The Forced Vows<br /> <br /> "When a relationship isn't connected by the heart... can obligation sustain it?"<br /> <br /> That boy... who hated love,<br /> whose heart held only loneliness and wounds,<br /> and whose body had given up... a wheelchai... The Forced Vows<br /> <br /> "When a relationship isn't connected by the heart... can obligation sustain it?"<br /> <br /> That boy... who hated love,<br /> whose heart held only loneliness and wounds,<br /> and whose body had given up... a wheelchair became his support.<br /> <br /> And that girl...<br /> a simple, innocent, and beautiful-hearted girl,<br /> bound by obligation into a relationship where there was neither respect nor affection.<br /> <br /> Her mother, making the biggest demand of her life,<br /> forced her into the bond of marriage—<br /> to someone she didn't even know... and didn't want to know.<br /> <br /> But time played its game.<br /> His hatred was broken by her innocent smile,<br /> and one day...<br /> the one he hated became his greatest need.<br /> <br /> But...<br /> on the path of this love, there were not just emotions,<br /> but hidden enemies, past secrets, and a conspiracy<br /> that could destroy everything.<br /> <br /> Will this relationship, bound by obligation,<br /> truly become "love"?<br /> Or will these Forced Vows remain a burden forever?
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Delhi, Shanti Niketan.
In the previous chapter, you saw the description of a beautiful villa named 'Mamta Niwas' in Delhi's Shanti Niketan, where Mrs. Mamta Rana lived with her late husband Abhijit Rana. The villa was very beautiful and decorated with flowers and colorful lights, as Mamta ji was preparing for her son Angad's wedding. Angad is a successful businessman but is wheelchair-bound due to an accident. He is marrying a simple girl named Akriti Awasthi, who is doing this marriage for her mother's happiness.
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When Neil saw Akriti, he was mesmerized. At that moment, she looked like an apsara descended from heaven, adorned in bridal attire.
Neil looked at her and said with a smile, "I must admit, Bhabhi, your beauty is unmatched. I have never seen such a beautiful bride. Seeing you, it feels like a pure angel from the land of fairies has come to adorn my friend's colorless world with her radiance. I have become your fan."
Akriti blushed lightly at his compliment, and dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her beauty had now increased manifold; anyone who saw her once would carry her impression in their heart forever.
Perhaps that's why God had sent her with a beauty mark. The mole just above her lips, which commanded its place, not only enhanced her beauty but also served as a dark mark to protect her from the evil eye.
When Anu heard Neil, she boasted, "After all, whose Bhabhi is she?"
"That's right, now she's my Bhabhi, so she must be beautiful," Neil replied instantly, which made Anu glare at him.
Then, making a face, she said, "She's my Bhabhi, that's why she's so lovely, understand? Look at you, praising yourself."
"Why, is she only your Bhabhi? Anyway, you look like a mouse, and Bhabhi looks like a fairy. There's no comparison between you two," Neil retorted with quick wit.
Anu was annoyed by his words, but before she could say anything, Mamta ji scolded both of them, "Stop it, you two. You've started fighting on such an auspicious occasion. Now, if either of you speaks another word, I will throw you out of here."
She threatened them, and upon hearing her threat, they glared at each other and then made faces. Mamta ji then turned her gaze towards Akriti and, showering her with blessings, said,
"How lovely our child looks, like a doll today."
She kissed her forehead lovingly. Akriti stood with lowered eyes. Sunanda ji also got up and came to Akriti. She had started dreaming of seeing her daughter as a bride right from her birth. Then circumstances arose that made her feel this dream would remain just a dream, and she would never be able to see her child as a bride. But today, fate had given her the opportunity to see her little daughter standing before her as a bride.
Tears of joy welled up in her eyes. She also showered her with blessings and then lovingly kissed her forehead, saying,
"You look more beautiful than we could have ever imagined in this bridal attire. If your father and brother were here, they would have been overjoyed to see you like this."
As she said this, a wave of pain crossed her face, and tears welled up in Akriti's eyes, trickling down her cheeks.
Anu immediately wiped away her tears and said,
"No, Bhabhi, you absolutely must not cry, or your makeup will be ruined. It took me four hours to get you ready; everything will be wasted. Please, don't cry."
Pain flickered across Akriti's face, but she no longer allowed the tears to fall. Neil looked at the sad Akriti, then at Sunanda ji, and said complainingly,
"Auntie, this is wrong. You are hurting yourself and making Bhabhi sad on such an auspicious occasion. Today is a day for joy, so you should be smiling. I believe Uncle and brother are also happy seeing Bhabhi today, but if you and Bhabhi are sad remembering them, they will also be sad. Besides, Angad is your son now, and I am here too. Come on, leave the sadness behind and smile so that these clouds of pain can lift from Bhabhi's face."
Hearing him, Sunanda ji gave a gentle smile, then lovingly touched Akriti's cheek and said, "You are very fortunate, dear, to be getting such a good in-laws' family and a loving family. We are extremely happy for you today. Our only prayer to Mahadev is that he does not test our child any further. Happiness has knocked on your door after great difficulty; may this happiness remain forever."
Hearing her words, everyone else smiled. Angad's face remained expressionless. When the priest asked for the exchange of garlands, everyone's attention shifted to him.
Anu stood Akriti in front of Angad and disappeared with Neil. After a while, four servants appeared, carrying four platters. Two large platters held heavy garlands made of flowers, while two smaller platters, amidst rose petals, held gleaming rings.
The priest chanted mantras and sprinkled holy water on them. Then, Neil, holding one of the platters with the rings, stood near Angad, while Anu, with the other platter, went to Akriti.
Now the problem was that Angad could not stand. Everyone's concerned eyes darted at each other. Neil tried to lift Angad's wheelchair, but before he could, Akriti, managing her heavy lehenga, knelt before him.
Everyone was initially shocked by this, then a satisfied smile spread across their lips. Sunanda ji was overwhelmed, witnessing her daughter's intelligence and her devotion to Angad in this relationship.
Somewhere, she was worried about how her beloved daughter would handle this relationship, given her husband's disability, and whether she could support Angad. But the step Akriti took reassured her that Akriti would manage this relationship and Angad with her intelligence and devotion.
A look of relief appeared on Mamta ji's face, and she became even more confident in her choice. She felt proud of Akriti. Her belief in her decision to choose Akriti for her son solidified further, that Akriti was the one made for her son, the one who could teach him to live and smile again.
Due to Akriti's sudden kneeling, Angad's gaze, unwillingly, fell upon her. His eyes lingered for a moment on that moon-like beautiful face, full of innocence. An unbidden desire arose in his heart for Akriti to lift her eyelids, so he could behold the eyes of this queen of beauty, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
Neil extended the ring plate towards Angad. On Mamta ji's instruction, Angad took the ring in his fingers. Anu extended Akriti's hand towards him, and Angad, despite himself, had to hold her palm. The moment his fingers touched Akriti's palm, her heartstrings vibrated, her heartbeats accelerated, and she felt a tickling sensation in her stomach.
For the first time in her life, she was experiencing these emotions, and as a result, confusion appeared on her face.
After placing the sparkling blue diamond heart-shaped ring on her ring finger, Angad gave her a displeased look and released her hand.
Now Anu extended the ring towards Akriti. Sunanda ji stroked her head and told her to put on the ring. She gently took the ring in her fingers.
Angad was not extending his hand, seeing which Neil brought his hand forward towards Akriti. Akriti glanced at his palm and then, hesitantly, put the round gold ring on his ring finger.
After the ring ceremony, the priest asked for the exchange of garlands. Angad first put the garland around her neck without looking at Akriti.
Akriti, without even lifting her eyelids to look at Angad sitting before her, also placed the garland around him. All the servants showered them with flowers, after which they were taken to the mandap and seated.
Angad was seated in his chair, and a wooden stool was brought for Akriti. Amidst the mantras, the wedding rituals began. Since Akriti's father was not present, Sunanda ji, considering him as a witness, performed the Kanyadaan of her beloved daughter, and at this moment, tears welled up in both mother and daughter's eyes.
When the priest asked to call the brother, Sunanda ji became sad and worried, and Akriti's tears rolled down her cheeks. Neil immediately stepped forward, wiped her tears, and said with a smile, "Bhabhi, I already have a relationship with you, but if you permit, I would like to make you my sister before my Bhabhi. Tell me, will you give your brother the right to fulfill his duty?"
Hearing him, Sunanda ji looked at him with gratitude, and Neil smiled gently. Neil performed the ritual of calling a brother, and then, placing his hand on Akriti's head, he said with a smile, "From today, I am your brother, so whenever you need your brother, just remember me once. Wherever I am in the world, I will reach you as soon as possible."
Then, glancing at Angad, he said, "And if this brother-in-law..."
As soon as he said this, Angad's angry, piercing gaze fell on him. So, he immediately flashed his teeth and said, "Hey, why are you getting so angry? I didn't abuse you. After all, the brother of one's soon-to-be wife is called a brother-in-law, right? So that's what I'll call you."
He said this softly, so only Akriti and Angad could hear. Akriti didn't pay attention, but Angad, hearing him, glared and averted his gaze from him.
Neil turned to Akriti once again and said, "Yes, so I was saying, if your husband bothers you even a little, you can tell me without hesitation, and then I will scold him so severely that he will remember my face before bothering you again."
Hearing him, Angad glared at him once more. Anu quickly retorted, "Yes, yes, that's bound to happen, because before scolding the brother, the brother-in-law will give you such hospitality that you will never forget."
Saying this, she burst into laughter. A cunning smile played on Angad's lips, as if silently agreeing to Anu's words. Neil glared at both brother and sister, then left and sat near Mamta ji.
After a few mantras, Anu tied the sacred thread around them as per the priest's instructions. The wedding rituals began to progress. Midnight had passed. The sky was beginning to show its redness. Amidst the mantras, they took seven vows with seven circumambulations. After that, the priest extended the thali containing sindoor, a silver coin, and a small, beautiful gold mangalsutra towards Angad.
Anu slightly lifted Akriti's maangtika, and as per the priest's instructions, Angad decorated Akriti's parting with auspicious vermilion from the coin. After the sindoor, he put the mangalsutra on her, and with this, the priest announced the completion of the wedding.
Akriti sat there like a delicate doll, with her eyes closed. A few specks of sindoor had adorned her nose as a mark of her good fortune, which Anu wiped away and then made her stand up. Now it was time to take blessings. First, they approached the priest. Angad was already finding all this troublesome, but he was doing it silently for Mamta ji's happiness.
Just as the wedding was completed, an angry voice echoed there...
To be continued...
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Aakriti sat with her eyes closed. Anu wiped the vermilion particle from her nose. When it was time to take blessings, Aakriti held Angad's hand and made him touch the feet of the priest.
While Angad was surprised by Aakriti's action, everyone else was happy to see her wisdom. Aakriti had promised to support Angad in the marriage, which she was fulfilling even before the wedding.
Neel and Anu took both of them to Mamta ji. Aakriti again held Angad's hand and touched her feet. Mamta ji hugged Aakriti and said that she was confident that she had made the right choice for her son.
Now both were taken to Sunanda ji. Aakriti looked at her with tearful eyes and bent down, holding Angad's hand, touched her feet.
Sunanda ji explained to Aakriti that a new life was about to begin for her and she had to dedicate herself to her new relationships.
Mamta ji urged Sunanda ji to stay with Aakriti at their house, but Sunanda ji politely refused. Anu and Neel also tried to convince Sunanda ji, but she remained firm on her decision.
Finally, Aakriti told her mother that she respected her decision and did not need to compromise her self-respect to stay with her. She promised her mother that she would always be there for her and would never make her feel like an outsider. Sunanda ji hugged Aakriti and said that she would always be her daughter.
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"You need to focus more and give more time to those relationships. Everything will be new for you now, so you will have to be patient and try to understand everyone. Don't give us a chance to complain, daughter, that our daughter doesn't know how to maintain relationships, how to respect them."
"I will never let that happen, Mother. I will never allow any finger to be raised at the values you and Father have given me." Aakriti sobbed as she hugged them. Everyone watched them in silence.
After a while, Sunanda ji separated Aakriti from herself and then, looking at Mamta ji, said, "Forgive us, but we cannot accept your offer. Our conscience does not allow us. We have to leave from here. Don't worry about us, just take care of Kriti after we leave. She has never been away from us; she has a very delicate heart. We have handed over our daughter to you; if possible, try not to let her miss us."
Mamta ji came forward, hugged them, and said, "From now on, Aakriti is our responsibility. We will give her mother's love and take care of her every happiness. You have entrusted your daughter to us by trusting us, and we will never betray your trust."
Her words reassured Sunanda ji that her daughter would be happy here. When she asked for permission to leave again, Mamta ji refused, saying, "You cannot stay here, but can you at least witness the post-wedding rituals of your daughter's wedding? Stay here for now and leave in the evening."
Hearing her words, Sunanda ji refused, saying, "No, co-mother. We came here for the wedding. The wedding has been completed without any obstacles. Now it is time for us to bid farewell to our daughter. You welcome your daughter-in-law and son with great fanfare and give us permission to leave."
Ultimately, Mamta ji had to bow to Sunanda ji. Once again, Aakriti and Angad touched their feet. Anu and Neel also bowed their heads respectfully and greeted them. Mamta ji bid farewell to Sunanda ji with a hug. Before leaving, she held Aakriti close to her chest.
Aakriti, clinging to her chest, broke down sobbing. Her eyes also welled up. It was not easy to separate a piece of her heart from herself. Seeing her crying and sobbing, her chest felt like it would burst with pain, but she put a stone on her heart and pulled the sobbing Kriti away from her.
Neel accompanied Sunanda ji outside, put her in the car, and saw her off. Kriti watched her mother leave with tear-filled eyes. Tears were streaming down her face. Her crying had now turned into sobs. Seeing her falling apart, Mamta ji held her close. There was a feeling of maternal care in her touch, and Kriti hugged her and cried like a child.
Anu's eyes also welled up with moisture. Neel, who had just returned from seeing off Sunanda ji, was also moved to see Aakriti crying. But Angad stood there impassively, like a stone.
He didn't show it, but the tears flowing from Aakriti's eyes, the sound of her sobs, were making him restless somewhere. He didn't know why it was so now, and because of these uninvited emotions, he started feeling irritated. He felt frustrated due to his inability to understand his feelings.
He looked at Aakriti, who was crying in Mamta ji's arms, and irritably said, "If being separated causes so much pain, then why did you get married? No one held a gun to your head and forced you to get married. You..."
Everyone looked at him in surprise upon hearing Angad's words. Aakriti, too, looked at him in astonishment, hearing his indifferent words.
Before Angad could say anything further, Mamta ji, who had been looking at him in surprise until now, understood his next words and interrupted him angrily, "Angad............"
At her angry call, Angad fell silent and muttered, "Your anger or shouting won't change the truth. There can be no reason to marry a boy like me other than money. All this crying is a drama to trap you, but Angad Rana will not be affected by any of it."
He was lost in his thoughts when Mamta ji's voice drew his attention, "Angad, what you said today, you said. But remember, from now on, we will not tolerate any misbehavior from you towards Aakriti. She is now the daughter-in-law of this house and your wife. Her respect is linked to your respect; if you try to hurt her honor, we will forget that you are our own son."
Hearing her words, Angad looked at her with disbelief and asked, "Are you threatening your son for this ordinary girl who arrived two days ago?"
"I am not threatening you. I am warning you that Aakriti is now the daughter-in-law of this house and your wife, so keep this in mind before saying anything to her from now on. We have bound Aakriti in this relationship on our responsibility, so if we have to go against our own son to protect her honor, we will not back down."
She announced her decision, upon hearing which Angad looked at Aakriti with hateful eyes and then averted his gaze. Aakriti stood there, stunned, listening to everything.
From Angad's behavior and Mamta ji's words, she had understood very well that the marriage had happened against Angad's will, and now she had a long battle to fight to win her husband's trust and love, which would not be easy at all. It is easier to find a place in someone's heart, but it is extremely difficult to remove suspicion from someone's mind and make them believe in you.
This new relationship has come into her life as a new challenge, and she has no other option but to face it and win it. Fate has once again prepared to test her. Moments of peace will probably not be available to her yet. As she thought about all this, her eyes welled up, and she lowered her eyelids.
At Mamta ji's behest, Anu and Neel took both of them outside the house's threshold. Anu and Neel came back inside. After a while, they both came there with Mamta ji.
Mamta ji removed their nazar and performed their aarti, welcoming them with a tilak. Anu placed a pot full of rice in front of Aakriti's foot, and Neel placed a plate of alta right in front of her. Together they spread a white cloth in front of the plate.
Mamta ji lovingly asked Aakriti to knock over the pot with her right foot and make her first step into this house, so Aakriti did the same. Gently pushing the pot with her right foot towards the inside, she entered her new home. After that, dipping her feet in the kumkum plate, she left her footprints on the white cloth and moved forward. Even if reluctantly, Angad also entered the house with her.
After coming inside, Mamta brought both of them to the other side, where there was a beautiful temple. Decorated with flowers and shimmering with lights, the temple looked very beautiful. Inside, there was a large statue of Mahadev. Both came and took his blessings, after which they stopped in front of a picture displayed nearby.
It was a youthful picture of Abhijit ji, when he was of Angad's age, and the resemblance between father and son was quite striking. Mamta ji told Aakriti about him and asked her to seek blessings from her father-in-law for a happy future life, so that his blessings would also be with their relationship.
Aakriti lit the diya placed in front of him and then clasped her hands in front of him, closing her eyes. First, Mamta ji was surprised, then she smiled. Aakriti knew all this because at her home, she used to light a lamp in front of her father's and brother's pictures every morning and evening.
After taking his blessings, they were brought to the hall. The post-wedding rituals began, in which Angad had to participate despite his unwillingness. All this took time beyond noon. Everyone was tired due to the wedding preparations and the work from the morning. They hadn't eaten anything yet, so after all the rituals, Mamta ji asked Anu to take Aakriti to her room. Neel also took Angad to his room, and Mamta ji headed towards the kitchen.
After a while, servants brought food to both rooms. Aakriti sat silently on the bed. While she appeared calm and quiet from the outside, a fierce storm raged within her mind. Angad's words from a while ago echoed in her ears, and the moments of the wedding and Angad's expressions flashed before her eyes.
She knew that it would not be easy to maintain this mismatched relationship, but she had never imagined in her dreams that Angad's consent was not included in this marriage. She had never imagined that in this marriage, she would not get the rights of a wife, nor the respect that she deserved. She would have to fight her own husband for her rights. She would have to create a place for herself in his heart, especially when he perhaps hated her, and she didn't even know the reason for this hatred.
To be continued....
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Last time, you saw that Aakriti was confiding in Angad, thinking he was asleep, while Angad was awake and listening. She was determined to make this relationship work, no matter the difficulties. She resolved to win her husband's heart. She was also worried that she had slept too close to Angad in her sleep. The next day, Aakriti decided she would sleep on the sofa so as not to inconvenience Angad. She looked at the sleeping Angad and spoke her heart, about how beautiful and special he was. She also said she would try to make him walk again. She came back into the room after getting ready, which woke Angad.
Now, onward.
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Angad's gaze was fixed on Aakriti. Aakriti was wearing a high-necked, full-sleeved golden blouse with a deep blue Kanjeevaram saree, which had a broad golden thread-work border. The saree was draped very elegantly, covering her entire waist. On the side Angad could see her, Aakriti had her hair styled, so her face wasn't visible, but her long, flowing black silken hair from the waist down captivated Angad's eyes.
Perhaps it was the first time he had seen such beautiful and long hair. He watched her intently for a few moments, then as soon as he realized Aakriti was about to turn, he immediately averted his gaze and sat up.
His guess was absolutely correct. Aakriti, sensing someone's gaze on her, suddenly turned towards him. When she saw Angad, he was about to get off the bed. Seeing this, Aakriti panicked.
"Don't get down, wait."
Angad turned to her in surprise at her sudden, loud command to stop. A voice echoed in his ears, "Wait." These were the words that resonated in his ears, and his eyes turned to Aakriti in surprise.
Aakriti, flustered, said further, "Just wait a minute, I'll be right back."
With that, she quickly turned towards the dressing table. She picked up the sindoor box and applied a pinch of sindoor to her hair parting, then immediately came to Angad.
Angad was looking at her, surprised and perplexed. Angad's eyes settled on Aakriti's face.
Her complexion was whiter than milk, with a light pink blush, a lovely small round face full of innocence, with her big, dark kohl-lined eyes in which he could see her care for him, thin pink lips, and the mole right above them that enhanced her beauty, her hair flowing down to her waist on both sides, the vermilion in her hair parting proudly asserting its presence, a small mangalsutra around her neck, a bracelet full of bangles on her henna-covered wrists, the saree looked very good on her sculpted body and fair complexion.
Today, without any adornments, she was captivating in her simplicity. If anyone saw her at this moment, they would lose their heart and soul to her simplicity. Perhaps Angad was also falling under the spell of her beauty, and what attracted him most to Aakriti was her simplicity and innocence, the truth shining in her eyes, and her concern for him.
Aakriti came up to him. She lowered his feet from the bed, then held his shoulders and very carefully seated him in the wheelchair. As she seated him, Aakriti leaned towards him, bringing her face very close to Angad's.
Her hair, her long hair, began to cover his face, and Angad's face was hidden amidst those dark, dense clouds. While Aakriti's entire focus was on properly seating Angad in the wheelchair, Angad was staring intently at her big, dark kohl-lined eyes, which reminded him of something.
Aakriti seated him properly, then tidied her hair, tucked it behind her ear, and stepped back, "Sorry, I touched you without asking."
Shaking off his thoughts, Angad said seriously, "Thanks, but you don't need to do all this."
Hearing him, Aakriti replied very earnestly, "I know you don't need me, but I want to do this. It's not my compulsion, but my desire. I am your companion, and I wish to journey through this life together.
It is the duty of a husband and wife to support each other in times of difficulty. When their life partner weakens, they should strengthen them, and I want to fulfill the vows I made to you at the time of our marriage from the bottom of my heart.
Don't worry, I am not doing this under anyone's pressure or out of compulsion, nor would I ever think of doing something like this out of pity for you, because pity is for those who become helpless, unfortunate, and weak in the face of circumstances.
In my eyes, you are a fighter. I respect you from the bottom of my heart and now I want to be your shadow and stay with you. I want to fulfill the relationship that binds me to you. You can at least give me this right."
Hearing Aakriti, Angad walked towards the bathroom without saying anything. Aakriti watched him for a moment with disappointed eyes and said from behind, "Shall I get your clothes? If you say so?"
Hesitation was clearly evident in her voice, which Angad also felt. Moving forward, he replied without any expression, "Hmm."
Hearing his response, Aakriti's face lit up. She quickly ran towards the cupboard. Opening the cupboard, she saw that on one side were fine business suits, and on the other, casual shirts, pants, and some t-shirts.
Seeing so many clothes, Aakriti's head started spinning. Then she shook her head and looking at the clothes, said loudly, "Rana Saab, what will you wear? Shall I get a t-shirt and trousers, or will you wear a shirt and pants? T-shirt and trousers would be more comfortable."
She kept talking, and Angad, inside the bathroom, listened to her quietly. He was also a little surprised, seeing how comfortable Aakriti was with him. He was also surprised at himself, why he was obeying her every word? Why did her sadness prick him?
He had never even let a servant touch his things, never wore clothes chosen by someone else. He wore what he wanted, did what he wished to do. Then, what was there about this girl who had arrived yesterday that he was listening to her, obeying her, and even giving her the right to touch his clothes?
He was lost in his own thoughts when Aakriti's sweet, confused voice reached his ears again, "Rana Saab, tell me, what will you wear?"
Angad seemed to have come out of a deep thought. He replied in an authoritative voice, "I have a meeting today, so get the business suit."
Hearing him, Aakriti's eyes widened, and she asked in surprise, "You are going to the office? But Mom was saying you don't go out of the house."
"It's a meeting via video call," Angad's voice came from inside, so Aakriti pursed her lips and said to herself, "Oooo, you'll have a meeting via video call, I had forgotten that this is also a thing now."
After looking at all the suits, she took out a grey business suit and placed it on the bed, and started getting ready herself. After a while, Angad's voice came from inside, "You, go out of the room."
Hearing him, Aakriti immediately ran out of the room. She came downstairs and headed towards the temple. Mamta Ji was already preparing for the puja there.
Aakriti went and touched her feet and wished her good morning. Seeing this, a deep smile spread across her lips. She blessed her, then lovingly touched her cheek and said, "You look very beautiful."
Aakriti smiled softly at her words and started helping her with the puja preparations. After a while, Mamta Ji asked Ranjan to call Anu and Neil and sent Aakriti to Angad.
Aakriti happily walked towards the room. Although she was far from her mother, Mamta Ji's presence compensated for that absence to a great extent. Then Sunanda Ji had also told her that this was her home now and she had to manage this home and these relationships from the heart.
She had already started trying to adapt herself to the new environment. She was trying to be comfortable with Angad so that understanding could develop between them and she could remove Angad's displeasure.
As soon as Aakriti opened the room door and stepped inside, her feet froze in place, and her eyes were fixed on Angad standing in front of her. A grey business suit, worn with black trousers underneath, as only the upper part was visible on a video call. Hair neatly set upwards with gel. A branded watch on his right wrist, which matched his personality. He was wearing home slippers on his feet.
His handsome face exuded a unique radiance; his stature was something else, the commanding presence on his face suited him. He was the owner of a marvelous personality, no less than a hero in appearance, perhaps that's why girls were crazy for a glimpse of him. He was sitting in a wheelchair, but this limitation did not diminish his charm in the least.
For the first time, Aakriti had seen such a handsome man in front of her. Angad looked very different and charming at this moment, and Aakriti, lost in his gaze, kept staring at him.
When Angad saw her gaze fixed on him, he frowned and said, "What are you doing here? And why are you looking at me like you've never seen a boy before?"
His question forced Aakriti back to her senses. She immediately averted her gaze and said in a flustered manner, "No, it's not like that. I've seen many boys, but never a boy as handsome as you."
As soon as Aakriti said this, she bit her tongue and squeezed her eyes shut helplessly. Angad heard her reply, his eyes widened as he looked at her and said, "What?"
Aakriti quickly opened her eyes, looked at him, and explained, "I meant I've never seen a hero with my own eyes before, and you look exactly like a hero, that's all."
"So, as soon as you got the chance, you started staring at me," Angad said, raising his eyebrows.
Hearing his question, Aakriti immediately shook her head in denial and said, "No, no, I wasn't staring at you, it was just..."
To be continued....
"So, as soon as you got the chance, you started staring at me," Angad said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her.
Hearing his question, Akriti immediately shook her head in denial and said, "No, no, I wasn't staring at you. It's just..."
She trailed off, unable to think of what to say next. The truth was exactly what Angad had just said, so she lowered her head and pouted her lower lip, making a childlike face. Seeing her expression, Angad couldn't help but smile, for some reason. He quickly hid his smile and asked her sternly, "Why did you come here?"
Hearing his question, Akriti replied with her head lowered, "Mother has called you for the puja."
"Okay, you go ahead, I'll come in a while," Angad said.
As soon as he said that, Akriti looked up at him immediately and said, "No, Mother said I should bring you with me, otherwise you won't come."
Hearing her words, Angad's eyebrows furrowed. He narrowed his eyes and glared at her, "Your mother said that to you?"
Akriti nodded innocently and replied, "Yes, Mother said that you always make excuses to avoid coming to the puja, and today is the first puja I'm performing after the wedding, so you have to perform it with me. So, if you say so, shall I take you downstairs?"
Angad didn't say anything. Taking his silence as agreement, Akriti went to him and, holding the wheelchair, moved forward saying, "By the way, I wanted to ask you something, may I?"
"Hmm."
"Are you angry with Mahadev?" Angad fell silent at Akriti's question.
So, Akriti continued, "I mean, are you really angry with him about something? But he is God, you shouldn't be angry with him, because whatever he does, he does it for our good, which we don't understand at that moment. That's why we misunderstand him, question his decisions, and sometimes get angry and curse him, asking why he did this to us? But at that time, we are unaware of his plan for us. My father used to say that even parents who bring us into this world can be wrong, but Mahadev is never wrong. He feels the pain, the suffering of every child. Whatever he does, he does it for our good, so instead of questioning him, we should trust him. We should respect his decisions and leave the rest to him, just follow the path he shows, and he will lead us to a better destination."
Angad listened silently. This gave Akriti courage.
"If you are angry with him about something, then think carefully about the reason for that anger. Wasn't there really something good hidden behind it? Perhaps you are judging Mahadev by looking at only one aspect of it, and you haven't considered the good aspect yet."
In her words, Akriti had spoken very profoundly, and her words forced Angad to think. He was angry with Mahadev because of his accident and losing Prachi. But perhaps everything had happened for the best. If he hadn't had the accident, if he hadn't been paralyzed, he would never have known that the woman he loved more than his life, the woman he wanted to make his wife and bring into his life, was a opportunistic, selfish person. As long as he was well, she stayed with him, and as soon as trouble came, she was the first to ditch him, saying he was not worthy of her, that she couldn't spend her life with someone who depended on others for his own needs. This accident had shown him the true faces of people, who were his own, who truly loved him, and who were with him only for their own benefit. If this accident hadn't happened, he would have married Prachi, and later, when problems arose, Prachi would have broken off their relationship and left him. At that time, it would have hurt him even more. This accident had saved him from getting tied to the wrong partner. Yes, he was not sure yet if Akriti was the right life partner for him, if she would be able to accompany him through all the ups and downs of life, but he understood that Akriti was very different from Prachi. There was no comparison between them, because where Prachi was a cunning, shrewd girl who looked for benefits in everything and every relationship, Akriti was a pure-hearted, innocent girl who knew how to nurture relationships with her heart. Perhaps his accident had been for the best; he had been freed from a wrong relationship, and perhaps only after being deceived once, he had now found his true companion. Angad was lost in his thoughts when Anu's surprised voice reached his ears, "Brother!"
Anu's voice jolted him out of his thoughts. He looked ahead and saw Anu and Neel standing with Mamta Ji. While Mamta Ji and Neel were smiling at him, Anu was staring at him with wide eyes. Angad couldn't understand the reason for her surprise, so he looked at her with confused eyes and said, "What happened? Why are you staring at me with such wide eyes?"
"It's a matter of surprise, brother! I designed this suit for you three years ago, but you refused to wear it, telling me you didn't like the color, and today you are wearing the same suit. Not only that, you let Bhabhi push your chair, whereas you don't let anyone help you, and the most surprising thing is that you have come to the temple. This is the second time in six months that you have come here. Yesterday, it was out of compulsion, so you stepped into the temple, but today..." She continued to look at him with wide, surprised eyes. Hearing her words, Akriti also looked at Angad with some surprise, while Angad himself was surprised that he wore the same color today without saying anything? How could he not refuse when Akriti asked, and how could he let her push his wheelchair, when he absolutely didn't like it. Seeing the surprised and confused expressions on Angad's face, Neel stepped forward, smiled, and said, "Come on, let's forget about these things. It's a good thing that you are changing, change is necessary with time. Anyway, this color suits you."
Hearing him, Anu agreed and said, "Yes brother, your monkey friend never says anything sensible, but today he is right. This suit looks great on you. When I designed it, I didn't think it would suit you so much. You look very handsome in it. If any girl saw you now, she would fall for you instantly."
Angad's expression changed slightly at her words, and Akriti also felt a little uncomfortable. A while ago, she had been in the same situation. Mamta Ji came forward, gently patted Angad's head, and said, "Now we feel that we will soon get our son back, and we know that Akriti has somehow performed this miracle, that you have come here of your own will today. And Akriti will teach you to live again. We have chosen the right companion for you." Mamta Ji said the last sentence lovingly looking at Akriti, and everyone's eyes turned towards Akriti. What she had said was true; the change in Angad was because of Akriti. Anu quickly stepped forward, hugged Akriti, and smiling said, "Thank you, Bhabhi. You are truly an angel. Because of you, brother is starting to become normal again, he is changing. Thank you, Bhabhi. Always be his courage like this." Akriti gently nodded. Neel was smiling looking at Angad, perhaps he understood his confusion. After talking, Akriti started the puja by praising Mahadev, and everyone was mesmerized by her sweet voice singing the Shiva Stotra. Angad also unknowingly joined her in singing the Shiva Stotra, which surprised Akriti and everyone else, but a smile also bloomed on their lips. After the puja, Akriti performed Mahadev's aarti with Angad, then after offering prasad to him, she offered prasad and aarti to everyone. After the puja, Mamta Ji asked Akriti to make something sweet for her first cooking, so she went to the kitchen. Anu came out to the garden with Neel. Today, a peaceful smile spread across everyone's lips. The changes Angad had undergone in a single day after marriage gave them hope for a better tomorrow. Angad went to his study room and started working. After the accident, he had shifted his office to his study room and was managing all his work from there. After an hour or so, everyone was present in the dining area. Angad had also arrived. As everyone sat in their chairs, Akriti started serving the food. Seeing this, Anu stopped her and said, "Bhabhi, please don't. You have already cooked the food, Ranjan will serve it. Sit with Bhai and have breakfast with us." Akriti listened to her, looked up at her, smiled, and said, "The taste of food is not just made with salt, chili, and spices, but the intention of the maker is also reflected in it. If food is made with love, its taste is different, and when it is served with the same love, its taste doubles. Just as it is important to cook food well and with love, it is equally important to serve it with love and feed everyone. Anyone can cook, but when the homemaker herself cooks and serves with love, the peace she gets is not found in someone else serving the food. Anyway, I used to serve food to everyone at home before eating myself. I like feeding everyone. So you all eat, I will eat after all of you." Hearing Akriti's words, Mamta Ji smiled. Once again, Akriti's upbringing had touched their hearts. Anu couldn't quite grasp what she meant, while Neel was watching Angad's face intently, perhaps he knew what was about to happen. As soon as Akriti finished speaking, Angad's commanding voice echoed.
To be continued....
As soon as Akriti fell silent, a stern voice echoed through the room. "Sit quietly and eat. If you love serving so much, then serve once and then come and sit quietly and have breakfast with everyone. If anyone needs anything, they will take it themselves or the servers are there for this, they will do it. You don't have to wait for everyone to eat. It's not like if you don't serve, the food will go to waste or if you serve, it will add extra taste to it, so there's no need to make a show of it." This was Angad's voice. On hearing his words, a mysterious smile spread across Neel's lips. Anu smiled too. Akriti looked at Angad with astonished eyes, and he turned his gaze towards her and said, "Didn't you hear what I said?" Angad narrowed his eyes and glared at her, and Akriti stuttered, "No, I mean yes, I'll just serve and sit down, you eat." She quickly put some halwa in a small bowl and handed it to him. As she was about to turn to go, Neel's voice fell into her ears. "Bhabhi, you served the wrong person with the wrong thing." Akriti turned to look at him questioningly, as if asking what he meant. Neel explained, "Angad doesn't eat sweets." As soon as she heard this, a surprised and loud exclamation escaped Akriti's lips, "What, he doesn't eat sweets?" Neel shook his head in denial, and Akriti's astonished gaze turned to Angad, who was staring back at her with narrowed eyes.
"Son, Angad wasn't always this tough. Since childhood, he was a very quiet and sensible child. His father's darling. He had a tender heart like wax, he couldn't bear to see anyone in pain. He was more attached to his dad than to me.
Connecting with people was always difficult for him. He wouldn't readily share his heart with anyone. He has no friends other than Neil, because he rarely talks to anyone, but as long as his dad was around, he told him everything in his heart.
When Angad was 15, we lost his dad in a car accident. That was a very difficult time for us. His sudden departure affected Angad the most. We expressed our grief by crying, but Angad didn't shed a single tear. After that, he never cried and became more introverted. Still, at that time, he had Neil in his life, so he managed to cope.
Angad's dad was our support. As long as he was there, everything was wonderful. He had built that company with his hard work and dedication, which Angad runs today. But at that time, he wasn't capable of managing the company... Angad's dad had told us many times to learn office work, it would be useful if needed. We always dismissed his words as a joke. But when he left us, we realized why he used to say that?
By the time we understood the importance of his words, it was too late. After Angad's dad's departure, there was no one to run the company. All the incomplete projects were halted midway. Investors started demanding their money back, the company started incurring losses. With no one to oversee, the employees did as they pleased. Gradually, the company came to the verge of closure.
To repay the investors' money and the loans taken from the bank, this house where we are standing, and the company that Angad now runs, were all sold."
Aakriti was listening intently. Mamata ji wiped her tears and continued, "In a moment, we went from palaces to the streets. There was only one earner in the house, and his sudden departure was a huge shock to us. On top of that, poverty descended upon us like a curse.
Neil's parents were not rich, yet they supported us a lot at that time. When we didn't have a roof over our heads or food to eat, they gave us and our children a place to shelter. But Angad could not bear to live on anyone's charity.
He was proud like his dad. He preferred a single roti earned through hard work over three meals a day given out of charity. So he refused to take any help from them. After much persuasion, he agreed to stay there, but only on the condition that he would pay the rent for the house and bear all other expenses himself.
We and the children had a small amount of money in our accounts, which he had fixed for times of need. The initial days were spent relying on that. But how long could the money in the bank last? It too started to run out.
At the tender age of 15, the responsibility of us and Anu fell on Angad's shoulders, and to fulfill that responsibility, he would wake up early in the morning to deliver newspapers to homes, wash people's cars, and then go to school. After school, he would work in a garage and study late into the night.
Angad's life goal was to regain everything that his dad had earned with his blood and sweat. Be it this house, our company, or the respect in people's eyes, he wanted it all back, for which he worked day and night.
We have seen how he used to ignore his own needs to fulfill even the smallest needs of us and Anu. After his dad's departure, Angad took on all the responsibilities on his shoulders. That one accident made our son grow up before his time. The one who could get his dad to bring him the most expensive things with just a call, he yearned for small things. He struggled every moment of his life to meet his and our needs."
Her eyes were moist, but she continued, "We can never forget that time. We have seen Angad working day and night. Only then has he reached this stage today where people bow their heads in respect at the mention of his name and salute him. He has worked very hard. After completing school, he used to coach children along with college and worked.
He inherited the skill of managing business from his dad. He had a very sharp mind, he used to learn everything very quickly. He didn't see day or night, just kept working hard. After completing college, he restarted the company. He had to face many difficulties.
Before starting the company, he worked in many companies to gain experience and save money. After that, he restarted the company. He got the first project with great difficulty, and it was very small. But he gave it his all because he knew it was the first step to his success.
After that, work increased, and his name started to be made. When the money accumulated, he surprised us by buying back our home. At that moment, it felt as if his dad had returned. Today, the heights he has reached in the sky, he struggled a lot to get there, and time and circumstances made him even more introverted.
He made himself tough so as not to break under difficulties. He dotes on Anu. Anu was 10 years old when their dad left us. Angad raised her not as a brother, but as a father. He fulfilled her every wish, even if it meant ignoring his own needs. He fulfilled the role of both a brother and a father, and for this, he gave up his childishness and became serious. All his mischief seemed to have gone with his dad.
He was quiet before, but in front of his dad, he would laugh and talk, and even be mischievous. But with his departure, it was as if Angad himself had gone. The responsibilities that suddenly fell on his head made him serious and harsh. He faced many difficulties to reach here, but he never gave up in front of life. But the accident that happened to him broke his spirit."
Aakriti was listening very attentively. Somewhere, she was also understanding and feeling Angad's pain and suffering.
Today, she realized that the suffering she had endured was nothing compared to the pain and difficulties Angad had faced, and that too at a very young age. Perhaps time had been challenging for her too, but compared to the struggle Angad had undertaken, her suffering seemed very little.
Mamata ji's eyes welled up many times while narrating everything. He flashed before her eyes once again, and pain spread across her face.
Anu's eyes also became moist. Neil was a witness to that time, so he could feel it all. He placed his hand on Anu's shoulder, and Anu, sobbing, hugged his chest. At first, Neil was startled, then, understanding that Anu was emotional, he gently stroked her head.
Mamata ji could not continue further. Her voice choked, and she fell silent. Aakriti waited for her to say more. After taking a few deep breaths, Mamata ji composed her emotions, wiped her tears, and began to speak again,
"Angad remained alone since childhood. Besides Neil and his dad, he had no friends and didn't talk much to anyone. After their departure, he confined his life to Anu and us, and his eyes held only one dream: to rebuild our loving home, to restart his dad's company, and to take it to the heights his dad had dreamed of. To regain that lost respect that people held in their eyes for his dad's name.
He never thought about anything other than these things. When he was in his second year of college, a girl entered his life. Prachi Saxena. Angad didn't even pay attention to her, but she started liking Angad. First, they became friends, and then slowly their relationship progressed.
With time, Angad started opening up to her, expressing his emotions. The friendship turned into love. She supported Angad in fulfilling his dreams, and Angad loved her. She was the first girl Angad had allowed to come close to him.
For Angad's happiness, we agreed to this relationship. There was no reason to refuse. Because at that time, Prachi had supported Angad at every step. Their engagement was fixed. Angad was happy to have her support. He had accomplished his goal, and his love was about to be complete, so he started smiling openly.
After years, we saw our son so happy, and we were happy in his happiness. But fate perhaps didn't want that.
About six months ago, as Angad was returning home one night, his car was hit by a speeding truck. The accident was so severe that Angad sustained a deep head injury. He also had wounds on his legs.
His leg was crushed under the seat, due to which the doctor said there was a fracture. The car's windows shattered, and shards of glass embedded in his back. His condition was critical, and survival seemed impossible. But by the grace of Mahadev, his life was saved. He had snatched our husband from us, but he returned our son to us.
Initially, the doctor only mentioned a fracture, and he was undergoing medication. He stayed in the hospital for a month. But in that month, Prachi never came to see him. We were surprised to see that her love was hanging between life and death, and she didn't even care enough to come and see him, to inquire about him.
A month later, when Angad was about to be discharged, we learned that he had lost his ability to walk in that accident. The lower half of his body was paralyzed. This was no less than a shock to us.
Angad was deeply hurt that day. But his spirit broke when Prachi ended their relationship saying that he was no longer worthy of her.
Angad had buried his pain in his heart even when his dad left, but Prachi's rejection shattered him to such an extent that he gave up on life. We saw him cry that day. But after that, Angad once again suppressed his pain within himself.
Despite treatment and medication, his leg muscles weakened. This fact settled in his heart, and he accepted that these medicines would do nothing now. So he stopped taking them.
Just as his health condition eroded his faith in medical science, Prachi's words shattered his faith in himself. He accepted that he would never be able to stand on his own feet again. He is alive but not living. His breath continues because the responsibility of us and Anu still rests on him. But his soul is dead."
To be continued....
"We've been watching our son struggle for the past six months. Prachi had broken his trust and heart, as well as him. We were glad that her true colors were revealed to us in time, and we knew she wasn't right for Angad before he got involved with her. Otherwise, if this had happened after the marriage, Angad might not have been able to bear it."
He looked at Akriti and continued, "We understood that Prachi wasn't meant for our son, and considering Angad's state of mind, we were looking for a girl who would accept him wholeheartedly, even after knowing about his deficiency. Someone who would connect with him, not his money. Someone who could stand by him through thick and thin.
Someone who wouldn't overlook his other qualities for this one deficiency and would love him for his strengths as well as his weaknesses. Someone who would accompany him at every step like a good companion. Whenever Angad felt weak, she would be his support. Someone who would teach him to believe in himself again, who could pull him out of the darkness where he had imprisoned himself.
We were looking for a girl who could teach him to live and love again. Someone who could give him a reason to forget his past and move forward. And our search ended with you."
Akriti's face was etched with pain. A strange agony flickered in her eyes. The fact that her husband loved someone else was incredibly painful for her. This truth was piercing her heart. Her innocent heart had shattered, and no one even knew. But Neil seemed to understand her feelings.
Mamta ji now looked at her and began to speak with a slight smile, "The moment we saw you sitting at the feet of Mahadev, we realized our search was over. The glow of truth was shining on your face. Your innocence reflected your honest heart.
When you refused the proposal by saying you couldn't leave your mother, our belief was further strengthened that no one could be a better life partner for Angad than you. A girl who was ready to sacrifice her future for her mother could neither understand the importance of relationships nor uphold them.
Even after knowing everything about Angad, you said yes to this relationship at your mother's insistence, proving that relationships, not money, hold value for you. You accepted Angad's deficiency and accepted him with complete respect. The way you stood by Angad at every turn on the wedding day, as his support, further solidified our belief that you would stand by Angad for a lifetime. No matter how dire the circumstances, you would never leave him. As his companion, you would stand by him at every step of this life's journey, being his strength.
We know that knowing Angad's heart belonged to someone else, we decided to include you in his life without telling you, and that was wrong. But what we did, we did after much thought, my child.
Angad may have loved Prachi, but she is his past, and only you can bring him out of that past. You are so lovely that Angad won't even realize when he starts desiring you. Your truth and simplicity will create a place in his heart that no one else ever could.
You are our hope, my child. We have connected you to our son with great sincerity, and we are fully confident that very soon, you will be the only one in Angad's life, as well as his heart.
Angad is not a bad person, my child. You just need to take a step towards him. His trust in love has been broken ruthlessly. Once you mend his trust, Angad will give you every happiness in the world. He will love you so much that you will forget everything else. Just as Goddess Parvati is the strength of Mahadev, you have to become Angad's strength and pull him out of the darkness of the past, restore his trust, and teach him to live again.
You can do this, my child. You can teach him to believe in love and marriage again. You don't have to do much, just win his trust, and then he will love you immensely. He has a lot of love hidden in his heart, and you just need to give him a reason to express it."
She continued, "Even if Angad has a past, and he truly loved someone, that was his first love, which couldn't be fulfilled. Remember, my child, that Angad's present and future are both you. You have to be his last love, who remains in his heart until his last breath.
You are already married to him. Now, besides you, he will not even think of anyone else by mistake. Now, only you have a right over him, and you have to earn that right. I know you must have had many dreams, and here you will have to struggle even to win your husband's love. But my child, the result of this struggle will be very pleasant. Because you will probably not find another man who desires you like Angad. He who loves someone sacrifices not just his happiness, but his life for them. You just need to take a step towards him, and he will come forward himself, hold your hand, and include you in his life."
Akriti listened to her words silently. Mamta ji fell silent. Perhaps she was waiting for her to say something, but Akriti didn't utter a word. Seeing her so quiet, Neil began to speak, "Bhabhi, I know it's not easy for you to accept the truth that your husband loved someone else. But Bhabhi, she was Angad's past, and everyone has a past, which we must forget and move forward in life.
Yes, it's true that Angad loved Prachi very much. He had loved her truly. But as big a truth as this is, an even bigger truth is that she has no existence in Angad's life now.
It's not easy to forget the first love. Perhaps she exists in some corner of Angad's heart, but after what she did to Angad, she has fallen from his heart. Now, there are no feelings for her in his heart. His heart is now a blank slate, on which you have to write your name.
Angad feels nothing for her now. He doesn't care about her one bit. He still hasn't forgotten, but now he doesn't even let her memories enter his mind. You have to make a place for yourself in his heart, which is now completely empty. If you look into his heart, you will find only pain and emptiness, and you have to fill that emptiness with the feelings of your love."
"My friend is like wet clay right now. In whatever shape you mold him with love, he will take that shape. His life is barren, and you can end his emptiness by filling his life with happiness and the feelings of love. Everything is in your hands, Bhabhi. He is yours. You just have to make him yours with your love. You already have a right to his life, now you have to claim exclusive rights to his heart."
Neil also tried to explain and encourage her. He wanted to give her a reason so that instead of giving up before Angad's past, she would fight for it and adorn his present and future with herself and love. And perhaps Akriti understood his words.
Akriti looked at Neil, then at Mamta ji with teary eyes and began to say, "I don't know if I am worthy of this or not, but I will try my best to live up to the faith you all have placed in me. I don't know if I will ever be able to make a place in his heart, but as long as I am alive, I will stand by him. He will never be weak in my presence. I will never let him be defeated by difficulties.
Whenever he feels weak, I will stand by him as his strength. I will mend his trust and create a desire to live again in his heart. I will assure him that there is no deficiency in him. The deficiency is in the mindset of that person who, merely by looking at the body, rejected him, his heart, and true love. He is still perfect today.
I will try to create a desire in him to heal and to stand on his own feet again. He will not need anyone's help or support for any work. I will stand by him, and this companionship will never break."
Akriti's words brought a smile of relief to everyone's lips. She wiped her tears, took the medicines, and headed towards Angad's study. Seeing this, everyone else smiled.
A big worry of theirs had ended today. Akriti had accepted Angad, not just his deficiency, but also his past, and this was comforting to them.
Akriti stopped outside Angad's study room. After calming herself for a few moments, she knocked on the door, and Angad's stern voice came from inside, "Who is it?"
Hearing his question, Akriti remained silent for a few seconds. Then, taking a deep breath, she replied in a measured voice, "It's me, Akriti. May I come in?"
At first, Angad was surprised to hear Akriti's voice. He had no expectation that Akriti could be outside. Akriti's presence there raised many questions in his mind, but for now, he pushed all those questions aside and said in the same stern tone, "You can come in."
Upon receiving his permission, Akriti opened the door and as soon as she stepped inside, Angad's voice reached her ears, "Any special reason for coming here?"
Akriti turned her head in the direction of the voice, and there, by the table on the other side of the door, Angad was sitting in his wheelchair. In front of him were a laptop, some files, and so on.
Akriti's eyes scanned the entire room, and it was filled with bookshelves, with books and files placed here and there. There was also a king-size sofa and a glass table in front of it, decorated with showpieces. The place looked very lovely. The peace spread there was bringing a unique solace to the mind.
To be continued....
No response from Groq.
"Have you ever heard of a person's half body leaving them? No, that never happens, and neither can I ever leave you. My existence is now intertwined with yours, and as long as I live, I will stand by you."
Aakriti continued, "Don't think that I am doing you a favor or bearing the burden of this relationship out of compulsion, because this relationship is as important to me as my breath. I cannot call this relationship a burden without calling your breath a burden. If this relationship breaks, the thread of my breath will also break, because I would prefer to die as your wife than to live without you.
I have not done you any favor, I am just trying to uphold the relationship that Mahadev has joined, and you are no less than any ordinary man in any way. I am very lucky that I found you as my husband. You are worthy of me, but I am not worthy of you. The flaw is not in you, but a very big flaw is in me. Yes, we are not a match, but Mahadev has bound us in this sacred bond, that is my good fortune."
Angad was watching her, and a moisture began to fill Aakriti's voice.
"I had never even thought about marriage. Such a storm came into my life that it snatched away my right to even dream. I had accepted the reality that my forehead would always remain bare, and I would have to spend my life alone. I had accepted that love and companionship were not in my destiny, but then you came into my life like an angel.
You freed me from that life of humiliation by including me in your life. You adorned my bare forehead with vermilion, and filled my barren life with the colors of happiness. I had even stopped dreaming that my forehead would be adorned with that kumkum, that I would ever become someone's wife, but by including me in your life, you gave a new life to me and my mother.
Aakriti's eyes welled up, "Even then, I had learned to live by listening to people's taunts, made my mother my world, learned to fight with difficulties, accepted the loneliness written in my destiny, but mother could not bear to see me alone. The societal ties and the worry of a grown daughter sitting at home did not let her live.
By marrying me, you have given a new life to my mother. She was so worried that no one would hold her daughter's hand now, and she was consumed by the thought that what would happen to me if something happened to her? I had neither my father's shadow nor my brother's hand, no one to support me.
She smiled through the pain and said, "This world is very cruel. It does not let a lonely girl live in peace, nor does it leave a way for her to die. If a girl wants to live a life of respect, then she needs a man by her side, whether he is her father, brother, or husband. In some form, a man's protective hand must be over her head, otherwise, the vultures present in this society do not take a second to tear her apart, they do not look at her with respect."
Today, Aakriti felt like she wanted to say everything. She continued, "By making me your wife, you saved me from their eyes. My mother was always worried about who would hold the hand of a girl whose marriage broke on her wedding day, whose intended husband, who was supposed to protect her honor, had made a spectacle of her dignity in full assembly.
There was no one to save me from people's eyes, and my mother was consumed by the worry that her daughter's honor would not be stained, that her daughter would not fall into the hands of some monster, that her life would not be ruined, that she would find protection, that's all she wanted, and you ended her worry.
You came into my life like an angel sent by Mahadev, and in return for my years of devotion, he gave me you as prasad, and I can never disrespect the prasad given by my deity.
Do you think if you don't get well, I will leave you? Answer me one question, has a devotee ever abandoned his deity when he faced hardship?..... No, he worships them from his heart until his last breath, he offers selfless devotion, and I also want to fulfill my wifely duties lifelong selflessly.
I cannot say anything more than this. If you still doubt my intentions, then by all means, show me indifference, but I am not going to leave you as long as I am alive. Yes, if I die, then perhaps your words will come true."
Aakriti paused for a few seconds and continued, "From now on, I will neither try to make you believe my truth nor ask you to take your medicines. If you don't want to get well, then it's fine, I have no objection to it, I will stand by you in any case, but before reaching any decision, please think once about your mother, sister, and friend.
I am nothing to you, my wishes have no importance in your eyes, you don't even accept this relationship, but your relationships are connected to others, they must be important to you, you can at least respect their wishes.
Your own people want to see you standing on your feet again and living life openly. Now the decision is in your hands, what matters more to you, that family and their happiness, who stand by you in all circumstances, or that girl, her harsh words, and the pain she gave, who went away from you as soon as trouble came. The medicines are here, if you feel like it, eat them, otherwise throw them in the garbage."
Aakriti placed the medicines on the glass cover plate and, wiping her tears, began to leave. She had laid her heart bare before him. She had tried to make him believe her truth before, and today she had made her last attempt. She had told him everything. She had even shared some of the pain of her past with him. After that, she had nothing left to say, so she thought it best to leave in silence.
Angad's mind was swirling with her words. Her words had reminded him of his own past, and he understood that Aakriti had found out everything about him.
He had felt her pain in Aakriti's words, and he had seen the truth in her eyes. He was somewhat entangled in her past because he knew nothing about it.
He remained silent for a few moments, thinking about her words, then turned his head and saw that Aakriti had reached the door. As Aakriti reached out to open the door, Angad's voice reached his ears, "Aakriti!"
Perhaps this was the first time Angad had called her by her name. For some reason, hearing her name from his mouth made Aakriti's heart pound, and her hand stopped in mid-air. She turned back and looked at him with questioning eyes and said, "Yes."
Angad looked at her with a serious gaze and asked, "What happened in your past?"
Hearing his question, Aakriti stared at him, stunned for a moment, then looked at him with troubled eyes and said, "Why are you asking me? When mother talked about your relationship with my mother, she told her everything truthfully, and even after knowing everything, mother decided to join our relationship, so she must have told you everything about me, right? That's why you agreed to the relationship, so why are you behaving now as if you know nothing about what happened in my past?"
Now it was Angad's turn to be shocked. He looked at her in surprise and said, "I was only told that you live alone with your mother. A few months ago, you lost your father and brother in an accident. You are supporting yourself and your mother by working, and your mother likes you for me. I don't know anything more than this, so what past are you talking about?"
Aakriti said, "Perhaps mother thought that after knowing everything, you would not accept me, you were not ready for this marriage in the first place, and if you found out my truth, you might refuse. Thinking this, she probably didn't tell you anything, but don't worry, I will not form any relationship with you by deceiving you.
I am not in a condition to tell you anything right now, I will tell you everything truthfully myself later. If you can accept me after knowing the truth, it will be my good fortune, and if you also reject me, I will accept it as my destiny. I will accept every decision of yours, just give me some time to compose myself."
Saying this, she left, and Angad was entangled in her words. Aakriti had left, but her pain-stricken face and helpless red eyes were still swirling before Angad's eyes.
To be continued....
Aakriti left after saying what she had to say, and Angad became entangled in her words. Aakriti was gone, but her pain-stricken face and helplessness-reddened eyes still swirled before Angad's eyes.
Lost in Aakriti's words, Angad turned his gaze forward and it fell on the medicines placed in front of him. Aakriti's words echoed in his mind, and after some thought, he took the medicines. It was the first time in about five months that he had taken medicine, and that too because of Aakriti.
Angad was astonished by his own behavior and couldn't understand what was happening to him. He started getting entangled in his own emotions. Why did he feel a strange pull towards Aakriti? Why did her vacant, sad eyes torment his mind? Why did her pain feel like his own? Why did he obey her words? Why couldn't he stop himself from thinking about her?
Why did she say these things to him? Why did he feel weak and helpless while asking her to leave? Why did he feel pain while blaming her? When he had never expressed his pain to anyone before, how could he speak so much in front of her? He couldn't understand why a few hours of company had forced him to change.
A storm of questions raged in his heart, and he sought their answers. Entangled in those questions, he pondered them for a long time, then shook his head and got to work, but Aakriti's thoughts still dominated his mind. He wanted to know what had happened in her past. He had already guessed some things from her words, but the desire to know the whole story began to surface in his mind.
Sometimes, looking into Aakriti's eyes, he felt as if he had seen them somewhere before, her dark eyes reminded him of something, but that memory seemed to have been erased from his mind. There was a strange sense of familiarity in her presence, which Angad was failing to understand. Despite trying his best, he couldn't concentrate on his work, so in the end, he leaned his head against the chair and closed his eyes.
Aakriti's words echoed in his ears that she would support him in every situation. Remembering this, a serene smile bloomed on his lips, and he didn't even realize it.
Aakriti came out to everyone. She tried to hide her sadness with a faint smile on her lips, but everyone sensed the moisture in her eyes and the sadness on her face. They also understood that something must have happened between her and Angad, perhaps Angad had said something that made Aakriti sad. Understanding her sadness, everyone remained silent, and no one mentioned it because whatever the matter was, it was between the two of them, and one should not interfere in marital affairs unless absolutely necessary.
They had tried to explain things to both Angad and Aakriti, and now it was up to them to understand this relationship and each other. They needed time, and now they were giving them that time so they could resolve the complexities of this relationship together.
Anu's words brought a smile to Aakriti's lips, but her eyes were filled with deep sadness, which no one could alleviate even by sensing it.
Angad remained in his study room the entire time. They all had lunch together at lunchtime, and there was still silence. This continued until nightfall. In the afternoon, Aakriti had also spoken to Sunanda ji, as she was now alone there, and Aakriti was worried about her.
After Sunanda ji's repeated persuasion, Aakriti hung up the phone. Aakriti had spent almost the entire day doing nothing, so in the evening, despite Mamta ji's strong protests, she insisted on making dinner for everyone herself.
Dinner was also a silent affair. After dinner, as always, Mamta ji offered Angad his medicines with the hope that he would take them now, and this time, she was not met with disappointment.
Angad silently took the medicines and ate them. Seeing this, everyone stared at him in wide-eyed astonishment, but Angad paid no attention to anyone and quietly left. Now everyone's astonished gazes turned towards Aakriti, who was looking at Angad, seemingly lost in thought.
They didn't take long to understand who had caused this miracle today. As soon as they understood, smiles appeared on their lips.
Anu quickly ran and hugged Aakriti, who was still watching the departing Angad with a bewildered gaze. Anu pulled away from her and asked with curiosity, "Wow, Bhabhi, you worked a miracle today. Truly, you are an angel. I've become your fan. How do you get Bhai to do what you say? Truly, you are made for him; only you can handle him."
Hearing her, Aakriti turned her gaze towards Anu, who was looking at her with a big smile on her lips.
Before Aakriti could even react, she felt a loving touch on her head. She turned her eyes, and Mamta ji gently caressed her head and said with a smile,
"We have no words to praise you. With each passing moment, you are strengthening our belief that we have chosen the perfect life partner for our son. We won't say much more, just this: always be with our son like this."
Aakriti nodded in agreement. Neel also smiled and said, "Bhabhi, truly, you know some enchanting spell that you made even that lion bow down to you. You are truly worthy of being called his companion. Always be with my friend like this; your support will teach him to live again."
Aakriti could only smile. Something was going on in her mind that she hadn't shared with anyone. When everyone retired to their rooms, Aakriti, deep in thought, made her way towards Angad's study room on the ground floor.
Hesitantly, she opened the door and stepped inside. She looked at the table and saw that the medicine was not there. When she didn't find it in the dustbin either, she understood that Angad had taken the medicine.
For the first time since morning, a genuine smile bloomed on her lips. Thinking of Angad, she said to herself, "So you took the medicines after listening to me. Well, at least you took a step forward. You'll see, I will definitely pull you out of the darkness of your past. No matter how difficult it may be, I will assure you that there is nothing wrong with you. My heart tells me that you will definitely get better.
Mahadev has tested you greatly; you have struggled a lot, never surrendered to difficulties, and this time too, you will not lose. Mahadev will not trouble you anymore. You will surely stand on your own feet again, walk on your own steps again, and the one who rejected you by saying that will surely realize their mistake. They will realize what they lost due to their foolishness."
She thought, "I don't know if I will ever be able to make a place in your heart. I don't know if, after knowing everything about me, you will blame me, like the world does, while being innocent, or if you will believe in my truth and innocence and give me a place in your life. But whatever your decision, I will accept it. As long as I am here, I will definitely support you."
She seemed to be talking to herself, "Get well, then I will tell you everything truthfully about myself. Not before then, because if you push me away after knowing everything, I won't be able to do anything for you, and it is very important for me to be with you right now. If it is true that you listen to me, then I cannot leave you until you get better, and my heart tells me that you will get well again very soon."
Aakriti made up her mind and left. By the time she reached the room, Angad had changed and was sitting in his place. They hadn't spoken since morning.
Angad was leaning against the headboard of the bed, engrossed in his phone. Aakriti glanced at him, then went to her bag. She had bought most things, but she had also brought some things and clothes from her home, which were still in that bag.
Aakriti took out the items and set them, then took a simple suit for the night and went into the changing room. Hearing the sound of the door closing, Angad looked up and glanced at the closed door of the changing room, then returned his gaze to his phone.
After a while, Aakriti came out of the changing room, then washed her hands and face in the bathroom, and coming into the room, she moved towards the dressing table. Angad, though not showing it, was entirely focused on Aakriti.
Aakriti took off her earrings and anklets and placed them on the table, applied cream to her face and hands, then glanced at Angad sitting on the bed before moving towards the sofa.
Seeing this, Angad's eyebrows furrowed, but he said nothing. Aakriti went and lay down on the sofa, and bending her arm, she covered her eyes.
Angad, who had been watching silently all this time, now narrowed his eyes and stared at Aakriti, saying, "What is the meaning of this drama?"
Hearing his angry voice, Aakriti removed her arm from her eyes, turned her gaze towards him, and looking at him with confused eyes, said, "What have I done now? I haven't said anything to you, so why are you getting angry?"
Angad heard her question, and looking at her once more, he said, "When I hadn't said anything to you, you left after saying your piece. Then, for the rest of the day, you ignored me, and now... now you've gone and lied down on the sofa instead of the bed. If this isn't drama, then what is it?"
To be continued....
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
