Neil's
Tsk… what's that sound? It stopped… and what's that again?
I opened my eyes and realized that I had fallen asleep beside her last night. That unfamiliar sound was her alarm.
"Good morning N."
"Happy morning."
"When should I get ready to go to my parents' home?"
"Just get ready. We will have breakfast and leave with your uncle."
"Hmm." She nodded.
I can't exactly see her face properly. It's dark in the room, and I don't want to startle her with my curiosity. I have more time with her.
She left to take a bath. She came back wearing a night pyjama set, pink with watermelon prints. Simple and clean.
When I shifted my eyes to her face, she was already looking at me.
"What?" I raised my brow.
"Not going to brush your teeth?"
"After ten minutes?"
"Take your brush and leave. Wait for the clock to move for ten minutes and brush after that. Now I need to change and get ready. Leave your room, will you please?"
I can't say whether she is rude or cute. Her words are rude, offensive, yet tempting.
"You've got attitude… and it looks good."
She frowned and laughed.
"Sorry if I was offensive."
I shook my head and left the room to give her space.
After some time, Mr. Rayan, Nadia's uncle, came to pick us up.
"Uncle, had breakfast?"
She came to greet her uncle and aunt. She is beautiful as always. That lilac dress hugs her body and makes her look like a princess from a fairytale. Her subtle makeup and simple hairdo make her look effortlessly gorgeous.
After having breakfast prepared by my mom, everyone left for my in-laws' home. It's a ritual that we need to spend our night there.
After one and a half hours of travel, we reached her home. The travel was not tiring, thanks to Uncle Rayan's engaging conversation.
"You look dull."
Damn, she caught me.
"No… nothing. Just thinking about how to start a conversation."
"Oh really?"
"Maggi and Steve will help you."
Yes, her cousin brothers. And I also like her little sister. She is the one who helped me get Nadia's favor before our marriage.
"Hello, Mr. BIL!"
That charming and playful voice reached us. She ran towards us and hugged her.
"BIL?"
"Brother-in-law. Anyways, come inside."
Everyone welcomed us—her parents and grandparents. I could smell the feast from the main door. Definitely, a good feast is in process.
After some small talk, we all sat together to have lunch. What's not there? Chicken, mutton, prawn, crab, fish, and egg—everything.
I personally love her mother's cooking. My mother-in-law cooks seafood so well. That's rare.
After that, they sent us upstairs to Nadia's room. It's double, maybe more, the size of our room back at home. I had already come here once during our engagement to change my dress. As always, it looks clean.
As she didn't take care of her plants, they were dry and lifeless. But her father is taking care of her room well.
We were followed by that young army—her two cousins and Mia, her sister. We all played a few games—carrom, cards, chess, and a few video games. They showed me their childhood pictures.
My God… it's a whole series, like 20 to 25 albums. In my home, it's just 30 photos in a single album.
I'm not much interested in her childhood pictures, I don't know why.
After seeing a few, I lay down to sleep. She went downstairs to speak with her parents.
I don't even know when I fell asleep… or how much time had passed.
Where am I? I clearly heard some sound. Who is that? Loud… yet happy. Should I wake up and look for the voice?
My eyes were still closed, but I could hear people chit-chatting and laughing happily.
I opened my eyes. The room was empty. I couldn't see Nadia anywhere.
I washed my face and called her. She didn't pick up.
So I decided to go down. But when I reached the steps, I heard her parents talking to her—about how they managed the marriage and how happy they are now.
She looked happy… seeing her parents.
Strangely, it didn't make me happy.
I don't know why, but I don't like her father's way of talking. He talks like he knows everything… even advising me about my own family, comparing it with his.
I don't appreciate his words.
It's triggering me.
I ignored it—for Nadia.
I don't want to talk to them.
I walked back to the room.
After some time, she came back with tea and snacks—a plate filled with butter cookies and savoury items.
I had a few of my favourites.
"You want anything else?"
I shook my head.
"Had a good sleep? Did you like the lunch? My mother asked why you didn't say anything."
"Do I have to?"
She paused for a second and then continued,
"No… she just wants to know if it's your liking."
That faint smile never left her face.
"Hmm…"
I took my phone and started checking WhatsApp.
She noticed and was about to go downstairs, but I stopped her.
She is sweet enough to stay with me—even though it's her home and I'm the one who feels like a stranger here.
I would do the same for her at my home.
Later, Nadia, her sister, and I went to the terrace and had a few conversations.
To be honest, I'm not that close to anyone here. I don't know why… I just can't connect with them.
I usually talk less.
"BIL, my sister cooks really well."
"Oh really?"
"I believe that so much that I even stopped the cook at home."
Mia might be younger than Nadia, but she's quick with her words. Nadia once told me that Mia's opinions matter a lot to her.
I don't like that.
"What about you?" she asked me.
I laughed and shrugged.
"I do cook… but probably not as good as your sister."
"She's good at everything—drawing, cooking, singing, dancing. Every feminine trait in our family went to her completely."
"I can sense that," I laughed, looking at Nadia.
"BIL, I know what you are trying to say."
"Enough. Come, let's go have dinner. Amma is calling us."
Nadia interrupted us.
As we went down, Nadia suddenly stopped and went back into the room. Mia continued downstairs.
I followed Nadia.
"Did you just body shame my sister?"
"Body shame? What do you mean?"
"That conversation… 'every feminine gene went to me'—what was that?"
"It was your sister's words."
"Yes, but she meant talents. And you agreed. That wasn't right."
"You want me to disagree with your sister? You're thinking too much. I just agreed because I didn't have anything else to talk about."
She looked at me.
I could clearly see it—she was disappointed.
But… what did I even do?
I just went with the flow.
Maybe I don't understand her world… or maybe I don't want to.