New Beginnings- series of one shots updated 9/25 - Page 6

thanks very much for reading and your lovely comments!

thanks dear that's why I started writing them. Was gonna stick with just the first one for now but seeing all the support I kept going. Thanks for reading!

Flashback Part Two

"Maa inka divorce final hogaya toh..," Raghav trailed off.

Gayatri had a stern expression on her face. Her arms were crossed. She looked at Jhanvi and Raghav firmly.

"Mujhe lagta hai ki tum dono ko shaddi kar le lena chaiye," she stated.

There was pin drop silence in the room as everyone exchanged glances in the room. Krish ran to them and hugged them both as tightly as he could manage.

A few tears of relief escaped her eyes, he looked at her with consideration. Now that was something she always hoped Viraj would do. However he had never wanted to change, not for her nor for his own better future. She was going to get a second chance at life. Not everyone was as fortunate as she was today.

The wedding was simple affair at the mandir and a representative from the court had them sign for their marriage license. Jhanvi trembled a bit as she signed on the dotted line. She did not sense any intensity from Raghav, just his patience and understanding.

He had gently filled her maang before they took the saat pheras. She reminded herself that this time she was actually starting her life anew and not signing it away. She knew what Raghav stood for and that he genuinely cared for her.

Komal and Gayatri did all the rituals to welcome them home after the wedding. A few guests lingered for the fun games and teasing. Some time later it was time for the newlyweds to retire to their room.

Komal took Jhanvi in and helped her get settled. She pulled down the veil to cover Jhanvi's face.

"All the best Jhanvi. We'll send Raghav in soon, don't you worry," Komal teased her before heading out the door.

Jhanvi took a deep breath in and out. She really hoped she could make her new family happy. The door creaked open. There was some giggling to be heard from the hallway before the door was pulled closed from the outside.

She felt him sit beside her. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

"Jhanvi I know you have had a tough past. I want you to take your time. When you feel that you are ready then so be it," Raghav stated.

He slowly lifted her veil. Her eyes were moistened.

"Aap bauth acche ho," she declared before embracing him tightly.

He patted her back softly. She leaned back and turned shy. Her gaze went elsewhere. She recalled how Viraj had drank a cockroach with milk on their wedding night. Raghav reached for the milk and drank some. He was lost in thought.

He looked at her a few times. When he turned back to drinking from the glass she stared back at him. He finished the milk and put it aside. She saw he had a milk mustache. She laughed at him.

He gazed at her confused. She pointed at his face. He frowned. She leaned forward and wiped it off with her dupatta. They shared an eyelock. When she tried to walk away her manglastura got stuck on his kurta.

She was able to separate it from his kurta. She got up again and this time her dupatta got stuck on the bed post. She jerked back.

This time he came forward and placed it back on her shoulder again. She smiled slightly at him before walking away to get changed.

They slept side by side. She felt at peace. She knew she was safe tonight more than any other night since before she married Viraj.

She awakened sometime later in the night. She opened her eyes slowly. She was relieved to see Raghav across from her. She took some deep breaths and reached cover to touch his hand.

"Good yeh toh Raghav hai. Main theek hoon. I am safe," she muttered to herself before falling back to dreamland.

She awakened before him. She got ready in a frenzy. Suddenly she bumped into a lean firm body as she emerged from the washroom.

"Jhanvi tum theek toh ho?," he inquired softly.

She nodded.

"Relax. There is no one up right now. Take your time getting ready," he assured her.

She nodded and smiled at him.

She put on a light blue sari. She brushed back her damp hair. She reached for the sindoor box. She recalled their wedding the day before and applied it in her maang.

She cooked breakfast for everyone. Then Komal reminded her she was supposed to make something sweet as today was her first day as the daughter-in-law of the house.

Komal and Tashu teased the couple when it was Raghav's turn to try the kheer. She blushed a bit before serving him.

She went back into the kitchen to start cleaning up. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around.

"It was very tasty. Aur hai kya?," he asked.

She smiled and poured more in his bowl. He took a spoonful and offered it to her. She hesistated before taking some.

He took the same spoon and ate from it.

"Now it tastes even sweeter," he whispered.

She smiled and blushed before making herself busy doing something else. He gazed at for a bit longer before heading off to the other room.