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

SHOT 67

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Abhay's pov!

I came upstairs, unbuttoned the top three buttons of my shirt, laid on the bed and scrolled through the phone. I completely ignored Vaiga who was also in the bedroom.

I could feel her eyes on me, but I didn't bother to look up at her. Through my peripheral vision, I could see her coming towards me, stopping, then turning back and going towards the cupboard again.

This happened a couple of times and I felt like laughing out loud. She is so cute.

The next time she started walking towards me, I kept my phone on the bed and looked straight at her.

She stopped on her tracks and her eyes widened in horror, like a rabbit caught in the headlight.

"Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Er.. No- nothing, Dev ji," she said and quickly turned around towards the cupboard. I could see her fingers trembling as she was taking out the clothes and packing them into the bags.

I sat and watched her, and then next time she turned towards me, the dress slipped through her fingers and hit the floor. She wasn't expecting me to be sitting there and watching her.

"Come here.." I called out gently, and hesitantly she walked towards me.

"You want to say something?" I asked softly.

"Dev ji.."

"Sit here.." I patted on the bed and she sat near me.

"Now tell me.."

"I- I have always been like this, Dev ji. I don't know how to fight like that. I have never had to fight like that in my life. The very first time, somebody started hurting me was after my marriage with Shiva. My Appa treated me like a princess. We didn't have many relatives, so there weren't many people in my life. I was close to our neighbours Rani akka and Keshava Anna. And they both loved me very much. Even in school and college, I never had to face such situations ever. It all began after I met Shiva. And I don't know how to handle such situations.." Vaiga said in a breath, probably fearing she might lose the courage to speak up if she didn't do it now.

"I understand. Everyone has different personalities. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that. I am sorry, I lost my temper. Dadi sprouting all nonsense and you standing there like a statue, listening to all of it made me angry." I said with a sigh.

"I am sorry.." Vaiga said and I frowned.

"Why are you sorry? I shouted at you and I should be sorry. I can't expect you to turn into a rebel overnight. My mistake.." I said with a smile and saw Vaiga sighing in relief.

*****

The drive back to Bangalore wasn't as lively as the drive to Kodakanalli. Siddhu and Laya were having a scowl on their faces. All because Iniya had joined us.

Iniya, it seems, was having some project to complete and as a part of it, she was coming to Bangalore with us. And Dadi suggested that we take her with us. Nobody in the family liked Iniya, but then nobody could say no.

I looked beside me and saw Vaiga busy in her own little world with Kriti. It was as if the rest of the world didn't exist. She was too focused on pampering and playing with Kriti, kissing her and getting kisses and bites in return. For some reason, I felt jealous for getting excluded from their little heaven.

"You guys missed a lot of classes, didn't you? How are you going to catch up?" I asked, trying to get her attention.

"Laya said we can just take xerox copies of someone's notes and pin it to the notebook." Vaiga said and I nodded.