Anisha looked at Arvik with questioning eyes after hearing his words.
"If you weren't bringing me to Jindal Mansion," she asked carefully,"then why did you bring me here?"
Arvik turned toward her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"We're not at Jindal Mansion," he said calmly."We're at the new Jindal Mansion."
The moment he said that, Arvik started laughing.
Anisha stared at him in disbelief.
Seriously? she thought bitterly.He's joking at a time like this? I can't believe people can make such silly jokes.
Annoyed, she silently cursed him and stepped out of the car.
The moment her eyes fell on the bungalow in front of her—she froze.
The bungalow was breathtaking.
Designed entirely in white and red, it looked nothing less than a dream. The architecture was elegant, powerful, and grand. Though the surrounding bungalows were beautiful too, none of them came close to this one.
Among all of them, this bungalow stood like a king—radiant, commanding, unmistakably different.
And why wouldn't it be?
After all, it belonged to Arvik Jindal.
The entire area was wrapped in silence, nestled close to a forest. Peaceful… yet mysterious.
Since Anisha and Arvik had left the hospital around 5 p.m., it was already evening by the time they arrived.
And in the soft glow of dusk, the bungalow looked even more stunning.
Anisha was so lost in the view that she didn't realize Arvik had walked far ahead.
When she finally came back to her senses, she saw him standing at the main door.
Startled, she hurried toward him and stopped beside him just as he rang the bell.
Almost immediately, a maid opened the door.
Right after that, a middle-aged woman stepped forward and performed aarti for both Arvik and Anisha.
Strangely, there was not a single emotion on her face.
Arvik had already told his family everything.
He wanted them to prepare themselves before meeting Anisha. That's why he had clearly instructed them—any questions about the wedding night were to be asked to him, not Anisha.
Anisha observed the woman carefully.
She looked familiar… very familiar.
Suddenly, it clicked.
Oh my God…I've seen her photo in a charity event magazine.
Is this elegant, beautiful woman really Mr. Arvik Jindal's mother?I can't believe my eyes.
Her name was Janki Jindal—a highly educated, classy woman who had always maintained impeccable standards.
When Janki learned about Anisha, she wasn't shocked by the marriage—she was shocked by Aditi running away.
Janki had always liked Aditi. In her eyes, Aditi was perfect in every way—someone worthy of being the Jindal family's daughter-in-law. Aditi loved Arvik too.
That was why her running away had shaken Janki deeply.
"Kick this rice pot with your right foot and step inside," Janki said coldly, pointing toward the ritual items."Then place your foot on this plate for griha pravesh."
Anisha instantly understood—
Janki didn't like her.
She had always been good at reading people—this ability had been with her since childhood.
Without saying a word, Anisha nodded and did exactly as she was told.
The griha pravesh ritual was completed.
The moment it ended, Janki walked away.
Anisha wasn't surprised.
She had expected this.
Arvik knew his mother would react this way, which was why he didn't stop her.
Since her wedding, Anisha hadn't seen a single member of the Jindal family.
In fact, this was the first time she was seeing them.
There were many people—Arvik's uncle Shubham, aunt Manju, grandmother Suhasini, aunt Madhuri, Madhuri's son Soham, and Arvik's sister Mahi.
There were others too, but only these people were present right now.
Anisha had never seen such a large family before.
Her nervousness grew silently.
Arvik noticed it instantly.
"Anisha, come," he said gently."I'll introduce you to everyone."
She looked at him and nodded.
Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind.
"Hi, Bhabhi!"
Anisha turned around.
The girl standing there was stunning—beautiful, lively, and warm.
"Hi," Anisha replied softly.
"Anisha, this is my younger sister, Mahi," Arvik said."She's the youngest in the house."
"And everyone's favorite," Mahi added playfully.
"Come, Bhabhi," Mahi said, holding Anisha's hand."I'll introduce you to everyone."
Anisha hesitated and looked at Arvik for permission.
He blinked and nodded yes.
Seeing this, Mahi teased them both.
"Ohooo! What's this? Now Bhabhi will take permission from Bhaiya even for introductions?"
Anisha instantly turned red with embarrassment.
Arvik shot Mahi a sharp look.
Her teasing stopped immediately, and she wisely decided to move on.
Mahi first took Anisha to meet the eldest member of the house—the grandmother.
Anisha bent down and touched her feet respectfully.
But the grandmother didn't bless her.
She looked displeased and walked away without a word.
It hurt.
Deeply.
But Anisha didn't let it show on her face.
Just then, Arvik received an important call and stepped outside to attend it.
Mahi was confused, unsure how to handle the situation.
She was about to say something to comfort Anisha when she noticed—
Everyone had already gone to their rooms.
The entire hall was empty.
Only Anisha and Mahi remained.
"Bhabhi, I—"
"There's no need to say anything," Anisha interrupted gently."I understand."
"You must be tired. Go and rest."
"I'll go to the room with Arvik."
Mahi exhaled in relief and nodded.
She had an important test the next day anyway.
As she walked away, she muttered to herself,
"If only Vihan Bhai were here, Bhabhi wouldn't feel so bad…"
Vihan was Arvik's younger brother—the owner of a major entertainment industry.He was currently in London for an important project.
Still murmuring, Mahi disappeared into her room.
On the other side—
Anisha sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for Arvik to return.
The silence around her felt heavy.
And somewhere deep inside, she wondered—
Is this house really going to be my home…or just another place where I don't belong?
🌙 To be continued…