Shivi FF: Distance Makes Us Stronger Part V Pg 16, Update 2/5 - Page 4

Originally posted by: milkcakejamun

Hmm... does anyone know the best work around towards the spam filter? I keep getting a "Spam Contents are Not Allowed" every time I try to post another part...

I know that pain a little too well. Unfortunately, that's stupid restriction for newbies. Can't post more than 11 posts and it randomly pics what size you can post. It certainly hates long posts.

Only solution is to get to 51 posts and it stops then.

Originally posted by: milkcakejamun

Hmm... does anyone know the best work around towards the spam filter? I keep getting a "Spam Contents are Not Allowed" every time I try to post another part...

That's a posting restriction faced by newbies and it's super annoying. I'm sad you can't post another part here, make it to 51 posts and hopefully things will work better. As it seems you're about halfway there, either wait it out or maybe you can allow someone else to post it on your behalf here and tag you as the author. If you want to, ofcourse.

Personally, I can't wait to read the next part!

Please post the next part😍😍😍 I can't wait 🥺🥺

Originally posted by: Felicie

That's a posting restriction faced by newbies and it's super annoying. I'm sad you can't post another part here, make it to 51 posts and hopefully things will work better. As it seems you're about halfway there, either wait it out or maybe you can allow someone else to post it on your behalf here and tag you as the author. If you want to, ofcourse.

Personally, I can't wait to read the next part!

Yeah, this pain of being a newbie is already getting to me! I think half of what I wanted to post in various threads was marked "spam." I'm actually a student who is somewhat bogged down by a ton of work, so 51 posts might take a while. If anyone is interested in posting on my behalf, please PM me!

Originally posted by: Felicie

That's a posting restriction faced by newbies and it's super annoying. I'm sad you can't post another part here, make it to 51 posts and hopefully things will work better. As it seems you're about halfway there, either wait it out or maybe you can allow someone else to post it on your behalf here and tag you as the author. If you want to, ofcourse.

Personally, I can't wait to read the next part!

Yes, that ^ or break it into multiple posts. Haha, it will help you reach 51 faster. And you can edit it to a regular post once reaching 51.

Originally posted by: Mountains_Lakes

Yes, that ^ or break it into multiple posts. Haha, it will help you reach 51 faster. And you can edit it to a regular post once reaching 51.

Haha, I wish. Last night, I tried to break it up, but it seemed like IF was bent on me not posting. Would much rather just give the post to someone else to post on my behalf

Originally posted by: milkcakejamun

Haha, I wish. Last night, I tried to break it up, but it seemed like IF was bent on me not posting. Would much rather just give the post to someone else to post on my behalf

In that case, you can reach out to any of us here. We all are impatiently waiting for the next part! :)

You can also make the first post below the chapter, so it can be edited once you cross 51, and all chapters would be under your name.

This next chapter is written by milkcakejamun. I am simply posting it. Please give reactions to her post on the next page. Also, please allow her to comment first after this chapter before you share your lovely thoughts. Thank you!

Distance Makes Us Stronger Part II

After Dhara entered their house, Shiva always believed that luck was finally on their side. Their store had taken off, his mother was getting better, and he gained a friend. He found that he could tell her anything at any time. Dev would always tell him he was too impulsive, Krish didn't understand his problems (rather preferring to crack a joke or two), and Gaumbi sometimes was too busy with the store. His Dhara bhabi was different. Regardless of how busy she was, she would always make time for him. And regardless of how silly his concerns/troubles may be, she would always guide him like a patient mentor and friend.

He knew he wasn't as lucky as Gaumbi, but he always wished to marry a woman who was as patient, kind, and friendly as his bhabi. And if he couldn't find a woman like that, he wished his future wife would at least respect the relationship he had with his bhabi.

So, when he had to marry Raavi, he was filled with a range of emotions. Anger. Disbelief. Skepticism. Confusion. He didn't even know how to vent his emotions, since he felt his bhabi's sadness throughout the event. He knew that if he didn't put up a happy front, she wouldn't be pleased. And if there is anything he promised himself, it was to never disappoint his bhabi.

The first few weeks of their marriage, Shiva cautiously watched Raavi--waiting for her to ruin the balance in the family. Waiting for her to pull out her evil claws.

But nothing of the sort happened.

In fact, she surprised him.

A few days after their wedding, she told Dhara that she had no hard feelings. Yes, she was disappointed, but she understood Dhara did her best to navigate through a messy situation. And, if Raavi learned anything from the mess, it was that she needed to communicate better.

After that, Raavi seamlessly fit into his family like the final puzzle piece.

She did everything and anything to help Dhara, let it be in the kitchen or telling people off whenever they insulted Dhara. She even shared a close bond with his own mother, always spending at least part of her day speaking/caring for her.

He should've let his guard down, but seeing her this nice made him pull up his guard. He was waiting for Raavi to turn the tables. To act in the way he'd always expected her to act. At that time, he found himself going to his beloved tree more and more, questioning why Raavi didn't act like his Prafulla Maami. How could someone from that house not be evil? Why is someone from that house not that evil?

He didn't know the exact moment, but Raavi eventually managed to tear apart the wall he built between them. As he slowly started to share his thoughts, she would patiently listen to him, similar to his bhabi. Whenever he was sick or not feeling well, she would tend to him--regardless of how tired she was. During festivals, she would always set aside his favorite sweets.

All of these things his bhabi had done for him, Raavi was doing. And instead of hating it, he found that he liked it.

Slowly, but surely, he appreciated her company. He found himself going to his tree less and less often, because now, he had his Dhara bhabi and Raavi.

The emotions on their first wedding anniversary was very different from their wedding. He didn't feel lost or hopeless. Instead, he felt happiness. Raavi may not be the girl he wanted for himself, but she sure did share many of the qualities he admired in his bhabi. And more than that, she was always a ball of sunshine, making him and his family stay happy even on their hardest days.

He thought friendship would be enough for him. After all, after their wedding, they both talked of how their relationship would progress in the future. Neither wanted to pursue a romantic relationship, and quite honestly, at the time, he thought Raavi was the wrong girl for him.

But, her innocent smiles, her tendency to laugh at even the stupidest jokes Krish said, her caring nature, the fiery spirit in her eyes when they argued... they all melted him.

And soon enough, he started to become greedy. He wanted her attention to be focused solely on himself, he wanted to be the first person she shared her secrets, he wanted to be her best friend.

But, he didn't know how to go about it.

They were comfortable.

They didn't fight as much as they used to, and even if they did, it would be in a teasing manner. Both of them respected each other. She respected his work and relationship to his family, and he respected her dreams and passions (and even begrudgingly learned to accept Maami as she did raise Raavi). He didn't want to disturb this balance they had, so he continued to be her friend, regardless of how much it pained him to do so.

He thought he was always good at hiding his emotions, but maybe he wasn't that good. Or maybe, if it pertained to Raavi, his heart became an open-book.

Gaumbi sensed his turmoil, and before Shiva knew it, he spilled every little secret he had.

Raavi is not some evil, blood sucking witch.

Raavi did not get on his nerves as much as he thought (unless, of course, his Dhara bhabi spoiled her more than him).

Raavi, sometimes--okay, maybe most of the time--had the prettiest smile in Somnath.

And even before Gaumbi gave him an answer, Shiva knew what he had to do. He needed to confess... and he could tell Raavi that they could take it slow. They didn't need to rush their feelings like they rushed their marriage. And if she ever needed space, he would give her all the space she needed in the world.

But life was funny.

All his life, people only ever told him how hot-headed and brave he was. But when it came to Raavi (especially after he'd realized his feelings), he was the opposite. He was careful and methodical when planning out how he would confess. He thought the The Most Beautiful Princess of Somnath deserved the best, and whenever he mustered the courage to go up to her, he just became scared of her telling him she wasn't interested.

As the days passed, it became much harder and harder for him to be around Raavi while maintaining his 'platonic' feelings. So when the opportunity arose for him to leave the house, he took it.

He hoped being distant from her would quench his feelings, but it did the opposite.

His every thought was filled with her...

What is Raavi doing? Is she eating properly? Is she getting into her usual mischief?

So when Gaumbi told him about another business opportunity, Shiva took it. He spent another week away from her, and another week after that, hoping the longer he stayed away, the easier it would be. But it never was...

When he decided to come back, he resolved to not tell Raavi. He was scared he would hug her or do something equally embarrassing the second he came back. In fact, he had many fears and scenarios playing through his head on the return journey.

But in all the scenarios he thought up of when they first met, he certainly did not expect his wife to run into his arms calling out his name.

"Shiva!"

Raavi tightly held onto him, and while his heart was racing, he strangely felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long, long time. Just as he was about to hug her back, she stepped back and cupped his cheeks.

"My imagination is really, really amazing!" she observed every inch of his face, "It's like it went through an upgrade! So much detail, almost as if the real Shiva is right here with me now."

He knew there were moments where his wife lost all sanity and thought, but this was just ridiculous.

He was a living, breathing human being standing in front of her, and she had the nerve to think he was just a figment of her imagination?

"Raavi," he warned. "I'm not--,"

She gasped, "And you talk too?!" her face lit up brighter than the sun. She giggled, "This is my luckiest day!"

He couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Oh yes, a part of the update package. And do you know what else is part of the update? To make your lucky day better, I've come to grant your every wish."

He slipped past her to get a dark blue t-shirt from the almirah.

He was hoping his sour mood and cut throat words would be enough to make Raavi realize he truly came home and it wasn't her imagination. But of course, the Dumbest of Somnath only had a head full of air. Sometimes, he wondered how he could care or love Raavi, especially when she acted like this.

But, perhaps it was because she acted like this did he love her so much more. This silly side of Raavi, only he ever saw.

"Oh, so you're a genie too?" she clapped her hands with excitement. "Three wishes, huh?" the gears in her head were already turning, and Shiva knew that she probably already had the craziest of wishes in mind.

"Who said it was three wishes?" he crossed his arms.

If he knew her as well as he did, she probably would have one of those wishes be something ridiculous and embarrassing for him. She and Rishita have become best of friends after sorting their issues, and they spent a decent amount of time watching some sort of makeup thing on their phones. And ever since then, Raavi has practiced on anything and anyone--not even sparing him.

Krish unfortunately walked in before he could wipe off the "smoky eyes," and well, his brother still never let him forget that.

It wasn't until he tied Krish down and let Raavi and Rishita practice on Krish did he feel satisfied.

"Then?" she cutely pouted at him.

Though he was gone for a month, she still looked the same. Same expressive eyes. Same cute nose. He wondered whether she always looked like this, or whether she trapped him in some sort of love spell. After all, he was convinced she was some sort of witch almost all his life.

"One wish," and he hoped it was a simple wish.

The excitement from Raavi's face dimmed. She snorted, "One wish? What type of stingy genie are you?"

He snorted, "As if your first wish wasn't going to 'I want an infinite amount of wishes!'" when he noticed the slight dim in her eyes, he knew he was right. Of course Krish and her would have the same wish--,

"Actually," she whispered, glancing to the floor, "My wish would've been to have Shiva come back home..."

Just reserving this post. Let me know how it was! And thanks again always for reading :) Also, thank you so much @Mountains_Lakes for posting!

You can't end it there!

But loved the part. Thank you for showing glimpse of the Raavi we all loved and have lost in this wedding drama.

We got a little into Shiva's Psyche, and his condition is just as bad as Raavi's. I loved how you gave brief overview of how their life has been over the past two years and how things were like during their first anniversary.

And Raavi definitely has rubbed off on him. He consideres her Somnath's most beautiful princess, the one with prettiest smile, and with Shiva's touch, the dumbest as well! 😂 Oh and smokey eyes on Shiva! 😂😂. Krish would be too dumb to let that pass. For all the time Shiva's pulled his legs, he is never going to hear the end of it. Rightly so. So glad he loves and cares for Raavi. The second anniversary will also be just as different from the first and marriage. Marriage. Friendship. Love. One step at a time. ❤️

Thank you for another lovely update! The way this has ended, I am eager to read the next part. Will he continue to let her believe he's a frigment of her imagination a little longer to get her thoughts or will he make her aware of his presence?