Anurāgaḥ

Chapter 8

~ Sorry for the long wait my loves, enjoy the chapter :) ~

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~ Subha ~

Realisation hit me.

Blood.

It was blood. 

Arjun, along with everyone else, stood completely still for a few seconds. No one knew how to respond to this situation. 

Pranavi was the first to move, "Annaya!" she screeched, running towards him, "What's all of this annaya? Are you okay? What happened?" She continued bombarding him with questions, holding onto his hands and checking that he was okay. 

Arjun wrapped an arm around her to calm her down a bit, but his attention was not on her, I don't even think he was listening to her. 

His whole focus was on me. His eyes bore into mine, I could see what he was doing. His chocolate brown eyes were speaking the words he was not saying out loud, he was letting me know he was alright. 

That's when I broke down. I fell straight to the floor with relief. Those few moments of not knowing where he was or what happened were pure torture and I don't ever want to go through something like that again in my life. 

Warm and familiar arms wrapped around me while his musky, bergamot scent engulfed me into a wrap of comfort and safety. I didn't even realise I was crying until his rough, worked fingers swept my cheeks collecting the water shed from my eyes. I turned my head into the nook between his shoulder and neck, seeking comfort and calming my heart. 

"Its okay bangaram, I'm here, nothing happened, okay? I'm alright," his silky voice floated effortlessly through my ears. 

I looked up at him. I wanted to say so many things like how I'm elated that he's back, and that I don't ever want to let go of him again, and that I'm pissed at the whole situation. So many things I wanted to let him know but I just couldn't get it out, but he gets it though. Arjun slightly nods his head, "I know my love, I know."

God, I could kiss him right now and then. I probably would've as well if it wasn't for the pandit interrupting us, "Muhurtham ki time ayyipovasthundi amma, thvaraga randi, abbayni ikada kurchomanandi, ammayni emo itu kurchomanandi"

(The auspicious time is almost running out, come fast, get the boy to sit here and the girl to sit there) 

I finally noticed my surroundings. The looks of family and friends were strikingly similar to mine, they also had many questions, but that all comes later. Arjun came back and I'm not about to let him go anytime soon, after the scare I just experienced, I'm determined to make our bond stronger, quicker. I got up quickly, pulling Arjun with me and settled into the seat the pandit wanted me to sit in. 

After some mantras and wishes, plus some blessings from both sides of the family, the nischitartham was done. 

I turned to Arjun, he was already looking at me with a smile on his face, he reached out to hold my hand and I gave it to him. We are in this together, whatever happened today, I would deal with it, with him, together, every step of the way. 

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~ time skip ~

After a while all guests left, leaving only Arjun's family and mine. Amma, Athamma and Pranavi were in the kitchen making tea and snacks for the evening, while Keerthi akka and Pooja Vadina were in my room helping me remove all my heavy jewellery and saree. I changed into a more lightweight comfortable pale yellow saree, trading in my heavy jhumkas for tiny gold ones that Arjun had gifted me. 

The three of us walked down the stairs after I finished dressing and took our seats next to the rest of our family the exact time Athamma walked out with the tea tray, while Amma and Pranavi were trailing behind her with snack in their hands. 

The atmosphere was clouded and no one wanted to address the obvious elephant in the room, but it had to be done by someone. Just when I was about to speak out and talk about whatever happened this morning, mavayya cleared his throat,

"What in the hell was that today Arjun?" 

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Hey my loves, I know its a very short update especially for the time I've been away, but please be patient with me guys, I currently have exams going on. This chapter is not one of best, but it was more to give you guys a little bit of a refresher and to let you guys know that I''m still alive lmao. The cliffhanger and Arjun's pov will be explained in the next chapter so please stay tuned. Until then stay safe and healthy, I love you guys. 

And as usual, thank you for reading :))