31. Taunts

Kindly like and vote for the story if you want to read more.

Everyone looked at the gate and saw a lady in a cream colored saree standing there. She was wearing a pearl necklace in her neck. She was fuming in anger.

" Didi." said Dada Hukum while getting up. Everyone also got up. Aloka, Dada Hukum's elder sister came forward. " What nonsense is going on? Bhairav, don't you know that you are the Bade Hukum of this state and Shivansh, you are the Hukum sa." said Aloka in anger.

Anita looked at Aloka. " Bua ji, please we were just enjoying. " said Anita. Aloka showed Anita her hand to make her stop talking. " I came here to see the Shivansh's wife and I don't know what I have seen. Where is the new daughter-in-law?" asked Aloka.

Akshita looked at Kashi who was standing with her. " Bua ji, this is Kashi, Shivansh's wife." said Akshita while introducing Kashi to Aloka. " Namaste Badi Bua ji." said Kashi and then came to Aloka.

" Okay, okay, stay happy." said Aloka while blessing Kashi. She then looked at everyone. " Now go and change the clothes. And dress like men." said Aloka. After that everyone went to their rooms to change.

Shivansh removed the necklace that was in his neck. " Kashi I swear that you girls work very hard. I mean wearing so much jewelry and heavy saree or lehenga, you work in the kitchen. " said Shivansh.

She smiled while picking the white shirt of Shivansh from the almirah. She gave it to him. " Shivansh ji, you should change now. You must be tired." said Kashi. He nodded and then headed towards the washroom.

Kashi sat down on the bed while waiting for Shivansh to come out when Akshita came inside. Kashi got up looking at her. " Maa sa." said Kashi. " Kashi, I forgot to tell you that it is going to be one month soon since you both are married. So we have to remove your churra." said Akshita.

Kashi nodded while remembering the time when they both got married. Aloka came inside. " I still remember that when my churra was about to be removed, I was pregnant. " said Aloka.

Akshita looked at her. " Bua ji, this is the new generation. They both need time to spend with each other only then they can take the next step." said Akshita, " Whatever. Kashi, you have to make food for me." said Aloka.

" What can I make?" asked Kashi, " Anything but it should be tasty at least I can except that, Nayi Bahu ( new daughter-in-law)." said Aloka and then went out of the room. Akshita looked at Kashi.

" You must be tired. I can help you." said Akshita, " No Maa sa, don't worry. I will make the food." said Kashi while holding her hand. Shivansh came out of the washroom. " What is happening?" asked Shivansh.

" Nothing." replied Akshita and Kashi. After that they all came down in the hall. Kashi went to the kitchen and then started to make the food for everyone.

Kashi busied herself in the kitchen, her hands working quickly and skillfully as she prepared the meal. She wanted everything to be perfect, knowing that Aloka's approval would mean a lot, not just to her but to the entire family.

The aroma of spices filled the kitchen as she worked, her mind occasionally drifting back to the whirlwind of emotions and events that had marked her first month as Shivansh's wife.

As the food was nearly done, Akshita entered the kitchen quietly, watching Kashi with a soft smile. "Kashi, are you sure you don't need any help? You've done so much already." she asked

Kashi turned, her eyes meeting Akshita's with warmth. "No, Maa sa. I want to do this. It's important to me." said Kashi with a warm smile on her face.

Akshita nodded, impressed by Kashi's determination and grace. "You're a good daughter-in-law, Kashi. My Shiv is lucky to have you." said Akshita.

Kashi smiled shyly and returned to her task, adding the final touches to the dishes. Once everything was ready, she carefully plated the food and carried it out to the dining room, where the family was already seated.

Shivansh caught her eye as she entered, giving her an encouraging smile. She set the dishes down, and the family began to serve themselves. Kashi took her place beside Shivansh, her heart pounding slightly as she waited for their reactions.

Akshita was the first to taste the food, and she smiled in approval. "This is delicious, Kashi." said Akshita.

Kashi bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment, her hands resting in her lap. She then turned to Aloka, who was eating silently, her expression inscrutable. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone awaited her verdict.

Finally, Aloka set her spoon down and looked at Kashi. "The food is good. Well done, Nayi Bahu." she said. Relief washed over Kashi, and she smiled warmly. "Thank you, Badi Bua ji." said Aloka.

As the meal continued, Aloka turned her attention to Naina, who had been quietly eating her food. "Naina, I have found a suitable match for you. It's time you get married." she began with a firm tone.

Naina froze, her fork midway to her mouth. She looked at Aloka with wide eyes, her voice trembling slightly as she replied, " Badi Bua ji, I'm not ready for marriage. I have other plans for my future." said Naina.

Aloka's face hardened at Naina's response. "You dare defy me, Naina? I am doing what is best for you. You will do as I say." said Aloka. Naina's eyes welled up with tears, but she kept her gaze lowered, unable to muster the courage to speak further.

Before Aloka could say anything more, Shivansh interjected, his voice calm but filled with authority. " Badi Bua ji, with all due respect, Naina has the right to decide her own future. We should support her in whatever path she chooses, whether it's marriage or pursuing her dreams." said Naina.

The room fell silent, everyone taken aback by Shivansh's words. Aloka looked at him, her anger wavering in the face of his unwavering stance. "Shivansh, I understand your concern, but—" said Aloka.

Shivansh gently but firmly interrupted her. "Bua ji, you have always had the best interests of this family at heart, and for that, we are grateful. But times are changing, and we must respect the wishes and choices of the younger generation. Naina's happiness is our priority." said Shivansh.

Aloka sat back in her chair, her stern expression softening slightly as she considered his words. "You speak with wisdom, Shivansh. Perhaps you are right." said Aloka.

Naina looked at Shivansh with gratitude, her eyes brimming with tears of relief. Shivansh reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "We're all here for you, Naina. Whatever you decide, you have our full support." said Bhairav.

Naina nodded, her heart swelling with love and admiration for her brother. In that moment, she realized just how lucky she was to have a brother like Shivansh—someone who would stand by her no matter what.

Aloka sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The events of the day replayed in her mind, especially the moment when Shivansh had spoken against her decision regarding Naina.

She couldn't shake the feeling that this defiance was a result of Kashi's influence. Her thoughts spiraled into anger and confusion.

Aloka muttered to herself, "Shivansh has never defied me like this before. He always respected my decisions, never questioning them. But now, because of this Kashi, he's starting to speak out against me." said Aloka.

She stood up and began pacing the room, her thoughts racing. "This new daughter-in-law is too bold, too independent. She's changing things in this family, and I can't let that happen. I've been the pillar of this household for years, and I won't let her disrupt the balance." she said.

Aloka stopped pacing and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "But I must be careful. I can't let my emotions get the better of me. If I want to regain control, I need to be smart about this." she said.

She sat back down on the bed and reached for the glass of water on her nightstand. As she took a sip, her mind began to formulate a plan. "Kashi is clever, maybe that's why her first marriage broke. I'll give her that. But she doesn't know who she's dealing with. I will find a way to put her in her place, to remind her that in this family, respect for elders is paramount." she said.

Aloka's expression hardened as she resolved to act. "Tomorrow, I will start by subtly reminding everyone of their duties and responsibilities. And as for Kashi, I will test her. I'll see just how strong her influence over Shivansh really is. If she falters even once, I'll have my chance to regain control." she said.

She placed the glass back on the nightstand and lay down, her mind still racing but with a newfound determination. "Kashi, you may have won today, but this isn't over. I won't let you undermine my authority in this family." she said.

As Aloka drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were filled with schemes and strategies, each one aimed at reasserting her dominance in the household. She was ready to play the long game, and she was confident that, in the end, she would come out on top.

||||||

Please follow me on Instagram- the_ms_mysterious

I know that this chapter is a little short. Sorry for it.

How was the update?

What do you think will happen now?

Share your thoughts on what will happen next!!!

If someone is interested in making the character account then dm me.