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

SHOT 57

Third person's pov!

Shame burned in Vaiga's throat, acrid and bitter. She couldn't meet his gaze, the weight of his scrutiny and physical presence. Without a word, she turned and fled, her bare feet slapping against the cool stone path as she raced towards the safety of the house.

Anjana, engrossed in conversation with Laya about Vaiga's whereabouts, did a double take as she saw her drenched daughter-in-law sprinting towards the kitchen area, her saree plastered to her skin.

"Vaiga! What happened?" Anjana cried out, concern lacing her voice. She rushed to her, grabbing a fresh towel from the nearby utility area and started wiping off the water from Vaiga's head.

"I fell into the pond, Maa." Vaiga, her voice barely a whisper, choked out.

Anjana's brow furrowed with worry.

"Oh, Vaiga! Be careful, child. You don't know how to swim, and that pond is quite deep. Thank goodness you are alright!" She wrapped the towel around Vaiga's shivering shoulders, her maternal instincts kicking in.

"But bhabhi, I didn't see you when I came back to check on you." Laya, joining them, added.

Vaiga's heart hammered against her ribs. She had to come up with a plausible explanation, and fast. Panic clouded her judgement.

"Uh, I... I came out before you came to check on me, I guess," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"But I reached here first. How come?" Laya said, her frown deepening.

Vaiga remained silent, her mind a blank canvas. Every excuse that popped into her head seemed ludicrous.

Anjana, noticing her daughter-in-law's distress, stepped in.

"Laya, maybe Vaiga just doesn't remember the exact sequence of events. Let her get settled first. Where is Abhi? Did you see him, Vaiga? He had gone to the pond for a swim." Anjana asked and Vaiga's eyes widened in horror.

"No, Maa. I didn't see him." Vaiga said quickly. Too quickly that Anjana frowned hearing the defensive tone in her words.

Laya, however, remained fixated on the reddish marks blooming on Vaiga's neck.

"Oh bhabhi, I think something bit you in the water. But how come? The pond is a well maintained one. Probably some wild plants brushed against you." Laya said, examining the reddish rashes on Vaiga's neck.

Laya's innocent observation sent a fresh wave of heat scorching through Vaiga's cheeks.

Vaiga sucked in a sharp breath, because she could understand what Laya was talking about, though she didn't see it. Abhay's beards must have caused it. Vaiga prayed for Mother Earth to open up and gobble her up. Because it was so embarrassing. Anjana, listening to Laya's words, examined Vaiga's neck. But unlike Laya, Anjana understood what it was. Vaiga's nervousness and panic now made sense to her.

Anjana, though not privy to the details of the stolen encounter, wasn't blind to the telltale flush on Vaiga's cheeks and the nervous tremor in her voice. A mother's intuition told her that something more than a simple fall into the pond had transpired. A spark of amusement flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by concern.

"You go and get changed." Anjana told Vaiga.

"But bade mama, it seems like an allergy. Maybe we should take bhabhi to a nearby clinic. What if it spreads?" Laya asked in worry and Vaiga felt like she was melting out of embarrassment.

"It's nothing serious. It will get better soon." Anjana said in a dismissive tone and turned to Vaiga, who was looking completely red. Anjana wanted to laugh. She was feeling so happy to realise that her children had started their life together.

"Vaiga, use the washroom here outside. You are completely drenched. I will get fresh clothes for you." Anjana said and without another word, Vaiga got into the washroom and locked herself in.

Once Vaiga got into the washroom, Anjana asked Laya to get Vaiga another pair of dress. Just then, Abhay appeared, his damp towel clinging to his muscular frame. Anjana's smile widened, the amusement barely concealed in her eyes.

"Abhi, did you see Vaiga?" Anjana asked, her voice casual.

"Uh, no..." Abhay, caught off guard, stammered.

Anjana fought back a laugh threatening to escape.

"Where were you until now?"

"I went for a swim, Maa. I told you," Abhay said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"You were in the pond until now and you didn't see Vaiga? She just came back all drenched. When I asked her, she said she fell in the pond. You didn't notice?" Anjana continued, her voice laced with amusement.

Abhay squirmed under his mother's scrutinising gaze.

"And bhai, something bit bhabhi. Her neck is full of rashes. Bade mama is saying it's nothing serious, but what if it is some allergic reaction? It is not good to leave it like that. You should take her to the doctor," Laya, who came back with Vaiga's clothes, chimed in, adding to Abhay's discomfort.

Abhay felt the colour drain from his face. A sudden urge to vanish into thin air overwhelmed him. He stole a glance at his mother, the amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.

"I, uh, I have a call to make," he mumbled, his voice barely audible, and practically bolted from the scene.

Anjana watched him go, then burst into a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the room. Laya, completely bewildered, looked back and forth between them, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"What is so funny, bade mama?" Laya finally asked.

Anjana wiped a tear from her eye, her smile still lingering.

"Nothing, Laya. Just the joys of watching my children grow up," she said enigmatically, leaving Laya even more perplexed.

A/N

Here goes the next shot...

I have been reading too many Malayalam storied in Pratilipi nowadays. This village romance is an effect of that. Those stories are full of village beauty, serene temples, kaavu, kulam all that stuff. I couldn't resist writing something like that... Hope you are enjoying the days in Kodakanalli...

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Love,

SF❤️