Author's pov

"Good Morning, " Students and Professors wished as they met Sanonda on their way.

Sanonda wished them back and went inside the staff room.

She has finished taking the first class of the morning which she was assigned to do.

Keeping her bag ,she looked at the routine which was hanging on the wall.

"So you have two more classes for today!!" Hearing the voice from just behind her, Sanonda almost jumped on her place being startled.

"Gosh Aniruddha ,you scared me." Sanonda said, turning towards him, who was chuckling.

"Sorry…but it was hilarious. What are you looking at the routine so deeply ? In fact you didn't hear me calling your name when I entered after you." Aniruddha asked her.

Sanonda walked back to her place and sat down. Aniruddha followed her suit.

"Nothing…I was looking at the classes for mine. I want to go back home early today.
But why are you late today? It's already 11 am. " Sanonda asked him.
She internally groaned in annoyance as she saw that she had back to back two classes again after lunch break.

Aniruddha kept looking at her for a few seconds and then smiled.
"If you have forgotten, my classes are from 12pm today. I only have two classes to take after lunch break." He said.

Sanonda closed her in embarrassment and rubbed her forehead with her fingertips.

"Are you alright? Did something happen?" He asked her in concern because Sanonda wasn't someone who would forget things easily and if she had forgotten that meant that something serious had definitely happened. Moreover she looked stressed from the very moment he saw her.

Sanonda took a sigh and told him everything which happened for the past two days at her home. Aniruddha heard with full attention.

Sanonda and Aniruddha's relationship had evolved with time. They have become good friends with each other.

"I mean that I don't know what to do. I know who is right and who is wrong.
But what I know is just because of Piyali's bruised ego I can't let a budding relationship between Rishi and Aratrika die down." Sanonda said at the end.

The staff room was almost empty except for them and two more professors were there .

Aniruddha took a sigh and said, "I am not supporting your brother's wife but let me tell you one thing. Her insecurities are not wrong.
First of all , every parent wants the best for their children..The idea of "best " thing varies person to person.
As an example, Siddhartha wants the best for Saptarshi and he knows that the best thing for him lies in Aratrika..so he supports him.
On the other hand, Piyali also wants the best for Saptarshi but according to her the best thing for him is what she chooses for him because she thinks that no one knows what's best for her son except her…even her son doesn't know that.

Secondly, Piyali is a person of old traditional thoughts but in a different way.
She will appreciate it if someone else marries a widow or divorcee…but when it comes to her own son she will not accept it because again she wants the "best" for her son.

And about the age difference, we both know that it becomes a taboo in our society when an older girl marries a younger boy. 80% to 90% people frown upon the concept of this kind of marriage. So no comments on that. Though I believe that if a person makes you happy irrespective of age ,why not marry her/him!!

Moreover as a mother she is hurt that her son disobeyed him as you have already told me Saptarshi always listens to her .
You know as well how she reacts to Saptarshi's job as it is against her will.
Here the case is also the same but a bit more serious than before.

According to me Saptarshi has done the right thing by marrying his love.

Now you people just give some time to Piyali so that she can see how Aratrika really is. She needs to come out from her prejudices against Aratrika and for that she needs to see how real she is.

I am sure once she gets to know about her, she will accept her irrespective of her past and age.

Don't worry about it so much. Sometimes it's all about time and patience." Aniruddha made her understand.

Sanonda understood what he meant to say.

She smiled and said, "Thank you … you made me realise things which I was too messed up to realise. "

"It's okay…What are friends for?" Aniruddha said with a smile and concentrated on his book.

Sanonda smiled in return.

.
.
.

"Haa Baba, Ami valo achi. Tumi kemon acho? (Yes father, I am fine. How are you?" Aratrika was talking to her father on call.

"I am fine. Is everything okay there? " Brijesh asked his daughter.

Aratrika's smile flattered a bit but again she smiled before replying, "Everything is good here, Baba. Umm..Baba..umm..Did …did Ma and Jethu say anything?" She asked in hesitation.

After a moment of silence, she heard her father saying, "They don't want to talk about it. But trust me, very soon they will accept everything. I promise you that. You don't take stress from it. You just stay happy with Saptarshi ,that's what I want."

Aratrika smiled hearing her father. She was sad that her mother wasn't ready to listen to them and was not ready to accept their Marriage but on the other side she was happy that her father was talking to her after years and was happy with her marriage as well.

After talking for some time more with her father, she cut the call.

When she was busy talking with her father, someone was stealing glances of her time and again.

Yes, it was Saptarshi who was sitting on the couch and studying some case files which were mailed this morning. After his small holiday ends, he will join with this case on his hand.

Though he was studying the file, his eyes were moving towards his wife more often.
In the purple saree and navy blue blouse she was looking simple yet mesmerising which was enough to make his heart skip its beat.

He is absolutely against the idea of staying away from his wife in a different room. So he stays in the guest room with his wife. He knows that his mother will not like it if she hears this but he is helpless in the matter of his heart.
So he has decided to stay here with her at least throughout the day. At night he will be sleeping in his room.

Keeping the file away, he got up and walked towards her. Hugging her from behind, he asked her,"What are you thinking?"

Aratrika who was busy in her thoughts, was startled by the sudden hug of Saptarshi. Realising their position, a shy smile appeared on her lips. Saptarshi smiled seeing her reaction.

"Nothing …just when both of our mothers will accept the marriage, that's it."  She said to him,

"Don't worry .. give them some time. Everything will fall into place." Saptarshi said as he kissed the side of her head, making Aratrika close her eyes in bliss.

But their blissful moment didn't last long as they heard a commotion downstairs.

Looking at each other in confusion, they broke the hug.

"Let's go." Saptarshi said. Taking her hand in his, he walked downstairs along with Aratrika.

As they reached downstairs ,they saw a woman in her late fifties, hugging Piyali.

Aratrika stood there cluelessly.

"Here is my boy, Saptarshi . How are you ?" The lady asked him as she walked towards him.

"Boro Masi," (maternal aunt – elder sister of mother) He greeted her ,touching her feet.

She is Lolita, elder cousin of Piyali.

Aratrika understood that she was their relative so she bent down to touch her feet but before she could touch her feet, the lady took a step back.

"Is she the one?" The lady asked Piyali. Piyali replied with a yes.

Aratrika who was hurt by her gesture stood up but looked down on her feet. Saptarshi clenched his jaw as he saw how Boromasi insulted her.

" Wow!! She looks so shy and all…but see how she is staying here shamelessly even after you insulted her saying that she is an unwanted guest." Lolita said with a sarcastic smile.

Aratrika's eyes turned watery.

"Boro Masi ,if by chance you have forgotten.. Let me remind you that Aratrika is my wife. Maa is angry and hurt, that's why she said that. But that doesn't mean that the reality of our marriage will be erased." Saptarshi said, trying hard to control his anger.

"Reality of marriage? Really? Is the marriage even valid? I mean yes, you both got married in a traditional way…but is it enough for validation? Will the law accept it? Without the legal papers, your marriage holds no validity. " Lolita asked with a smirk.

Saptarshi and Aratrika looked at her in shock.

Here you go.

How's the chapter ? Let me know.

A valid question is asked by Lolita ,the new character. Now let's see what Saptarshi and Aratrika handle the situation.

Next update will be on Sunday.

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Thank you for reading.