Taking What's MINE!

The Helpless Kitten

Diya's POV

I ran down to the kitchen before that jerk could come out of the bathroom. My breathing got uneven due to the running and I was panting. Suddenly a hand snuck on my shoulder I was so nervous that I turned around in complete shock. "Bhabhi? are you okay? what is wrong? why do you look so pale like you are trying to escape a ghost?", asked Shruti. Seeing her I was so relieved that I released a sigh of relief which I didn't know I was holding.

"Nothing Shruti, what happened to others? it's 7 am and nobody seems to be awake or at least I don't find anybody around." I said trying to divert her questions, I don't know how should I answer her questions, how should I tell her that I'm escaping her brother who is lusting after me. "Bhabhi, we wake up quite late, not to forget everybody was up late night for the rituals after the wedding so, everybody must be tired", said Shruti staring at my face. Wait why is she staring at me like that? "Is something wrong Shruti?","No, Bhabhi, I'm getting late I better go get ready I'll see you in 10! till then you can help yourself with tea." she said giving me a teasing smile. I wonder what is wrong with her, anyway, I better go and prepare breakfast before everybody comes down.

It has been 15 minutes since I came into the kitchen but, I don't know where the flour, pulses or vegetables are kept while I was wondering where I might find them I saw someone walking into the kitchen." Good morning madam, why are you here in the kitchen at this time? Do you want something?" asked the maid, she seemed to be around 30 years old, her face had a few wrinkles around her eyes which made her look older than her age yet, her warm smile was a true reflection of a kind, simple maiden. "Hello, I woke up early so,.." I was trying to explain my purpose when a voice interrupted me in the most authoritative tone.

"Amruta, today you won't be needed in the kitchen, today, Bahu will be cooking the breakfast for everyone in the family so, leave at once!", I turned around to see an aged woman clad in cotton saree with gorget border. She must be Rahul's Dadi, I was so lost in thoughts during the wedding that I barely noticed any of the family members of Rahul's family. Well, his family is quite huge! Peppy uncle AKA Vikram Malhotra and Jaya aunty as I told before are his parents and Shruti, his sister. Apart from them, there were relatives to attend the wedding which included, Kiran Chacha, Roshni Chachi their daughter Mishti, Anchal Bua, Tej Kaka and their son Rohan. Oh! and the woman with the authoritative voice who just now asked Amruta to leave was his Dadi, apparently, Dada passed away due to a heart attack last year and so Dadi was staying with them since then.

"I know you are newly wed, but there is a ritual in our family according to which the newly wed bride should cook on the first day of her arrival at her in-law's house", said she, while walking past me, her gray eyes flashed a gaze of inspection on me. " But, Dadi, I don't know where the necessities for cooking are kept", I was being self-conscious in her presence, yeah, you could say I'm nervous but I can't help it, anything stupid from my side could cause a disgrace to my parents. "I'll show you where the necessities are kept also, I expect you to get the breakfast ready by 8:30 not a single minute late. I'm guessing that you can cook and that your mother must have told you what a new-wed bride cooks on her first day. Well, if she didn't then here, take this list of dishes that I want to see on the table. Also, the list contains the likes and dislikes of every family member I want you to be well-versed with this so next time on you know what to cook when to cook and for whom to cook. Now, get started!" with that Dadi left me alone in the kitchen with a huge list of dishes which also contained the likes and dislikes of the family.

Man, this is going to take forever!

----------------30 Minutes later-----------

I was done with cooking, I cooked idly for Tej Kaka and Kiran Chacha, Upma for Roshni Chachi, dosa for Anchal Bua, Poha for kids i.e, Rohan and Mishti, Puri for Peppy uncle, oats for Jaya aunty and Dadi and finally bread Upma for Rahul. Yes, I can cook, as an art student, one of my subjects was cooking plus I always helped my mom in cooking when guests would show up but, never did I make these many items on my own, so I wonder what they taste like. Hope they are all fine. I pray to God that everything goes fine and head to the dining hall to place the dishes on the table.

Everybody gathered around the huge dining table which had 12 chairs around it. everybody was seated, while I was serving food to everyone. Dadi had her gaze fixed on every item that served, she seemed to be testing my abilities as a cook. I wonder what did she conclude out of this.

Soon everybody was done eating and looked pleased with the food that they had, also, that jerk was gazing at me all the while. Every time he took a bite of his bread Upma he'd give me an intense gaze, this made me feel weird, it was more like he was eating me with his eyes than eating his food. I was trying hard to avoid eye contact with him and concentrating on others as to how they liked the food.

"Amruta, today this food tastes really good and a little bit different from usual", said Peppy uncle while tasting the Halwa," Sir, today I was not the one to cook, it was Diya Didi who cooked the food", said Amruta smiling at me. "Beta you did a great job cooking, here, take this as you reward for the hard work", with that he handed me a box. As I opened it, it contained a very beautiful diamond jewelry set. I bowed down to take his blessings and thanked him. Everyone looked pleased and appreciated my hard work. Dadi gave a satisfactory nod and handed me another box of jewelry which had a pair of golden bangles in them.

"Beta, you must go with Rahul, and see if he needs anything", said Dadi in a stern tone and I was skittish with the very mention of his name. I could not come up with any excuse and so I had to walk up to his room. As I walked up, I heard a faint meow, meow? it's a kitten! I was very excited with the very thought of it. Yes, I love cats! I've always been an animal lover, I love dogs, cats, calfs, cows and all the domestic animals.

With every step that I took, the sound of meowing got clearer and louder. I slowly stopped before the door of my room. I walked in to see where that monster was, but thankfully he was nowhere to be seen and so I got busy searching for the kitten. I slowly moved to the balcony where I found the kitten hanging on jasmine's creeper. I reached the kitten and held it in my arms. As I pulled it from the creeper and turned around only to hit a rock hard wall, wait! when did this wall come? as I raised my eyes I found Rahul looking at me.

"I just found this kitten please, don't throw him away. He is helpless if you don't mind can I keep him? I'll take his responsibility. But, please just let me help him!" I was literally begging him, I don't know why but his gaze made me feel awkward." I wish you'd give me at least 1/10th of the love and care that you are giving to him right now", he said lowering his head to my face. I could feel his intense gaze penetrating through me.

"I ...uh.. eh? ", I was going to beg a little more to convince him but, his words made no sense to me! I mean seriously? how can he expect that after forcing me into a marriage with him?

"you know what? I don't mind helping that kitten, but you'll have to help me as well", he slowly bent down on his knees with his head facing my waist. I was fondling the most adorable kitten in my arms when a stinging sensation on my waist pulled me back to reality.

I was demented at the realization of what had just happened! that jerk bit my waist!!!! before I could complain he pulled me closer to him trapping me in his iron grip. "Last time you didn't like it when I left the mark on your neck, so this time I thought I'll kiss you where no one will be able to see", with that he winked at me and left me flabbergasted.

A/N: Hello! I updated the story, but, I may not be able to update it in a while as my exams will be starting from nest week but, I promise to update it whenever I get time! so, please read, vote, share and comment!

Also, please pray for me so that I pass my exams with flying colors!

thank you so much! :)