Disha entered the kitchen with excitement and began preparing Aloo paratha (potato paratha) with joy. Maya, trying to be helpful, said, "Disha, madam, please don't bother. I'll take care of breakfast. You can sit at the dining table. I've already set up tea and snacks, and I'll bring breakfast shortly."
Disha smiled warmly and replied, "Daai, first of all, don't call me madam; just call me Disha. And yes, I want to make breakfast. I'm happy to do it. Can you please assist me? Let's quickly make these Aloo parathas together."
Maya persisted, "Disha madam, I'll handle it."
Playfully annoyed, Disha responded, "Daai, it's Disha."
Despite the exchange, Disha initiated the breakfast preparation, and Maya happily joined in, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the kitchen.
Once the parathas were ready, Maya insisted on taking charge of serving them. Disha, who had refrained Maya from doing any work, was reluctantly convinced by Maya's insistence.
Maya served parathas to everyone, filling the air with their delightful aroma. However, Aryan had not yet joined the breakfast table. Disha reminded Maya, "Daai, you forgot to put a paratha on Aryan's plate. Please place one for him."
Aware of Aryan's habit of not having breakfast, Maya glanced at Nita for guidance. Nita gestured for Maya to place a paratha on Aryan's plate.
After serving everyone, Maya headed back to the kitchen to finish her remaining tasks. Disha took a plate with a paratha and moved toward the kitchen. Nita got puzzled and asked, "Disha, where are you going?"
Disha turned back and said, "Mom, I'm going to give this to Daai; she helped me a lot in making the parathas."
Surprised by Disha's revelation, Nita questioned, "You made this parathas?"
Disha innocently replied, "Yes, Mom, Daai and I made them together."
Nita smiled and said, "Okay, come back quickly."
Disha nodded and went to the kitchen.
The family, initially delighted to see the parathas, became even more excited upon learning that Disha had prepared them.
As Disha returned to her chair, Aryan finally joined the table, completing the family gathering.
Aryan remained engrossed in reading emails on his phone while sipping his black coffee. Hoping he would eat, Disha gently placed the plate in front of him. Aryan, still absorbed in his phone, didn't notice.
Nita called out to him and said, "Aryan, have the paratha; they're delicious, you'll love them."
Aryan, still fixated on his phone, firmly declined, "Mom, you know I don't eat breakfast."
Nita, casting an awkward glance at Disha, smiled.
Finally looking up from his phone, Aryan remarked, "Mom, why did you ask them to make such unhealthy breakfast? And why are you insisting that I eat this?" Saying this, he pushed the plate away.
The lively atmosphere, filled with chatter and the enjoyment of parathas, abruptly fell silent as everyone turned to look at Aryan and Disha.
The dynamics in the room shifted as Aryan, still oblivious to everyone's gaze on him, finished his coffee and headed towards the door. Meanwhile, Disha, on the verge of tears, hadn't touched her food and silently retreated to her room, avoiding any eye contact. The unshed tears were meant for her private moments, not for public display.
Nita, deeply affected by Disha's emotional distress, prepared to rise from her chair. However, Grandma intervened with a firm tone, advising, "Nita, not now. Let her have some time alone. You can talk to her later." This halted Nita's immediate response, recognising the need to give Disha space.
Aryan, anticipating Disha's usual farewell, stood at the main door, but when she didn't show up, he proceeded to the office without dwelling on it.
Meanwhile, Disha grappled with the emotional impact of Aryan's every action, questioning the strength of the marital bond she had consciously defined with conditions. The dichotomy between her expectations and the unfolding reality left her in contemplation.
Disha, after a brief emotional moment, collected herself and decided not to let Aryan's behavior impact her. In the midst of these thoughts, someone knocked on her door. She went to open it.
When Disha opened the door, Nita was standing there. Disha invited Nita inside, closed the door, and both of them sat on the sofa.
Looking at Nita, Disha said, "Mom, why did you bother? If you wanted to talk to me, I would have come."
Nita replied, "I needed to talk to you, beta. I hope I didn't disturb you."
Disha forced a smile and said, "No, Mom, why are you saying that? You won't bother me."
Nita gently held Disha's hand and said, "Disha, I know Aryan's words must have hurt you. You worked so hard to make breakfast for him, and he refused."
Disha felt really bad, but she managed to say with a smile, "No, Mom, I didn't feel bad. It's not a big deal."
Nita said gently, "Disha, I know Aryan says things in anger that he shouldn't. He can be a bit harsh."
Disha remained silent, avoiding eye contact and looking at her hands.
Nita calmly said, "Disha, I know you both haven't adjusted in this marriage yet. You both entered into this marriage solely because of family's happiness. And you both still don't believe in this marriage"
Listening to Nita's words, Disha's eyes widened, and her mouth hung open in surprise. Trying to compose herself, Disha said, "Mom, you're overthinking. It's not like that."
Nita smiled and said, "Beta, Trust me on this when I'm saying, I am Aryan's mother and I can read his eyes. In those eyes, I've seen concern and worry for you. Aryan is a good boy; it's just that time has been unkind to him, making him appear so stern and defensive. He's afraid of getting hurt again."
Disha slowly spoke in a soft voice, "Mom, he told me about his past. I know everything."
Now it was Nita's turn to be shocked, as she knew Aryan rarely shared his feelings with anyone.
With a smile, Nita said, "Dear, give him a little time and love. Everything will be fine on its own.
Disha, still smiling, said softly, "Mom, I've started caring for him. I don't know why, but now I care for him. I'll try my best for him to forget about his past."
In response, Nita said, "That's how the bond of marriage is, Disha. We often don't realise when we lose ourselves in this relationship."
After talking to Disha for a while, Nita left to go to her room. Disha had nothing else to do, so she started reading book and after a while she also joined everyone in the living room and spent the day chatting and laughing with the family.
Aryan, busy with work throughout the day, returned home at 8 PM. When he entered the living room, everyone was slightly shocked to see him come home early.
Abhi playfully said, "Bhai, I heard that people improve after marriage. Today, I see it real. You used to come home after 10-11, and today you're here at 8."
Sameer, also sitting in the living room, teasingly added, "What happened, Aryan? Did your watch break?"
Aryan ignored both of them because his eyes were still searching for Disha, who wasn't in the living room.
Sameer noticed Aryan looking for Disha and decided to play along, "Aryan, are you looking for Disha?"
Aryan, who had been ignoring Sameer until now, turned his attention towards Sameer as soon as he heard Disha's name.
Continuing his prank, Sameer said, "Disha is not at home; she has gone to her parents' house."
Aryan, who usually caught Sameer's pranks, didn't recognise it this time and immediately asked, "Why did she go home?"
Meanwhile, the family enjoyed the unfolding prank, maintaining serious expressions. Sameer continued, "Don't tell me you didn't know Disha is angry with you and went to her parents' house.
Aryan, now confused, looked at Sameer for an explanation, trying to understand the situation.
Sameer continued his joke and said, "Aryan, you also don't know why Disha is angry?"
Aryan, still standing in his place, looked towards Nita and asked, "Mom, what's going on?"
Sameer, with a mischievous grin, quickly spilled the beans. "Aryan, you remember all those praises you showered this morning for the delicious parathas? Well, here's the twist – Disha was the mastermind behind them. Your lavish compliments overwhelmed her, and she couldn't handle the spotlight, so she went to her parents' house."
Aryan, upon learning Sameer's revelation, felt uncertain about how to proceed. The recollection of his disparaging remarks about the parathas weighed heavily on him. However, a familiar sound of anklets caught his attention, leading his gaze to the stairs where Disha was descending. Aryan experienced a sense of relief upon seeing her, and the comical twist of events prompted everyone, who had been struggling to suppress their laughter, to burst into mirth.
Aryan shot an angry look in Sameer's direction. Meanwhile, Disha descended the stairs without glancing at Aryan, heading straight to the living room where the rest of the family was seated.
Aryan, not wanting to waste more time, went to his room, freshened up, and returned in a sweatshirt and sweatpants to the living room.
Everyone had dinner together, engaged in conversation, but Disha continued to ignore Aryan. Even after dinner, Aryan tried to initiate a conversation, but she continued to ignore him, sitting on the sofa and engaging with others.
After a while of chatting, everyone bid each other good night and headed to their respective rooms.