Chapter 20: The First Morning
The first morning after their wedding dawned peacefully.
The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of their room.
Poornima slowly opened her eyes.
She looked toward the two cradles.
The twins were still asleep.
A smile appeared on her face.
She quietly got out of bed so she wouldn't wake anyone.
After freshening up, she draped a simple pastel saree and stood before the mirror.
She gathered her long hair over one shoulder.
With one hand, she tried to tie the dori of her blouse.
She reached behind her again.
But she couldn't fasten it properly.
Just then...
Veeresh, who had woken up, noticed her struggling.
Without saying anything, he walked behind her.
Poornima saw his reflection in the mirror.
She looked at him through the mirror.
He gently took the loose strings of the blouse.
Veeresh: "Stay still."
She silently nodded.
Carefully, he tied the dori into a neat bow.
Then he fastened the small hook at the back.
He noticed her saree pallu wasn't pinned.
Picking up the safety pin from the dressing table, he neatly pinned the saree on her shoulder.
When he finished, he smiled.
Veeresh: "Done."
Poornima looked at herself in the mirror.
Then she looked at him.
Poornima: "Thank you."
Veeresh: "You're welcome."
He picked up his clothes.
Veeresh: "My turn."
He walked into the washroom to freshen up.
Downstairs
A little while later...
Poornima came downstairs.
She greeted everyone with a warm smile.
Poornima: "Good morning, Maa."
Rukmini: "Good morning, beta."
Poornima: "Good morning, Papa."
Devraj: "Good morning."
She greeted Aravind, Siya, Arjun, Rajshree, and Kritika, who had stayed over after the wedding.
Rukmini smiled.
Rukmini: "Beta..."
"Can you prepare something sweet and breakfast today?"
"Nothing elaborate."
"Just something simple."
Poornima nodded immediately.
Poornima: "Of course, Maa."
She tied an apron around her waist and walked into the spacious kitchen.
The maids offered to help.
Poornima: "We'll cook together."
Within an hour...
The kitchen was filled with wonderful aromas.
Poornima prepared:
Creamy kheer
Soft rotis
Mixed vegetable sabji
Fragrant vegetable biryani
Everything was arranged neatly on the dining table.
Breakfast
Soon, the family gathered.
Veeresh came downstairs wearing a simple navy-blue T-shirt and grey trousers.
He noticed Poornima serving the dishes.
She quietly took her seat beside him.
The maids served everyone.
Devraj tasted the kheer.
His face lit up.
Devraj: "Excellent."
Rukmini smiled.
Rukmini: "I knew she'd cook well."
Aravind took another spoonful.
Aravind: "This is delicious."
Siya: "The biryani is wonderful."
Rajshree: "And the kheer is perfect."
Poornima smiled shyly.
Veeresh tasted the vegetable sabji.
He suddenly reached for his glass of water.
Everyone looked at him.
Veeresh: "It's... spicy."
Poornima looked at him innocently.
She didn't say anything for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Poornima: "Really?"
She looked around the table.
Poornima: "Strange."
"No one else seems to think it's spicy."
The family tried to hide their smiles.
Veeresh narrowed his eyes.
Veeresh: "You're doing this on purpose."
Poornima folded her arms.
Poornima: "Next time..."
"I'll add even more chillies."
"Maybe then everyone will feel what only you seem to be feeling."
For a second...
Silence.
Then the entire dining hall burst into laughter.
Arjun almost dropped his spoon.
Arjun: "Poor Veer!"
Aravind laughed.
Aravind: "The rivalry has officially entered the kitchen."
Even Devraj couldn't stop laughing.
Veeresh shook his head with a smile.
Veeresh: "Chudail."
Poornima looked at him with a playful smile.
Poornima: "Rakshas."
Rukmini quietly looked at Devraj.
Devraj (softly): "When do you think they'll stop arguing?"
Rukmini smiled as she watched the two of them bicker over breakfast.
Rukmini (softly): "Maybe never."
She glanced at Veeresh and Poornima, who were still teasing each other.
Rukmini: "But one day..."
"They'll realize that behind every argument is a little more understanding than the day before."
Devraj nodded.
For the first time since the wedding announcement, he felt hopeful.
The bond hadn't formed yet.
But it had begun.
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