(Kruthi's POV)
A good morning and already the chaos started. I could feel the glare of Rushaan's mom on me. The slight smirk of Rushaan and ofcourse Ayesha almost emotionless.
Everyone was sitting on the dining table as if it was a school discipline. Hierarchy. On the main seat was sitting badi dadi. The chatter of servants could be heard from the kitchen, to serve the family properly. But how can they serve them properly when... they are always under pressure. Yes, even the servants of this hous...- sorry, MANSION had a discrete behaviour. Strict rules applied to them.
I was sitting on my chair, The second seat in the array, left side of Badi dadi.
I lowered my eyes and looked at that glass plate, which was empty, and then a servant placed a serve of Dal on it. I passed the servant a polite, forced smile. Forced why? because given the overthinking capacity of mine, NO, I wasn't happy at all.
This was... weird and hectic at the same time.
I mean why do these people feel they should be served or in my language spoon fed just because they are rich. Sorry, being rich doesn't mean everyone owes their life to you.
Then I paused.
A-am I not doing the same as them?
I was.
Somehow I...NO KRUTHI!!!
I looked around once.
Everyone was still sitting. Rushaan's father was scolding a servant because while serving the water in his glass, it accidently disbalanced and...you know what can happen.
The glass broke, water spilled.
So that mean indirectly I am dependent on these people so they spoon feed me. Until they serve I have no right to have my meal. What a rich trend!
I sighed and stood up from my chair.
Every eye on me now, as if I did a very big effort, a very big thing just by standing up and taking a bowl in my hand.
Trust me, if my mother saw me like that- I'd have literally felt like "What did I do now?"
And exactly that's what I was feeling.
WHAT DID I DO EXACTLY? TAKING MY OWN MEAL IS A BIG STEP FOR MY COUNTRY, AND THIS FAMILY? AM, I SUPPOSED TO BE A FREEDOM FIGHTER WHO ACCIDENTALLY GOT STUCK HERE?
Anyways, I ignored everyone's gaze and served my meal and sat calmly on my seat.
"Hamare yahan khud khana nahi lete, servants ka kaam hai woh." Rushaan's mother said to me in disdain (In our family we don't take meals by ourselves, it's the work of servants.)
"You decided it Mrs. Amogh, but it's not the norm." I responded her with the same cool demeanour.
Everyone looked at me again.
Shocked.
Maybe no one ever spoke back to her before. But I knew I wasn't wrong.
"I see. So, what is your norm? Insulting people in front of everyone? because that's what you do."
I looked at her right in her eyes and spoke this time, irritated.
"If serving myself is disrespectful, then perhaps respect is easier to lose in this house than I thought."
She paused.
"And regarding your son... I don't think either of us should discuss character in public."
Her face flushed red.
Burned.
Before she could speak something, sound of shoes echoed on the floor.
Vivaan Malhotra.
Dressed in an impeccable suit, neatly messy hair and a calm expression was descending downstairs, after a long night of injury and rehabilitation.
Everyone became silent.
He sat next to me, the first seat near badi dadi. Then looked at Rushaan's mother.
"It's not a crime to serve ourselves." With that he served himself.
I waited for him for a moment.
Does he really eat after me or I am overthinking.
I was twirling my spoon in the rice, fixed my bangles and pendant he gifted me (Yes, it was a regular for me now.)
Suddenly he whispered in low tone, so only I could hear.
"If you are done with relevant things, can you do irrelevant thing such as having breakfast?"
I frowned at his statement and thrusted a full spoon of rice and dal in my mouth, chewing furiously.
He smirked lightly, for a split second so no one could notice...
And then he started having his breakfast.
Was he sweet or bitter?
Maybe both...
I looked around for a moment in sudden realisation.
No one asked him how he was, even though the aided hand of his was visible to everyone. He was right. No one asked. No one bothered.
Then I looked at him.
He was having his breakfast calmly. Uncomfortable maybe, but he did.
I also started having my breakfast. Don't want to make anyone suspicious or worse, give them a romantic moment in their language.
"I will be leaving at 9:30. Meetings. First meeting in country, second meeting abroad. Will take a week almost."
I looked at him with shocked expression.
Everyone was fine with that.
Nodded, as if he gave a command, not informed.
"But you shouldn't go in this condition." I whispered in low voice.
"Conditions are never favourable, we make them." He whispered back.
We returned to our room. I thought he'd pack his bag, but no it was already packed.
SO, THIS WAS HIS EMERGENCY!
"Vivaan you shouldn't go like this; you are still injured."
He paused before keeping a shirt in his suitcase.
"So what?"
"So there's something called care."
"I did."
"That's not care Vivaan that's just tending."
"That much care was enough for me."
I sighed.
Didn't speak more.
No use. He won't be convinced.
Instead, I went to the bathroom and prepared some small packets.
Morning medicine, evening medicine, night medicine.
Silently I placed it near his suitcase and left from the room.
I could feel his glance on me as I walked away.
Few moments later Mirhaan entered the mansion to escort My dear husband. (Too much sarcasm for today, enough Kruthi)
I was downstairs waiting for him.
H-how will I stay without him in this mansion? everyone dislikes me...but Naina and Ayesha.
Let's try... he won't listen anyway.
He went till the exit door and I rushed to him.
"Vivaan, just a word."
He paused.
"Yes."
"Medicines?"
"Kept."
"Do I still need to inform you of my meal completions?"
He paused for a moment.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It's necessary, I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone."
And then he turned his heels to walk away.
"2 SECONDS"
He paused again and turned around in irritation which was evident on his face.
"Now what Kru.."
I rushed to him and bent down to his feet level.
There was a metal nail in his shoes. I took it out and threw it away.
"Ab jaa sakte hain aap. I won't disturb anymore."
Before he could respond I turned away and went inside the mansion.