The Rathore's Family

The Beginning

It was an important day for some in the Rathore mansion. Not because of any business deal or trip, but because a long-lost family member was returning. Tej Singh Rathore, after years of leaving his family for the sake of another woman, had decided to return. 

The betrayal from that woman had pushed him back toward his roots, and some people in the mansion believed in the saying, "Subah ka bhula, shaam ko ghar laut aaye, to usse apna lena chahiye."

The mansion was buzzing with activity. The halls were lit with bright lights, symbolizing a fresh start. Urmila Singh Rathore, Tej's mother, was busy instructing the servers while Anjali, his wife, was preparing for the puja with her usual dedication, though her heart wasn't entirely in it.

Vihaan, Tej's younger son, entered the hall, visibly confused by the elaborate decorations. "Did I forget someone's birthday? Or have you also stopped remembering me, Ma?" he teased his mother.

Anjali opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, Urmila chimed in with her signature sharp tone. "Look at him! He doesn't even know what's happening in his own house.""Exactly! That's why I'm asking," Vihaan shot back, raising his eyebrows.

Urmila ignored his comment and continued, "When the daughter-in-law of this house was chosen, no one let me know. And now, no one informs me about anything happening in my own home."

But then her tone softened, a rare sight. "But still, my son is coming back home, so I'll let it slide. Your father is returning today," she announced, her voice filled with excitement.

Vihaan's response was a nonchalant, "Ohhh." His indifference was clear, but he chose not to dwell on the conversation. Instead, he turned to his mother, his face softening. "Ma, where's Bhabhi?"

Anjali, always attuned to her children's concerns, smiled and answered, "She's in the kitchen."Urmila's sharp voice broke the brief moment of warmth. "Go get ready for the puja instead of wasting your time."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Vihaan retorted, "If you ask me, Dadi, I think you're the one wasting time," and without waiting for her response, he strode towards the kitchen.

Urmila huffed in frustration and muttered to Anjali, "See the kind of disrespect I have to deal with! As if Advait wasn't enough, now this one too."

In the kitchen, Drishti, Vihaan's sister-in-law, was busy preparing the prasad with Riddhima. Vihaan entered, a teasing smile on his lips. "Chachi, it seems like some people are so busy these days they don't even notice me."

Drishti chuckled, looking up from her work. "I'm not busy. Just making sure the prasad is perfect, otherwise Dadi might throw it at me instead of offering it in the puja."

They both laughed, their camaraderie evident. Vihaan teased further, "It seems your sense of humor has really improved from spending so much time with me, Bhabhi."

Riddhima, not one to be left out, chimed in, "And what about me? Am I invisible now?""How could I ever forget you, Riddhima?" he grinned.

Before the lighthearted conversation could continue, Anjali entered the kitchen, her voice gentle but firm. "Vihaan, go and get ready."

Vihaan sighed dramatically, "Everyone's after me today!" He winked at Drishti before leaving.Anjali turned to Drishti. "You too should get ready for the puja."

Drishti smiled wryly, "You know, Ma, Dadi won't let me sit in peace during the puja anyway. So why bother?""At least go and get ready. We'll deal with Dadi later," Anjali insisted softly.

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The time for the puja arrived. Everyone was gathered in the hall, dressed in traditional attire. Tej entered, and the air in the room changed. There was a heavy mix of anticipation and tension. Urmila did his aarti, her joy barely contained, while Tej touched his parents' feet. There were polite exchanges, but one person remained distant—Anjali. She did not step forward to greet her husband.

After the initial formalities, Tej changed into traditional clothes, and the puja began. Drishti, who had prepared the prasad, brought it to the front and was about to sit down when Urmila's voice rang out sharply. "You can't sit in the puja."

Everyone turned toward Urmila in surprise, but she quickly covered her harshness. "I mean... a married woman shouldn't sit in a puja without her husband."

Drishti's face fell, but she said nothing. She quietly left the room, and her absence seemed to weigh heavily on Vihaan. He stood up abruptly, catching everyone's attention.

"Where are you going?" Urmila asked, her tone accusing.

"I don't know, Dadi. But suddenly, I just don't feel like being here," he said, his voice flat and dismissive as he followed Drishti out of the room.

The puja continued, but its warmth had been replaced by an unspoken tension. The ceremony concluded with the aarti, and soon, everyone dispersed, going back to their daily routines as if nothing had happened. Yet, a sense of unease lingered in the air, a reminder that not everything could be mended by a simple return.