next day...

when they woke up both were sleeping cuddling each other where siddharth's one arm was wrapped around Navya's waist while Navya's leg was on top of Siddharth's leg.

both unaware of there position slept peacefully when suddenly the alarm clock disturbed there sleep with its loud sound.

Navya tried to sit up when suddenly she fell on top of him as his hands were still around her waist. He lazily blinked open his eyes, stairing deeply in those eyes.

"it's wrong to take advantage of your poor husband when he is still asleep."

He said in his deep morning voice.

"Oh hello! It was you who was cuddling me."

She retorted while trying to pull away from him but unfortunately she fell on him again.

"though i don't mind watching you dominate me but we need to go downstairs it's already 8"

"ghar wale hamare der se aane ki wajah kuch aur na samajhne lagein"

he teased.

"Mujhe malum nhi tha ki aap itne besharm ho sakte hai warna kabhi haan nhi krti"

she replied.

"Abhi aapne hamari besharmi dekhi kaha hai"

he flipped the position where now she was beneath him while he leaned closer to her, his arms bearing his body weight.

She closed her eyes feeling lost in the moment when suddenly she heard him laughing holding his stomach and rolled beside her.

She knew he pranked on her and stood up embarrassed by his stunt. She stood up quietly and went to freshen up. She tried to ignore him and went downstairs.

Navya descended the stairs with deliberate calm, internally screaming. Her cheeks still flushed from the memory of the morning—her leg thrown over him, his arm around her waist, and that stupid, stupid prank.

Siddharth followed a few steps behind, perfectly relaxed, a smug glint in his eye. His shirt was carelessly half-buttoned, and he looked like he had just walked out of a perfume ad. The worst part? He knew it.

They entered the dining room, where both families sat chatting over breakfast.

Dadi looked up first, eyes gleaming.

“Aaj dono ek saath aaye? Nazar na lage.”

Navya offered a tight-lipped smile, bent to touch the feet of her elder's to take blessing from them beforetaking her seat. Siddharth casually took the one next to her.

As the elders chatted, Siddharth leaned slightly toward her, his voice a low whisper only she could hear.

“Comfortable?” he murmured.

“Need another cuddle buddy tonight or will the pillow suffice?”

Navya shot him a glare without moving her head.

“Touch me again in your sleep, and I’ll use that pillow to suffocate you.”

He chuckled softly, pouring himself some juice.

“Feisty. I like my mornings with a side of violence.”

Navya turned to him ever so slightly, smiling sweetly to anyone watching—but her words were anything but.

“You think you're charming, don't you?”

He leaned closer, just brushing her shoulder.

“I know I am. If you don't believe me you can see your face, they are still flustered.”

She clenched her jaw, still smiling outwardly.

“That was the pure rage building inside me. Any more nonsense and I might actually develop superpowers.”

Siddharth took a slow sip of tea.

“Just don’t use them to fly away. I’m starting to enjoy our little arrangement.”

Navya’s spoon froze mid-air.

“Arrangement?” she whispered.

“This marriage wasn’t a Netflix show, Siddharth. You don’t get to enjoy it like some romantic comedy.”

He grinned.

“Oh, but it is a rom-com. The grumpy teacher and the arrogant businessman. Viewers would love it. Especially the scene where you closed your eyes under me like a scene straight out of Kabir Singh.”

She choked while drinking the soup.

Across the table, her mother looked up.

“Sab theek hai?”

Navya coughed once and nodded quickly.

“Haan! Bas... soup thodi zyada garam hai.”

Siddharth leaned in again, his voice barely audible.

“Next time I lean in, don’t close your eyes unless you want something to happen.”

Her breath hitched, and her hand instinctively pinched his thigh under the table—hard.

He winced but didn’t move.

“Kinky. Didn’t expect that this early in the marriage.”

She leaned closer, whispering like venom.

“One more word, and I’ll tip this hot soup on your very expensive boxers.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“So you noticed my boxers now?”

Before she could retaliate, his friend Aryan barged into the house carelessly, pulling a chair for himself with a screech before plopping on it ,

“ Kya Bhai, itni jaldi mujhe bhul gya tu. Abhi bewi k aaye ek din bhi nhi hua” He completed with a dramatic sigh.

"Tu hai kon? Aur mere pote ki abhi abhi shadi hui hai honeymoon jane k time pe tu usse office le jana chahata hai" Dadi commented glaring at Aryan.

"D..Dadi mera wo mtlb nhi tha mai to bs...." Aryan tried to explain but was again intrupted by dadi.

" Chup kr aur tu bhi Shadi kr le. Kb tk trip k naam pe Sid k sath bussiness trip pe jayega"

Aryan sat there with mouth hung open, lost of words, appalled by Dadi's comment.

Navya blinked, stunned.

Siddharth gave her a smug side-glance, whispering:

“You, me, Maldives? Don’t worry, I’ll behave... mostly.”

Navya’s blush returned with full vengeance.

Her mother-in-law’s cheerful voice broke through the quiet tension.

“Navya beta, shaadi ke baad ki rasam ke liye tumhe ek meetha banana padega. Apni pehli rasoi.”

Navya straightened a bit.

“Ji aunty—Dadi.” She corrected herself quickly, already feeling the pressure building.

Dadi smiled.

“Aur Siddharth, tum bhi jao. Apni biwi ki madad karo. Akele toh nahi sambhalegi na?”

Siddharth pressed a hand to his chest in mock devotion.

“Of course. Anything for meri pyari patni.”

The clatter of utensils and faint sound of boiling milk filled the kitchen. Navya, in a light peach salwar, focused on stirring the pan of kesar-infused milk, determined to avoid all eye contact.

Siddharth leaned casually against the counter, arms crossed, watching her with amused eyes.

“So,” he began, grabbing a spoon and inspecting it like it was interesting,

“what are we making, MasterChef Mrs. Kapoor?”

She didn’t even look at him.

“A mistake. Just like this marriage.”

He chuckled, stepping closer.

“If this is a mistake, it's the most delicious one. I’ve never been this entertained before breakfast.”

“I’m not here to entertain you.”

“Too late. Ever since you tripped on me like I was your mattress, I’ve been thoroughly entertained.”

Navya gave him a look, holding up the ladle like a warning.

“Keep talking, and you’ll be the next thing I stir into this kheer.”

He grinned and took the milk jug from her hand, deliberately brushing her fingers.

“Wow, that was kinda romantic. Cooking together. A little flirting. Domestic bliss.”

She tried to move away, pretending to be busy with the dry fruits, but he followed.

“Are you always this charming in the morning?” she asked sarcastically, adding almonds to the pan.

“Only when I wake up with a beautiful woman tangled around me,” he whispered smugly.

She dropped a raisin.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here we are. Married. In a kitchen. You, blushing. Me, irresistible.”

She turned to face him finally, her cheeks tinged pink.

“Blushing? Please. It’s the stove heat.”

“Of course,” he replied with mock seriousness, handing her a spoon.

“And you didn’t close your eyes this morning thinking I was going to kiss you, right?”

Navya froze. Then slowly turned her back to him and began stirring the kheer again, harder this time.

“Siddharth.” Her voice was calm. Too calm.

“If you ever bring that up again, I swear, I will make sure your next meal tastes like regret.”

He leaned over her shoulder, his voice lower, softer.

“You know… if regret tastes like this kheer, I might just ask for seconds.”

She finally looked at him—half furious, half flustered. He winked.

From outside the kitchen, the family watched through the half-open door, smiling knowingly.

Dadi nudged Sid's mother.

“Ladai ho rahi hai ya romance, samajh nahi aa raha.”

His mother smiled.

“Shaadi ka sahi start ho toh aise"

Navya gently placed the steaming bowl of kheer on the dining table. The aroma of saffron, cardamom, and roasted dry fruits wafted through the air.

Everyone gathered around, watching curiously. This wasn’t just a sweet dish—it was her first step into this house as a daughter-in-law. Her hands trembled slightly, but her face stayed composed.

Siddharth’s Dadi took the first bite, eyes closing as the flavor settled on her tongue.

“Bilkul ghar jaisa swad. Kheer nahi, prasad banaya hai.”

Navya smiled faintly.

“Bohot badhiya beta,” her mother-in-law chimed in, nodding with approval.

She unlatched a small box and handed it to Navya.

“Yeh humari taraf se tumhare pehle rasoi ke liye.”

Inside lay a delicate diamond necklace—simple yet breathtaking.

Navya blinked, stunned. “Yeh… itna sab—”

“Aaj tumne sabka dil jeet liya,” her father-in-law said, stepping forward with a warm smile and placing a small envelope in her hand.

“Ismein ₹50,000 hain. Apni marzi se kharch karna.”

Then Dadi pressed a small velvet pouch into her hand.

“Yeh mere liye khaas hai. Mera diya hua pehla sona tumhare liye—

She smiled proudly.

“Ek chhoti si bracelet.”

Navya was overwhelmed—not by the luxury, but the acceptance wrapped in it.

But while everyone praised, congratulated, and gifted her… Siddharth remained silent.

He finished his bowl slowly, set it down, and without a single word or expression, stood up.

“I’m heading to the office.”

He turned to the family, tone polite, face unreadable.

“Dadi, Maa, Papa… main chalta hoon.”

Navya looked at him instinctively. Her eyes searched his face—maybe for a smirk, a sarcastic comment, even a casual “well done.”

But nothing.

He walked toward the door, paused briefly.

For one fleeting second, it looked like he’d turn and say something to her.

But then… he simply adjusted his watch and walked out followed by Aryan.

No gift.

No compliment.

Not even a goodbye.

Navya’s smile faltered for a heartbeat. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay composed in front of everyone.

Of course he wouldn’t say anything. Why would he?

The elevator doors of K&R Enterprises opened with a soft chime. Siddharth walked out, all sharp edges and tailored authority. Employees nodded, cleared hallways, and straightened in their seats at the sight of him.

Inside his private office, Siddharth tossed his phone on the desk and leaned against the massive glass wall. The city skyline stretched before him—wide, busy, emotionless.

Just like him.

Or so he tried to be.

He took off his Rolex and placed it on the side. Ran a hand through his hair. Closed his eyes.

Why didn’t I say something?

Why couldn’t I?

The kheer had been perfect. Even he, who barely cared for sweets, had gone for a second spoon.

But that warm look in her eyes when she waited for his response?

It threw him off more than he wanted to admit.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Sir, investors are waiting in the conference room.”

He nodded, straightened his back.

“I’m coming.”

As his assistant left, Siddharth's phone buzzed again.

Message from Dadi (Group Chat):

"Sabko toh gift diya... patni ko bhool gaye?"

He locked the screen.

Again.

But this time, his jaw clenched tighter.

And somewhere, deep inside, something he couldn’t name…

One thing was clear—this marriage might not have begun with love…

But it was definitely going to be war.