It was barely five in the morning when Kabir's eyes opened on their own, a few minutes before his alarm. He quickly reached for his phone to silence it, not wanting the shrill sound to disturb Kashish.

He turned slightly and noticed her curled up beneath the covers. A faint frown rested on her face, her shoulders stiff from the chill of the air-conditioning.

Kabir whispered to himself, almost reproachfully, "She didn't even tell me she doesn't like this cold..."

Quietly, he got up and adjusted the AC temperature, softening the chill. Within minutes, Kashish's expression eased, her breath falling back into a steady, peaceful rhythm. Almost unconsciously, she shifted closer, her hand resting against the side of the bed he had just left.

Kabir paused for a moment, watching. There was something strangely grounding about seeing her there, in his space, as though his world was slowly learning to make room for her presence.

Shaking off the thought, he slipped into his gym clothes, tied his shoelaces  and left the room. His mornings always began with discipline. By the time the household stirred awake, he and his brothers would already be in the fourth-floor gym. 

✨✨

As Kabir entered the gym, tying his gloves, he saw Jay, Riaan, Shourya, Raiansh, Naksh, and Yug already warming up.

Yug grinned, "Wah, doctor saab! Surprised you even remembered the gym. Thought your new wife would keep you busy." Riaan added, "Exactly. Early mornings are supposed to be for romance, not dumbbells."

Shourya feigned seriousness. "I was betting Kabir would skip for at least a week. Guess I lost." Raiansh laughed. "Respect, Kabir. Still lifting weights after your wedding night?"

Naksh teased, "Or maybe he's running from something." Kabir smirked and began his routine saying "Discipline doesn't take a holiday, boys. Not even for marriage. Try it sometime."

Jay raised a brow. "Haan haan... keep showing off. But one day, brother, she'll drag you back under the blanket, and the gym will lose." Kabir grinned calmly. "Let's see who wins first, her charm or my discipline."

Yug replied laughing "Bro, I am seeing Kashish Bhabhi's Charm winning". To which Kabir gave a faint shy  smile and the other brothers bursts into laughing. 

And just like this everyone continued with their Gym session.

✨✨

Kashish stirred awake, her hand automatically brushing the space beside her. Empty.
Her eyes blinked open, only to find Kabir's side of the bed perfectly cold and vacant.

A soft smile tugged at her lips as memory clicked, Tanushri bhabhi's voice from yesterday:
"Kabir's day starts at 5. Gym, discipline, health, you'll never find him missing it, other brother are also the same."

She thinking, Even on the first morning after their wedding in singhania mansion, Kabir had slipped away, silent and punctual.

Kashish pushed the blanket aside and got up. She padded to the washroom, took a refreshing bath, and when she came out, droplets still glistening against her skin, she wrapped herself in a soft robe before stepping into the wardrobe.

Her eyes scanned the neatly arranged sarees, she paused at a delicate, elegant silk. A dignified choice. First morning in singhania mansion as Singhania daughter-in-law. First Rasoi. First step into their traditions.

As she draped the saree carefully, she recalled Jeevika chachi's reminder from last night 
"Kal pehli rasoi hai, Kashish. Tumhari banayi kheer se subah shuru hogi." ("Tomorrow is your pehli rasoi, Kashish. The morning will begin with the kheer you prepare.") (Peheli rasoi is a ritual where new daughter makes a sweet dish by herself )

Kashish draped herself in the elegant saree, took a steadying breath, and walked into the Singhania kitchen. Inside, Diya, Paridhi, Tanushri, and Piyali were already bustling around with the staff, the air filled with the aroma of breakfast preparations.

Diya was the first to notice her. With a smile, she said, "Oh, look who's here so early. Kashish, you look beautiful."

Kashish smiled softly. "Thank you, Diya bhabhi."

Paridhi walked up to her, a touch of concern in her tone. "But why are you up so early? You should've taken some more rest."

Tanushri added warmly, "Don't stress yourself, Kashish. We're here, and we'll manage everything."

Piyali chimed in with a playful grin, "In fact, we won't let you touch anything. If Akriti chachi gets to know we made you cook so soon, she'll scold us instead."

Kashish gave a small, shy laugh. "Actually Jeevika chachi reminded me yesterday. Today is my pehli rasoi ritual, so I thought I should prepare breakfast for the family, and a sweet dish too."

Diya nodded knowingly said "Yes, that sounds like her". She looked at Kashish and said " Among all of us, Jeevika chachi is the most traditional and cultured. She truly respects every ritual."

Kashish looked down for a moment, then lifted her eyes with quiet determination and said  "Not just because she said it. I... I want to do this willingly, for the family."

Her sincerity drew a smile from Paridhi. And paridhi said  "As you wish, Kashish. You can prepare the breakfast."

Piyali leaned closer, half-teasing, half-genuine said with one hand keeping on her wait "But only on one condition, if you allow us to help you."

Kashish's face softened. "Of course. I'd love that."

And so, the women gathered around her, the laughter and chatter mingling with the clinking of vessels, as Kashish began her first morning as a Singhania daughter-in-law.

✨✨

One by one, the Singhanias gathered at the breakfast table. The staff moved swiftly, arranging the dishes prepared by Kashish.

Nandini was the first to notice. Her eyes lit up at the sight of fluffy idlis, crisp dosas, with steaming sambhar and chutneys placed neatly. Sandhya arrived next and saw the staff bringing out bowls of halwa and kheer, alongside fresh fruit platters. For the children, cookies and milkshakes were already being set. For the health-conscious, there were scrambled eggs, avocados, sprouts, and boiled eggs.

Akriti walked in just as trays of aloo parathas and paneer parathas were placed by staff.  Diya came carrying toasted bread and garlic cheese toast. Arohi had asked the staff yesterday to make garlic cheese toast, but Kashish, having overheard, prepared it herself instead. Glasses of beetroot and pomegranate juice gleamed like jewels on the table.

Just then, Jeevika entered with her aarti thali, her morning prayers completed. Behind her came Paridhi and Piyali from the kitchen, followed by Tanushri and finally Kashish, draped elegantly, her new bride's glow making her look radiant.

Piyali smiled at the elders and announced proudly, "Aaj ka poora nashta Kashish ne banaya hai." (Today the whole breakfast is prepared by kashish)

Paridhi teased, glancing at Akriti, "Akriti chachi, we didn't force her. She made everything willingly."

Akriti chuckled softly, holding Kashish's hand. "It's looking wonderful, beta. But don't stress yourself, I want my daughter-in-law to rest and let the staff handle things. Still, since you've done this with such love, I truly appreciate it."

Diya and Tanushri immediately burst out laughing. Diya said looking at Akriti and Kashish "God, Kashish! You should have married Kabir years ago, we've never seen this soft side of Akriti chachi before"

Tanushri added with a grin, "Ab hume aur aise hi scenes dekhne milenge." (Now we'll get to see more such scenes.)

The laughter filled the room, but the elder women's eyes softened. Nandini stepped forward and gently kissed Kashish's forehead. Sandhya added warmly, "You look beautiful, Kashish."

Overwhelmed with so much affection so early in the morning, Kashish lowered her eyes shyly.

Jeevika then said with her characteristic traditional touch, "Akriti bhabhi, it is a part of the pehli rasoi ritual, that's why I reminded Kashish yesterday."

Akriti and Sandhya exchanged a knowing glance. They understood too well Jeevika's love for customs and traditions. Nandini, ever the embodiment of kindness, silently admired the gesture.

Aman walked in with Rajiv, spotting the daughters-in-law with their mothers in law  near the table. He teased saying "Is this some kind of saas-bahu morning show going on, ?" (Saas- mother in law, Bahu - Daughter in law)

Sandhya chuckled, shaking her head and  said "The new saas is just admiring her new bahu's effort." Rajiv's eyes went straight to the spread of dishes. He guessed, smiling "I'm sure this is all Kashish's work, right?" Before Kashish could answer, Diya spoke quickly "Yes, Papa."

Nandini tugged at Rajiv's arm with a soft smile and said patting his arms "Sit, Rajiv ji ." Both of them took their seats, Aman and Sandhya following.

A moment later, Abhimanyu entered. His gaze softened when he saw his daughter-in-law standing with his wife Akriti, and he said looking at them "Akriti, looking at this bond, I feel like you'll start taking Kashish along with you to the hospital."

Laughter filled the room, and Kashish lowered her eyes shyly. Abhimanyu stepped forward, placing his hand gently on her head. Abhimanyu blessed kashish saying  "Stay happy, beta."

He and Akriti sat down. Soon, Arjun arrived, sniffing the air dramatically. Arjun said "This breakfast smells better than my hotel's kitchen. I'm certain Kashish has made it." Piyali replied with a smile saying "Yes, Papa."

As always, Arjun couldn't resist turning the moment into a joke. His eyes twinkled as he looked across the room for his wife. Arjun teased loudly "Jeevika, done with your morning prayers? Now come sit with your Pati dev ( husband) before I starve." Listening to this, Jiya teased, "Chachu never misses a chance to show Chachi his everlasting love." To this jeevika smilingly glared towards Diya.  The whole room burst into laughter, while Jeevika blushed crimson at her husband's unabashed charm.

✨✨

After an hour of gym, the brothers came down, freshly groomed, to the breakfast table. Jay's eyes instantly searched for Diya, spotting her, he smiled and sat beside her. Looking at the spread, he said, "This looks delicious!" His gaze fell on the suji halwa, and he lit up. "Wow, my favorite!"

Diya subtly signed towards Kashish, and Jay understood. Turning to kashish, he said, "Today no diet, I'll eat this for sure."

Riaan and Shourya joined in, taking their seats. Soon, Kabir entered. His eyes found Kashish draped in an elegant saree, standing gracefully with the ladies. She smiled, and for a moment, they held each other's gaze longer than usual.

Riaan cleared his throat teasingly. "Brother, you can stare at her in your room. For now, sit and have breakfast" The family laughed. Aman added with a smirk, "Kabir, you look handsome in this kurta."

Kabir chuckled and replied, "Thank you, Chachu." Then Tanushri said mischievously, "Kabir, the whole breakfast has been made by your beloved wife."

Surprised, Kabir looked at Kashish, and she glanced back at him quietly. Naksh teased, "Hmm, looks like someone is having a perfect day."

Just then, Shivangi and Devansh arrived and sat down. They looked warmly at the family, then at Kashish. Shivangi said gently, "Kashish beta, how are you finding it here? This laughter and teasing, it's an everyday thing."

Devansh smiled, "Yes, this family never misses a chance to tease someone."

At that moment, Arohi, Alia, Ivaan, and Yatharth joined, as usual taking seats at the far end of the table. Arohi's eyes went straight to the garlic cheese toast. Paridhi said, "Arohi, your Kashish bhabhi made it for you."

Arohi beamed, "Thank you, Bhabhi!" Kashish smiled and nodded in reply.

Soon Diya, Paridhi, Piyali, and Tanushri also sat down, and finally Kashish took her place beside Kabir. The breakfast began, filled with chatter and laughter, everyone praising Kashish for her efforts.

Devansh looked around. "But where are Raiansh and Yug?"

Abhimanyu replied, "Yug had his ortho surgery scheduled at 7 a.m., so he's at the hospital."

Piyali added, "Raiansh had an early morning meeting with investors, so he left for that."

The table buzzed with warmth, food, and the unspoken bonds that tied them all together. 

Then the children, Ariv  and Kiara, came running in. Both went straight to their parents. Kiara, still half-asleep as always, melted into her mother's embrace.

Jay smiled and said , "Kia, look here, your chachi has made your favorite idli."

Kiara's eyes lit up instantly and she said "Idliii!" she squealed with excitement, and Diya lovingly fed her.

Meanwhile, Ariv tugged at Jay's sleeve and said "Papa, don't forget we have to leave for hostel tomorrow." Jay nodded with pride and replied  "Yes, big boy, I remember."

Diya's face clouded with sadness she looked at Ariv and said "Ariv, enough of hostel now. Stay with us, beta."

But Ariv shook his head gently and replied "Mumma, I've made friends there."

Jay slipped his arm around Diya and teased saying , "Diya, your son is just like you, stubborn." The family burst into laughter, lightening the mood. 

As one by one everyone praised Kashish, she lowered her gaze with a shy smile, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of her saree pallu. Kabir, sitting beside her, remained quiet, his sharp grey eyes fixed on her. For a man who rarely showed emotions at the table, the hint of pride flickering across his face did not go unnoticed.

When Devansh said warmly, " Kashish, you've truly won everyone's hearts today," Kabir finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying weight, "She always does."

The room grew silent for a heartbeat, the family exchanging knowing glances. Kashish looked at him, a little startled, their eyes locking again, this time longer, warmer. Riaan chuckled and broke the moment saying , "Bas bhai, ab toh hum samajh gaye, today is definitely your perfect day." Laughter filled the air, but Kabir didn't look away from her, his silence saying more than words ever could. (Today we got to know)

************************************************************************

Thats all for today.

Hello Pristians. 

Idlis, toast, and family laughter, did this chapter fill your heart (and stomach) too? 

Tell me, did you enjoy it?"

The pictures belong to the respective source person. 

Vote, Comment and Share

Follow my  Instagram account for more updates, reels and bit spoilers. The link is in the profile. 

- [Pristi Scrolls]