The wedding ceremony ended. The newlyweds received blessings, hugs, and laughter from friends and family. Maithili’s hands trembled slightly as she held Abhiram’s hand while stepping into the car.

Outside, Richa called cheerfully, “Alright, let’s go for lunch! So many dishes are waiting for the bride and groom!”

Everyone smiled, as they split into different cars. Myra skipped off with Kairav, seated in the car behind with Amrutha and Rajesh watching over them.

Inside their car, Maithili and Abhiram sat in silence. The temple slowly faded behind them. Abhiram sat beside her—composed, but distant. His gaze stayed fixed out the window.

“Abhiram?” she said softly.

He didn’t respond.

She tried again, placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

He blinked and turned to her, startled. “Sorry… I zoned out.”

“Everything okay,” she asked gently.

He hesitated, then spoke. “I don’t want this to sound wrong. My wedding with Alisha... it wasn't this way. I felt empty. We were polite. Distant. Even on our wedding day, it felt like two strangers fulfilling a checklist.”

Maithili listened, silent and steady.

“But with you,” he continued, voice thickening, “it’s different. During the pheras, the way you looked at me, your hand in mine… it felt real. Like home.”

Maithili’s eyes shimmered.

“I’m not pretending to be a husband with you. I already am.”

She took his hand. “I felt it too. Even before today.”

Abhiram smiled faintly. “With you, I imagine real life. Mornings with mismatched mugs. Myra’s drawings on the fridge. You scolding me for leaving the cupboard open. I’d choose that life—chaos and all—if it’s with you.”

Maithili leaned in. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted—someone who truly sees me.”

They rested their foreheads together in quiet understanding. The world moved outside, but inside their car, time paused.

Soon, they arrived at Richa’s restaurant. She had shut it down for the afternoon and decorated it with flowers and soft lights—her own way of playing the sister Prachi would’ve been.

Inside, one long table was set, surrounded by soft sitar music and laughter. Everyone gathered. As Maithili adjusted her saree, the teasing began.

“So,” grinned Vikrant, “when do we get the official ‘feed each other’ moment?”

Tina laughed. “Come on, Jiju. At least give her a rasgulla.”

Abhiram smiled, gently feeding Maithili a syrupy bite. She blushed. In return, she offered him a kaju katli, prompting soft cheers.

“This two-plates nonsense won’t do,” Tina declared. “Newlyweds should share food. Increases love!”

Richa laughed and played along. “Agreed.” She replaced their plates with one large plate. “Now share. Like the rest of your life.”

Myra and Kairav ran around the space, giggling, as the adults watched the couple with joy.

As lunch wound down, Amrutha stood. “Time for Gruhpravesh!” she smiled. She invited Swapna and Maithili's family to join, but they declined politely.

“Swapna ji,” Amrutha asked gently, “why don’t you come with us? Abhi’s arranged everything for you.”

Swapna smiled. “I’m grateful, truly. But let me stand on my own for now. One day, I’ll come. Till then I’ll stay in that flat. It makes me feel closer to my husband.”

Rajesh offered, “If you ever feel uncomfortable staying in the same house with maithili we have a small guest unit nearby. You’d be close to Maithili, and she’ll have peace of mind too.”

Swapna nodded, touched. “Thank you, Rajesh ji. That means a lot. I will come. Just… not today.”

She turned to Maithili, eyes warm.

“But I promise, beta—I’ll call you every single day.”

Maithili hugged her mother tightly, whispering, “I’ll be waiting, Ma.”

Later Swapna, Suguna, Mahesh, Poornima, and Vinod stood with Tina at the restaurant entrance, bidding farewell. The mood was quiet but affectionate. Maithili hugged each one tightly, her heart full and aching all at once.

Tina held her the longest. “You better call me every day,” she whispered, blinking back tears.

“I will,” Maithili replied, voice trembling. “Don’t forget to send me selfies with your weird filter faces.”

They both laughed through the tears.

Suguna cupped Maithili’s face. “Don’t worry about Swapna. Start your new life with joy, beta. I’ll take her with us to Bangalore for a few days. Your brother will return soon, and then we’ll shift back here. Mahesh and I will move into the flat next to her so that she won’t be alone.”

Maithili’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, Badi Ma,” she whispered, hugging her.

Suguna wiped away her tears with a smile. “This is a happy beginning, Maithili. Smile for it.”

With one final round of hugs and reassurances, the group waved goodbye and left.

Back at Abhiram’s house, the family car arrived. The entrance was adorned with fresh flowers, marigold garlands hanging from the door, and a traditional rangoli blooming at the threshold. The afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue on the scene.

Amrutha stepped forward with a small silver thali. A kalash filled with rice, a small diya, kumkum, and a copper pot with mango leaves had been carefully arranged.

Maithili stood at the entrance, her eyes wide with awe and reverence.

Amrutha smiled and did her aarti slowly, the flame circling Maithili’s serene face. “Welcome home, Maithili,” she said gently, placing a tika on her forehead.

“Now, step in with your right foot, and gently topple the kalash,” she instructed.

Maithili followed the rituals carefully. The rice spilled softly, symbolizing prosperity and the start of a new chapter. She then dipped her feet in a red alta plate and walked slowly into the house, leaving behind delicate footprints—her first steps into her new home.

Abhiram watched silently beside her, with a quiet smile. Myra clapped and giggled, “Red feet! Mamma, your feet made paint!”

Everyone laughed, Amrutha kissed Myra’s head. “Yes, darling. That’s your mamma’s welcome.”

Richa whispered to Koushik, “Maithili she's so graceful… just like Prachi would’ve wanted.”

Vikrant nodded, silently emotional.

Amrutha asked Maithili to light the diya in the puja room. Maithili folded her hands, offering a silent prayer for peace, love, and strength—for herself, for Abhiram, and for everyone they called family.

When the rituals were done, Amrutha said, “Now it’s time for the sweet welcome.”

She brought a silver tray with peda and a small glass of milk. “Abhiram, feed her.”

Abhiram hesitated for a heartbeat, then smiled and offered the peda. Maithili took a bite shyly, cheeks warming.

She fed him back without being prompted.

Kairav whispered to Myra, “Why are they feeding each other again?”

Myra shrugged. “I think it’s a married people thing.”

Their innocent chatter made everyone laugh.

“From today,” Amrutha said warmly, “this house is your home. Not just by name, Maithili. By heart.”

Maithili felt something shift gently inside her—like a door opening.

She smiled.

“Yes. It does feel like home,” she thought.