Chapter 25 — Her First Morning

The next morning, Ritika woke up early.

She quietly got ready and wore a simple saree. As she finished arranging her hair, Arnav woke up.

He looked around the room before speaking.

Arnav: My suit.

Ritika turned toward him.

Ritika: Okay.

She opened the wardrobe, took out his suit and placed it neatly where he could find it.

Arnav: Thank you.

Ritika simply nodded and went downstairs.

When she entered the dining area, everyone was already there.

Ritika: Good morning.

Shabana: Good morning, beta.

Rishi immediately smiled when he saw her.

Rishi: Morning, Mumma.

Ritika smiled.

Ritika: Morning, beta.

Rehnaa looked toward Ritika.

Rehnaa: Beta, can you prepare something sweet and breakfast for everyone?

Ritika smiled.

Ritika: Yes, Phupi.

She went into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

Soon, the dining table was filled with delicious food—sheera, vegetable biryani, puri, aloo matar kurma and raita.

Ritika carefully placed everything on the table.

Rehnaa smiled proudly.

Rehnaa: Beta, sit. You have done enough.

Ritika sat beside Arnav.

Everyone began serving themselves.

Abhram tasted the food and smiled.

Abhram: Beautiful, beta.

Rehnaa: Very nice, Ritika.

Shabana: You have prepared everything so well, beta.

Ritika smiled shyly.

Ritika: Thank you.

She glanced toward Arnav.

He hadn't said anything.

Ritika looked down, slightly disappointed.

But a few moments later, she noticed something.

Arnav had finished his breakfast.

He quietly served himself a second helping.

Ritika's lips curved into a small smile.

She didn't need him to praise her with words.

That was enough.

Beside her, Rishi ate quietly and carefully.

Arnav noticed the boy's discipline.

He watched Rishi finish his breakfast without making a mess or disturbing anyone.

Rishi then looked toward Abhram.

Rishi: Dadu, I am done with my breakfast.

Abhram smiled.

Abhram: Good boy.

Shabana: Beta, have some sweet.

Rishi immediately shook his head.

Before he could answer, Ritika spoke.

Ritika: Maa, he is allergic to sweets. Any kind of sweet. He isn't supposed to eat them.

Shabana immediately nodded.

Shabana: Oh, alright, beta. I didn't know.

Rishi smiled at everyone before leaving the dining area.

Ritika then served sheera to the others.

Abhram looked at her curiously.

Abhram: Which school does Rishi study in, beta?

Ritika: Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Abhram nodded approvingly.

Abhram: Good school.

Shabana looked at Ritika.

Shabana: Beta, why did you choose that school?

Ritika hesitated.

She didn't immediately answer.

Rehnaa noticed her hesitation and spoke gently.

Rehnaa: It's okay, beta. You can tell us.

Ritika looked at her.

Ritika: Nothing, Phupi.

She paused before continuing.

Ritika: Pavan's family has always been connected with the defence services. Most of them studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Everyone listened quietly.

Ritika: Pavan also wanted Rishi to study there. Rishi wrote the entrance examination and got admission.

Rehnaa nodded slowly.

Rehnaa: I understand, beta.

She smiled gently.

Rehnaa: It sounds like it was something important to Pavan, and you respected his wish for Rishi.

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: Yes.

Arnav remained quiet, listening to the conversation.

He looked toward Ritika for a moment.

He was beginning to understand that her past was not something she wanted to erase.

It was a part of the life she had lived.

And now, as her husband, he would have to learn to understand it rather than judge it.