Collection Of Short Stories

Acceptance 3

It was almost midnight when Vivaan woke up from his sleep hearing someone screaming. He saw Adhira screaming with her eyes closed her forhead was covered with sweat beads. She was whispering something incoherent.

Holding the duvet in her clutch. Tears were streaming from the corners of her eyes.

Vivaan stood up and went towards her.

"P..please stay. Don't go siya"
"Trust me I didn't know"
He heard her whispering. She was clearly in pain. When Vihaan saw her condition he was shocked.

"Adhira...Adhira wake up its just a dream" he shook her and tried to wake her up.

His words calmed he, she slowly started relaxing. She opened her eyes and sat up breathing heavily. Without thinking twice she hugged him tightly and sobbed clutching his t-shirt in her small hands like a scared child.

"Shh...everything is fine. See I am here. Calm down ira" he slowly said caressing her hair.

Her body relaxed and she leaned her head on his chest.

When she was calm enough she loosened her hold and lowered her head embarrassed to meet his eyes.

"I..I am sorry I just woke you up" she said guiltily.

"Are you better now?" He asked

"Yeah" she nodded

He was about to stand up when he felt her still clutching his t-shirt in her small hand.

He smiled and teased
"If you don't want me to go you can say"

She was confused at his words when she noticed that she was still holding his t-shirt she uncluthed her palm and turned her head .

Vivaan chuckled watching her getting embaressed. He saw her cheeks turning red.

"No need to be embaressed, though you look cute with the blush" he whispered in her ears and stood up with a smirk playing on his lips leaving her more flusterd.

Adhira covered herself in the duvet from head to toe as if trying to hide herself from him.

It was not her first time with the nightmare but today she had someone beside her. With whom she was comfortable, who didn't judge her for it, who instead of scolding or screaming held her in his arms and calmed her, who saw her in the most venerable condition yet sat beside her letting her soak his t-shirt with her tears.

She closed her eyes with a small smile on her face.

Vivaan was worried for her but when he remembered her clutching his t-shirt she seemed to be like a scared kitten. Unknowingly a small smile crept on his face and he too closed his eyes.

Next morning...

Adhira woke up early and went to freshen up. After few minutes she came out wearing a light green saree, her hairs were wet she flipped her hair while drying it with the towel.

Vivaan felt droplets of water in his face and slowly opened his eyes. Only to be captivated by the beauty standing infront of the mirror wearing her bangles, then she wore her earring and filled her partion with the vermilion.

Vivaan was staring at her, she was looking heavenly in the saree which was draped perfectly and elegantly. The dark red colour vermilion and the nuptial chain was giving her mature and bridal look.

"Are you awake? You should freshen up" she turned around and said softly.

He came out of this day dreaming and nodded passed her his sleepy smile .

He stood up and went to the washroom to freshen up.

Adhira was ready so she went downstairs and saw Masima in the kitchen. She went towards her and touched her feet to take her blessing.

"May all of your wishes come true" she placed her hand on her head

"Adhira beta do you know how to cook?" She asked in her motherly tone.

Adhira just nodded at her.

"Perfect!! So today you have to prepare sweet dish as you might know it is a ritual" she explained.

"Don't worry masima I will prepare the breakfast too" Adhira said with a broad smile.

"No beta breakfast is already prepared you can just make a sweet dish. Next time you can prepare beakfast" Masima said with a smile

Adhira nodded and went towards the kitchen with the help of Purvi the head servent. She prepared kheer for them.

She asked for the ingredients needed. She then placed the utensil on the stove and lit the stove. Slowly she poured the milk and boiled it, then added rice and stirred it till it was cooked. Lastly added some sugar and chopped dry fruits in it. And left it for few minutes. Soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of it.

"Wow bhabhi it smells delicious" Purvi said inhaling deeply.

"Don't worry i have kept for you too" Adhira smiled

She then served it in small glass bowls and garnished it with dry fruits.

She took the tray and went outside placing it on the dining table.

"Wow I can smell kheer" Vivaan said decending the stairs while folding his sleeves.

" Yes Adhira prepared kheer today " Masima replied.

Vivaan's eyes fell on her who was standing beside Masima.

"Why are you standing ? Sit with us let's have breakfast" Masima

"No!! I...I mean I can't join you" she shuttered

"Why?" Both of them asked at the same time.

"Actually my father said that we should eat only after the elders are done eating" she replied slowly.

Vivaan clutched his fist and gritted his teeth. He couldn't belive her father was so Orthodox.

Masima's eyes softened and she couldn't imagine what she has gone through.

"We don't belive in such thing. We all are equal and you have to sit with us and eat every meal with us" Masima said stressing on each word.

"You are not lower than us Adhira. I don't know how they treated you but never bow infront of anyone understood" Vivaan said sharply with his eyes fixed on her.

Adira nodded timidity and sat beside Masima facing Vivaan.

She was about to serve when masima intruppted her and both of them served themselves.

"Umm...wow its delicious" Vivaan moaned closing his eyes.

"Yeah its mouthwatering" Masima commented.

A broad smile plastered on Adhira's face, her eyes shone with happiness.

Suddenly Vivaan's phone rang breaking the moment.

His expession changed when he saw the caller Id.

Masima noticed it and asked
"who is it?"

"Advay" he replied with a poker face.

Adhira was confused when she saw masima tensed and Vihaan's change in mood.