Siara's pov-
The morning in the Sehgal haveli was anything but serene. The upcoming hawan had turned the Haweli into a whirlwind of chaos, with everyone running around like headless chickens.
Dadi, the undisputed general of the family, barked orders from the center of the living room while clutching her pooja list like it was the map to buried treasure.
Dadi had issued strict instructions that everyone should be ready for the hawan at the village temple, but naturally, âstrictâ and âSehgal familyâ rarely coexisted peacefully.
The sound of multiple people yelling echoed through the house as I sat reading my medical journal.
Shivay shouting "Who stole my kurta?! I kept it right here!"
"Itâs not stealing if you donât have a sense of organization, Kabir!" Avya yelled back
"Itâs on the chair next to your mountain of socks, genius." Myra sarcastically said
Meanwhile, Shivay was wandering around with a plate of laddoos in his hand, much to Dadiâs annoyance. "Shivay! I told you to stop eating before the hawan! How many laddoos have you had already?"
"Three⦠okay, maybe five. But Iâm fasting after this, Dadi!" He told her
Dadi grabbed the plate "Fasting doesnât mean stuffing your face beforehand! Get ready now, or Iâll make you sit near the fire all day!"
I tried to focus on my medical journal, ignoring the commotion, but my peace was short-lived. Dadi stormed into the kitchen, her hands on her hips."Siara, stop hiding in here. You have to get ready. The daughters-in-laws are the pride of this family, and you will look the part."
Nowadays this family treats me like I am the part of their lives. Did they suddenly after three years forget their anger and unlikeliness towards me because of my past or is it because Mahir Sehgal came back home?
Well whatever it is, Did I ever asked for it? No, Did I mind before? No, Do I care? No, Can I love this family? No.
Why? Because loving people is not what Dr. Siara is capable of.
If they pity me because my husband left me on our wedding night then they shouldn't, I never cared before when he left and I won't care in future also if he leaves. My life only revolves around my patients, hospital and Avi.
They never treated me as a daughter
Like my mumma used to treat Anya malhotra but again Does that hurt? No. Why would it hurt when I have no emotions left in my heart except the coldness. The younger clan calls me Ice-Queen. People at hospital shivers at the thought of Crossing my path.
In these three years, I performed the part of Sehgal's daughter in law gracefully. Why? Because that's what my parents taught me, to never let my elders down. Again, I'll never let their values and morals go down. I love my family but can I forgive them? I don't know, the only question that Dr. Siara has no answer for.
The Sehgal's neither accepted me fully in the past three years nor that I ever tried. Why would they accept a women as their daughter in law, who was accused of killing someone. Why would they accept me when they were clearly aware of my past.
But did they treated me wrong? No they didn't.
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Soon, I was in Dadiâs room with Mahi and kavya, being handed intricate outfits and ancestral jewellery.
The outfit I was given was a soft golden lehenga with silver-golden embroidery so fine it looked like it had been crafted by a master artist. The jewelry was heavy and regalâa choker, earrings, and a maang tikka that felt like I was carrying my own small gym on my neck and head.
As I got ready, the chaos outside continued. Avya was now arguing with divya about the latterâs refusal to style her hair. Kavya was lecturing her husband about wearing mismatched shoes, and Dadi was yelling at everyone to move faster. To me, all this looks like a faded background.
When I finally stepped out, the living room fell silent. All eyes were on me. I didn't even spare a glance at them.
"Is that---," myra said with her mouth open wide
"Our bhabhi?," Divya completed the sentence.
"Someone call the press! The Ice Queen has melted⦠into a goddess." Shivay dramatically said
"And here I thought Siara bhabhi only owned doctor coats and gloves. Look at her!" Kavya giggled
"Wait, is she smiling? No, false alarm. But still, wow" Kabir mocked
Their comments were relentless, but I stayed composed. However, the real surprise for them was Mahir. He was standing by the window, and when his eyes met mine, he froze. For a moment, his usual stoic expression softened, replaced by something unspoken.
"Um, I think bhai is regretting leaving her, look he almost forgot to blink" myra joked
"Forget blinking. I think heâs forgotten how to breathe." Devansh joined
Shivay nudged Mahir "Bhai, you okay? Or should we call Dr. Siara to revive you?"
Mahir snapped out of it and shot them a glare which made them surrender their hands.
Just when I thought the comments were over, Bua entered. Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe, and her lips curled into a mocking smile. Now she is aware of my real profession but I don't think that will stop her. "Well, well. The doctor finally decided to look like a woman. I was beginning to think youâd forgotten what it means to be a Sehgal bahu."
Before I could respond, Kabir stepped in with his usual flair."Oh, Bua, donât worry about Siara bhabhi. At least she doesnât need makeup tutorials like some people."
Divya innocently told her,"And look at her jewelry! She wears it better than anyone else here, she looks royal"
Buaâs face turned red as the younger ones burst into laughter. She huffed and walked away, muttering something about disrespectful children.
The journey to the temple was another adventure. The cars were packed with family members, and the younger ones used every opportunity to tease Mahir and me. If They think their pathetic attempts to bring us together will work, they are wrong. There is no togetherness in this marriage of a dying promise.
Shivay leaning forward "Bhai, are you sure youâre okay driving? You seem a little distracted today."
"Should we switch seats? Siara bhabhi can drive while you⦠you know, stare in peace." Divya grinned
Mahirâs grip on the steering wheel tightened, but he didnât respond. I, as usual, remained silent, focusing on the road ahead.
When we reached the temple, the atmosphere was serene and beautiful. The temple was perched on a hill, surrounded by lush greenery. Marigold garlands lined the stairs, and the faint sound of temple bells added to the charm. I don't believe in god but still here I am, performing the duties of an ideal daughter in law. The day my dignity snatched away, I stopped believing in God.
As I climbed the stairs with the pooja thali in hand, my lehenga got caught on one of the steps. Before I could fix it, Mahir stepped forward and gently lifted the fabric.
The entire family froze.
"Oh. My. God. Mahir bhai is holding her lehenga! This is history in the making!" Kabir dramatically exclaimed
Shivay laughing "Careful, bhai. Donât trip over the fabric and fall head over heels⦠again."
"Someone pinch me. I think Iâm hallucinating because he is doing that and she is not stopping him" Divya said while pretending to faint.
Mahir ignored them, his expression calm and stoic as ever, though I noticed his slight irritation. I, on the other hand, focused on climbing the stairs, as these nonsense scenerios which they call romantic doesn't matter to me and I believe Mahir shares the same thoughts.
Once the Hawan started, The scent of sandalwood filled the air, and I guess the calm atmosphere surrounded us.
No, I was wrong. During the hawan, Shivay and Kabir decided to âaccidentallyâ spill some water near Mahir and me, hoping to create a dramatic moment.
However, their plan backfired spectacularly when the water ended up spilling on Kabir himself.
The priest sternly told him "Beta, spilling water during a hawan is very inauspicious. You should apologize to the gods."
Kabirâs face turned pale as Divya and Shivay tried to suppress their laughter."Great job, Kabir. Youâve angered the gods now."
"Maybe the Ice Queen has divine protection. We should give up." Shivay grinned.
The hawan had concluded, and as per tradition, Dadi announced that the eldest couple of the next generationâMahir and Iâwould distribute food to the devotees at the temple. Mahir looked at her, hoping sheâd reconsider, but her stern expression left no room for argument.
Mahir nodded silently, while I simply stared ahead preparing myself for yet another round of not needed proximity and the inevitable comments from the younger ones.
The temple courtyard buzzed with devotees, elders, and children. Large cauldrons of khichdi, halwa, and puris were arranged in a line, with bowls and ladles neatly stacked for distribution. The younger ones, of course, were more interested in watching us than actually helping.
Kabir said while leaning on a pillar "Look at them, the perfect couple distributing food like royalty. Itâs like a scene from a movie!"
"And here we have Mahir Sehgal, the stoic husband, and Siara Sehgal, the Ice Queen, serving the people with a smile⦠or at least trying to, no wait Our ice queen is not even trying" Shivay said pretending to be a narrator
"Iâll bet 5 lakhs Siara bhabhi wonât crack a smile the entire time." Mahi said
Mahir and I worked in silence, him ladling out the food and me handing it to the devotees. Despite the lack of verbal communication, we managed to work seamlessly, almost like a well-oiled machine.
But, of course, the younger ones couldnât leave us alone.
Kabir walking up with a plate asked me "Excuse me, can I have some more khichdi? My wife over there says I donât eat enough."
I told him without looking up "look behind, that's what we call a straight line, Go to the back of the line, Kabir."
Kabir mock gasp "But bhabhi, isnât family supposed to get special treatment? By the way bhabhi, if you keep saying at least one line a day to me everyday then the day when I'll actually cry out, is not far away" his tone was kind of serious at the end.
The nearby devotees chuckled, enjoying the banter as much as the food.
At one point, I reached for the same ladle Mahir was holding, and our hands brushed. I quickly pulled mine back, but not before noticing the slight twitch at the corner of his lips.
Mahir quietly said,"Iâll handle it. You focus on the plates."
I nodded, maintaining my stoic demeanor, but the moment lingered in my mind longer than it should have.
The younger ones, however, werenât done with their antics. Shivay decided to sneak behind me and lightly tug at the end of my dupatta, making it flutter slightly. "Oops! I thought it was stuck. My bad!"
"Shivay, stop it." Mahir sternly said
The authority in his voice made Shivay retreat with a sheepish grin,
A little girl approached us, holding a small plate. Her eyes lit up when she saw me."Youâre so pretty, didi. Are you a queen?"
For a moment, I froze, unsure of how to respond. Pretty?, child patients at hospital are so scared of me that they don't even shed a single tear when I check on them.
When I didn't reply to anything, she looked at mahir and asked him, "Is she the queen, bhaiya?"
Mahir replied while trying to keep his face blank,"Yes she is"
"Write it down guys, bhai just complimented bhabhi for the first time," shivay overreacted as usual
"Forget writing it down, letâs frame it and hang it in the haveli!" divya exaggerated
As the last of the food was distributed, the family gathered near the temple steps. The younger ones were still buzzing with energy, recounting their favorite moments from the day.
On the way back, the younger ones continued their teasings, though the failed water plan was still the highlight of their discussions.
"I think we need to retire. No one can melt this Ice Queen Or Mahir bhai. Theyâre like the ultimate power couple of zero expressions" Shivay said
Mahir, as usual, remained stoic, while I focused on getting updates from sid. Despite their antics, there was a strange warmth in their chaosâa warmth I don't want or need.
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At Dinner - (Author's pov)
Dinner at the Haweli was a lively affair, with the smell of traditional delicacies filling the air and the distant sound of evening crickets chirping. The entire family gathered at the grand table, where laughter and conversation flowed freely. The younger ones teased Mahir and Siara, but as usual, Siara remained the sameâher stoic expression never wavering, her gaze as cold and distant as ever.
Mahir, ever observant, sat beside her, his eyes occasionally flicking toward her but saying nothing. The rest of the family seemed lost in their own world of chatter, but the air felt charged with an unspoken tensionâan invisible thread connecting the two of them, though neither acknowledged it.
Just as everyone was enjoying the meal, Siaraâs phone buzzed on the table, breaking the usual rhythm. She glanced down at it, and without a momentâs hesitation, she slid the phone toward herself and answered the callâwithout even getting up from her seat.
The younger ones, ever curious, leaned in just a little, hoping for a Greyâs Anatomy live-action episode 2 to unfold before them. They waited, expectantly, but to their disappointment, the conversation was much quieter than they had imagined. There were no dramatic medical terms, no emergency surgeries, no angry rants. Instead, it was Siaraâs cool, measured tone that took center stage.
Siaraâs gaze darkened ever so slightly as she spoke, her words low and composed, though everyone at the table could tell something was wrong. Even Mahir, who hadnât moved since the start of the dinner, looked up briefly. Everyone at the table was watching her now, intrigued by the change in her demeanor.
The call was from Aviâs friend from Melbourne but Siaraâs face remained unreadable as she listened. Her eyes briefly flickered with somethingâanger, maybe? But before anyone could guess what it was, she spoke again, her voice cold as ever.
âWhat happened?â she calmly asked in her usual- don't mess with me tone.
The words from Aviâs friend were rushed, filled with anxiety as he explained how Avi had gotten into trouble. They had gone out for a street race at night, and Avi had been involved in an accident. Thankfully, he wasnât seriously injuredâjust a few scratches here and thereâbut he was refusing to take the medicine he was prescribed.
The family exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued, but they stayed silent. They could hear Siaraâs side of the conversation, but not from the other side as this time her phone's volume was down.
Her expression hardened, and they could all sense her growing tension, even though her voice remained emotionless.âPass the phone to the doctor.â
There was a slight pause, and then the phone shifted hands.âWho is this?â
Siara coldly replied,"Siara. Aviâs only legal guardian.â
The room went silent. The words only legal guardian hung in the air, leaving the family stunned. There was a moment of shocked whispers between the younger ones about how she didn't even used her Dr. Identity but Siaraâs expression didnât change.
Doctor said after a pause âI see. His condition is stable, but his refusal to take his medicine is concerning.â
Siaraâs tone was still the same, unwavering and firm."Let me speak to him.â
The younger ones leaned in, completely captivated by the conversation unfolding before them. No one had ever heard Siara speak like this. It was as if a completely different side of her had surfaced, and they were all waiting to see how far it would go.
The phone shifted once again, and Siaraâs voice softened only slightly, though her authority was still evident.
"Gulp down the medicines. No Arguments. No explanations."
"I'm fine dii and yes I'm taking the medicines" He was aware this time his sister won't back off.
Siaraâs eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line as she warned him."Forget your bike keys for a month and you're coming to India after your exams"
The entire room felt the tension in her words. Siara rarely showed such raw anger, and it was clear to everyone that this was a side of her you'll barely see. Even Mahir, who usually kept his emotions well-hidden, glanced at her with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Siara hung up the phone without another word, her expression unchanged.
The family sat there in stunned silence, especially bua. Each of them processing the interaction they had just witnessed. They had never imagined Siara to have such a personal connection with anyone as she doesn't speak unless asked.
The younger ones exchanged glances, their curiosity turning into a silent consensus. They didnât dare speak, not even to tease her. The call left them all wondering, who is avi? But no one asked anything. Sometimes silence is better than curiosity.