Rajvansh Haveli – Morning
The haveli was alive with quiet morning activity. Brass bells chimed faintly from the temple, the maids were busy with fresh flowers, and the aroma of incense lingered in the air.
As Yuvraj and Yukti descended the grand staircase—she in a deep red saree with golden zari and he in a sharp navy kurta—the family seated in the drawing room looked up with fond smiles.
Manjri stepped forward, eyes twinkling with warmth.
“Subah-subah dono ki jodi dekh kar hi din ban gaya.”
Dadi sa, sitting straight with her shawl perfectly pinned, tapped her cane softly for attention.
“Yukti bahu,” she said in her firm but affectionate tone.
“Aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai.”
Yukti looked up, nervous but respectful. “Ji, Dadi sa.”
“Rajvansh ghar mein naye rishte ki shuruaat meetha banakar hoti hai. Aaj poore khandaan ke liye tumhe meetha banana hai.”
“Main... halwa banaungi,” she said softly, her palms pressing together in a namaste.
Yuvraj, standing beside her, leaned in just a little and whispered—
“Halwa? Good choice, kitten.”
She shot him a sharp look. “Yuvraj! Not here...”
“Kitten, it suits you. Thodi si confused, thodi si fierce. Bilkul gusse wali billi jaisi.”
Before she could retort, Manjri took Yukti's hand. “Chalo beta, main tumhe kitchen tak le chalti hoon.”
Scene: Rajvansh Kitchen – Moments Later
The kitchen was nothing short of royal—an expanse of granite counters, brass pots, and an old wood-fired stove at one corner. Yukti stood in the center, draping her pallu properly, eyes scanning the ingredients that had been neatly arranged for her.
Her hands trembled slightly as she lit the gas and poured ghee into the pan.
“Okay... bas halwa. Tum kar sakti ho, Yukti,” she whispered to herself.
“Need backup, kitten?”
She turned with a sigh. “Tum yahan bhi aa gaye?”
Yuvraj had walked in, arms folded, wearing his classic smug expression.
“Of course. Surgeon hoon. Critical procedures dekhna mera kaam hai.”
“Yeh halwa hai, operation table nahi,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
Yuvraj stepped closer and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Kitten, don’t stress. Tum already best ho. Halwa toh bas bonus hai.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled—his teasing strangely gave her strength.
Scene: Kitchen Chaos (with a little Yugant)********
Just as she started roasting the sooji, Yugant popped his head in with dramatic flair.
“Main soch raha tha ki breakfast skip kar doon... lekin phir mujhe halwa ki khushboo ne kheench liya.”
Yukti laughed. “Tum dono bhai mujhe kaam karne doge ya commentary hi chalta rahega?”
“Main toh bas taste test karne aaya hoon,” Yugant winked. “Waise bhai, bhabhi ke expressions dekh ke lag raha hai yeh halwa nahi, PG entrance ka viva ho.”
“That’s why I called her kitten,” Yuvraj added smugly.
“Nervous outside, claws ready inside.”
Yukti narrowed her eyes. “Yuvraj...!”
“Dekha? Abhi claws nikle. Perfect nickname.”
Scene: Dining Hall – The Moment of Truth
The Rajvansh family sat at the long table. Yukti entered carrying a large silver thali, covered with a red cloth. Inside were beautifully plated bowls of suji ka halwa, garnished with rose petals and chopped nuts
She began serving, starting with Dadi sa.
Everyone watched as the matriarch took her first bite.
A pause.
Then—
“Bahut badhiya. Bilkul tumhari tarah—seedha, meetha, aur dil se banaya gaya.”
Manjri’s eyes filled with pride. She opened a red velvet box and handed it to Yukti.
“Yeh tumhare pehli rasoi ke liye. Rajvansh ghar ka pehla tohfa.”
Inside was a pair of elegant gold payals.
Yukti’s eyes shimmered as she touched her elders’ feet. Everyone smiled, visibly pleased.
Yuvraj took his bowl and had a spoonful. Then he looked at her with that half-smile and said aloud—
“This halwa is amazing... but my kitten is even sweeter.”
Gasps. Laughter.
Yukti’s eyes widened. “Yuvraj! Sabke saamne?”
“Kya karoon? Sach toh bolna hi padta hai,” he replied, shamelessly.
Even Dadi sa chuckled. “Chalo, ab naam mil gaya tumhare pyaar ka bhi.”
Manjri leaned closer to Yukti. “Kitten toh thoda ajeeb hai... lekin agar pyaar se bulaye, toh sab kuch achha lagta hai.”
Scene: Later in the Courtyard**
As Yukti walked back toward her room, the gold payals chiming with each step, she felt... lighter.
The fear of failing, of fitting in, of not being enough—it had melted away with the first spoon of halwa and the first smile from her new family.
And as she passed by Yuvraj in the hallway again, he whispered, lips brushing her ear—
“Next time, kitten, we cook together.”
To be continued...
Would you like to continue
**********
Write a comment ...