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

Shot 39

Third person's pov!

"I need to talk to Vaiga for a moment..."

Chaahat and Drishti exchanged a glance before getting up and leaving the room, giving Abhay and Vaiga the privacy they needed to talk.

Vaiga's heart raced as she watched them leave, her gaze then shifting to Abhay, who stood awkwardly near the door. The tension in the room was almost palpable.

Abhay moved slowly, settling into the small one-
seater couch across from the bed where Vaiga sat with her back against the headboard, her knees pulled up against her chest.

They sat in tense silence for several moments, the weight of their circumstances hanging heavily between them.

Abhay finally broke the silence, his voice low and filled with regret.

"Vaiga, I am really sorry for everything you have had to go through. None of this should have happened to you."

Vaiga remained silent, listening to him.

"It was a trap for me. And because of me, you fell prey to this." Abhay said apologetically.

Vaiga looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of pain and uncertainty.

"It's not your fault, Dev ji. We were both caught in a trap. But... it's all so overwhelming." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his expression sombre.

"I know. It's overwhelming for me too. I never wanted any of this to happen. But now, we have to deal with the consequences, Vaiga." Abhay said softly.

Vaiga hugged her knees tighter, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions.

"Everyone keeps saying we should make this marriage real. But how can we? To be honest, I am not ready for another relationship. Especially after what happened with Shiva. I don't think I will ever be.." Vaiga said softly, her heart still aching at the heartbreak she had gone through when Shiva mistrusted her.

Abhay leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and took a deep breath.

"Vaiga, my parents told me a bit about what happened in your life. About how your ex-mother-in-law framed you, making it look like you cheated on Shiva. I am so sorry you had to go through that."

Vaiga looked at him, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn't expected him to know such intimate details of her past. Her eyes filled up as memories of that day flashed in her head once again.

"It was a nightmare," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But it's over now. I don't want to relive it."

Abhay nodded sympathetically.

"I understand. But there's more you need to know, Vaiga. Durga Devi has photographs of you from that day when you were unconscious. She used those pictures to blackmail your father from proving your innocence to Shiva." Abhay said gently and Vaiga's eyes widened further, her body tensing.

"Photos? She took photos too?" Vaiga asked, her voice breaking with pain.

Abhay cursed himself internally for blurting out such a sensitive detail without thinking of her reaction. He quickly moved to her side, taking her hand in his.

"I am so sorry, Vaiga. I didn't mean to upset you."

Vaiga began trembling, her tears flowing freely now. Abhay squeezed her hand tighter, trying to offer some comfort.

"Appa never told me about this," she said, her voice barely audible through her sobs.

Abhay's heart ached for her. He wanted nothing more than to make Durga Devi pay for what she had done.

"Raghu uncle once mentioned to Papa that he is worried she might expose the photos. People are already blaming them for abandoning you and marrying another girl. If it gets out that we are not really married, and if Durga Devi finds out about this, she could use the pictures to ruin your reputation. That's the main worry of our parents." Abhay said softly.

Vaiga felt like the ground was slipping from beneath her feet. She couldn't handle all this. The weight of it all was too much, and she broke down into loud sobs. Abhay felt utterly helpless, watching her in such pain.

He tried to find the right words, something that might offer her some solace.

"Vaiga, I am not ready for a new relationship either. I don't think I am even cut out for marriage. But I am willing to do this at my parents' behest to protect your reputation. And I am not being entirely generous here. I have my selfish reasons too." Abhay said and Vaiga looked at him through her tears, confusion etched on her face.

"Selfish reasons?" She asked and Abhay nodded.

"I had a problem with you because Kriti was getting too attached to you. I was worried about what would happen when you left, how it would affect her. But if we make this marriage real, my daughter gets a mother who loves her dearly. I am not able to love her the way I should. I really want to, but I am not able to. I am getting help now. I am attending counselling sessions and I really hope it works. But I am not a hundred percent sure. But if my daughter has at least a mother in her life..." He trailed off, his words hanging in the air.

Vaiga's heart pounded as she processed what he was saying.

"Kriti's mother..." she repeated, the words echoing in her mind.

"If we make this marriage real, I will try to be at least a moderately acceptable companion, Vaiga. I can't promise you love because I am scared of that word. It makes me feel claustrophobic." Abhay took a deep breath and continued.

Vaiga looked at him, confused by his admission. Abhay shook his head, pushing away the memories that threatened to overwhelm him.

"We have both been through the rough patches of marriage and love once, Vaiga. Now we enter this with zero expectations, with only Kriti in between us. Whatever you decide, I am okay with it." Abhay added.

Vaiga's mind whirled with thoughts. The idea of being Kriti's mother filled her with a sense of purpose, a role she felt she could fulfil.

"I can be Kriti's mother?" She asked, seeking reassurance.

Abhay nodded, his expression softening.

"She doesn't have a dad now. At least she could have a mom," he said with a sad smile.

Vaiga's heart ached for the little girl sleeping beside her. She had grown so attached to Kriti, and the thought of leaving her was unbearable.

"I want to be there for her," Vaiga said, her voice steadier now.

"I am willing to try. For Kriti.." Vaiga said softly, her hand secure in Abhay's hold.

As they sat there, a tentative sense of understanding began to form between them. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a start. And for now, that was enough.

A/n

Here goes the next shot..

What do you guys think about Abhay? Don't think he had a change overnight! He is actually good at heart, but he is angry at life because of what all happened in his life. And when he came to know about Vaiga's past, he felt sympathetic too..

Please do vote and comment...

Love,
SF❤️