Today, Maithili had prepared a puja at home, blending her traditional values with her modern outlook.

“Mom, why do we need to do puja?” Hriday asked as he came out wearing a yellow kurta that his mother had specially chosen for him.

“Come, wear this chain,” Maithili said, gently putting a gold chain with a small Ganesh ji murti around his neck.

“Mom, what is this?” he asked, confused.

“Quiet, Hriday,” she smiled softly.

Hriday stood quietly when his father entered, also dressed in a white kurta chosen by Maithili.

“Are you ready?” Shikar asked.

Maithili wore a white Jamdani saree with a red border.

“Yes, Dad. Let’s go,” Hriday replied.

They left the room together.

“Where is Pandit ji?” Maithili asked a servant.

“He’ll be here soon,” the servant replied.

“Call him right now! The time for puja is near.”

Hriday walked up behind his mother and hugged her.

“My sweet Mom, stop worrying so much. You go call him and tell him to come quickly.”

The servant hurried away.

“Maithili, stop stressing!” Shikar said, coming over.

“I’m not stressing, just a little worried.”

“Hriday, take your mom downstairs. I’ll handle this.”

Shikar called the pandit personally.

“Bring juice for Mom,” Hriday told a maid.

“I’m fasting,” Maithili replied firmly.

“That’s not fair, Mom. You don’t need to fast for the puja. I know you can’t stay without drinking.”

“Hriday!”

“Mom!!”

“Okay, fine. No juice. Tell her to bring water only. I’ll break my fast after puja,” she finally relented.

“Bring water for Mom,” Hriday ordered, and the maid walked toward the kitchen.

“I’ll tell Dad, then you’ll understand. You never listen to me, Mom.”

“Hriday beta...” Maithili pleaded softly, but Hriday was determined.

Hours later, Hriday heard a familiar voice.

“Here’s the water, Madam.”

He looked up and saw Gauri, wearing a yellow saree that matched his kurta perfectly.

“Thanks,” Maithili said, taking the glass.

“Mom, drink it,” Hriday urged, and she sipped the water.

“I didn’t know you also work here. Are you new?” Maithili asked curiously.

“Madam, I’ve been working here for two weeks,” Gauri replied.

“Oh, I’ve never seen you before.” Maithili handed back the glass.

“I’m the cook, Sir appointed me.”

She glanced at Hriday, who silently told his mother he’d explain later.

Gauri went inside, noticing Hriday’s reaction.

“What, Hriday? Isn’t she the cook you praised a few days ago?” Maithili asked.

“Yes, Mom.”

“But what’s her name?”

“She is Gauri Po—”

“Maithili, Pandit ji has arrived!” Shikar interrupted.

“Gauri, go bring the flower basket,” Maithili instructed.

Gauri tried to lift the heavy basket.

“Let me help you,” a voice offered from behind.

She turned to see Hriday.

Stepping aside, she let him lift the large basket.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“No need to thank me. This is my home, and the puja is for my family’s well-being. I can do this.”

“Aur apne kaam karne mein kaise thank you,” he smiled.

( “Why thank you when doing one’s own work?”)

Hriday walked forward and handed the basket to the pandit.

“Hriday, come sit for the puja. Where did you go?” Maithili called.

Hriday sat beside his parents.

“Mom, I went to bring the flowers. Why did you ask Gauri to bring the heavy basket? You should have told a male servant.”

“Is that so, Hriday? I’ve been busy since morning and forgot. You did well to help her,”

Maithili said innocently.

“It’s okay, Mom. Just don’t overwork yourself. I know you get headaches after all this.”

The puja began. All the maids and servants sat quietly, as per Maithili’s strict instructions.

The ritual was for the prosperity of the house—and everyone living in it.

Gauri sat beside Hriday. As he watched, he saw her close her eyes in prayer.

God, am I falling for my own cook? he wondered.

Gauri heard the thought and opened her eyes to find Hriday looking at her.

“What, Sir?” she asked, confused.

“Nothing. Focus on the puja. Don’t talk during it,” Hriday said, closing his eyes again.

Gauri shut her eyes once more, but Hriday sneaked another glance at her beautiful face.