𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢 ~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+| - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Author's POV:-
"Kal se samay se uthna... ab se ghar ki bahu tu hai," Buaji said, her voice gentler this time.
("From tomorrow, wake up on time... you're the daughter-in-law of this house now.")
She stared at Sakshi for a moment before continuing,
"Aaj teri pehli rasoi hai... toh socha kya hai, kya banayegi?"
("Today is your first rasoi (first meal prepared after marriage)... so have you thought about what you'll make?")
Sakshi lifted her eyes, a little nervous but trying to smile.
"Woh... aap bata dijiye Buaji, jo bolengi sab bana dungi."
("Uh... you can tell me, Buaji. I'll make whatever you say.")
Buaji hummed, folding her arms.
"Toh theek hai. Aaj ke liye pulao, paneer ki sabzi, aloo gobi, phuphaji ke liye alag se shahi paneer, methi ki daal, aur meethe mein halwa. Kaju-kismis daalna mat bhoolna."
("Alright then. For today, make pulao, paneer curry, aloo gobi, shahi paneer separately for phuphaji, methi dal, and halwa for dessert. Don't forget to add cashews and raisins.")
Sakshi's eyes widened hearing the long list. Her heart raced.
She could cook, yes-but back home, Maa was always there, guiding her hands, fixing little things silently in the background. Alone? She wasn't sure.
"Theek hai na?" Buaji asked sharply. Sakshi quickly nodded.
("Is that okay?")
Buaji then turned to Kajal, the house help.
'Aur sun khabardar tune uski madad ki toh..agar kuch bhi dekha ulta- seedha toh kaam se churwa dungi...yaad rakhna..'
("And listen carefully-don't you dare help her. If I see anything off, I'll fire you from your job... remember that.")
Kajal nodded with a gulp, fear clouding her face.
With instructions delivered, Buaji left the kitchen.
Kajal softly said, "Bahu rani, sab saman nikaal diya hai. Aap chahein toh shuru kar sakti hain."
("Dear , I've taken out all the ingredients. You can start whenever you like.")
Sakshi gave a faint smile and began with the pulao. The heavy iron kadhai felt like it weighed more than her nerves. Still, she managed.
Kajal stood to the side, watching helplessly, hands itching to assist, but Buaji's threat held her back.
Sakshi wiped her forehead with the edge of her saree when she noticed little Lata standing at the kitchen door, peeking curiously.
Sakshi's face lit up with a warm smile. She gestured her in.
The little girl, still in her school uniform with untied hair, rushed in with joy.
"Kya kar rahi ho Bhabhi?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
("What are you doing, Bhabhi?")
"Aaj meri pehli rasoi hai na... toh pulao bana rahi hoon. Tumhe kuch chahiye, bacha?" Sakshi asked with a smile.
("It's my first rasoi today... so I'm making pulao. Do you need anything, sweetheart?")
Lata hesitated. She wanted to say something-but past experiences warned her. Every time she had expressed a craving, Buaji had scolded her. What if this new bhabhi was the same?
"Bolo na? Mein tumhe daatungi nahi, bacha," Sakshi assured, gently cupping her cheek.
("Tell me? I won't scold you, sweetheart.")
"Bhabhi... mere liye poori bana dogi? Bahut din ho gaye... poori nahi khayi. Mujhe poori bohot pasand hai. Buaji toh kabhi banate nahi" she said in a small, hopeful voice.
("Bhabhi... will you make poori for me? It's been so long... I haven't eaten poori. I really love them. Buaji never makes them.")
Sakshi's heart melt like a butter instantly listening her innocent demand.
She bent down and kissed Lata's forehead with a mother's affection.
"Tumne itne pyaar se maangi ... toh kyu na bana k du, hmm?"
("You asked so sweetly... so why will I not make it for you, hmm?")
Lata's face lit up like diwali lamps.
"Sachhi Bhabhi? Aap banaogi?"
("Really, Bhabhi? You'll make it?")
"Muchhi bacha," Sakshi chuckled.
("Ofcourse sweetheart ")
Then her gaze shifted to Lata's messy hair.
"Par yeh kya? Aap school aise jaogi? Badhoge nahi?" she asked softly, fingers caressing her head.
("But what's this? You're going to school like this? Won't you comb your hair?")
Lata scratched her scalp shyly.
"Woh... ache se ban nahi rahe na baal, Bhabhi."
("They aren't setting properly today, Bhabhi.")
"Main baandh doon tumhare baal?"
("Shall I tie your hair for you?")
Lata's eyes sparkled, the answer ready even before Sakshi finished the sentence.
"Haan haan! Bilkul!"
("Yes, yes! Please!")
No one had ever tied her hair before-not lovingly. She used to go to her brother, and he would do it gladly. But now, seeing him busy in work, she hesitant to go to him And Buaji? She didn't even consider her worthy of kindness-because she was a girl. One word- she hates her.
'Acha tum mere samne aak baetho..mein pulao ko nikal lu phir haath dhokar mein aapke paas ati hu..' she said.
("Alright, sit in front of me. Let me dish out the pulao first, then I'll wash my hands and come to you.")
Lata then quickly sit infront of her and Sakshi started tieing her ponytail with care.
Seeing this Kajal started admiring the two bond.
"Jante ho... mein jab tumhari umar ki thi na, thik aise hi meri maa baadh deti thi mere baal," Sakshi said softly, her fingers gently tying Lata's hair while her heart drifted to her own mother. Her eyes glistened with memories.
("You know... when I was your age, my mother used to tie my hair just like this.")
"Phir ab kaun baadh deti hain?" Lata asked innocently, tilting her head.
("Then who ties your hair now?")
Sakshi gave a faint chuckle, though it was tinged with sadness. "Ab meri shaadi ho gayi hain na... isliye ab mein hi baadh leti hoon apne baal."
("Now I'm married... so I tie my own hair.")
Lata blinked, her expression turning thoughtful. "Phir meri baal kaun badhega? Meri toh maa bhi nahi hai... aur shaadi bhi nahi hui..." Her voice trailed off, vulnerable and unsure.
("Then who will tie mine? I don't have a mother... and I'm not married either...")
Sakshi's smile faded. She reached around and hugged the little girl from behind, gently rubbing her belly. "Par ab toh tumhari bhabhi aa gayi hai na? Mein baadh dungi tumhare baal... roz. Thik hai?"
("But now your bhabhi is here, right? I'll tie your hair... every day. Okay?")
Lata's face lit up instantly, nodding excitedly.
"Ab jao, school bag ready karo. Jab khana ban jayegi, mein bula lungi."
("Now go, get your school bag ready. Once the food is done, I'll call you.")
As Lata skipped out, Sakshi resumed her cooking. She hadn't noticed Arjun standing silently by the doorway, having witnessed the entire exchange. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears at the warmth his wife had shown to his little sister.
He stepped inside quietly, just as Sakshi lifted a hot lid-and cried out, "Aaa...!"
The lid fell with a loud clang.
"Sakshi!" Arjun rushed over, grabbed her hand and guided it under running water.
"Tab tak haath duba ke rakho jab tak jalan kam na ho..." he said in worried tone.
("Till then, keep your hand in cold water until the burning subsides...")
Kajal stood up, anxious.
"Ji... kuch nahi hua, bas... dhakkan garam tha," Sakshi murmured, slightly embarrassed.
("Jii.. nothing happened..just the lid was hot.")
Arjun turned toward Kajal, eyes flaring. "Aur tum? Waha khadi dekh kya rahi ho? Madad nahi kar sakti thi? Paise kis liye milte hain, machhar maarne ke liye?"
("And you? What are you standing there watching for? Couldn't you help her? What are you paid for-killing mosquitoes?")
Sakshi intervened grabbing his arm lightly, "Unhe kuch mat kahiye... buaji ne kaha hai ki woh meri madad na karein..."
("Don't say anything to her... Buaji told her not to help me...")
Kajal nodded quickly, "Bua ji ne kaha ki agar madad ki toh kaam se nikal dengi woh..."
("Buaji said if I helped her, she'd fire me...")
Arjun sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Ek baat batao, Kajal-tumhare paise kaun deta hai? Mein, ya tumhari buaji? Kis k ghar mein kaam karti ho? Mere ghar mein ya unke?"
("Tell me one thing, Kajal-who pays your salary? Me or your Buaji? Whose house do you work in? Mine or hers?")
"Aapke, sahib," Kajal replied softly.
("Yours, sir.")
"Toh jake unki madad karo. Agar buaji kuch kahe... toh seedha mujhe aake batana. Baaki mein dekh lunga," he said sternly.
("Then go and help her. If Buaji says anything... come straight to me. I'll handle the rest.")
Then, without another word, he glanced at Sakshi-his gaze lingering-and left.
Sakshi smiled, a soft flutter rising in her chest seeing his caring side.
With Kajal's help, she prepared the full menu as ordered. Everyone gathered at the dining table, and Sakshi began serving. She placed pulao first in front of Phuphaji and Arjun. Lata sat next to Arjun, eyes gleaming as she waited eagerly.
Sakshi leaned in with a gentle smile and placed two puris on Lata's plate.
Buaji, who had been loitering uselessly yet controlling everything, frowned.
"Yeh puri kaha se aayi? Meine toh nahi kaha tha banane ke liye," she said coldly.
("Where did this puri came from??")
Arjun looked up.
Lata flinched at her tone.
Sakshi gently placed her hand on Lata's back, shielding her.
"Buaji... Lata ne kaha tha... usse puri pasand hai. Isliye banayi..."
("Buaji actually Lata told me, she loves to eat Puri.. that's why I prepare it for her..")
"Meine bola tha banane ke liye? Kal hi iss ghar mein aayi ho aur aj se hi apni manmaani shuru kar di?" Buaji snapped, her glare sharp.
("Did I tell you to make it? You just arrived in this house yesterday and you've already started doing things your own way?")
She turned to Lata. "Aur tu... ghar mein jo banta hai wahi sabko khana parta hain. Shauk ka khana yahan nahi milega. Ek choti cheez dimaag mein ghusti nahi hain teri ?? Paise kamati hai kya tu?"
("And you... in this house, everyone eats what's made. You won't get anything special based on your preferences. Can't you get this simple thing into your head? Do you even earn any money?")
Lata shrank back, a piece of puri falling from her small hands, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Buaji reached out to snatch the plate away-
-But Arjun's hand intercepted, gripping the plate tightly.
"Dekh na, tera biwi bhi ziddi hoti ja rahi hai. Bado ki baat nahi sunti..." Buaji began.
("See, even your wife is becoming stubborn. She doesn't listen to elders anymore...")
But Arjun didn't respond. He forcefully placed the plate back in front of Lata and crouched beside her.
"Khaane ke waqt aasu nahi nikalte , Lata. Khana kha... aaram se. Koi kuch nahi kahega. Yeh do puri kha lo... aur bhi milengi bhabhi se." He looked at Sakshi knowingly.
("Tears aren't shed during meals, Lata. Eat... peacefully. No one will say anything. Have these two pooris... you'll get more from bhabhi.")
Sakshi smiled through her tears. She caressed her hair , "Haan bacha... bohot saari puriyan banayi hain maine. Jitni chaahe utni kha lena."
("Yes, dear... I've made lots of pooris. Eat as many as you like.")
Lata smiled, her eyes still wet but now glowing.
Buaji's grip on the chair tightened. Her authority was slipping-and the bond between Arjun, Sakshi, and Lata was growing stronger by the second.