Chapter - 33
I woke up early today—earlier than Aarav—because today is Mahashivratri. It is the day I dedicate to my Shivji, the day I spend in devotion and prayer.
For the past few days, Aarav has taken care of me so much. He didn't let me do anything—just rest, rest, and more rest. And somewhere in these days, I realized something...
I truly mean something to him.
He cares for me, not because of responsibility, not because he has to—but because he wants to.
Before, I used to think that I was just a responsibility for him, that he did everything because he had no choice. But how wrong was I?
Chachi spoke to me the next day when she returned from her mother's house. She told me she had gone because her mother was unwell. We talked, and I felt a sense of relief.
I silently thanked Shivji for everything—this family, this home... and Aarav.
I stepped into the bathroom, took a long, peaceful bath, and got ready. I wore a white saree with a golden border, paired with a white blouse adorned with golden detailing. To complete my look, I wore gold jewelry, bangles, my mangalsutra, and finally, I applied sindoor.
After getting ready, I walked back into the room and found Aarav was already awake. His deep eyes looked at me, taking in my appearance.
"You woke up early today?" he asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
I smiled softly. "Yes, today is Mahashivratri. I have to do pooja, keep a fast, and go to the temple."
He nodded. "Okay. Wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes."
I blinked in surprise. "But..."
Before I could say anything else, he had already walked into the bathroom.
I stood there, confused. Is he... coming with me? But Maa told me Aarav doesn't believe in God.
Yet, ten minutes later, he walked out—wearing a simple white kurta pajama.
I stared at him, feeling something warm inside me. Why does this make me feel... happy?
He came near me and said, "Let's go."
I blinked. "Where are we going?" I asked hesitantly, because I knew he didn't like visiting temples.
He looked at me, his gaze firm yet gentle. "You want to do puja, right? So, I'm taking you."
I followed him silently, my heart beating strangely fast. He led me through the palace, but instead of going towards the main entrance, we walked towards the back of the palace.
I had never visited this side before. I wanted to ask why we were going this way, but for some reason, I didn't. Maybe... I wanted to trust him.
We walked through the beautiful garden, the scent of fresh flowers surrounding us. After crossing it, something unexpected came into view—a Shivji temple.
I stopped in my tracks, staring in shock. We have a Shivji temple... and I never knew?
I turned to Aarav. "We have a temple here...and I never knew?"
He shrugged. "You never asked."
I frowned slightly. "But Maa, Chachi, or Dadimaa... they never brought me here."
He sighed. "Only Panditji comes here for the daily puja. No one else visits."
I didn't know why, but my heart felt heavy. This place... it had always been here, hidden away. And today, Aarav was the one bringing me here.
We stepped inside. The temple was small but beautiful, peaceful. I immediately started cleaning the area, and to my surprise, Aarav helped me.
Aarav Singh Rathore... helping in a temple?
I stole glances at him as we worked. He didn't say much, but he didn't look uncomfortable either. Why is he doing this for me?
Just then, Panditji arrived, looking surprised to see us—especially Aarav.
"Ranasa?" He sounded almost unsure.
Aarav responded in his usual commanding tone, "Today, we will do the puja, Panditji. Guide us."
Panditji nodded quickly and arranged the puja items. He instructed us to offer water, milk, and honey to the Shivling, then decorate it with bilva leaves, flowers, and sandalwood paste.
We both chanted together, "Om Namah Shivaya," our voices blending in the quiet temple.
I lit the diyas, and Aarav placed his hands over mine as we did the final prayer together.
In that moment, I forgot everything else.
This was the best moment of my life.
As we stepped inside the palace, I noticed that Dadimaa was the only one awake.
I walked over to her and bent down to take her blessings. She placed her hand on my head, her touch warm and comforting. Aarav, on the other hand, went straight to his study room, without saying a word.
A few moments later, Maa and Chachi came into the hall.
"We are going to the temple," Maa said, adjusting her dupatta. "Come with us, Siya. We will do the puja together."
I frowned slightly. We have a temple in our palace... then why are they going outside?
It felt confusing, but instead of asking them, I decided to ask Aarav later.
I gave them a small smile. "I already did the puja, Maa."
Maa and Chachi exchanged a glance, looking a little surprised. "Oh... okay," Chachi said, nodding. "Then we will go."
I watched as they left, still lost in my thoughts.
As soon as they were gone, Dadimaa spoke, her voice filled with something I couldn't quite understand.
"Did you do the puja in our palace's Shivji temple?"
I turned to her, surprised. "How do you know?"
She smiled knowingly. "When I saw you and Aarav together, I understood everything."
I felt my cheeks warm. Aarav and I... together? But before I could dwell on that thought, a question that had been bothering me slipped from my lips.
"Dadimaa, why does no one go to that temple?" I hesitated, then added, "Maa and Chachi could have done the puja there too."
Dadimaa's expression turned thoughtful, and she let out a soft sigh.
"That temple was built by my father-in-law," she began. "But due to some reasons, that area was closed off by him. However, he did not want to abandon the temple, so he gave the responsibility of its daily puja to the panditji."
I listened carefully, though some parts still confused me.
"Later, your Dadaji followed the same tradition. And after him, the responsibility was given to Aarav," she continued. "But since Aarav doesn't believe in God, nothing changed. The temple remained as it was... only the panditji continued the rituals."
She paused, looking at me with a soft smile. "But today, I feel like everything will finally fall into place."
I didn't fully understand everything, but a strange feeling settled in my heart. Like something important had happened today, something bigger than I could grasp.
But I didn't ask more.
Maybe... some answers will come with time.
It was time for breakfast, but Aarav still hadn't come out of his study. He had been inside for so long... why wasn't he coming?
After waiting for a while, I decided to call him.
I walked to his study room and, without knocking, stepped inside. He was sitting at his desk, deeply focused on his work. The serious expression on his face made me hesitate for a second, but then I took a step closer.
"Why aren't you coming for breakfast?" I asked gently.
Without looking up, he replied, "Because I'm fasting."
I froze.
For a moment, I thought I had heard wrong. Aarav... keeping a fast?
The same Aarav who doesn't believe in God?
Shock ran through me. Was he doing this... because of me?
No, no... that doesn't make sense. He shouldn't do it if he doesn't believe in it.
I hesitated before saying, "You don't have to fast just because I am."
This time, he looked up at me, his eyes calm yet firm. "But I wanted to."
I stared at him, still trying to process his words. "But... you don't believe in God."
Instead of answering, he asked me a question instead.
"Do you believe in God?"
I nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I do."
A small, almost unreadable smile appeared on his lips as he replied,
"Then I believe in my wife's belief."
My breath hitched.
For a moment, I forgot how to react.
Something warm spread inside my heart, leaving me speechless. I didn't know what to say... what to feel.
Aarav's words kept repeating in my mind.
He believes... in my belief.
Why does this feel more special than anything else?
Before I could understand my own emotions, I felt tears in my eyes. I didn't even realize I was crying until Aarav came near me and wiped them away.
His touch was gentle, but his voice held a hint of irritation. "Angel, why do you cry at every moment? I've told you a thousand times, I don't like it when you cry."
I just stared at him, my heart overwhelmed with emotions I couldn't put into words. And before I could think, I hugged him.
I didn't know why I did it. Maybe because I was too emotional. Maybe because I wanted to.
For a second, he didn't move, and I worried if I had done something wrong. But then, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.
I closed my eyes, feeling safe in his embrace. "You don't have to do anything just because of me," I whispered against his chest.
Aarav sighed, his voice calm yet firm. "I'm doing this because I feel I should, not because of you. And stop overthinking everything, Siya."
I bit my lip, knowing he was right. Before I could say anything, he pulled away slightly, cupping my face in his hands.
"I told you, we have to do everything together for us, right? So, I think we should share everything—including this. And if I believe in my wife's belief, tell me... am I wrong?"
His intense gaze held mine, and I knew he was right. He wasn't doing it just for me; he was doing it for us.
I shook my head. "No, you're not wrong."
Aarav smirked slightly, then pulled me back into his embrace. "Good. Then I will remember this day forever, Angel."
I looked up at him, confused. "Why? Because we did puja together?"
His smirk deepened as he leaned in, his voice a teasing whisper. "No... because today, you hugged me first."
My eyes widened, and my face turned hot.
I blushed.
And Aarav... he just chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction.
Today, I woke up early again, excited to break my fast. I needed to take a bath and do the puja first. Yesterday, Aarav didn't go to the office, and he wouldn't let me go to college either. He insisted that since I had kept a fast, I needed to rest.
Seriously? Is that even a reason? I thought. But then, he spent the entire day with me, ignoring his work, and I couldn't help but feel happy. Being together like this made me realize how good my life was right now—all thanks to Shivji.
Suddenly, I remembered that I needed to take a shower. After I finished, I got ready in a lovely pastel green Anarkali suit, pairing it with a pink dupatta and matching traditional juttis.
As I stepped outside, I noticed Aarav coming in, probably back from the gym. He quickly headed to the bathroom to shower while I waited for him.
When he came out, we went to the temple together. We cleaned the area, and then the pandit ji arrived, guiding us through the puja. It felt peaceful, and I cherished every moment we spent there.
After completing the puja, we exited the temple, and I noticed a man standing there with a tray filled with juice and water. What is he doing here? I wondered.
Before I could ask, the man bowed respectfully. Aarav took a glass of water from the tray, and the man quietly left. Then, Aarav turned to me and held out the glass.
"Drink," he said.
I hesitated. "We can drink it inside."
"I know," he replied, "but I don't want you to wait even a second longer."
I gave him a look, unsure how to respond. His smile made me feel warm inside, so I just smiled back.
I took a sip of the water and then handed the glass to him. He drank, and I felt a rush of happiness seeing him take care of me.
As we stood there, I remembered what Dadi Maa had told me earlier. I wanted to ask Aarav about it, but before I could say anything, his phone rang.
He picked it up, and we both headed inside the palace, the question still lingering in my mind. Maybe next time...
Trisha and I just finished our first lecture, and I was surprised to find out that our next two lectures were free. I sighed and turned to Trisha. "I just don't understand why professors don't tell us this in advance. Now we have to wait two hours for the next class. What should we do?"
Trisha thought for a moment and then brightened up. "Let's go to the mall! We can shop, and since my birthday is coming up, you can help me find a dress!"
I felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of going to the mall, but then I hesitated. Should I ask Aarav? He told me I could go wherever I wanted, but he also mentioned I should go with the driver. Trisha is saying I should go with her... What should I do?
Trisha noticed I was lost in thought. "Where are you lost? Come on, let's go! I'll ask Karan if he's free too."
I nodded, still unsure. She started texting Karan, and I realized I should at least inform Aarav about my plans. I didn't want to give him any reason to be upset with me.
So, I quickly typed out a message: "I'm going with Trisha to the nearby mall."
After a moment, Trisha turned to me, "Karan's not free. But let's go anyway!"
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Okay, let's go!" I replied, trying to shake off my worries. I really wanted to have some fun with Trisha, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone a little.