His second wife (#SaRaj)

16) Engagement and Lies

Ten days had passed since Savi's life had become a monotonous routine. Every day was the same: wake up, make coffee, leave for school, and return home. The only variation was her evening encounters with Sai at the park. Savi would force a smile, unsure if it was genuine or fake.

Rajat, watching from a distance, had become increasingly observant of Savi's every move. He found himself curious about her daily routine, wondering what she was doing and why.

When he saw Savi growing distant from Sai, he felt a pang of discomfort. He should have been happy, but something didn't feel right.

.....

On the present day, the Bhosale house was abuzz with activity as it was adorned with flowers and decorations for Savi's engagement. Harini entered the room, finding Savi sitting in front of the mirror. Their eyes met through the reflection, and Harini smiled. "Don't you get an evil eye," she said, applying a black kajal behind Savi's ear.

Savi's eyes dropped, her expression unreadable. Savi's eyes remained fixed on the floor, her mind consumed by the weight of her decision. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of sacrifice, with no lifeline in sight. Her heart, once full of hope and dreams, now felt like a hollow shell, empty and devoid of emotion.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, Savi couldn't help but think about Ishaan.

She remembered the way he used to make her laugh, the way he used to hold her hand, and the way he used to look at her with so much love in his eyes. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she thought about the life they had planned to build together, the life that was now nothing more than a distant memory.

Savi took a deep breath, trying to push aside the grief that threatened to overwhelm her. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for everyone around her. She couldn't let her own emotions get the better of her, not now, when everyone around her needed her to be brave.

As Harini applied the black kajal behind Savi's ear, Savi's thoughts drifted back to the events of the past few days. She had been going through the motions of preparing for her engagement, but her heart wasn't in it. She felt like she was living in a dream, a dream that she couldn't wake up from.

Savi's eyes met Harini's in the mirror, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Harini's eyes were filled with concern, and Savi knew that she could see the sadness and desperation lurking beneath her surface.

"Savi, are you okay?" Harini asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You seem so distant lately."

Savi forced a smile onto her face, trying to reassure Harini that everything was fine. "I'm just stressed about the engagement, that's all," she said, trying to sound convincing.

But Harini wasn't fooled. She knew Savi too well, and she could see the pain and sadness etched on her face. "Savi, you can tell me anything," Harini said, her voice filled with compassion. "I'm here for you, no matter what."

Savi stood up and walked, She couldn't help but feel like she was walking towards a fate that she couldn't escape. She was trapped in a life that she didn't want, and she didn't know how to break free.

Savi sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "I don't know, Harini Tai," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just feel so... trapped. I'm not ready for marriage, but I have to do it for Isha Maa."

Harini's expression softened, and she reached out to gently touch Savi's hand. "I know, Savi," she said. "I know it's not easy for you. But maybe this is what's meant to be. Maybe this marriage will bring you happiness in the end."

Savi shook her head, feeling a pang of sadness. "I don't know, Harini," she said. "I just feel like I'm losing myself in all of this."

Just then, Isha Maa called out from the living room, "Savi, beta, come and get ready. The guests will be arriving soon."

Savi took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She knew that she had to put on a brave face, no matter how she was feeling inside. She stood up, smoothing out her clothes and making her way to the living room.

.......................................................................

The atmosphere inside the Bhosale House was electric, with the sound of laughter and music drifting in from the Dandiya night celebrations outside. But amidst all the joy and revelry, Savi's heart felt heavy.

She sat beside Rohan, her fiancé, as they exchanged rings in a formal engagement ceremony. Harini, her sister, beamed with happiness as she watched the proceedings, her husband by her side. Isha Maa and Shantanu Papa, smiled warmly, their eyes shining with tears.

Rohan's parents and a few relatives were also present, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. Harini's mother-in-law, Rohan's aunt, was also there, her eyes scrutinizing Savi's every move.

As Savi glanced around the room, she felt a sense of unease. She had agreed to marry Rohan, but her heart wasn't in it. She was doing it for everyone happiness, but the thought of spending the rest of her life with someone she didn't love filled her with dread.

As soon as Rohan's fingers touched hers, slipping the ring onto her finger, Savi's mind was flooded with memories of Ishaan.

The face of the man she loved, the father of her unborn child, flashed before her eyes. The pain and grief she had thought she had left behind came rushing back, and she felt like she was drowning in a sea of guilt and regret.

How could she move on with her life, marry someone else, when a part of her was still stuck in the past? The thought of spending the rest of her life with Rohan, of trying to build a family with him, felt like a betrayal of Ishaan's memory and the life they had planned to build together.

Savi's voice trembled as she spoke, her words spilling out in a rush. "Please, before you put the ring on my hand, hear my truth out," she said, her eyes locked on Rohan's. "I know Isha Maa lied to you, told you that she had informed you about my condition. But I have to tell you, Rohan. I lost my first child in my womb, along with Ishaan. And since then, I've been...infertile."

Urmila, Harini's mother-in-law, was the first to react, her face twisting in outrage. "How could you hide this from us, Isha?" she demanded, her voice shrill with indignation. "Your own daughter is my daughter-in-law, Harini. How could you keep such a big secret from us?"

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Savi and Isha. Rohan looked like he had been punched in the gut, his face pale and shocked. "I...I can't do this," he stuttered, taking a step back from Savi. "I didn't sign up for this. I want a family, children...and you can't give me that."

Savi felt a pang of hurt and rejection, but she knew she had to be strong. She had expected this reaction, and she was prepared to face the consequences of her decision.

..........

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Spoiler alert- Fire. Savi life in danger. Rajat will ask Bhagyashree for savi and Rajat marriage. More drama.

For early update. Vote on all the chapter.