Third person's pov!

The living room of the Agnihotri home buzzed with warmth and chatter. Everyone was gathered, enjoying a moment of togetherness. Anjana emerged from her room holding a large, leather-bound album, her face lit with happiness.

"Gudi, come here," Anjana called, her voice gentle. "I thought you might like to see Abhay and Vaiga's wedding album."

Shraddha smiled and joined Anjana on the sofa. As Anjana opened the album, vibrant photographs of Abhay and Vaiga's temple wedding filled the pages. Shraddha frowned seeing the strained smile on both Abhi bhai's and Vaiga bhabhi's face.

It was so evident that they are crazy for each other. Abhay was always seen around Vaiga. It was like he was addicted to her. But the photographs seem to say a different story altogether.

Shraddha was confused, but continued flipping through the album. Her fingers paused on a page filled with pictures of the family. Then there was a picture of Sid and Drishti grinning at the camera.

And then she saw it.

Nestled in Siddhu's arms was a baby. The unmistakable chubby cheeks and bright eyes belonged to none other than Kriti.

"Kriti?" Shraddha whispered, her voice filled with confusion. She stared at the photograph, her mind racing in confusion.

Siddhu sitting next to her smiled.

"Yes," he said simply.

"But how...?" Shraddha looked at him, her eyes wide, searching for answers.

Siddharth took a deep breath before narrating the love story of Abhay and Vaiga.

"You mean, Vaiga bhabhi is not Kriti's mother?" Shraddha couldn't hide her shock. Nobody seeing the two would believe it. They were so attached to each other.

"Biologically, no. But Vaiga bhabhi is Kriti's momma." Siddhu said with a smile.

"I can't believe this. They are so attached to each other." Shraddha said.

"They are. Bhabhi married bhai only for Kriti. Bhai too. They married so that Kriti could have a family. But now, they are madly in love with each other." Sid said and Shraddha nodded.

Siddhu then briefly told him about both Abhay's and Vaiga's ex spouses and everything that happened in their lives before.

"Wow! That was so unexpected." Shraddha said and her gaze went to the other side of the room where Abhay and Vaiga were sitting on the floor and playing with baby Kriti and baby Vidyut. The occasional glances they shared were all full of love.

The doorbell rang, pulling everyone's attention. Anjana got up to answer it, her face lighting up as she greeted the visitors.

"Drishti! Shravan! Come in," she said, ushering them in.

Drishti, stepped inside with a bright smile, her arm linked with her husband, Shravan. Shravan greeted everyone warmly, and the room buzzed with excitement again.

Drishti's eyes searched the room until they landed on Siddhu. Her smile grew, and she waved at him, but Siddhu, sitting beside Shraddha, was engrossed in some conversation.

"Drishti!" Siddhu finally noticed her, standing up to give her a side hug.

"Finally," Drishti teased, but there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. This guy used to run to her whenever she was home.

"I have been telling Shrey about Abhi bhai's and Vaiga bhabhi's story," Siddhu explained, gesturing toward the album.

Drishti nodded, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She watched as Siddhu returned to his spot beside Shraddha, their easy camaraderie making her stomach twist uneasily.

It has been two days since he phoned too. And that was one of the reasons why she came here today.

As the evening progressed, the family gathered for tea and snacks. Siddhu seemed engrossed with Shraddha, laughing as he said something to her. Every now and then, Drishti tried to join the conversation, but Siddhu's focus remained on Shraddha.

Drishti sat beside Shravan, her fingers tightening around her teacup.

"Everything okay?" Shravan, noticing her silence, leaned closer.

"Of course. Just tired." Drishti forced a smile.

Later, as the family moved to the dining area, Drishti found herself alone with Shravan.

"He is ignoring me," she blurted out, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Who?" Shravan raised an eyebrow.

"Siddhu," Drishti admitted, looking away. "We have always been close, but ever since Shraddha came along, it's like I don't exist."

Shravan considered her words.

"Maybe he doesn't realize he is doing it. You are important to him, Drishti. Maybe he is just caught up with his twin sister. They are together after twenty years of longing." Shravan said.

Drishti sighed, unsure whether to feel reassured or more frustrated.

"And there is your over thinking too in this. Ever since Shraddha was found, deep down you had this worry that Siddhu wouldn't need you anymore. And when a thought gets stuck in your mind, Drishti, you connect everything happening to that thought. Even before Shraddha came, there were instances where Siddhu hadn't called you and talked to you. It didn't matter to you. But with Shraddha' presence, you are connecting everything to your fear that Siddhu wouldn't need you anymore." Shravan explained patiently.

"But.."

"We will see, Drishti. Siddhu loves you very much. I know that. He can never go on without you. Right now he is busy narrating Abhay's and Vaiga's story to Shraddha. You heard it, didn't you? He is caught up in the story. He is not ignoring you." Shravan said, but Drishti couldn't simply accept that.

She decided to let it go for now, but the lingering ache in her chest was hard to ignore.

In the dining room, Siddhu and Shraddha were laughing at something only they seemed to understand. Drishti stood in the doorway, her heart heavy. For the first time, she felt like an outsider in a friendship that had always been hers.

The room grew quiet as everyone turned their attention to Kriti, who was now happily babbling away, sitting in Vaiga's lap.

"Mamu funny," she said again, giggling as she clapped her tiny hands.

Shraddha froze, her hand mid-air, and then choked on her food. Siddhu immediately leaned forward, patting her back.

"You okay?" He asked with concern.

"Yes... yes," Shraddha stammered, her voice shaky. She avoided everyone's gaze, especially Siddhu's, as she nervously glanced at Kriti.

"Funny mamu came!" Kriti exclaimed louder this time, pointing toward the french doors that led to the garden.

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.

"Funny mamu? Who is that?" Abhay asked, confusion lacing his tone.

"I don't know," Vaiga said, frowning. "Kriti, who is the funny mamu? Where did you see him?"

"There! Funny mamu came!" Kriti turned to her father with her cherubic grin and pointed a little finger toward the garden.

The adults looked at each other, curious and slightly alarmed. Siddhu leaned toward Kriti.

"Who is that, darling? Can you tell Siddhu?"

"Maybe she saw something on television! You know how kids are—they mix things up." Shraddha quickly interjected, her voice too high-pitched to be casual.

"She is pointing to the garden, Shraddha, not the TV." Abhay looked skeptical.

"Possibly..." Shraddha muttered, looking away as her hands fidgeted nervously.

"Kritu, did you see someone today?" Vaiga stroked Kriti's hair, trying to calm her.

Kriti giggled, seemingly distracted by a strand of Vaiga's hair.

"Funny mamu happy!" She chirped before nuzzling into Vaiga's neck, the conversation promptly forgotten—at least by her.

"This little one always keeps us guessing." Abhay let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

The tension eased, and the group moved back to their meal. But Shraddha remained quiet, her eyes darting occasionally toward Kriti, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

A/N

I'm keeping Vedant's story short..

This one just went on and on...😭😭

BETRAYAL IN LOVE IS NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK IN STCK. YOU CAN PURCHASE IT FROM STCK AND IT WILL BE ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE FOR YOU ONCE THE PURCHASE IS DONE.. MY STCK PAGE : SFwrites

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