Page 148 of One Hellish Wedlock
“It’s about Radhika. She’s in her seventh month, and I want to surprise her with a baby shower. But neither Jeeju nor I know the rituals or the right time to host it. We were hoping you could help.”
For a moment, Nani said nothing. Aanya couldn’t tell if the silence was surprise or disdain. Finally, the older woman spoke.
“I wouldn’t do this for you, but because it’s for Radhika, I will.”
Aanya rolled her eyes discreetly. Some people truly never change.
“Okay… I’m listening. I’m noting it all down,” she replied, pulling out a pen and her diary.
As Nani began listing rituals and auspicious timings, Aanya scribbled everything carefully, determined to make the occasion perfect.
Day 50
Reyansh sat alone in his study, fingers flying over the keyboard as he drafted a message he had meant to send since morning.
Aanya,
I’m truly grateful for the way you planned and executed Di’s baby shower. She couldn’t have been happier. Her joy was evident in every glance, every smile she gave. You honoured each ritual with so much sincerity and care. She’s always been particular about traditions, and you took that into account perfectly.
No one else could have done it the way you did.
Your gratified husband,
Reyansh.
Day 52
Sitting in her shared apartment in California, Aanya finally responded.
Reyansh,
Thanks to Nani for supporting the idea. I wouldn’t have pulled it off without her help.
Attaching some more pictures of the baby shower for you to see.
Aanya.
Day 54
Reyansh scrolled through the images she’d sent. Radhika was glowing on the swing, Rishi smiling beside her, Shikhalaughing with one of the guests, a few unfamiliar faces he assumed were new friends. But something was off.
Where was Aanya?
He immediately typed back.
Aanya,
Where is the picture of the woman who made all this magic happen? All I see is Di, Jeeju, Shikha, and a few of their friends.
Where is my wife?
Your unhappy husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya smirked reading his message. Exactly as she’d expected. She had deliberately excluded her own photograph, just to make him ask. To feel that desperation in his words. And she wasn’t disappointed.
Day 55
