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

SHOT 54

Third person's pov!

Two cars entered through the massive gates of a sprawling compound, the gold-lettered sign "Agnihotri" glinting in the sunlight.

The vehicles came to a halt in front of an imposing, ancient mansion. The house, with its regal yet weathered facade, spoke volumes of old traditions and long-standing wealth. Its architecture was reminiscent of a bygone era, with intricately carved pillars and arched windows that told tales of generations past.

Surrounding the mansion was a lush garden, filled with an abundance of trees.

Majestic mango trees stood tall, their branches heavy with ripening fruit. Guava trees dotted the landscape, their leaves rustling softly in the gentle breeze.

But the true spectacle was a colossal Gulmohar tree that commanded attention with its fiery blossoms. The fallen petals formed a vivid, red-orange carpet on the pathway, adding an ethereal beauty to the grand estate.

Vaiga stepped out of the car, her eyes wide with awe. She had only ever seen such places on television, in stories of ancient aristocracy. Now, she stood in the midst of it, feeling like she had stepped into another world.

She held baby Kriti in her arms, the little one giggling as the breeze played with her hair. Kriti's laughter echoed through the quietude of the estate, blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Vaiga's gaze travelled over the vast compound. The house, with its age-old charm, exuded a sense of timelessness. The tall, narrow windows with wooden shutters, the wide verandahs with antique chairs, and the stone steps leading to the main entrance all seemed to whisper secrets of the past. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and ripe fruits, a heady mix that made Vaiga feel both overwhelmed and enchanted.

She walked slowly, taking in every detail. The pathway of Gulmohar petals felt soft under her feet, like a royal welcome. Kriti clapped her hands in delight, her innocent joy a stark contrast to Vaiga's complex emotions.

"That's our dadi.." Laya whispered in Vaiga's ears and Vaiga looked up to see the army of people at the entrance. And in the middle, there was an old woman, wearing a long gold chain around her neck and kumkum on her forehead.

"Abhi.. my child.." The old lady welcomed Abhay with a wide smile. Abhay, with a smile, walked towards his grandmother and enveloped the woman in his embrace.

"Siddhu.." The old lady called out again and Siddhu also joined them.

Vaiga looked at Laya to see if she was hurt. Because Laya was also her granddaughter. When the two grandsons were welcomed with so much warmth, the lady didn't even spare a look at Laya. But Laya looked least bothered.

"Laya, come here.." Abhay called out and Laya walked towards them with disinterest.

Abhay wrapped an arm around Laya's shoulder and made her stand in front of their grandmother. Chirashree smiled, just for her grandsons' benefit.

"Vaiga.." Abhay called out startling Vaiga. She hadn't expected him to call her.

She walked towards them and Laya moved to stand beside Siddhu when Vaiga came.

With a smile on his face, Abhay wrapped an arm around Vaiga's shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

"Dadi, this is Vaiga. My wife. And Kriti, our daughter." Abhay said and everyone smiled seeing that. But Vaiga was shocked. She hadn't expected this. And he was holding her closer, as though she belongs to him.

Anjana sighed in relief. Abhay knows his grandmother well. If she gets even the slightest hint that Abhay and Vaiga are not having a normal marriage like others, god knows what all she would do to hurt Vaiga. Abhay had foreseen that and made sure Vaiga would be properly welcomed in.

"Nobody taught you to take blessings from elders? Oh you don't have a mother to teach you all that, right?" Chirashree said in a dismissive tone and Vaiga stiffened hearing that.

It reminded her of Durga Devi. 'You don't have a mother to teach you all that..' Words Durga Devi had uttered a million times over the few months she lived there.

"Dadi..." Abhay's voice boomed across the pillars, startling Chirashree and even Vaiga who had gone into a daze remembering the past.

"Vaiga's mother passed away, dadi. It is true. But she was brought up by her father. A father who taught her to be the person she is now. A father who instilled all the values Vaiga possess." Abhay said sternly and Vaiga looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.

Durga Devi had taunted her a million times and Shiva had never once spoken up for her. Always asking her to ignore what his Amma says.

'Just ignore it, Vaiga. Don't make a big deal out if. That's how Amma is. She is not going to change. All we can do is adjust with her.' Shiva would say it every single time. And he had claimed to love her.

And here, Abhay Dev, the man who married her just out of necessity is standing up for her. Vaiga felt her heart filling up.

Chirashree felt as if Abhay had just slapped her. Abhay was her favourite grandchild. Her elder son's elder son. Her eldest grandchild. She had showered so much love upon him over the years and he just talked back to her for a woman he met mere months ago.

"Chira, welcome them in. Bahu is coming home for the first time. Welcome her with the aarti.." A commanding voice said and everyone looked towards the leaning arm chair and saw an even older woman sitting there, spitting fire at Chirashree.

"That's dadi bua. Dada ji's sister. She is the real boss." Laya whispered in Vaiga's ears and Vaiga looked on horrified, wondering how many more characters are yet to come.

"Don't look so horrified. She is not like dadi. She is the sweetest dadi you could ever get.." Laya said.

Chirashree looked at her daughters and they, with disinterest, went in to bring the aarti. Once the aarti was done and the newly married couple were welcomed in, Laya with a squeal rushed to dadi bua and hugged her.

Vaiga smiled seeing that. Even she had been hurt by Chirashree's ignorance of Laya. Laya might not be hurt because she must have been facing it since childhood. She might not be hurt now, but she must have been hurt many times during her childhood.

Vaiga hugged Kriti a bit more closer, wondering how the woman would treat this bundle of joy.

'Nobody will hurt my daughter..' Vaiga vowed to herself as she looked at Chirashree, who was throwing lasers her way.

A/N

It's a small filler chapter. Just an introduction to the days in Kodakanalli. But don't worry guys! Buckle up for some heavy romance this week... 😉😉

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Love,

SF❤️