I stood there for a good half an hour, trying to gather the strength to live this life.
Suddenly, I realised someone was beside me—it was Kaveri.
"In a few days, you won't even realise this is a new house that needs adjustment."
I nodded and smiled at her.
Her words gave me strength, and finally, I turned to go back to my room. As I stepped inside, Karan called, "Aayna." All three brothers were enjoying tea.
I stepped forward toward them. Varun got up from his seat.
Is he leaving because of me? I thought.
But instead, he pulled out another chair for me.
Chivalry.
Chivalry looks cute when you trust the person.
Varun, for me, was very confusing.
I smiled and sat down.
"Mom asked me to give this to you," Karan said. "It's for you… since you're new to this polyandry system."
I took the book and read its title.
"KHANO TRIBE – A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING."
"Why are you new to this system?" Arun asked immediately. "As far as I remember, your father is from the Khano tribe too."
"I lived my entire life in Delhpur," I replied.
"Oh," he nodded.
"Then you don't know much about the customs and rituals of the Khano tribe," Varun said. His understanding was sharp.
I shook my head.
"So what? You have three husbands," Karan said easily. "We'll handle everything."
That sounded cute and odd at the same time.
It was a nice moment—everyone was trying to make me feel at home.
But I have a tendency to ruin everything with my jokes, so before that happened, I decided to leave.
"I should go. I have things to unpack," I said, and everyone nodded.
As I reached my room, my phone rang.
The name on the screen brought back anxiety.
"Mom."
"Yes, it's me."
She was angry-as always.
"I just want to ask you, why.....
Why is it that every important moment gets ruined by your so-called sense of humour?"
I knew what she was talking about.
"Did you really believe a joke like that would make all three of them fall for you?"
"What!
No.... mom....."
"Then why..."
I shut my eyes, gathering whatever calm I had left.
"It was just a harmless joke.
For fun.
Not to impress anyone."
"It's difficult to trust a woman who shows up at a man's door at midnight, carrying wine glasses and dresses like a who*e-only to be rejected."
That was my mother.
For a few seconds, I just stood there-unable to move, unable to even blink.
Then my eyes filled with tears.
I don't know what I did to deserve this...
how a simple joke could anger her so much.
Why does she always choose the words that hurt the most?
At thirty, a mother is supposed to feel like a friend.
But mine...
Can't even speak to me kindly.
"As your parents, we have one request-just don't get kicked out before this deal is over." She continued.
I took a deep breath and finally gathered strength to say something.
"Mom, that's not-"
"Oh shut up, Aayna."
She cut me off before I could say anything.
She just wanted to hate me.
"You already failed to seduce them. Are you shocked they weren't easy like Rohan?"
Another tear fell from my eye.
" They must be used to better women in mansion."
My mother knew about mansion. She still chose this family for me.
There was no point arguing her.
So I did what I could do best.
"Mom, the phone is on speaker.
Everybody is here....."
Obiyously it wasn't.
"What?"
She screamed like a criminal caught in the act.
I loved it.
Her tone instantly changed.
"Hello, everyone."
A laugh followed.
"These kids...Oh God..."
A pause.
"I apologise for my behaviour."
Now, her voice was nice and tolerable.
"I was just trying to teach her..."
I wiped my tears.
I realised that this was the only tone I deserved.
I inhaled, held my breath for 3 seconds and then exhaled.
"I accept your apology, Mom. But I was just kidding."
And then-I cut the call without thinking twice.
There was nothing important she wanted to say.
I put on my headphones and started unpacking.
For hours, I unpacked in silence.
Music in the background. Peace all around.
No taunts.
Just me.
And a glass of wine-for aesthetic and vibe.
Suddenly I hear a knock on the door.
I peeked out, and Varun stepped inside.
"Am I disturbing something?" he asked.
I removed my headphones and looked up.
"Yeah, my unpacking," I replied.
After my mother's comments, I didn't want to speak to any man. I felt tainted-like a characterless woman.
He smiled.
"But... can you come to my room like this?" I added hesitantly. "Kaveri said no man can come to my room."
"She's right," he replied calmly and sat beside me.
"But since I won the honeymoon ceremony, until it's my turn with you, I can come."
"Oh... okay," I said.
"No one in the house has seen you for hours, so I came.
For now, you're my responsibility."
His responsibility. The wording felt... oddly comforting.
I nodded and then replied- "I was folding my clothes."
"I technically could come to your room... but it's better if I don't.
So-shall we go to mine instead?"
"Why ?" I asked.
"I can't leave you alone here."
He laughed.
"We just got married.
We've finished the honeymoon ceremony.
No husband would leave his wife alone... not after that."
"Oh... yeah. That ceremony."
I was confused. What was I expected to do now? Go to their rooms? Take turns?
It felt so cheap.
Wouldn't they ask if I was ready for physical intimacy?
Or is it just assumed that marriage means consent?
I couldn't even say no.
For two reasons-first, I didn't know what might jeopardise the business deal and my contract with my parents.
Second, wearing that red dress already felt like an invitation.
"I have three bags to unpack. It didn't cross my mind," I said.
"That's understandable. Let me help you."
He clearly wasn't planning to leave, so I handed him the trickiest clothes to fold.
"This top cannot be yours."
"Why?" I asked.
"It only has two triangles and a few strings. What will it even cover?"
I smiled. "It's a swimsuit."
"But-"
I took it from his hands and wore it over my shirt.
"See? It fits."
"Come on, is this a top for a grown up woman? It's literally the size of my hand."
"It's stretchable."I replied.
He stretched his hand over it. He wasn't entirely wrong-but understanding women's clothing isn't everyone's cup of tea.
He started scratching his head.
I showed him a picture of me wearing it.
He looked surprised. His reactions to small things were... cute.
After a while, we were done with all three bags.
"Let's pack one bag for my room now," he said.
"Why?" I was surprised.
"Because my wife will live with me-in my room."
I didn't know whether it was a rule or just his wish.
"Our rooms are on the same floor. And most importantly, you're already with me."
"No.
We should be living together, getting to know each other... you know?"
I looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"That red dress you wore, remember?"
Why is he bringing this up?
I already feel embarrassed.
My mother has already called me a whore...
I don't think I can take any more of this.
"Yeah, I do."
I looked at him, waiting... preparing myself for whatever he might say.
He smiled-just a little.
A hint of color rose to his cheeks as his hand slipped into his hair, a nervous habit.
Then, in a low, shy voice, he said...
"Well, this is the right time to wear it."
I nodded and smiled, and that smile slowly turned into a soft laugh.
Maybe that dress had done its magic after all.
I wished I could record his reaction and send it to my mother. Her words still echoed in my ears-they must have seen better bodies.
My mother's words acted like a catalyst.
Now, I wanted them-smiling, laughing, happy with me.
Who am I kidding...
The truth is, I wanted them in bed.
I wanted to ride them, hear them say my name.
And right now-
I just wanted to kiss him....
Now, I didn't need convincing.
"You're right," I said.
He got up immediately and started packing a bag for me-carefully placing my brush, face wash, moisturiser... everything I needed.
"Yesterday you sent me to Karan... and today you're happily packing my bag. Why?"
I asked in a light, almost cheerful tone.
"It's not considered appropriate for a husband to be seen with his wife before the honeymoon ceremony," he replied calmly. "And if the bride is seen with someone... it should be the elder brother."
I frowned slightly. For me it was another stupid rule....
But most importantly, why didn't Kaveri stop me yesterday?
Trusting anyone felt difficult now.
Even Divya-who was supposed to be my friend-told my mother everything about yesterday, fully aware of how she reacts.
And now-
It felt strange.
How there was no one left I could talk to... not even casually.
He opened my drawer of panties, "You have a lot of... interesting stuff."
"Oh, really?" I said casually.
And then I realised what he meant.
My eyes widened.
My cheeks flushed.
"I should go to your room. You better pack everything important," I said.
And he laughed- like he'd stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
As I left, I caught my reflection in the window.
Then I asked myself-
Is this a real smile... or just something to prove my mother wrong?
But whatever it was, I didn't care anymore.
It was making me happy.