CHAPTER-4

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I was grateful that Vivaan had woken me up. Otherwise, I would have been scolded by everyone. We had stayed up until 4 am, but Vivaan insisted on getting some rest. As soon as I went to bed, I fell into a deep sleep.


"Just let me remind you, my friends, the real problem is my alarm clock. It always fails at the simple task of waking me up. Everyone in the house taunts me for being Kumbhakarna's successor, but believe me, it's not my fault. Those alarm clocks never ring. I got tired of changing them, but nothing worked."

I was sitting in front of the mirror doing my hair when I saw Vivaan hesitatingly approaching me. "Close your eyes," he said. I eyed his reflection in the mirror beside mine, teasingly. But before I could say anything, he reached out to close my eyes. "Now don't open them until I say," he whispered, and my senses awakened. How could he affect me so much without even trying?

There was silence in the room for a few seconds. I was about to open my eyes in his absence, but then I felt a pendant being hung around my neck, and his hand was behind me, trying to lock it. Once he was done, he put his hands on my shoulders. "Now open your eyes."

It was a simple yet beautiful pendant, and I touched it admiringly. I had to admit that Vivaan had a wonderful taste. I looked at him, and he gladly returned my gaze. "Thank you," I said, blushing like crazy.

"The pleasure is all mine, young lady," he replied, and I giggled as I hugged him, resting my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around my small frame.

"Now don't get too happy. I did it because Mom said to," he said in a stern voice. Typical Vivaan. As expected. But I saw the mischief in his eyes, and he was definitely teasing me. I separated myself from his embrace, just enough to see his face clearly.

"I don't care whether you did it willingly or not. You're mine until the end of this life. The sooner you accept it, the better, my dear hubby." I smirked.

Suddenly, his expression changed to a serious one. "You're taking it the wrong way, Radhika. Whatever I did or am doing is just as a friend. Please don't misunderstand my care. My heart only beats for Sneha."

"Then how will you explain that kiss?" I asked confusion with an undertone of taunt.

He looked away, ashamedly. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was just a moment, and I regret it. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it."

The word 'regret' felt like a thousand stabs to my heart, and unshed tears filled my eyes.

"Vivaan, beware of living in the past and losing the present. At the end of the day, you'll have nothing to call your own," I said, hurriedly wiping my tears. I angrily left him alone in the room, not before giving him a peck on his lips.

I knew what was stopping him. It was Sneha di and his love for her. How could he be so blind? If she loved him, then why did she elope and put the respect of both families at stake? Even now, she was indirectly destroying my beautiful life.

I descended the stairs and headed towards the puja room. The entrance door was adorned with a series of colourful flowers. Maya was busy making rangoli and did not notice my arrival. I walked into the room and saw an intricately designed mandap in the centre of the room. My mother sat in the corner humming a bhajan while making garlands for the puja. I approached her and asked if she needed any help.

"Everything is almost done here." She answered with a smile, and again got immersed in her work.

"Everything is almost done here," she replied with a smile, and got back to her work.

As she had no work for me, I decided to help Maya. But before leaving, my mother suggested I check with Badi maa in the kitchen if she needed any assistance. I agreed and made my way to the kitchen.

Badi maa's back was turned towards me as she was cutting fruits for the Mahabhog. She didn't notice my presence until she turned and our eyes met.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Badi Maa, do you need any help?" I offered politely, but she didn't respond.

"I see the halwa on the stove, why don't you let me cut the fruit for you?" I suggested, knowing she would never ask for my help. I reached out my hand to take the knife from hers.

She jerked her hand back, and I looked at her confusedly. I should have expected it from this head-strong lady.

"I don't need mercy from your help, filthy girl." she hissed in anger.

"I know you don't like me. But at least don't say such things," I pleaded weakly.

She had taken everything on her ego, still not being able to forget what happened that night.

She just wanted a sorry which was nearly impossible for Radhika. Their relation was completely soured.

"Why, does the truth hurt?" she mocked. But little did she know, more than anything, the disgust and anger present in her heart against me hurt.

I hung my head, ashamed at my lack of words. Did I need to defend myself? Would she understand? No, she could never realize!!

"Now, don't show your fake tears." she paused, and I looked at her face in confusion.

"Oh, my apologies. I forgot you never had any self-respect to begin with."

Why couldn't she trust me? Even though the other members hadn't forgiven me yet, they were trying to forget the horrible past. But why couldn't she?

"Can't you forget everything?" I tried to control myself from breaking down in front of her. But she didn't care. She stood like a statue with no emotions.

I moved forward, seeking her embrace, but she took a step back, indicating her motive. I stilled.

"Just because no one is saying anything doesn't mean you are forgiven. Moreover, you don't need to fake your worry about me."

Neither my voice nor my words supported me.


She reviled me without any flicker. I couldn't control my tears. It was unimaginable to know she held this much hatred for me. Was her anger justified? She was continuously gazing at me with bitterness. I had no energy left to face her for one more second.

I turned toward the entrance of the kitchen and found Maya standing there, eyeing me with sympathy. I quickly wiped my tears and went out as if nothing had happened. But this meeting had left my mind in turmoil.

I crossed the living room with hurried steps. Once I had reached the entrance of the Puja Ghar, I leaned against its nearby wall for support and tried to calm my uneven breaths.

I confidently walked into the room, smiling widely despite feeling uneasy. Pandit Ji was there, chanting a holy mantra that filled the room with purity. Even though I didn't understand what he was saying, the Sanskrit words seemed to calm my nerves.

Everyone was already were already there. A few ladies from the neighborhood whom I didn't recognize also joined. I took a seat next to Vivaan, who asked if I was okay. I wanted to tell him I wasn't, but for the sake of peace, I just nodded and smiled.

It soon became clear that the reason for the puja was to bless our new life together. Vivaan's mom and his sister Priya entered, followed by Maya and Badi maa. Soon the two besties disappeared somewhere, leaving me feeling envious. From time to time, I caught Badi maa staring at me, making me feel uncomfortable.

Soon, the Satyanarayan Puja ended with a hawan. I distributed the prasad to everyone as instructed. Our neighbors left, leaving only family members behind in the living room, reminiscing about good times.

As I approached them, my mother-in-law, Gaytri said, "Aruna, I must say, you have raised your daughter very well." I smiled while noticing Badi maa rolling her eyes, showing her disapproval.

"Thank you so much. Well, I can say the same for Vivaan. He is a true gentleman, except for when he's being stubborn, just like his mother." Everyone laughed at Aruna's joke.

"Well, I disagree with you, aunty," Priya said in a stern voice. Everyone turned to look at her, confused.

"Bhaiya is even more stubborn than Mom," Priya said, bursting into laughter, followed by Maya. They were such like-minded besties.

As everyone tried to nervously laugh along, Vivaan gave Priya death stares, and Gayatri Bhardwaj signaled her to behave. But could it affect her, just like Maya?

I handed out prasad to everyone and stood beside Maya. "Radhika, could you please check if everything is prepared for breakfast?" Mom asked.

"Today, we are cooking all your favorites, Gayatri."

Gayatri beamed at my mom. "Oh, my dear friend," she said before turning to Vivaan. "See how much she cares about me, unlike you, who won't let me eat what I want."

Vivaan shrugged, not commenting back.

"But it's for your health. You were bedridden just last week, and now you want to have chhapan bhog," Badi maa scolded her. She was not even sparing my mother-in-law.

But instead of listening to Badi maa's long lecture about taking care of her health, Gayatri gave a goofy smile. "I don't care as long as I get to eat delicious, aromatic food," she said dreamily. Badi maa looked at her incredulously.

"What? Don't look at me like that. You'll know my suffering when you're deprived of the food you like."

"Now I know where Priya gets her traits from," Bade papa commented playfully, and everyone heartily agreed, laughing along.

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The group gathered around the dining table, enjoying their breakfast, when Gayatri Bharadwaj began to express her disappointment with her meal. She glared at everyone's plates, annoyed that her favorite dishes were nowhere to be found.

"Aruna, this is not what we discussed," she snapped.

Aruna appeared confused. "I'm sorry, Gayatri, I don't remember saying that," she said innocently, as the others tried to suppress their chuckles.

Priya, Aruna's daughter, interjected. "Oh, Mom, Auntie Aruna is just pulling your leg," she explained, causing the group to laugh.

Gayatri quickly became serious. "You know that with this little stunt of yours, you're putting our years of friendship at stake," she said, feigning anger.

The group knew that Gayatri was being dramatic and didn't take her words too seriously. They were used to their friends fighting one minute and hailing each other the next.

Aruna tried to keep a neutral expression, sitting next to Gayatri, who was now threatening to leave the table.

"I don't want to eat anything. My appetite is ruined," Gayatri declared, but Aruna caught her wrist, keeping her from getting up.

"Don't be a drama queen, Gayatri. Just have your breakfast quietly," Aruna said, warning her that she would be stuck with her current meal for the rest of her life if she didn't comply.

Vivaan, chimed in. "Yes, Maa, listen to Aruna Aunty," he said, causing Gayatri to call him a traitor.

Aruna tried to keep the peace. "Let's just enjoy our breakfast in peace," she said, but couldn't resist teasing Gayatri a bit more. "Next time, if your doctor approves, I'll make sure to cook your favorite dishes," she promised.

Gayatri couldn't help but smile at Aruna's kind gesture. She felt fortunate to have such a loving and supportive group of friends and family.

Meanwhile, Radhika couldn't help but blame Sneha for depriving her of this kind of love and support in the past. She was determined to never let it slip away again.

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