She decided to wash off what happened a while ago. She felt the feeling of being free from all the knots once again. She wanted to experience the new things with happiness, not with her sorrow.
Siddharth booked a taxi from there to reach his home.
"I have always heard about taxi, but this is my first time riding it!" Avneet exclaimed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Just like the train with a little less buffers and no unwanted noise from this vehicle." her reply brought up another smile on his face.
"W-will your mom like my sudden entry?" she asked with a tint of nervousness which she failed to hide.
"Don't worry! You will surely like her. She is a lovely person. She knows about our situation, and I think she will enjoy your company too. There is no reason for her to not accept you." he replied with an assurance.
With a little more talks, they reached his home. It was small and needed to get repaired. It was broken at places. The bricks were showing up...
But the smell of milk caught their attention.
"My mother must be making some kheer for me," his eyes sparkled with happiness.
"I told her not to do much but see that is how she is!" he chuckled.
She looked at him and noticed a little pain in his voice. She wasn't much educated, but she could understand his feeling.
He felt sorry for his mom who works day and night staying in this broken house. She could see they are not rich, and he was surely feeling sad for not being able to support his mom financially as much he should have.
She knew that he was emotional just thinking how awesome it would be to meet his mom after years!
"S-she must be waiting for you. Don't worry, things will go good" she tried comforting him.
"If you say so..." he smiled and looked at her while she smiled back trying to provide him the mental support he needs.
Their gaze was interrupted when the heard the unpleasant sound of an utensil of steel falling down and hitting the ground.
"SIDDHARTH!" their eyes followed the woman in her forties who was standing inside the house with tears in her eyes.
"Mom!" he squealed like a five year old kid and ran towards the woman engulfing her into a tight hug.
She caressed his hair and kissed his forehead.
"How pale you have become my dear!"
The mom and son duo shared an emotional moment letting it express how much they missed each other.
Avneet's eyes were filled with water too. She barely remembered her parents but she remembers how warm her mom's embrace was. She would never leave her during the winters. She had always wondered how her mom's embrace was to calm and comfortable...
Her chain of tears were interrupted when she noticed the woman walking towards her. Her heart was filled with nervousness again.
She bent down and touched her feet when she felt her warm hand upon her.
Are every mothers like this? Always ready to get their child a safe zone when they needs it?
"Why are you standing outside dear child? Come in..." she smiled.
Her smile wasn't charismatic, but it had a beautiful aura which faded all Avneet's nervousness away.
Siddharth smiled seeing their interaction. He picked up the bags.
"Go and get fresh, I will just finish the kheer," she told to Avneet and went to the small kitchen not wanting the food item to get burnt.
"A-avneet... you will have to share your room with me... we only have two rooms and mine are bigger... so," he shuttered not wanting her to get uncomfortable.
"I am okay with it." she said gazing the floor.
_____________
Vibha served them some tea with puffed rice mixed with gram.
Siddharth chewed the puffed rice with a pleasant smile. Avneet has seen him smile, but today it appeared a little different.
"Avneet, did you like the tea?" Vibha asked smiling at the two grown up boy and girl who looked like to two hungry kids munching onto their food happily.
"Y-yes... It's r-really delicious,"she replied.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable? Its okay dear... it will take you some time to adopt here. Just make it your home," Vibha said.
"N-no, I mean... I- I am comfortable... I- I didn't grow up with much people around me so I always end up s-shuttering. Sorry if I offended you," she protested as she had already loved the place though it was broken and wasn't as beautiful as Vaishnavi's.
"No dear, you didn't... " Vibha said when she was interrupted by Siddharth.
"I seem invisible."
Vibha looked at Avneet and they both chuckled.
"Well, she will become my daughter in law soon, so she is more visible to me." Vibha replied with a smirk.
Avneet, though isn't yet fond of marriage, felt a little burning sensation in her cheeks. Was she blushing?
No way!
"Anyways Avneet, don't feel shy to ask me anything." the older woman sentenced. "I will go to the kitchen and wash some dishes, let's talk after that."
"M-may I please help you?" Avneet requested.
"No! Not today at least. But you can give me a company girl..." she smiled making Avneet feel warm.
She looked at Siddharth who nodded and she followed Vibha to the kitchen. He smiled seeing the love of his life and his mother bonding well.
They have a long way to go. He will have to free Avneet from Asmit as running away didn't bring them a permanent solution. If by chance they are caught by Asmit, it wouldn't be easy.
Most importantly, the marriage is forced to her.
It is unexpected for him too but he has his will to marry. He doesn't know if she agreed due to the situation or because she feels something too?
He sighed.
His hopes were getting too high. She has just begun to trust him. He will have to gain her love. And, he will.
__
Avneet requested Vibha to let her help the older woman washing the dishes just to receive refusals.
"I will serve you more food if you propose me to help once again..." she scolded as she noticed how less the girl eats.
"I have somewhat known your past Avneet... Take a rest for a few days, after that you can help me with the chores," Vibha turned the tap on.
"Aren't y-you angry at me or felt disgusted listening to my past?" she asked looking at the woman with the calm aura.
"I don't know all of it. Siddharth has told me that you were sold to Asmit by your uncle and aunt. Neither in your uncle's home nor in Asmit's place you were treated well." Vibha finished.
"Y-you know about A-asmit?" Avneet's eyes widened.
"Its a long story, I will tell you some other day." Vibha replied.
"Please don't hate me after hearing it all. I- I will do whatever you say but please let me stay here," Avneet breathed.
"Why will I hate you for something which isn't you fault? Avneet, a mother can never hate her child." Vibha smiled at her closing the tap as she was done with the dishes.
"M-mother? Does that mean I can call you m-mother?" she was surprised.
"Avneet," Vibha held her by her shoulder, "I know you two are getting married due to the force of the situation. But remember, you can always consider me as your mom, even if the marriage doesn't work. I liked your behavior and your ethics. I trust my son."
"When he has agreed to marry you, trust me, he isn't helpless. My son has warned me not to expose some secrets, so I will stop the topic here because I don't want to see him pouting" she smiled recalling those days when Siddharth used to squeal in excitement in the phone call sharing Vibha about Avneet... the girl who has stolen his heart.
"Thank you MOM..." Avneet finished when the older woman pulled her into her embrace which was warmer than she had expected. She felt engulfed by so many emotions.
She felt secure and loved... the feeling which she lacked after her parent's death.
The long lost feeling she craved every night before her sleep was finally granted. She had someone to address as 'mother'.
It wasn't even a day since she met her, but she knew... these aren't fake.
She hugged the older woman back closing her eyes with a smile of satisfaction.
:::::::::::::::::::
{Is it boring?
Well, this fan fiction will contain drama and love both. I would prioritize love, but these scenes appear good to me, I hope you enjoy it too.
Also, I feel too happy to get back into writing after long! I feel relaxed now.}
Part 17
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