The way I used to live

Daksha's POV:-

I didn't know when but I drifted into sleep while leaning into his warm embrace. I woke up from my slumber after hearing the booming voice of someone. I opened my eyes to see that Arjun was throwing glares at his sister as she gave him a cheeky smile.

I gave them a confused glance and gestured Arjun with my eyes asking what happened there. He just shook his head, not revealing anything.

After that, he helped me in getting out of the car. I was immediately greeted by the beautiful sight of his house. The mansion loomed proudly behind the huge iron gates with a modern touch, flanked by the trees which were swaying gently to the cool breeze.

In the middle, there stood the delicate marble fountain, gurgling the clear water, melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence.

"Wow!!" was the only word that left my mouth as it was truly an enthralling sight. "It is beautiful," I said to Arjun.

"Yeah. It is my dad's dream house.," he told me with a somewhat forlorn look on his face.

Understanding his feelings, I patted his shoulder in an assuring manner to which he gave me a full-blown smile, making my heart skip a beat.

Ammu immediately ushered us in. Sarada Aunty came to us and welcomed us inside, after doing the Aarti.

After that, she took me in front of a portrait and told me that he was my mamayya(father-in-law). She asked me to pay my respects and I did the same.

"Daksha, I think you might be hungry. Do you want to eat anything? " she asked me.

"No, Aunty. I am fine," I declined her offer politely.

"What Aunty? Call me ' Attayya'(MIL). I will be happier if you call me 'Amma' though," she told me and gave a teasing grin to Arjun.

"If she calls you " Amma", then what does it make me to you? A son-in-law..?" he asked this with a scoff.

"Yeah. Son-in-law. You better start calling me 'Attayya' from now onwards," she told him teasingly.

"You are not a good mother. How conveniently you kicked your son aside immediately after getting your daughter-in-law?" He said this like a sulking child.

"I am just teasing you, Ajju,” she laughed. ”But Daksha, consider me as your mother instead of your mother-in-law," she told me and I passed her a grateful smile.

"Ammu, take your vadina(SIL) to your room as she won't be comfortable being alone in a new house," she instructed Ammu.

"What?" Arjun exclaimed immediately after hearing his mother, making every one of us look at him. He realized his slip of tongue and gave us an awkward smile.

"I mean, what's the need for going to Ammu's room when she can stay in my room?" he asked his mother.

"Then where will you sleep? In the guest room.?" Instead of answering him, she asked him in return.

sleep in my room." After saying this, he looked at his mother as if he had solved

I know you are desperate for your wife but you both can't stay together until the completion of Satyanarayana pooja," she told him to which he embarrassedly rubbed the back of

Ammu gestured to me to go along with her and took me

the nightwear from my duffel bag and went to freshen up. By the time I came outside, Ammu made the bed for us. We both laid on our sides. She suddenly turned to

you looking at me like that?" I asked her to which she shook her

see what magic you

to which she

you have that made my brother behave like a lovesick

you think like that?" I asked her

reason why he was glaring at me earlier?" she asked me, to which I shook my head

slowly. I didn't understand his gesture and asked him the same in my loud voice that woke you up from your sleep. That was why he was glaring at me like that. You know, it is unusual for him.

situation. He is a good guy and can be a good husband too. Another thing, just treat

her from the

an oath that I took in my heart the moment he tied this sacred thread around my neck. So, don't worry. I won't leave him even if he asks me to," I assured her and she hugged

up due to the knocking at the door. I went to open the door

I know that you are so exhausted but what to do, you guys have to perform the pooja and after that, we have to visit the temple too as per our family tradition. So, please bear with me for

worry and no need to feel sorry for waking me up. I will get ready and meet you in 15 minutes. Is it okay?" I asked her to which she

me a saree and the jewelry, she asked me to

saw that Ammu was sitting on the

any help with draping the

I told her with a smile. She nodded at

going downstairs to help her mom and asked me to call her if I needed any help.

was given by my Attayya and stood in front of

of going downstairs. When I went outside the room, Arjun came out of his room too while folding his

He too lifted his head to look at me and If I was not mistaken, he was looking at me with eyes full of admiration.

for the pooja," she informed us with a teasing smile playing on her

this, we both looked around

After that, she made us sit together for the pooja. She told us the procedure and made us

it for two or three more hours? You know that we have to go to the temple for another pooja, right? You have to perform that pooja without eating anything. If you are not okay with it, we can do it

my breakfast because of my schedule. So, I am used to it already," I assured her

to be like that for only today, that too because the situation demands. From tomorrow onwards, I won't even let you step out

ushered us both to start for the temple in the same car and informed that she and Ammu would come

After igniting the engine,

it. I saw that there was a message from my Mom, informing me that they were reaching the temple soon. I replied to

I got bored with

are looking beautiful," he suddenly complimented me out of nowhere, making me face

tinge of rosiness crept on