HER POV
Life changes fast, time doesn't wait for you to process, heal and grow. It drags you with it.
And the same happened with me, every single time.
When my dad left me, life didn't wait, didn't stop and let me hug him a little longer. I remember crying to Maa about it, shaking her and pleading to wake up papa but she didn't. She didn't even move an inch, didn't look at me.
The second time when I failed to protect her. I felt pathetic, useless being not able to help, to save her.
And now, when I saved myself, when I succeeded in running away from my own destruction I was called names, tarnished. So no matter what I did and couldn't do, life didn't pause and let me process it.
It always felt like someone has chained my anklet with a car that keeps moving and doesn't stop, not even when it hurts.
"Mystery girl" I hear a knock at my door, walking out of my thoughts I open it and see the twins standing before me with a bright smile on their face.
Kireet Raichand, The youngest passes me a cheeky smile before winking a good morning to me.
Meanwhile his older twin, Devik Raichand pass me greetings in his gentle voice. I nod at both, still in surprise by how different they both were despite being twins.
It was as if Kireet was Autumn, Devik was Spring.
"You look beautiful, Miss Kaisha" Devik says taking me by surprise, I look beautiful? Do I really?
I fumble in nervousness, confusion and surprise and just nod at his compliment that feels like anything but truth.
"Let's go, Bhai's Waiting for us." Kireet says before moving at side to create some space for me. I clench the hem of my saree in nervousness.
Why is it so hard to face him? "I— You guys go, I'll be there in 5 Minutes" I reply softly, trying my best to not sound rude.
They both glance at each other before nodding at me and going downstairs. I stare at there back fading before I turn back and shut the door.
We arrived Yesterday Evening at Raichand's mansion, I was so nervous that I felt like my heart would jump out of my chest but fortunately he was there.
Although it was jolting to feel his touch on the small of my back when he helped me calm down, his touch felt like my skin was on fire even though I was covered in clothes.
Coming here I felt scared of what would his family's reaction would be but he respected my decision or not disclosing the mess that dragged us into such a situation.
To his brothers, I'm a friend or even more but I could clearly tell that even if his youngest brother believed his words, his older brother and Devik held doubt and curiosity in their eyes as if they were trying to see beyond the curtain of lies.
I look into the mirror and adjust my pallu over my shoulder, Even though its somehow our first official day as newly wed, its still incomplete without a proper ceremony so I chose to opt for a pink satin tissue saree with minimal gold embroidery that didn't scream married and also looked elegant on my skin.
After confirming that I looked representable, I walked out and descended the stairs.
"Where's Bhai?" I hear Kireet and Devik's voice coming from the dining table as I move towards them.
His older brother, Utkarsh Raichand. The silent one among them sat at the chair next to head's just as yesterday.
I had tilt my head in confusion because he was the eldest and that chair belonged to him but I also had no courage to ask about it.
I had later thought of their parents and it made sense, leaving the head's chair both sides was reasonable even when they lived separately.
Oh and I didn't got a chance to know about Kabir's parents yesterday.
"Good Morning" I greet them walking near the table, my eyes all around.
Where is he?
Mr Raichand looks up and greets me with a nod while the twins just smile and make me sit between them.
As I was about to open my mouth and ask them about Kabir, he emerges from the kitchen with a tray full of food in his hands.
He was in the kitchen cooking? They don't have maids considering they are this rich?
My eyebrow twitches and I stand up from my table walking towards him, his face moves up from the tray to towards my face.
"Let me" I say in a low voice and take the tray from his hands and set the dishes on the table.
I almost forgot we are told to cook the first meal after marriage and here I was— busy walking back and forth in my room anxiously.
I glance at his side, his eyes are on me.
Is he angry that I didn't fulfil my duty as his wife?
But all this isn't true right? It's just an act of saving, just a fact that he did that to save me and nothing more.
It's just a fake marriage.
Yet still, either real or fake. A wife's a wife isn't it?
Just as father was like.
Either biological or step, he was my father.
"You made us breakfast, bhai?" Kireet gasps in surprise looking between Kabir and the food set on the table.
"It's not for you guys," Kabir says, slapping his hand away before he could pick up some of it.
I keep the plate away and move towards the seat I was sitting on but before I could settle myself in, he calls my name. "Kaisha" I still and look at him across the table, his voice smooth and gentle with no tease laced into it.
He doesn't say further and motions his eyes at the seat next to him, he's asking me to sit beside him?
I bite my lips softly before giving a nod and moving towards him.
Mr Raichand doesn't say a word and kept on studying his tablet while the twins smiled mischievous looking at me.
What is all this about?
"You never even get us water, and now you're cooking just for her?!" Kireet whines, his words surprising me.
He cooked this for me?
The second I heard those words I looked between him and the food and I notice it finally, it's no normal food.
Its Madhya Pradesh's famous food, there's Indori poha, Dal Balfa, Bhutte ka kees and in sweets its Malpua.
I blink, once, twice, thrice but it doesn't make sense, it doesn't sound real. He cooked for me, just me. He cooked my hometown's food for me.
When was the last time somebody cared for my liking? My comfort? My happiness?
"I looked into it and found these on the internet." He says, low enough for only me to hear it.
I turn my head towards him, "Why?" I ask. Why did he trouble himself with it? Why?
He leans over, his shoulder brushing slightly against mine. "I wanted to make you feel at home where you matter" his words does something to me, to my heart. Not only the way he said that in the gentlest tone but also that he meant it felt like a bandage to my damaged heart.
"Eat" he says, I blink away the tears threatening to escape my eyes from the overwhelming feeling of being valued.
Maybe getting married isn't scary if your husband is Kabir Raichand.