[10]

" एक प्यार का नगमा है ,मौजों की रवानी है ,

ज़िंदगी और कुछ भी नहीं , तेरी मेरी कहानी है "

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As Rishit realized that Vaani had deliberately locked him inside the washroom, his heart skipped a beat, more from exasperation than surprise. His knuckles rapped impatiently against the wooden door, his voice rising in incredulity.

"Vaani, open the door! What are you doing?" His tone was a mix of urgency and bewilderment.

From the other side, Vaani's voice floated back, carrying a playful lilt. "Just making our first night memorable, patidev." Without a hint of remorse, she sashayed towards the bed, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and casually plopped onto the mattress.

Rishit pressed his ear against the door, his voice losing some of its edge but growing firmer. "Vaani, this is not the time for jokes. Open the door."

But his appeal fell on deaf ears, and the only response was the muffled silence of the night. Vaani, her legs now stretched comfortably across the bed, allowed herself a small smile as she toyed with a pillow, ignoring his protests.

"Vaani!" Rishit bellowed again, frustration creeping into his voice as he tried the door handle one more time, as if expecting a miracle. But nothing budged.

Resigned to his fate, he leaned back against the cold tiles of the washroom, muttering under his breath, "Kya kismat h meri," his tone carrying the weight of surrender.

( What luck I have )

The night crawled by, and the muted sounds of the outside world only made his solitude more palpable.

Morning arrived with a soft glow seeping through the windows, bringing a hint of relief to the air. Vaani, finally deciding it was time, unlatched the door and found Rishit standing there, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. His arms crossed firmly over his chest, he exuded an air of restrained patience that he rarely ever displayed.

"What was that?" he asked, his voice calm but the disappointment unmistakable.

Feigning innocence, Vaani tilted her head slightly and responded, "What?" Her wide-eyed expression only added to the charade.

Rishit let out a deep breath, his tone growing firmer as he asked again, "Why did you lock me in the washroom?"

With a nonchalant shrug, Vaani smirked. "Meri marzi." The boldness of her confession left Rishit momentarily speechless, his disbelief evident in the way his eyebrows shot up.

( Because I felt like this )

He stepped out of the washroom without another word, shaking his head in disbelief. As the door clicked shut behind him, Vaani, ever the embodiment of impishness, sprang to her feet, her eyes dancing with amusement. Grabbing her clothes with swift precision, she darted into the washroom herself, the last vestiges of her grin flickering as the door closed behind her.

As Rishit returned with his clothes, his footsteps slowed when he noticed that the washroom door was already closed. With a sigh, he placed the neatly folded clothes on the bed and glanced at the clock. Knowing he had time before leaving for the office, he sank into the couch, pulling out his phone to catch up on emails.

Minutes ticked by, and after half an hour had passed, Rishit looked up from his screen, frowning. "Is she taking a bath or renovating the washroom? Why is it taking so long?" he muttered under his breath, checking the time again. He ran a hand through his hair, mildly exasperated. "I'm definitely going to be late for the office today."

He called out softly, "Vaani?" hoping she'd respond. But the silence stretched, and his concern grew.

Inside, Vaani, leaning against the washroom wall, glared at the mirror, her brows furrowed. "Mein bilkul bahar nhi aane wali, inki himmat kaise hui mujhe friendzone karne ki," she muttered, her voice laced with indignation as she crossed her arms.

( There's no way I'm coming out! How dare he try to friendzone me )

Rishit stood up from the couch, walking towards the washroom door. He knocked lightly, trying to keep his frustration in check. "Vaani," he called again, this time a little louder but still gentle.

From the other side, Vaani's voice finally came. "I'm almost done," she said, though her tone carried a hint of mischief.

Another ten minutes passed before Vaani emerged from the washroom, her hair slightly damp, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Rishit, now engrossed in his phone, didn't notice the playful glint in her eyes as she strolled past him.

He simply sighed, glancing at the time again. "Let's hope the rest of the day isn't as eventful," he thought to himself, oblivious to the brewing storm in Vaani's mind.

********************

After getting ready, Vaani made her way downstairs and found Vidhi, Yash, and Meera gathered in the living room. The warm morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the space.

"Good morning, beta," Yash, her father-in-law, greeted her with a welcoming smile.

"Good morning, Papa," Vaani replied, smiling warmly back at him.

Meera and Vidhi greeted her as well, and Vaani returned their smiles before sitting beside Vidhi on the couch. There was a sense of quiet contentment in the air until Meera broke the silence.

"Beta, aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai," Meera began, her tone gentle yet purposeful. "But hamare ghar mein kuch different hota hai."

( It your first rasoi today )

( But we do something different )

"Kya?" Vaani asked, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.

( What )

"Yahi ki aaj breakfast sirf tum nahi, tumhare saath Rishit bhi banayega," Meera explained with a playful glint in her eyes.

( That today, not only you but Rishit will also make breakfast with you )

"Really?" Vaani's voice rang with shock as she processed the unexpected revelation.

"Haan beta, it has almost become a tradition of our house over the years," Yash chimed in with a fatherly tone, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Vidhi, sensing an opportunity to tease, leaned in and asked, "Toh bhabhi, aap aur bhai kya banane waale ho?"

( So, sister-in-law, what are you going to cook )

Vaani sighed, admitting with a slight shrug, "Pata nahi... aur waise bhi mujhe khana banana nahi aata."

( I don't know...and even I can't cook )

Meera, ever the voice of reassurance, smiled and said, "Koi baat nahi, Rishit hai na. Woh bana lega. Tum bas help karna uski, okay?" Her encouraging words were met with a nod from Vaani, as well as approving smiles from the others.

( No problem, Rishit will handle it, you just help him )

Just then, Meera shifted the conversation. "By the way, tum apna office kab se join kar rahi ho?"

( Btw from when you are joining your office )

Vaani straightened up a bit, thinking aloud. "Main soch rahi thi ki kal se kar lun."

( I was thinking of tommorow )

"Great," Yash replied, clearly pleased with her decision.

At that moment, Rishit entered the living room, his eyes scanning the group on the couch, sensing the conversation had been about him.

"Kya banane wale ho?" Meera asked, a hint of challenge in her tone.

( What are you going to cook )

"Jo aap bolo," Rishit replied, his expression calm, but his eyes subtly flickering with anticipation.

( Whatever you say )

Meera smiled. "Theek hai, toh aaj tum dono hum sab ke liye aalu ke parathe banaoge."

( Okay, then prepare aalu ke parathe )

Rishit nodded. "Okay," he agreed, turning towards the kitchen without hesitation. Vaani, though still somewhat flustered, stood up and followed him, her heart thudding as she stepped into uncharted territory-the kitchen where the real challenge awaited.

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Inside the kitchen, as Rishit began gathering ingredients, Vaani hovered beside him, watching carefully. The task ahead seemed daunting, but with Rishit at her side, she felt a strange sense of reassurance.

"What should I do?" Vaani asked, looking a bit uncertain.

Rishit glanced at her with a gentle smile and replied, "Tum aalu cut karke unhe boil hone ke liye rakh do."

( You can cut the potatoes and boil them)

Vaani nodded, moving towards the counter to grab the potatoes. Meanwhile, Rishit immersed himself in chopping onions and chilies, his focus sharp.

As he was chopping, his gaze drifted towards Vaani. His expression suddenly changed, and he quickly said, "Wait!"

"Kya hua?" Vaani stopped, looking at him with wide eyes.

( What happened )

"Agar ese cut karogi toh ungliyan kabhi cut jaengi," Rishit said, noticing Vaani's awkward grip on the knife.

( You will hurt yourself )

He stepped closer and gently took the knife from her hand. "Tum ye sab chhodo, tum aata ghoond lo. Uss box mein rakha hai," he instructed, pointing toward a container on the shelf.

( Leave this...you just prepare the dough.. flour is in that box )

"Okay," Vaani agreed, heading towards the box. She opened it and scooped out the flour with her hands, but in the process, the flour was not only landing in the plate but also spilling onto her clothes. By the time she had gathered enough flour, her clothes were dusted white, almost as if she'd walked through a snowstorm.

When Rishit saw her, he paused mid-chop and shook his head in disbelief.

Determined, Vaani started kneading the dough, but in her inexperience, she poured too much water into the mixture. The dough quickly turned into a sticky, watery batter, and in her attempts to fix it, she made a bigger mess, her hands, apron, and even her face getting smeared with bits of flour and water.

When Rishit noticed the state of the dough Vaani was struggling with, he shook his head in disbelief. "Wait, main karta hoon, tum haath dho lo," he said gently, taking over the task of kneading the dough while Vaani stepped aside to wash her hands.

( Wait, I will do it, you go wash your hands )

After some time, everything was prepared, and the only thing left was to cook the parathas. Rishit expertly started rolling them out, and Vaani watched him carefully, hoping to pick up some tips.

Just then, Rishit's phone rang. "Vaani, tum ye banao, main call attend karke aata hoon," he said, handing over the task to her. Vaani nodded, determined to give it her best.

( Vaani, handle this, I will be back after this call )

She started flipping the paratha on the pan, adding ghee as she'd seen Rishit do. But in her nervousness, she let it cook for too long, and soon enough, the paratha was burnt. When Rishit returned, his eyes immediately fell on the dark, crispy paratha.

He picked it up and tried to tear it apart, but it wouldn't budge. "Aari milegi? Isse kaatne ke liye?" Rishit asked with a straight face, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Vaani.

( Will you give me a saw ? To tear this apart )

"Aree, but why?" Vaani said, taking the paratha from him. She tried to break it herself, but despite her best efforts, the paratha remained unyielding. "Shayad zarurat padegi," she muttered, now eyeing the paratha with disbelief.

( I think we will need it )

With a sigh, she moved to the corner of the kitchen, her arms crossed.

"Wahan kyun khadi ho gayi?" Rishit asked, confusion lacing his voice.

( Why are you standing there )

"Bas, bohot ho gaya. Ab main koi help nahi karne waali," Vaani replied, her voice laced with frustration.

( Enough, now I am not going to help you )

"Ek baat batao, tumne aaj kitchen ka chehra pehli baar dekha hai?" he asked.

( Tell me one thing, have you even seen kitchen )

Vaani bit her lip and gave him a sheepish smile, shaking her head.

"Toh pehle batana chahiye tha na," Rishit said, his tone playful but understanding.

( You should have told me Before )

"Mujhe thodi pata tha ki itni gadbad ho jaegi," Vaani replied, her shoulders slumping a little.

( I never knew that it will create a mess )

Rishit shook his head again. "Accha, theek hai. Ab jao, change karke aao," he said kindly.

( Okay, now go and change )

Relieved, Vaani headed towards her room, leaving Rishit to take control in the kitchen once again. As she disappeared up the stairs.

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After some time, everyone gathered around the dining table. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly made parathas, and the family's chatter filled the room with warmth. Rishit and Vaani moved around the table, serving the food.

"Bahut acche bane hain, beta," Yash complimented, taking a bite and nodding in approval.

( They are delicious )

"Banae kisne hain?" Rishit said.

( I have made them )

"Mene bhi help ki hai," Vaani quickly interjected, giving Rishit a pointed look.

( I also helped )

"Haan, maa papa, Vaani ne meri bohot madad ki hai. Vaani ki help ke bina toh main aaj breakfast bana hi nahi paata," Rishit said sarcastically, but only Vaani could catch the sarcasm undertone in his voice. She narrowed her eyes at him, knowing full well what he was implying.

( Yes , she helped me a lot, without her I wouldn't be able to make the breakfast )

"Ye lo tumhara nek," Meera said, beaming at Vaani as she handed over a beautifully crafted diamond neckpiece. It sparkled under the light, elegant and intricate.

( Here's you gift )

"Thank you, maa," Vaani said, accepting it with a bright smile, touched by the gesture.

Rishit muttered under his breath, "Waah, khana maine banaya aur nek Vaani ko."

( Wow, I was the one who made the food and they are giving gift to Vaani )

After that, they both finally sat down at the dining table, joining the rest of the family.

As they started eating, the lighthearted atmosphere remained, the warmth of family making up for any mishaps that had occurred earlier in the kitchen.

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Thanks for reading

- Roohi