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

BONUS SHOT 1

Publishing the bonus chapters here on readers demand!

Third person's pov!

The Agnihotri family's return to Kodakanalli was meant to be a time of joy and reunion. Abhay walked proudly, carrying six-month-old Vidyut in his arms, while Vaiga gently cradled two-year-old Kriti at her side, her heart swelling with love for both her children.

As they neared the entrance, they were met by Chirashree dadi, her aged but sharp eyes gleaming with pride as she performed the Aarti for baby Vidyut. The rhythmic clink of the bell echoed in the courtyard, and after circling the flame in front of Vidyut's tiny face, Chirashree lovingly placed a kumkum tilak on his forehead.

"The next Agnihotri heir is here," Chirashree announced with pride, her voice thick with tradition. Her words, though seemingly harmless, hit Vaiga like a blow.

Vaiga's face darkened instantly. Dadi had completely ignored Kriti, their eldest, and while she knew Chirashree's deep-rooted preference for boys, seeing it manifest so blatantly in front of her was unbearable. Without hesitation, Vaiga stepped forward, her eyes sharp, and dipped her fingers into the kumkum mix. With deliberate grace, she applied a similar tilak on Kriti's forehead.

"Kriti is the eldest, dadi ji," Vaiga said quietly but firmly. Her voice didn't waver; it carried the weight of a mother's love and the resolve to stand up for her child.

Chirashree paused for a moment, her gaze snapping towards Vaiga. She glared, but said nothing. Instead, she picked up Vidyut, cooing at him and showering him with affectionate kisses, completely disregarding Vaiga's words and, more painfully, completely ignoring Kriti.

Vaiga felt a pang in her chest as she watched. How could a grandmother ignore her own granddaughter like this? How could she not see the beautiful, joyful child in Kriti, who stared at the scene unfolding in front of her with curious, innocent eyes? Vaiga's grip on Kriti tightened slightly, a protective instinct rising within her. She could not—and would not—allow her daughter to grow up feeling lesser or unloved.

The coldness towards Kriti stung deeply, and Vaiga couldn't bear the thought of her daughter ever feeling neglected. Her mind was made up.

"Dev ji, it's time for Vidyut's feed. Please bring him to the room," Vaiga said aloud, her voice carrying a note of finality. She made sure everyone, including Chirashree, could hear her. Abhay caught the tone immediately, and with a nod, he gently retrieved Vidyut from Chirashree's arms.

Anjana, who had been quietly observing, smiled with pride. She knew the strength of Vaiga's love for her children and admired her daughter-in-law's unwavering stand.

Abhay followed Vaiga into their allotted bedroom, the door softly closing behind them. As he turned around, he was met with Vaiga's fiery gaze.

"Dev ji," she began, her voice laced with frustration, "I won't tolerate this double standard between my children. I have no problem with her loving Vidyut, but I will not stand by and watch her ignore Kriti like that."

Abhay sighed, setting Vidyut down gently on the bed. He had seen this before—his grandmother's unfair treatment between the brothers and Laya, a dynamic that had troubled them since their own childhood.

"You think Papa hasn't fought this battle?" He asked, rubbing his temples. "He has argued with her countless times about the way she treated Laya differently. But she never listens, Vaiga."

Vaiga's jaw clenched.

"I don't care, Dev ji. I won't have this for my children. If she wants to pamper Vidyut, then she will pamper Kriti too. If she's determined to ignore Kriti, she can forget about Vidyut as well."

Her words were resolute, and Abhay couldn't help but smile at her fierceness. If there was one thing that turned his usually gentle wife into a force of nature, it was their children. Vaiga's love knew no bounds, and her protectiveness was relentless.

"Okay, okay. I'll talk to her again," Abhay said, chuckling softly. "And if she refuses to listen..."

"Then we leave. Immediately." Vaiga's voice was firm, leaving no room for debate. "I don't want any negativity around my children, Dev ji. I won't let Kriti grow up thinking she isn't enough, not for anyone. And I certainly won't let dadi's archaic mindset poison our family."

Abhay nodded, his smile fading as he realised the seriousness in her words. He admired her more in this moment than ever before— her strength, her determination, and most of all, her love for their children.

"Fine," he said with a small chuckle, pulling Vaiga into a hug. "We'll handle it. Together."

Vaiga rested her head on his chest for a moment, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. No matter what challenges came their way, as long as they stood united, she knew they could face anything.

As the tension of the earlier moment faded, Abhay held Vaiga close, relishing the peace of having her in his arms. But as he pulled away slightly, the mischief in his eyes returned, and with a teasing smile, he broke the silence.

"By the way, leaving immediately doesn't sound like the best plan. I had better ideas when we set out from Bangalore..." Abhay's voice trailed off suggestively.

"Oh? And what kind of ideas might those be?" Vaiga raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on her lips

"Hmm, something that involves you, me, and the honorary pond..." Abhay leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of her ear as he murmured huskily,

Vaiga's eyes widened at the implication, a mix of surprise and amusement dancing across her face.

"Dev ji..." she began, her tone carrying a hint of warning, though there was an undeniable spark of intrigue in her voice.

"Come on," Abhay whispered with a cheeky grin, pressing a kiss to her earlobe, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. "It's my biggest fantasy, you know. To make love to you by the pond... under the stars... just us."

His words were teasing, but the heat in his gaze made Vaiga's pulse quicken. She bit her lip, fighting back a smile.

"Dev ji, the kids are here..." she whispered, even as she felt her own heart race in response to his playful suggestion.

Abhay sighed dramatically, letting his forehead rest against hers for a moment.

"Of course, they are always here..." he mumbled grumpily, though his lips twitched into a smile as he spoke. His frustration wasn't entirely serious — he adored their children — but the idea of stealing just a moment for the two of them was clearly something he longed for.

Vaiga couldn't hold back the laughter that bubbled up from her chest. Her laugh was bright and carefree, filling the room with a sense of warmth. She swatted his arm playfully, still grinning.

"You are impossible, Dev ji."

A/n

Guys, please check out the new book in this series.. L&M #4 - BETRAYAL IN LOVE. It has regular three updates a week. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 AM IST. Give the same love to Dhruv and Shraddha that you gave for Abhay and Vaiga...

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Love,

SF❤️