The Next Day
Shivansh's p.o.v
I am standing in front of the temple of Lord Shiva ( One of the Supreme Gods in Hinduism) and waiting for my mother. It's been hours since she has gone for Puja(worship) and hasn't returned yet.
I didn't enter the temple for Puja as I have lost my faith in God 4 years ago. Once I used to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva but now everything is gone.
Well, I came to Pune to join as Chairman in 'Singh Enterprise'. My mother came here to worship Lord Shiva. There is a big and famous Shiv temple in Pune and my mother wanted to visit it. That's why I have to bring her with me.
I think I should go and check her. I don't know why she is taking so much time.
I started climbing the stairs without thinking anything further. It took five minutes for me to climb all the stairs.
" Ouch!! Blind uncle. Can't you walk seeing properly? All the flowers are now scattered on the floor. How I will be able to offer them to Shiv Ji?" I heard a baby girly voice and looked down.
I just reached the temple when I bumped with someone. I became amused seeing the person. Actually, it's a baby girl and her age wouldn't be more than 5. The girl is looking at me very annoyingly and I saw some flowers are scattered on the ground beside her.
" Mommy will scold me," She said pouting her lips and I couldn't control my chuckle after seeing her.
The girl is so cute with fair chubby cheeks, doe-like eyes and beautiful hairs. I became more amused after seeing her eye colour. Her eyes are very similar to mine. Same deep brown colour eyes. I have to admit that the baby girl is extremely cute.
" I am sorry, dear. I didn't notice you," I apologised and bent down to her level.
She replied making a sad face," Lord Shiva will be angry with me. I wasted all the flowers."
I felt something inside my heart seeing her sad face. Her innocent face reminded me of that woman's face. The baby girl is looking very similar to that pathetic woman. I don't know why I am seeing that slut into an innocent baby girl. I also met that woman in a Shiv temple 4 years ago. That's why I am remembering her.
A smile formed on my lips remembering that day when I first saw her. I never imagined that I was meeting a witch in form of an angel.
" Lord Shiva won't be angry with such a cute baby girl," I told the little girl pulling her chubby cheeks affectionately.
She replied making a confused face," Is it true, uncle?"
" It is true. By the way, what's this cute doll's name?" I asked touching her nose playfully.
She replied with a cute smile," I am Neela. But, my papa calls me pumpkin and sometimes sweet candy."
" Such a cute name. But, why are you alone? Where are your parents? What if you lost yourself in the crowd?" I asked her worriedly as I am not seeing any adult with her.
She replied smiling brightly," I am here with my Mommy. And mommy says God will protect us from every harm. So, I won't be lost."
" Seems like your mommy is a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Just like Ni......." I murmured but couldn't complete the sentence.
Then, I took out a pendant that is made of silver and looks like Lord Shiva's trident. That woman gifted me this pendant and I am still carrying it with me. I just can't get over of her.
" It's a gift from me for you as I have scattered your flowers on the ground," I told this cute doll giving the pendant in her hand. I can't carry it with me anymore. The more I carry it, the more it will remind me of her.
She replied with too much happiness," It's so beautiful."
" I hope you liked it. It's a gift from your uncle. Always keep it with you. Lord Shiva's trident will protect you from every harm," I told the girl very affectionately.
She is going to say something when I heard my mother's voice from behind. I looked at her and she signalled me to go towards her.
" I am coming," I said and looked frontwards. I became a little bit sad seeing that the baby girl has left without saying me anything.
I looked here and there but couldn't find out her. After searching for some time, I saw a glimpse of her. I saw that she is holding a woman's hand. Because of too much crowd, I couldn't see that woman's face. Maybe the woman is her mother.
I smiled and said," I hope you keep smiling like that always, pumpkin."
End of Shivansh's pov
Niyati's pov
" Why do you keep running here and there without my permission? What if you become lost in the crowd?" I scolded Neela and shoved her inside the car very angrily.
I sat beside her and ordered the driver to start the car.
" I went to bring flowers," She replied looking down and I saw something in her hand. I am wondering what's she holding. I just hope it's not something harmful.
I asked her curiously," What's in your hand?"
" Nothing," She replied hiding the thing behind her.
I didn't say anything further. I will come to know anyhow whatever she is hiding. After all, I am her mother.
" Don't roam here and there without me. It's not safe for a baby like you," I told her softly and stroked her hairs gently.
She nodded her head and looked outside through the window.
At Night
" How many times I have told you that you don't have to give me any house rent," Ranvijay said becoming pissed off and stopped drawing.
I replied keeping the money on his table," I have taken enough from you. I just don't want to be a burden on anyone. Please, accept this money."
" You are not any burden for me. You are my wife," He declared and looked at me annoyingly.
I replied sighing," I am your wife just in papers. You know very well on which circumstances you married me."
" I remember everything. But, I just can't accept this money. You are not an outsider for me," He said and held my hands.
I smiled and told him," Consider it as my gratitude towards you. Please, accept this money. I just can't live inside this house in free. You have already done enough for me."
" Fine. You win," He said and gave me a cold stare.
I chuckled looking at him and said," Ok. Good night. See you tomorrow. I hope this time you will be able to complete her portrait."
Saying that I looked at the incomplete portrait and saw her incomplete face. It's been year's since Ranvijay is trying to complete it but every time he is failing.
" I hope so," He said taking a deep breath.
I am now ready to leave the room when he asked me suddenly," What if he comes into your life again? What if he asks for forgiveness? Will you forgive him?"
" No. He didn't crush my heart. He has crushed my self-respect and humiliated me in front of everyone. And, I will never forgive him," I declared wiping a lone tear from my right eye and left the place.
End of Niyati's pov