AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Uncle, what are you doing here? I should be taking care of this, not you. And you should be resting,” I express my mortification at my father-in-law preparing breakfast for me on the first day of my married life.
“Oh, come on, Meher. Ayaan gives me enough lectures on resting. At least you spare me from that. Besides, it’s your first day as a Shergill bride. I won’t allow you to enter the kitchen and cook for us.”
His gesture warms my heart.
“But isn’t it a tradition? The new bride is supposed to prepare a sweet dish for the family on her first day of marriage.”
“We can postpone that tradition to tomorrow. We’re not in any rush, are we? Honestly, I don’t want you to burden yourself with household chores and customs. You and Ayaan should enjoy your newlywed status instead of being tied down by age-old rituals. So, allow me to pamper both of you today with this delicious South Indian breakfast. Ayaan always made breakfast for me, so it’s my turn now.”
Uncle skilfully flips the Dosa and cooks it from the other side. I’m deeply touched by his kindness and thoughtful gesture. It’s evident that Uncle is making every effort to ensure I feel comfortable and at home. Suddenly, I remember something and lean down to touch his feet as a sign of respect and blessing, but he stops me immediately.
“Why are you touching my feet? Didn’t I tell you that my blessings are always with my children?” he responds.
I smile, explaining, “Devika bhabhi had specifically instructed me to do so. She still follows this tradition, taking Dad’s blessings every morning since she got married.”
Uncle rolls his eyes playfully and pats my head affectionately.
“Pratap might be fond of this, but I’m not. He was always the old-school type. But I’m not like him. And if Pratap were in my place, would you touch his feet every day?”
I chuckle and shake my head. “No, I would hug him instead.”
Uncle returns my smile, prompting me to step forward and hug him. He is Ayaan’s father, and now, mine too. He puts his hand on my head and gives his blessings.
“God bless the Queen,” he says.
I pull away, feeling a bit confused and embarrassed. “Queen?” I ask.
“Yeah, now everyone knows what Ayaan calls you,” Uncle teases. “Long live the King and his Queen.”
I bite my lip as I realise that everyone in both families is aware of our chess metaphors, especially how we refer to each other as the King and Queen.
“Now that you’ve agreed not to touch my feet every day,” he says, “there’s something else I’d like you to do.”
“Anything,” I respond, not yet aware of his request.
Uncle’s smile warms my heart as he gently holds my upper arms. “Ayaan calls me ‘Dad,’ but I’ve always longed for someone to call me ‘Paapa.’ And now that you’re officially my daughter after marrying Ayaan, would you consider calling me ‘Paapa’?”
I’m overwhelmed, and my eyes invariably well up with happy tears. It’s the sweetest request, and I’m more than willing to oblige. I nod gently, sharing a chuckle at his endearing request.
“I will,” I agree. “But ‘Paapas’ listen to their daughters; they don’t argue with them as you were doing just now. So when I say it’s time to rest, you should rest without complaining. Deal, Paapa?”
“Deal,” he affirms with a fond pat on my head, accepting my one and only condition. We both share a laugh, sealing the agreement with warmth and love.
“Good morning,” an unfamiliar voice interrupts us from behind.
I turn around to find an attractive, tall, slender woman dressed in all black, with skin-tight jeans and a crisp half-sleeved shirt accentuating her figure. Her hair is neatly tied in a ponytail, not a single strand out of place. Her attire and the gun holster around her waist clearly indicate that she’s part of the security team. She smiles at me as she introduces herself.
“Hello, Meher. I’m Trisha, your personal bodyguard.”
“Bodyguard?” I frown in surprise. “I’m sorry, but Ayaan didn’t mention anything about you.”
“Maybe he forgot,” Uncle chimes in. “But yes, he did tell me about Trisha. Hello, Trisha.”
“Hello, Uncle,” she greets him with a polite nod.
But I interject, my tone firm, “No, wait a second. I already have too many guards here sent by my father. I don’t need additional ones.”
“Ayaan has strictly ordered me to accompany you everywhere you go. I’ll be around you discreetly, and I promise you won’t even notice I exist. And here at the Shergill Mansion, you won’t see me unless you genuinely need me,” Trisha calmly responds.
