Love after marriage

Love after marriage -6

“Seethamma…”

Lachu couldn’t stop herself from calling out softly when she saw Seetha standing at the doorway, her face stern.

“Indra… are you done with the cooking? If not, teach this girl too. Maybe she’s only learned how to do kitchen work. Let that be her regular duty. And don’t think you’ve got someone to help and relax — make sure food reaches the table on time!”

Seetha’s voice was sharp and commanding. Yet, she didn’t even step into the kitchen.

Indra stood there quietly, her head slightly bowed, listening to every word without protest.

“Ha, and remember — I don’t have to remind you what your position in this house is, do I? You’ve lived here long enough to know. So, keep your daughter-in-law at a distance. She doesn’t know the ways of this family — she’ll learn eventually, when the time comes.”

Saying that, Seetha turned and walked away.

Lachu looked at Indra — still silent — and couldn’t help but smile.

“My dear Indramma… please don’t act like a strict mother-in-law with me. I know that role bores you to death. So, let’s do this — when they’re around, we’ll act just like you did now. Otherwise, you know me — I’m not the type to keep working nonstop!”

Lachu tried to catch Indra’s attention, who was still pretending to focus on her chores.

Every time Indra moved away, Lachu would step into her way. Finally, Indra sighed and looked straight at her.

“Listen, Lachu mole,” she said softly, taking Lachu’s face in her palms, her voice full of warmth. “I don’t want to scold you like they say I should. But if you don’t listen to me, it’s your life that’ll get ruined.”

Lachu smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry, Indramma… my life’s already halfway ruined. Nothing much left to spoil now. You don’t need to stress about me. I’ll handle things in my own way.

When someone’s around, I’ll act like you did — calm and quiet. After all, there are all sorts of characters here, right? Let me observe them for a while.”

Indra smiled sadly, her eyes clouding with old memories.

“Fine, fine… act smart then. But remember — in front of them, I’ll be that rude, strict mother-in-law. Between us, I’ll be your mother. You shouldn’t lose the happiness I lost. That’s a promise I’ve made to myself.”

Lachu could sense there were many hidden problems in this house. But she decided she’d figure them out herself, one by one.

“Now come, help me set the food on the table,” Indra said, lifting plates and glasses in her hands.

Lachu followed, carrying dishes alongside her.

When they reached the dining hall, Lachu was stunned.

In the morning, the place had been empty. But now, everyone was seated around the table.

Indra hurriedly placed plates and glasses in front of them. There was an urgency in her every move.

Lachu placed the idli and curry dishes on the table, then quietly sat down on an empty chair nearby.

“Hey, Lakshmi Priya! Do you even know what you’re doing? How will we eat if you just keep dishes on the table like that? Didn’t they teach you any manners in your house? Serve everyone first — then you can sit and eat!”

Seetha’s stern voice echoed across the room.

Lachu jumped up, startled.

Everyone — including Deva — was watching. Her face turned pale.

No one here served themselves food. Everyone waited to be served — as if it were some royal ritual.

What kind of people are these? Lachu thought, anger rising inside her.

She glanced at Bhadri — he didn’t even acknowledge her presence.

“Lakshmi Priya! Didn’t you hear me? Serve everyone properly!” Seetha barked again.

The name “Lakshmi Priya” stung in her ears. No one here even bothered to call her Lachu — the name she loved.

Still, she didn’t argue. She quietly began serving everyone, one by one.

Once she finished, she returned to her seat.

“Indra… come here!” Seetha called suddenly.

Indra, busy with lunch preparations, quickly wiped her face with the end of her saree and came to the hall.

“What is it, Amma?” she asked politely.

“Didn’t you teach your daughter-in-law anything? Seems like she doesn’t know even basic table manners,” Seetha said mockingly.

“She just came yesterday, Amma… I’ll teach her everything soon,” Indra replied humbly and walked Lachu back toward the kitchen.

Everyone except Bhadri looked at Lachu with sympathy — but that only made her angrier.

Indra led her to a small table near the kitchen — an open area.

“Lachu, this is our place. From now on, we’ll eat here,” Indra said quietly.

Then she went inside, served a few idlis and curry onto a plate, and placed it before Lachu.

“Here, eat this. Then come and help me if you can. There’s more work today,” she said kindly.

Lachu hesitated.

“Amma… you cooked everything, didn’t you? Then why can’t we sit there with them? Why such a rule? I’ve never seen anything like this. Are we so different from them?”

Indra rushed out, fear in her voice.

“Shh… not so loud, Lachu! If anyone hears, that’s enough to cause trouble. Don’t speak. Just stay quiet and do what you’re told. We are poorer than them — that’s the only difference. Remember that.

I didn’t call you here by choice… I knew they wouldn’t let you sit there. I just wanted to avoid a fight.”

Lachu didn’t respond. The silence between them said everything.

---

After breakfast, Bala sat on the balcony swing, enjoying the breeze.

“Lachu… Lachus! Why are you sitting here alone?” she asked, sitting beside her.

“Oh… nothing. Just wanted to sit out here for a while,” Lachu said, still staring at the sky.

“Hey, listen — the college has announced exam dates! They start the day after tomorrow!” Bala said with a teasing smile.

“What?! Exams?! That soon?! Are you all studying under Calicut University or something? They’re the only ones who throw surprise exams like this — b****y joke!” Lachu exclaimed, half angry, half amused.

“Does Deva know?” she asked suddenly.

“No idea, I haven’t told him yet. I’ll tell him when I see him,” Bala replied, hopping down the steps and leaving quickly.

Lachu stayed there, lost in thought.

Where was her life heading? What path was she being pushed into?

This family — it was strange. Nobody cared about anyone else’s feelings. Everyone just went about their own business.

Even Bala didn’t seem bothered by the argument that had happened earlier in the morning.

What kind of house was this?

Had Deva also become like them?

Only Indramma seemed to carry a trace of warmth and kindness in her eyes.

Lachu sighed deeply.

---

When she entered her room, she saw Bhadri picking up empty liquor bottles and tossing them into the waste bin.

Without a word, she walked past him and stepped onto the balcony.

“Hey! You could at least clean this place up! It stinks! Why did I even marry you?” Bhadri shouted in anger from inside.

Hearing his tone, Lachu’s patience snapped.

“Oh, really? I’m the one angry here! You were the one drinking — why didn’t the smell bother you then? Clean up your own mess! Or else you’ll never stop doing this again!”

She stormed into the room, voice raised.

“Watch your tone!” Bhadri shot back. “You talk too boldly for someone who spends all her time with Indramma. What are you two plotting together, huh? You’re turning into a complete comedy piece!”

He mocked her, grinning, then threw a folded bedsheet at her face.

“Is that how you talk about your own mother?” Lachu shot back sharply.

He didn’t even glance at her. Picking up his phone, he walked out of the room.

“What kind of people are these?” she muttered under her breath. “So selfish. Not one person here is willing to listen.”

Just then, she noticed Deva walking toward the terrace.

Without a second thought, she threw the bedsheet into the bin and followed him.

From the swing in the balcony, Bhadri watched her go — his expression unreadable.

(To be continued…)

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