The kitchen felt massive, and with Ridha gone, it felt even colder. Avni stood before the stove, staring at the empty kadai. In her own home, she was a confident cook, but here, she felt like an intruder.
Deep breaths, Avni. Just focus on the halwa.
She started roasting the suji, the nutty aroma slowly filling the room. But as she reached for the sugar container on the top shelf, her fingers brushed against a jar of almonds. She jumped back as if burned, Ridha’s warning echoing in her head: Vivek ko allergy hai.
"Need a hand, Captain?"
Avni whirled around, her heart hammering. Divyansh was leaning against the kitchen island, his sleeves rolled up and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Divyansh! You scared me," she whispered, checking the doorway to see if Ridha or Dadi were nearby. "What are you doing here? You should be outside with Papa-ji."
"And miss out on seeing my wife in action?" He walked closer, stepping into her personal space. The scent of his fresh cologne mixed with the roasting semolina. "You look worried. Don't let Mom get to you. She’s just... well, she’s Ridha."
"She asked if I even knew how to cook," Avni admitted, her voice small. "I just don't want to mess this up, Divyansh. This halwa feels like a final exam."
Divyansh reached out, his hand gently covering hers on the handle of the ladle. The warmth of his touch instantly grounded her. "Hey, look at me."
She looked up, drowning in those sincere eyes.
"Even if you burnt the whole house down, I’d still think you’re the best thing that’s happened to this family. And for the record? I’ve had your cooking before. You’re going to blow them away." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Just don't tell Dadi I was in here, or she’ll say I’m joru ka ghulam already."
Avni couldn't help it—she giggled, the tension in her shoulders finally melting. "You already are, you just don't know it yet."
"Oho! Confidence looks good on you, Mrs. Sharma," he winked, stealing a quick glance toward the door before leaning door
Before she could react, he was gone, whistling a tune as he walked back to the living room, leaving Avni blushing furiously and stirring the halwa with a renewed spirit.
The Verdict
A while later, the family gathered at the dining table. The golden, glistening halwa sat in the center, garnished with pistachios and strands of saffron—no almonds in sight.
The silence was deafening as Vinayak took the first spoonful. Vivek watched curiously, while Ridha sat with a poised, unreadable expression. Avni sat at the edge of her seat, her fingers twisting her napkin under the table.
Vinayak chewed slowly, his eyes closing for a moment. He took another bite, then another.
"Avni," he said, finally putting his spoon down.
"Ji, Papa-ji?" her voice trembled.
"This is exactly how my mother used to make it. Not too sweet, just the right amount of ghee." He looked at her with a genuine smile. "Shabash, beta. Bohat swadisht hai."
Vivek dove in next. "Bhai, you lucked out! This is way better than the diet food Mom makes us eat."
"Vivek, behave," Ridha scolded, though she took a small portion for herself. She tasted it, her eyes flickering toward Avni. She didn't offer a grand praise, but she nodded curtly. "The texture is correct. Good."
From across the table, Divyansh caught Avni’s eye. He didn't say a word, but he gave her a subtle thumbs-up and a wink.
The "what-ifs" in Avni's head didn't vanish entirely, but for the first time since she had entered the house, she felt a small, glowing sense of belonging. She wasn't just a guest anymore. She was home.
"Chalo," Dadi announced, breaking the moment. "Now that we’ve had our sweets, it’s time for the Aarti. Divu, Avni—aao."
Standing side-by-side in the small, incense-filled temple room, they held the heavy brass Aarti plate together. As the bells rang and they moved in unison, Avni felt Divyansh’s pinky finger hook around hers. It was a tiny, hidden gesture, but in that moment, amidst the chanting and the smoke, it felt like the strongest promise in the world.
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