After breakfast, As Anaya wandered through the grand Singhaniya mansion, her steps eventually led her toward the garden area—a peaceful escape from the heaviness in her heart. The soft scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and the sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. The serene beauty of the garden momentarily eased her troubled mind, giving her a brief respite from the lingering thoughts of Rudra and the complicated feelings swirling inside her.
It wasn't until she turned a corner near the far side of the garden that she spotted Misha, the eldest daughter of Rakhi and Dev Singhaniya. Misha was sitting at a small table by the garden's edge, her laptop open in front of her as she worked diligently. Unlike Ria, who was energetic and carefree, Misha had a more composed and serious demeanor. She exuded a quiet confidence, the kind that came from years of responsibility and focus.
Misha was in her final year of business studies, specializing in hotel management, and it was clear that she took her role in the family business seriously. While Ria was more involved in the tech side of things, Misha had always been more interested in the hospitality arm of the Singhaniya empire, especially their international hotel ventures. As Anaya approached, she couldn't help but admire how focused Misha appeared, her brow furrowed slightly as she typed away at her laptop, her fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard.
Anaya hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should interrupt Misha's work. But as if sensing her presence, Misha looked up, her eyes meeting Anaya's. A warm, welcoming smile spread across her face, instantly putting Anaya at ease.
"Anaya," Misha greeted her, her voice soft and friendly. "What brings you to the garden? Need a break from the chaos inside?"
Anaya smiled shyly, stepping closer to the table. "Something like that. I was just… wandering, I guess."
Misha gestured to the empty chair across from her. "Join me. I could use a break too, and you look like you could use some company."
Anaya hesitated for only a moment before taking the seat, feeling grateful for the offer. As she sat down, she noticed the screen of Misha's laptop was filled with charts, reports, and spreadsheets, all related to the family's hotel business. It was clear that Misha was deeply engrossed in her work.
"You're always working so hard," Anaya commented, glancing at the documents on the screen. "Are you finishing up something important?"
Misha chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You could say that. I'm working on a final project for my degree, and since it's my last year, everything feels like it's building up to this. Plus, with the expansion of our hotel business, there's always something to do."
Anaya nodded, admiring Misha's dedication. "It seems like a lot to handle."
"It is," Misha admitted, leaning back in her chair and stretching her arms above her head. "But I enjoy it. I've always been passionate about hospitality, and I want to make sure our hotels stay competitive in the international market. My father has high expectations, so I'm determined to live up to them."
There was a quiet intensity in Misha's voice, one that Anaya couldn't help but respect. While Ria often joked about her own role in the family business, Misha seemed to carry the weight of it with pride and responsibility. It was clear that she took her studies and her future career very seriously.
"What about you, Anaya?" Misha asked, turning the conversation back to her. "How are things going with you? Adjusting to everything?"
Anaya blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I'm… trying," she said softly, her voice laced with uncertainty. "It's been a lot to take in."
Misha's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "I can imagine. Our family can be… overwhelming, to say the least. But you're doing great, Anaya. You've only been here a short time, and already, I can see you're finding your place."
Anaya smiled faintly, though she wasn't sure if she believed it. "I'm still trying to figure out what that place is."
Misha tilted her head, studying Anaya for a moment before offering a gentle smile. "You'll find it. Just give yourself time. And remember, you don't have to do it alone. We're family now, and we're here for you."
Anaya felt a warmth spread through her chest at Misha's words. Despite the complexities of her marriage to Rudra, she was beginning to see that there were people in this family who genuinely cared for her—Rakhi, Ria, and now Misha. It was a comforting thought, one that helped ease the loneliness she often felt.
As the conversation shifted, Misha closed her laptop and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "By the way, Ria and I were talking earlier, and we've been getting some information about internships for our final semester. It seems like we'll need to apply soon if we want to secure good positions."
Anaya's interest was piqued. "Internships? Like, in the tech and business fields?"
Misha nodded. "Exactly. Since we're both finishing up our studies, we need to do an internship—at least three to six months. It's a requirement for our degrees, and it's a good opportunity to get some real-world experience. I'm already thinking about applying to a few of our family's partner hotels, but I know Ria wants to explore tech companies."
Anaya nodded, thinking about her own situation. She hadn't had much time to consider internships or career opportunities since her sudden marriage to Rudra. Her life had taken such a sharp turn that it was hard to focus on anything beyond the day-to-day adjustments.
"You should think about it too, Anaya," Misha said, her voice gentle but encouraging. "You're studying tech and business development, right? There are plenty of great opportunities out there, especially with the Singhaniya name behind you."
Anaya felt a twinge of uncertainty. She wasn't sure how to balance her personal life with her professional ambitions, especially with the complicated dynamic between her and Rudra. But the idea of pursuing an internship, of building a career, was something she couldn't ignore.
"I'll definitely think about it," Anaya said, offering a small smile. "I just need to figure out what I want to do first."
Misha grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Take your time. No rush. But trust me, once you start applying, things will move fast. The business world doesn't wait for anyone."
Anaya laughed softly. "I can imagine."
For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence, the peaceful atmosphere of the garden surrounding them. Anaya found herself feeling more relaxed than she had in days, grateful for the calm and for Misha's quiet but steady presence.
But their moment of peace was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the house. Anaya and Misha both turned toward the source of the noise, their attention drawn to a figure walking toward them from the living room.
It was a woman—around 45 years old, elegant but with a sharp edge to her appearance. Her movements were precise, and there was an air of superiority in the way she carried herself. Following closely behind her was a younger woman, probably in her early twenties, with long dark hair and striking features. She was dressed impeccably, her posture confident as she walked beside the older woman.
Anaya recognized them from family gatherings—the Kukrejas. The older woman was Jaya Kukreja, Rakhi's cousin, and the younger woman was Rubi, Jaya's daughter. Anaya had heard whispers about the Kukrejas before, mostly from Ria, who had always been vocal about her dislike for them. There was something about Jaya and Rubi that set the Singhaniya sisters on edge, though Anaya wasn't entirely sure why.
Misha let out a soft sigh, her expression tightening ever so slightly. "Looks like we have company."
Anaya glanced at her, noticing the subtle change in Misha's demeanor. "Who are they?"
"The Kukrejas," Misha said quietly, her voice tinged with mild distaste. "Jaya is Grandmother's sister's daughter. They come by from time to time, but… they're not exactly our favorite people."
Anaya raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why not?"
Misha hesitated, as if weighing her words carefully. "Jaya can be a bit… greedy, I suppose. She's always trying to ingratiate herself with Grandmother, and she's very ambitious. As for Rubi…" Misha trailed off, her gaze shifting toward the younger woman. "Let's just say she's had her eye on Rudra for a long time."
Anaya's stomach twisted slightly at the mention of Rudra. She turned her attention back to the approaching guests, feeling a wave of unease wash over her. She hadn't interacted much with the Kukrejas before, but if what Misha was saying was true, it seemed like they were going to be difficult to deal with.
As the Kukrejas entered the garden area, Jaya's sharp gaze landed on Misha and Anaya. She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Misha, dear," Jaya said, her tone overly sweet. "It's been far too long. And this must be Anaya, Rudra's wife."
Anaya forced a polite smile, feeling the weight of Jaya's scrutiny as the older woman looked her inover, sizing her up. There was something about Jaya's gaze that made Anaya feel uncomfortable, as if she were being judged, evaluated. It wasn't outright hostility, but there was a distinct edge to the woman's tone and expression.
"Yes," Anaya replied, her voice quiet but steady, "I'm Anaya."
Jaya's smile widened slightly, though it still lacked warmth. "Lovely to meet you, Anaya. I've heard quite a bit about you. I hope you're settling in well at the Singhaniya house."
Before Anaya could respond, Rubi, who had been standing silently beside her mother, finally spoke up. Her voice was soft but with a certain coolness to it. "I've been meaning to meet you, Anaya. You see, Rudra and I have known each other for a long time."
The underlying implication in her words wasn't lost on Anaya, and she couldn't help but feel a slight pang of unease. The way Rubi said it, as if she had some sort of claim to Rudra, made her stomach twist uncomfortably.
Rubi's eyes flicked over to Misha, her gaze lingering for a moment before turning back to Anaya. "I'm sure you've heard about our family connections. It's such a small world, isn't it?"
Before Anaya could think of how to respond, Misha, clearly sensing the shift in the atmosphere, spoke up in a calm but firm tone. "Yes, Rubi, we're all aware of the long history between our families."
There was a subtle tension in Misha's voice, but she remained composed. Anaya could see that Misha, despite her usual calm demeanor, wasn't particularly fond of Rubi or her mother. It was becoming clearer why Ria and Misha had warned her about the Kukrejas.
Jaya, seeming to notice the slight tension, gave a light, airy laugh. "Oh, let's not get caught up in old stories, Misha. We're here to enjoy a lovely day, aren't we?" She turned her attention back to Anaya. "So, Anaya, how are you finding married life? I imagine it must be quite an adjustment."
Anaya felt the weight of the question, knowing full well that Jaya was fishing for something—some sort of insight into her relationship with Rudra. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but before she could say anything, Ria's voice cut through the tension.
"Anaya's doing great, actually," Ria said as she appeared, walking up to join the group with her usual breezy attitude. She glanced at Rubi, then at Jaya, before giving Anaya a reassuring smile. "She's adjusting just fine."
Ria's tone was light, but Anaya could sense the protective undercurrent in her words. It was as if Ria had swooped in just in time to shield her from whatever game Jaya and Rubi were playing. Anaya was grateful for Ria's timely intervention, though the unease in her chest hadn't completely faded.
Jaya raised an eyebrow, glancing between Ria and Anaya. "Well, that's wonderful to hear. And Rudra? How is he? Still as busy as ever, I imagine?"
Anaya swallowed hard, not sure how to answer that. Rudra was always busy—too busy, in fact. But she wasn't about to reveal the complexities of their strained relationship to Jaya, of all people.
Ria, however, answered smoothly. "Rudra's always got a lot on his plate, but he's managing it all just fine. You know him—he's got everything under control."
There was a hint of challenge in Ria's tone, as if daring Jaya to press further. Jaya's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, nodding in agreement.
"Of course," Jaya said with a slight nod. "Rudra's always been very capable. I have no doubt he's managing everything perfectly."
Rubi, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile on her lips, finally spoke again, her eyes once more locking onto Anaya's. "I'm sure you must find it challenging at times, Anaya," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "Marrying into such a powerful family, I mean. It's a lot to handle, isn't it?"
There was something pointed in Rubi's words, something that made Anaya feel as though she were being tested. The pressure of Rubi's gaze, coupled with the barely veiled challenge in her tone, made Anaya's pulse quicken. She could sense that Rubi was looking for a reaction, trying to see if she could rattle her.
But before Anaya could respond, Ria, who was standing beside her, rolled her eyes and spoke up in her usual blunt manner. "Oh, please, Rubi. Don't act like marrying into a big family is some kind of Herculean task. Anaya's doing just fine, thank you very much."
Rubi's smile tightened, but she didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced back at her mother, who gave her a subtle nod, as if signaling her to back off. Jaya, ever the master of social graces, seemed to sense that the conversation was heading in a direction she didn't want.
"Well," Jaya said with another one of her airy laughs, "we didn't come here to stir up trouble. We just wanted to stop by and say hello to the family. It's been too long since we've had a proper visit."
Anaya forced a polite smile, though she still felt unsettled by the entire encounter. She glanced at Ria, who gave her a knowing look, as if to say, Don't worry about them.
Jaya, sensing that it was time to leave, stood up and motioned for Rubi to follow. "We should be going now. Please give my regards to Rudra when you see him."
Rubi, still standing beside her mother, cast one last lingering glance at Anaya before offering a small smile. "It was nice meeting you, Anaya. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
Anaya nodded, though the tightness in her chest remained. "Likewise."
With that, the Kukrejas finally turned and made their way back toward the house, leaving Anaya, Misha, and Ria standing together in the garden. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ria let out a loud, exasperated sigh and threw her hands up in frustration.
"Ugh, I can't stand those two," she muttered, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Always acting like they're better than everyone else."
Misha chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You'd think they'd get tired of it after all these years, but no. They just keep coming back for more."
Anaya, who had been quiet throughout most of the encounter, finally spoke up, her voice uncertain. "Is Rubi really... interested in Rudra?"
Ria let out a snort of laughter. "Interested? Please. She's been obsessed with him for years. She's always had this ridiculous fantasy that one day she'd marry into the Singhaniya family and live out her little princess dream."
Misha nodded in agreement. "Rubi's always had her sights set on Rudra, but it's never been about him as a person. It's always been about the power and the status that comes with being a Singhaniya."
Anaya felt a strange mix of emotions at their words. On one hand, it was somewhat reassuring to know that Rubi's interest in Rudra was more about ambition than genuine affection. But on the other hand, it made Anaya feel even more like she was caught in the middle of something she didn't fully understand.
Ria, sensing Anaya's unease, reached out and gave her a reassuring pat on the arm. "Don't worry about Rubi. She's all talk and no action. Rudra has never shown any interest in her, and besides, you're his wife now. She's just going to have to deal with it."
Anaya offered a small smile, though the uncertainty still lingered in her mind. She couldn't help but wonder what Rudra really thought about all of this. Did he even care about Rubi's attention? Or was he as indifferent to her as he seemed to be toward everything else?
"Anyway," Ria continued, trying to lighten the mood, "let's not waste any more time thinking about them. We have better things to do."
Misha nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's get back to our discussion about internships. That's way more important than anything the Kukrejas have to say."
Anaya smiled, grateful for the shift in conversation. As they sat back down and resumed their talk about future career plans, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. The encounter with Jaya and Rubi had been unsettling, but she knew she wasn't alone in dealing with it. She had Ria and Misha by her side, and for now, that was enough.
Still, as they talked, a part of her mind remained fixated on Rudra and the questions that continued to haunt her. What did he think about Rubi? And more importantly, what did he think about her?
As the conversation moved on, Anaya resolved to find the answers to those questions—one way or another.
##To be continue...**