When Janaki raised her hand to play with her Father's moustache, Bhairav Ji immediately grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Aspatal mei itna nanha sa haath tha... Ab dekho, dono gol gol ho gaye hai," he shook his head.

(Their hands used to be so tiny in the hospital... Now look at how chubby they've become.)

I couldn't help but giggle as I hugged the children gently and kissed Raghu's face. I hadn't noticed how chubby they had gotten in the matter of three months. Since the children grew restless in the middle of the night, we had to make them sleep between us. Raghu turned towards me and immediately began suckling away at my breast.

"Ab bhi sar dard kar raha hai?" Bhairav Ji asked me while rubbing our daughter's chest.

(Is the headache still there?)

"Thoda sa... Par koi baat nahi."

(Just a little... I'm fine though.)

"Kal subah jaldi uthne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Ghar mei choti bahu aayi hai, tum aaram karo. Mai Maa se keh dunga ki tumhe bukhar hai."

(There's no need to wake up early tomorrow. Aradhya is there; you should rest. I'll tell Maa that you're not feeling well.)

I smiled at him, "Nahi... Mujhe utna thakaan nahi hai. Agar mai uski madad nahi karungi toh kaun karega? Pata nahi Bhargav ne kya kiya hoga uske saath."

(No... I'm not that tired. If I don't help her, then who will? God knows what Bhargav must have done.)

Bhairav Ji laughed as he propped himself on one elbow. "Tumhare pati ke jitna bura toh koi nahi ho sakta. Chinta mat karo," he grinned.

(Don't worry. Nobody can be as bad as your husband.)

I rolled my eyes at him, "Aapke jitna besharam bhi koi nahi ho sakta-"

(Nobody can be as shameless as well-)

"Bahut ache se mera naam chilla rahi thi, Thakurain."

(You were screaming my name quite well, Thakurain.)

My eyes widened, and I pressed my hand to his mouth, "Zara chup ho jaiye!"

(Just be quiet!)

Janu giggled and attempted to clap her hands while looking at us. Bhairav Ji lay back down on the pillow and held her close to his face. Even though she tried hitting his head and pulling his beard, he didn't mind anymore. Even Raghu sneezed adorably after pulling away from me. I wiped his little lips with my thumb, and eventually he turned towards his sister to hug her.

Bhairav Ji wrapped his arm around them both and held them close. I smiled at how cute they looked.

I stilled when my husband's hand held the side of my face. His eyes were soft. They were tender. I felt my face growing warm because it was hard to maintain eye contact. I looked at the kids for a distraction, but my eyes eventually met his again.

"K-kya hua...?"

(Wh-what's wrong...?)

"Maine tumhe bahut rulaya hai... Maafi chahta hu."

(I've made you cry a lot... I'm sorry.)

I gulped. There were butterflies in my stomach. Why was he saying such things at 3 in the morning?

"Um... Koi baat nahi... Aap... Theek ho?"

(Um... It's fine... Is everything alright?)

"Sanjana," he took a deep breath. That unwavering flame in his eyes truly made my toes curl. "Mujhe sehne ke liye shukriya. Mere saath rehne ke liye... Tum..." He trailed off, just staring at me quietly.

(Sanjana... Thank you for putting up with me. For living with me... You...)

"J-Ji?"

"Tum paas hoti ho toh sukoon milta hai," He smiled a little.

(When you're near, it feels nice.)

I hummed just to mask how badly I was blushing. My face was pressed against Raghu's soft cheek as I didn't want his Father to see.

***

After waking up, I proceeded with the puja rituals as usual. Maa woke up as well, and she stopped me immediately, "Aradhya kaha hai?"

(Where's Aradhya?)

"Um... Thaki hogi Maa-"

(Um... She must be tired, Maa-)

"Thaki hogi matlab?" She frowned, "Dadi ke uthne se pehle use jaakar uthao. Warna hum dono ko daant milegi, jao."

(Tired? Go wake her up before Dadi gets here. Or we both will be scolded.)

"Ji," I nodded and hesitantly went up to Bhargav's room and knocked.

"Um... Aradhya...? Maa bula rahi hai puja ke liye..."

(Um... Aradhya...? Maa is calling you for doing the rituals...)

There was no response for a while, and I had to knock again, "Aradhya...?"

"Woh abhi nahi aa sakti-" It was Bhargav's voice, but the very next second, I heard Aradhya speak in a hurry.

(She can't come right now-)

"A-abhi aayi Bhabhi."

(I- I'll be there now, Bhabhi.)

That was awkward, but I couldn't help but wonder what they were doing inside. Would Bhargav really force himself?

After a while, Aradhya came downstairs. She wore her ghoonghat very low so I could barely see her face. We didn't speak much as Maa and Dadi were around. She helped me with the puja and soon retired to the kitchen to make breakfast.

"Seekho usse," Dadi turned to me while inspecting the dishes that Aradhya had cooked alone. "Iske pehli rasoi mei saare kaam meri bahu ko hi karna pada..." Dadi remarked aloud. I felt humiliated, but I stayed quiet. She always behaved like that, finding something or the other to complain about.

(Learn from her. For this one's first day in the kitchen, my bahu had to do everything...)

"Bachi thi Amma..." My mother-in-law stood up for me with a soft smile. "Ab jao, tum dono jaakar nashta paros do," she told us. Aradhya nodded enthusiastically and helped me serve breakfast.

(She was just a child, Amma... Now go and serve breakfast for everyone.)

"Maaf karna..." She whispered while the elders weren't looking, "Meri wajah se tumhe daant padi."

(I'm sorry... You got scolded because of me.)

"Arey, koi baat nahi," I giggled, "Har roz hota hai. Dadi ko mujhe daantne mein khaas karan nahi chahiye."

(Arey, it's fine. It happens every day. Dadi doesn't need any particular reason to scold me.)

She looked at me in concern, "Tab toh bahut mushkil hoga..."

(Then it must be quite hard for you...)

I shrugged. Honestly, it didn't bother me anymore. Except Dadi, everyone else treated me quite well in the haveli. My husband was an exception as his behavior was unpredictable. But still, he had been quite kind towards me after childbirth and even while I was pregnant.

My children had begun crying again, and I had to go upstairs to feed them. By the time I came back to the living room carrying Janaki, I could see Maa and Dadi interrogating Aradhya. Keshav and Saarang were already at the table, and they managed to sneak some aloo parathas while the elders were distracted.

"Bhargav kaha hai?" My husband asked. Raghav was in his arms, and Dadi immediately snatched him and showered kisses on his face. Maa, on the other hand, was more than eager to hold Janaki.

(Where's Bhargav?)

"Beta tum jao, Bhargav ab bhi so raha hoga... Use jaakar uthao."

(Beta, he must be still sleeping... Go wake him up.)

"M-Mai?" Aradhya mumbled. I could sense the hesitance in her tone.

(M-me?)

"Aur kaun?" Dadi frowned.

(Who else?)

As soon as Aradhya disappeared upstairs, Keshav turned to his big brother. "Bhaiya... Meri bhi shaadi karva do na. Mai bhi aise so paunga, jab tak biwi aakar uthaye," he sighed dramatically.

(Bhaiya... Get me married as well. Even I can sleep until my wife comes and wakes me up.)

Bhairav Ji eyed him while taking a seat at the head of the table. I served him tea as he talked with Keshav, "Pehle bacho jaisi harkate chod do, phir shaadi ke baare mei sochunga."

(First stop being so childish, then I'll think about it.)

I chuckled at this, and Keshav shot me a glare. "Aapke Bhaiya sahi keh rahe hai, Devar Ji. Aapko sabr rakhni chahiye," I replied wisely. He made a face, clearly knowing he couldn't snap back at me while his big brother was listening. I stuck my tongue out at him in secret before escaping to the kitchen.

(Your brother is right, Devar Ji. You should be patient.)

Bhargav looked really tired when he came downstairs, but it surprised us when he didn't sit down first. He pulled a chair next to his and called for his wife, "Aradhya... Yaha aakar baith jao."

(Aradhya... Come sit here.)

She froze when all eyes turned to her. Keshav coughed loudly, clearly teasing the couple. Maa smiled to herself while Dadi couldn't say anything, as Bhairav Ji himself had enforced that rule in the first place.

"N-nahi mai... Mai yahi theek hu..." She glanced around nervously, and I tapped my husband's leg under the table to say something. He was as nonchalant as ever, barely understanding the weight of the situation, "Aise khade rehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tum iske paas baith jao." He said, referring to the seat next to mine. I smiled at Aradhya, and she hesitantly sat down, mumbling a thank you. Bhargav sat opposite her, not looking away once. He looked hurt, but it seemed like he didn't care anymore as he could see her a lot better this way.

(N-no... I'm... I'm fine here...)

(There's no need to stay standing like this. You can sit next to her.)

"Sab kuch bahut acha bana hai," My devar commented while smiling at his wife. Aradhya was blushing under her veil.

(Everything tastes so good.)

"Arey nahi Bhaiya, thoda namak kam hai sabzi mei," Keshav grinned at his brother. Bhargav glared at him, "Mat khao. Tumhari kisi ne pucha yaha-"

(No Bhaiya, there's not enough salt in the curry.)

(Then don't eat it. Did anyone ask your opinion?)

Bhairav Ji cleared his throat and glared at both his brothers to shut up. They obeyed immediately, and I smiled. From now on, the haveli would be lively every day.