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

SHOT 58

Hey my lovely readers.... Punarvivaah is now tagged #2 in Indian category of wattpad stories. Thank you all so much for the love and support. Expecting it throughout the story. If possible, please share the story on your message board, so that it can reach more readers through you guys❤️

Third person's pov!

The rest of the day crawled by for Vaiga. Every rustle of leaves, every splash of water near the pond, sent her heart into a frantic gallop. She studiously avoided any areas Abhay might frequent, her cheeks burning at the memory of their stolen kiss

Dinner was a tense affair, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Anjana Maa's knowing glances did little to ease Vaiga's discomfort, while Laya's innocent chatter about the day's events only served to highlight their deception.

That night, Kriti fell asleep quickly and Vaiga also got into bed with her, without waiting for Abhay.

The next day also went by similarly, with Vaiga keeping out of Abhay's sight.

Finally, the day drew to a close. Kriti, exhausted from a day of exploration, drifted off to sleep in Vaiga's arms. Vaiga herself was on the verge of succumbing to sleep when the sound of the bedroom door creaking open jolted her awake.

"Dev ji.." She whispered, peering through the dimness. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she saw his silhouetted form in the doorway. Abhay had showered and changed, his damp hair still darkened from the water.

He tiptoed towards the bed, his movements gentle as he checked on their sleeping daughter. Vaiga watched him, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within her – fear, confusion, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite define.

"Dadi kept me busy all evening. Yesterday too. When I came to the room, you were fast asleep." Abhay said in a hushed voice, finally turning towards Vaiga. "Today, I hurried back, before you could fall asleep."

Vaiga shifted on the bed, pulling the covers tighter around her.

"I thought you would be with your dadi." Vaiga murmured.

Abhay hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.

"There is something we need to talk about, Vaiga." Abhay said softly.

Vaiga's breath hitched. This was it. The moment of reckoning. Shame burned in her throat, threatening to choke her.

"Can we talk in the morning?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Abhay shook his head, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

"No, Vaiga. Now."

The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Vaiga sat up, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

"Kriti," she whispered, gesturing towards their sleeping daughter.

Abhay glanced at the bed, a tender smile gracing his lips for a fleeting moment.

"She will be fine," he said softly. "Come to the balcony. We can sit there and talk."

With a heavy heart, Vaiga rose from the bed. She leaned over and dropped a soft kiss on Kriti's forehead. Abhay, his gaze lingering on their daughter for a moment longer, walked towards the balcony door, the moonlight casting long shadows across his broad shoulders.

Vaiga followed him, her bare feet whispering against the cool floor. Nervousness gnawed at her insides. The night air, usually a source of comfort, felt thick and oppressive.

She reached the balcony, finding Abhay already seated on the swing set, its rhythmic creaking the only sound in the otherwise silent night. He patted the space beside him, and Vaiga, her heart pounding like a drum, hesitantly sat down.

Vaiga stole a glance at Abhay, his face shrouded in partial darkness.

"Vaiga," he began, his voice low and husky, "we can't keep pretending this didn't happen."

Vaiga bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her lap. Shame flooded her cheeks anew.

"I know," she mumbled, barely audible.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Vaiga. We are a married couple. We are a young, hot-blooded man and woman in their prime age. It is quite natural to feel attraction and physical desire. There is nothing wrong in that," Abhay said softly.

Vaiga was shocked at his words. She was expecting a 'this was a mistake' speech, not this.

"Ours was a marriage of convenience..." Vaiga said softly, and Abhay sighed.

"Convenience? What is it really?" Abhay asked, and Vaiga was speechless. "Vaiga, I know about what happened in your life. But you know nothing about mine. I want you to know how my life with Kiara was," Abhay said unexpectedly, and Vaiga looked at him, ready to be a good listener.

"My relationship with Kiara was a toxic one," Abhay began to say, and then he told her about his life with Kiara. Her extreme possessiveness and how claustrophobic he had been in that life. The way Kiara had wanted him to cut off all his ties with his family and the way she would react when he refused to dance to her tunes. Vaiga held his hand, listening to him recount the stressful married life he had endured with Kiara.

"I understand. We have had different experiences, but both of us have bad memories of a marriage in front of us," Vaiga said softly.

"I told you all this because I want you to understand my turmoil. I am scared of love. Kiara's love had been like an albatross around my neck. Something that tried to tie me down, not letting me move. I am scared of that..." Abhay said, and a sad smile appeared on Vaiga's face.

"And I am scared of heartbreak. Once, I loved someone deeply, and it led me to such heartache. It scares me to go through something like that again," Vaiga said.

"We both have our own apprehensions about love," Abhay said.

"Yes," Vaiga said with a nod.

"But I am terribly attracted to you, Vaiga," Abhay said gently, and Vaiga sucked in a sharp breath, her heart pounding crazily listening to his confession. "After what happened yesterday, all I could think about was kissing you again," Abhay admitted honestly.

"Dev ji..." Vaiga's voice had gone low. She could feel the goosebumps on her skin listening to Abhay's words.

"I am confessing this truthfully because I have no idea how to handle this. I thought of talking to Shravan and Mithran about this so that I could get some ideas, but I decided against it. This is our personal matter. It is not right to discuss it with a third person. So, I thought the best option was to discuss it with you itself," Abhay admitted, and Vaiga felt her respect for him growing.

"Thank you for being honest, Dev ji," Vaiga whispered. "I... I appreciate it."

Abhay reached out and gently took Vaiga's hand in his.

"Vaiga, I don't want to force anything on you. I just want us to be open with each other. To understand each other. To navigate this together."

"I understand.."

"I- Do you mind if I kiss you now, Vaiga?" 

A/n

Here goes the next shot...

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Love,

SF❤️