Second Wife, Second Love.

5. Decisions & Conditions.

***Ramya's POV.***

"Hey, Maa Kaali. You have always guided me on the path of light and gave me strength to fight demons in the past. But more than anything, you have been there for me whenever I had any doubt. Today, I am going to make a decision which my heart is telling me is right. But that nightmare is still haunting me. I hope whatever that was, that was just your way of telling me I had to do it to be assured my decision was right. With that, I thank you for everything." I say and bow down to Maa Kaali murti.

I have been a firm believer in her ever since I was little and my Mum used to tell me stories of her immense strength. I used to be in awe whenever I used to hear how she defeated so many demons. Kids of my age often used to be scared in the temple, but I used to sit by her while Mum used to do laps around the temple. Because I used to find peace near her. I used to find safety near her.

"Ramya?" A voice says and I turn to see Kavya Aunty.

"Hi, Aunty." I say and maybe too loudly that people stare at me, "Jai Maa Kaali."

"Jai Maa Kaali." Everyone around me says.

Aunty is giggling, shaking her head as I come near her and I say, "Sorry. I got a little excited to see you."

"That's okay. Do you come here often?" She asks.

"No. I have come here every Sunday ever since I moved here." I say.

"Oh! So you are a worshiper of hers. Good." She says and pats my arm.

"How come you are here?" I ask.

"I took an oath that if everything goes well with the court case, I will visit every temple in the city and do pooja. This is the last, but not the least." She says.

"Oh! That is good. You saved the best for the last." I say, and we chuckle.

"Mom, are you done?" I turn to see Reyansh coming with a bag in hand.

"Almost, son. But look who I found." She says, and he looks at me.

"Ramya." He says. I can show more enthusiasm than him when meeting a cactus.

"Reyansh. It has been a while." I say.

"Yes. Now that I think about it, you haven't been to our house for a month. Veer has been missing his fun aunt a lot." Aunty says.

"I am sorry. It is just that I was busy with other stuff and didn't get time." I say.

"That's okay. But you have to come home for Holika Dahan." She says.

"Sure. But I won't be able to come the next day as I have to go with Mum to Verma's Holi party." I say.

"So do we." She says.

"Oh, that's great." I say.

"Mom, we are getting late. You even have to go shopping with Mayra." Reyansh says.

"I know. Just let me complete my pooja. Five more minutes. Okay." She says and leaves.

"So, what's going on?" I ask him.

"Nothing." He says.

"You didn't contact me. Did you not miss me?" I ask and bump my shoulder against his arm. He is like a tower in front of me.

"No. It was a very peaceful month. As neither you nor my ex-wife disturbed me. So it helped me a lot to focus, and I finally got an appointment with an investor who I actually want to be involved in my startup." He says.

"That's great." I say.

"So, what kept you busy for a month?" He asks.

"My Mum's boyfriend." I say.