Chapter 19: First Morning as a Bride

Kiara’s POV

The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, pulling me from my slumber. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and realized I was alone in the waking world. Reyaansh was still sound asleep, his face relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen before. For a moment, I let myself stare at him, the quiet serenity of his expression captivating me. Shaking my head, I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to disturb him.

I gathered my clothes and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Standing in front of the mirror, I dressed in a soft red sari, its golden borders glinting under the light. I paired it with matching bangles, delicate jhumkas, a small red bindi, and my mangalsutra. Lastly, I applied vermillion to the parting of my hair.

Her look~

As I looked at my reflection, I felt an unfamiliar mix of emotions—pride, nervousness, and a sense of responsibility. I looked every bit the newlywed bride, yet I couldn’t quite reconcile this image with how I still felt inside.

When I stepped back into the room, Reyaansh had just woken up. His sleepy eyes locked onto me, and I felt my cheeks heat up under his intense gaze. His lips parted slightly, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his eyes lingering on the vermillion and mangalsutra. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft rustling of the curtains as a gentle breeze passed through.

“You’re… ready,” he finally said, his voice still laced with sleep. I nodded, unsure of how to respond. His gaze softened as he stood and gathered his clothes. “I’ll be quick,” he added, disappearing into the bathroom.

---

When Reyaansh returned, he was dressed in a crisp white kurta paired with beige churidar pants. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and he looked effortlessly handsome, as always. He caught me glancing at him and raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Let’s go. Everyone must be waiting for us,” he said. I nodded, clutching the edge of my sari nervously as we made our way downstairs together.

His look~

As we entered the living room, all eyes turned to us. His family was seated, chatting animatedly, but they all paused to greet us. His mother approached me with a warm smile, cupping my face gently. “You look beautiful, Kiara,” she said, her tone filled with genuine affection.

Before I could respond, an unfamiliar voice interrupted the moment. “Hmm, she’s pretty, but I wonder if beauty is all there is to her,” the woman said, her voice sharp and dripping with condescension. I turned to see a middle-aged woman with heavily adorned jewelry and a judgmental look in her eyes. She must be one of those distant relatives—the kind who thrive on drama.

---

“She’s a city girl, isn’t she?” the woman continued, her eyes scanning me critically. “I hope she knows how to take care of a family like ours. And what about her cooking? Or managing household chores? These modern brides don’t even know how to make a proper cup of tea.”

Her words stung, but before I could respond, Reyaansh’s mother stepped forward, her expression firm. “That’s enough, Shalini,” she said, her tone sharp. “Kiara is my daughter-in-law, and she’s already proven herself to be kind, respectful, and capable. I won’t have you questioning her place in this family.”

Reyaansh’s sister, seated nearby, chimed in with a smirk. “Oh, don’t worry, bua. Kiara can probably handle more than you ever could. After all, she married bhaiya, didn’t she?” Her playful tone lightened the atmosphere, and I couldn’t help but smile.

---

The woman, clearly flustered, turned to Reyaansh’s father for backup, but he simply shrugged. “Shalini, it’s too early in the day for your theatrics. Let the kids enjoy their first morning in peace.”

Reyaansh, who had been standing quietly beside me, finally spoke up. His voice was calm, but there was a certain edge to it. “Kiara is my wife, and that’s all you need to know. If anyone has a problem with her, they have a problem with me.”

His words sent a wave of warmth through me, and I felt a newfound confidence as I stood beside him. The woman muttered something under her breath but didn’t press further. The rest of the family quickly steered the conversation to lighter topics, and the moment of tension passed.

Reyaansh glanced at me as the room filled with laughter and chatter once more. “You okay?” he asked softly.

I nodded, my heart swelling with gratitude. For the first time since the wedding, I felt like I truly belonged here—not just as Reyaansh’s wife, but as a valued member of this family.

---

Reyaansh’s POV

As the chatter in the room settled, I decided it was time to formally introduce Kiara to the family. She was standing quietly by my side, her fingers clutching the edge of her sari nervously. I gave her a reassuring nod before addressing everyone. “Since this is Kiara’s first morning here, I thought it’s a good time for her to get to know everyone better.”

I started with my father, who was seated at the head of the living room, his usual stern expression intact. “This is Kunal Rathore, my father,” I said, my voice steady. “He’s a retired business tycoon who spent most of his life building this family’s legacy.” My father’s sharp gaze softened slightly as he looked at Kiara. “Welcome to the family,” he said curtly, but his tone wasn’t unkind.

Moving on, I gestured toward my mother, who was smiling warmly at Kiara. “This is my mother, Meera Rathore. She’s the heart of this family and the reason we’ve all stayed together.” My mother stood up, taking Kiara’s hands in hers. “You’ve brought so much happiness into this home, Kiara,” she said gently. “Feel free to think of me as your mother, not just your mother-in-law.” Kiara’s lips curved into a shy smile as she nodded, her gratitude evident.

---

Next, I turned to my sister, who was lounging on the couch with a mischievous grin. “And this is Riya, my younger sister. She’s a fashion designer and the most creative person in the family.” Riya got up and hugged Kiara lightly. “Welcome, bhabhi! I’ve been dying to design something for you. We’ll have so much fun together,” she said excitedly, her playful energy immediately putting Kiara at ease.

Lastly, I introduced my brother, who was leaning casually against the wall with his signature charming smirk. “And this is Aarav, my younger brother. He’s... well, let’s just say he’s still figuring things out.” Aarav stepped forward, offering Kiara a handshake. “Don’t let him fool you, bhabhi. I’m the fun one in the family,” he joked, earning a laugh from everyone.

---

Kiara’s nervousness seemed to fade as she interacted with each member of the family. My father, despite his reserved demeanor, gave her a rare nod of approval. My mother kept holding her hand, as if silently assuring her that she belonged. Riya’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Aarav’s lighthearted jokes managed to break the ice completely.

As I observed her, I realized how seamlessly she fit into this dynamic, despite how overwhelming it must have been for her. She handled my father’s sternness with grace, matched my mother’s warmth with her own, and engaged with my siblings like she had known them for years.

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“This family isn’t as intimidating as it looks,” Riya teased, nudging Kiara playfully. “You’ll get used to us in no time.” Kiara laughed softly, her eyes meeting mine briefly. I gave her a small nod, silently reassuring her that she was doing perfectly.

The conversation continued, and the atmosphere grew lighter with each passing moment. Seeing Kiara interact with my family, I felt a strange sense of pride. She wasn’t just my wife—she was now a part of the Rathore family. And, in that moment, I realized I was ready to protect her place in it, no matter what.