Chapter 05 : Her filmy in laws

Anya sighed as the car entered through the gates of Dubey Niwas. Pushing off her thoughts into the corner of her brain, she braced herself to face the new challenge that was thrown on her face.

Rayansh, who was now fully awake looked at her as she took in a deep shaky breath mentally screaming to run away when the driver stopped the car. He jumped off the car and walked towards the other side of it to open the door for her but she was already out, adjusting her attire.

He extended his hand for her while she looked at his hand in mid-air and then looked up at his face who was already looking at hers. She sighed thinking 'I-regret-every-life-choice' and curled her little finger in his not to disrespect him even though she wanted to kill him because of the current situation.

Full hand-holding? Too much commitment!

Pinky-finger pact? Begrudging tolerance!

Hand-in-hand, oh — pinky finger - in - pinky finger they walked towards the main door of the mansion. On her way she took in the peaceful surroundings and looked up at the moon and the stars. She winced when her leg hit the first step of stairs making him turn towards her, amused.

She cleared her throat and pointed towards the bell button through her eyes to press it while he frowned at first and then proceeded to press the button. As the chim rang inside, they wait for the door to open.

She clutched his finger tighter because for the moment it was the only thing that kept her sane while he looked amused with the sudden change of her character.

Few hours ago, she was about to eat someone alive. Roaring hurricane to be precise and now she is being scarry cat.   

The character arc was Oscar-worthy.

As soon as the door opened, they heard a loud gasp making them look at the owner of the voice. It was his younger sister; Shrija who volunteered to open the door. She was now rubbing her eyes to confirm whatever she was looking at was the reality or one of her stupid and meaningless dreams.

She rubbed her eyes once, twice and probably even thrice but all she could see was a married couple. Her second elder brother was standing infront of her with his newly wedded wife.

“Either I’m dreaming or bhai got kidnapped and replaced by a sanskaari clone.” She muttered before squinting harder.

Rayansh rolled his eyes at her drama and was about to enter in when she stopped them putting both of her hands in mid-air showing her palms to them like traffic barricades.

“Maa. Bhabhi. Koi aarti ki thal le aayi yeh. Mera bhai shaadi karke aaya hai.” [My brother just got married and is standing on the threshold so please bring the plate for pooja.] Shrija screamed on top of her lungs, dramatically making the people inside frown.

“Not with a megaphone, Shri. That was my ear.” Rayansh winced covering his ear with the free hand.

“Don’t kill my vibe, dulhe raja” She snapped, throwing him a mock glare.

“What nonsense are you spitting out?” She was about to receive a smack on her head but it turned into a dramatic face palm as his elder brother, Daksh covers his mouth with shock. Probably imaging a good-dramatic-background-music taking in the current situation.

“I knew it. This is that episode in every serial of Ekta Kapoor where the lead elopes and comes back married. I should’ve known. The background music was playing in my head since morning.” Daksh lets out throwing his arms in air. Dramatically.

“Who is it?” His sister-in-law, Riya peeped through one side of the door after shaking her head at the sibling’s drama. Only to freeze on her place with her jaw dropped on the floor.

“Mai to bas pani lene gayi thi, yeh kya ho gaya is ghar mein?” [I just went to get water, what even happened to this house?] She held her head between her palms as if it everything infront of her was blur and spinning.

Looking at the trio still at the door, elders; Sundari, Vrinda and Rajesh walked towards them in confusion as they descended the stairs. Their confusion was replaced with shock as they saw what kind of stunt their son had pulled off.

Sundari kept blinking thinking she was hallucinating. Vrinda gasped, dramatically maybe continuing the dramatic background music with Daksh. Rajesh was too shock to give any reaction as if his soul left his body for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak—then shut it again. He looked at Rayansh, then at Anya, then at their interlocked pinky fingers. And the process continued.

“This isn’t my cataract acting up, right?” Sundari blinked rapidly.

The one who said marriage was nowhere in his plans as off now, as it doesn’t really align with his career goal. The one who kept distance with girls never had a girlfriend to avoid the scandals. Who was even okay to be addressed as a gay by media, was now standing in front of them hand-in-hand with a girl who is also his wife now, not even a girlfriend. If said.

“Acha! Toh aaj ka surprise yeh hai?” [Ah! So this is today’s surprise?] Rajesh took off his glasses after recovery from shock and wiped them on his kurta like the problem was with the lenses, not reality. He inquired later when it was crystal clear that lenses weren't the problem.

“I thought the biggest shock I'd ever get was Rayansh learning how to cook — but this feels like the season finale." He added blinking through his glasses.

“Mujhe laga tum career ke peeche bhaag rahe ho, par tum toh climax ke peeche bhaag rahe the!” [I thought you were chasing your career, turns out you were running straight into the climax!] Vrinda took a deep breath, placed a hand on her chest like a tragic film heroine.

“Ten bucks says she cries in the next five seconds.” Shrija whispered to Daksh.

“Five says she faints.” Riya muttered after she overheard them.

“Ek baar toh socha hota, beta. Main maa hoon, TRP nahi!” [You could’ve told me once, son. I’m your mother, not a television rating!] Instead, Vrinda stepped forward, narrowed her eyes at Rayansh and Anya, and in a tone that was both amused and scolding, added.

“Shaadi kar li! Bata bhi nahi sakta tha? Yeh kaunsa trend chalu kar diya hai tumhare generation ne?” [You got married! You couldn’t even inform us? What is with this new trend, your generation’s started?] Sundari shook her head coping up with the fact that she got another grand-daughter-in-law.

“Shaadi toh kar li— ab batao, reception ka card bhi WhatsApp pe bhejoge ya Dream 11 pe milega?”[So you got married — now tell me, are you sending the reception invite over WhatsApp or will I find it on Dream11?] Vrinda gave one last sigh, hands on her hips, pretending to give up.

“Bas ek baat bata do —  kya tum logon ka shaadi ka trailer bhi release hua tha ya main directly first day first show pe aa gayi?” [Just tell me one thing, was there a wedding trailer, or did I land straight into the first-day-first-show?] Rajesh folded his arms and added one final jab, almost to himself.

“I call dibs on narrating this whole thing at the next family gathering. With full dramatic reenactments.” Shrija gave a victorious smirk to herself.

“Should’ve recorded that entry. It had viral potential.” Daksh muttered to Riya while she just pressed her lips into thin line to break out into laughter looking at her serious-faced-husband.

Anya shifted uncomfortably knowing very well she had to face all these but the thing was she wasn't able to differentiate between their reaction, was it all they genuinely meant as they were mad or just pretending to be mad and pulling their legs. Rajesh caught her reaction and softened slightly and gave her a warm, teasing smile.

“Beta, welcome to the circus. Don’t worry—yeh log aise hi drama karte hain. Sab pyaar se bhara hua hai, bas thoda filmy version hai.” [Dear, welcome to the circus. Don’t worry—they act dramatic like this. It’s all full of love, just the film-style version.] He said to which she just gave him a small nod with a faint smile as she could exactly put finger on their reactions. While they all laugh to lighten the mood and Rayansh shook his head in disbelief.

Could have made a good movie outta this! He thought to himself.

Sundari gestured Vrinda towards the temple room to which she nodded positively and walked towards it followed by Riya and Shrija in tow. After few minutes they came back, Vrinda with a plate with vermilion, turmeric, diya, some petals of flowers and few grains of rice while Riya with a brass kalash filled with rice and a Betel nut on top of it. And Shrija followed them with a white cloth on her shoulder and a big plate full of red colour thick water; altar.

Vrinda smiled as she stood in front of the newly wedded couple and put small amount of vermilion in between their brows and showered them with few flower petals. Then she rotated the plate around them.

“With your right leg slowly kick on this kalash.” She informed Anya as she pointed to the kalash which Riya had kept on the threshold.

Anya nodded and slowly kicked in the kalash as they both slowly step inside the house. They halt their steps as Shrija was trying her best to put the white cloth on the floor but the cool breeze was not helping it. The scene was no less than her fighting a ghost all draped in white for her life.

"Ow!" She exclaimed when Daksh smacked her head to which she glared him while he royally ignored it.

"Do it properly, you part-time hurricane." He took hold of the other end of cloth and kneeled down to place it properly on the floor holding onto it.

“I’d like to see you fight a rebellious bed sheet with a god complex.” Shrija snapped. But together, they managed to create a welcome path that vaguely looked like a red carpet.

“Welcome home, Bhabhi.” Shrija and Daksh said in unison as Anya stepped on the cloth and gave them a small smile, some nervousness still lingering within her as she walked in along with her husband leaving behind the imprints of her feet on the cloth.       

Looking at the dramatic yet warm welcome she felt a tinge of warmth inside her and gave a small nervous smile to everyone while he was shocked by his family's gesture because he had prepared himself for the worst case scenarios like him being thrown out of the house or him getting disowned but this was the first time he could say his parents trusted his decision even before he could explain the circumstances back there.

“So, this is your room.” Shrija said as they stand in front of a room after the family introduction. “And that one is mine. If you need anything please let me know.” She pointed towards the next room at the end of the corridor to which Anya smiled and nodded at her.

“Did we manifest this?” As Anya walked away alongwith Shrija, Sundari whispered to Vrinda with mock seriousness.

“I asked for a daughter-in-law, not a whole plot twist.” Vrinda shook her head.

“Well, look at the bright side. At least she’s pretty. If this was a prank, she’s a very aesthetic one.” Riya chimed in cheekily as she clapped her hands together.

Anya entered his room which was also hers from now on while Shrija pulled in the suitcase behind her. Anya examined the level of class it had while Shrija took her leave saying a good night to her.

All the three walls of the room were painted in off white while one of them which had bed against it, had a portrait of himself hung above it. Her eyes fell on the guitar royally placed near the start of glass door which leads to the extended balcony.

On the opposite wall of glass door that is towards her left, there were some Polaroids hanging with his single photos while some were with his siblings and other family members while few were with two children that look around the same age was simply decorated with string of tiny golden lights. Below which a dressing table is placed.

Towards her right there were two doors. She walked towards one and opened it and it was revealed to be a walk-in closet. She was surprised looking at it not because of the stuffed filled in there but the mess that was created. She sighed and closed the door because she didn’t want to invade his privacy and gather his mess before her OCD irked in. She then, walked to open the other one which revealed to be a washroom. To her relief it was organised.

So, this is how his personality is.

Cool. Cute. And upper case M-E-S-S-Y.

First thing she did was looked at her reflection into the mirror. She looked pretty with her parted hair filled with vermilion. And a Nuptial chain along with her other neck pieces against her slim neck.

I never knew I can look this pretty.

She turned towards her suitcase and removed her phone clicking few mirror selfies. Trying a failed attempt to pose.

She then removed the thread that was tied around her head and proceeded to remove the hundreds of pins that were stuck in her hair. Even though the hairstyle looked simple yet elegant, it was complicated. She deeply breathed out as she lets her hair open and passed fingers through it. Massaging her scalp a little before collecting her hair again, turning it into a messy bun.

She then looked at her traditional navari making her groan thinking about the amount of safety pins that were used to keep her attire intact. First, she removed her waist chain proceeded by her other jewelleries that includes earrings, neck pieces, nath (nose pin), anklets and was about to remove her bangles (Chuda) when something striked her about the ritual to remove them. She then proceeded to remove safety pins one by one.

How did I end up here? She thought as a video of how the events had turned up unexpectedly few hours ago flashed into her mind.

How I wish he wouldn't have jumped into my mess? She sighed working on the pins.

Veda Manus. [Crazy man]

Galat jagah mardangi dikhane aa gaya. [It wasn't the place to play the tough guy.]

She heard a knock on the door. But pretended to not hear it knowing very well who was on the other side of the door.

Meanwhile, Rayansh who had to fight his way inside the room because Shrija was not letting him, before she received hefty amount to let him in, in the name of the ritual he didn't knew existed. And to top it all his sister-in-law, Riya had joined her. Even though they earn enough for themselves they still bugged him like a bee to empty his pockets not wanting to miss their rights.

"I'm coming in." She heard and next second, she was inside the washroom throwing her navari saree where she was standing a second ago.

She took cold shower because the amount of sweat she felt the entire day was enough for her to know how hot it was due to humid weather even though currently winter was going on.

She relaxed herself under the shower and after done with it, realisation hit her like a truck. She had forgotten to bring her clothes with her even a towel if to be said.

She groaned at her stupidity. She had purposely entered the shower so that she could waste his time but here she was stuck in this situation.

Usually she would have just walked out into her room but now it was different. There was another creature present in the same space as hers. A very shady one.

This is it. This is how I die. Naked. Drenched. Defeated.

Meanwhile he picked up the navari saree lying on the floor and folded it neatly surprising himself. Later, he walked towards his closest and started clearing out a side of it so that he could share it with her.

Till morning everything was his but just few hours ago his personal space turned into a shared space. He knew someday he would. And that someday turned out to be today itself. Satisfied with the amount of space he created for her things , he walked out of it when his eyes fell on the dressing table and made his way towards it to make it shareable space as well. He neatly arranged her jewellery and pins at one side. While his watch on other side.

He frowned looking at the time. It was way too late that she was still inside making him worry. He walked towards the door and raised his fist to knock on it instead he felt soft, less hard thing against his fingers. His eyes went wide open because at the exact moment she had opened the door and what felt soft against his fingers was her forehead. His eyes unwantedly travelled down on her body.

She did not ---

Glossary:

Bhabhi - addressing sister-in-law,

Dulhe raja - groom,

Kalash - brass mug.

Note: If you want any more translations please feel free to ask!

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A/N

First of all, my heart goes to the people and family that were affected by the plane crash. May god give them strength to cope up with the pain that unwantedly came knocking on their doors.

Moving to the chapter;

What are your thoughts about this chapter?

What do you feel about Rayansh's family?

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