After a moment, she spoke softly

"Ji, mera ho gaya. Ab chaliye, bahar chalte hain." She adjusted pallu on her head .

(I'm ready now. Let's go outside.)

Ravi smiled and shook his head.

"Nahi... ruko. Ek cheez toh chhoot hi gayi" he said.

(No... wait. One thing is still left.)

Madhu looked at him, confused.

Ravi gently cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

Madhu blushed and smiled.

Looking at her blushing face, he said

"Ab meri biwi aur bhi zyada khubsurat lag rahi hai."

(Now my wife looks even more beautiful.)

Madhu went straight to the kitchen. Rupa was there, already busy with the morning chores.

Madhu walked up to her and gently bent down, touching her feet.

"Sada suhagan reh, bahu," Rupa said softly, placing her hand on Madhu's head.

(May you always remain blessed as a married woman, daughter-in-law.)

Madhu smiled shyly.

Madhu heard a voice behind her. She turned and saw a woman standing there Ravi's aunt, Kalavati.

A widow who lived in the same house, her presence carried authority wrapped in affection.

"Uth gayi, Maharani?"

(So, the queen is awake?)

Madhu immediately bent down and touched her feet.

Kalavati smiled and blessed her.

"Haan haan... khush reh."

(Yes, yes... may you be blessed.)

Then her tone turned practical.

"Chal, jaldi se nashta bana de. Ravi ke kaam par jaane ka samay hone wala hai."

Kalavati said with a mock of authority.

(Come on, make breakfast quickly. Ravi's time to leave for work is near.)

Madhu nodded obediently and looked toward the kitchen where Rupa was chopping vegetables.

"Maa, nashte mein kya banaun?"

(Mom, what should I make for breakfast?)

Rupa didn't turn around and murmured, chopping the vegetables.

"Zyada samay nahi bacha hai. Jaldi se sooji ka upma bana de." Rupa advised.

(There's not much time left. Quickly make sooji upma.)

Madhu nodded and moved to the shelf filled with steel containers, searching carefully.

"Woh jo aakhri wala dabba hai, usmein hai." rupa pointed at the shelf to the last container.

(It's in the last container.)

Soon, the kitchen filled with soft sounds utensils clinking, vegetables sizzling, and unspoken emotions settling into routine.

Kalavati sat in the aangan.

Ravi sitting beside kalavati reading a newspaper.

A minute later, Madhu came out holding plates. She served Kalavati first, then moved toward Ravi.

As she handed him the plate, Ravi looked up. Madhu stood there with her veil, her face half-hidden.

His lips curved into a smile. Beneath the veil, Madhu smiled too -- shy, warm, unseen.

Ravi took the first bite of upma and nodded appreciatively.

"hmm..bahot swadisht bana hai ," he said simply.

(The food is very tasty)

Madhu's shoulders relaxed a little at the praise.

She stood there for a moment, unsure whether to sit or return to the kitchen.

"Madhu aa tu bhi baith," Ravi said without looking up.

(Madhu, you sit too.)

Madhu hesitated, then quietly sat at a little distance, folding her hands in her lap.

Ravi noticed it immediately.

"Yahin," he said, tapping the edge of the khatiya beside him.

(Here)

Madhu glanced at Kalavati, then at Rupa. Seeing no objection, she moved closer, sitting carefully -- like she didn't want to disturb the space.

For a while, only the rustle of the newspaper and the clink of spoons filled the air.

Then Ravi stood up.

"Acha, ab main nikalta hoon," he said, while washing his hands.

(I'll head out now.)

Madhu followed him to the door instinctively.

He slipped on his slippers, then paused, looking at her -- really looking at her this time.

The way her pallu kept sliding forward, the faint nervousness still clinging to her eyes.

"Main shaam ko aaunga," he said gently. " Tu Ghabrana mat."

(I'll come back in evening, Don't be scared.)

Madhu nodded. "Ji."

(Yes)

He hesitated, then leaned slightly closer not touching, just close enough that only she could hear.

"Agar kuch chahiye ho toh... maa se keh dena. Ya... mujhe yaad kar lena."

(If you need anything... tell Maa)

(Or... just call me).

Her eyes lifted to his for a second.

"Ji," she repeated, softer this time.

(Yes)

Ravi stepped out into the morning sun, and Madhu stood at the threshold watching him go -- heart strangely full for someone she had known for such a short time.

Behind her, the house hummed on. Ahead of her, a life was quietly beginning.

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