Saina's POV

As I made my way downstairs, I saw aunty busy in the kitchen. I stepped in quietly, not wanting to startle her.

She noticed me and greeted me with a warm, soft smile.

"Good morning, aunty," I said cheerfully, bending to touch her feet for blessings.

"Beta, koi taklif toh nahi hui na?" she asked with genuine concern.

I shook my head. "Not at all, aunty."

"Chalo, ye toh achi baat hai. Waise, aaj teri pehli rasoi hai, na? Khana banana aata hai?" she inquired, her tone kind but curious.

"Bilkul, aunty! Mujhe khana banana bohot pasand hai," I replied enthusiastically. "Aap sirf yeh bata dijiye ki saari cheezein kahan-kahan rakhi hain, phir main sab kar lungi."

She chuckled softly. "Achha, ruk, main dikha deti hoon. Tab tak tu mujhe woh saucepan pass kar de... main chai bana leti hoon."

Before she could proceed, I quickly said, "Mujhe dijiye na, aunty. Main banati hoon chai."

Taking the milk from her hand, I started preparing the tea while she stood beside me, guiding me on how much sugar to add. Her patient instructions made me feel right at home, and I couldn't help but smile as I stirred the tea, eager to impress her.

I want to ask something but don't know what she will think of me. But I want to know.

'Aunty? Ek baat puchu aap se bura toh nahi manenge na?' I asked her politely.

'Pehle toh tu mujhe aunty bulana band kar..maa bulay kar..achi lagti h sunne mein' she asked..

'Thikh hain, maa ek baat puchu aapse ??' I asked her again.

'Puch na itna hichkicha kyu rahi hain' she said.

'Unka favorite khana kya hain?' I asked her shyly.

She looked at me with a hint of surprise, as if piecing together my thoughts. Then, her face softened. I looked down shyly.

"Mere bete ko? Usko sooji ka halwa, chole bhature, aur aloo gobhi bahut pasand hai," she said with a fond smile.

I mentally noted it all down, a plan already forming in my mind. These would definitely be on the menu for breakfast and lunch and dinner along with a few of my own special dishes to surprise him.

I hope he will like my dishes.

It's been an hour and a half of intense cooking, and now everything is finally ready. As planned, I've prepared sooji ka halwa and chole bhature for breakfast, and for lunch, I've made aloo gobi, chili paneer, and fried rice.

I glance over the spread and sigh to myself, "Dekhne mein toh sab bariya lag rahi hai... pata nahi khane mein kaisi hogi." I wipe my forehead with a handkerchief, the heat of the kitchen still lingering.

Maa and I work together to set up the breakfast table, arranging the food just right.

"Wahh, smell toh bahut achi aa rahi hai beta," she says, her voice full of approval, as the rich aroma of chili paneer fills the kitchen and spills into the hall.

I nod, feeling a little less anxious, before heading upstairs to fetch him, just as Maa had asked. I pause at his door and peek inside. I see him fumbling with the knot of his tie, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He's already dressed in his office attire, looking sharp, but he's struggling to get the tie right. The scene made me smile a little.

Author's POV:

"Uff, yeh hota kyun nahi achhe se?" he mutters under his breath, his focus entirely on the stubborn tie, frustration evident on his face.

A soft voice breaks his concentration. "Mein baad du aapke tie?" Saina asks, a gentle smile tugging at her lips as she stands at the doorway.

He looks up, his frown softening as he responds, "Nahi, it's okay, bas ho gaya," trying to hurry the knot along.

"Kar du mein? Jaldi ho jayegi," she offers, stepping closer with determination.

"Dijiye na," she says softly, reaching for the tie in his hand.

Given the height difference, she struggles to reach his neck. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for something to help.

"Kya dhoond rahi ho?" he asks, his voice tinged with curiosity as he furrows his brow.

"Ek minute," she says, and with quick thinking, she pulls a small stool toward him. She steps up onto it, her movements graceful and confident. As she rises, he can't help but notice the intricate design of her feet, the soft redness of the alta adorning her skin. Her saree shifts as she adjusts it, wrapping her pallu around her waist, and his gaze follows the delicate motion.

She gently pulls his collar up, positioning the tie, and starts to work the knot.

His eyes remain fixed on her, entranced. The soft clink of her churas echoes in his ears as she moves. He notices the hairline touched with red sindoor, the small red bindi resting perfectly on her forehead, the kohl that accentuates her eyes, and the soft, almost imperceptible smile gracing her lips. Every detail seems to capture his attention.

His trance got broken hearing her voice,

'Lo ho gaya....'

He looks away as he closes his palm into a hard fist.

"Thanks," he murmurs, his voice barely audible, and with that, he turns and walks out of the room.

Saina watches him leave, her shoulders sagging slightly as she exhales a soft sigh. Slowly, she climbs down from the stool, her fingers brushing over its surface before she places it back in its spot.

"Kitna kam bolte hain yeh insaan," she mutters under her breath, a sad pout forming on her lips as she shakes her head.

She pauses for a moment, her gaze drifting towards the door he just walked through. A flicker of determination crosses her face, and with a quiet resolve, she adds,

"Par mein bhi haar nahi manungi... ek na ek din baat toh karna hi padega unko."

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