Settling in

A month had passed since Ishan's marriage, and

As the days went by, Ishan learned new skills and makeup styles, perfecting the art of dressing up.

He mastered walking around in heels, taking the heavy pallu with such grace that it commanded everyone's attention. His walk around the house was a sight to behold, with everyone stopping to admire his elegance.

With Keerthika's guidance and Ratan's private tutoring, Ishan had slowly but surely grasped the makeup skills.

He had never thought he'd be good at makeup, but Ratan's patience and encouragement had helped him discover a new talent.

However, there was one aspect of his new life that Ishan struggled with - shaving. He hated the feeling of razor burns and ingrown hairs.

Ratan, noticing his discomfort, suggested, "Why don't you try laser hair removal sessions? It's a game-changer, trust me."

Ishan was skeptical at first, but after a few sessions, he was amazed at the results. His body hair had significantly reduced, and he felt smoother than ever. He was strangely more comfortable with his smooth hairless body than he ever was with his old life.

His relationship with Aryan had also evolved into a uniquely close friendship. As Ishan navigated his new life, they shared moments that were equal parts awkward and endearing.

One morning, due to his old habit Ishan woke up to find himself sprawled across Aryan's chest again. He quickly scrambled out of bed, his face flushing with embarrassment. Aryan, still half asleep, gazed up at him with a bemused expression.

But that wasn't the only awkward thing about that morning. Ishan's eyes widened as he realized that he wasn't the only one who had, ahem, "morning enthusiasm." Aryan's eyes flickered to the side, and he muttered something under his breath.

Ishan's face turned bright red as he quickly looked away.

"Uh, sorry about that," he stammered.

Aryan cleared his throat. "Yeah, no worries. Just...just give me a minute, okay?"

Ishan nodded hastily and scrambled out of the bedroom, trying to give Aryan some space.

Again one time As he was getting ready, Ishan's pallu slipped, accidentally exposing his chest.

He frantically tried to cover himself, but his heels got tangled in the fabric, causing him to stumble. Aryan, who was sitting on the bed, couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight.

Ishan's face turned bright red as he quickly regained his composure.

"Shut up, Aryan!" he exclaimed, laughing despite himself.

Aryan grinned, still chuckling. "Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help it."

As Ishan's life in his new home settled into a routine, his relationship with his mother also underwent a drastic change.

She would often call him to give advice on how to live in his sasural, much to his annoyance. "Beta, make sure you wear a new saree every day," she would say.

"And don't forget to apply sindoor, it's a sign of a married woman."

Ishan would roll his eyes good-naturedly, but deep down, he appreciated his mother's concern.

Despite the occasional annoyance, Ishan enjoyed the newfound closeness with his mother. They would spend hours talking about sarees, makeup, and other things that Ishan had never been interested in before.

Usually the conversation went on, with Ishan and his mother chatting about everything from makeup to sarees to their favorite TV shows. It was a newfound aspect of their relationship, one that Ishan cherished deeply. Today was just like everyday

"Ma, did Baba and you finalize the house yet?" Ishan asked, putting his phone on the side of his dressing table.

"Yes, but don't you think it's a bit expensive?" Ma's voice came from the phone. "We can find bigger houses in our locality at a much cheaper rate."

"The locality where we can't even walk outside after 10 PM?" Ishan replied, applying gloss over his lips.

His bangles made a soft tinkling sound with every movement. "It's a better environment to live in, and we have the money now, so we can spend it better."

"Not we, you have the money ", Ma chuckled. "You're the one who married rich, beta. There are bills that need to be paid."

"Its a hard earned money Ma", Ishan joked, "I have to dress up as clown to entertain the world"

"Who are you lying to beta,", Ma replied, "I know by the poses you take photos on that you definitely like getting dolled up"

"I don't!" Ishan asked, exasperated, "And Why do you ask for my photo every day?"

"it's because you look just like I used to look in my youth", Ma laughed. "You're so beautiful, Radhika!"

Aryan, who was lying on his bed, chimed in, "Like mother, like daughter."

Ishan's eyes narrowed. "stay out of this."

Ma's voice got higher in excitement. "Oh, is Aryan there? Damad ji, how are you?"

Aryan replied on the speaker phone, "Namaste, Mommy ji."

Ishan threw him a dirty look.

Ma continued her voice pleading to see her child other than of usual video calls, "Do you have plans for today, beta? Can you finally come home after a month?"

"Ma you know I can't"

"Rohan misses you, you know", Ma said, " and You baba too.."

Ishan joked, "I don't think the neighbors would let Rohan leave after they found out that his brother dresses up in sarees and has a husband."

"Women would be jealous looking at my sweet Radhika. You're so beautiful, beta!"

"Well, I need to go. Aryan promised me he'd take me to the office today."

Ma scolded him, "Women don't say their husband's name like that, beta. You should say 'my husband' or 'Aryan ji'."

Ishan sighed. "Ma, please yaar. I'm going. Bye."

Ma replied, "Okay, beta. Take care. Don't forget to send me your photo today!"

"Yes I will, Now bye... Love you"

Ishan got up, ready in yet another stunning kanjivaram saree.

His nose gleamed with a beautiful diamond nose stud, a recent addition. With one pallu draped elegantly over his arm, he glanced at Aryan.

Aryan raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you getting ready like that? You look like you're going to a wedding."

"Dude, you promised you will take me to the office today", Ishan frowned, his feminine voice tinged with annoyance.  I'm tired of you sitting at home doing nothing."

"Did I, I dont remember ?"Aryan chuckled. "And by the way, You should call me Aryan ji, like Mommy ji."

"Stop calling her Mommy ji", Ishan rolled his eyes. "She's my mother, not yours. ."

Aryan shrugged. "You call my dad 'Papa ji', so I figured why should I stay behind?"

Ishan scowled, checking his reflection in the mirror. He added a touch of sindoor to complete his look.

"You're really getting into this, aren't you?"

Aryan teased, "I'm not sure if you're doing it for the job or just for fun."

"Well its fun because its a job, and a high paying one too", Ishan joked,finally putting his 3 inches heels and walking toward his pretend husband "Now shall we.."

"Yes, Ofcourse... Mrs. Raichand"