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

SHOT 63

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Third person's pov!

"Oh you are back?" Anjana asked and they saw Siddhu looking at them with his mouth open.

"What?" Abhay asked, frowning at him.

"You guys went out together? For a ride?" Siddhu asked, still finding it difficult to believe it. Siddhu has a  couple of friends here in Kodakanalli. The last two days, since they arrived here, he was busy catching up with them.

"Your two buas couldn't keep their sharp tongues in check. They tried to hurt Vaiga. I asked Abhay to take her out so that she would feel relaxed." Anjana chimed in, knowing Siddhu and Drishti well.

If Siddhu realises that the equation between Abhay and Vaiga started to change, he will immediately inform Drishti and together they will hatch up plans to either tease the two or to create more moments for them. But sadly, since Siddhu and Drishti are involved, it would eventually lead to some disaster. Why risk it?

"Oh! I thought.." Siddhu trailed off in a disappointed tone and Abhay shot a grateful look at his mother.

Anjana frowned seeing a flushed Vaiga standing behind Abhay and frowned at what could have happened in a public place.

"Did Kriti wake up, Maa?" Vaiga asked softly.

"Yes. She is in Dadi Bua's room. Laya is also there.." Anjana said.

"I will change and come quickly.." Vaiga said and hurried upstairs without sparing another glance at Abhay.

As she locked the bedroom door and leaned against it, her heart was hammering against her chest as Abhay's promise echoed in her head again and again..

'Tonight..' He had said. She shivered as though she could still hear his husky whisper in her ears.

She stood in front of the vanity mirror and looked at herself. She was looking flushed. She was looking thoroughly loved.

She pulled the saree pallu down and saw the reddish marks Abhay's beards caused all over her neck and collar bone area.

Her fingers traced along the reddish marks and her cheeks gained colour as what happened in the barn flashed across her eyes.

She had never behaved in such a wanton way before. With Shiva, it was all sweet and affectionate. Gentle love.

But with Abhay, everything is wild. Seemingly out of control. One touch and she forgets everything around. Why is that so?

Vaiga shook her head, not wanting to psychoanalyse anything. She quickly took a shower and changed into an anarkali suit and draped the dupatta around her neck in a way that all the reddish marks were hidden.

When she walked into Dadi Bua's room, Vaiga smiled seeing baby Kriti rolling on the bed.

"Did you enjoy the beauty of Kodakanalli, bhabhi?" Laya asked.

"Yes.." Vaiga said softly and hearing Vaiga's voice, Kriti stopped rolling and looked up. Seeing Vaiga, her eyes widened in happiness and she crawled fastly over the bed towards Vaiga.

Vaiga picked her up and showered kisses all over her little face and Kriti too didn't back down from showering her love through little bites all over her momma's face.

"Vaiga, baccha, pack a couple of your dresses and come here okay. Today and tomorrow you will sleep with me." Dadi bua said and Vaiga looked at her in confusion.

"What happened, dadi bua?" Vaiga asked curiously and a tad bit disappointedly, remembering Abhay's husky promise.

"The pooja is the day after tomorrow. Two days, you have to fast. And it is a custom to stay away from your husband during the fasting time." Dadi bua said.

"Oh.."

****

Abhay rounded the corner just as Vaiga came down the stairs, a small overnight bag clutched in her hand. A frown creased his brow.

"Where are you going?"

"She'll be sleeping with Adarshini Bua until Pooja, Abhi." Before Vaiga could answer, Anjana stepped in.

Abhay's eyes widened in horror.

"What? Why?" His shock was evident in his voice, a tremor running through the question.

"It's the custom," Anjana explained patiently. "Vaiga has to fast for the next two days, and staying away from your husband is a part of it."

Abhay's heart plummeted. The carefree joy of their stolen moments in the barn seemed a lifetime ago. An ache bloomed in his chest, a hollowness that echoed the sudden absence of Vaiga by his side. He stole a glance at her again, the dejection radiating from him like a palpable fog.

The promise they had shared, the anticipation that had simmered between them all evening, now felt like a cruel tease.

Two days. Two endless nights!

The upcoming pooja suddenly felt like an unwelcome intrusion, a thief stealing away a treasure he had only just begun to discover.

******

THANJAVUR

Shiva woke up to a dull ache in his head and a sense of disorientation. The first thing he noticed was that he was naked under the duvet. His eyes shifted to the bloodstains on the bed sheet, screaming a story he couldn't fully grasp. He clutched his head hard, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. Slowly, the memories came rushing back.

He had come home drunk, stumbling through the door. Hansika had been there, waiting for him. The night had spiralled into physical intimacy, but it wasn't Hansika he had seen in his drunken haze. It was Vaiga. Vaiga's face had replaced Hansika's in his mind as he made love. The realisation made Shiva feel like screaming his head off.

Suddenly, the door to the washroom opened, and Hansika emerged, fresh from her shower. Her face was red and puffy, clear signs that she had been crying a lot. Shiva couldn't understand why she was crying. Did he force her? No, he remembered her being an active and willing participant. She was in love with him. Then why did she cry? Did he... mention Vaiga's name during their lovemaking? He couldn't quite remember, but the possibility filled him with guilt.

Hansika looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and resignation. Shiva felt a pang of guilt. She had loved him for years, yet he had chosen another woman over her. A woman who had heartlessly cheated on him. And still, Hansika had accepted him after being rejected once. She didn't deserve this.

"I am sorry..." Shiva mumbled softly, and fresh tears welled up in Hansika's eyes. Shiva felt a surge of determination. He realised that if he continued to ruin his life and Hansika's life for someone who wasn't worth it, Vaiga would win. And he didn't want that.

Pulling on his pants, Shiva walked towards Hansika and held her hands in his. "I am sorry, Hansika. Sorry for everything. I know I am not being fair to you. But I promise you, from today onwards, I will try to give my hundred percent into our marriage."

Hansika felt her heart breaking. She had lain awake the whole night, thinking about everything that had happened in their lives. Last night, without the slightest doubt left, she realised that Shiva could never move on from Vaiga. He could never love her the way he loved Vaiga. Even if he tried to mend their marriage as he promised now, one day, the truth would come out. The truth could never be buried forever. And when that day came, Shiva would hate her more. It was time to give up. Give up on her ten long years of love.

"Shiva... I want to tell you something..." Hansika began, her voice trembling with emotion.

A/N

It's time to finally reveal the truth in front of Shiva. Let's wait and see how he is gonna react and how #ABIGA would weather the storm coming their way...

Please do vote and comment...

Love,

SF❤️