𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓: 𝐏𝐞𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐢

The morning sun entered the room softly, but Anika was already awake.

Or rather... she barely slept.

"Yeh sab sach hai?" she whispered, staring at the ceiling.

She turned her head slightly-Veer was asleep on the couch, looking completely at peace.

"Kaise itne relaxed reh sakte hain yeh?" she muttered.

Just then, a knock on the door broke her thoughts.

"Anika beta, uth jao," a voice called from outside. "Aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai."

Anika froze.

"WHAT?!"

Veer stirred slightly, opening his eyes.

"Kya hua, Pagli? Subah subah kyun chillaa rahi ho?"

Anika looked at him in panic.

"Pehli rasoi! Mujhe cooking nahi aati!"

Veer sat up, trying not to laugh.

"Seriously?"

Anika glared. "Funny nahi hai, Mr. Villager! Main kya banaungi?"

Veer smirked.

"Zeher mat bana dena bas, baaki sab theek hai."

"Very funny," Anika snapped.

A little later...

Anika stood in the kitchen, completely lost. Big utensils, traditional setup-everything felt unfamiliar.

"Yeh sab kaise hota hai..." she whispered.

Just then, Veer walked in casually, leaning against the door.

"Help chahiye, City Doll?"

Anika crossed her arms.

"Nahi. Main manage kar lungi."

Veer raised an eyebrow.

"Sure? Kyunki abhi tak tum bas spoon ko ghoor rahi ho."

Anika sighed in frustration.

"Fine! Thodi si help kar do..."

Veer stepped closer, picking up ingredients.

"Aaj tum bas simple kheer bana do. Easy hai."

Anika blinked. "Easy? Mere liye nahi hai."

Veer chuckled softly.

"Relax, Gudiya. Main hoon na."

For the next few minutes, he guided her-calmly, patiently.

"Doodh ubalne do... haan, ab chini daalo..."

Anika followed, still nervous.

"Agar kharab ho gaya toh?"

Veer looked at her.

"Toh main kha lunga."

Anika paused, surprised.

"Sach?"

Veer shrugged.

"Haan. Biwi ki pehli rasoi hai... risk toh lena padega."

Anika couldn't help but smile slightly.

A while later...

Everyone gathered as Anika nervously served the kheer.

Her hands trembled slightly.

"Bas... ab insult hone wali hoon," she whispered.

Veer stood beside her.

"Relax, Shehzadi."

Everyone tasted the kheer.

A moment of silence.

Anika held her breath.

Then-

"Bahut acchi bani hai!"

Anika blinked. "Really?"

She looked at Veer suspiciously.

"Tumne kuch kiya na?"

Veer smirked.

"Trust karo thoda, City Doll. Sab tumne banaya hai."

Anika looked at him for a second... then smiled.

A real one.

Later, when everyone left...

Anika turned to him.

"Thank you."

Veer looked slightly surprised.

"Kis liye?"

"Help karne ke liye," she said softly.

Veer nodded.

"Mention mat karo, Pagli."

A small silence followed.

But this time... it wasn't awkward.

It was comfortable.

Because slowly, without either of them realizing-

This forced marriage was turning into something softer... something real.