Bound By Fate

Chapter 11

Another peaceful morning dawned over the Kapoor Mansion.

The golden rays of the sun filtered through the large windows, painting the marble floors with a warm glow. The house was slowly waking up. Servants moved quietly through the hallways, arranging fresh flowers while the aroma of incense drifted from the family temple.

In the spacious kitchen, Preeta stood in front of the stove, gently stirring a pot of vegetable stew.

She had been awake since five in the morning.

After offering her prayers in the temple, she had gone straight to the kitchen. She wanted everything to be perfect.

On today's menu were soft aloo parathas, vegetable upma, poha garnished with roasted peanuts, freshly grilled sandwiches, coconut chutney, fruit salad, masala tea, fresh mango juice, and black coffee for Dadaji.

As she carefully placed the last bowl onto a serving tray, footsteps echoed outside.

"What smells so good?"

Ayush's cheerful voice rang through the hallway.

Rhea laughed as she followed him.

"I'm sure it's Sister-in-law cooking again."

Preeta stepped out of the kitchen carrying a tray and smiled warmly.

"Good morning."

"Good morning!" they replied together.

Ayush dramatically inhaled the delicious aroma.

"What's for breakfast today, Sister-in-law?"

Preeta smiled shyly.

"I made aloo parathas, poha, vegetable upma, grilled sandwiches, fruit salad and tea."

Ayush's eyes widened.

"That's enough to feed an entire wedding!"

Rhea laughed.

"You must have woken up before sunrise."

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because everyone likes something different."

"I wanted each person to have their favorite breakfast."

Ayush exchanged a glance with Rhea.

"Ranbir Bhai is missing out."

Before either of them could say anything else, another figure slowly descended the staircase.

Harish Kapoor.

"Dadaji," Preeta greeted respectfully.

She bent to touch his feet.

Harish smiled faintly before placing his hand on her head.

"Stay blessed, child."

Preeta smiled.

"I've prepared your coffee."

"Thank you."

She leaned closer and whispered softly into his ear.

"And... I added just a little honey today."

Harish looked surprised.

"Honey?"

She nodded.

"You always force yourself to drink black coffee because everyone says sugar isn't good for you."

"But I noticed you don't really enjoy it."

"So I added a little honey."

"It removes some of the bitterness."

"I hope you don't mind."

Harish chuckled softly.

"So that's your secret?"

"Your grandmother won't let me have anything sweet anymore."

"I promise I only added a tiny amount."

The two of them shared a quiet smile.

Unfortunately...

Someone had heard only the last part.

Ranbir.

He had just reached the bottom of the staircase.

His expression hardened immediately.

"So..."

He said coldly.

"You're feeding my grandfather sweeteners behind everyone's back?"

The smile disappeared from Preeta's face.

She turned toward him.

"No... that's not what happened."

Ranbir walked closer.

His voice grew sharper.

"You know he has to watch his blood sugar."

"Do you plan on making him sick?"

Preeta quickly shook her head.

"No."

"I only"

Before she could explain, Neha entered the dining hall.

"What is going on?"

Ranbir answered before anyone else could speak.

"Preeta added sweetness to Dadaji's coffee."

Neha's face darkened instantly.

"What?"

She looked directly at Preeta.

"Is this true?"

Preeta nodded nervously.

"I only added a little"

Neha interrupted.

"Have you lost your mind?"

"Do you hate my father-in-law so much that you want to kill him?"

The accusation struck Preeta like a slap.

"No... Mother"

"I told you never to call me Mother!"

Neha shouted.

"You will address me as Mrs. Kapoor."

Tears instantly filled Preeta's eyes.

"I... I'm sorry."

"But please listen"

"No!"

Just then, Ranbir's aunt entered the hall after hearing the raised voices.

"What happened?"

Neha folded her arms.

"What happened is that your precious daughter-in-law has been secretly feeding Father sweets."

Ranbir's aunt gasped dramatically.

"So this is how it starts?"

"First sugar..."

"Tomorrow medicine..."

"What if something had happened to him?"

Every accusation made Preeta's heart sink further.

She looked around helplessly.

Not one person had asked her what really happened.

For a brief moment...

She wondered if life in the Kapoor Mansion would always be like this.

Before anyone could continue

A firm voice echoed across the hall.

"Enough."

Everyone turned.

Savitri Kapoor stood at the entrance, leaning on her walking stick.

"What is all this shouting?"

Neha immediately stepped forward.

"Mum, this girl put sweetness into Father's coffee."

Savitri turned to Preeta.

"Is that true, child?"

Preeta wiped her tears.

"Yes, Dadi."

"I added a little honey."

"Honey?"

"Yes."

"I know Dadaji misses having something sweet."

"I also know sugar isn't good for him."

"So instead of sugar..."

"I added a little honey."

"It was only enough to remove the bitterness."

"I wanted him to enjoy his coffee without harming his health."

Silence.

No one spoke.

Harish finally cleared his throat.

"She's telling the truth."

"She simply wanted me to enjoy my coffee."

Savitri slowly looked around the room.

"So..."

"You all accused her..."

"Without even asking for her explanation?"

No one answered.

Neha lowered her eyes.

Ranbir remained silent.

His aunt looked away awkwardly.

Savitri sighed.

"This girl has done nothing except care for this family since she arrived."

"And yet every day someone finds another reason to blame her."

She gently walked toward Preeta.

Using the edge of her saree, she wiped the tears from the young woman's face.

"I'm sorry, child."

Preeta immediately shook her head.

"It's alright, Dadi."

"No."

"It isn't."

Savitri looked toward her family.

"I want each of you to apologize."

Neha frowned.

"Mum..."

"No."

"I will not apologize."

She turned and walked toward the dining room.

Ranbir's aunt followed.

"I agree with Neha."

"They're making too much of this."

Within moments, both women had left.

Harish looked at Preeta with genuine regret.

"I'm sorry, child."

"I should have spoken sooner."

Preeta smiled softly.

"It's alright, Dadaji."

Ranbir's father stepped forward.

"I'm sorry too, Preeta."

Ayush scratched the back of his head.

"Sorry, Sister-in-law."

Rhea nodded.

"We should have listened first."

Preeta smiled despite the tears still clinging to her lashes.

"It's alright."

"I've already forgiven all of you."

Only one person remained silent.

Ranbir.

He looked at Preeta for several long seconds.

She had been innocent.

Again.

And once again...

He had judged her without knowing the truth.

Guilt settled heavily inside his heart.

I'm sorry...

The words echoed inside his mind.

But they refused to leave his lips.

His pride stopped him.

Instead, he silently made himself a promise.

From today onward...

I will never judge her without hearing her side first.

It wasn't much.

But it was the first c***k in the wall he had built around his heart.

Without another word, Preeta wiped away the last of her tears and walked toward the dining table.

She quietly served breakfast to everyone.

The family ate in complete silence.

No one spoke.

Only the soft clinking of spoons against plates echoed through the dining hall.

And though no one realized it...

Something had changed forever that morning.

For the first time...

Ranbir began questioning whether the woman he had married was truly the villain he believed her to be.