"Leave that to me ma'am, I can do it" one of the cook said
Lashimi has to wake up early since she has to cook for the family today cos she wasn't able to do it yesterday
She feels a lot better today unlike yesterday when it seems that all the bone in her body is broken due to the weakness she felt. She wonders if the doctor gave her the right drug because it seems the drug work over what she expected
The doctor said the drug will only make her body hot and then a little bit weak but she don't think that was the case because after waking up yesterday she still felt so much weak and pain which she don't suppose to
She thinks maybe the doctor Abhishek claimed that he brought yesterday gave her some medical treatment, no need of thinking much of it at least she is better now
"Don't worry I can manage, I'm used to all these stuffs already. You all can take a rest while I do this" she replied jovially
Cooking means nothing to her, she can cook with ease and she actually loves doing it... Her mother taught her much about cooking
"No ma'am, this is our duty.... It is our job to get all the necessary ingredients for you ready while you do only the cooking. You are not allow to chop vegetables as you are doing now" the cook cuts in politely
"I want you all to relax for today, let me do the work myself... I can manage with all these and am almost done anyway" Lakshimi chip in with a smile but still the cook doesn't think it is wise letting her cut the vegetables because Durga won't be happy if she barge into the kitchen and see her doing it
She is a wife of Abhishek and cannot be seen doing any work in the house, she is only cooking today because it is tradition but she is not expected to cut vegetables or try to get all the ingredients ready by herself... Her only duty is just to cook and the maids will serve
"Just have some rest with your follow cooks, I can do the cooking and serve the food... It is not a big job for me, I always do it with my mum back home and I love cooking a lot" Lakshimi add, her thought kind of flew to her mother, she wonders how she is doing .... Although she has only stay away from her for three days she is already missing her a lot. She wish her father could change his decision and allows her visit home so she could see her mother, she dearly miss her a lot... She feels empty without her guess that's because she is the only one always there for her
The cook was about speaking up, she can't allow Lakshimi do the cooking and also serve the food but meerah's cold voice interrupted her, everyone flinch at her voice and comported themselves as those discussing at the other end cease their discussion
They all bow their head Immediately as the cook talking with Lakshimi steps back. No body dares enter meerah's black list because that will be the end of the person..... Meerah will make the mansion a living hell for the person. They all fears her as they knew how dangerous she can be
"Good morning madam Meerah" they all greets but Meerah ignores them and walking in fully inside the kitchen her cold eyes fix of Lakshimi who do not bow her head or tries to greet rather her head is up, her eyes also starring at Meerah
She held a dirty smile as she drag her feet with lots of pride and stand before Lakshimi who didn't flinch or blink, she has no reason to be afraid of her
"So your decided to cook after playing your dirty prank yesterday, you make up those stories of being sick because you want to run away from cooking. Don't think that Abhishek telling you to have some rest means that he cares for you because he don't.... I hope you won't make any mistakes while cooking, Abhishek is someone who respects his food and hates it when messed up, he won't hestitate to punish you so severely if you ends up cooking rubbish" Meerah voice out still putting on the fake smile
"And I am someone who respects food also, I've been cooking since I was young and never for one day have I make mistake or cook rubbish... I always make sure that the food I cooks comes out perfect
To cook a good food, you will have to cook with love so I cooks with love and my food are always perfect" Lakshimi voice out and Meerah face twist in anger but she cleared it up immediately as she puts on the fake smile once again
"It looks like you are so sure of yourself and you think higly of your cooking.... I wonder where this boldness of yours will take you
Well let's us see if you will end up cooking the perfect food or this will be the first time you will cook rubbish. I want you to know one thing ... Abhishek do not spare someone who cooks rubbish for him, he punish them hardly and most times when he is angry..... he kills them so I hope you will be safe, make sure you put all your best in cooking the best food and cook to his taste, if you want I can help you out" Meerah stretch out her words with a smirk
"Don't worry I can do it myself" Lakshimi cuts in
"Well then, Good luck" she add with a dirty smile and walk out. Lakshimi breaths out as she sense a bit of fear in her. That Abhishek looks deadly, it is possible he won't think twice cutting off her head if she ends up cooking rubbish and she don't even know his taste or what he could like but she will definitely do her best
****
Lakshimi was done with the cooking in less than an hour, though the maids tried stopping her from setting the table but she didn't give in .. she insists on setting the table with them
The maids likes her already, she is friendly kind and lovely... She is fun to be with unlike Meerah who always sends fear down their spine whenever she is around. She is not rude nor pompous, she is meek and simple
"You really did a good job Lakshimi" Preeta said as she joins in the dinning with Durga
"She did the work perfectly and I am sure this food will taste good" Durga chip in and Lakshimi smile
Just then Abhishek joins them in his might with Meerah by his side. His presence alone can input fear on whosoever around. The maids bow their head and Preeta quickly raise her Shaw to cover her head as she threw her face down, she signal Lakshimi to do the same as she reluctantly do so
They all settled down after Abhishek took his seat and Meerah sitting beside him
"Go on serve your husband Lakshimi, as the tradition demands... a wife serves the husband after cooking for the first time in her new home" Durga said and Meerah roll her eyes
Lakshimi nods as she gently stands from her seat and walk close to Abhishek
She could feel Abhishek's eyes fixed on her as she do so, Meerah noticed it too and that got her face twisted in anger but she tried waving away all the negatives thoughts in her
"The sauce you serve is already enough Lakshimi, Abhishek do not eat his pasta with much sauce... I guess there is a lot for you to learn about your husband" she speaks up with a fake smile
"She will learn as time goes on Meerah, no need of rushing it" Durga cuts in
"I know aunt, she will surely learn... I guess she really needs a lot to learn indeed" Meerah add still faking the smile. She glance at a maid who stands few inche away from them
The maid nod her head slowly giving her a satisfaction reply. She remembers ordering the maid to mess up Lakshimi's food by adding so much pepper and salt
The maid did the job when Lakshimi finished cooking and decided to use the restroom because she was pressed at that moment, the maid did it in a way that no body will find out and she left no trace behind
Meerah smile after Lakshimi finished dishing out the food for Abhishek and go back to her seat
"Why don't you eat first Abhi, so we can start eating since the food was made specially for you by your new wife" she said in smile knowing that Lakshimi is about to face Abhishek wrought
Lakshimi could feel her heart beating although she doesn't want it that way as Abhishek slowly cut a piece of pasta dipping it inside the sauce and then bringing it closer his mouth
Meerah's lips curves in a wide smile as she watch Abhishek slowly putting the food inside his mouth
Abhishek dip the pasta and sauce inside his mouth and gently chew it but his expression changed at once and he spit out the food, he glare at Lakshimi who could feel her heart jump out immediately, the glare was so deadly
Durga noticed his expression and she also dip a piece of pasta and sauce into her mouth but she quickly spit it out and take some water
Abhishek was still glaring at Lakshimi and she can see the so much anger in his eyes. Preeta aslo have a bite of the food but spit it out like others
Lakshimi was beginning to wonder what is going on, she did her best in cooking the food what could be their problem with it
"What the heck!" Meerah grouse spitting out the food in her mouth
"What is this Lakshimi? Do you plan on killing us all with this poison?" She rant. Abhishek was still glaring at Lakshimi not saying anything, he hates it, he hates it so much when he is feed with gibberish instead of food ... He won't spare the person that makes the food and everyone knows that, the cooks are always careful when it comes to Abhishek's food
Lakshimi was forced to taste the food when the silence and glares became intense ... She spit it out as she wide her eyes in shock, how could this be possible, she was so careful when cooking the food and she even taste it after cooking, how come there is so much salt and pepper in the food now
"You keep on boasting about your cooking whereas you are so bad at cooking.... I even render my help willingly but you turned it down feeling so high of yourself now look at the rubbish you served us to eat" Meerah add and glance at Abhishek who hasn't say anything yet but starring at Lakshimi whose heart is beating like a drum
"Lakshimi what happened?" Durga ask, she believes in Lakshimi not to cook such horrible food... Something must be wrong somewhere
"It is obvious that she can't cook aunt, that was why she pretended to be sick yesterday just to run away from cooking. Pride won't let her admit how bad she is at cooking
She got the mind to feed us with poison, she insulted food and that is so bad of her" Meerah voice out still starring at Abhishek, she is wondering why he hasn't react yet but she is sure his silent is more deadly than his words
Lakshimi was breathing so hard, her heart rising and falling at full speed ... She is still thinking how the food turns out to be salty and pepperish, the stares Abhishek is throwing at her are so intense and can instil fear on anyone
"Don't tell me you won't do anything about this Abhi, I am sure she did this intentionally just to prove how stubborn she is.... She probably don't want to cook and she thought that after faking sickness that she will be ask not to cook again. Am sure she cook this poison for us because she is angry that she is asked to cook... She is definitely showing her real self" Meerah snap
"Calm down Meerah, I don't think she did it intentionally.... It must be a mis....."
"Don't tell me you are supporting what she did aunt... She insulted food and you know how much food is respected in the Singh family especially by Abhi
Such girls like her are not worthy to be the daughter in law of the Singh family" Meerah cuts Durga off
Abhishek slowly stands up his eyes burning in so much anger. Lakshimi could not read what is going on in his mind through his blank face.... All she knew is that his face displays so much anger. Meerah knows that his silence is more deadly than anything
His eyes are still glaring at Lakshimi as her face is starring at the floor, she will only steal a glance
"Look up" he orders and Lakshimi quickly raise her head up as her eyes met his cold eyes immediately, she could see nothing but anger
"Come here" his voice cold as before and Lakshimi sluggishly but nervously walk up to him. Meerah is already smiling within herself because she knew a very good punishment is awaiting Lakshimi
"Foods are to be respected because it is what sustain our life. You could have ask someone to help you out since you cannot make a simple meal
Even a bad cook will not cook such poison you cooked today, it only mean you did it intentionally and I don't forgive anyone who insults food weather intentionally or not intentionally" Abhishek gnash and Lakshimi quickly glance up at him
"This food can never be trash, trashing a food is the worst insult you could give nature.... Your punishment is to make sure you finish all these food and none even a piece will be trash" the order sounded in Lakshimi's head as she wide her eyes in shock, Preeta and Durga not left out. Meerah let out a wide smirk, she is happy her plan works out, she won't survive after eating this poison in form of food, the next place she will end up is in the hospital and that is for sure or maybe the grave
Preeta feels so sorry for Lakshimi, even if she wants to help her, she can't cos she don't have the power.... Abhishek's orders are not the one to be flaunted
"Abhishek you need ...." Abhishek raise his hand in the air cutting his aunt off. Durga is sure Lakshimi didn't do such intentionally, it must be a mistake and now she is going to pay for what she didn't do, Abhishek is someone who never goes back on his words
Lakshimi's heart is rising and falling in what she may call anger and nervousness. She knew that someone wants to implicate her by adding more pepper and salt to the sauce she made. She can remember vividly tasting the sauce before going to the bathroom and most of the cooks weren't in the kitchen cos she ask them to take a rest
Who could have done such to her, she stare at Meerah, seeing the smirk on her face... It could only mean that she is the one that messed the food up just to get Abhishek to punish her, she is the only one she can think of because she has been getting on her nerves lately
"Didn't you hear what he said Lakshimi, start eating the food already" Meerah voice out and Lakshimi glare at her
"I don't like repeating myself, if you don't finish this food in the next two hours you won't like what I will do to you... don't provoke my anger because you won't like what I will do next" Abhishek husky voice sounded more icily, he was about walking away but Lakshimi's shaky voice stops him
"I can't be punished for what I didn't do, I am innocent. I respect food more than you can think, I can never spoil such amount of food because I know that some people don't have a piece of it to eat..." She was cut off by the deadly stare from Abhishek. Everyone was so amazed and stunned, no one has ever tries to prove his or herself right before Abhishek or flaunt his orders... It could mean challenging him
"How dare you ... You got no fear do you" Meerah snap
"I am only saying that I should be giving a chance to prove my innocent, you cannot just punish me without being so sure if am really guilty... Just give me one weak to find out who did this to implicate me but after one week if I am unable to prove my innocent, then you should punish me which either way you want but I am sure I am going to find the culprit" Lakshimi voice out trying to hold back her fears and nervousness, she glanced at Meerah knowing fully well she is the one that messed with the food
"You got some nerves you brat, you are just caught in the act and you are asking for an opportunity to prove your innocent... You even dare to challenge Abhishek" Meerah grime
"I didn't challenge him, I am only pleading with him, and I have the right to prove my innocent besides after one week if I don't prove anything, I will still be punished... Why does it feel like you are afraid of something" Lakshimi blurts out, meerah's face squeeze in anger Immediately
"Don't tell me you will stand here and watch that idiot talk to me like that... Are you seriously going to give her a chance to prove her innocence, what is there for her to prove when she is the one that cooked the food" Meerah voice out starring at Abhishek
Lakshimi's gulp down hoping that Abhishek gives her the chance, she is sure Meerah is the one that messed up the food and she will have to make her pay for trying to put her in trouble with Abhishek
Preeta and Durga also hopes that Abhishek will give Lakshimi a chance to prove her innocence but at the same time worried that she may not be able to do it within one weak. They were all waiting patiently to hear from Abhishek but Meerah feels impatient
"One week... After one week if you are not able to do so, you will regret ever asking me for the chance because the punishment I will give you then will be worse than this one" Abhishek coldly said and walk out.
Meerah clench her fist in anger but she was able to calm down... She have nothing to fear because no matter what Lakshimi won't find out she is the culprit and after one week she will still be punished. She glares at Lakshmi before walking away
"Lakshimi, are you sure one week is going to be enough. I'm scared of the punishment Abhishek will give you if you fail" Preeta speaks up sounding worriedv
"Yes Lakshimi, do you suspect someone but who could even dare to do that" Durga cuts in
"You guys should not worry, I will find out who did this... I will surely do"
"I was so amazed at your boldness, no one has stood up before Abhishek like that" Preeta add, what Abhishek did now is definitely unlike him, Lakshmi is really lucky
"I couldn't allow myself to be punished for what I did not do just because I fear Abhishek, it is better to stand up to him and be punished than not to stand up to him and still gets punished
Admitting to or getting punished for a crime I didn't commit is giving the main culprit a reason to rejoice and I won't do that" Lakshimi add
***
Menka stare at her daughter's picture as she slowly let the tears to slide down her cheeks. She miss her so much and she wonders when she is ever going to see her again
Now she understands how important her daughter is in her life, she can feel her life empty since her daughter got married and left though it hasn't even been a week but she already misses her so much
She wonders what her life is over there, weather she is having a hard time or good time. Sometimes she will be forced to ask the almighty why he put her daughter in so much pain and let her life to be ruined
"Can you stop all this drama already, it hasn't been one week your daughter left and you are acting up.... There are a lot of chores to do and you are here crying" Rivati nasty voice sounds as she enter fully inside the room with prachi
"You know what aunt, you should be happy because Lakshimi is in a better place.... She might even forget you while living in such luxury, you shouldn't worry about her because she is doing fine, I suggest you worry about yourself instead because you might not be able to live in luxury as your daughter because she may forget you now that she is married into a rich family " prachi cuts in and menka took a quick glance at her
That will never happen, Lakshimi will never forget her because she knew the bond she shares with her daughter
"Why do you look so surprised, prachi is only saying the truth" Rivati chip in
Menka ignored them and walk out, she don't have the strength to involve in argument or try to think about the rubbish they are saying
"So disgusting" Rivati mumble
"Tell me mum, how is your plan going because I haven't see any positive improvement" prachi cuts in
"Don't worry prachi, we will definitely achieve our plans of ruining Lakshimi's marriage just be patient"
"But when mum because I can feel you are not doing anything, if we don't take a step now it might be too late tommorow"
"Just shut up prachi, I haven't taken a step because I don't know where that Abhijit of a guy is ever since your father bailed him out from jail... He is the only one that can ruin that marriage cos am sure Lakshimi still loves him and will like to go back to him
I wonder what will happen if Abhishek finds out that his new wife loves someone else and it will be worse if he finds them together in an unpleasant position... I am sure he won't spare Lakshimi neither Abhijit. So just calm down Prachi because we will still get to where we want and then achieve our plans" Rivati add with a smirk which prachi returned
***
"Madam Meerah, did you say that ma'am Lakshimi actually stands up against master Abhishek to ask for a chance? And he willingly gave it to her" Guari ask
"I will have to put that wench in her place very soon, she is feeling too high of herself because she is the daughter in law of the Singh but she totally forgot that she was picked up from a trash" Meerah replied instead
"You have to do that fast madam Meerah because I can sense that Lakshimi is going to take everything away from you. Master Abhishek has never given anyone the chance to prove their innocent whenever they are found guilty of a crime
He knew that ma'am Lakshimi cooked that food but he still gave her time to prove her innocence, that means a lot madam Meerah because this is the first time master Abhishek is doing such, she also challenged him but he did nothing about it" Guari add and Meerah quickly glance at her
She was filled with anger as she thought of what Guari said. She is right by saying that, this is the first time Abhishek has pardon someone and give the person a chance to prove their innocent and no one has ever tried to prove their right to Abhishek as Lakshimi did and go scot free but he did nothing to Lakshimi
"And what if she finds out that you are the one that messed up the food" Guari add
"Enough Guari, stop thinking rubbish because there is no way she will find out and I will never allow her take anything from me
I am Meerah Singh and no one dares mess with me, Lakshimi thinks she is tough but I will show her what toughness is. Before I gets rid of her... I will make her life miserable first before destroying her the way I destroyed the other wives" Meerah gnash out trying to control the anger
***
"Don't tell me you will still go after Lakshimi.... She is married to Abhishek now and I believe you know who Abhishek is, he is dangerous and fearless" Asad, Abhijit friend said
"She is mine Asad, she was only forcefully taken away from me and I will do everything in my power to get her back no matter what. Am sure she still loves me, she is definitely marrying Abhishek against her will" Abhijit cuts in
"But still Abhijit, Abhishek is a very dangerous man. Trying to get close to Lakshimi is putting her life in danger.... Abhishek is someone who is protective of his possession and you won't easily get back Lakshimi now that she is married to Abhishek"
"But Lakshimi is not his possession, she is mine and I will get her from him. I don't care what the outcome will be but I promise Lakshimi to be with her forever and I will fulfil that promise not even Abhishek can stop me
I will definitely find a way to be with the woman I love, I'm sure she married him to save me. She has made a sarcrifice for the both of us so it my time to make another sarcrifice for us to be together and nothing can stop me" Abhijit cuts in. Asad breaths, out... He knew how stubborn Abhijit is, no matter how much he will talk to him, it won't make him change his mind but he hopes he will be safe
****
Meerah walks down the big staircase with a wide smirk as she stare at Lakshimi who is in the sitting room with Preeta and Durga
"Everything is set madam Meerah, this will surely be the doom of ma'am Lakshimi and nothing or no one can prevent it" Guari said and Meerah grin evilly
"I can't wait to watch the drama, just a little while from now that bitch will be in prison and I will make sure she rots in there, she will learn to fear Meerah Singh" Meerah blurts out starring blazingly at Lakshimi
Just then the door bell ring out loud and a maid rush to open the door
"I think they are here, the inspectors" Guari add and Meerah grin out more
The inspectors walk in while the maid leads them to the sitting room. Durga and others were surprised seeing police officers in their house for the first time and she wonders what could be the problem that warrant their visit
"Welcome inspector, how may we help you?", Meerah ask as she joins in the sitting room
"Namaste" one of the inspectors greets
"Nsmaste, but What do we owe this visit, are you even sure where you because this is the Singh household" Durga cuts in
"Just allow them to tell us the reason they are here first, it might be an important issue" Meerah chip in
"We got a call from this mansion stating that a hard drug is being hidden here and we have a warrant to search this place" the inspector speaks out
"What!" Durga exclaim in shock, Preeta and Lakshimi not left out. Meerah let out a smile accompanied with a smirk