Sashi shook her head, her expression still warm. "No, not entirely—well, maybe just a little," she admitted with a soft laugh. "But honestly, he ought to take more lessons from you. I really enjoyed the way you battled him. You didn't just defeat him; you showed such skill and grace." There was no bitterness in her tone, no sense of disappointment, just genuine admiration.
Gowthami was taken aback. Most women she knew might have been upset or defensive if they saw someone best their spouse in a fight, especially someone as respected as Abhi. But Sashi was different. Her confidence in her husband, combined with her respect for Gowthami's abilities, made her stand apart.
Gowthami smiled, thinking highly of Sashi. This woman, so strong and self-assured, was truly remarkable. Sashi didn't harbor jealousy or anger—instead, she celebrated the skill and spirit of the person who had challenged her husband. It was a rare quality, and Gowthami couldn't help but admire her even more for it.
Uma approached Gowthami with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, her expression soft yet probing. "Who gave you these skills?" she asked, her voice calm but her eyes searching. Gowthami's demeanor shifted slightly, her smile fading into a more solemn expression.
As usual, Gowthami replied, maintaining her composure but offering little explanation., "I have no idea, aunty."
'Uma couldn't shake the unease growing inside her. Is she being truthful? Who is she really? And how did she come into Rajeev's life so easily? Uma's thoughts swirled, filled with doubts about this mysterious girl. She was determined to find out more, but for now, she kept her thoughts to herself.
Radha interrupted her train of thought as she approached. " Madam, the priest has arrived and is awaiting approval for you in the hall" .
Uma nodded. "Okay, I'll be there shortly."
Before leaving, Uma turned toward Sashi, her tone firm but caring. "Here she is, the future bride. Take her back to the bride's room. She shouldn't be wandering around in these places before her wedding."
As Uma left, her skepticism lingered, and every interaction with Gowthami only seemed to deepen her confusion. What is this girl hiding? she wondered, heading toward the priest, her mind still unsettled.
She paused briefly, glancing back at the girls. "Have you finished your shopping yet?" she asked, wanting to ensure everything was on track despite her inner turmoil.
Sashi shook her head. "Not yet, Mom. A few things are still left, and Ram is supposed to take us out for more shopping after lunch."
Uma sighed, a sense of urgency creeping into her voice. "Alright, time's running short. Make sure you get everything, including your jewelry." With that, she disappeared into the house to meet with the priest.
Sashi turned to Gowthami, her mood lightening as she teased, "You heard her, right? Get ready. We're heading to the mall, and your Rajeev will be joining us."
Gowthami smiled, though there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes. She knew that behind the warm smiles, there were still questions lingering, particularly from Uma. But for now, she was focused on the wedding preparations—and the thought of shopping with Rajeev filled her with excitement.
The tension in the air seemed to dissipate as the girls prepared for their trip, but Gowthami couldn't help but wonder how long she could keep her secrets hidden from Rajeev's family.
Gowthami felt a slight relief when she heard Sashi's words. She had been tense ever since Abhi mentioned not meeting Rajeev so early in the day, especially given the traditions they were supposed to observe before the wedding. But Sashi's gentle teasing eased her nerves.
"We're not supposed to see each other this early, though. Abhi brother said so," Gowthami said, still perplexed.
Sashi smiled, the kind of smile that held a knowing warmth. "Abhi's not as strict as he pretends to be. He might have sounded harsh, but he actually planned your shopping date himself. He knows how much you two want to spend time together, especially for the wedding shopping."
Without hesitation, Gowthami responded, "I skipped over that he is awful."
Sashi wrapped her arm around Gowthami's shoulder as they walked inside. "Yes, I am aware. Recall the reason behind his enmity towards you all this morning."
Gowthami to find out the source of his rage
Gowthami was cognizant of the traditions that were to be observed during marriage, but by sharing the night together, they had definitely crossed a line. She lowered her head, feeling the guilt creep in again.
Sensing her discomfort, Sashi's tone softened. "I wasn't intending to offend you guys,You know how things are—spending time together is perfectly fine, please refrain from employing it for that purpose. Gurdeep uncle is the one who practices our customs the most. Our only concern is that dad could be aware of it. "
Sashi grinned playfully. " You may continue doing these kinds of activities after you are hitched; absolutely nobody is going to abandon you two", She winked, lightening the mood.
Gowthami blushed, embarrassed by Sashi's candidness, but she appreciated how her new sister-in-law was making it easier for her to navigate the delicate family dynamics.
Not wanting to dwell on the awkwardness, Sashi led Gowthami toward her room. "Hopefully you are fatigued from annihilating my spouse," Sashi joked, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. " I'm off to Rajeev's place to meet your 'amazing guru.' I have to give that crazy man an earful—he's been messing with everyone for too long."
Gowthami couldn't help but chuckle, knowing exactly who Sashi was referring to. Ram had, of course, claimed to be her guru in a hasty effort to cover up whatever secret he was trying to hide.
That fool is definitely going to get punished by everyone until he learns to control his wild tongue. Poor Ram. Gowthami thought with amusement.
Sashi waved and headed off, leaving Gowthami to reflect on the chaos of the day. She didn't feel upset anymore—just a mixture of gratitude and relief. As she settled into the room, her thoughts drifted to Rajeev. In a few days, they would be married, and all these awkward moments would soon be replaced by the life they had been dreaming of together.