Parinidhi's pov!

"Nidhi, what happened? You look dead on your feet!" Priya di rushed to me, seeing me stepping into our house.

"It was a long day, Priya di. I am a bit tired. That's all." I said, pasting a smile on my face, hiding my heartbreak from my beloved sister. But I know I cannot hide from her for long. She knows me well. She will eventually figure it out. But as long as I can hide it, I will.

"You are overworking yourself, Nidhi. They are making you work too much." Priya di complained and I smiled at her concern.

"You are right. But there is nothing to worry about anymore. That job is over. I don't have to go there anymore." I said and I saw relief spreading across Priya's face.

"Thank god! I don't know why, but I never liked you working there. That man, Siddharth Raichand. He always insults you and hurts you." Priya said, her dislike of Siddharth ji evident in her voice.

"He can't hurt me anymore, Priya di." I said with conviction and she frowned at my strange tone.

"I will take a shower and go to bed, di. I am too tired." I said and hurried towards the bedroom I shared with my sister. I couldn't stay in front of her anymore. I was scared I would break down.

I locked myself in the washroom and as I stood under the shower, I let the water wash away all my feelings too.

As I laid on the bed that night, memories of the last month flashed through my head like a movie. The one month after Jeevika ji had taken me away from Siddharth Singh Raichand.

A MONTH BACK

Third person's pov!

"How is your work going now?" Priya asked, as they walked towards the mandir.

"Peaceful.." Nidhi said softly. It has been three days since she started working with Jeevika. After that day in the cafeteria, Jeevika had been adamant on taking Nidhi away from Siddharth Raichand's atrocities.

It was a relief, but at the same time a strange sense of disappointment was also there.

Why was sheI even disappointed? She should be thankful to Jeevika for saving her from that rakshas.

Nidhi and Priya walked towards the temple, both of them looking ethereal in the traditional dhavani sets they were wearing. The soft rustle of the fabric seemed to be in harmony with their whispered conversations.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine flowers, and the gentle breeze carried with it the promise of serenity.

As they reached the temple, the atmosphere was thick with the fragrance of incense and the soft murmurs of prayers. They removed their sandals outside, lifted the skirt of their dhavani with one hand and climbed the long fleet of steps leading to the mandir.

Nidhi approached the idol of Shiv-Parvathi, their eyes closing in silent devotion. Priya followed suit, bowing her head in prayer.

The pandit came forward with the prasad and the girls accepted them with both their hands and closed their eyes again in devotion.

As Nidhi opened her eyes again, a chill ran down her spine, her heart skipping a beat as she spotted Siddharth Raichand entering the temple with his sister, Jeevika.

"Mandir mein rakshas?" The surprise and horror were evident in her widened eyes as she muttered under her breath.

Jeevika's face lit up upon seeing Nidhi and Priya. She rushed towards them, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Nidhi, Priya! I didn't expect to see you here. Isn't it wonderful?" Jeevika said excitedly.

"Di, you aren't supposed to run around like this.." Siddharth admonished his pregnant sister, who in turn rolled her eyes.

"I brought Sid for a special pooja today." Jeevika told the girls.

Siddharth's intense gaze was fixed on Nidhi, his eyes dark and unreadable. He couldn't take his eyes off. She was earning a dhavani set. A combination of yellow skirt and blouse and a red dupatta to go with it.

He had always been an admirer of western dresses. For the very first time in his life, he was having a different opinion. Women might look hot in western dresses, but nothing can beat a traditional saree or dhavani set. It makes the woman look almost ethereal. Parinidhi just proved it, because she was looking out of the world.

Nidhi, however, refused to meet his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.

"It was a surprise meeting you here, Jeevika ji. Don't let us hold you. Please carry on with your special puja.." Nidhi said with a sweet smile and dragged Priya from there.

"I will go and write the slip for the Dhanvantari puja.." Priya said. They had come to do a special dhanvantari puja for their father's better health.

"I will be in the Maa Mandir.." Nidhi said, referring to the small shrine behind the mandir, where a small idol of Maa Parvathi was instilled.

Jeevika led Sid to the same shrine behind the main temple, explaining the significance of the ritual.

"Bubba, you have to light the diya here. It's believed to bring happiness and a perfect partner into one's life." Jeevika said and Sid rolled his eyes.

"You know I don't believe in all this bullsh*t. And I am not on a lookout for a perfect partner either." Sid said in annoyance.

"Don't say such things when you are standing inside a mandir, Bubba. You may not believe in all this, but I do. At least do it for my peace of mind.." Jeevika said.

"You are a lawyer, di. I can't believe that with such high education, you still believe in such stupid stuff." Sid said, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Bubba.." Jeevika called out sternly, glaring at her younger brother.

"Fine, I will do it." Sid said and they reached the smaller shrine, to find Nidhi also there.

"Nidhi, you are also here?" Jeevika said in a teasing tone.

Nidhi's eyes darted to the diya, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment and discomfort. She usually lit the diya here from the moment she heard about the legend behind this Maa mandir, praying to find her prince charming quickly, and the thought of doing it in the presence of Siddharth was unsettling for some reason.

"I just came to pray, Jeevika ji." Nidhi said and closed her eyes quickly and folded her hands.

As Jeevika closed her eyes in prayer, Nidhi watched as Siddharth moved closer, his presence intimidating and overwhelming.

Just as he attempted to light the diya, it wobbled dangerously, threatening to fall. Nidhi's reflexes kicked in, and she quickly steadied the diya, her fingers brushing against Siddharth's as he successfully lit the diya.

A rush of mixed emotions flooded through Nidhi as she stepped back, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.

The ritual was meant for married or engaged couples, symbolising their journey towards a happy life together. For unmarried individuals like herself and Siddharth, it was a prayer for finding a perfect partner.

Jeevika, oblivious to the awkward tension between Nidhi and Siddharth, opened her eyes and beamed at them.

"Done? I believe Maa Parvathi will bless you both with a perfect partner soon." Jeevika said.

Nidhi forced a smile, her eyes avoiding Siddharth's as she mumbled a quick prayer and retreated from the shrine. She felt suffocated, her mind swirling with a whirlpool of emotions.

Once outside, Nidhi took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She felt exposed and vulnerable. The last thing she wanted was to be near Siddharth, especially in such an intimate setting.

She is an advert believer. And the fact that she had lit that diya with Siddharth was unsettling for her.

"Are you okay? You look pale." Priya, sensing her sister's distress, wrapped an arm around Nidhi's shoulders.

"I am fine, Di. Let's go home." Nidhi nodded weakly, her voice barely a whisper.

As they left the temple, Nidhi couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered within her.

She felt as though the strings of fate were playing a cruel game, intertwining her life with Siddharth's in the most unexpected and uncomfortable ways.

A/N

I have no idea about the various poojas held at temples. I googled some..

Please do vote and comment..

Love,

SF❤️