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

SHOT 43

Vaiga's pov!

"Vaiga, you look tired. Why don't you freshen up and come." Anjana Maa said, caressing my cheeks and I let out a sigh of relief.

It was starting to get too suffocating in the midst of all the celebrations. Drishti and Siddhu had insisted on us playing games too. Reluctantly we did, for the happiness of everyone, but there is a limit to everything and I almost reached the threshold of it. If I hold it in me anymore, I might burst out crying.

I just wanted to be alone now. Away from the crowd. Away from all the smiling faces.

"Okay, Anjana Maa.." I said with a grateful smile.

"Call me Maa. Why do you have to elaborate and call me Anjana Maa. Now I am officially your Maa.. A legal binding relation we have, Vaiga.." Anjana Maa said and my eyes filled with tears.

Durga Devi's hateful eyes flashed in front of my eyes at that moment and I closed my eyes tightly to unsee that. The welcome I received from her after my marriage with Shiva was the beginning of my hellish life.

I opened my eyes, feeling Anjana Maa wiping the tears that rolled down my cheeks. That's when I realised I was crying.

"That's enough, Vaiga. You have cried enough for a lifetime. No more.." Anjana Maa said cupping my face.

"No more, Maa.." I smiled through my tears as I wrapped my arms around her.

Through this marriage, I became a mother and I got a mother for myself. I felt as if I am the luckiest person alive on the earth at the moment.

"Since she got promoted from Anjana Maa to Maa, I think it's time for me to get promoted from uncle to Papa.." Niranjan uncle said jokingly and I smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes, Papa." I said softly and he beamed at me.

"Drishti, Chaahat, please take Vaiga to her room and help her with her ornaments and hair. She needs some rest," Maa instructed.

Drishti and Chaahat nodded, and with a gentle nudge, they guided me towards the bedroom. As we walked, Drishti started teasing me.

"So, Mrs. Vaiga Abhay Dev Agnihotri, how does it feel to be a married woman again?" She asked with a mischievous grin.

"Drishti, stop it. Vaiga must be exhausted," Chaahat scolded softly, clearly understanding my predicament. She is very mature, compared to Drishti's childish easy going nature. Sometimes, looking at Drishti, I feel envious. I sighed and shook my head to dispel such thoughts. She is a lucky woman and, touchwood, it remains the same.

"Let's quickly help Vaiga, so that she can freshen up and rest." Chaahat said and Drishti pouted but didn't push further.

They helped me to the bedroom and began removing my heavy ornaments.

"This necklace is so beautiful, but it looks so heavy. Let's get it off you," Drishti said, unfastening the clasp.

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling the weight lift off my neck. Anjana Maa had gifted me this heavy choker set in the morning, saying this was her first gift for her new daughter.

Chaahat helped with my earrings and bangles, her hands gentle and quick. She seemed to sense my need for solitude and hurried Drishti along. I was really grateful for that.

"Come on, Drishti, let's give Vaiga some time to herself. She needs rest," Chaahat urged, and I shot a grateful smile at her. She in turn blinked her eyes, letting me know that she understood how I felt.

"Rest well, Vaiga. We will see you later." Drishti nodded, giving me a quick hug.

"Thank you, both of you," I said, appreciating their help.

Once they left, I quickly locked the door and leaned against it. The tears I had been holding since the morning rolled down my cheeks without inhibition. It was all so overwhelming. Life is so unpredictable and I have no idea where my life is taking me now.

I took the mangalsutra in my hands and stared at it, not knowing what to feel about it. A second marriage had never been in my thoughts. Shiva's face flashed in front of my eyes, and I felt the aching pain in my heart again.

How could Shiva do this to me?

I had thought I would live the rest of my life, wallowing in self-pity with a broken heart. But with a twist of fate, I am now a wife again. A daughter-in-law again. And above all that, I am a mother now. Mother to cute little Kriti.

When that thought came to my mind, I smiled through my tears.

"Kriti's Mama," I whispered to myself and chuckled through my tears.

I walked to the mirror and looked at my reflection. There was mangalsutra around my neck and sindoor adorning my hairline.

My eyes were red from crying, but there was a spark of something new— hope, perhaps, or a sense of purpose.

Kriti's face, with her mischievous smile, floated before my eyes, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest.

"Kriti's Mama," I repeated, this time with more conviction. I knew that no matter how uncertain the future was, I had a reason to move forward. For Kriti, for the family that had accepted me, and for myself.

I took a deep breath, wiped my tears, and began to remove the rest of my jewellery and the feather light Kancheepuram saree.

As I freshened up, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The day had been overwhelming, but I knew that with time, I would find my place in this new life.

When I finally lay down to rest, I felt a strange mix of emotions— grief for the past, anxiety for the future, but also a budding hope.

And with that hope, I closed my eyes, ready to face whatever came next.

A/N

Here goes the next chapter..

This book is kinda slow burn! Most of you must have already figured it out, I guess.. Please let me know if you are finding it lagging or boring. I will try to increase the pace..

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Love,

SF❤️