Definitions:

Bhabhi- sister-in-law; Bhabhs- a nickname for Bhabhi

Bhai- brother

Didi- older sister

Jiju- brother-in-law/sister's husband

Chacha- paternal uncle/dad's younger brother

Chachi- wife of paternal uncle

Nani- maternal grandmother

Dadi- paternal grandmother

Biwi- wife

Beta/baccha/bacche- child, dear

Gudiya- doll (an endearment)

Meri jaan/jaan/jaana- my life/life (an endearment)

Arey- like saying 'oh', a type of exclamatory word

Yaar- like dude, or bro

Haan- yes/yeah

Nahi- no

Accha – ok

Theek hain – fine

"Bhabhi, yaar, please! You didn't let us celebrate any of your monthiversaries until now, but six months is a milestone. We have to celebrate! Please, don't be a sadu like Bhai."

(sadu- boring)

It had been six months since Vaidehi Srivastav had become Vaidehi Malhotra, wife of business mogul Raghuveer Malhotra, and daughter-in-law of the powerful and revered Malhotra family. "Ok, there's no need to go that far!"

"No, beta, Akshu is absolutely right. We must celebrate!"

Vaidehi looked pleadingly at her father-in-law, Ranvijay. "Papa, aap hi bataiye na."

(Papa, you only tell them.)

Instead of supporting her, he wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders and gave a thumbs up to his daughter.

"Nope, sorry beta. I'm with my wife and daughter on this one."

"Accha, theek hain, if you all insist. But just between family."

(Ok, fine...)

Akanksha aka Akshu, her sister-in-law, and her mother-in-law, Chandrika, had identical pouts on their faces.

"Cool, a party! What are we having a party for?" Yagnik, the younger son and happy-go-lucky middle child of the family, came downstairs after freshening up and plopped down on the sofa, laying his head in his mother's lap. Chandrika lightly slapped his head at his stupid question, then began running her fingers soothingly through his hair. He had returned from work early, and everyone began discussing the idea of a party while sipping their evening chai. Vaidehi gestured for Yagnik to sit up and handed him his cup of chai.

"Yaar Bhabhi, your chai is the solution to all my problems. Waise, konse party ke baare mein baatein chal rahe hain?"

(By the way, what party are you guys talking about?)

"Nikki yaar, thoda dhyan diya karo! Kaam mein toh tu fattu hain, khoya khoya rehta hain."

(Nikki dude, pay some attention! You're useless at work, you're always lost somewhere.)

Akshu turned dejectedly towards her mother. "Maa, aapko pata hain? Maine socha ki koi secret girlfriend hoga isko, par woh bhi faltu ka idea nikla. Kam se kam family pe toh dhyan do, Nikki. Hum Bhai aur Bhabhi ka sixth monthiversary ke baare mein baat kar rahe hain."

(Maa, did you know? I thought he had a secret girlfriend, but I was wrong about that, too. At least pay some attention to your family, Nikki. We're talking about Bhai and Bhabhi's sixth monthiversary.)

"Oye Kanku, izzat se bulaiya kar apne bade bhai ko. Nikki nahi, Yagnik Bhai bulaiya kar mujhe. Aur tum konsa Forbes Under 30 mein ho ki tum mera zindagi ka mazaak udaye."

(Oye Kanku, call me your older brother with respect. You should call me Yagnik bhai, not Nikki. As if you're in the Forbes under 30 list to be able to make fun of me.)

"Haaw, tumne mujhe Kanku bulaya, chodunga nahi tumhe, saale! Ab tu gaya mere haathon mein, Maggi! Aur tere bachpan ke nange pictures Sonali ko dikhaungi!"

(Haaw, you called me Kanku, I won't leave you! Now you're finished in my hands, Maggi! And I'll show your childhood naked pictures to Sonali!)

"Khabardaar!"

(Don't you dare!)

Akshu picked up the couch pillow with her left hand, the chai in her right hand hovering over Yagnik's head. Yagnik, on the same train of thought, mirrored her movements.

"Bas!"

(Enough!)

Before the impending disaster could occur, a stern voice rang out in the air. "Yagnik, Akanksha, agar tum dono ne ek dusre ke upar chai gira diya, toh mein tum dono ke liye phir se nahi banaungi. And you both will be responsible for cleaning every drop of chai that stains the couch."

(Yagnik, Akanksha, if you both dump chai on each other, then I won't make it again for both of you.)

Both of them grumbled but set the pillows down and resumed sipping their chai. "Fight as much as you want later, but not with permanently staining liquid in your hands."

"Sorry, Bhabhi." Two voices sounded simultaneously.

Akanksha walked over and squeezed into the space between Yagnik and the arm of the couch. "Sorry, ladne ke liye. We shouldn't waste chai na, not being able to drink it would be too big of a sazaa."

(Sorry, for fighting. We shouldn't waste chai right, not being able to drink it would be too big of a punishment.)

"Main bhi sorry, bas josh mein aakar pata nahi ghor paap karne wala tha."

(I'm sorry too, I was about to make a huge mistake caught up in my enthusiasm.)

"Thanks, yaar!"

Yagnik wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulder, narrowing his eyes as she said 'yaar'. "Bhai bol."

(Call me bhai.)

"Thanks, yaar Bhai!"

He chuckled and ruffled her hair, kissing her forehead. "Tum kabhi nahi sudhrogi."

(You'll never change.)

"Tum bhi mat sudhro, bore ho jaungi main."

(Don't you change either, otherwise I'll get bored.)

Vaidehi smiled wistfully, remembering her older brother.

"Ho gaya tum dono ka rootna manane?"

(Are you guys done fighting and making up?)

Chandrika sarcastically questioned her children. "Jab manane ki baat chal hi raha hain, Yagnik, pata hai humne kitni mushkil se manaya hai tumhari Bhabhi ko? Warna toh zidd pakad kar baithi thi, 'kyun karna hain celebrate'?"

(Since we're talking about convincing people, Yagnik, do you know how hard it was to convince your Bhabhi? Otherwise, she was being so stubborn, saying 'why do we need to celebrate'.)

"No way Bhabhi, karna toh padega. Main kitne dinon se wait kar raha tha ek mazedaar party ke liye."

(No way Bhabhi, we have to. I've been waiting for so long for a fun party.)

"Arey, main toh maan gayi, na? Bas ek sharth hain ki sirf family ke saath. Aur aap sab ko pata toh hain ki Raghuveer-ji ko bhi parties pasand nahi hain."

(Arey, but I agreed, right? My only condition is that it should be just family. And you all know that Raghuveer-ji doesn't like parties either.)

"Tum uske intimidation mein mat aana beta, agar tumhe bada party chahiye, toh wohi hoga. Uss khadoos ko main dekhlunga."

(Don't get intimidated by him beta, if you want a grand party, then that's what'll happen. I'll handle that grump.)

"Nahi, Papa, aisa koi baat nahi hain. Aap sab itne zidd kar rahe hi, sirf issiliye maangayi."

(No Papa, it's not like that. You guys were being so insist, that's the only reason I agreed.)

Akanksha leaned forward and propped her chin on her hands. "Haan haan, party toh hona hai. Par Bhabhi, aap Bhai ko abhi bhi Raghuveer-ji kyun bulate hain? Kuch alag sa nickname rakhna chahiye, na?"

(Yeah yeah, the party's gonna happen, but Bhabhi, why do you still call Bhai Raghuveer-ji. You should have a nickname for him, right?)

How else would you address someone you were legally married to, but didn't have a relationship beyond that of passing acquaintances?

"Kabhi kabhi Akshu, teri dhimaag ka tubelight aisa switch on ho jata hain na, ki kamaal hain."

(Sometimes Akshu, the way the tubelight in your brain switches on, is a miracle.)

Yagnik ruffled her hair again, and she leaned away squinting, unable to decide if he was complimenting or insulting her. He got up and plopped down next to Vaidehi, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Theek keh rahi hain Akshu. Itni mushkil se baaki sab ko ji bulane ki aadat chudwaaya aapse, lekin abhi bhi Bhai ko ji kehke bulate hain aap?"

(Akshu is right. After so much effort we convinced you to stop addressing everyone as ji, but you still call Bhai as ji?)

Akshara tapped her lips thinking hard. "Raghuveer se kya rhyme hota hain? Haan! Palak paneer!"

(What rhymes with Raghuveer? Yes! Palak paneer (a spinach cheese curry)!)

Everyone looked at Akshu as if she had lost her mind. She jumped on the couch, clapping her hands. "Mujhe palak paneer bilkul nahi pasand, na." She scrunched her face in disgust, as if someone shoved a lemon down her throat. "Bilkul mood kharaab ho jaata hain. Bhai ke 'stone wall' wala expression dekh kar bhi hamara mood aise hi kharab hona hain. Arey, yaar! Aaj kal toh banda koi expression hi nahi dikhata!"

(You know I hate palak paneer. My mood gets completely ruined. Just like how all our moods are bound to get ruined at Bhai's 'stone wall' impersonation. I mean, come one, he doesn't express anything these days!)

Ranvijay shrugged, "Baat toh sahi hain."

(She's right.)

Chandrika glared at him for a moment before sighing in agreement. Yagnik didn't look too pleased but shrugged as well.

"Yeh pehla option hain, lekin kuch do naam wala hona chahiye."

(This is the first option, but there should be one with two names.)

Vaidehi cleared her throat. "Yeh toh mera bai haath ka khel hain."

(This is a left-handed game for me.)

She ticked off her fingers as she listed names. "Serious Sadu, Khadoos Kumar, Moody Malhotra, ya phir Raghuveer se Sadu-Veer."

(Serious Sadu, Khadoos Kumar, Moody Malhotra, or Sadu-veer instead of Raghuveer.)

"Akhri wala toh sabse best hai," Chandrika proclaimed, clapping her hands.

(The last one is the best.)

Yagnik winked in approval at his mother. "Wah, Mata-sri, ladla beta koh beizzat karne mein bade maza le rahe hain!"

(Wow, Mom, you're having a lot of fun insulting your darling son!)

Vaidehi clapped and got everyone's attention. "Ok ok, it's fine right now because it's all fun and games, but after this, nobody is going to call Raghuveer-ji by any of these nicknames. Agar mujhe unhe nickname se bulana itna zaroori hain, toh...main soch lungi. Par yeh sirf hum donon ke beech ki baat hain."

(If it's necessary for me to call him by a nickname, then...I'll think about it. But this is just between him and me.)

"Bhabhi! Kya soch ke batayenge, abhi decide karo na kuch!"

(Bhabhi! What do you mean you think and tell us? Decide something now!)

Vaidehi crossed her arms and raised a menacing brow. Akanksha grumbled, but didn't counter the look.

"Bhabhs! Aap humare liye chai nahi banaya?"

(Bhabhs! You didn't make chai for us?)

Twin voices came in through the entrance. Two identical young men, about twenty years of age, walked in grumbling and rubbing the back of their heads. Behind them walked in their mother glaring at the back of their heads, and their younger sister, hand over her mouth and giggling at her brothers' condition. Yuvaan, Yugesh, and Priya were Rishi Chachu and Aparna Chachi's children, or Raghuveer, Yagnik, and Akanksha's cousins.

"Maine abhi abhi tum dono bandaron ko chai pilaye aur khana khilaya, kyunki tum dono itne bhuke aur pyaase the, aur phir bhi ghar aakar Bhabhi ko pareshaan kar rahe hain."

(I just fed you monkeys chai and snacks because you were soo hungry, but still you come home and bother your Bhabhi.)

"Chachi, pareshaani ki koi baat nahi, lekin itne baar chai peena bhi accha nahi hota sehat ke liye."

(Chachi, it's no bother. But, it's not good for your health to drink so much chai.)

Yuv and Yug pouted but carried their shopping bags upstairs.

"Bhabhs, aap mere liye chocolate baahar rakhenge? Cafe mein kuch accha mitha nahi tha, aur bohot bhook lag rahi hain. Mein fresh hokar aati hoon."

(Bhabhs, can you put out the chocolate? There weren't any good sweets at the café, and now I'm hungry. I'll just freshen up and come.)

Vaidehi nodded and Priya bounded up the stairs behind Aparna, but as she rose to go the kitchen, Chandrika stopped her. "Main jaati hoon..."

(I'll go...)

"Nahi Maa, aap baithiye aur party ki planning kariye."

(No Maa, you all sit and plan for the party.)

While Vaidehi was heating the milk, Aparna entered the kitchen. "Main un theenon ko acche se class lungi ki tumhe zyaada pareshaan na kar. Bhabhi aa gayi ghar mein matlab har do minute 'Bhabhi yeh chahiye, Bhabhi who chahiye' karte rehte hain. Uss bandaron ko yeh samajh mein nahi aata ki tum kitni thak jaogi sab ki kaam kar kar ke. Idhar de, main chocolate ko chop kardungi."

(These three are going to get a strong scolding not to bother you. Now that you've joined the family it's 'Bhabhi, I want this, Bhabhi, I want that' every two minutes. Those monkeys don't understand how tired you get doing everyone's work. Here, give it to me, I'll chop the chocolate.)

Vaidehi slid over the cutting board and crossed her arms, smiled at Chachi's concern.

"Aap fikar mat kariye Chachi, mujhe yeh sab karne mein koi problem nahi. Main issiliye nahi karti hoon kyunki main badi bahu hoon, ya yeh mera kaam hain. Main issiliye karti hoon kyunki bachpan se sukoon milti hain. Aur agar mujhe kabhi bhi nahi karna, toh naa kehne mein bhi problem nahi hain. Mere chhote bhai behen bhi aise the, aise hi hain. Humne laad pyaar se paala hain. Lekin jaise maine har cheez ko khud seekh kar struggle kiya, main nahi chahthi thi woh bhi struggle kare. Joh bhi hume laga ki survival ke liye zaroori hain, bhai aur maine un donon ko sikhadiya. Jab hum hain, toh hum pamper karenge. Lekin jab hum nahi hain, jaise ki ab main waha nahi rehthi, toh tab kya?"

(Don't worry Chachi, I don't have any problem doing all this. I don't do this because I'm the elder daughter-in-law, or because it's my duty. I do it because I find peace in it. And if I ever don't want to do it, I don't have a problem saying no. My younger siblings were like this too, still are, actually. We pampered them a lot growing up. But I didn't want them to struggle as I did, learning everything by myself. Whatever we though were important survival skills, Bhai and I taught them. When we're there, we'll obviously pamper them. But what about when we're not, like I'm not living there now, then what?)

As Vaidehi stirred the chocolate into the milk, Aparna patted her shoulder. "Theek baat. Kabhi bhi sar jukhate apne aap ko mat kho. Kitni pyaari bacchi mili hain hume. In bandaron ko choodo, yeh Raghuveer bhi koi kam nahi. Maine aur Bhabhi ne dekha, kitni baar tumhe akela chhod ke jaata hain woh. Itni pyaari biwi hain, aur phir bhi woh kaam ka japan karta rehta hain. Ghar aane do usse, aise kaan kichwayenge hum ki woh bhool nahi paayega."

(Absolutely. Don't ever lose yourself in doing things for other people. What a lovely daughter-in-law we have. Forget these idiots, Raghuveer is no better than them. Bhabhi and I see how often he leaves you alone. He has such a lovely wife and is still only obsessed with work. Let him come home today, I'll scold him so badly he won't ever forget.)

"Chachi, lag rahi hain aaj aap kuch zyaada hi garam hain."

(Chachi, looks like you're a little heated today.)

Vaidehi teased Aparna for her frustration. Chandrika walked in and laid a land on Aparna's shoulder. "Aparna bilkul sahi keh rahi hain. Honeymoon ko chhod, uss buddhu ne tumhe date tak par nahi lekar gaya. On your sixth monthiversary, you both will go on a date, and then we will have a party at home, and that's final. Baaki sab preparations hogaye hain, aur hum sab manage karlenge. Tum bilkul chinta mat kar, bas hum joh bhi instructions de, tumhe follow karna hain."

(Aparna is absolutely right. Forget about your honeymoon, that idiot hasn't even taken you on a date. On your sixth monthiversary, you both will go on a date, and then we will have a party at home, and that's final. The rest of the preparations are done, and we'll all manage them. Don't worry about anything, just follow the instructions we give you.)

"Jaisa aap kahe, Maa."

(Whatever you say, Maa.)

"Bhabhi, aap bana bhi diya hot chocolate?"

(Bhabhi, you made the hot chocolate, too?)

Priya skipped into the kitchen and hugged Vaidehi around the waist.

"Haan karghosh ki bacchi, taiyyar hain."

(Yes, my bunny, it's ready.)

She handed over the mug of hot chocolate and Priya did a happy dance after taking a sip. Aparna crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Phir se Bhabhi ko pareshaan mat kar, khud banana seekhlo. Tere bhaiyon ko bol bol ke thak chuki hoon main, ab tum bhi shuru hogayi?"

(Don't trouble your Bhabhi again, learn to make it yourself. I'm tired of telling your brothers again and again, now you don't start, too.)

Priya pouted and gave her an accusing look. "Par Mumma, maine bas chocolate fridge se baahar rakhne ke liye kaha tha."

(But Mumma, I just asked her to take the chocolate out of the fridge.)

"Woh bhi khud nahi kar sakti kya?"

(You couldn't do that yourself?)

"Chachi, aaj aap bohot thake hue lag rahe hain. Shayad sar dard bhi ho raha hain. Aap Maa ke saath aaram se baith kar chai pee lijiye. Aur aap bacchon ke chinta mat kariya. Priya seekh rahi hain, aur jaldi Yuv aur Yug bhi seekh jayange."

(Chachi, you seem really tired. Maybe you have a headache building, too. Why don't you relax with Maa and drink your chai? And don't worry about the kids. Priya is learning, and soon Yuv and Yug will too.)

Holding her by the shoulders, Vaidehi gently pushed Aparna out of the kitchen. Aparna sighed dramatically. "Agar tum aisa kar sakti ho beta, toh jo chahe maang lo, mein de dungi."

(If you can do that, dear, then I will give you whatever you ask for.)

"Bhabhi, bohot accha bana hain, lekin kyun banaya aapne? Main khud karti thi, na."

(Bhabhi, it's really good, but why did you make it? I would have made it myself.)

"Gussa mat ho, par main waha se jaane ke liye bahaana dhund rahi thi." She scrunched her nose. "Party plan karna hain, toh theek hain. Par khud ki party, woh mere bas ki baat nahi hain. Aur waise bhi, baaki sab itne excited the, toh maine socha un par hi chhod dete hain." Propping her hands against the counter, Vaidehi gave Priya beatific smile. "The biggest life lesson I've learned is...delegation."

(Don't get mad, but I was looking for an escape to get out of there.)

(Planning a party, fine, no big deal. But planning my own party, that's just not my cup of tea. Anyways, everyone else is so excited, so I thought I'd just leave it up to them.)

"Agar main ek personal baat poochoon, aap bura nahi maanenge?"

(You won't take it badly if I ask you something personal?)

Laughing, Vaidehi replied, "Pooch ke dekho."

(Ask and find out.)

"Kya aap aur Bhai...matlab, kya aapki shaadi normal hain?"

(You and Bhai...I mean, do you guys have a normal marriage?)

Vaidehi crossed her arms, leaning against the countertop with a bemused look. "Tumhare dictionary mein 'normal shaadi' ka matlab kya hain?"

(What's the definition of a 'normal marriage' in your dictionary?)

"I mean...I just..." Priya sighed, her shoulders slumping in sync. "I mean, you guys don't act like Mumma and Papa, aur Tayi and Tau. Not that you're supposed to. I guess I just consider them the standard for arranged marriage. Nor do you behave like the couples in my romance novels, even the convenient marriage ones."

"Well, baccha, what couples show on the outside is often not the same as what actually goes on between them. Just because your Bhai and I don't behave like your parents, or like characters in a book, it doesn't mean our marriage isn't normal or successful."

Giving her an intense stare, Vaidehi stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on Priya's shoulder. "If there's something on your mind that you'd like to share, then I'm always here to listen without judgement, and give my advice if you want it."

"See, the thing is, most of my friends are obsessed about boys and relationships, and a lot of them are dating. I haven't been interested in anyone yet, but I don't mind because I have my novels for company. It's just that, I'm afraid that I'll confuse fiction with reality and start dreaming about something that's not possible. I'm open to arranged marriage, or finding someone on my own. Whatever's supposed to happen will happen. But, I do want to be loved, and I want to love in return. I'm afraid that my idea of love will be unrealistic, because a 200-page novel can't really describe everything between a married couple. And with Mumma and Papa- well, I'll always see them as my parents first. They're also a different generation. But you're from this generation, you had an arranged marriage, and you're of the most practical, no-nonsense people I know. How do you find balance? How do you make it work?"

"Priya, sweetheart, You're barely 17 years old. But it tells me a lot that you're already thinking so much about what will be the most important relationship of your life. I can't leak the answer sheet to this exam, because you and your partner will have to figure out the answers on your own. All I'll say is this, God or the universe or whatever is out there, gives people the challenges they can overcome, and the blessings they deserve. I am sure that a beautiful, intelligent, mature-beyond-her-years, darling girl such as you will be blessed with a husband who will cherish you, and a love to last a lifetime. But, love is a choice, Priya. Remember, you must choose love for it to stay with you."

Priya hopped off the counter, giving her Bhabhi a bear hug. "Ok Bhabhi, enough serious talk. Come, let's go find Akshu didi and we can decide what you'll wear at the party." Vaidehi rolled her eyes heavenward in supplication. She was hoping she could escape with her sudoku book, but unfortunately, it seemed like fashion always comes first.