"Tu nazm nazm sa mere
Honthon pe theher ja
main khwaab khwaab sa teri
aankhon mein jaagun re"
~Nazm Nazm - Arko Pravo Mukherjee
~Five Days Later~
I woke up at 3 AM knowing exactly what was wrong.
The familiar ache low in my abdomen. The slight nausea. The way my entire body felt heavy and uncomfortable.
My period.
Of course.
I'd been so caught up in the happiness of the past few days—my birthday, everything after—that I'd completely forgotten to track my cycle.
I got up carefully, trying not to wake Aadyant, and made my way to the bathroom. Confirmed what I already knew, then stood there for a moment, trying to remember where I'd put my supplies when I'd moved in.
Guest bathroom. Under the sink.
I found what I needed, took care of things, and was about to go back to bed when a wave of cramps hit hard enough to make me gasp and brace myself against the counter.
"Fuck," I whispered.
"Kashvi?"
I turned to find Aadyant in the doorway, hair messy from sleep, looking concerned.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you."
"You okay?" He was more alert now, taking in my posture, the way I was holding my stomach.
"Yeah. Just—" Another cramp. I winced. "My period started."
"Oh." He was quiet for a second. "Bad cramps?"
"They're always bad the first day."
"What do you need?"
"Nothing. I'm fine. Go back to sleep—"
"Kashvi." He gave me that look. The one that said we're past you pretending you don't need things. "What do you need?"
"Heating pad. Painkillers. Maybe some water." I paused. "And I'm sorry, I know it's 3 AM—"
"Stop apologizing. Come on."
He guided me back to his room—our room, really, since I'd been sleeping there more than my own—and got me settled in bed with pillows propped behind me.
"I'll be right back."
He returned five minutes later with a heating pad, ibuprofen, a glass of water, and—surprisingly—a bar of dark chocolate.
"How did you know about the chocolate?" I asked, taking the painkillers.
"Aadya. She said you told her once that dark chocolate helps." He plugged in the heating pad and placed it carefully on my lower abdomen. "Is this okay? Not too hot?"
"It's perfect." I looked at him—at this person who'd woken up at 3 AM and immediately went into caretaker mode without hesitation or complaint. "Thank you."
"Stop thanking me for basic care." He climbed back into bed next to me, arranging the blankets. "Try to sleep. The painkillers should kick in soon."
"I'm sorry for waking you—"
"Jaan." His voice was gentle but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong. You're in pain. I'm here. That's how this works."
I settled against him, the heating pad warm against my stomach, his presence solid beside me.
"Aadyant?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you too. Now sleep."
~
~Later that morning~
I woke up around 8 AM to find Kashvi still asleep, curled on her side with the heating pad. She looked uncomfortable even in sleep—a slight furrow between her brows, her body tense.
I carefully extracted myself from bed without waking her and went to the kitchen.
Aadya was already up, making coffee.
"Morning. You're up early."
"Kashvi's period started. Bad cramps. She finally fell back asleep around four."
"Oh no. First day?"
"Yeah."
"Those are always the worst for her." Aadya started pulling things from the fridge. "I'm making her the good breakfast. The one that helps."
"What's the good breakfast?"
"Scrambled eggs, whole grain toast, fruit. Nothing heavy, easy on her stomach. And chamomile tea, not coffee." She looked at me. "You really didn't know about period care before dating her, did you?"
"I had sisters, but you've always been weirdly private about it—"
"And now you're getting a crash course because your girlfriend actually tells you when she's in pain." Aadya smiled. "Character growth."
"Shut up." But I was smiling too. "What else should I know?"
"She gets really tired the first two days. Cramps are bad, but they're manageable with heat and painkillers. She'll probably want to just lie around and watch bad TV. Don't hover, but check in regularly. She has a tendency to suffer in silence if you let her."
"Noted."
"Also—" Aadya's phone rang. She glanced at it and grinned. "It's Mom. Want to bet she's calling about Kashvi?"
"She's definitely calling about Kashvi."
Aadya answered on video call. "Hi, Maa!"
Our mother's face appeared on screen—perfectly put together even at 7 AM Jodhpur time, which meant it was evening there.
"Beta! How are you? How's Aadyant? How's Kashvi?"
I could hear the smile in Aadya's voice. "Kashvi's great. She's actually—"
"Is she there? Can I meet her? Aadya, you've been telling me about this girl for months and I still haven't seen her!"
"Maa, it's 8 AM here. She's sleeping."
"Sleeping? Is she okay?"
"She's fine," I said, moving into frame. "Hi, Maa."
"Aadyant! Finally! Tell me about this Kashvi. Aadya says she's wonderful."
"She is wonderful."
"And you're serious about her? This is not just college dating?"
I thought about the past few months. About watching her heal. About her birthday. About the promises we'd made to each other without words.
"I'm very serious about her, Maa."
My mother's expression softened. "Good. Then when are we meeting her? Your father and I have been waiting. Even Ivaan keeps asking about 'the girl who makes Aadyant smile at his phone.'"
"You all need to stop gossiping about my relationship—"
"We're not gossiping, we're being interested!" Aadya protested. "There's a difference."
"When are you coming to visit?" my mother asked. "Bring her. We want to meet her properly."
"Actually," Aadya said, "we were thinking—what if you all came here instead? For winter break? It would be easier than dragging Kashvi to Jodhpur when she's still settling into college life."
There was a pause on the other end. I could practically hear my mother's scheming.
"All of us?" she asked carefully.
"Everyone. You, Papa, Ivaan, Dadu and Dadi, Mihir Chachu and Mahika Chachi, Rishvik and Ziva. Family trip."
"For how long?"
"Two weeks? The new year's close—we could celebrate together."
My mother's face lit up. "I'll talk to your father. But yes. Yes, we'll come. I want to meet this girl who's made my son so happy."
After we hung up, I looked at Aadya. "You really just invited the entire family without asking me first?"
"They were going to come eventually. Might as well be on our turf." She grinned. "Plus, this way Kashvi has home advantage. She'll be more comfortable here than showing up at the palace."
She had a point.
"Does Kashvi know you've been telling everyone about her?"
"She knows the family is aware of her existence. She doesn't know they're all dying to meet her." Aadya paused. "You should probably mention it. Soon. Before they show up."
"Yeah. I will."
~
~Late morning~
I woke up to the smell of food and feeling slightly more human.
The cramps were still there but duller now, manageable. The heating pad had shifted off at some point, and someone—Aadyant—had covered me with an extra blanket.
I checked my phone. 10:47 AM. Several texts from Bua checking in (I'd told her my period had started, and she always checked the first day). One from Dr. Patel reminding me about my appointment next week. And one from Aadya:
Aadya: Made you the good breakfast. It's in the microwave whenever you're up. Also—family might be visiting. Aadyant will explain. Don't panic. They're going to love you. ❤️
Family might be visiting?
I processed that for a second before the bedroom door opened quietly. Aadyant, carrying a tray.
"You're awake. Good. How are you feeling?"
"Better. Still crampy, but better." I sat up carefully. "What's this about family visiting?"
"Right. Yeah. So." He set the tray down—scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, chamomile tea. "My mom called this morning. She and my dad want to meet you. Aadya suggested they all come here for winter break."
"All?"
"Everyone. My parents, my younger brother Ivaan, my grandparents, my uncle and aunt and cousin siblings. The whole family."
My stomach dropped. "That's... a lot of people."
"I know. But I promise they're not scary. Well, Dadu can be intimidating, but he's a softie underneath." He sat on the edge of the bed. "They've been asking about you for weeks. Aadya's been telling them about you since we started dating."
"She has?"
"Constantly. Pretty sure my mom already considers you part of the family based on Aadya's reports alone."
"What has Aadya been saying?"
"That you're talented. That you make me happy. That you're kind and funny and you fit perfectly with us." He smiled. "All true things."
"What if they don't like me?"
"Impossible. You're impossible not to like."
"Aadyant—"
"Jaan." He took my hand. "They're going to love you. I promise. And if at any point it gets overwhelming, we bail. We go somewhere quiet. Whatever you need."
"When are they coming?"
"Not sure yet. Probably mid-December? For two weeks?" He watched my face carefully. "Is that okay? I know it's a lot."
I thought about it. Meeting his entire family. All at once. For two weeks.
It was terrifying.
But also... I wanted to meet them. Wanted to know the people who'd raised Aadyant and Aadya. Wanted to be part of that world.
"It's okay," I said finally. "Scary, but okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I want to meet them. I just—I hope they like me."
"They're going to love you. Eat your breakfast. Aadya made it special for you."
The rest of the day was quiet. I stayed in bed mostly, alternating between the heating pad and dozing. Aadyant worked on his laptop next to me, occasionally checking in, getting me water or snacks or more painkillers when I needed them.
Around 4 PM, I was lying with my head in his lap while he read a textbook, his free hand absently playing with my hair.
"Aadyant?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For taking care of me today. For not making it weird."
"Why would I make it weird? You're in pain. I help. That's pretty straightforward."
"Some guys get weird about periods."
"Those guys are idiots." He looked down at me. "You're my girlfriend. Your pain is my concern. End of discussion."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Jaan."
~Evening~
By evening, Kashvi was feeling well enough to sit on the couch with a blanket, her heating pad, and a movie she'd already seen three times.
Aadya joined us with her own blanket and a box of her period supplies—apparently she'd started that morning too.
"Synchronized cycles," Aadya announced, plopping down next to Kashvi. "We're officially close enough that our bodies are coordinating."
"That's scientifically questionable—"
"It's happening anyway. Kashvi, back me up."
"I'm staying out of this," Kashvi said, but she was smiling.
"You're both ganging up on me now?"
"We're sisters in suffering," Aadya said dramatically. "Cramps unite us."
I left them to their movie and went to the kitchen to start dinner. Something easy that wouldn't upset either of their stomachs—chicken soup, rice, bread.
My phone buzzed. My mother again, this time in the family group chat.
Mom: December 15th - January 2nd. Tickets are booked. We're all coming. Can't wait to meet Kashvi! ❤️
Dad: Looking forward to it.
Ivaan: FINALLY I get to meet the famous Kashvi
Dadu: We will see if she is as wonderful as Aadya claims.
Dadi: Hush, Vikram. I'm sure she's lovely.
Mihir Chachu: The kids are very excited.
Rishvik: Is she really as cool as Aadya says?
Ziva: Can she teach me to design clothes?? Please??
I screenshot the conversation and sent it to Aadya privately.
Me: They're all very excited to meet her.
Aadya: Told you. They've been rooting for you two since I first mentioned her. Now go finish dinner. Your girlfriend needs food.
I smiled and went back to cooking, thinking about December. About my entire family descending on the penthouse. About Kashvi meeting all of them at once.
It would be chaotic.
But if anyone could handle it, she could.
And if she couldn't—if it got too overwhelming—I'd be right there.
Always.
~
~That Night~
We ended up going to bed early, all three of us exhausted from the day for various reasons.
I was lying in Aadyant's bed—our bed—heating pad still on, feeling the quiet comfort of being taken care of.
"Thank you," I said into the darkness. "For today. For making it easy."
"Stop thanking me for basic decency."
"It's not basic to me. It matters."
He pulled me closer, careful of the heating pad. "Then you're welcome. Every day. Whatever you need."
"Your family is coming in December."
"Yeah."
"That's in like three weeks."
"Yep."
"I'm terrified."
"I know."
"What if they don't like me?"
"Impossible. But Jaan?" He kissed my forehead. "Even if they didn't—which they will—it wouldn't change how I feel about you. You're it for me. Family approval is nice. But it's not required for me to love you."
"Really?"
"Really. You're mine. I'm yours. That's not conditional on anything."
I settled against him, feeling safe and loved and maybe a little bit brave.
"Okay," I whispered. "Okay. I can do this."
"You can do anything. I've watched you survive and heal and become yourself again. Meeting my family? That's going to be easy compared to everything you've already done."
"I hope you're right."
"I'm always right."
I laughed softly. "That's definitely not true."
"Shhh. Let me have this."
I fell asleep in his arms, thinking about December. About meeting the people who'd raised the person I loved most.
Terrifying.
But with Aadyant beside me, maybe manageable.
Maybe even good.
~
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