PUNARVIVAAH - ARRANGED TO LOVE (L&M #3) [COMPLETED]

SHOT 17

Vaiga's pov!

The sun beat down relentlessly on the bustling streets of Bangalore, casting harsh shadows against the buildings as Dev ji navigated through the chaotic traffic. Inside the car, the air was thick with tension, palpable enough to cut through with a knife.

Dev ji gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched in frustration as he manoeuvred through the crowded streets.

It was evident from his stance that he was annoyed at his parents for insisting that he accompany me to complete my exam formalities.

I felt like a burden on him and he was making it very clear through his attitude.

I felt my eyes welling up. Why do I have such a fate? I should have just said no when Niranjan uncle spoke about writing the exams.

Can I even write the exam properly? Will I be able to study in the emotional condition I am in?

I sat silently in the passenger seat, my eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure of what to say or do to ease the growing tension.

"Can you sit still? Stop fidgeting, for god's sake. It is so annoying." Dev ji snapped at me and I stilled. I felt the speed increasing and it scared me. He was driving at a high speed.

"Can you please go slow? I am scared." I said softly and heard him mumbling something under his breath, but he did reduce the speed.

When we finally reached the college, Dev ji wasted no time in finding his old schoolmate who now worked as a lecturer there. That's what Anjana Maa said.

The peon directed us towards a department staff room and Dev ji walked in and I followed closely behind with the file tightly held in my arms.

"Hey Arvind, long time no see!" Dev ji greeted the other man with a forced cheerfulness, probably hoping to mask his annoyance with me.

Arvind ji glanced up from his paperwork, a smile spreading across his face as he recognized Abhay.

"Abhay! It's been ages. What brings you here?"

"Yesterday, I asked you about the formalities for writing exams, didn't I? This is Vaiga. We are here to sort out some college formalities for her exams." Dev ji gestured towards me standing behind him.

Arvind ji nodded understandingly, turning his attention to me.

"Nice to meet you, Vaiga. I will help you with whatever you need." Arvind ji said with a smile and I nodded with a polite smile.

"Give me the file. Let me go through them once." Arvind ji said and I handed over the file to him.

"Who is she to you, Abhay?" Arvind ji asked, looking through the file and Dev ji shot a look at me.

"She is Papa's friend's daughter." Dev ji said, but his tone screamed 'she is a nobody.'

"Hmm, your reports are all impressive, Vaiga. University topper for three semesters. Why did you miss out on last semester?" Arvind ji asked and I didn't know what to say. How can I say that I missed out on the last semester exams because I was going through divorce.

Shiva's face flashed in front of my eyes and my heart ached as painful memories caught up with me once again.

"Hmm?" Arvind ji looked up at me and I looked at Dev ji for help and he shot an annoyed look at me.

"Some personal reasons, Arvind. I am not aware of it either. I didn't probe through, as it wasn't any of my business." Dev ji said.

I felt like running away. I don't like being a burden on anybody and Dev ji was making it absolutely clear that I was being a burden on him.

With Arvind ji's help, we navigated through the process of applying for my exams, Dev ji took charge and made all the necessary payments with his credit card.

As Dev ji swiped his card to make the payment, I hesitated, my fingers twitching with the desire to offer my own contribution.

"Um, Dev ji, I can pay for this. You don't have to..." I whispered softly and he frowned at me.

"Who the hell is Dev ji?" He asked and then shrugged it off and ignored me again.

I didn't feel good about it because he paid for my exams. He is no one to me and how can I make a stranger pay for me? It didn't feel right. After reaching home, I will ask Anjana Maa for Dev ji's contact number and I will google pay him the amount he paid now.

I bit my lip, feeling like an outsider in my own journey as Dev ji took charge. With every move of his, it was evident that he just wanted to get this all over with and get rid of me finally.

And that's what I want too. I feel suffocated in his presence. Everyone in the Agnihotri family had been very welcoming to me and I was quite happy these days. Never once did I think that I was not welcome there. The truth was, I didn't think about anything past Kriti. Her smiles, her giggles, her cries all consumed my days and nights.

And Dev ji had ignored me all these days. I didn't think it was because I was not welcome there, because he didn't talk much with anybody in the home.

But now, I know better.

I am not welcome here.

Once the formalities were done, we headed back to the car, the tension between us thickening with each step.

But before we could even make it out of the college premises, chaos erupted on the streets outside. Some political riot broke out unexpectedly, sending the crowd into a frenzy and forcing us to take a detour through a deserted pocket road.

As we drove along the desolate road, the car rattled ominously, the engine emitting a series of unsettling noises before finally sputtering to a halt.

Dev ji cursed under his breath, his frustration reaching its peak as he slammed his hands against the steering wheel.

"Great, just great!" Dev ji exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he shot a glare at the dashboard. "This is all we need right now."

A/N

Hey guys! Couldn't update yesterday because of Eid..

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Love,

SF❤️