As Siya trailed behind Raghav's mother, curiosity danced in her eyes, her steps echoing the rhythm of her racing heart. "Where are you taking me, Maa?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
With a gentle smile, Raghav's mother replied, "I want you to meet someone."
"Meet someone? Who is it?" Siya inquired, her steps quickening to keep up with Raghav's mother.
Stopping suddenly, Raghav's mother turned to face Siya, her eyes filled with warmth. "It's someone special," she said, her voice soft with a gentle smile playing on her lips as she uttered the words.
Siya froze in her tracks, her mind racing with possibilities. "Special? Who?" she implored, her voice barely a whisper as anticipation tingled in every nerve.
"There she is," With a subtle gesture, Raghav's mother directed Siya's attention forward, where a figure stood, bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
Siya's breath caught in her throat as she beheld the unexpected sight before her.
"M-Maa..." she stammered, her voice trembling with emotion, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
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Turning slowly, the figure revealed itself, and Siya's heart skipped a beat. It was none other than her own mother, standing there. In that moment, the world seemed to stand still as mother and daughter locked eyes, emotions swirling between them like a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.
"Come," Raghav's mother spoke softly, her voice breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air.
She gently took Siya's hand and led her towards her own mother, Siya's mother, Mrs. Rupal, stood there in stunned silence. Her eyes widened at the sight of Siya, dressed up like a newlywed bride, her heart heavy with a mixture of emotions.
"Mrs. Rupal!" Raghav's mother began, her tone gentle and measured, "I hope now you understand why I called you here. I know the marriage happened in a hurry, but it was their choice. We should forget the past. However, Mrs. Rupal, it would have been nice if you had attended the wedding party. Regardless, it's alright."
The words hung in the air, mingling with the tension that crackled between the two mothers. Raghav's mother continued, her voice filled with grace, "I have arranged Lord Satyanarayan's Veneration in my house to celebrate their wedding. You must attend with the whole family."
As Raghav's mother spoke, Siya's mother's eyes remained fixed on her daughter, her heart aching with a myriad of unspoken thoughts and feelings. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't respond, prompting Raghav's mother to call her name again.
"Mrs. Rupal? Mrs. Rupal..." Raghav's mother's voice held a note of concern, trying to break through the silence that enveloped them.
Mrs. Rupal finally tore her gaze from Siya and met Raghav's mother's eyes, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and pain. "I have never seen such a selfish woman like you," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
