The next morning, Sarangi woke up early again and quietly began her chores so as not to disturb Vairagya's sleep. Shikha, who was sleeping like a log, was startled when Sarangi entered her room and gently tried to wake her.
"Shikha... Shikha, wake up..."
"What is it, yaar? Can't anyone sleep in peace?" Shikha grumbled sleepily.
"Shikha..." Sarangi called again softly.
"Sarangi? You're up so early..." Shikha opened her eyes and was surprised to see her.
"Yes... you said yesterday you'd teach me something..." Sarangi replied gently, remembering Shikha's promise to help her learn some tasks.
"Sarangi, you are the daughter-in-law of this house, not me. So you go and do your work. Why are you hell-bent on ruining other people's sleep early in the morning?" Shikha said coldly and turned over.
"Shikha..." Tears welled up in Sarangi's eyes.
She called her mother – "Maa..." Her voice was choked with tears.
"Saru... why are you crying, child? Did someone say something to you?" her mother's voice instantly filled with concern.
"No Maa... you told me to be a good daughter-in-law... but maybe I'm just not good enough..." Sarangi sobbed harder.
"But you're still unwell, aren't you? Then why are you doing household chores?" her mother asked, worried. "Where's your husband? Give him the phone."
"He's sleeping..." Sarangi replied in a low voice.
"Saru, you need rest, my child... you can take care of work later..." her mother consoled her.
"I just feel awful, Maa..." Sarangi's sobs intensified.
"Is there something going on? Tell me..." her mother gently probed, sensing a deep sadness in her daughter's voice.
"I'm not fit for this house, Maa..." Sarangi finally voiced her feelings.
"Saru, what are you saying? That's your marital home now... it's your house too..." her mother tried to reassure her.
"I want to come back home, Maa... I don't want to stay here..." Sarangi cried.
"Saru, give the phone to your husband... I want to speak with him..." Savika Ji said, now clearly worried.
"Maa... I want to come home..." Sarangi insisted, still sobbing uncontrollably.
Hearing her cry, Savika Ji became deeply disturbed. What had happened that left Sarangi so broken? She couldn't understand why her daughter was feeling so weak.
A while later, Sarangi composed herself and went on to clean the home temple. She wanted to drown her inner turmoil in work. After cleaning the temple, she began preparing breakfast in the kitchen when she heard Vairagya's voice – "Jaan..."
Sarangi's heart sank. By now, she could tell the difference between his normal and angry tones. Though the word "jaan" sounded loving, there was a hidden displeasure.
She quickly went to the room, and Vairagya stared at her intensely. His eyes reflected both anger and concern.
"You called...?" Sarangi asked nervously.
"Where were you...?" Vairagya asked sternly.
"I was in the temple, praying..." Sarangi had just begun to explain when Vairagya snapped, "Who did you ask before going? You're not even fully recovered, but no... you have to be the ideal daughter-in-law, right?"
"I'm the fool here, worrying about you, while you couldn't care less! All you want is to appear noble!" he yelled.
"You're misunderstanding..." Sarangi tried to explain.
"I misunderstood until now... now I finally see things clearly..." Vairagya cut her off.
"I'll go back to my home..." Sarangi said, sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Whose home is this?" Vairagya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yours..." she whispered.
"Not yours too?" he asked pointedly.
Sarangi fell silent, unsure how to respond.
"Tell me... is this your home or not?" Vairagya's voice grew louder.
Hearing him raise his voice, Shanti Ji entered the room.
"Vairagya, why are you scolding the girl?" she asked sternly.
"Because your darling daughter-in-law only does things worth scolding! She just got out of the hospital yesterday, and today she's doing chores!" Vairagya complained.
"Sarangi..." Shanti Devi looked at her in shock.
"Ma, I was just..." Sarangi tried to explain, but Shanti Ji stopped her.
"No excuses... This time, I'm siding with Vairagya. You need to rest, child." She then looked at Vairagya and gently tried to calm both down before leaving.
Vairagya glared at Sarangi, who quickly curled up in bed, hiding herself completely under the blanket. He stared at her for a moment and then went into the bathroom with his clothes.
A while later, he came out, called the servants for breakfast, and began styling his hair. The servant brought breakfast to the room. Vairagya picked up Sarangi and placed her gently on the sofa. He held out a spoonful of food for her.
"I... I can eat by myself..." Sarangi hesitated.
"Are you eating or not?" he said firmly.
Sarangi immediately took a bite. He continued to feed her while eating his own breakfast and gave her medicine.
"I'm going to the office now. You're not to leave this room... and don't let just anyone in. If you need something, call Mom or Karnika."
"Okay..." Sarangi whispered.
"And if I find out you went out..." he trailed off with a sharp look.
"I won't go, promise I won't..." Sarangi said quickly.
"Good girl..." Vairagya patted her cheek and left.
"Oh God, even his love is terrifying..." Sarangi muttered, holding her head and lay down, opening her laptop.
"I wonder if he has any social media accounts..." she mused while scrolling, but her eyes narrowed when she saw a shirtless photo of Vairagya.
Nighttime
Later that night, Vairagya returned from the office, showered, and stood in front of the mirror drying his hair. Sarangi sat on the bed, staring at him. After a while, Vairagya asked, "What is it, jaan? If you have something to say, just say it. If you want something, at least let me know. Just staring won't help."
"Who are you trying to impress...?" Sarangi asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Of course, only you, jaan..." Vairagya replied with a smile.
"I'm already impressed... so who else do you need to impress?" she asked innocently. Vairagya tried to suppress his laughter.
"Why would I try to impress anyone else but you?"
"Really..." she said suspiciously.
"Yes..."
"Then why did you post that picture on Instagram?" Sarangi asked directly.
"Oh, that... Well, with such a handsome face and perfect body, I thought it deserved to be shown off a little," Vairagya said, referring to his shirtless photo.
"And who exactly are you showing it to?" she asked again.
"Obviously to you, jaan..." he said lovingly.
"But I can see you at home too..."
"Yes, but you don't really look at me. I thought this way, maybe you'd notice..." he teased.
"Delete it now..." Sarangi demanded.
"I won't..." Vairagya refused plainly.
"Will you or won't you?" Sarangi's tone turned slightly stern.
"No, jaan..." he said sweetly but firmly.
"This is your last chance – will you or won't you?" she pressed.
"No means no, jaan..." Vairagya remained adamant.
Sarangi stared at him for a moment and then walked out of the room. All of Vairagya's smartness collapsed. He had imagined that his sweet, innocent wife would try to woo him, but now he was the one who would have to do the wooing.
"Huh, this is great. If I make a mistake, you get upset. If you make a mistake, you still get upset. I always have to do the apologizing... but don't worry, jaan... I'll make it up to you. After all, I am your husband," Vairagya muttered to himself with a faint smile on his face.