Page 112 of One Hellish Desire

“Alright, Jack. I’ll need you to tell me where everything is.”

Jack looks bewildered. “Ma’am, do you want me to make something else?”

“Absolutely not,” I smile. “No offense, Jack, but Daadi has a special diet. I’ll make her breakfast.”

He gives me a tight smile and moves away from the kitchen bar. Jack hands me everything I need to make suji (semolina) upma for Daadi and cuts the veggies at my request. The upma is ready in thirty minutes. I quickly take off the apron once done.

“Thank you, Jack.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.”

“What is happening here?” Meera aunty enters the kitchen, looking totally displeased by my presence. “Why are you cooking when the breakfast is ready?”

“Daadi cannot eat that,” I explain.

“You think I don’t remember what my mother-in-law eats?”

“If you do, why don’t I see anything cooked for her?”

Oh, I hate arguing with Vikram’s mom all the time, but she doesn’t give me a chance to stay quiet.

“I have ordered,” she snaps.

“Ordered?” I can’t suppress the sarcasm in my tone. “You know she isn’t allowed to eat outside food.”

“I ordered from the best restaurant here, Maahi. It’s safe. The whole city visits that restaurant.”

“Even if the whole country visits it, Daadi still can’t eat anything not cooked freshly at home. Don’t worry about ordering her meals again while we’re here. I’ll handle it.”

“Maahi,” Daadi steps in, and I’m sure she has overheard our conversation. “Didn’t I ask you to spend time with Vikram? You’re not here to cook meals for me, are you?”

I sigh. Meera aunty frowns at us as we talk. “Daadi, he’s in the gym working out. So, I thought I’d make breakfast for you.”

“How thoughtful,” Meera aunty taunts. “I really wonder whom you married—your Daadi or my son?”

“Can we please stop arguing about who needs to do what?” I snap. I’m losing my patience. Vikram is ignoring me, and his mom is on a mission to prove I’m not a worthy wife. I’m done with this torture. It’s time to play this my way:

1. Give back to Meera aunty’s tantrums.

2. Ignore Vanraj uncle as much as possible.

3. Ensure Daadi is comfortable and enjoys her stay.

4. And most importantly, get Vikram to talk to me nicely again and explain what I need from this marriage and him. He’s not the only one who wants to work on it; I’m equally interested.

VIKRAM

After my strong declaration to Dad in the gym, he doesn’t have much to say at breakfast. When Maahi comes out of the kitchen, I’m not surprised that she cooked something special for Daadi. As she serves the upma, Daadi quickly asks her to serve me some too. I can’t refuse. She reaches me while I keep my eyes glued to the plate. I don’t want to meet her eyes because the moment I do, my steely control will fly away.

“Vikram, you were supposed to take us sightseeing,” she says, serving the upma.

Maahi wants to show Daadi that everything is fine between us, so I don’t waste her attempt to talk to me this time. “Be ready by 5:00 pm. I’m taking you both out.”

“Both?” Daadi exhales. “I don’t think I have the energy for sightseeing today. I’ll rest for another day.”

Mom stares at Maahi, clearly expecting her to cancel the plan too. But Maahi’s reply stuns both me and Mom.

“That’s fine, Daadi. You rest today while I explore the city with Vikram. But tomorrow, you have to join us.”

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