𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝑨𝒓𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒆

•𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹-52•

QOTD

⦾Which book cover made you read the book only to find out you actually hate it?

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याद आती है तो ज़रा खो जाते हैं,
आँसू आँखों मे उतार आए तो रो जाते हैं,
नींद तो आती नही आँखो में,
लेकिन ख्वाब में आप आओगे, सोचकर सो जाते हैं।

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Author's POV

Aviraj received the text and stated that he would get ready and head to the temple. He arrived and saw Khushi performing the Pooja alone. As he got there, he noticed her struggling with the duppata and Aarti. He held the Aarti for her, and as she looked at him, he stated,

"Don't look at me like that; I am not here for you but for myself." She keeps looking at him, knowing he lied because she directed Adarsh to send the text to Aviraj. She wants him to be here with her and their entire family, but he will never come on his own accord. She continues to look at him, and he rolls his eyes. He commented:

"I know, I am handsome, but pay attention to the god; we don't want him to get upset because your sole focus is on me, do we?" Khushi rolled her eyes and smiled as she focused solely on the front. After all, Pooja and Aviraj were talking with Purohit Ji as they walked around and discussed the upcoming ceremony. As they came to a halt, Aviraj's gaze fell on Khushi, who was sitting with Ayaan and conversing. Purohit Ji put his hand on Aviraj's shoulder, and, seeing him look at Khushi, he pointed out

"I can see, Aviraj, that there is something holding you back from fully accepting her—something that prevents you from opening up to her, but you don't want to lose her either. What is it, son?" Aviraj looked at him before turning to Khushi and saying,

"There is nothing hidden from you, Purohit ji. You are more familiar with my past and the actions of my parents than I am. You know, my father cheated on my mother; he never accepted her as his wife; he always gave other women the place that my mother deserved. I am his son, after all, and this entire family is full of cheaters. What if, after taking the steps forward with her, the love I have for her vanishes? What if she has to deal with the same issues that my mother and other women in my family do?" Purohit Ji smiled at him and said,

"You don't have the right to decide that, son; let her decide that. You think you're Anshveer 's son, but you forget you're Anasuya 's son as well; she raised you with high morels and her love, and most importantly, Aviraj, the lotus flower grows in the mud, but the mud doesn't make it dirty; rather, it helps it become good and beautiful. As with you, everything around you helps you grow wiser and wiser; accept her, let her mingle with your heart, and assist you with this arcane tale of the past about Rathore, who is hidden behind the mask of goodness." Aviraj keeps his gaze fixed on the khushi and notices her hugging his brother, which is the loveliest thing about her,: she loves and respects his family more than he does.

After everyone left, Khushi began making her way towards the main door after closing it, but she sensed someone following her. Before she could call anyone or see who he was, he placed a cloth over her nose, and she lost consciousness.

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Khushi woke up in an unfamiliar room. She sat on the bed, wearing the same saree and no jewelry other than the nuptial chain. The room was cozy, small, and pleasant. She is confident that no one kidnapped her because no kidnapper would leave her on a bed to get some beauty sleep. She made her way downstairs, giggling at her thought, to find the house empty. She looked everywhere, but no one was present. The lights were also off. She went outside and began to wander around curiously because there was no house nearby.