"I should have helped you. In my house, the women... we usually start at seven."

Nirmala set her magazine down and looked at Isha intently.

"Isha, beta, listen to me. This isn't a competition to see who can be the most tired. You are a Senior Architect. You have a brain that builds cities. Why would I want you to waste that energy standing over a stove just to prove you're a good daughter-in-law?"

She reached over and patted Isha's hand.

"We didn't bring you here to be a servant. We brought you here to be a daughter. And daughters in this house are allowed to sleep in."

Just then, Shiv walked in, looking extremely handsome in a linen shirt, a tablet in one hand and a mug in the other. He stopped when he saw Isha.

"Morning."

He said, his voice warm. 

"I was just about to bring a cup up to you. I figured you'd want some."

He walked over and placed a fresh, steaming mug of coffee in front of her, the exact way she liked it, with just a hint of cream.

"Maa, did you frighten her?"

Shiv teased, leaning against the counter.

"Bohot ghabraayi hui lag rahi hai, meri biwi."

(My wife looks so scared.)

"She's just shocked that I'm not asking her to fry pakoras at ten in the morning."

Nirmala chuckled. Shiv looked at Isha, his gaze softening.

"I meant what I said last night, Isha. There are no performance reviews here. If you want to spend the whole day in your corner drawing, do it. If you want to go to the office, go. Tumhare upar koi pabaandi nahi hai."

(There is no restriction on you.)

Isha took a sip of the coffee. It was perfect. For the first time, she didn't feel like she was eating the salt of the house that her father had held over her head. She was just having breakfast.

"I think..."

Isha said, her voice finally steady.

"I'd like to go to the site for a few hours this afternoon. There's a concrete pour I need to supervise."

Shiv nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face.

"I'll drop you. I have a meeting nearby. We can grab lunch after?"

"I'd like that."

She replied. As she sat there with Shiv and Nirmala, the toxic echoes of her father's warnings felt further away than ever.

She wasn't just a bridge or a deal. She was Isha. And for the first time in her life, being Isha was enough.

Three months into the marriage, Isha stood in the center of a bustling gala hall.

She had just been awarded the Urban Visionary Award for her sustainable terminal design. Her name was etched in glass, heavy and cool in her hands.

Shiv had been the one to fix her saree pleats before they left, and Nirmala had put a small teeka behind her ear for luck.

These three months have brought the two of them closer emotionally. They shared a bed together. And talked their hearts out to each other. She has also developed a great bond with her in-laws.

They were currently at the buffet, intentionally giving her space to network, watching her from a distance with quiet pride.

Then, she saw them. Alok and Varun were making a beeline toward her.

"Arre Isha!"

Alok said, his voice loud enough to draw attention. He didn't congratulate her, he immediately looked around for Shiv.

"Shiv kaha hai? I hope you thanked him in your speech. Without the Bhatnagar name behind you, I doubt they would have even looked at your file, let alone present this award."

(Where is Shiv?)

Isha felt the old, familiar shrink in her posture.

"Papa, the presenters are international. They don't care about-"

"Don't be naive."

Varun interrupted, sipping his drink.

"Shiv probably pulled some strings. By the way, why are you even here? Maa was calling you all morning. She wanted to know why you haven't sent the list of relatives for the Diwali gifting yet. Shaadi ke baad bhi wahi laparwahi?"

(You are careless even after marriage?)

"I was at the final presentation for the Award, Varun."

Isha said, her voice tighter.

"I told Maa I'd handle it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Alok's eyes narrowed.

"You are a Bhatnagar bahu now. Your first priority is their reputation and their household. Shiv is a busy man, he shouldn't have to deal with a wife who is obsessed with site visits and awards. Ghar sambhaalo, Isha, warna wo thak jayega tumse."

(Handle your house, Isha, or he will get tired of you.)

Isha opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could speak, a hand settled firmly but gently on the small of her back.

Shiv had appeared, and his presence felt like a sudden drop in temperature.

"Actually, Mr. Mehra."

Shiv said, his tone polite but his eyes stern.

"I'm already tired."

Alok smirked, looking at Isha.

"See? I told you."

"I'm tired of people pretending that Isha's brilliance is a result of my strings."

Shiv continued, stepping slightly in front of her.

"I had nothing to do with this award. The only thing I do is stay out of her way so she can change the world. And as for the Diwali list? My mother and I have already handled it. Isha was busy being the best architect in the country. Humein koi shikayat nahi hai."

(We have no complaints.)

Varun let out a forced laugh.

"Shiv, you're being too lenient. Auraton ko sar pe nahi chadhana chahiye. She'll stop listening to you eventually."

(You should not give leverage to women.)

Shiv looked Varun up and down, a look of genuine pity on his face.

"If the only way you can get a woman to listen to you is by suppressing her, Varun, then you aren't a man. You're just a bully."

Alok's face turned a deep shade of red.