WIFE : BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

SHOT 16

Bhumi's POV:

As we reached the temple, I told him he can leave and come get me when I call him.

He refused at first, but I forced him to leave. I like to be alone today.

But I realised I didn't bring my phone with me, only after he left.

After the prayer I did for my mom, I went to sit under the huge tree in the temple compound, as I always do, but stopped in my tracks seeing a woman about to faint and fall from the long flight of stairs.

I ran to her and held her protectively.

She is, maybe, in her mid-forties.

"Ma'am, careful please," I said, holding her arms tightly.

"Thank you, dear," she said with a beautiful smile.

I helped her sit on a bench near the tree and got her some water.

"Thank you, child. What's your name?" She asked me softly.

"Bhumi," I said, flicking my hair in my usual style and she laughed.

"Oh dear. How cute you are. Oh, I forgot, my daughter-in-law's name is also Bhumi," she said excitedly.

"Really?" I asked.

"Not daughter-in-law actually. Would be daughter-in-law," she said.

"Oh, your son is getting married?" I asked.

"Yes. The date isn't fixed yet. Hopefully soon," she said wishfully.

"How are you going home, Ma'am?" I asked.

"I have my car. And don't call me Ma'am. Call me Chhaya aunty. That's my name." She said.

"Sure. Do you have a driver with you, Chhaya aunty?" I asked.

"No, dear. I drove here myself," she said.

"Then how will you go back? I am not letting you drive back alone. Come on, I will drive you home and go home from there," I said.

"No, child, I don't want to bother you more than I already did," she said apologetically.

"Nonsense. If I let you drive home alone after your near fall, then it will keep bothering me and I won't even be able to sleep tonight," I said with a pout.

"Such a lovely child," she said, cupping my face and I smiled.

"We have one more son. I will introduce him to you when we reach home. He is a little immature, but he is a sweet boy. You might like him," she said and winked at me.

"Oh no, Chhaya aunty. I am already engaged," I said and showed her my fake engagement ring.

"That's so sad," she frowned and I laughed at her.

She is such a cutie.

"Okay, leave it. Come, let's go. At least you should stay for the family get-together," she said.

"No, Chhaya aunty. How can I? It is your family get-together and I don't know anyone there," I said.

"No worries. My elder daughter-in-law is a sweet girl like you, and you won't feel like an outsider. Now come on, let's go," she said.

I drove her to her home.

Scratch that.

Her mansion.

As we entered the mansion, a woman, maybe a few years older than me, came running to us.

She looked so familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had seen her before.