𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟕

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
♡•♡

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
I stepped forward, my gaze locking onto my wife, standing near the couch, her expression tense but composed. I could tell she was holding herself together in the face of whatever conversation had taken place before I entered. 
My gaze shifted toward my grandmother and aunt, both of them seated with an expression of surprise on their faces.
"Veer, you are here? Come sit with us." My aunt gestured for me to sit, her tone light, as if attempting to diffuse the tension in the room. 
I simply nodded, silently glancing at my wife and gesturing for her to sit as well. She took a seat beside me, her face still holding that quiet defiance I had seen earlier.
Keeping my voice calm I asked, "What's going on here?"
Dadi's eyes flicked toward me, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We were just discussing how Saranya could be more responsible in her role as a wife. It's about time she started taking over the household duties."
I could feel my gaze hardening with her words, the irritation rising in me. I knew exactly where this conversation was going, and I wasn't going to let anyone dictate how my wife should live her life. 
Glancing at her for once, I saw her sitting there quietly, though I knew she had a lot on her mind.
Looking back at Dadi and Rekha bua, I kept my tone steady. "Really? And who decides what those duties are?"
Rekha Bua chimed in, her voice trying to sound reasonable. "Veer beta, we're only trying to help. You need a wife who understands her responsibilities at home. Saranya is still young, and she needs to learn."
I chuckled softly at her words. "Exactly Bua, she's young, which means she doesn't need to be weighed down by any outdated responsibilities right now. If there's something to take care of at home, I'm more than capable of doing it. She doesn't need to be bothered."
Dadi narrowed her eyes at me, her voice sharper now. "You've become too soft, Veer. A wife should know her place-"
"Dadi," I cut in, my voice firm, "you were the one who desperately pushed me for this marriage. I respected your wishes and agreed to the forced alliance. You knew Saranya was the bride, right? There were no issues then. And now, when I'm accepting the marriage, playing my role as a husband, and treating my wife with the respect she deserves, suddenly you have a problem with it. And as for her place, it's beside me, not behind me."