•|The Raghuvanshi Mansion|•

A ray of sunlight fell on the lady, disturbing her beauty sleep. She turned around, and her right hand roamed to the opposite side of the bed to find someone. Unfortunately, no one was there. She rubbed her eyes and opened them for better vision, sitting upright on the bed. She looked at the clock; it showed 7 a.m.

She sighed and muttered something under her breath and got up to do her morning routine.

After coming out and getting ready, she took one last look at herself in the mirror before going downstairs. She knew she had to look presentable; after all, she is...

Akshita Raghuvanshi

The Eldest Daughter-in-law Of

''THE RAGHUVANSHI'S''

"Good morning, Maa and Chachi," Akshita said with a smile, taking their blessings.

"Good morning, beta," her mother-in-law, Rashmi Raghuvanshi, replied with the same smile

"Bless you, beta," her aunt-in-law Bhavna Raghuvanshi blessed her.

"So, tell me, what should I cook for today?" Akshita asked.

"Um... what about my favourite parathas?" a manly voice came from behind. The ladies turned around to find...

'The head of the Family'

'Adhiraj Raghuvanshi'

"Good morning, papa," Rashmi and Bhavna took his blessings, to which Adhiraj replied by saying, "Bless you."

"Good morning, Dadaji," Akshita took his blessings.

"God bless you, Bacche. Now tell me, when are you going to make it?" he asked with a childish smile.

Before Akshita could reply, they heard a feminine voice, which belonged to none other than...

'The Female Head of the Family'

'Gayetri Adhiraj Raghuvanshi'

Akshita, Bhavna, and Rashmi took her blessings too.

"Akshita, Bhavna, and Rashmi bahu are not going to cook today," she said, her voice indicating dominance.

They knew why she was saying this, but what could they do if the newly married second daughter-in-law of the Raghuvanshi family hadn't shown up yet?

"Where is she? Doesn't she know she has to grace us with her presence?" she mocked.

Gaytri doesn't like people who are not disciplined, and more to that, the new daughter-in-law belongs to the middle class which she dislikes because she is from the middle-class family but She is the Choice of her dear Husband and second GrandSon.

Akshita also belongs to a middle-class family. However, after witnessing her well-mannered and disciplined nature, along with her ability to carry herself with grace, she was accepted as the daughter-in-law of the Raghuvanshi family. Akshita got married and came to this house with the agreement of everyone, except for one person.

Gayetri is the one who makes rules. She is bold and Dominant, no one can go against her, she wants everything according to her.

"I'm here Dadiji" They all heard A voice, they looked to see......

Tara Raghuvanshi

Newly married Second Daughter in law of The Raghuvanshi's

She took every elder's blessing and they blessed her with smile except Gayetri.

"Rashmi and Bhavna bahu go and look for Morning prayer and Akshita it's her First Rasoi so you will tell her where the ingredients are but will not help her in cooking, Do You Get that?" Gayetri orders making everyone nod.
And she went from there with Rashmi and Bhavna.

"She will take time beta, She's not that bad" Adhiraj tells Tara who tried to smile.

And he too went from there.

In the kitchen,

"Please don't mind, Dadi Tara. She behaves like this all the time. I also experienced it on my first day here," Akshita said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

"It's okay, Bhabhi... Now tell me what to cook?" Tara asked.

"What can you cook?" Akshita asked her.

"um... I can make... ummm... I don't know how to cook," she said in a low tone, causing Akshita to giggle.

"It's okay, you can tell me anything. Well, I'm here to help you. Let's make kheer then. Just follow my instructions," Akshita said, making Tara nod.

***

Tara was washing her hands when she felt someone back hugging her from behind.

"What do you want now? Wasn't the night enough?" she asked, not turning because she knew who was hugging her.

"Well, I can never get enough of my wife," the voice belonged to none other than

The Second child of Raghuvanshi's

Avyansh Raghuvanshi

"Go, Avy. Someone will see us," Tara said, wiggling in his arms.

"First, my morning kiss, wifey," Avyansh said, tightening his arms around her.

"No! I'll give it to you later. I have work right now," she said, turning around and freezing in her place.

"Is work more important than me?" he asked, putting her hair strands behind her ears.

"What happened? Why are you standing like a statue?" Confused by her silence, he turned around to see where Tara was looking and got startled.

He gulped and looked at the trio. Tara immediately stepped out of his grip and stood away, looking down due to embarrassment.

"bha... Bhabhi... wo... act... actually... I... I was ju... just playing around," he stuttered, very badly. Akshita kept a straight face, hiding her smile.

The other two burst into laughter, making the couple even more embarrassed. The two siblings were...

Veer Raghuvanshi

and

Trisha Raghuvanshi

"Seriously, Bhai... Playing? Hahaha," Veer said, bursting into laughter once again.

"Bhai, at least come up with a genuine excuse. What do you mean by playing, huh?" Trisha laughed, giving a high-five to Veer.

Akshita tried to control her giggles but failed.

"Bhai, did you get a toy to play with, huh?... Playing?" Veer said, making Tara blush.

Observing the couple, Akshita spoke up.

"Stop it, Veer and Trisha. Don't tease your Bhai-Bhabhi," Akshita said, giving them a fake glare.

"But Bhabhi, you see the reason, na?" Trisha said, laughing in between her words.

"So what? He got married yesterday.Itna toh banta hai," Akshita said, taking their side.

(So, it's okay)

"See, only my Bhabhi understands me, you pieces of shit," Avyansh said, side-hugging Akshita, seeking solace from the embarrassment. Akshita, like an elder sister to him in the form of a sister-in-law, held great importance in his life.

Akshita ruffled his hair, and Tara smiled as she witnessed their bond. Avyansh had often expressed to Tara how much Akshita meant to him.

"What about us, Bhabhi? Hugs for only Bhai? What about us?" Trisha asked, pouting.

"Come, sweetheart, it's for you guys too," Akshita said, opening her other arm to welcome them.

Trisha and Veer also joined the hug, embracing the warmth of the moment.

"What are you waiting for? You're no different," Akshita said to Tara, who smiled widely and joined the hug, feeling the love and acceptance within the family.

"Looks like our gang completed" Veer exclaimed making everyone chuckle.

Soon they heard Bhavna calling them for prayer so they went towards the house temple.

After Morning prayer

In The Dining Hall

Everyone sat at the dining table while Akshita and Tara served them breakfast.

"I hope she made this alone?" Gayetri asked, eyeing the kheer.

"Yes, Dadi," Tara replied.

Everyone tasted the kheer, and Tara watched them hesitantly, but Akshita reassured her with her eyes.

"It's really tasty, Tara beta," exclaimed Shlok Raghuvanshi, Akshita's father-in-law, making Tara smile.

"Yes, Tara, it's really good," Rashmi supported her husband's comment.

Tara looked at her husband, who was now eating a second bowl of kheer, but he didn't compliment her.

"Bhukkad," Tara muttered under her breath.

"Tara, here, take this," Trilok Raghuvanshi, the second child of Adhiraj and Gayetri, urf Avyansh's dad, said along with his wife Bhavna. They presented her with a jewellery set.

Tara looked at Avyansh, who nodded with a smile. She graciously accepted the gift from them, expressing her gratitude and receiving their blessings.

Then, Shlok and Rashmi gifted her an envelope containing 51,000 rupees.

"Well, we will give you your gift after you come back from your paghfera, beta. It's a surprise," Adhiraj said with a smile.

"Surprise! Wow, Dadu!" Veer exclaimed, filled with excitement.

"Don't be so excited, young man! It's not for you; it's for the couple," Gayetri calmed her over-excited grandson.

Everyone chuckled, amused by Veer's reaction.

Akshita gifted Tara a pair of diamond earrings.

"Oh, Akshita, where is your husband?" Shlok asked, unable to find his son throughout the event.

Everyone turned to Akshita, expecting an answer.

And there, she became numb.

Why?

He had simply asked about her husband.

There was no reason to become numb, right?

Then why did she?

And, most importantly, where was her husband?

She gulped, looking at everyone, but managed to answer somehow.

"Papa, vo jaldi chale gaye the. Unki koi urgent meeting thi," she replied in a calm and soft tone.

(Dad, he went early. He had an urgent meeting.)

"I don't understand why this man works so much. It's only been 4 months since he got married," Adhiraj said, growing annoyed with his busy grandson.

"He doesn't even stay at home usually. You should make him stay home. You are his wife," Gayetri told Akshita rudely.

Akshita simply looked down, not wanting to answer, or perhaps she didn't have an answer.

Her dear husband went on a business trip for 2 months right after their wedding rituals concluded.

For the past 2 months, he has been ignoring her as if she doesn't exist. Who knows if he even saw his wife's face or not? He arrives home late at night and leaves early in the morning. Akshita has only seen him in their room on rare occasions, and even then, it seems like he forgets she is there. Due to his behaviour, Akshita avoids looking at him, and she has only caught glimpses of his face a few times. Other times, he would deliberately change his path or she would choose to ignore him due to his behaviour.

It's hard to believe that they are married; even strangers are better at communicating than they are.

"Dadi no one can do anything, If Bhai doesn't listen to anyone, it's not bhabhi's fault." Veer supports Akshita.

"Yes, dadi bhai is busy with meetings back-to-back nowadays because of the New branch launch, it's not bhabhi's fault" Avyansh gave her a reason.

Akshita requested her brother-in-law through eyes to stop.

"Yes! Yes! Why will she be at fault? He should have a reason for staying home na" Gayetri mocked her harshly.

Ouch! That hurts.

Tara looks at Akshita with concern but she was still looking down.

"Enough Gayetri! Your Grandson is big enough to understand family values, doesn't he know he has a family?" Adhiraj stopped her.

"Yes, Maa, he should also understand that he has some responsibilities. Akshita can't be expected to do everything all the time," Shlok tried to reason with Gayatri, hoping to make her understand.

Gayetri just stood up and went to her room saying 'it was time for her Satsang'.
Adhiraj too followed her knowing his wife very well.

Veer and Trisha also went to their college as they were getting late while Avyansh moved towards his study room for some work after giving an assurance look to his sister-in-law.

"I'm sorry beta becau---" Shlok gets cut in the middle by Akshita.

"Nhi papa please don't say Sorry, voh busy hai isliye kisi ko time nhi de paa rehe." She said with a small smile.

(He is busy, that's why he is not able to give time to anyone.)

Trilok put his right hand on her head and said

"Har baar uski side lekar use badhava mat do beta."

(Don't encourage him by always taking his side, my child.)

She didn't say anything.

"Let's go bhaisaab," Trilok said.

Shlok patted her head and went from there.

"I know you will bring my son on the right track, He has been like this from the start." Rashmi said to which Akshita forced a smile in response.

"Beta you go and do your remaining work, I and jiji will take care here and servants are already here" Bhavna said, making her nod.

Akshita went upstairs to her room and soon she heard a knock, and she opened the door to find Tara.

"What brings you here Devrani ji" Akshita said with a mischievous smile.

"Nothing just came to check over my Jethani ji" tara replied in the same tone making both of them burst into laughter.

"Bhabhi... can I ask you something?" Tara asked.

"Yes, ask" Akshita replied while folding some clothes.

"Where is Bhaiya? I didn't see him at my wedding too" she asked, making Akshita stop doing her work.

"As I said, he has been busy with some urgent work. Otherwise, which brother would miss such an important day in his younger brother's life?" Akshita provided a valid excuse, trying to convince Tara and ease her concerns.

"Yeah true! Bha---" Tara was about to say something but she got a call from Avyansh.

"Um.. bhabhi I will talk to you later. Avyansh is calling me" she said and left the room.

Akshita sat on the couch and sighed Heavily.

"I don't even know where he is. How can I inform others when I don't even know if he came home last night or not?

Sometimes I feel If I am Really married or not?

She closed her eyes and leaned to the couch.

In Tara and Avyansh's Bedroom

"What are you thinking wifey?" Avyansh asked while hugging his wife.

"I was thinking About Bhabhi and Bhai's Relationship." Tara replied in the same position.

"Huh? Why though?" he asked confusingly.

"Dadi Said that he stays busy and they also married 4 months ago, bhaiya should give time to bhabhi na, did you see her face when bade papa asked her about bhaiya?" She asked him.

"Hmm it's true Tara, Bhai always stays away from home, he always keeps himself busy and comes home late sometimes stays at the office only." Avyansh told her.

"Do you think they married without the consent of each other?" Tara asks.

"I don't think so, yeah that's true they had an arranged marriage but if they didn't like each other then they would have denied it, bhabhi looks happy with family they both behave normally whenever I see them, and about bhai, he is not expressive."

"Who knows How they behave inside the room, everyone is not like us right baby?" He smirks and turns her around. She put her arms on his neck and nodded.

He pulled her more towards him. Their lips were just an inch away and soon they................................... (Ahem ahem)

"Akshita beta, please go to the office. Your dad asked for an important file and said it should be sent with a family member only. Avyansh will come with you, so take lunch for both of you," Akshita's mother-in-law instructed her. "I would have sent Avyansh alone, but he has some other commitments after going to the office," Akshita explained.

"It's okay, Maa. I will go. Please give me the file and their lunch," Akshita offered, taking on the responsibility.

"Yeah, I am packing, you just go and get ready." She said and Akshita went to her room to change.

After coming back Rashmi gives her two files and lunch boxes.

"Beta make sure that my idiotic son and your dumb husband eats, you know na he skips food during work." Akshita's heartbeat rose listening to her.

She totally forgot about Him. But she nodded.

"Let's go bhabhi" Avyansh said coming downstairs while scrolling through his phone.

They both sit in the Car.

'Ohh God How will I talk to him I never did that in these 4 months she thought getting nervous.

"What happened bhabhi? Are you nervous? It's your first time visiting our company" Avyansh asked and she nodded.

"Don't be nervous bhabhi, your husband is there too." He said trying to make her feel good.

"Vahi to problem hai" she muttered but no one heard.

(That's the problem)

"Huh? Did you say something?" He asked

"No no nothing" she replied with a nervous smile.

"You know Bhabhi there's a Lion's den where we have a lion." He teased her.

"Lion? Why are you keeping a Lion in the company?" She asked, widening her eyes.

"You will get to know soon" He said with a sly smile making her confused but before she could ask something they reached the front of the company.

After coming out of the Car Akshita gulped not because of standing in front of the biggest company in the country but because she doesn't know how will she talk to him

And how will He react?

"Come bhabhi" Avyansh said and they both went inside.

They entered inside and Everyone greeted them.

"Bhabhi, I just received a call. It seems it will take some time. You can go ahead, and I'll arrange for someone to accompany you," Avyansh said to Akshita. "Mrs. Ruby take Bhabhi to the Cabin." She nodded and gave Akshita a polite smile which she returned in the same way.

"Ma'am, please come this way" she said politely and Akshita followed her.

But in the Middle a lady came and stopped them, first, she wished Akshita.

"Mrs. Ruby Trilok sir is Asking for the appointment list urgently," she tells her.

"Ohh, god I totally forgot I will! but first let me take ma'a---"

"It's okay You can Go just tell me the way I will manage" Akshita said interrupting her in the middle.

She first hesitated but then told her the way.

Akshita reached the floor which Ruby told her, just as she was going towards the cabin when someone stopped her.

She turned around to find a girl of her age.

"Miss, where do you think you are going?" She asked rudely, taking everyone's attention.

"I have some work so---" she cut Akshita in the middle, some people tried to stop her but she didn't listen.

"Work?" She said looking at her head to toe.

"You don't look like an employee, and no one is allowed without any appointment, sir is busy" she said very rudely.

"I'm not an employee, and I don't think I need an Appointment to come here, I am A---" Akshita said, getting offended by the way she was talking but again got cut in the middle.

"Why? Girls like you use such tricks to get the attention of Rich people." The girl said, making Akshita's eyes widen and everyone gasped in shock.

Before Akshita could say something they all heard a Voice..

The voice that sent shivers down her spine and made her heart race every time she heard it.

She stood frozen in place, like a statue.

And Everyone looked down in fear. 

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