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

SHOT 27

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Abhay's pov!

I was driving towards home when I got a call from Mama. I picked up the call on the third ring and connected the call to my airpods.

"Mama.."

"Abhi, did you start from the office?" Mama asked.

"Yes, mama. I am on my way. I will reach home in twenty minutes." I said, as I drove through the bustling Bangalore traffic.

"Abhi, we are not home. Come to the Green Village Restaurant. We all are here." Mama said and I wasn't in a mood to dine out.

"That's okay, Mama. You all carry on. I will go home and order something." I said, trying to get out of this dinner.

"Come here, Abhi. It has been such a long time since we all went out for dinner like this. I can't remember when it was the last time we had a family night out." I could hear the emotions in Mama's voice.

Ever since my marriage with Kiara, all these became alien to me.

"Mama.." I said softly, emotions clogging my throat.

"Please, Abhi. Come for my sake." Mama said in a begging tone and I felt ashamed of myself for making my mother beg like that for my time and attention.

"I am coming, Mama." I said and took a detour and drove to the restaurant Mama mentioned.

As I stepped into the restaurant, the sound of laughter greeted me like a warm embrace.

My heart skipped a beat as I laid eyes on Vaiga and Kriti standing by the mesmerising musical fountain in the centre of the lawn. The colourful lights danced across the water's surface, creating a magical ambiance that seemed to envelop them in a cocoon of joy.

Kriti's chubby fingers reached out eagerly, trying to catch hold of the water that moved in rhythm to the music. Each time she reached out, the water would playfully evade her grasp, causing her to pout in frustration.

But Vaiga would gently guide Kriti's hands towards the dancing water, ensuring that each touch brought a squeal of delight from my little girl.

My breath caught in my throat as I watched the scene unfold before me. Vaiga's laughter mingled with Kriti's giggles, creating a symphony of joy that echoed in my ears and warmed my soul.

For a moment, I forgot about everything else— my guilt, my past and all the heartache — and lost myself in the beauty of their shared happiness.

But then, as if on cue, a voice whispered in the depths of my mind, reminding me of the stark reality of our situation.

'They looked like a real mother-daughter duo, and you, Kriti's own father, looked like a stranger in their midst.' My inner voice taunted me.

The thought pierced through me like a knife, shattering the illusion of happiness and leaving behind a hollow ache in its wake.

Shaking off the unsettling feeling, I forced myself to tear my gaze away from Vaiga and Kriti and briskly made my way towards the table where my family was seated. Mama's smile greeted me as I approached, her eyes twinkling with warmth and affection.

"Abhi, you made it!" She exclaimed, pulling out a chair for me to sit next to her.

Even when I said I would come, she was probably worried if I would change my mind. I could clearly understand it through the relief I saw on her face when she spotted me. And it made my heart feel heavy.

I am hurting everyone and there seems no way out for me from this messy state of my life.

I managed a weak smile in response to my Mama's happy one, my mind still reeling from the emotional whirlwind I had just experienced. I tried to push aside the nagging doubts and insecurities that threatened to consume me and focus on the present moment.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but steal another glance at Vaiga and Kriti. They were still engrossed in their playful interaction, their laughter ringing out like music in the night. Despite the turmoil raging within me, I couldn't deny the simple beauty of their bond.

But as I looked on, a pang of longing washed over me— a longing for the kind of connection they shared, a longing to be a part of my little girl's world in a way that felt genuine and true.

And yet, I knew deep down that no matter how much I yearned for it, I could never truly belong.

With a heavy heart, I turned my attention back to my family, forcing a smile onto my face. Shravan also joined us in between.

As we began to indulge in our meals, a sudden interruption broke the rhythm of our evening. A lady, with a warm smile and a sense of familiarity, approached our table, her eyes alight with recognition as she embraced my mother, Anjana.

"Anjana, it's been ages!" The woman exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight.

Mama returned the embrace with equal warmth, her smile widening at the unexpected reunion.

"It's wonderful to see you, Neelam. How have you been?"

Neelam aunty's gaze then shifted to Vaiga, who sat beside me, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh my god! She is a Xerox copy of Vidya. Is this Vidya's daughter?" Neelam aunty's words came out in a rush, her excitement palpable.

Mama's smile turned nostalgic as she nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, this is Vidya's daughter. Her name is Vaiga." Mama said.

"Oh dear! I was a close friend of your Mama, Vaiga." Neelam aunty said as she embraced Vaiga.

Mama then proceeded to introduce us all to Neelam aunty.

"And this is my eldest son, Abhay. And this is his little girl, Kriti." Mama said, introducing the two of us at last.

"Ah ha! So, you got your son married to Vidya's daughter as you both dreamed of all those years ago, huh?" Neelam aunty teased.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the table at Neelam aunty's remark, casting a shadow over the previously jovial atmosphere. Mama cleared her throat awkwardly, exchanging glances between me and Vaiga as she struggled to find the right words to break the tension.

Neelam aunty turned her attention to Kriti and pampered her a bit.

"The baby looks just like her Mama," Neelam aunty remarked, pointing at Vaiga with a smile.

Unable to contain my frustration any longer, I slammed my fist on the table, my voice sharp with anger.

"Enough!" I exclaimed, my words cutting through the air like a knife.

A/N

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