LOVE AND DHARMA

3. RITUALS AND RESOLUTIONS

The night before the Shiv Puja, the anticipation hung thick in the air. The mansion was quiet, with everyone asleep after a day of preparations. Ananya, however, was still awake, her mind buzzing with the events of the past few days. She couldn't shake off the jealousy that gnawed at her every time Anjali flirted with Vijay.

As she crept through the dimly lit corridors, a plan began to form in her mind. She slipped into the room where Anjali was sound asleep, her dress for the next day's performance laid out neatly on a chair. Ananya approached it cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. With a swift, decisive motion, she used a small pair of scissors to cut the stitches at key points, ensuring that the dress would fall apart with the slightest movement.

Satisfied with her handiwork, Ananya retreated to her room, a mix of guilt and excitement churning within her. She convinced herself it was harmless fun, a way to teach Anjali a lesson for always trying to outshine her.

Vrushali sat at her desk, her phone propped up on a stack of books as she prepared to record her YouTube video. Her heart raced with excitement and a touch of nervousness. She took a deep breath and pressed the record button.

"Hey everyone!" Vrushali began with a bright smile. "I hope you're all doing well. Today, I have some amazing news to share with you all. After a lot of discussions and understanding, my boyfriend has finally allowed me to continue writing my Wattpad book about Karna, and we're finally on the same page!"

She paused, her smile widening as she thought about her journey. "It's been a challenging road, but we've come to understand and respect each other's passions. I can't wait to share more of Karna's story with you all. Your support means the world to me, and I promise to pour my heart and soul into this book."

Vrushali finished the video with a cheerful goodbye and stopped recording. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of accomplishment and relief. Just as she was about to upload the video, she heard the door creak open.

Sabyasachi walked in, a small, elegantly wrapped box in his hand. "Hey, what are you up to?" he asked, his voice warm.

Vrushali smiled, her earlier excitement still bubbling within her. "I just finished recording a video for my YouTube channel. I told everyone about our agreement and how supportive you've been."

Sabyasachi's expression softened, and he approached her, handing her the box. "I wanted to give you something to show my support for your writing. Here."

Vrushali hesitated for a moment before accepting the box. She unwrapped it carefully, revealing a stunning, expensive pen nestled in a velvet-lined case. It was sleek, with intricate engravings that hinted at its luxury.

"Sabyasachi, this is beautiful," she said, her voice tinged with surprise. "But you didn't have to..."

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I wanted to. I know how much writing means to you, and I thought this would be a way to show that I'm serious about supporting your passion."

Vrushali felt a mix of emotions. She didn't particularly need the pen, but the gesture was heartfelt, and she appreciated the thought behind it. She looked up at Sabyasachi, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Sabyasachi. It means a lot to me."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. "I'm glad you like it. Keep writing and follow your dreams."

Vrushali hugged him, feeling a renewed sense of hope and connection. Despite their differences, moments like these reminded her why she loved him. With the expensive pen in hand and Sabyasachi's support, she felt more determined than ever to bring her stories to life.