Page 27 of Heal my Heart


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“Leave her be, beta. Are you doing alright? Do you need help?” Chachi asks me as she wanders her eyes on the slab and pats my shoulder gently.

“Thank you, Chachi. I am fine, and it’s done.” I say with a smile, turning back to the pan as I turn off the stove. I'm a little happy now.

She nods and leaves. I like how everyone, one by one, is coming in to check on me.

I quickly put everything into containers and take it out to the dining table, setting it up. Dadaji is the first one to come in, followed by everyone else—except my husband. Saying I’m disappointed, yet again, would be an understatement. The wayhe was so sweet, gentle, and caring yesterday, I thought he’d be here with me. But apparently, I guess I am reading too much into it.

I start serving Dadaji, but he holds up his hand, and I pause. “We can all serve ourselves, beta. You should sit down too,” he says.

“Yes, you must be tired from all that cooking, bhabhi.” Aarav says and shakes his head. “I really don't know how you ladies get up early and do this all. I’m still sleepy.” Aarav adds with a sigh.

“And you probably didn’t get much sleep last night anyway,” Aditi says, wiggling her eyebrows. Siddhant chokes on the water he’s drinking. Heat crawls over to me, and I freeze on the spot.

Chachi hits her on the head instantly and gives her a glare. Aditi just nods and smiles cheekily, looking utterly unfazed. I can only imagine how red I must look. How can she say stuff like that in front of everyone?

I hear sharp footsteps and glance toward the staircase. Rudraksh glides down the stairs in his suit, looking absolutely dashing.

Wow.

His eyes find mine as he walks toward the table. He sits down without breaking eye contact. Then he gives me a once-over, and I shy away under his intense gaze.

“You can sit beside Raksh, beta,” Chachi says and smiles at me.

I nod and do as I’m told. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because we slept in the same bed yesterday? I literallyfell asleep in his arms, and he hasn’t spoken to me since. Is he mad? Did I say or do something inappropriate? I don’t know. I’ve never slept beside someone before—not even my parents. What if I sleepwalked? Or talked in my sleep? Or what if I was too heavy for him?

“Shivani?” I hear Maa call. Her eyes are full of concern as she stares at me.

“Take your food, beta,” she says gently, and I nod at her as I take apuriwith somealoo sabzibut don't eat it.

Anxiety grips my heart as I grip the edge of the table, watching as Dadaji takes the first bite. His expression remains neutral, and I can’t tell if that’s good or bad.

Then Chachi tastes the halwa. No smile. No comment. My heart thuds louder. What if it’s too sweet? Rudraksh hasn’t even touched his food.

“Bhabhi, what is this?” Aarav asks. Panic instantly settles in my chest, and I straighten in my chair, my grip tightening on the edge. My breathing comes out shallow as I try to breathe calmly.

“Yes, bhabhi, we didn’t know you…” Aryan starts to say, but Siddhant nudges him hard.

I feel Rudraksh’s hand on my thigh. If he’s trying to comfort me, it’s not working.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Dadaji says, and my head snaps at him, waiting for him to continue his words.

“The food is very delicious, beta.” He takes out an envelope and hands it to Rudraksh, who passes it to me. “It’s your pehli rasoi. You deserve it, beta.” He smiles warmly.

“Here you go, beta. We’re lucky to have you here,” Papa says, handing me an envelope as well.

“Thank you for the food, bhabhi. It’s the best—well, after Maa and Badi Maa, obviously.” Aarav adds. And I finally let out a breath of relief. They really scared me.

“Look how pale she turned,” Chachi says and slaps Aarav’s shoulder.

“Your Papa did the same thing to me when it was my first rasoi,” Maa says, glaring at Papa, who just gives her a playful grin.

I finally look at Rudraksh, hoping for his review. But he doesn’t even look at me—he’s too busy eating. I hear a gasp from the other side of the table. I see Siddhant holding his chest dramatically, pretending to be shocked. He opens his mouth to say something, but Aryan stops him. They both smile at me, but it’s clearly fake. I’m confused, but I don’t say anything. I make a mental note to ask them later.

I glance at Rudraksh again. He’s still eating. But then he leans a little closer and whispers in my ear, “You look beautiful.” My cheeks heat up instantly. As nice as it feels to hear that, it’s not what I was expecting. I wanted to know if he liked the food, but I guess I’m not getting that answer today.

I finally start eating when Maa notices my plate and comments, “That’s such a small portion, Shivani. Take a bit more, beta.”

I look up at her, then back down at my plate. I am hungry, but at home, I used to sneak into the kitchen after meals. My mother didn’t let me eat much—she was concerned about my weight. I’ve always been on the heavier side. Slow metabolism.