Author's Pov:

Maya was getting ready in her room, as they had to go to the temple. Taara's mother, Niranjana, called Vani last night and asked them to come to Kuldevi's temple with them. Their family priest has organised a puja. So, everyone will be leaving for the temple in an hour. Sravya also stayed back last night as it was the weekend.

Avi, who came from the bathroom after having his shower, was mesmerised by the view in front of him. His bunny is struggling with the saree. Her waist-length hair was damp, and the water droplets that were falling on her bare waist were just awakening his desires. He took slow steps towards her, encircled his hands around her waist, and pulled her close to him, making her back hit his bare chest.

Maya was doing the pleats of the saree when she felt two hands encircling her bare waist. She gasped a little, and the saree fell from her hands as his lips came into contact with her skin. He pushed her hair to one side and gave her a trail of kisses on her bare back, making her clutch the hem of her saree tightly in her fist. His hands were fondling her waist. He untied the threads of her blouse and slid it a little lower. He kissed her shoulder blade and took the skin in between his teeth, giving her a love bite over there and making her hiss. He turned her around and placed his rough lips over her soft ones, taking them into a passionate kiss while she just stood there, surrendering to him. He bit her lower lip, making her gasp, and she bit his upper lip as revenge. After five minutes, he broke the kiss, feeling her out of breath. But he continued his sweet tortures on her neck.

He kissed her forehead and left from there before he lost control. He again went to take a cold shower to calm his raging hormones. Maya came out of her trance, listening to the sound of the shower. She looked at herself in the mirror and blushed, looking at her messed-up look. Her lips were swollen, and there were love bites on her shoulder and neck.

"Bunny, get ready before I come out; otherwise, instead of leaving for the temple, we will land in bed," Avi shouted from the bathroom.

She blushed, listening to him, and quickly wore her saree. She dried her hair and left it open. She wore her bangles and a beautiful neckpiece along with her mangalsutra. She applied vermilion to her hairline. She applied foundation to the love bites given by her hubby; otherwise, her sister and Sravya would tease her badly if they saw them.

(Maya's attire)

She went to the closet and chose traditional attire for him, took all his essentials, and placed them on the dressing table. She placed a note on the dressing table and moved down, finally looking at herself in the mirror.

***********************

Avi came out of the bathroom after taking his shower. He put on his clothes and moved to the dressing table. As usual, a note was waiting for him. He took the note and smiled, reading it.

He kissed the note and placed it safely in his closet and moved downstairs, not before gelling his hair.

(Avi's attire)

***********************

Soon, all of them reached the temple. Arjun got mesmerized seeing Diya in a half sari of his favourite colour. And he won't deny she is looking damn beautiful.

(Diya's attire)

Diya was talking with Taara when she felt someone's gaze on her. She looked around and saw Arjun looking at her intensely. She drowned in his black orbs. She could see the pain in his eyes. Those were not the eyes that she fell in love with when she saw him for the first time. She broke the eye lock and left there, excusing herself. Arjun, who saw her going somewhere, followed her.

Avi and Maya sat for the puja with Yash and Arpita. Varsha and Vansh peacefully slept on their grandparents' laps. Both Yash and Avi applied vermilion to their respective wives' foreheads and tied the sacred threads to their hands. Next, Arpita and Maya repeated the same with their husbands, as instructed by the priest. They started the rituals and followed the instructions given by the priest. Soon, the puja was done. Both couples got up and took the blessings of the priest and the elders.

They gave donations to the temple and the orphanage, which is run by the temple. Taara's grandfather is the trustee of the temple, as it was built by his ancestors. Everyone took the blessings of the goddess, and the youngsters moved to the farmhouse nearby, which is owned by Taara's family, while the elders stayed back to talk with the priest regarding the marriage dates of Veeru and Taara. Arjun, Sravya, and Maya are talking while sitting in the garden of the farmhouse.

"Did you tell him, pumpkin?" Arjun asked Maya.

Maya shook her head negatively, making them sigh.

Sravya took a breath and asked, "When will you tell him, Mayu? Or are you planning to not tell him anything?"

"I'll tell him soon," Maya said, playing with her fingers.

"And when is that soon going to arrive, pumpkin? It's been more than a month since you guys got married. I know it's not easy for you, but at least you could have tried," Arjun said, disappointed.

"Please, Anna. Can you leave this topic here?" Maya requested him.

"We are saying this for your good only, Mayu. And you saw with your own eyes what he did. Vyshali Akka may have changed, but not that duo. And I don't trust that Chytra ever," said Sravya.

Listening to Chytra's name, Arjun's face paled. Maya nudged Sravya and gestured for her to look at Arjun.

"Sorry!" Sravya apologised to Arjun.

"That's ok. I don't care about her anymore, nor is she a part of my life anymore," said Arjun.

"I know you are telling me this for my well-being only, but it's not easy for me. I know he isn't anyone but my Avi. Still, I'm afraid," Maya said, trying her best not to break down.

"Sh! Pumpkin, calm down. We are not forcing you. We are just telling you, our opinion. You share it with him whenever you are comfortable because it's you who went through the pain," Arjun said, holding her hand.

They got immersed in their talks when they saw Arpita running behind Varsha with a bowl in her hand. They chuckled, looking at her. Suddenly, Arpita fell down and yelled in pain. Arjun, Maya, and Sravya went toward her.

Varsha stopped running and went to her mother and asked her, "Alu (Aru), are you okay?"

Listening to the name Aru, Arpita's eyes brimmed with tears. Arpita nodded her head, took Varsha in her arms, and kissed her whole face, making Varshal giggle. She hugged Varsha tightly, while Varsha happily snuggled in her mother's arms.

"I lobe you, Alu (I love you, Aru)," Varsha said, kissing her mother on the cheek.

"Aww, I love you too, my Varshu baby," Arpita said, pecking Varsha's lips and making her giggle.

Everyone looked at them in awe. Arjun went and picked up his naughty niece in his arms, threw her up in the air, and caught her, making her giggle. Maya and Sravya tickled her little waist, to which she giggled.

After some time, they sat in their previous place with Varsha in her Pinni's lap while Arpita was feeding her mashed fruits.

"Vadina?" Sravya called her.

"Haa," said Arpita.

"She resembles Yahvi Akka a lot, right?" Sravya asked Arpita.

"Yeah! Her smile, those dark brown orbs, and those cute antics of hers, especially the way she makes me run behind her-everything about her reminds me of my Yahvi," Arpita said, looking at her daughter lovingly.

"She promised me that she would return to me as my daughter and make me run behind her. And, see, I have to run behind this little devil every day," Arpita said, getting emotional, and a small smile was playing on her lips, remembering her best friend.

Everyone became emotional as they remembered Yahvi. Varsha pouted, seeing no one paying attention to her. She raised her head, looked at Maya, and saw a shining thing in her neck. Her eyes twinkled looking at that, and soon she got busy playing with Maya's nuptial chain. They moved inside as the elders arrived from the temple. Everyone sat in the living room, waiting for them to tell the news.

"Veeru and Taara's wedding is in two weeks, and the next day it's Arjun and Diya's wedding," Janardhan said, breaking the silence.

Well, that's a shock for everyone. They didn't expect the news of Arjun and Diya's wedding. Arjun was blank for a moment. Diya looked at him eagerly. He composed himself and nodded his head with a smile. Diya smiled at him.

"But we have very little time, and we also have to prepare for two weddings," said Yash.

"Don't worry, Anna, we're all there, right? And also, we have Anju Atta's team, if you forgot," said Sravya.

"Veeru and Taara will do the Kanyadhan of Diya. The next day, we will all go to Tirupati. Jai?" said Janardhan.

"Haa, Babay," said Jai.

"Inform the others about this," said Janardhan.

Jai nodded his head, listening to him.

The elderly retired to their rooms while the youngsters sat there discussing things. Veeru and Tara's faces were glowing, and they looked so happy. Diya looked at Arjun, who seemed to be lost. She wanted to talk to him, but she didn't understand how to initiate the conversation. She hoped he would be happy with this relationship. She didn't want him to accept her for the sake of the family. She left there and moved to the garden for some fresh air.

Maya and Avi looked at Arjun. He was lost in his thoughts. They saw Diya looking at him longingly and leaving from there. They really need to have a talk with him. They looked at each other and messaged Arjun to meet them later. The girls went to the kitchen to start preparing lunch.

***********************

Arjun was sitting in front of Maya and Avi.

"Will you guys say something? Or will you just stare at me like that?" Arjun said, breaking the silence.

"Are you happy?" Avi asked him.

"Of course, I am," Arjun said, understanding his question.

"Are you ready for this relationship wholeheartedly?" Maya asked him.

"Yes," said Arjun.

"Will you keep her happy?" Avi asked Arjun.

"Yes," said Arjun.

"Will you give this relationship a chance?" Maya asked him.

"Yes," said Arjun.

Maya threw a pillow at him as he was giving monosyllabic answers.

"Ouch! What was that, you idiot?" Arjun said, glaring at Maya.

"Then answer us properly," Maya said, twisting her mouth with annoyance.

"Fine," said Arjun.

"Jokes apart, Ajju, tell me. Are you really happy?" Avi asked him.

"I am," said Arjun.

Maya and Avi sighed while listening to him. They thought of leaving him alone for some time. They knew that he would come to them on his own. So they diverted the topic, making Arjun sigh in his mind.

Keep smiling and take care ❤