His second wife (#SaRaj)

27) A simple Wedding

Rajat's heart sank as he gazed at Savi, his mind racing with the possibility that she might reject his proposal. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing his daughter, Sai, who had grown to adore Savi. The image of Sai's tear-stained face flashed before his eyes, and he felt a lump form in his throat.

He whispered to himself, his voice barely audible, "So, you are saying no." The words felt like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

Savi's eyes locked onto Rajat's, and she hesitantly shook her head in denial. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "No, Mr. Thakkar, I ain't saying no." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I will agree, but I want to tell you all the complexities."

"Complexities?" Rajat questioned, his brow furrowing slightly as he awaited Savi's explanation. He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Savi nodded, her eyes clouding over with a mix of emotions. She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring slightly as she steeled herself to continue. "Mr. Thakkar, you know I am a widow," she stated, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.

Rajat's expression turned sympathetic, his eyes filling with understanding. He nodded his head, his voice soft and gentle. "Yes, you told me that day you saw your lost child in Sai," he recalled, his voice barely above a whisper. "So, yes." He paused, his eyes never leaving Savi's face. "I remember."

As Rajat's words hung in the air, Savi's eyes flashed with a deep sadness. The pain of losing her child, a wound she thought had begun to heal, was suddenly ripped open again. She instinctively placed her hand on her stomach, as if trying to cradle the memory of her lost child.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she fought to control herself, refusing to let the emotions overwhelm her. Her gaze dropped, her lashes veiling the pain that threatened to spill out.

Rajat's eyes widened in alarm as he realized his words had struck a nerve. He had been too blunt, too insensitive, and he knew it. "Savi, I'm so sorry," he apologized immediately, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories. Please forgive me."

Savi's voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight of her words hung heavy in the air. She nodded her head, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. "Mr. Thakkar, I think I can never forget Ishaan," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Rajat's expression softened, his eyes filled with compassion. He leaned forward, his hands clasped together.

"I may marry you," Savi continued, her words laced with a hint of resignation. "But it's only for Sai. I think I could never give anything to you." Her voice trailed off, her eyes searching Rajat's face for a glimmer of understanding.

The air was thick with tension as Rajat processed Savi's words. He knew that she was still grieving, that her heart was still heavy with the loss of her husband. And yet, she was willing to marry him, for the sake of his daughter.

Rajat's eyes locked onto Savi's, his expression a mask of calm determination. "Savi," he said, his voice low and gentle. "I understand. And I accept."

Rajat's eyes clouded over, his voice tinged with a hint of pain. "Savi, I also want this marriage for Sai," he said, his words measured. "She needs a mother, a stable home, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to give that to her."

Savi's eyes locked onto Rajat's, her expression softening. She sensed the depth of his emotion, the weight of his past.

Rajat's voice dropped to a whisper. "I have also a dark past, Savi. One that I've kept hidden from my daughter." He paused, collecting his thoughts.

Savi's eyes never left his face, her expression encouraging him to continue.

Rajat took a deep breath. "You know my wife, whom I loved a lot...she cheated on me and left me for my boss." The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his pain.

Rajat's eyes locked onto Savi's, his voice filled with a deep understanding. "I too have baggage of the past," he said, his words a gentle acknowledgment of the pain they both shared. "But you know we can do it for Sai."

Savi nodded, a soft smile on her face. "So, it's for Sai," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rajat nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with a sense of purpose. "Yes, for Sai," he repeated.

Savi nodded again, this time more resolutely. "We need to be back to our homes now," she said, her voice firm but gentle.

Rajat stood up, his movements fluid and respectful. "I'll drop you home," he offered, his eyes never leaving Savi's face.

.....

As soon as they reached outside the building, Savi looked at front of windshield and then she said, "Mr. Thakkar," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I don't want any big marriage. Just a simple wedding in a temple, please."

Rajat's smile faltered for a moment, but then he nodded. "As you wish, Savi," he said. "We'll keep it simple."

Savi nodded, trying to hold back her emotions, but it was too late. Her eyes filled with tears as the weight of her decision crashed down on her. It still felt like she was cheating on Ishaan, like she was betraying his memory by agreeing to marry another man.

But she knew she had to do it for Sai's sake. The little girl needed a mother, and Savi needed to give her a stable home. Taking a deep breath, Savi dabbed at her tears with her sleeve and composed herself.

"Mr. Thakkar, I need to go now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rajat nodded, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "Of course, Savi. I'll walk you out."

Isha Maa's face contorted with concern as she wrapped her arms tightly around Savi. "Beta, why are you crying? What happened?" she asked, but Savi just shook her head, unable to speak through her sobs.

As she held Savi close, Isha Maa's eyes filled with tears of her own. She knew how much Savi had loved Ishaan, and she knew how hard it must be for her to even consider marrying again.

Savi finally managed to choke out the words, "Maa, am I cheating Ishaan? I said yes to the marriage." Her voice was barely audible, and her body shook with sobs.

Isha Maa stroked Savi's hair, trying to comfort her. "Beta, Ishaan is no longer with us, but his love for you will always remain. He would want you to be happy, to move on with your life. You're not cheating him, Savi. You're just trying to find a way to heal and move forward."

Isha Maa held Savi at arm's length, looking deep into her eyes. "I know, beta," she said softly. "It feels like a betrayal, like you're leaving Ishaan behind. But trust me, Savi, Ishaan will always be with you, in your heart. And Rajat is a good man, he will take care of you and Sai. This is a new chapter in your life, and it's okay to take a step forward."

"beta. Also, Ishaan wanted you to be happy, to move on with your life. He knew that you were young and had your whole life ahead of you. He didn't want you to waste it in grief."

Savi felt a wave of calm wash over her as she looked at Isha Maa. She knew that Isha Maa was telling the truth, that Ishaan would want her to be happy. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling some of the tension in her body ease.

Savi nodded slowly, feeling a sense of calm wash over her as Isha Maa's words reminded her of what she already knew. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling some of the guilt and anxiety ease.

Isha Maa pulled Savi into a warm hug. "Calm down, beta. Everything will be okay."

Savi pulled back from Isha Maa's hug and looked at her with a determined expression. "Maa, I've decided that I want a small wedding. Just a simple ceremony at the temple, whenever the muhurat is. No big crowd, no fuss. Just you, papa, Rajat, Sai, and a few close family members. That's it."

Isha Maa nodded, a warm smile on her face. "That sounds perfect, beta. I'll start making the arrangements. We'll keep it simple and intimate, just the way you want it."

.......

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