chapter 1

“ In my heart's doubt, I wonder: can our arranged marriage find its own love?”  Anika thought.

As she and Pragya stood side by side in the bustling kitchen ,embracing the cherished tradition of the Malhotra household where daughters-in-law took charge of meal preparation.

"I'll handle breakfast. Pragya, could you take care of lunch for Advik and Ishan?" Anika declared, her voice a gentle command.

"Of course, Di," Pragya responded with a nod, already mentally planning the menu. Their culinary coordination was interrupted by the cheerful entrance of Anaya, who breezed into the room like a ray of sunshine. Anaya, the honorary sister to both, was greeted with warm smiles.

"Well, look who's here, our favourite troublemaker," Pragya teased, her eyes twinkling with affection.

"I prefer 'heroine,' thank you very much," Anaya quipped, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she tossed her hair with flair.

Anika couldn't resist joining in on the banter. "Are we discussing your latest fashion statement or your impending marriage to Siddharth?" she teased, her tone light-hearted.

Anaya feigned offence, her lips forming a mock pout. "You two waste no time with your morning teasing" she retorted, through her eyes gleaming with shared amusement.

Anika and Pragya shared a knowing chuckle, delighted by Anaya's comedic flir as she joined in their laughter.

Their mirth, however, was swiftly interrupted by the authoritative voice of Reena, whose disapproving gaze quelled their jovial chatter before she retreated from the room.

Anaya, never one to hold back, whispered a rebellious suggestion, her frustration evident. "Why can't we just kick her out of the house?"

Pragya explained with a resigned sigh "Because she's Dadi's favourite, and you know how much sway Dadi holds with our husbands."

Anaya's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Well, then I'll just have to take matters into my own hands and enlist the help of a black magician to banish her," she declared with mock seriousness.

Anika interjected with a playful grin "Brainwashing seems more practical."Anaya's theatrics continued as she pretended to consider her next move.

"Oh, but I have plans of my own. Siddharth and I are off to Canada soon, but I haven't finished my shopping" she exclaimed dramatically earning a round of laughter from her companions.

Once again, their culinary escapades were abruptly halted by Reena's reproachful voice.

"Didn't I tell you to cook food?" Reena's stern reminder echoed in the kitchen, prompting a collective sigh from the trio.

Anaya, ever the picture of obedience, quickly switched gears, addressing Reena with practised politeness.

"Yes bua ji? What do you want to eat ? ?" she asked, her tone respectful and accommodating.

Reena's request was simple. "Prepare me some tea," she replied briskly before exiting the kitchen, leaving a palpable tension in her wake.

Anaya's frustration bubbled to the surface as she muttered under her breath "Well, I could make her tea with a hint of poison if we had any lying around."

Just then, Siddharth made his entrance, his mere presence injecting a sense of warmth and affection into the room.

He tenderly kissed Anaya on the cheek before enveloping her in a loving embrace.

"Good morning, beautiful," Siddharth greeted her with a smile, his eyes alight with adoration.

Returning his embrace, Anaya reciprocated the greeting.

"Good morning, Sid."Siddharth then acknowledged Anika and Pragya with a cheerful greeting.

"Good morning, bhabhis," he said, his tone friendly and warm.The two women responded in kind, their smiles genuine as they returned his greeting.

"Good morning," they chimed in unison, their affection for Siddharth evident in their demeanour

“ I heard something like poison. Whom are you planning to kill.“ Siddharth's inquiry about the mention of poison caught Anaya off guard.

she quickly deflected with a nervous laugh, pulling him away from the kitchen before he could delve further into their conversation.

"Um, nobody, let's go, Siddharth, we're running late" Anaya replied hastily, her hand tugging at his,eager to divert his attention away from their private exchange.

As the couple disappeared from sight, Pragya couldn't help but envy their seemingly carefree dynamic.

"I wish we had lives like theirs," she sighed wistfully, her gaze lingering on the spot where Anaya and Siddharth had stood moments before.

Anika nodded in agreement, a hint of melancholy in her expression.

"Yeah, it's been a month since our marriage," she mused, the weight of their familial obligations evident in her tone.

"But they've barely exchanged a few words with us," Pragya lamented, her disappointment palpable.Anika's frustration mirrored Pragya's.

"We weren't exactly enthusiastic about this whole marriage thing. We only went through with it because of family pressure," she admitted, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Their conversation shifted to the source of their current annoyance. "And then there's dear bua ji and her family" Pragya grumbled, voicing her dissatisfaction with Reena's constant interference.

"Why can't they all just go on a family vacation and leave us in peace?" Anika pondered aloud, her irritation evident.

Their discussion was interrupted by Reena's impatient reminder from the dining room. "Is my tea ready?"

Anika quickly composed herself and responded "Yes, just coming, bua ji," before hurrying to prepare Reena's tea.

Once they had fulfilled their duties, Pragya and Anika finally joined the others at the dining table, ready to partake in breakfast after a morning filled with familial obligations and frustrations.

"Bhabhi, I've told you, I like spicy food. But you always make it less spicy. If you don't want to cook for me, just say so," Adarsh snapped rudely, his impatience evident in his tone.

"Adarsh, you are the only one who likes spicy food. What about the others? I can't make food twice" Anika responded, struggling to maintain her composure in the face of his aggression.

"Adarsh, she's older than you," Prakash interjected sternly, reprimanding his younger brother for his disrespect.

Before Adarsh could retort, Ishan's voice cut through the tension, his tone cool and authoritative.

"Oh, dear brother, do you need a lesson in manners? Perhaps on how to speak to your bhabhi?" he chided, his presence commanding attention as he descended the stairs.

Ranya, curious about Ishan's unexpected appearance, questioned him.

"Ishan, you are here? You usually leave early for the office."

"I forgot an important file, so bhaiya asked me to bring it to him," Ishan explained casually.

"Ah, I see," Ranya acknowledged his explanation before turning her attention back to Adarsh.

"Don't you think you owe someone an apology?" she prodded, her gaze steady as she looked at her son.

Adarsh, feeling the weight of Ishan's disapproving stare, relented.

"Sorry, ishan," he mumbled, his tone contrite.Turning to Anika, he offered a belated apology. "Sorry, bhabhi," he muttered, and Anika nodded in acceptance.

"Come, Ishan, join us for breakfast," Ranya invited warmly, eager to defuse the tension.

But Ishan declined, citing his workload. "No, Mom, I have a lot of work at the office. I should get going," he declined politely.

"Okay, take care," Ranya bid him farewell, her affection evident as she watched him leave, a tender smile gracing her lips as he kissed her forehead before departing..

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Ranya and Prakash retreated to the sanctuary of their room, the weight of family tensions heavy on their minds.

"Reena and her family always find ways to humiliate our daughter-in-law," Ranya lamented, her frustration evident in her tone.Prakash offered reassurance, albeit with a hint of determination. "Don't worry," he said firmly, his resolve clear.

"But how can I not worry? Just today, she was telling Ma that we shouldn't allow Anaya to pursue modelling," Ranya recounted, her voice tinged with concern.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Ma. And Reena doesn't have any right to dictate anything for our daughters," Prakash vowed, his protective instincts kicking in.

"I wonder what I did differently during Siddharth's time. I should replicate it for Advik and Ishan," Ranya pondered aloud, a hint of humour in her voice as she glanced at Prakash.

"Or maybe God thought he had already blessed us with two troublemakers, so He decided to balance it out with a gentleman," Prakash quipped, earning a chuckle from Ranya as they shared a moment of levity amidst the chaos.

Meanwhile, in the garden, Pragya and Anika found solace amidst the blooming flowers.

"Sometimes I feel like we're living in a daily soap opera," Anika remarked, twirling a flower between her fingers. "We practically are," Pragya agreed, her gaze wandering to something in the distance.

"I think I need to get that black magician's number from Anaya," Pragya declared, and Anika nodded in agreement, understanding the sentiment behind her sister's words.Suddenly, Pragya's thoughts shifted to Anika's relationship with Siddharth. "What's up with Jiju?" she inquired.

"Am I even married? Sometimes, I forget that fact," Anika replied with a wry smile, her thoughts drifting to her absent husband.

"Didi, sometimes I feel like throttling both of them," Pragya confessed with a sigh.

Anika's eyes widened in mock horror. "No, thank you. I have no desire to become a widow anytime soon," she joked, her laughter echoing through the tranquil garden.

"Nor do I want a murder charge," Pragya quipped, her tone laced with dark humour.

"Let's go whip up something sweet," Pragya suggested, hoping to distract themselves from the brewing chaos.Anika, however, hesitated at the thought.

"Nooo, please. The kitchen already feels like my second bedroom these days—the only place where I spend a significant amount of time.

“ Besides, Bua ji's friends are coming today for their kitty party, and then we have Avni's snacks to contend with," she explained, her expression a mix of resignation and exasperation.

"Tomorrow, let's just slip some sleeping pills into their breakfast. At least for a day, I'll get some peace and quiet," Pragya proposed half-jokingly, her frustration evident.

"Right, let's get ready for Bua ji's kitty party. After that, I need to finish writing my new novel," Anika declared, determined to find moments of solace amidst the chaos.

"Ah, crap, we also have to go to the office," Pragya groaned, releasing yet another item on their endless to-do list.

With a resigned sigh, both women made their way back to the kitchen, where they would inevitably spend the majority of their day juggling domestic duties, social obligations, and personal aspirations.

Afternoon

Reena sat nestled among her closest friends in the cosy warmth of her living room, the aroma of freshly brewed chai mingling with the laughter and gossip that filled the air. The soft afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the scene.

As they exchanged stories and caught up on each other's lives, Anaya made a graceful entrance into the house, her presence commanding attention.

The room fell momentarily silent as the group took in the sight of the renowned actress, now their friend's daughter-in-law, standing before them.

"Wow, Reena, is that the famous actress Anaya?" one of her friends exclaimed, breaking the silence.Reena beamed with pride, her eyes twinkling with affection.

"Yes, indeed. She's not just any daughter-in-law; she's my favourite," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of maternal pride.Anaya's eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected declaration, a mix of amusement and curiosity dancing in her gaze.

"Whose wife is she?" another lady chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "She's Siddharth's wife," Reena answered

Meanwhile Anaya, intrigued by the conversation.made her way into the kitchen, her steps echoing softly against the tiled floor. Her mind buzzed with questions, eager to unravel the mystery behind Reena's declaration.

"Since when did I become her favourite?" Anaya couldn't help but ask as she joined Anika in the kitchen, her voice laced with curiosity and amusement.Anika chuckled softly, leaning against the countertop as she recounted the morning's events.

"Well, perhaps since this morning, when bua jii pleaded with grandma to persuade you to give up your career as an actress," she explained, adding an intriguing layer to the unfolding drama.

"Damn, she's giving Charmeleon some serious competition," remarked Anaya.

"Where's your Sid, Mrs. Anaya Malhotra?" Pragya inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Working," Anaya replied casually, plucking an apple from the fruit bowl with effortless grace.

"Alright, i am absolutely exhausted. i am heading to my room" Anaya announced with a sigh, making her exit from the lively gathering.

As Anaya disappeared from view, Anika's phone suddenly rang.its muted tones barely audible amidst the chatter.

"Hey,  Pragya. Aayush is calling," Anika informed her, glancing at the screen before answering the call.

"What are my two sisters up to?" Aayush's voice rang through the phone.

"Ah, just the usual - cooking," Pragya replied, her expression betraying a hint of disappointment.

"Cooking? Do you two even know how to cook anything besides Maggie or pasta?" teased Aayush, unable to resist poking fun at his sisters.

"Aayush, they've grown up now, they're married," Gulki scolded him from her end of the call, her tone laced with affectionate reprimand.

"Hey bhaiya, pass the phone to bhabhi," Pragya requested, eager to catch up with her sister-in-law.

"Gulki, your favourite wants to talk to you," Aayush announced mischievously, passing the phone over to Gulki with a playful grin."Heyyy," Gulki greeted warmly as she accepted the phone, her voice filled with affection.

"Heyyy bhabhi, how are you?" Pragya and Anika chimed in, her excitement evident as she eagerly awaited Gulki's response.

"Beautiful as always," Gulki replied affectionately, her words bringing a smile to everyone's faces as they chuckled in unison.

“ Alright, you three catch up. i am off," Aayush announced from the other end of the line, signalling his departure and leaving the trio to their much-needed girls' talk.

“ "How's life treating you?" Gulki inquired, her tone filled with genuine interest.

"Oh, you know, the usual routine - surrounded by the kitchen and Bua Ji's family," Pragya responded with a playful laugh, downplaying the reality of her daily life.

"I meant your married life," Gulki clarified, her question hanging in the air, causing a sudden shift in the atmosphere.

Pragya and Anika exchanged a glance, a moment of hesitation passing between them. Married life? They were strangers to their husbands, mere acquaintances passing like ships in the night. What could they possibly say to Gulki when they rarely saw their husbands, who arrived late at night and departed early in the morning?

"Yeah, just going," Anika replied, "Life is just going on, it's life, not your accountancy," Gulki remarked with a playful teasing tone.

"Ohh please, bhabhi, don't remind me of my worst life decision of taking commerce," Anika responded pulling a mock grimace at the memory

Pragya and Gulki shared a laugh at Anika's expense, their bond growing stronger with each shared moment.

"Aayush told you, but you didn't pay attention. What's our fault?" Gulki queried, her tone laced with amusement

"The whole fault lay with my accounting teacher. Have you seen my marks? Just passing marks in the board exams," Anika lamented, shaking her head at the memory.

"Yes, but a single piece of paper can't decide your future. Both of you are the Saxena sisters, famous Authors" Gulki reassured them, her words imbued with confidence and pride.

"Excuse me, please, I am a poetess" Pragya interjected with a hint of mock indignation.

"Yeah, yeah, a poetess “ Gulki teased affectionately, the camaraderie With their conversation winding down, Anika and Pragya exchanged warm goodbyes, expressing their anticipation for their next chat.

"Alright, bhabhi, we'll catch up soon. Take care," Pragya said with a smile in her voice.

"Yes, take care, Gulki. Talk to you later," Anika added. "Take care, both of you,Call me anytime if you need anything" Gulki responded with genuine affection.

And with those parting words, they ended the call, each feeling a sense of connection and comfort in the bond they shared as sisters-in-law and friends.

After bidding Gulki goodbye, Anika and Pragya retreated to their respective rooms, each seeking solace in the comfort of their own space, ready to unwind and rest after the day's events.