Next Morning...
Anya was still asleep when a sudden knock on her door startled her awake. She rubbed her eyes and walked to the door, opening it to find Trisha standing there with a large tray in her hands.
Trisha smiled and greeted her, "Good morning, Bhabhi! Get ready quickly and come downstairs. Dadi Maa is calling you."
Placing the tray on the bed, she added, "Today is your first rasoi, and I don't want you to be late."
Anya glanced at Trisha, then at the tray, before forcing a faint smile. "I'll be downstairs in 15 minutes."
She headed to the washroom and, after a while, came downstairs, dressed and prepared. As soon as she reached the hall, she ran into Poonam Ji.
Poonam Ji looked at her with a smirk and taunted, "Do you practice black magic or something? First, one of my sons was madly in love with you, and just when he came to his senses, the other one married you and brought you into this house. And my in-laws? You've already bewitched them!"
She took a step closer and hissed, "But don't get too comfortable. In my eyes, you're not even worthy of being a servant in this house. Even the staff here have a higher status than you."
Poonam Ji narrowed her eyes. "Mark my words. The moment my elder son returns, I will make sure you're out of this house. Divorce is inevitable for you."
With that, she walked away, leaving Anya standing there, her eyes welling up with tears. She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned toward the prayer room.
Inside, she saw Dadi Maa already present. Anya first folded her hands in prayer and then bent down to touch Dadi Maa's feet.
Dadi Maa blessed her, "May you always remain suhagan (happily married)."
The words left Anya stunned, but she remained silent. After a moment, she quietly walked toward the kitchen.
Even though Anya had confidence in her cooking skills, she felt unusually nervous today.
As she started preparing breakfast, Vedika walked in and scoffed, "What were you thinking when you married my brother? That he would worship you?"
She smirked. "He didn't even look at you once before leaving! Don't you think it's better for you to leave this house on your own? Your marriage holds no meaning."
Just then, Pallavi Ji entered and overheard everything. She looked at Anya and firmly said, "You are the eldest daughter-in-law of this house, and you have as much right here as anyone else."
She walked closer and placed a comforting hand on Anya's shoulder. "Never forget, you didn't come here on your own. You were brought here as a bride, as my son's wife."
She then kissed Anya's forehead gently. "I want to see the same Anya I met the first time. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
Saying this, she walked away, leaving Vedika seething with jealousy. Furious, Vedika turned toward the servants and snapped, "I want breakfast ready in five minutes! Today is my first rasoi, and I don't want any delay!"
She stomped away, while Anya, with the help of the staff, finished preparing breakfast within half an hour.
For her first rasoi, she had prepared kheer, puri, moong dal halwa, matar paneer, sandwiches, aloo paratha, aloo parwal sabzi, and sweet & spicy tomato chutney. The entire dining area was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of her cooking.
Everyone gathered at the table, and soon, Arnav also arrived after his gym session. Dressed in a crisp outfit, he stepped down the stairs, his eyes immediately falling on Anya.
She was setting the table, looking breathtakingly beautiful in a light pink saree. Her hair was open, her face makeup-free except for the sindoor in her maang and the mangalsutra around her neck. Even in her simplest look, she looked stunning.
Arnav stood frozen, unable to look away.
As breakfast began, Dev Ji took the first bite of kheer and smiled, "You truly are Annapurna. The food is delicious."
One by one, everyone praised the meal—except for Poonam Ji, Vedika, and Arnav.
Throughout breakfast, Arnav kept stealing glances at Anya, and everyone at the table noticed. Anya, too, was aware but refused to meet his gaze even once.
After breakfast, Dadi Maa called Anya to her side and took her hands in hers. She then placed a pair of elegant bangles on her wrists.
Before Anya could say anything, Dadi Maa spoke, "I had these bangles made for Advik's wife. And today, I have finally found her."
Dev Ji gifted Anya a diamond necklace, Pallavi Ji gave her a beautiful bracelet, and Lavanya handed her an iPhone with a cheerful smile.
"This is a small gift for my dear Bhabhi," Lavanya said warmly. "No matter what our relationship is, you'll always be my bestie."
Trisha gifted her a delicate pair of anklets.
Watching this unfold, Poonam Ji, who had been silent until now, finally burst out, "Even Vedika's first rasoi was today, but no one gave her any gifts!"
Dadi Maa glanced at her and calmly replied, "To receive gifts, one must first prepare something. Ask Vedika what she has cooked today."
She then added, "And as for gifts, whatever Anya has received, Vedika will also get. We do not believe in discrimination the way you do, Poonam."
Saying this, she handed Vedika a diamond necklace and blessed her, "May you always remain suhagan and happy."
With that, the family dispersed, each returning to their daily routine.
---
At Night...
Anya lay in bed, unable to sleep. Her throat was parched, and she sat up, looking around for water.
"I kept a jug here... where did it go?" she muttered.
Unable to bear the thirst, she stepped out of her room to get water from downstairs.
As soon as she reached the ground floor, one by one, all the lights in the house switched off on their own. A single flashlight beamed directly at her, following her every move.
Anya's heart pounded in fear. "What is happening?"
Then, she heard a deep voice echoing in the darkness.
"Ek ladki thi deewani si..."
Anya's eyes widened in shock.
"Jo ek ladke pe marti thi..."
She clenched her fists. "Arnav! What is this? Haven't you ruined my life enough? Do you still find pleasure in tormenting me?"
Just then, his voice came again, continuing the verse.
"...And the rest of their story? Well, it became a new chapter of love in history."