Marriage...<br /> It is not just the union of two people, but an unbreakable bond of two hearts, two souls, two lives.<br /> A bond that is built on the foundation of trust, devotion, and love.<br /> But what happens when one person entering this rel... Marriage...<br /> It is not just the union of two people, but an unbreakable bond of two hearts, two souls, two lives.<br /> A bond that is built on the foundation of trust, devotion, and love.<br /> But what happens when one person entering this relationship, loves their partner with all their being... loves them immensely... and the other looks upon them only with hatred, contempt, and disgust?<br /> Does love that is one-sided hold any value?<br /> <br /> Love...<br /> A spiritual feeling... that connects a person to their existence.<br /> A feeling that merges two hearts into a single heartbeat.<br /> But what happens when that same love slowly turns into obsession?<br /> A madness that brings with it humiliation, infamy, insult, pain, and despair?<br /> <br /> "The Marriage Trap"<br /> A unique tale of Divya and Drishti that will make you ponder—<br /> Can love ever blossom in a forced marriage?<br /> Can a relationship that is forcibly bound truly last?<br /> <br /> A story filled with love... hatred... conspiracies... and an unseen war between hearts.<br /> To know more, read "The Marriage Trap"—a relationship that perhaps should never have been... or perhaps fate itself had written it!
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No response from Groq.
"If you refuse this marriage now, we will understand that our words hold no importance for you anymore. You have no concern for our honor and respect."
"Papa..." Divya tried to say something, looking at them helplessly, but he silenced her with a raised hand.
"At least listen to Divya for once, this is a question of her entire life."
Divya's mother, Gayatri ji, tried to reason with Manoj ji, but he silenced her too with a stern glare.
"There is nothing more to say or hear, Gayatri ji. Along with your son, this is also a question of this girl's life. The honor and respect of our family, along with the honor and happiness of that girl, are at stake… We made this decision only after carefully considering all aspects, and this decision is the right one at this time."
Gayatri ji also couldn't say anything now. She began to persuade Divya to get married. Divya looked at her parents helplessly, and finally, forced by her father's decision, her mother's wish, societal pressure, and the family's honor, she agreed to this unwanted alliance. The pain and disappointment of not being able to prove her truth were evident on her face.
"Son, what is your name and where are your parents?... Call them, we will get you both married today."
Manoj ji asked the girl this question with great love and gentleness, hearing which Divya turned her face away with disgust. None of these matters held any significance for her anymore.
"Uncle, my name is Drishti… My mom and dad are not here, and they won't be able to come so soon, nor will they agree to our marriage. If they find out about all this, they will kill me. I can't tell them anything."
Drishti completed her statement fearfully, upon hearing which lines of worry appeared on Manoj ji's forehead. In the end, it was decided to get them married in the absence of her parents.
After some time, Drishti, clad in a red bridal gown, sat as the bride on the wedding altar, her face clearly reflecting sadness, while next to her sat Divya, whose face at that moment showed only anger and frustration. He stared fixedly at the flames of the sacred fire rising in the havan kund before him, and similar flames were rising in his mind, burning him from within.
The priest chanted the mantras. Everyone sat in silence, watching this unusual wedding. Divya completed the wedding rituals robotically.
The wedding was soon over, and the Jaiswal family returned home with their new daughter-in-law. Here, despite the deteriorating circumstances, Gayatri ji welcomed the new daughter-in-law into the home with a smile.
Under the influence of Manoj ji's threat, Divya also went through every ritual without protest. Drishti, on the other hand, sometimes looked happy, and sometimes looked around nervously. Here too, various whispers could be heard among the people. Despite all this, the bride's beauty was praised, and in hushed tones, Divya and his relationship were also mocked.
Divya had stayed there with great difficulty out of compulsion. As soon as the rituals were complete, he got up and walked straight out of the house.
It was 12 midnight when Divya returned home. The door was open, so he walked right in. He had only taken a few steps inside when he came face-to-face with Manoj ji, who was still awake. With a stern expression and a furrowed brow, he stared at him and asked in a commanding yet soft voice,
"Is this the time to come home?"
His tone reflected both anger and displeasure. Divya's steps halted for a moment, but then, without saying anything, without looking up at him, he walked past with his head bowed. This silence stung Manoj ji. For a moment, a disturbed expression flickered across his face, and the next moment, donning a stern facade once again, he said harshly,
"Wait and listen to us before you go."
Divya's steps halted again. But still, he stood there silently with his head bowed.
"Regardless of the circumstances under which you married Drishti, she is now your wife. She has come into this house after marrying you, so she is now your responsibility, and we will not tolerate any negligence in this matter. Forget whatever problems or displeasure exist between you and her, and start this relationship anew… because you have to sustain this relationship at any cost and in any form. Remember that Drishti bahu is now the honor of our house. Treat her with gentleness and love. It should not happen that tomorrow we have to hear taunts from people that we got our son married to cover up his deeds and hide his mistakes, but then began to oppress the daughter-in-law. We hope you will not disappoint us here and will not do anything that causes our heads to bow in shame before anyone, or that brings questions upon the honor and respect of our family, or upon our upbringing."
"You don't have to worry about any trouble from us anymore, Papa, you can rest assured." Divya's helpless voice emerged, and the next moment, he took his steps towards the stairs.
Manoj ji, Gayatri ji, and Divya's elder sister, Garima, standing behind, could only watch him go. Their gazes followed him afar and they saw that even at this late hour, instead of going to his room, he had headed towards the roof stairs.
Seeing him go, Gayatri ji covered her mouth with her hand and began to sob. Garima ji, seeing her cry, went to her and began to console her.
"Why are you crying, Mother? He is troubled right now. We will go and talk to him. You keep courage, everything will be alright."
"Go, my child, talk to him. See what state he has reduced himself to." Tears were still streaming down her face. A mother's heart ached seeing her child in pain. Garima ji agreed and followed Divya.
Gayatri ji then looked at Manoj ji with teary eyes and complained in a sad tone,
"Why didn't you trust Divya? You know our son could never do such a thing. He is so simple and respects us so much that he agreed to marry Jagriti just at our asking. He never even had a girlfriend. You should have believed in your son and your upbringing. Your mistrust has broken him. We have never seen him so dejected, disheartened, and sad before."
As she spoke, Divya's face appeared before her eyes. His shirt was untucked, two buttons of his collar were open, his pants were stained with mud, his hair was disheveled, the fine veins in his eyes were bloodshot, and his eyes were swollen. Deep sadness, pain, and helplessness were present on his face. Seeing his disheveled state and sorrowful face, Gayatri ji's heart melted.
Manoj ji, who was still looking towards the roof stairs, showed signs of helplessness and despair on his face.
"We know that our Divya could never do anything that would cause his parents' heads to bow before anyone or question the values and upbringing we have given him… We trust our son and the values we have instilled. He could never do something like that even in his dreams. He is not our pride for nothing; we trust him more than ourselves. Even if God himself came and said that our son did all that, we would deny His words."
Gayatri ji looked at him stunned, hearing Manoj ji's words.
"If you had faith in him, then why did you say such bitter things to him?… Why did you force him into this marriage?… How much pain must he have felt?… You saw his condition, how much he has changed in just one day…"
"We are seeing everything and trying to understand. We know that he has entered into this alliance out of compulsion just to respect our words and will continue to do so for us, and that is what we want, because given the circumstances, this was the only way to handle the situation."
Hearing Manoj ji's words, Gayatri ji looked at him with confused eyes. Manoj ji paused for a moment, then explained,
"You saw how confidently that girl was speaking. We gave her many opportunities to tell the truth, but she stuck to her words… She had come with firm intentions, and after what she said, Divya's marriage to Jagriti was impossible. Even if we had taken our son's side in front of all the guests and relatives, they would not have considered him innocent, and belief would have been placed on the girl's words. We would not have been able to prove our son's truth, even if we wanted to, and people would have said that we were covering up our son's mistakes. Today, four people would gossip, tomorrow it would reach eight people, which would bring disgrace to our family and questions would be raised about our son. He would become guilty in everyone's eyes despite being innocent, and after all this, that girl's life would also be ruined… Even if we somehow proved her wrong, it would have had a very negative impact on her life. She looked innocent and naive from her face. We saw love for Divya in her eyes. She came to their wedding, disregarding her own honor, and said such significant things. Perhaps she loves our Divya so much that she didn't hesitate to put her own honor at stake for him. Whereas Jagriti never said that she believed in Divya. Considering all these situations, we decided to get Divya married to her. People are talking now, but they will forget in a few days. We will also get Drishti thoroughly investigated, and Divya and her relationship will get a chance. If she truly loves our Divya so much that she can do anything for him, then she will soon succeed in winning Divya's heart."
"And what if it doesn't happen as you think? What if Divya cannot accept her?… What if this relationship breaks tomorrow? In either case, both their lives will be ruined."
"Yes, that is also a possibility, but at that time, marrying Drishti was the only way to save our family's honor. To save that girl from public humiliation and to stop the talk against our son… she had evidence, which was not easy to dismiss… If we had dismissed it, the matter would have worsened, and questions would have been raised about the girl's character. She is a girl, we did not want to insult her in front of so many people, nor could we let our family honor become a spectacle. We had to end the matter there. We did what we thought was right at that time, given the circumstances. Whatever God wills will happen. For now, just try to understand her mind with love and affection. Try to find out what the whole truth is. Why did she do all this, and what does she want?"
Gayatri ji agreed, understanding his words. The times were difficult, and everything had become entangled. What no one had ever imagined had happened, and now they had to somehow manage these deteriorating circumstances.
To be continued…
No response from Groq.
On one side, there were tears of helplessness in Divya's eyes, and on the other, Drishti's smile that refused to fade. She was so happy that she chirped around the room like a bird.
Drishti looked around Divya's room several times with great interest. Again and again, she stood in front of the dressing table, admiring her reflection, touching the sindoor in her hair and the mangalsutra around her neck with her fingers, and giggled.
Divya stood alone on the terrace for a while. He thought about everything that had happened to him today. Drishti's accusations, people's gossip, Manoj Ji's decision... the more he thought about it all, the more his anger and hatred grew.
The thought of Drishti's child entered his mind, and filled with hatred and rage, Divya strode towards his room.
Drishti was still strutting around the room. Suddenly, the door opened with a loud bang, and Drishti's delicate frame trembled with fear. She widened her eyes in panic and turned her gaze in the direction of the sound.
Divya was standing right there. She had lost her heart to this innocent, charming face, but seeing the Divya standing before her today, her heart filled with dread.
He seemed like a terrible demon to her. His entire being trembled with anger, and his eyes blazed like lava from a volcano.
When Divya turned and closed the door, Drishti's hands and feet grew numb with panic.
Divya, glaring at Drishti with hateful eyes, his feet pounding the earth, strode towards her. Frightened, Drishti's steps retreated; seeing this, Divya's eyebrows furrowed dangerously.
As she backed away, Drishti hit the wall. When her steps could go no further, she turned her head and glared at the wall behind her, then, turning her gaze forward in panic, found Divya extremely close to her.
Drishti widened her eyes and looked at him, preparing to slip past, but Divya, sensing her intention, grabbed her wrist, twisted her hand, pulled her close against his back, and clenched his jaw in anger.
"You must be very happy today. You got your wish fulfilled, marrying me, and now you stand before me in my own house, in my own room."
His eyes reflected immense hatred and anger, which made Drishti shrink back. She tried to distance herself from Divya, but couldn't move an inch.
"Divya, leave me... You are hurting me... Leave my hand....."
Suddenly, Divya's expression changed. As soon as he released her wrist, Drishti stumbled back two steps and began to rub her wrist with her palm, where the marks of Divya's fingers had already appeared.
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot. We are married today, you are my wife now. Today is our first night. A husband doesn't hurt his wife on this day; he loves her."
Divya's words struck Drishti's ears, and she stared at him in amazement with wide eyes. A devilish smile spread across Divya's lips. As he stepped towards Drishti again, she recoiled in fear; seeing this, Divya asked in surprise,
"Hey, where are you going? You wanted to marry me... We are married... Now that you are my wife, aren't you going to celebrate our wedding night with me?"
After all this, Drishti had absolutely no expectation of such talk and actions from Divya. She stared at him, dumbfounded, with wide, unblinking eyes.
As Divya reached out to touch her, Drishti flinched. Divya cruelly grabbed her arm, pulled her close, and glared at her with sharp eyes, clenching his jaw.
"Hey, why are you scared?... At the wedding, didn't you scream in front of everyone that we love each other? The symbol of our love is growing inside you, which is proof of how close our relationship was."
His tone, behavior, and touch all reflected his anger and resentment, caused by Drishti's lie, which had cast a shadow on his character. Drishti struggled to break free.
Divya stared at her silently for a moment, watching her efforts fail, then twisted her arm and pressed it against her back. Tears welled up in Drishti's large, doll-like eyes from the pain.
"Whose child is this?" Divya pressed her waist cruelly with his other hand. A pained sigh escaped Drishti's trembling lips.
"Yours." Hiding her pain, she put a smile on her lips, which made Divya's blood boil, and he shoved her away from him.
"Stop your nonsense... My family might believe your lie blindly, but you can't trap me in your web of lies... Because I know very well that there was never such a relationship between us that you could become pregnant."
With his sudden shove, Drishti's foot got caught in her lehenga, she lost her balance, and narrowly avoided falling. She looked up at him and smiled cunningly.
"Only you and I know that. Your family and this world will believe what I tell them and show them."
Seeing Drishti's demeanor and shameless smile, Divya's mind went blank with anger. Without thinking, he grabbed her cheek.
"I will kill you... Tell me the truth, whose sin have you come to burden me with?"
Divya's fingers dug into her soft cheeks. Divya's sharp words pierced her heart. Using all her strength, she pushed Divya away from her and screamed in anger,
"Divya!"
"Don't shout," Divya yelled angrily, his anger overpowering Drishti's. But Divya's entire body trembled with rage.
"Don't shout... I haven't said anything wrong that you're so upset... I don't even know you properly; we've met only three or four times. Nothing ever happened between us... Yet, if you say you are pregnant, it clearly means I am not the father of this child... Weren't you always claiming to love me so much? What happened to that love now? Did you sleep with someone else and come to me?......"
Every word Divya spoke tore Drishti's honor to shreds and pierced her heart. She couldn't bear the hatred in his words and the accusation against herself and screamed in pain,
"Stop it, Divya, I haven't done anything like that."
"Then where did this child come from inside you?" Divya roared with anger. Drishti screamed back just as loudly,
"There is no child... Do you hear me?... No child. I lied to force you into marriage. I have never looked at anyone else besides you... I am still a virgin... And I have given the right to touch me, to love me, only and only to you."
"Ohh, so all this drama was just to marry me... but Miss Drishti, today you got your wish by telling everyone a false story. But have you thought about what you will answer them when everyone asks about the child later?... If you are not pregnant, where will you get a child from? The truth of your drama will be revealed on its own very soon, and everything will be out in the open.......
By the way, if I wanted to, I could reveal your lie to everyone right now. Then those same people who brought you into this house will throw you out of this house by force... But I am not shameless and heartless like you, to make a spectacle of a girl's honor in front of everyone, to humiliate her.
So, stay here as long as you can hide your lie, but don't expect anything from me. Remember that this marriage is your stubbornness, your obsession... In my eyes, this relationship has no existence, I have no relationship with you, you are nothing to me, and I only and only hate you."
Divya finished speaking, glaring at Drishti with eyes full of hatred and contempt. As he turned to leave, Drishti called out to him in a hurry,
"Divya, where are you going, leaving me here alone?"
Divya's advancing steps faltered, and his face flushed with anger.
"Wherever I go, you have no right to question me. Stay within your limits; just because you forced this marriage doesn't mean you will become my wife and lord it over me."
Divya reprimanded her rudely and left the place in anger. Drishti, standing behind, who just a little while ago was flying high in the sky with joy as Divya's wife, suddenly faced the bitter reality of her life and fell from the sky straight to the ground. Divya had left his mark on her arm and neck.
Although this was not his nature, at that moment, anger had so overwhelmed him that he didn't realize what he had done.
Drishti pouted, and the tears trapped in her eyes rolled down her flushed cheeks.
"You are angry with me, that's why you are so angry. I know... you are not like this. You are very sweet, that's why I like you so much... See, I will remove all your anger and appease you very soon. If I stay with you, just as I love you, you will also fall in love with me."
Drishti wiped her tears, and a sweet smile bloomed on her rosy lips once again. Despite Divya's cold and rude behavior, she was happy because Divya was hers now, and she was going to stay with him.
Divya paced the terrace in anger until midnight. The exhaustion of the wedding after so many days and the stress from yesterday until now. Both his mind and body were severely tired. As sleep began to overcome him, he spread out a mat there and lay down.
To be continued…
The next morning, rays of sunlight fell on Divya’s face, and the sounds coming from below disturbed his sleep. At first, he was so deeply asleep that he tried to ignore everything and continue sleeping, but suddenly something struck him, and he sat up abruptly. His anxious eyes darted around; finding himself alone, he sighed deeply. If someone had seen him sleeping there, it would have caused a huge uproar.
Divya, with steps heavy from sleep, almost dragging himself, reluctantly returned to his room. His gaze fell on Drishti, who was sleeping soundly, oblivious to everything. She hadn't changed her wedding attire, nor removed her jewelry; asleep, she looked like an innocent child. Hasin was incredibly beautiful and looked extremely captivating as a bride.
But for Divya, burning with anger, her innocence was also a deception, a fraud, a trick. He cast a contemptuous glance at her and moved to the empty side of the bed. He stared at Drishti sleeping on the bed for a while, then lay down on his stomach. Soon, sleep overtook him.
Some time passed, the day began to brighten, but both were sleeping soundly. Someone was continuously knocking on their door. Drishti slept peacefully like Kumbhakarna, but this noise disturbed Divya's sleep. He sat up in annoyance. Yawning, he glanced at Drishti sleeping on the other side of the bed, who was sleeping soundly after causing havoc in his life.
His mind filled with anger and irritation. Divya grabbed the sheet Drishti was wrapped in and pulled it sharply; Drishti rolled and fell straight off the bed.
A cry of pain escaped her, but the grogginess of sleep had not yet completely left her head. Rubbing her back, she sat up. Pouting her cheeks like balloons, she started muttering to herself.
Her lips were moving, but Divya couldn't hear what she was muttering. Yes, her puffed cheeks of displeasure and her tear-soaked eyelids said a lot, but she still wasn't ready to open her eyes; seeing this, Divya got irritated.
"If you have any free time from muttering in your sleep, go open the door and see who it is."
As soon as Divya's indifferent, bitter words fell on Drishti’s ears, her eyes widened as she looked at him. Her narcissus eyes, partly from sleep and partly from tears, were tinged with pink, looking very lovely.
"You pushed me off the bed, didn't you?" Drishti pouted, narrowing her eyes and glaring at him. In response, Divya shrugged carelessly and, glaring at her with sharp eyes, said in a threatening tone,
"You were so eager to marry me, so now get up and fulfill your duty as a good daughter-in-law. Remember, if my family has to be ashamed in front of anyone because of you again, there will be no one worse than me for you."
"There is no one worse than you right now. What husband in the world throws his wife like this?"
Drishti glared at him angrily; in return, Divya glared back, clenching his jaw in anger.
"One whose wife is like yours. I want to do much more, but my upbringing doesn't allow it....
Now, why are you staring at me?... There’s no need to throw tantrums, I’m not here to cater to your whims. Quietly fix your appearance and go see who’s at the door, and remember, if my sleep is disturbed because of you, you’ll spend the rest of the night awake."
Divya threatened her and turned away, going back to sleep. Drishti, who was staring at him with wide eyes, pursed her lips and, cursing him mentally, got up and walked towards the door.
"Executioner... He threw me off the bed. My body is in so much pain..... He's sleeping so soundly, and he ruined my sleep."
Muttering to herself like this, making a contorted face, she reached the gate and opened it. Seeing Gayatri Ji standing in front, a sweet smile spread across her pink lips.
"Good morning, aunty."
"Not aunty, call me Mom, daughter-in-law. Like Divya and Garima, we are your mothers from now on."
Gayatri Ji gently touched her cheek, explaining affectionately. Sensing the warmth in her words and affection in her touch, something came into Drishti's mind, and she hugged her.
"Sorry, Mom, from now on I’ll call you Mom." Gayatri Ji, who was surprised by her sudden hug, couldn't stop herself from smiling at her words. Her sweet voice was working to dispel all her doubts and anger.
"Mom, you are very sweet, but your son is very rude."
With the mention of Divya, her face turned peculiar. Her mind filled with displeasure.
Gayatri Ji understood that something had happened between the two. She had also heard the voices coming from inside and had an idea that Divya wouldn't accept Drishti so quickly.
"He is upset and disturbed right now, he’s not bad at heart." Drishti giggled as they defended her son.
"I know, he is very sweet and innocent, that’s why I like him so much."
"Do you want Divya?"
Gayatri Ji asked, looking at her with deep eyes, as if testing her. Hearing her question, Drishti happily agreed.
"Very, very, very much... but he just doesn't understand. He doesn't value me or my love at all. But I am also Drishti Bhargav. Just as I have become a part of his life, I will enter his heart, and he won't be able to do anything."
The talkative Drishti didn't even realize what she was saying in front of whom. This was an unexpected side of a bride of just one day. She was boasting and speaking her mind, and Gayatri Ji was listening intently.
"Daughter-in-law, you didn't remove your jewelry last night, didn't change your clothes. Did you sleep like this?"
Gayatri Ji asked, seeing her in yesterday's attire. Drishti’s attention also went to herself, and she bit her tongue. Making a cute face, she looked up at Gayatri Ji.
"Where is Divya?"
At Gayatri Ji's question, Drishti turned her head towards the bed and pouted like a child.
"Sleeping."
"Not sleeping, but sleeping. Now he is your husband, speak to him respectfully."
Gayatri Ji corrected her mistake and explained, so Drishti, like a good child, quickly nodded her head.
"He is sleeping."
"Wake him up and you also bathe and get ready. Wear this."
Gayatri Ji gave her clothes and jewelry and left after patting her head. Drishti closed the door and came back inside. She placed all the items on the bed and went into the bathroom.
Divya's sleep had already been disturbed. He was pretending to sleep by forcibly closing his eyes and, while lying down, heard everything his mother and Drishti were saying. When he heard the sound of the bathroom door closing, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at the bathroom door, and when he was sure Drishti had gone inside, he sat up.
The phone rang. Seeing Saurabh's name on the screen, Divya reluctantly picked up the phone. As he answered the call, a boy's cheerful and mischievous voice emerged from the other end.
"So, groom, how are you? How was your first night with sister-in-law?... You didn't keep Jagruti Bhabhi awake all night, did you?"
This was Saurabh, Divya's childhood friend. At the last moment, his grandmother fell ill, and he had to go with his mother out of compulsion. Because of this, he couldn't attend his close friend's wedding. He wasn't here at all, so he had no idea what had happened here in his absence.
He was teasing his friend in jest, but Divya got annoyed.
"Shut your mouth, we absolutely don't feel like listening to your nonsense right now."
"Yes, brother..... Now you'll find our talk nonsense, you'll talk to sister-in-law, won't you?" Saurabh taunted him again, showing fake anger in a dramatic manner. This time, Divya's patience ran out, and his face flushed with anger.
"Saurabh, our mind is already upset, and you've come to rub salt in our wounds. Shut your mouth, or we'll enter your phone and break your face with a punch."
Hearing Divya's threat, Saurabh made a strange face, but he still didn't give up.
"What happened, man, why are you so angry? Did Bhabhi throw you out of your room on the very first night of the wedding, that your mood is so bad in the morning, and you're taking your anger and irritation out on me?"
He teased Divya again and then giggled at his own words. Divya's blood boiled at his behavior.
"You don't understand that we don't want to talk about this right now... We don't want to talk to anyone right now. Hang up the phone, you scoundrel, and don't call us again until your mind is in place."
Divya dispelled all his mischief in one go. Seeing him so angry, Saurabh was surprised.
"Oh, my innocent Bhandari, what happened to you, man?... I was just teasing you like this, having a little fun, but you got all fired up. Is everything alright?....."
Divya now realized. Controlling his anger, he said in a subdued voice,
"Nothing is alright, and so much has happened here in your absence that we can't even tell you right now. When you come back, meet us, we'll tell you the story of our ruin at leisure. Hang up the phone now...."
Divya didn't even wait for Saurabh's reply and hung up the phone because Drishti had come out of the bathroom, and Divya didn't want to let Saurabh know about his and Drishti's marriage yet.
Drishti, who had been standing quietly listening to Divya talking on the phone, went to him as soon as the call ended.
To be continued…
"Divya, inside there's a bathtub, body wash, face wash, bathrobe... there's nothing, how will I bathe?"
"That's your problem, not mine. You were the one who wanted to marry me, so now you have to live the way I do. This is my house, and I'm not some spoiled brat with a rich father like you. So, take all these tantrums back home. Learn to manage with what's available here, and if you can't handle it, the door is right there. Pick up your face and get out of my house, my room, and my life."
She had come to Divya with her problem, but Divya had said so much in anger that she just kept staring at him with wide eyes. Divya's indifference hurt her innocent heart.
"I won't let you go that easily."
Drishti said irritably and, taking her clothes, returned to the bathroom with a pout. There was nothing for her there; seeing this, she became sad. Making a face, she stared at the soap kept there for a while, then washed her face with it and bathed with plain water; she washed her hair with the shampoo kept inside. She was ready to do anything, just not ready to leave Divya.
In the room, Divya, sitting with his legs spread on the bed, was passing time on his phone. There were guests outside, so he couldn't go out, otherwise, his heart wouldn't have stayed there for a moment.
When an unusual sound reached his ears, Divya's trance was broken. His gaze involuntarily turned towards the source of the sound, and the next moment, averting his eyes, he shouted,
"What is this ridiculous behavior?"
Drishti was startled by his voice and looked at him with wide eyes.
"What happened?... What have I done now that you're shouting first thing in the morning?"
Hearing Drishti's casual question, Divya was filled with anger.
"Where are you coming out wearing these half-clothes?... Is there any shame left, or are you completely shameless... Go back inside."
Divya shouted at her again, but without looking at her even once. Drishti lowered her gaze and looked at herself. She had come out of the bathroom only in a petticoat and blouse; moreover, the blouse was a bit loose, making the neckline sag and exposing a part of her cleavage. Her fair, slender waist and stomach were also completely exposed.
This was the reason Divya wasn't looking at her even by mistake, but Drishti didn't care about these things. She was used to it; she used to wear one-pieces, so she didn't find anything wrong.
"Didn't you hear me? Go inside and wear proper clothes!" Divya shouted again, sensing her presence. Drishti retorted quickly,
"Oh, I can't go, I've made the whole bathroom wet. If the saree gets wet, what will I wear?"
She widened her kohl-lined eyes, batted them, and said with such innocence that Divya melted for a moment, seeing the innocence scattered on that small, innocent face. The next moment his gaze fell on her exposed waist, stomach, and chest, and he clenched his jaw in anger.
"You are such a vulgar and shameless girl. First, you came to
Drishti sat on the bed, her gaze downcast, dejected, swinging her legs. As soon as the sound of the door opening reached her ears, she quickly got off the bed. As her eyes fell on Divya, her dejected face lit up, but Divya, ignoring her, moved towards the cupboard. He took out a t-shirt and walked towards Drishti.
"Go to the bathroom, wear this, and bring your blouse back."
"Why?" Drishti asked quickly, her eyes widening as she looked at him. Divya was still avoiding her gaze. When he heard Drishti's question, he glared at her sharply.
"Do as you are told, and that's it. If you ask too many questions, I'll leave you here, and you can sit here hungry and thirsty all day."
He had scolded Drishti again. She pouted, snatched the t-shirt from him with a huff, and went towards the bathroom with a sulky face.
She returned a while later and handed the blouse to Divya. She then began to shake her wet hair free with the towel.
"Divya, where is the hairdryer?"
"It's not here, I don't use it," Divya replied in a flat tone and took out a needle and thread from the nightstand drawer, sat on the bed with the blouse.
Drishti, who was disappointed that the hairdryer was not found, looked at him with wide eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"I told you to sit quietly, and if you keep asking questions and irritate me, it won't be good for you."
Divya threatened her with a sharp gaze and returned to his work.
Drishti pouted, glaring at him angrily for a while, then stood near him and watched him with great interest, with amusement.
Divya took in her shoulders, stitched the sides to make it a bit more fitting. It wasn't a proper machine stitch, but it was passable by hand. Divya bit off the thread with his teeth and handed the blouse to Drishti.
"Go wear it."
Drishti quickly took it and ran into the bathroom. After wearing the blouse, she looked at herself in the mirror in the bathroom. Now her neck was neither gaping, nor too loose, nor did the blouse ride up when she raised her arms.
A sweet smile spread across Drishti's lips. She didn't know how to do any of this, but Divya did, and why wouldn't he? She had seen her mother and sister doing this since childhood and learned from them.
A while later, she stood before Divya. Divya picked up the saree, looked at her troubled for a few moments, then raised his gaze to Drishti.
"I'm only doing this for my family's honor and for my parents."
"Yes... yes, I know," Drishti said, making a face irritably. Divya continued in a warning tone.
"Now shut your mouth. If you open it, you'll have to drape the saree yourself. I won't help you."
Drishti quickly put her finger to her lips and nodded. Divya, exasperated, looked away from her. He took a deep breath and holding one end of the saree, offered it to her.
"Tuck this in."
"How is that done?" Drishti asked, her eyes widening. Divya clenched his jaw, glared at the foolish girl standing in front of him, and as he angrily tucked the end of the saree around her waist, Drishti jumped back two steps in surprise.
"My skirt will come undone."
"It's not called a skirt," Divya snapped at her, irritated. Drishti looked at him with wide eyes.
"If it's not a skirt, then what is it called?"
"It's called a petticoat, you silly girl! What world have you come from that you don't even know this?"
Divya was thoroughly furious with her. Drishti looked at him innocently, fluttering her eyelashes. Seeing her expression, Divya let out a deep sigh and stepping towards her, said in a serious tone.
"Put both your hands up."
"Why?" Drishti asked quickly, but as Divya's glaring eyes fell on her, she flashed her teeth and quickly raised both her hands as if she had been punished.
Divya set the saree aside and first tightened her petticoat. Then, he himself tucked the corner of the saree at her waist and began to drape the saree for her. He draped the pallu over her shoulder, and after some effort, he even made the pleats.
"Here, tuck this in well so it doesn't come out."
Divya gestured to her where to tuck the corner. Like a good, obedient child, Drishti quickly nodded her head, and as she held the pleats, she let go of one pleat from the middle, ruining all of Divya's hard work.
Drishti looked at Divya with a scared gaze, who was staring at her with a ravenous look.
"Sorry," Drishti made an innocent face, looking at him with fluttering eyelashes. Frustrated, Divya ran his hands through his hair.
"For the sins of which of our past lives are you punishing us by linking us to this foolish girl?"
Divya complained to God in his heart. He closed his eyes, calmed his anger, and got back to work. This time, hesitantly, he set her pleats himself and got tangled in her pallu.
Somehow he managed to pin and set her pallu. After a lot of hard work, he had managed to drape the saree decently for her.
During this time, he had paid full attention and tried his best not to let his hands touch Drishti's body, yet his fingers had touched Drishti's waist and her shoulder several times.
While these fleeting touches made Divya flustered, a shiver ran through Drishti's body, and Divya's hesitation turned into a smile on her lips.
Perhaps it was the effect of Drishti's closeness, or the relationship between them, but some strange feelings were making him restless, and he just wanted to get away from her as quickly as possible. Whereas her closeness and touch tickled Drishti's heart. She liked it; it was a sweet, sweet feeling that was impossible to describe in words.
As Divya started to move away from her, Drishti quickly stepped forward and kissed his cheek with her pink, soft lips. For a moment, Divya's heartbeats stopped. He stood there, stunned, frozen in the same position.
To be continued…
As Divya began to move away from her, Drishti quickly stepped forward and kissed his cheek with her pink, soft lips. For a moment, Divya's heartbeat stopped. He stood there stunned, as if frozen in place.
Taking advantage of the moment, Drishti kissed his other cheek as well. Divya, flustered, came back to his senses and looked at her with surprise.
"I love you."
Drishti looked at him with great affection, a sweet smile adorning her lips. Anyone could fall in love with her innocent demeanor, but Divya had become stone-hearted. Hearing Drishti's confession, Divya's face hardened.
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
"I just gave my husband a small kiss, I didn't do anything ridiculous."
Drishti replied, exuding innocence, and winked with a smile. Divya's face turned red with anger.
"I am telling you this for the last time, I do not accept this marriage... you are not my wife, nor am I your husband. So stay away from me, and don't even think of touching me without my permission."
After yelling and threatening her in anger, Divya walked into the bathroom with long strides. Drishti made a sour face, but the next moment, remembering Divya's closeness, she smiled charmingly.
Standing under the shower inside, Divya was wrestling with some strange feelings. He was angrier with himself than with Drishti. He could still feel the soft touch of her lips on his cheeks. Drishti's kiss had touched his cheeks, but it had stirred his heart.
After a while, he came out after bathing. Absentmindedly, he came out with just a towel wrapped around his waist, as he hadn't taken any clothes in his anger, and it wasn't his habit. At that moment, the fact that Drishti might also be in the room had completely slipped his mind.
Drishti was sitting cross-legged on the bed, busy with her phone. As soon as her eyes fell on Divya, her pupils dilated, and she stared at him with a mesmerizing gaze.
a muscular upper body with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a defined chest... He looked incredibly hot and attractive at that moment.
As Divya ran his fingers through his wet hair, a few drops scattered on Drishti's face like dewdrops. Her eyelids fluttered, and her lips curved into a smile. A beautiful feeling touched her heart.
"Looks like someone has been hitting the gym."
Drishti's sweet, melodious voice, like that of a koel, struck Divya's ears. He turned around in surprise and looked in her direction. Drishti, with a flattering smile on her lips, was walking towards him, gazing at him intently.
Seeing Drishti there, Divya's face paled.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Waiting for my handsome husband." Drishti smiled mischievously, winked, and gently stroked his upper body with her palm.
"You know what? You're the hottest guy I've ever known."
"And you are the most shameless girl I have ever seen..." Divya gritted his teeth in anger and twisted her wrist, shaking her hand away.
Drishti glared at him indignantly and asked, rolling her eyes.
"I praised my husband, I touched him, so how am I shameless?"
"You proved your shamelessness by coming to my wedding. After what you did, I didn't expect anything from you, but I didn't know you would be so shameless and brazen that even after being scolded so many times and denying this relationship, you are still trying to assert your right over me and come close to me. I am damn sure that the love you keep praising is also just a physical attraction. You must have been impressed by my looks and personality, mistook attraction for love, and got obsessed with me. When I refused to marry you, your desire turned into stubbornness, and you crossed all limits to fulfill it. Now, even being so close to me, you can't stand this distance. That's why you are looking for excuses to get closer to me... you want to fulfill your stubbornness by possessing me, but I will not let you succeed in any of your cheap intentions now. You forced yourself upon me, married me by coercion, but I will never let you come close to me. Even as my wife, you will yearn for my love."
Divya had said a lot in anger. He realized this when he noticed Drishti's tear-filled eyes.
"I didn't fall in love with you because of your body or face; I liked your innocence and your nature... I love you, this is not physical attraction. What I felt for you, I have never felt for anyone else before. I didn't want to marry you like this, but I couldn't see you with someone else in front of my eyes. You are my first love, I didn't want to lose you, that's why I did all this, and I will still keep trying to make a place for myself in your heart. Say whatever you want to say to me, yell at me as much as you want, scold me, but I will not leave you and go anywhere."
Drishti, sobbing, tried to make him believe in her love, but Divya took his clothes, turned away from her, and went back into the bathroom, leaving Drishti sobbing there.
To be continued…
What would you like to say? Is Divya right or are Drishti's emotions genuine?
"Divya, hold me, please, or I'll fall." Divya was about to leave without looking, but she quickly walked up to him. Although her foot kept getting tangled in her saree, and in the end, she would have fallen if Divya hadn't caught her at the last minute.
"You've already fallen so low in my eyes, how much further will you fall?"
Divya said in a hateful tone and let go of her abruptly. Drishti hurriedly clutched his arm tightly, or she would have fallen face-first on the ground.
"It's the first time I'm wearing a saree, I can't even walk properly in it," Drishti said, looking up at him with innocent eyes and pouting her lower lip.
Anyone else might have felt pity seeing her innocent face, but Divya callously removed her hand from his arm and left with quick steps. Disappointment clouded Drishti's face.
Garima Ji, who had come to call them both, was upset seeing Divya leave in anger. But when her gaze fell on Drishti's sad face, she felt pity for her.
After the argument with Drishti that morning, Divya had left home without breakfast. He hadn't even gone to the office. He couldn't accept what had suddenly happened to him. He was avoiding facing people and wanted to stay away from Drishti.
Seeing tears in her eyes that morning had made him feel a strange restlessness. He didn't know if he was running from Drishti, from people, or from himself.
No one knew where he had been all day. His phone was also switched off. He had left in the morning and returned at night. Garima Ji was waiting for him, sitting in the living room.
"Shall I serve you food?"
Divya nodded and went to the washroom to wash his hands and face.
"You fought with Drishti and left, right? She was sad all day."
After some small talk, Garima Ji mentioned Drishti. For a moment, Divya's expression changed. He paused while breaking off a morsel of food, then ignored her words and continued eating.
"Divya, tell me the truth, what kind of girl is Drishti?"
After a while, she asked again. Divya had finished eating. He still ignored her and started washing his hands, so she began to speak in a serious tone,
"In these two days, she seemed like a very sweet and innocent child to me. She loves you a lot, she's naive... it's in this naivety that she made such a mistake."
Seeing her defend Drishti, Divya's brows furrowed, and his angry gaze rose towards her.
"She's not innocent, she's stubborn... we were not her love, but her stubbornness, and to fulfill that stubbornness, she questioned our character in front of everyone, forcing us to marry her with her lies. Love isn't like seeing someone once and falling in love. Without knowing, understanding her, feelings blossom for her in the heart. In love, a person doesn't become selfish... Love is like worship; if someone appeals to your heart, tender feelings blossom for them, and the seeds of love sprout. As we get to know and understand that person more, our inclination towards them grows, and slowly the seed of love transforms into a beautiful plant and a giant tree... In love, one's beloved's happiness is placed before one's own... For the sake of their beloved, lovers even sacrifice their love and their lives... To defame someone, question their character, and embarrass them in front of the world to fulfill one's own stubbornness... what kind of love is this?"
"Divya, everyone's love is different and happens in different circumstances. Some are sensible and proceed slowly after thinking carefully, but some give their hearts to someone at first sight. So, we cannot question anyone's love... We admit that what Drishti did was wrong. Your anger, your displeasure, all of it is justified. We don't know what and how things were between you two before? How and why did the situation deteriorate so much? But now you are married. She is naive, how old is she? You are older and wiser. Instead of running away, try to face the situation."
"Sister, she's not a two-year-old toddler, nor is she so naive that she can't distinguish between right and wrong... These arguments of yours cannot cover up her sins. We can never forget what she did to us. Don't expect anything from us that we cannot fulfill. We cannot show wisdom here."
Divya got up in anger and left. Garima Ji watched him with troubled, furrowed brows.
Furious and agitated, Divya stepped into the room, and his gaze fell directly on Drishti, curled up on the bed, fast asleep. A strange sadness flickered on her innocent face. She had been completely silent all day, surrounded by guests, listening to their conversations.
It wasn't just Divya who was facing people's scrutiny; no one looked at Drishti favorably either. Sarcasm was being subtly directed at her, but she silently endured it all. After the fatigue of the entire day, her face, which usually bloomed like a fresh rose, had withered. The sadness that was now evident on her face was much deeper than the happiness she had seemed in the morning.
Even in her sleep, she was tossing and turning restlessly. Perhaps she couldn't sleep properly in that heavy saree, and it wasn't just the clothes; she had none of her belongings here.
Somehow, this time, Divya felt pity for her. He took out clothes from the cupboard and went to her.
"Drishti, wake up... change your clothes, you'll sleep better."
When she didn't wake up after being called several times, Divya forcefully sat her up and yelled in a slightly sharp voice,
"Wake up, Drishti, if you don't wake up now, I'll pick you up and throw you out of this room."
Divya's angry, loud voice reached Drishti's ears, and she startled, opening her eyes. She was frightened by his shouting and looked at him with wide, pink eyes, blinking her sleep-heavy eyelids repeatedly.
"Your eyes are open, so go and change your clothes now."
Divya said again in a stern tone and handed her the clothes kept aside. Drishti, still drowsy, looked at him with confused eyes sometimes and then at the clothes.
"Go on now," Divya shouted again, and Drishti, flustered, began to get off the bed. In the process, her foot got tangled in her saree, and the pleats of the saree opened and spread on the floor. She looked at her opened saree, then raised her wide, frightened eyes towards Divya, who shook his head in regret and turned his face away.
"You change in these clothes, I'll go to the bathroom."
Divya said irritably and took his clothes from the cupboard and went into the bathroom. Drishti quickly took off her saree.
Seeing Divya's clothes, a sweet smile spread across her lips. She quickly changed. If Divya came in, she would be scolded again, so she changed clothes in a hurry and crumpled the saree with the blouse and petticoat and threw it on the single-seater sofa in the room.
"You care about me, right? That's why you woke me up to change, and gave me your clothes to change into."
As soon as Divya finished changing and entered the room, Drishti, jumping with joy, reached him. A sweet smile was spread across her lips, and fireflies sparkled in her eyes.
Divya glanced at her and then, ignoring her, moved forward. As he walked towards the bed, his gaze inadvertently fell on the sofa, and his eyebrows arched.
"Don't you know how to fold clothes properly? In the morning too, you scattered the lehenga and dupatta all over the bathroom floor, and now you've thrown the saree here on the sofa."
Divya was yelling at her, and Drishti stared at him with wide eyes.
"In my house, Auntie used to do everything. I just used to bathe, eat, sleep, or stay out. Auntie used to clean my bathroom, my room... I never had to do anything. That's why I don't know how to do these things."
"Meaning, your family pampered you a lot. But madam, this is not your father's house where you can just scatter things, and there's an army of servants to tidy them up... There are no servants here to run around for you. Everyone in this house does their own work, so if you want to stay here, get used to doing your own work. If you don't know how, learn... it will be better for you, because I like my room clean and organized."
Divya explained with a taunt and threatened her with a warning. As soon as he finished, Drishti quickly asked,
"Will you teach me?"
Divya pondered for a few moments. Then, for the safety and cleanliness of his room, he reluctantly agreed.
Folding the blouse and petticoat was easy, and Drishti learned quickly, but the saree was so long that despite Divya's repeated explanations, she couldn't fold it. Sometimes she would get tangled in it, sometimes she would let go of one end while trying to hold the other, and sometimes a part from the middle would slip out.
Divya was getting frustrated explaining it to her, and Drishti was also tired.
"I can't do it," she threw the saree on the ground in anger and sat on the couch, tired and dejected, with a pout. Her expression was like that of a small child given a difficult question. When the question cannot be solved after repeated attempts, the child throws down the copy, deciding not to do it anymore.
Divya watched her silently for a few moments. Then he grabbed Drishti's arm, made her stand up, and holding one end of the saree, said,
"Hold this properly, don't let go."
Holding the other end of the saree, he moved away, then came closer, handed that end to her as well, and held the middle part himself. Doing this, he got almost the entire saree folded. Finally, he folded it once more, and during this, they both came close to each other.
Divya's attention was on the task, but Drishti was staring at him intently. Divya took the saree from her hand, folded it in half, and then placed it on the couch.
As soon as he turned after that, Drishti,
"Oh my god... so you became Jagriti's groom? And you married that Barbie doll of yours... Oh my god... I can't believe this... that cute-looking girl turned out to be so cunning that she came to your wedding and forced you... I thought it was just a temporary infatuation, she'd forget you, but that girl turned out to be quite dangerous, man... how cleverly she trapped you and everyone else in her web of lies..."
After hearing everything, Saurabh looked more happy and excited than surprised. He couldn't stop praising Drishti. Divya was terribly annoyed by this act. His face turned red with anger.
"Go to hell, you jerk! We are here telling you our tragic story and you're having fun... The girl who ruined our lives, left us no dignity, and you're praising her... What kind of friend are you... It would have been better if God had given us a couple of enemies... we wouldn't have to bear the pain of a friend's betrayal... Get out of here and never show us your face again, or we'll disfigure you."
When Divya scolded Saurabh fiercely in anger, he finally realized his mistake. Divya pushed him away in anger, but he clung to him like sticky gum.
"Okay, my dear, why are you so angry? I wasn't praising your sworn enemy. I was just surprised to hear you say that a girl, that too so cute and innocent-looking, could be so dangerous. She could do something like that... I have a lot of sympathy for you, you're my only friend... If I don't understand your pain, who will."
"Get away from me... we've seen your friendship... you jerk were praising that girl instead of understanding our problem, and now you're flattering us."
Divya pushed him away, scolding him thoroughly. He had a condition; he didn't get angry easily, and when he did, he wouldn't let go. Now he was furious.
"Okay, man, I made a mistake... I got a little too excited. Forgive me now and sit down, let's talk."
After coaxing, persuading, and apologizing, Saurabh somehow managed to convince him to sit back down. Divya hadn't met him in so many days and still had a lot to tell him, so he sat down.
"So, you've been missing from home for the past week. You used to leave in the morning and return at night, didn't go to the office, and all this is because of your Barbie doll?"
"That girl, in her stubbornness, left us with no dignity. Everyone at home looks at us strangely, and we can't face their gaze... Some of my colleagues from the office also came to the wedding, and in front of them, that girl made a spectacle of my honor. By now, the news must have spread throughout the office... The respect built over years of hard work turned to dust in an instant. What must everyone be thinking about us, that we pretended to be decent for so long and were engaged in such shameless acts behind their backs."
Divya was extremely distressed. One move by Drishti had completely ruined his image and reputation. It had brought him down in everyone's eyes.
"No one will think anything. Those who know you know who you are? What you are?... What you can do and what you can't?... And why are you so worried about what others think?... You know you are innocent, you haven't done anything wrong, so why are you afraid to face people? Why are you hiding from everyone? Truth doesn't hide its face; it faces everyone with its chest held high..... Get these thoughts out of your mind. You are right, we believe in you, your family is with you, what more do you need? People will always find fault. They'll talk today, and forget in four days."
"But even our family doesn't trust us."
Divya bowed his head in disappointment. He remembered Manoj Ji's behavior, and deep clouds of disappointment and sadness hovered over his face. To this, Saurabh replied in a firm, serious voice,
"Everyone trusts you, man. You're probably upset because of Uncle, but maybe any father would have done the same thing in that situation. Think from his perspective... given the circumstances at that time, even with his trust in you, he wouldn't have been able to convince anyone of your innocence. The question would have been about his son, his pride..... How would he prove that Drishti was lying, that you didn't do anything, and would people believe his words? Wouldn't they say he's trying to cover up his son's mistake by denying the truth?... He made this decision to save his family's honor and to stop the fingers pointed at you, but it doesn't mean he doesn't trust you. If that were the case, he would have disowned you from your life and home right then, and our fathers would have beaten us with slippers and shoes."
Saurabh had given his thoughts a new direction, explained Manoj Ji's perspective, and after listening to him, the burden on Divya's chest was considerably lightened.
"Now stop running and hiding from people and start facing them. If you haven't done anything wrong, why should you be afraid? People will talk for four days, then they'll forget on their own, but if you keep hiding your face like this, then they'll definitely get more reasons to talk about you."
"You're right. Sooner or later, we have to face the world's gaze. We can't run away from everyone because of Drishti. Then, since we haven't done anything wrong, why should we be afraid?"
Finally, Divya understood his point. At that moment, he needed this emotional support, which he received from Saurabh, and now he was much more normal.
Saurabh kept his mind occupied with small talk for a while, then said playfully,
"Divya, you're very lucky. If we overlook that Barbie doll's mistake, you've hit the jackpot. Such a lovely and sweet girl is ready to go to any lengths for you in her obsession. Not everyone is destined for such intense, passionate love."
"It's better not to have it. That girl has brought destruction to my peaceful life. If this is good fortune, then we were fine being unlucky." The mention of Drishti made Divya extremely irritable, while Saurabh became worried seeing his reaction.
"What have you thought about this relationship?" Saurabh asked in a serious tone, fixing his gaze on Divya's face. Hearing this, Divya's face became completely blank, and he replied without any emotion,
"Dad wants us to continue this relationship; I'm somehow enduring everything to respect his wishes."
There was no further conversation between them on this matter. After talking openly and sharing his inner turmoil with someone after so many days, Divya felt much better. Saurabh was also just trying to lighten his mood.
"Drishti, where are you these days? You don't answer when I call. You don't reply quickly to messages, and you've disappeared from social media too. You told your parents you were with me, but I don't even know where you actually are. Right now, Uncle and Aunt aren't here, so it's not a big problem. If they come back and ask me where their daughter is, what will I say?... Tell me something, man, where are you? When are you coming home?"
This was Shreya, Drishti's childhood friend, her best friend. She sounded worried about Drishti, while Drishti was chilling. She had no worries, concerns, or cares about anything.
In response to Shreya's questions, she replied carelessly in a nonchalant manner,
"I'll never go back there. I'm married now, so I'll live in my husband's house with him."
Drishti's answer was nothing short of a shock for Shreya.
"What... married and you... what nonsense are you talking about?"
Shreya was shocked, so much so that she couldn't even believe it. Disbelief was evident in her voice, and in the end, she even got angry at Drishti. But Drishti was completely unfazed.
"I'm not joking. I've really gotten married."
"When... to whom... how... why........ why didn't you tell me anything and how did you get married so suddenly?"
Shreya was even more worried than she was shocked, while Drishti didn't care about anything.
"I can't tell you all that over the phone right now."
"Then tell me where you are, I'm coming to meet you right now, but I want to know the whole story."
"You can't come here."
"Then tell me the whole story over the phone, because I need to know everything. When, how, and to whom did you get married? Where are you now?"
At Shreya's insistence, Drishti reluctantly decided to tell her everything,
"I told you, right, that I really, really, really liked a guy, but he didn't pay any attention to me at all. He's engaged, so he keeps rejecting me, ignoring my feelings."
As Drishti began, Shreya was also reminded of some past events.
"I married him, and I'm currently with my in-laws."
Shreya was taken aback by Drishti's words,
"How did you marry that guy? He was getting married to someone else, and he didn't like you at all."
Hearing Shreya's question, Drishti smiled slyly and, with great pride, began to explain in detail everything she did at the wedding. Shreya, with wide eyes, could only listen to her in astonishment.
"By reaching his wedding, showing your and his pictures, and faking a pregnancy, you not only broke off his wedding but also forced him to marry you."
To be continued…
"You reached her wedding and showed pictures of you two, pretending to be pregnant...not only did you ruin her wedding, but you also forced her to marry you."
"And what's wrong with that...I loved him, I couldn't let someone else snatch my first love so easily. You said that if love is true, then it's not wrong to do anything to get it. I understood what I had to do and I did it, and I got Divya."
Once again, Drishti replied carelessly, but upon hearing her, Shreya erupted in anger.
"Are you out of your mind...you don't even realize what you've done...how could you do this, Drishti...oh my god...I can't believe that you chose such a path to get your love. Your lie has put you and that boy in such a big mess, you don't even realize it, and by doing all this, do you think that boy will happily accept you into his life...you questioned his character, humiliated him and his family in front of everyone, and he will fall in love with you...one can't forcefully enter someone's life like that, Drishti."
"How could you be so stupid, Drishti? You went to that boy's wedding, caused a ruckus, broke off his relationship, and forced him to marry you with your fake story, but how will you make him love you? What will you do when the truth comes out in front of everyone? Where will you go? What will Uncle and Aunt do when they find out about your actions...have you thought about it at all? You've created a problem for yourself with your stupidity. You should have talked to me before doing all this."
"So what was I supposed to do...I fell in love for the first time. Would I have let him go without trying? And it's not all my fault. I tried to convince Divya many times, but he kept rejecting me, ignoring my feelings."
"Because he didn't love you. He didn't feel the way you did about him. He was committed...engaged. Your feelings were one-sided, and you ruined his life and yours for someone."
"I'm telling you, before he does something bad to you and all this reaches Uncle and Aunt, leave everything and come back home. We'll talk to Divya and his family and sort out this matter."
Shreya was his true friend, and after knowing everything, she started to worry about Drishti, which was necessary. She tried to reason with her and get her out of all this, but Drishti didn't agree with her. She shook her head in refusal, pouting.
"No...I'm not going anywhere from here. I have to stay with Divya."
"Don't be crazy, Drishti. Divya doesn't want you, and after what you've done with your stupidity and naivety, he'll never accept you into his life, let alone love you...his family won't accept you either, and the day your truth comes out, they'll throw you out of their home and Divya's life."
"Before something else goes wrong, Divya hurts you to take revenge, and all this reaches Uncle and Aunt, come back and leave. If you can't do it, I'll come there and tell them the truth and apologize for you."
"No...you won't come here, and you won't tell anyone. I won't go anywhere. I'll stay with Divya; he's very good...I love him."
As soon as Shreya heard that Drishti was worried, she panicked. Shreya understood her, tried to convince her, but Drishti wasn't willing to listen. She was stuck on her stubbornness and wasn't willing to leave Divya for any price. Shreya got frustrated and hung up, and Drishti sat with a pout.
Today, Divya had come home early. When he returned in the evening, he was surprised to see his brother-in-law sitting in the living room. A few days had passed since his marriage to Drishti. Lately, there had only been arguments and fights between Divya and Drishti. Sometimes Drishti would come close to him boldly, but Divya would push her away with indifference.
The guests had returned to their homes, and now only a few family members were left at home. Lately, Drishti was either surrounded by guests or stayed in her room. She didn't get a chance to interact and talk to anyone much, but she asserted her right over Divya.
Divya looked around awkwardly and then Sumit himself got up and moved towards him.
"Won't you give your brother-in-law a hug?" Sumit said with a smile and hugged him, patting his back lightly. Without saying anything, his gesture said a lot, and a sense of relief appeared on Divya's face.
"You came when, brother-in-law?"
"Just now, and we were looking for you; where were you?"
"Nowhere, brother-in-law; I just went out for a bit." Divya replied, looking around.
"Congratulations on your marriage; we couldn't attend, and that's very sad for us. We hope you won't be angry with us."
Sumit was very casual, but as soon as the marriage was mentioned, a bitter look appeared on Divya's face. His silence prompted Sumit to say.
"Will you not introduce us to your wife?"
Upon his question, Divya's angry eyes rose towards him.
"Brother-in-law...did you tell him everything? Still, you..."
"Yes, he told, but however the marriage happened, your wife is now yours, and we have the right to meet her. We'll discuss other things with you later. So, go and bring her here."
The concerned expressions appeared on everyone's faces, but Sumit still seemed calm.
"Garima, bring our and Divya's tea upstairs. Now, we'll talk to our brother-in-law first, and then there will be meetings."
Sumit glanced at Garima and signaled her with his eyes, then moved towards the stairs.
On the rooftop, Divya was standing near the railing. He also came near him.
"Divya, are you angry with us?"
"No, brother-in-law...how could I be angry...I'm angry with my fate, which tied me to someone who tarnished my character and made me live with him out of compulsion."
Divya's tone was flat, and his face was emotionless, but in these words, he expressed the truth about his relationship with Drishti.
Sumit looked at his face for a while, then put his hand on his shoulder and started speaking in a serious tone.
"Hate is a very intense feeling...just like the one we love stays in our heart, the one we hate also stays in our mind unknowingly...hating someone is a big thing, for which a very important reason is necessary."
Divya got confused in his roundabout talk and looked at him with puzzled eyes.
"Are you saying that what she did to us doesn't deserve our hatred?"
"It's for you to see, Divya, what she's worth, what she did; will you ever be able to forgive her or not? Is there really hatred for her in your heart?...we don't think she's worthy of hatred."
"You think about it; what she did raised questions not just about my character but also made us look bad in front of everyone; yes, we looked wrong, mom and dad had to be embarrassed in front of everyone, but Drishti took such a big step only for you."
"I'm not saying what she did and how she did it was right. I'm not asking you to forgive her either, but it doesn't seem right to us that you hate her. Your life is tied to hers for life; if you hate her, how will you live with her under one roof?"
"You don't know her; she's crazy...so stubborn, and she had to have me, which she fulfilled by embarrassing us and our family in front of everyone. I don't want to spend my life with her, let alone tolerate her for a moment in my life, but still, if I haven't thrown her out of my life and home yet, it's only because dad stopped me from doing so. Drishti has already humiliated our family a lot; I don't want more notoriety."
"Let's talk about this later. Now, tell us about Drishti so that we can know her. Come, sit and tell us your story with Drishti; how and when did you meet her; how did things go this far?"
Here, Divya was about to reveal the old stories, while Drishti sitting in the room was also thinking about her first meeting with Divya, and both of them went back to the time when this story began.
To be continued…
"Smile, you are in Lucknow."
Lucknow is situated in the region historically known as the Awadh region. Lucknow has always been a multicultural city. Courtesy, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine have always been patronized here by the Shia Nawabs.
Lucknow is also known as the "City of Nawabs." It is known as the Golden City of the East and Shiraz-e-Hind. Even today, the lifestyle, manners, and language of the people in Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, reflect the nawabi culture. Their diverse culture still exists among the people here. The famous line of Lucknow is—
"Smile, you are in Lucknow."—which is enough to bring a smile to everyone's lips.
Divya had just left for home on his bike after working all day in the office when his eyes fell on these words written in golden letters on a board in front of him, and his lips curved into a smile.
Divya had barely reached halfway when it suddenly started raining. He was on his bike and thinking of reaching home as soon as possible. He had just taken a turn when suddenly a sports car came speeding and braked right in front of him.
Divya couldn't manage and his bike slipped. He somehow saved himself, but his shirt got muddy, and his knee was slightly scraped.
Divya looked angrily at the car. The car window rolled down... Drishti was sitting right there!
Divya stood there, staring at her continuously, and walked towards her car angrily.
"OMG! Are you okay?" Drishti asked in surprise. Divya, who was continuously staring at her, clenched his jaws in anger.
"Yes, yes... I'm absolutely fine, what would happen to me? I love to risk my life by doing stunts..... I enjoyed it a lot, and I am grateful to you for giving me a chance to show my talent."
Divya was terribly annoyed, while Drishti was confused by his words. Fluttering her eyelids, she looked at him with confused eyes. Then Divya suddenly shouted at her.
"Can't you see? Didn't you see this big bike coming from the front?...... Do you have any value for other people's lives in your eyes or not? If you don't care about your own life, fine..... at least worry about others' lives..... Who drives so fast in the rain..... If you don't know how to drive, why did you even get on the road with a car?"
Divya was yelling at her in anger, and Drishti was looking at him. He was completely drenched in the rain, his wet face filled with anger, glistening with raindrops, looked incredibly captivating.
"Hey, it wasn't that fast... and anyway, I did apply the brakes," Drishti replied with a smile, carelessly, which annoyed Divya even more, and he clenched his jaws, grinding his teeth.
"Wow.... you did me a huge favor..... What do you want now, should I thank you for applying the brakes before hitting me?"
Drishti found his anger amusing. She leaned forward, looked at the mud on his shirt, smiled a little, and offered him a napkin from her car.
"Here, wipe it. After all, one should make a good impression on a first meeting."
Divya was exasperated by her carefree attitude. He took a deep breath and, without taking the napkin, stared at her with sharp eyes.
"You've already made quite an impression... on my shirt."
Drishti burst into laughter upon hearing his words and seeing his demeanor. She found Divya's annoyance and serious nature very cute.
"Oh! So you are one of those guys... who get annoyed over small things?"
Drishti smiled mischievously, while Divya was irritated by her words.
"And you are one of those girls... who joke even after breaking someone's leg?"
"Well, the leg isn't broken, but your bike certainly looks injured!"
Drishti laughed carelessly again, which made Divya's blood boil. He looked at his bike and, letting out a long sigh, grumbled angrily.
"Today was just a bad day!"
Drishti found all this very amusing. She was even more impressed by Divya's frustration. She liked Divya's simplicity and honesty at first sight.
"Listen, if you feel like cooling down your anger, you can have coffee with me..... my treat," Drishti smiled slightly. In response, Divya glared at her.
"Oh! First you knock me down, then you offer me coffee..... Is this how you apologize for your mistake?"
Drishti smiled gently at his question. "So what should I do? Tell me if there's another way to apologize."
Divya stared at her for a few moments, then ignored her and tried to start his bike, but the bike wouldn't start. Drishti had now gotten out of the car and walked over to him, bending down and saying,
"Now you have to take my help, Mr. Angry Bird..."
Drishti smiled, and seeing her smile, Divya got annoyed. Divya turned and glared at her. He was very angry with Drishti because it was because of her that he had landed in such a situation today, and instead of apologizing, Drishti was further irritating him.
Seeing him silent, Drishti suppressed her smile and asked, "So, what do you think? Will you accept my treat, or will you keep getting wet in the rain?"
Divya couldn't understand why this girl had entered his life like an uninvited trouble, and now she was sticking to him. Divya was filled with anger. He narrowed his eyes and stared at her for a few moments, then completely ignored her and dragged his bike forward.
Drishti pouted and glared at Divya's retreating back, then smiled thoughtfully. This "serious guy" seemed quite interesting to her at first sight. Every gesture of his seemed to draw her in. In all this, she had gotten drenched from head to toe for no reason.
Drishti kept watching Divya until he disappeared from her sight. Then she stroked the wet strands of hair on her forehead with her fingers and drove away with a smile.
It was still raining, but for Drishti, it wasn't just rain—it was the first drop of an unspoken feeling blooming in her heart...
Divya somehow dragged his bike to a nearby garage and sat there himself. The bike was fixed in half an hour. Although he had trouble riding the bike due to the injury on his leg, he somehow reached home, where Gayatri Ji was anxiously pacing back and forth, waiting for him.
"Divya beta, what happened to you... how did you get this injury?" As soon as she saw Divya, she rushed to him anxiously and asked in a worried tone, seeing his condition.
The mud stains on his clothes from the rainwater had washed away, but the marks remained, and his pants were torn near his knee, exposing the wound underneath, which was causing him difficulty in walking.
"Nothing, Mom. It was raining outside, so the bike slipped, and I got a minor injury. It will heal in a few days."
Seeing her worried, Divya hid his pain and smiled. But a mother's heart is restless when her child is in pain. Divya hugged her from the side.
"We are fine, Mom, don't worry. We'll change and freshen up, and you make us some strong tea in the meantime. Today was a very bad day, my head is splitting from the pain."
He kissed her forehead and moved towards the stairs. Gayatri Ji also quickly went to the kitchen. After some time, she came to his room with tea. Divya looked quite fresh after bathing and changing, and was preparing to clean his wound, with his lower pant rolled up to his knee.
"Have your tea, beta, I'll do it." Gayatri Ji handed him the cup and sat down herself to clean his wound, applying medicine. The wound wasn't very deep, but it was a significant scrape.
"Mom, hasn't Dad arrived yet?" Divya asked, sipping his tea. Gayatri Ji replied while closing the medicine box.
"I got a call from him. He'll be a little late today. We'll get your food. Eat your food, take your medicine, and rest."
Divya nodded gently with a smile. After Gayatri Ji left, Divya lay down on the bed. Despite not wanting to, Drishti's smiling face came before his eyes, and his mind filled with anger.
On the other side, Drishti was sitting in her secret room. There was a canvas in front of her with some colors scattered on it; she was perhaps trying to create something, and she was still in the same wet clothes.
"Drishti, what are you doing here? I've been waiting for you at the cafe for so long. I called you so many times, but Madam never has time to pick up the phone. When I called Aunty, I found out you've locked yourself in this room. So I had to come myself to see what you were doing here after promising to meet me?"
Drishti was startled by the sudden voice. She hurriedly covered the painting with a white curtain placed nearby. By then, Shreya had reached her.
"What are you hiding from me? What were you painting here after promising to meet me?... Which you hid as soon as you heard my voice, and why are your clothes and hair all wet?"
Shreya frowned and stared at her with sharp, suspicious eyes. Divya was taken aback at first, then quickly stood up, put her arm around his shoulder, and said with a smile.
"Can I ever hide anything from you? I was coming to meet you when it started raining on the way, and I saw a beautiful scene there. I came back home so I wouldn't forget it. I got drenched in the rain, but I was so excited to capture that scene on canvas that I didn't remember to change my dress."
"Oh, is that so? Let me see what you saw that you forgot about me."
"It's not complete yet, so I'm not showing it to you. When it's finished, I'll definitely show it to you. Come on, let's go out, I'll change, and then we'll talk."
Drishti engaged Shreya in conversation and dragged her out of the room. Shreya was suspicious of her, but Drishti didn't give her a chance to say anything. Locking the room door, she glanced at the covered, unfinished painting and a sweet smile spread across her lips.
To be continued…
What is Drishti hiding from Shreya? How did you like their first meeting?
Divya was in a pretty good mood that day. He had completely forgotten about his previous encounter with Drishti.
"Dude, where have you brought us?" Divya made a strange face seeing the place and the atmosphere, clearly indicating that he didn't like the place or the vibe at all.
"Oh man, you're always so serious! Why do you live such a dull, muted life? Learn to live a little, man! Anyway, today is so special, and we're here to celebrate your success. So, leave all your silly worries and just do what we're telling you. I swear to God, it'll be a lot of fun! It'll be an experience you'll remember your whole life."
Saurabh forcefully started dragging him inside. Divya tried to pull his hand away.
"There are other ways to celebrate, what was the need to come here? You know we don't like such places, this glitz, this noise."
"I know, my friend, that you like peace, but come out of your boring, black and white life sometime. Enjoy life, change yourself a little, man, otherwise, after marriage, it will be very difficult for Bhabhi to live with a boring person like you."
"She doesn't like this either," Divya said, pursing his lips at his words. Saurabh got annoyed hearing his reply.
"Saurabh, if Dad finds out we came here with you, he'll break our legs."
"How will Uncle find out anything, when neither you'll tell him nor will I. Come on, stop making excuses and forget everything for a while and just enjoy."
At Saurabh's insistence, Divya had to come inside unwillingly. Saurabh dragged him to the dance floor, where colorful dim lights were scattered; many people were already dancing there.
Saurabh forcefully started dancing with him, while Divya's moves and facial expressions screamed that he didn't know the first thing about dancing nor was he interested. On top of that, the girls around him, due to the crowd, were getting close to him, making him uncomfortable, and he was repeatedly making futile attempts to move away from them.
Watching him move his hands and feet reluctantly, making strange faces, and running away from the girls, Drishti, who was sitting quietly in a corner, had a smile on her lips.
"How cute," her lips moved, but no sound came out.
"What happened to you, Drishti? I've never seen you this happy before today."
Shreya, sitting next to Drishti, was surprised to see her laughing and smiling. Just a while ago, Drishti was sitting very gloomily and sadly; her mood was off, and she looked quite unhappy. Now her sudden burst of laughter... Shreya couldn't understand anything.
Drishti, who was laughing lovingly while watching Divya awkwardly move his hands and feet on the dance floor, suddenly fell silent. First, she was surprised herself, and the next moment something came to her mind, and a sweet smile spread across her lips.
"There was no reason until now, but now I've found one."
Drishti's gaze was still fixed on Divya. Shreya was confused by her cryptic answer. Just then, Drishti got up.
"Let's dance."
"But right now..." Shreya was bewildered and about to say something when Drishti interrupted her.
"Come on, man." Drishti didn't even give her a chance and forcefully dragged her to the dance floor. Shreya also didn't ask anything further and started dancing with her, seeing her happy and relaxed, but for Drishti, dancing was just an excuse; she wanted to get to Divya.
After swaying their waists like that for a while, when Shreya was completely engrossed in the dance and paid no attention to her, Drishti slowly started moving towards Divya while dancing. But it was her bad luck that before she could reach him, Divya got off the dance floor.
"Shit man," Drishti made a strange face, pulling her lips. She glanced at Shreya, who was oblivious to anything, and slowly slipped behind Divya.
This was Divya's first time in such a place. He was feeling quite strange and awkward here. Seeking peace and quiet, he came and sat at a table in the corner.
Divya didn't feel like staying there for even a moment, but he couldn't leave without Saurabh. He sat at a corner table reluctantly, looking around, just passing the time, when his gaze fell on Drishti walking towards him.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on her, and his eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully.
"Why does she seem so familiar?" Divya, lost in thought, was racking his brain while looking at Drishti, when suddenly Drishti smiled looking at him, and in an instant, the rainy encounter flashed before Divya's eyes like a movie; his eyes widened in disbelief.
"She's here..."
Divya exclaimed to himself, startled. The next moment, he averted his gaze from Drishti and ignored her as if he didn't know her. Seeing this, Drishti's smiling lips tightened, and her brows furrowed.
"Did she not recognize me, or is she ignoring me deliberately?" The question arose in Drishti's mind, and shaking her head, she reached Divya.
"Hello handsome... Can I sit here?" Drishti asked in her sweet voice, with a gentle smile spread across her lips. Divya, who had been ignoring her until now, glared at her with sharp eyes and replied curtly.
"You can sit wherever you want but not here."
"Why... I'm sitting right here." Drishti was no less. She was used to doing as she pleased and was stubborn by nature. She impudently sat next to him, which annoyed Divya, and as he started to get up, Drishti hurriedly grabbed his wrist.
"Oh, where are you running off to?... Sit here."
His behavior was distasteful to Divya. His eyes narrowed dangerously. He turned his head to look at his hand, which Drishti was still holding, and as soon as his angry gaze turned towards Drishti, she hurriedly released his hand.
To be continued…
"Hey, where are you running off to? ... Sit down here."
Divya was displeased by her action. Her eyes narrowed menacingly. She turned her head and looked at her hand, which Drishti was still holding. Then, as her angry gaze rose towards Drishti, she hastily let go of her hand.
"Sorry....But I have something important to tell you...Please sit."
This time, she requested and looked at Divya with great hope. Divya stared at her for a few moments. Then, letting out a deep sigh, he calmed himself and sat back down, muttering to himself.
"Tell me what you want to say?"
"I am sorry.....That day, because of me, you fell, got hurt, and your bike was also damaged."
This was what annoyed Divya, and today, when Drishti apologized sincerely, his annoyance began to lessen.
"It's okay, but when you go out on the road with a car, you should remember that there are other people too, whose lives are as precious as yours. If you can't drive, hire a driver. It's not right to put your life and others' lives in danger like this."
This time, Divya explained gently, and Drishti nodded her head like an obedient child, accepting his words.
"Now go," Divya said after some time, seeing her still sitting there. Drishti immediately shook her head in refusal.
"I haven't come to go. I've come to you."
"Then why else have you come?... I've heard what you had to say, what do you want from me now?"
Divya asked, raising his eyebrows. Hearing this, Drishti smiled carelessly.
"Nothing, just your company.....Now I've excused you for last time, and this time my car didn't hit your bike, so maybe you can let go of this anger now!"
Divya didn't particularly like Drishti's answer and demeanor, and his lips twisted sarcastically.
"Yes, by apologizing, you've done me a great favor.... Thank goodness I wasn't a victim of your rash driving today, otherwise I might have ended up in the hospital this time, and even then, you would have done me a favor by saying a small sorry."
Hearing Divya's taunts, Drishti made a strange face.
"I didn't do anything like that, and I genuinely said sorry to you. Let's forget it..... Why be so serious about such a small thing? Come on, I'll order a drink. What will you have?"
Drishti changed the subject with the intention of ending the conversation and looked at him with wide eyes, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Nothing," Divya replied expressionlessly and turned his face away.
"If you don't tell me, I'll order whatever I want, and you'll have to drink it.... And if you don't drink it, you'll have to pay for it. You know how expensive each drink is here, and I'm going to order the most expensive one for you."
Drishti looked at him with sparkling eyes and smiled slyly. Divya was shocked at first, then, annoyed, he got up and left, and Drishti watched him go away with a pouted face.
"One glass of water, please," Divya said softly to the waiter. The waiter looked at him with wide eyes, and Drishti's surprised voice followed.
"What? Just water at a pub?..."
"Why? Is it illegal to drink water in a pub?" Divya, who had just escaped from her, became furious seeing her again. The same irritation was reflected in his words. Despite his sharp tone, Drishti smiled casually.
"No, but it's definitely a bit boring."
Drishti called the waiter, ordered a cocktail for herself, and asked him to make a "special drink" for Divya. Divya became suspicious upon hearing this.
Divya frowned and asked, "What did you order for me?"
As the waiter left, Divya stared at her with sharp eyes and asked, to which Drishti smiled mischievously. "Surprise."
A few minutes later, the waiter brought a colorful drink and placed a glass in front of each of them. Drishti picked up her glass, but Divya didn't trust it.
"What is this?... Did you mix something in it?"
Divya stared at her, narrowing his eyes. Seeing this, Drishti burst into laughter. "Oh dear, it's just a mocktail..... No alcohol, just fun. If you don't believe me, sniff it."
Divya really didn't trust her. He thought of sniffing it, but stopped himself, thinking something.
"What do you want?... I forgave you for that day, so why are you after me, and what do you want to achieve by doing all this?"
Divya suspected her intentions. Drishti's behavior seemed strange to him.
"Nothing, I just want to have a drink with you. If you drink this, I'll know you've accepted my apology, forgiven me. Then I'll leave quietly without bothering you further. Just have one drink with me."
This time, leaving her mischievousness behind, Drishti appeared quite serious. Divya looked at her for a few moments with scrutinizing eyes, then raising an eyebrow, he said.
"It's just one drink?"
Drishti quickly nodded. Divya now picked up the glass and sniffed it. He didn't feel like it, but he was thirsty and wanted to get rid of this unwanted trouble. Thinking this, he agreed to Drishti's request. Drishti beamed with joy.
"Cheers," she said, raising her glass towards Divya, who reluctantly lightly clinked his glass with hers.
To be continued…
Was this meeting between Divya and Drishti just a coincidence? What does Drishti want from him? Will she really leave from here?
After a drink, Divya got up and left. Drishti’s gaze returned to Shreya, who was beaming, her happiness evident in the smile playing on her lips.
Outside, it had started to rain. Divya tried calling home for a while, but when he couldn’t get through, he returned inside, looking worried.
“Saurabh, this is too much. Let’s go home now.”
Hearing Divya, Saurabh, who was thoroughly enjoying himself, turned around in surprise.
“We just got here.”
“Look how much it’s raining outside. You dragged me out of the office and didn’t even let me call home. We didn’t even tell Mom we were with you. It’s time for us to reach home, and the weather is getting worse. Mom must be worried at home, and we can’t talk to her because of the network issues due to the rain. Let’s go home now, we’ll party properly later.”
Divya looked quite distressed, and for good reason. Saurabh wasn’t keen on leaving so soon, but he agreed.
“Shreya, let’s go home.”
“Oh, but so soon? We’ve just started enjoying ourselves.”
“We’ll come another time, man. Let’s go now, or I’ll leave you here.”
At Drishti’s threat, Shreya resigned herself to it, and Drishti pulled her along.
The rain was getting heavier. The cold wind stung Divya’s face, but he didn't seem to notice. As he was leaving the pub with Saurabh and heading towards his home, his gaze suddenly fell on a woman standing by the roadside. Her clothes were soaked, her hair clung to her face, and her lips trembled slightly from the cold. She looked around restlessly, her helplessness evident.
Concern flickered across Divya’s face, and he abruptly stopped the car, startling Saurabh.
“Hey, what happened?”
“That woman… she might be waiting for someone,” Divya said softly, his eyes still fixed on the lady.
“So… what’s it to us? Are you in the mood for charity in the rain now?” Saurabh asked playfully, following her gaze.
Divya glared at him angrily, and he immediately fell silent. He took a deep breath and opened the car door without another word.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Saurabh tried to stop him, but by then, Divya had already stepped out with an umbrella.
Divya walked towards the woman. She heard him approach and looked at him nervously.
“Why are you standing like this? You’ll catch a cold,” Divya said, holding the umbrella over her.
“I… I’m fine…” the woman said softly, but her voice betrayed her.
“Is it necessary to be drenched to be fine?” Divya said with a gentle smile, taking off his coat and draping it over her shoulders.
A peculiar expression flickered in the woman’s eyes—gratitude, hesitation, and perhaps a little surprise.
“Do you need any help?” Divya asked gently. The lady paused for a moment, then hesitantly nodded.
“My phone is off, and I need to call my husband.”
As soon as she said that, Divya took out his phone and offered it to her. There were network issues, so after a few tries, the call connected. They spoke, and she handed the mobile back to him.
“Thank you,” she expressed her gratitude. Divya smiled faintly. After a while, a motorcycle stopped there. After thanking Divya once more, the lady left with her husband. Only then did Divya continue on his way.
The cold drops of rain began to fall on his head and shoulders, but he paid them no mind. When he got into the car, Saurabh was staring at him with a frown.
“You’ll never change, Divya.”
“She needed help,” Divya said earnestly and started the car. Saurabh, shaking his head, went back to his phone.
Drishti, sitting in her car a short distance away, had witnessed all of this. Seeing Divya like this made her heart skip a beat. The kindness Divya had shown to a stranger touched her deeply.
“This person… is truly different,” Drishti said to herself, an unfamiliar smile appearing on her lips.
Shreya, sitting beside her and observing Drishti for a long time, opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated and fell silent again.
***
A few days later
Divya left for home at his usual time and found the same car outside the office that had hit him earlier and had also been in the pub parking lot. Divya recognized it as Drishti’s car and was stunned to see it outside his office.
He paused for a moment, then started his bike and sped away. The car followed him. Divya observed for a while that the car was still behind him, then, growing impatient, he pulled his bike over to the side. The car stopped behind him as well.
Divya shook his head in annoyance, then took off his helmet, hung it on the handlebars, got off the bike, and walked towards the car. Just then, the car door opened, and there stood Drishti, once again in a beautiful dress, her hair loose, and her face radiant.
“What is all this? How did you reach our office, and why have you been following us for so long?” Divya’s tone was stern.
“Ours… I was just following you.”
Drishti said with a mischievous wink, her eyes wide with apparent innocence. Divya clenched his jaw in exasperation.
To be continued…
"We....I was just following you."
With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Drishti said with great innocence. Divya got irritated and clenched his jaw.
"Then why are you following me?"
Seeing the irritation on his face, Drishti suppressed her smile.
"I have something very important to talk to you about, but I can't do it here on the road. Sit in my car, and we'll go somewhere quiet and talk comfortably."
"I don't even know you, so what do you want to talk about?" Divya asked, raising his eyebrows. Then he added in an annoyed tone, "I don't want to talk to you, so leave me alone and go your way."
Drishti's face fell seeing Divya's indifference, but she was stubborn by nature. She stood in front of him with her chest puffed out. "If you don't listen to me, I'll keep bothering you like this."
Her expressions were enough to show that she wouldn't back down without getting her way. People passing by were staring at them strangely. Annoyed, Divya finally had to give in to her stubbornness.
"I won't go with you in your car. You go ahead, I'll follow you on my bike."
Drishti readily agreed. All she wanted was to meet him, but as she left, she threatened Divya.
"Just follow, if you disappear from behind, I'll reach your office again tomorrow. Today I was just standing outside, but tomorrow I'll come inside and have a meeting with you."
Hearing her threat, Divya glared at her irritably, but it had no effect on Drishti. She started her car and drove away. Divya shook his head and followed her on his bike.
After some time, they were both sitting opposite each other at a corner table in a restaurant.
"Tell me, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Divya asked directly. In response, Drishti spread a sweet smile on her lips and said,
"Have your coffee first, then we'll talk."
"I'm getting late to go home. My family must be waiting, obviously, you must also have to go home. So, whatever you want to talk about, do it quickly."
Divya replied in a controlled voice. His face bore a serious expression. But hearing his words, a strange sadness spread across Drishti's face.
"No..... I'm not in any hurry to go home, no one is waiting for me at home."
Hidden in these words was pain and sadness. A strange emptiness and loneliness reflected in her eyes. But Divya, without paying much attention to it, said irritably,
"Please speak quickly, whatever you have to say."
Drishti, who was lost in her thoughts, hid her sadness behind a smile, which she was adept at.
"I like you. I want to spend time with you. Marry me, then I'll be with you forever." Drishti stated her wish to him in a very casual manner, but Divya was shocked.
Hearing Drishti's words, he was so surprised that he suddenly stood up from his chair and stared at her with wide eyes.
"What...."
Divya's voice was quite loud, so everyone in the restaurant looked at him in surprise. Drishti glanced around and showed her teeth; everyone went back to their own business.
"Sit calmly and talk, everyone is looking at you." Finally, Drishti whispered softly at Divya, looking at him. Divya also remembered that they were in a public place at that moment. He quietly sat back down.
"Now tell me, will you accept my proposal?"
Drishti's eyes sparkled like fireflies, and she was fully confident that Divya would not reject her. Divya, trying to calm his mind, asked with patience and surprise upon hearing Drishti's question,
"I don't even know you. You don't know yourself, then how can you say all this to me?"
"Then let's get to know each other." Drishti said impulsively. A sweet smile still lingered on her lips, while Divya's face remained serious.
"I have no feelings for you in my heart. Even if I think about you for once, I can't do anything. You and I are not a match at all."
"Why are we not a match?" Hearing Divya's refusal, Drishti's smiling lips tightened, and she looked at him with wide eyes, while Divya still looked extremely serious.
"I come from a normal middle-class family, and you look like you're from a rich family. There's a world of difference between our status, lifestyle, thinking, and values. Besides, I am already engaged and will be getting married soon, so these trivial matters mean nothing to me. It would be better if you also get these useless thoughts out of your head, stop following me, be happy yourself, and let me live my life in peace."
Divya stated everything in plain words. Hearing that he was already committed to someone else, Drishti's delicate heart shattered into pieces; her eyes welled up, and expressions of pain and disappointment surfaced on her face.
For Divya, her emotions dissolved into tears. How many dreams she had built, but in an instant, her glass castle crumbled.
But she didn't let herself be weak. She rubbed her tears away with her palms.
"Marry me. My father has a very big business, a lot of money and property, and I am his only child. After marriage, everything will be yours."
Hearing this, Divya's expression changed. His pride was hurt, and he glared at her sharply.
"Do you want to buy me with greed?....Forgive me, but I am not for sale, nor am I interested in trading my life and happiness. I have already clearly told you my decision, so it would be better if you stay away from me now."
Divya's tone was stern, and he had warned Drishti, but Drishti was still not ready to give up. She looked at him with blinking eyes and asked restlessly,
"Do you love her?" As she asked this question, Drishti's gaze was fixed on Divya, and her heart was pounding, but Divya's face was completely blank.
"Whether I love her or not is my personal matter which has nothing to do with you. It would be better if you mind your own business.... You have said what you wanted to say, and you have heard my answer. Now I don't think there is any point in me staying here, so I am leaving and I hope you will not bother me again."
Divya finished his sentence in a serious tone and left with quick steps. Drishti, who was sitting behind, trying to gather her emotions, her eyes welled up.
To be continued…
A few days passed peacefully. Drishti did not appear before Divya again, nor did she bother him. Divya was quite relaxed now, while Drishti had become quiet and sad these days. She could not handle Divya's rejection; she had tried, but she couldn't forget him.
It was evening. The coffee shop had a soft, warm light. Soft music was playing. People sat at their tables, chatting over sips of coffee.
Divya was sitting at a corner table. Saurabh was sitting opposite him, but Divya's attention was on his phone. Perhaps he was waiting for an important message.
Meanwhile, a few tables away, Drishti was sitting. Her friend Shreya was sitting opposite her, looking at her, while Drishti was scrolling through her phone. But her mind was wandering. Her heart was stuck on Divya.
"Sir, your cappuccino."
The waiter placed coffee on both their tables and left. Divya and Drishti picked up their coffees and took their first sip at the same time.
Divya's face immediately scrunched up. So sweet? Drishti also quickly put down her cup, her face had a strange expression.
And then their voices echoed together—
Divya: "So sweet?"
Drishti: "So bitter?"
Hearing the voices, both were startled. In an instant, their eyes met. First surprise, then irritation, and then the old teasing feeling.
Drishti raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh, so this was your coffee?"
"And this is yours?" Divya said in the same tone. It was clear from his face that he did not like Drishti's presence at all.
Hearing his words, Drishti burst into laughter. "Now I understand why you are so bitter, you drink such bitter coffee."
"And you like such sweet things, so maybe you…" Divya rolled his eyes and stopped abruptly. Seeing this, Drishti, smiling, began to provoke him.
"Maybe I what?"
Divya took a deep breath and said, restraining himself, "Leave it."
He wasn't in the mood to argue with Drishti unnecessarily, but how could Drishti leave him so easily?
Drishti quipped, "By the way, I heard that eating and drinking each other's food increases love. Will you try?"
Divya was annoyed at her words and quickly replied, "No thanks."
Before Drishti could say anything more, Divya immediately stood up and looked towards his friend Saurabh, who was enjoying the whole scene and watching Divya and Drishti with great interest.
"Let's go."
Divya didn't stay there for a moment. Saurabh tried to stop him, but he walked away quickly, heading straight out of the coffee shop, almost dragging Saurabh with him.
Saurabh's eyes widened in surprise. "Hey, wait..... what are you doing? Tell me first, who was this girl? What was going on between you two?"
Hearing Saurabh's words, Divya turned to him angrily. "You wanted to drink coffee, right?... Done? Let's go now."
Seeing his irritation and annoyance, Saurabh laughed. "Hey..... I didn't come to drink coffee without you that you're getting so worked up....... But honestly, after the drama I just witnessed, it was fun."
"It wasn't drama, it was just… a misunderstanding," Divya calmed himself with a deep breath. Saurabh was in a playful mood, and it was rare for him to get a chance to tease Divya, so he took advantage of the opportunity and quipped, "Misunderstanding, or… love?"
"I'm not interested in that girl at all," Divya glared at him, but Saurabh laughed carelessly.
"Yes, yes..... not interested, but the banter was going great. Love and affection were being discussed."
Divya glared at him, but Saurabh was Saurabh. He continued in a playful tone.
"By the way, I have to admit, the girl is amazing. So bold, so confident.... and man, when she said that line about 'eating each other's food increases love,' I was smitten."
"So you've fallen for her? Then go to her, is anyone stopping you?" Divya became thoroughly annoyed. Seeing his anger, Saurabh folded his hands in front of him.
"Brother, I was joking, you got too serious."
Divya also calmed himself with a deep breath.
"Don't you understand? That girl is completely crazy. I've never seen such a stubborn, audacious, and shameless girl in my life."
Seeing Divya thinking about Drishti, Saurabh's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Ohh....... meaning she's interesting."
"No, she's crazy. She just wants my attention, and I won't give her that attention."
Divya clenched his jaw in anger, remembering Drishti's actions. Saurabh also became serious.
"Hey man, don't get serious, and tell me, who was that Barbie doll anyway? How do you know her? When and how did you meet, and what exactly is going on between you two?"
There were many questions he wanted answers to from Divya. The jest was one thing, but now it was important to know the whole story.
After thinking for a few moments, Divya took a deep breath and told him everything that had happened since the accident on the road. His facial expressions changed moment by moment as he spoke, and the same was true for Saurabh.
When Divya finished telling the entire story, Saurabh looked at him with wide eyes and asked in surprise.
"Meaning, that Barbie doll likes you, has proposed to you, and after your rejection, she is not ready to leave you."
"Yes, at first I thought she had understood what I said that day and wouldn't bother me now, but her actions today have put me in a worried state."
As much as Divya looked irritated and frustrated, he was also very worried.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright," Saurabh said, placing a hand on his shoulder and applying gentle pressure, as if reassuring him, then he remembered Drishti and said in a serious tone.
"By the way, there is something about that girl. Her style is amazing. Besides being incredibly beautiful, she has a fantastic personality and such confidence... it's rarely seen, and the way she's looking at you... Think, if your marriage wasn't already fixed elsewhere and Uncle-Aunty liked her, what would you do?"
"There's no point in thinking all this. She's not our type. Such a rich, open-minded, stubborn girl won't be able to adjust in our house... and whatever it is, this is not love, just attraction and stubbornness."
Divya replied in a flat tone. Saurabh took a deep breath and winked mischievously. "So, you admit that she loves you?"
Divya looked at him in shock and said irritably, "I don't want to talk to you at all..... I told you everything for no reason."
Seeing him get so annoyed, Saurabh laughed. "Brother, when a girl looks you in the eye and says she's in love, then there must be something special..... What about you, you're a boring person anyway. Only one girl can bring color into your monotonous life..... By the way, don't mind, but you two would look amazing together. You, a calm, responsible, and simple boy, she, a bold, bubbly, and slightly stubborn girl. If you two get married, your boring life will become quite interesting."
Divya moved forward, annoyed, but Saurabh's words stirred something in his heart. Was there really any truth in Drishti's words?
Divya was gone. Drishti sat at the table, drinking Divya's bitter coffee with a faint smile. But in her eyes, along with mischief, there was also a strange determination.
Shreya, who had been quietly watching this drama, couldn't remain silent any longer and, annoyed by Drishti's silence, said.
"Drishti, tell me now, who was this boy and why are you after him?... Why were you talking to him like that?"
Drishti took a sip of her coffee and smiled lightly.
"He is my first and last crush."
Hearing Drishti's reply, Shreya's eyes widened. She was so surprised that her mouth fell open.
"Crush? But there was nothing in your personality that would make you have a crush on someone. You never showed any interest in any boy before, so why now all of a sudden...?"
Hearing Shreya's questions, Drishti laughed at herself. "Exactly..... I've never been interested in any boy before, but what can I do, my heart is also a bit crazy.... I fell for Divya at first sight."
Shreya looked at her with deep eyes. Today her carefree friend seemed a bit lost.
"And him? Does he like you too?"
Shreya asked, remembering Divya's behavior. Drishti lowered her gaze for a moment, but then the old confidence returned to her eyes.
"Not yet... but it's okay. Love doesn't happen to everyone in one day or one meeting like it happened to me."
"Drishti, when and how did you meet Divya? You never told me anything about him."
"We met accidentally a few days ago. I was going to tell you soon."
After this, Drishti briefly told Shreya everything about Divya and herself, which she listened to carefully. She also felt the changing emotions on Drishti's face and the feelings reflected in her eyes.
Shreya took a deep breath and said in a serious tone. "But Drishti, you know he's engaged, right?... I don't think it's right for you to feel this way about him."
Drishti was silent for a few seconds, but then said with a mischievous smile—
"So what? He's engaged, not married."
Shreya, who was trying to explain to her, was shocked at her answer and said in surprise.
"You're crazy...... that boy is avoiding you repeatedly, has rejected you, is engaged, isn't even showing interest in you, and you're still not backing down?"
"Shreya, this is love, not a physics formula where if A collides with B, there's a direct reaction. And anyway, if he doesn't like me, I won't force him to be mine. But I'm not someone who gives up easily."
Drishti said with a smile, but with determination. Shreya relaxed a little and asked seriously, looking at her with deep eyes, "So, what's your plan now?"
"There's no plan to win a heart, just a sincere effort......... and I will do that."
Drishti smiled and took the last sip of her coffee. The same old stubbornness and innocence were visible on her face.
Shreya smiled faintly. "You know, Divya is really very lucky to have a girl like you wanting him. But I fear that this desire might cause you pain."
"Does one stop loving because of the fear of pain?"
Drishti asked, her eyes sparkling. Shreya didn't reply, but a faint smile appeared on her face.
To be continued…
How did you like this meeting between Divya and Drishti and Drishti's style?
No response from Groq.
"Where did you go? I was looking for you all day. You know, I don't know anyone here besides you, and you always leave me alone."
As soon as she stepped into Divya's room, Drishti unleashed a torrent of complaints.
Divya had entered the room, still engrossed in Sumit ji's words. Drishti's voice broke through his daze, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon her. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, her cheeks puffed out like balloons, staring at him with displeasure.
Sumit ji's words once again echoed in his mind. For a moment, his eyes lingered on Drishti's face. Then, shaking his head, he moved past her. As usual, he had ignored Drishti and her words. Seeing this, Drishti's brow furrowed.
"I'm asking you something, why aren't you answering?" Drishti asked sharply, and Divya's advancing steps halted.
"Because I don't deem it necessary to answer, and you have no right to question me. I've already told you that I don't acknowledge this relationship. You are not my wife, you have no claim on me... understand this well in your heart and mind, and always remember that you may have entered my house through force and scheming, but you will never enter my heart. You may have married me, but you will never win my love."
Divya erupted over her like an unseasonal downpour, and Drishti could only stare at him, her eyes wide, blinking. After speaking his piece, Divya grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom. Drishti, feeling startled, sat there, wondering what she had done to provoke such anger from Divya.
After some time, Divya emerged, fresh. He seemed much calmer now. As he entered the room, his eyes naturally fell on Drishti. Her eyes were slightly red, but as Divya entered, she quickly put on a sweet smile. It was clear she had been crying.
Divya looked at her in surprise for a moment, wondering what it was about her. Then, averting his gaze, he said,
"My brother-in-law has come and wants to meet you."
Hearing Divya's words, Drishti's lips tightened, and a strange sadness flickered across her face.
"I don't want to meet anyone. I'm not used to all this. Your relatives stare at me in such a way that I don't feel like going in front of them. They say nasty things. I don't understand everything, but I don't like what they say."
For the first time in so many days, Drishti had said something like this to him. Today, Divya realized that if this situation was difficult for him, it wasn't easy for Drishti either. If he had to face people's stares and taunts, Drishti was also going through the same phase. In fact, everyone was a stranger to her, and being a woman, she probably heard more.
Divya had the option to leave the house, but Drishti spent all day among those people. As he thought, his expression softened for a moment, but the next moment, he remembered Drishti's words at the wedding, and his heart filled with bitterness.
"Although my brother-in-law won't say anything to you, after the stunt you pulled, you should get used to all this. Because what is happening today is solely because of you. I am forced to endure this punishment without any fault, but after what you have done, you deserve it. So, learn to face your sins."
Divya's sharp words pierced Drishti's delicate heart. Seeing contempt, hatred, and anger in her eyes for herself, her heart filled with shame.
Divya stared at her and began to leave the room. Drishti also got off the bed and followed him.
"Listen, your brother-in-law isn't as grumpy as you are, right?"
She hadn't even heard that much yet but still couldn't refrain from speaking. Divya glared, and she immediately fell silent.
They both came downstairs, where everyone else was already present.
"This is my brother-in-law," Divya said, gesturing towards Sumit ji. Drishti first looked at him, then turned her head to look at Divya.
"Will I have to touch his feet too?"
The poor girl had been through so much in the past few days. She had never seen such things in her own home, and as soon as she came here, everything changed. Her delicate back was breaking from touching everyone's feet as they came and went.
Divya once again gave her a sharp look. Drishti, flustered, moved to touch Sumit ji's feet, but her dupatta got caught on the broom lying on the floor.
Drishti lost her balance, but before she could fall on the carpet-like floor, Divya caught her at the perfect moment and scolded her.
"If you can't handle it, why do you wear such clothes? You have no sense of propriety at all. You're always falling down, no matter where or when."
The poor Drishti hadn't even recovered from the fear of falling, and now, hearing Divya's scolding, she was in shock.
"Divya, in what tone are you speaking to our daughter-in-law?"
Manoj ji's displeased, stern voice echoed, and all eyes turned towards him. Divya instantly fell silent and also pulled Drishti away from him.
"Sorry," he said in a choked voice and went straight outside. Now everyone looked at each other with worried eyes, but Drishti's gaze was fixed on the departing Divya.
"Drishti.... right?" After a few moments, Sumit ji addressed Drishti. She too, flustered, turned her eyes towards him.
"Yes."
"We are Divya's brother-in-law, so that makes us your brother-in-law too. Won't you greet us?" Sumit ji smiled gently, and seeing his friendly demeanor, a sweet smile spread across Drishti's lips.
She stepped forward to touch his feet, but Sumit ji stopped her, holding her shoulders, and placed his affectionate hand on her head.
"May you always be happy."
Drishti's smile deepened.
"You are so lovely." The words slipped out of his mouth unintentionally. She truly looked like a cute doll. Hearing her praise, Drishti burst into laughter.
"You are very sweet too. I thought Divya's brother-in-law would be rude like him."
Seeing her take Divya's name so casually, Manoj ji and Gayatri ji exchanged glances. Meanwhile, Sumit ji glared at her, feigning annoyance.
"Do I seem rude to you?"
Hearing his question, Drishti blurted out, "Not anymore, but you used to. I didn't know you then, and all of Divya's relatives behaved rudely with me, so I thought you would also behave rudely with me like Divya and everyone else. But you are very sweet, just like didi."
She was honest to a fault; what was in her heart was on her tongue. After a long time, she had met someone with whom she had become so comfortable in just a few minutes that she was speaking so openly. Completing her sentence, she smiled at Garima ji, because her behavior towards her had also been very good from day one. In fact, she was doing all her chores, changing the subject to protect her from people's taunts or sending her to her room.
Drishti spoke carelessly, but her words changed the expressions on many faces. Sumit ji himself couldn't understand what to say in that situation.
"Did your mother-in-law and father-in-law also not treat you well?"
He asked the question casually. Drishti quickly shook her head in denial. "No.... Mummy treats me with great love and takes excellent care of me, more than my own mother. Mummy is very loving, sweet, and Papa is also good. He got me married to Divya, but now when they speak rudely to Divya because of me, get angry with him, I don't like it."
Initially, Drishti was happy, but she became sad by the end. During all this, everyone was watching the emotions flicker across her face.
"Then we will explain to Papa ji not to behave so rudely with Divya, not to get angry with him. Is that okay now?"
Leaving her sadness behind, Drishti's face lit up with a smile.
"And do you have any other complaints?"
"No. Divya's family is very good, just like a perfect family, and he is also very good. But right now, he is a little angry with me, but I will win him over."
Drishti quickly shook her head in denial and smiled. Her eyes spoke of her truth. At the mere mention of Divya, her lips would curve into a smile, which everyone noticed, and somewhere, their worries began to lessen.
"Drishti, go and call Divya from outside."
As soon as Sumit ji said this, Drishti's smiling lips tightened in an instant, and her eyes widened as she looked at them.
"I should go?"
"Hmm, you go and call Divya. Tell him we called him."
Sumit ji insisted, so Drishti, with reluctance, adjusted her dupatta and headed outside.
Divya was sitting on his bike in the parking area, sulking.
"Sorry," Drishti's gentle voice reached his ears, and Divya's gaze turned towards her.
"Papa scolded you because of me, didn't he? I'm sorry." Drishti was genuinely upset and stood with her head bowed in front of Divya. Divya glanced at her briefly, then looked away. Seeing his silence, Drishti spoke again.
"He won't scold you again. I told Jiju to tell Papa not to scold you. I don't like it when they get angry with you because of me."
Hearing this, Divya's expression changed slightly. The next moment, he asked in a gruff tone,
"Why have you come here?"
As soon as she heard this, Drishti slapped her forehead. "Oh.... I forgot. I didn't come here to pacify you, but to call you. Jiju has called you inside."
Divya glanced at her, then, ignoring her, walked inside. Drishti made a strange face and, stamping her feet, followed him.
To be continued…
Today, after a long time, Divya sat amidst the entire family. They all had dinner together, then Sumit ji took Divya out with him under the guise of a walk. They talked about various things while strolling in the open for a while. Now Divya’s mood was much better. Seeing the opportunity, Sumit ji brought up the topic.
"Divya, will you listen if we say something?"
"Apart from accepting Drishti into my life, I will do whatever you say," Divya replied seriously. Hearing this, Sumit ji chuckled lightly, then spoke with seriousness.
"Drishti is the biggest sinner in all of this, when it comes to you. What she did has affected you the most deeply. Your life is to be spent with her. Therefore, whether you forgive her and accept her into your life to live a happy life with her, or punish her for her mistake, that is solely your decision.
We had said before that we just want you to spend some time with her, try to know and understand her, try to maintain the relationship that has been formed. And if you feel that you can forgive Drishti and spend your life with her, then that's great, but if you wish to distance yourself from her, we will be with you in that too.
We will not interfere in your relationship, we just want to explain to you that no matter under what circumstances the marriage took place, Drishti is now your wife. Whatever your displeasure or anger is towards her, whatever differences you have, keep them inside your room. There she is your wife, and if she has made a mistake, she will also tolerate your displeasure. But outside, in front of everyone, treat her with respect.
She is your wife and deserves that respect. If you behave with her like this in front of others, it will not be her insult, but yours, because your name is now associated with hers. Only if you give her respect will people respect her.
The conversations between husband and wife should remain behind closed doors so that the respect of the relationship is maintained. Think about it yourself, if we treated your sister the way you treated Drishti today, what would she go through? We might forget everything after some time, but will your sister be able to forget that insult? When we ourselves insult our wife in front of everyone, will others respect her?"
Sumit ji made Divya realize his mistake in a very simple way.
"We will be careful from now on," Divya replied. Hearing this, Sumit ji smiled and patted his shoulder, and they both turned back towards home.
"Go straight to your room," Sumit ji instructed before leaving. He nodded.
When Divya entered the room, Drishti was already asleep. The lights were off, only the dim light of the night bulb was spread in the room. Divya’s gaze fell on Drishti, who was staring at the ceiling with open eyes, lost in thought.
"Why haven't you changed your clothes?" Divya asked, moving towards the cupboard. Drishti came out of her thoughts, her eyes turned towards Divya, but her face bore strange expressions.
"Divya, you hate me, don't you?" Drishti's words hit Divya's ears, and his advancing steps halted. For a moment, his facial expression changed slightly. The next moment, he continued forward, replying in a nonchalant tone.
"Is there a need to ask?"
The question was answered with a question, but Drishti was still looking at him.
"You are also very angry because I didn't let you marry the girl you wanted and forced you to marry me."
"Obviously," he replied again in a flat tone. Hearing this, Drishti's mouth drooped.
"You aren't even angry with the girl you were going to marry, who didn't trust you even a little? What kind of love was that, which left you after believing just one lie? If she truly loved you, wouldn't she have read the truth in your eyes? Didn't she have that much faith in your character?
If I were in her place, forget about any other girl, even if you or God himself said something to me, my trust in you would not waver for a moment. Because I know you very well... so well that I know you wouldn't even think of looking at any girl in the wrong way, let alone betraying her."
These words from Drishti forced Divya to turn back and look at her. He was peering into her eyes, where he saw unwavering faith in himself.
Drishti looked at him for a while, then turned over and lay down. Divya didn't ask her to change clothes again, nor did they talk between them.
The next day, Divya spent the entire day with Sumit ji and seemed happy after a long time. He didn't talk to Drishti. In the evening, when Sumit ji was leaving with Garima ji, both of them had advised them. Divya and Drishti both looked sad at that time.
"Mom, we are rejoining the office from tomorrow," Divya said during breakfast, and everyone’s eyes turned towards her.
Now she had decided to face this situation. Seeing this, Gayatri ji and Manoj ji both felt somewhat relieved. Although not much time had passed since the wedding, it was important for Divya to be distracted now.
"That's very good news, dear," Gayatri ji seemed quite happy with her decision. She lovingly stroked her head, and Divya gave a faint smile.
Manoj ji glanced at her but said nothing. His conversation with Divya was suspended. There were several reasons for this, and perhaps their relationship needed time.
While the other two seemed happy with Divya's decision, sadness spread across Drishti's face. With a drooping face, she ate a few morsels listlessly and was about to get up and leave when Gayatri ji's words reached her ears, and she jumped with excitement.
"Divya, you'll be going to the office from tomorrow, so you won't have time, so take Drishti shopping today. She can get her necessities and clothes. How long will she manage in these two-three pairs of clothes that don't even fit her properly?"
Drishti turned towards them chirping, but the very next moment all her excitement vanished, and her face fell with disappointment.
"Why should I take her?... She'll go herself," Divya said in a very rude tone, his irritation clearly evident. Drishti, who was happy thinking of going out with him, now became sad.
"Divya, she is your wife. It is your duty to take care of her needs. You have been married for only a few days. If a newlywed bride goes to the market alone from home, people will say a hundred things, and we will also be worried. So you will take her with you. You will buy her all the things she needs and bring her back with you."
Divya was about to say something again when Manoj ji interrupted him in a stern tone, "Divya, don't argue with your mother. Do what she is saying. Drishti is now the honor of this house, and we don't want our home's honor to be tarnished once again because of you."
It was Manoj ji's command, which Divya could not refuse. He was deeply angered. For a moment, he looked at his parents with displeasure, then stared at Drishti, clenching his jaw in anger.
"Be ready in the evening, I'll take you to the market."
After this, he left the house directly. Drishti watched him leave with a drooping face, looking disappointed. Gayatri ji and Manoj ji were also worried, but they couldn't do anything more. So they left everything to time.
Drishti spent the entire day with Gayatri ji. As evening approached, she got ready at their insistence. In fact, they dressed her in a saree and got her ready. It was the first time she was going out of the house after the wedding, and they took care to ensure that no one had any opportunity to say anything.
A little later, Divya also arrived and, as soon as he entered the house, started shouting,
"Drishti, come quickly, I don't have much free time."
"I'm coming, don't shout so much, and drink this. They will also come down by then," Gayatri ji, coming out of the kitchen, chided him lightly and offered him a cup of tea.
Divya made a face in irritation. Ever since Drishti had arrived at his home, he had lost all respect. Everyone supported that stubborn and ill-mannered girl who had forcefully entered his life a few days ago, and he had become an outsider in his own family. Everyone either advised him or scolded him.
Divya took the cup of tea and sat on the sofa. Gayatri ji went to get Drishti. Perhaps she knew that if she came alone, she would take a shortcut and end up tumbling down the stairs instead of walking down.
Here, Divya finished his tea, and Gayatri ji brought Drishti there. In a pink saree, with her hair open and adorned with sixteen adornments, Drishti looked like a lovely doll. The bangs scattered on her forehead gave her an even cuter look. As always, she smiled seeing Divya, but Divya turned his face away with hatred. Seeing this, Drishti's face fell.
"Come out quickly," he commanded and left, taking long strides.
"Drishti Bahu, do you remember what your father-in-law told you?" Drishti turned her head to look at Gayatri ji at her question and nodded.
"Yes."
"Remember that. Don't take Divya's words to heart. Take whatever you like. Now, you go. Divya must be waiting. If you delay, he will get angry."
"He is always angry," Drishti muttered to herself with a pout and nodded. She lifted the front of her saree and slowly began to walk out.
To be continued…
Now it remains to be seen what new storm this shopping will bring into Divya's life.
