Her Only Saviour

50. They listen. They evolve

𝕻𝖆𝖍𝖑𝖊 𝖏𝖔 𝖐𝖎𝖞𝖆 𝖓𝖆 𝖍𝖔

𝕻𝖞𝖆𝖗 𝖒𝖊𝖎𝖓 𝖆𝖆𝖏 𝖜𝖔 𝖐𝖆𝖗 𝖑𝖊𝖓
𝕻𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖎 𝖏𝖔 𝖏𝖎𝖘𝖒 𝖕𝖊

𝕽𝖔𝖔𝖍 𝖐𝖊 𝖐𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖍 𝖉𝖊 𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖊
𝕽𝖆𝖆𝖙 𝖐𝖔 𝖒𝖎𝖑 𝖘𝖚𝖇𝖆𝖍

𝕳𝖆𝖓 𝖗𝖆𝖆𝖙 𝖐𝖔 𝖒𝖎𝖑
𝕾𝖚𝖇𝖆𝖍 𝖑𝖆𝖕𝖆𝖙𝖆 𝖍𝖔 𝖏𝖆

~~~~~~~~~~~

‌The Oberoi mansion was filled with the soft sound of bells, the fragrance of sandalwood and fresh marigolds wafting through every corner.

Dadi had organised a special Satyanarayan Katha for Raghunath’s ongoing recovery, and as always, Nandini had taken the lead in the preparations.

Kaamini arrived just before the rituals began, hesitant, but Nandini rushed forward, holding her hand.

“You came,” she whispered, glowing. “You kept your promise.”

Kaamini smiled softly. “How could I not? My daughter insisted.”

Those words, “my daughter,” echoed in Nandini’s heart.

During the Puja, Nandini and Anirudh sat together for the main rituals, side by side, fingers brushing occasionally, stealing little glances while the pandit chanted.

Kaamini sat beside kalyaani (dadi) , silently observing the ease with which Nandini blended into their world.
She offered flowers, helped Rudra with his tilak, corrected Saisha’s mispronunciations during the aarti—and still made time to check on Raghunath’s comfort, adjusting his shawl mid-ceremony.

It was then Kaamini whispered to her mother, “She’s a force, isn’t she?”

Dadi chuckled.
“She is this house’s light now.”

Kaamini’s expression softened with pride.

Later, at the prasad table, Kaamini helped Nandini serve prasad to the family, their laughter light as air.

Rudra walked up behind them and said, “I’ve never seen you two work together without one of you bossing the other.”

Kaamini playfully slapped his arm. “That’s because she finally listens to me now.”

“Oh, please,” Nandini teased. “It’s because you stopped calling me ‘that dramatic girl.’”

Their laughter blended like music.

Evening Ends With Lighthearted Warmth, As dusk settled, Kaamini stayed longer than usual.
Nandini insisted she pack extra prasad for the temple ladies.

Nothing about the day felt strange, for everyone.

If anything, it looked like healing, love, and devotion had finally found balance.

----

2 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧, Nandini helped Kaamini fold fresh laundry at the penthouse.

"Do you ever miss the time when decisions were yours?" Nandini asked casually, holding up one of Kaamini's old shawls.
“I found this in the guest closet...it’s stunning.”

Kaamini smiled nostalgically.
“That shawl? I wore it the day we sealed Parth’s engagement. Your phupa ji wanted me to wear something ‘modest’. I almost wore a pink saree instead.”

“Oh…” Nandini said softly, folding it with care.
“You’d have looked divine in pink. You always do when you choose for yourself.”

Kaamini blinked—surprised at the comment, then smiled faintly.
“It’s silly… how many little things I changed over time.”