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“What happened, Viku ? The pudding’s not good?”

CHAPTER 17

SWEETS FOR HIM

Jhankar stood in the kitchen, receiving all the ingredients from the maids that she needed at the moment.

“Ma’am, here are all the ingredients. You can begin cooking; we’re here to assist you,” one of them said politely.

“There’s no need for that,” Jhankar replied casually, tying her saree at the waist like she owned the kitchen. “I’m used to working alone. If someone hovers around, it just distracts me. Do whatever else you have to do. Just hand me some bitter gourd too—I’m used to drinking its juice every day.”

The maids exchanged glances, clearly surprised. They had never encountered someone so enthusiastic about bitter gourd juice. Still, their job was to serve, and they discreetly handed her the bitter gourd without question. Jhankar beamed as soon as she laid eyes on it. She quickly washed and juiced it, then smirked to herself.

“You’re so sweet, aren’t you?” she muttered sarcastically. “Why would someone like you need sweets? You deserve something as twisted as your personality.”

With that, she got to work. She prepared pudding in two separate pans: one traditional, sweet, and infused with saffron and cardamom; the other infused with a generous amount of bitter gourd juice. She added yellow food coloring to the sweet pudding and stirred it carefully. Then, unable to suppress herwicked amusement, she burst into laughter and added two heaping spoonfuls of turmeric to the bitter gourd pudding. Once both dishes were ready, she garnished them with dried fruits and poured them into separate bowls, making sure to remember which one was meant for Vikrant. She scrutinized the bowls with a sly smile and murmured under her breath.

“Congratulations, Viku, on the first kitchen ritual of our marriage.”

Moments later, she stepped out of the kitchen, smiling sweetly. Everyone was seated, waiting for the desserts. She began serving the pudding to everyone, her smile never fading. She had already imagined Vikrant’s expression several times and could barely hold back her laughter.

Vikrant, however, was still finishing his breakfast and hadn’t touched his bowl of pudding yet. Jhankar kept glancing sideways, impatiently waiting for the moment he would take a bite. Then, at last, she saw him. He picked up the bowl and brought the spoon to his mouth. She struggled not to burst out laughing and leaned closer, speaking softly.

“What happened, Viku? The pudding’s not good?” She teased innocently.

Vikrant noticed Sharda looking at him with a smile, and he immediately swallowed the mouthful. Turning his neck stiffly toward Jhankar, he replied flatly.

“Very tasty…”

“Do you want more?” Jhankar asked sweetly, batting her lashes and trying not to laugh.

Vikrant looked at her glowing smile and replied with a matching calmness.

“Of course. Now that we’re married, we should share the pudding. One bowl won’t be enough.”

Her eyes widened at his response, and just as she was about to speak, Sharda cheerfully chimed in.

“Exactly! I was about to say the same. You both should eat from the same bowl and plate. That's the correct way to perform this ritual. I thought Vikrant might object because he doesn’t like sharing food. But if he’s saying it himself, then that’s wonderful. You should eat together.”

“No, I don’t eat anyone’s…”

Jhankar began to protest. But before she could finish, Vikrant calmly grabbed her hand, slid the bowl closer, and placed a spoon in front of her.

“Sometimes, habits must change,” he said with quiet firmness. “Even I find it hard to eat someone else’s leftovers. But marriage is about adapting and expressing affection—even through food. That’s what I believe.”

“But I don’t…” she began again, flustered.

Before the sentence could leave her mouth, Vikrant smoothly spooned the pudding into her mouth. Sharda laughed heartily at the scene. Jhankar struggled. The strong taste of bitter gourd mixed with turmeric hit her senses so hard that it felt impossible to swallow. Her mouth burned with bitterness, and she instantly wanted to spit it out. Vikrant, meanwhile, looked at her with complete composure, took another spoonful himself, and offered her another bite.

“Open your mouth, wifey,” he said softly.

Jhankar’s eyes widened in shock. Watching him eat it so effortlessly confused her even more. Her eyes welled up slightlyas she coughed, unable to hold back. Vikrant leaned close, handed her a glass of water, and whispered in her ear.

“You know what ‘backfire means now.”

She glared at him while he continued eating with a subtle smirk. Furious, she grabbed her bowl of sweet pudding and started gobbling it down to wash away the bitterness. Vikrant, finishing his bowl, stood up gracefully. He leaned down, took a spoonful of sweet pudding from her bowl, and then gently placed a kiss on the crown of her head. The simple gesture froze her in place. She knew he had only done it because Sharda was watching—but that didn’t stop the tremble that ran through her. His touch, even that subtle, rattled her more than she was willing to admit.

“I have to go to a very important meeting. I’ll be back in two to three hours.”