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

SHOT 16

Third person's pov!

"Vaiga's exams will be over in three weeks. Make a position for her in the office. Let her start as an intern and once her results are out, let's make a permanent position for her there.." Niranjan said and Abhay looked at him in disbelief.

"Papa, I don't think that is a good idea." Abhay said, coming up with a plan.

"Why not? You saw her certificates, didn't you? She is smart. She had passed all her exams with very high marks. She is eligible." Niranjan argued and Abhay let out an exasperated sigh.

"I agree. She is smart and has high calibre. So, I think she should continue her education and finish her post graduation too before starting a career." I said, coming up with a quick idea to make her leave from here.

"Oh.." Niranjan trailed off with a thoughtful look on his face and Abhay realised his idea had hit the mark. Now, as the final nail on the coffin..

"And you did mention that her in-laws didn't let her go to college. Which means, she hadn't completely enjoyed college life. Right now, in her emotional condition, I would suggest she have a college life rather than a career. Having new friends, new things to learn would bring colour to her life. Starting a career would put her life in a limbo." Abhay said and watched his father closely.

"You are right. I didn't think it through. Let me discuss this with Raghu and Anjana.." Niranjan said and left the room.

Abhay smirked and fell on the bed with a relieved sigh, thinking he had finally managed to get rid of Vaiga.

****

"Abhi is right. She should continue her education." Anjana said thoughtfully, as Niranjan told her what Abhay told him.

"Yes. I also think the same. But the problem is, the college in which she did the graduate course, the one nearest to her home is where Shiva works. He still works there. So, I don't think it is a right choice to send her there. Any other college in Thanjavur, she will have to stay in a hostel." Niranjan said thoughtfully.

"She can join PG here in Bangalore. Laya is coming here to do her PG, right? We can take admission for both of them together. Let her stay here. I don't want to send her back to Thanjavur any time soon. We can ask Raghu Anna also to come over." Anjana said.

Laya is Niranjan's younger brother's daughter. Niranjan's brother and family were settled in Delhi. He was a government employee and he retired recently. So, now they all are returning back from Delhi to Bangalore. Laya will be writing her last exams in a few weeks and after that, they will be moving back.

"I think that is a good idea. Let me discuss this with Raghu. I think he will agree, since Vaiga is happy here with Kriti." Niranjan said with a sigh.

Niranjan immediately called Raghuswamy and discussed the developments with him. Though he was reluctant at first, Raghuswamy finally agreed.

And thus, the older Agnohotris poured cold water over Abhay's carefully constructed plans..

****

Next morning!

"Vaiga, are you ready?" Anjana asked and Vaiga nodded. She was wearing a simple anarkali suit, red in colour. She wasn't wearing any accessories, not even a bindi on her forehead, but still she looked beautiful.

Anjana sighed wistfully once again, wishing they hadn't lost contact with Raghuswamy for all those years. If they hadn't, Vaiga might have been Abhay's wife by now.

"Have your breakfast quickly. I will feed Kriti today. Abhi will leave if you get late." Anjana said and ushered Vaiga towards the dining area, where the other family members including Abhay were already present.

Vaiga took a seat and Anjana placed three idlis on her plate and poured some chutney and sambar.

Once the breakfast was over, Abhay stood up and Vaiga hurriedly stood up too, trying to gulp down the idli on her plate. Abhay frowned seeing her antics.

"Vaiga, relax and eat. He will wait for you." Niranjan said and Abhay shot an annoyed look at his father before walking away.

He impatiently waited in the car and saw Vaiga hurrying towards the car.

As Vaiga hurried towards the car, Anjana followed closely behind, balancing baby Kriti in her arms. Kriti's lips jutted out at the sight of Vaiga about to leave, her little arms reaching out towards her.

"Ga ga," Kriti cried, her voice filled with longing as she strained towards Vaiga.

Vaiga's heart melted at the sight of Kriti's outstretched arms, her own eyes brimming with emotion. She longed to scoop Kriti up into her arms and hold her close, to shower her with love and affection.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Vaiga will be back soon," Anjana said softly, her voice filled with reassurance.

Kriti's bottom lip quivered with disappointment, her eyes welling up with tears as she watched Vaiga with a pleading gaze.

"Ga ga..." she whimpered, her tiny voice filled with longing.

Abhay watched the scene unfold with a frown, his irritation mounting with each passing moment. He couldn't understand why Kriti was so attached to Vaiga, why she seemed to prefer her over everyone else.

"Maa, just take her inside," Abhay said impatiently, his annoyance evident in his tone.

Anjana shot him a reproachful glance before turning back to Vaiga.

"Go on, Vaiga. Get in the car. I will take care of Kriti," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Vaiga hesitated for a moment, torn between her desire to comfort Kriti and her need to go with Abhay. But with a resigned sigh, she nodded and was about to climb into the back seat of the car when Anjana stopped her.

"My son is not a driver, Vaiga. Get into the passenger seat." Anjana said with a playful smile and Vaiga, with no other choice, climbed into the passenger seat awkwardly.

"Seatbelt," Abhay snapped as soon as she got in and Vaiga hurriedly pulled at the seatbelt.

Without another word, Abhay pressed his foot on the accelerator and raced out of the compound, directing his entire anger and frustration on driving.

A/N

Abhay is a bit annoying, isn't he? Shravan and Mithran were total green flags. I thought I will make Abhay a bit different from them..😌

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Love,

SF❤️