Love is a spontaneous emotion

Chapter 20 You Disgust Me

The next morning was Satyanarayan pooja at Kashyap's house. Varun had arrived with kids, and Naav,Neerav, and Naanima were all ready, dressed traditionally.

The pooja mandap was beautifully decorated, and all the pooja preparation was done immaculately by Savithri Maa.

Maithili was preparing Sooji ka halwa ( dessert made with semolina). Raghunandan came down from his room. wearing white kurta and dhothi, looking nothing less than perfection.

Maithili came to the Mandap carrying the dessert she prepared, which was to be offered to Lord Narayan as prasad.

She put down the dessert and turned around and saw her dashingly handsome husband sitting on the couch staring at her.

For the first time, their eyes met. Maithili smiled innocently, which was a friendly gesture, but Raghu looked away from her, which was rude. Little did the naive girl know that Raghu loathed her with everything in him and never willingly married her.

She thought he didn't probably see her and so did not acknowledge her smile and dismissed his rude behaviour as a genuine mistake and not intentional.

The priest arrived right on time to perform the Satyanarayan Pooja. The newly wed sat down at the designated place, and so did the priest.

Everyone else sat down, too, and the priest commenced the pooja ceremony. The newly wed performed the pooja as per the Priest's instructions with all the devotion and dedication, and so did every member of both families.

After lunch, Raghu retired to his room. Maithili was waiting to talk to him in his room, or one can say in their room. As soon as he entered, she said," Raghuji, I want to talk to you."

Raghu was not expecting her to talk to him as if she did nothing after scheming and manipulating just to marry him for wealth and status. He felt disgusted by her.

He ignored her as he kept doing whatever he was doing, which was packing his suitcase. Raghu pulled out his luggage and started packing his clothes.

Maithili didn't understand what was going on. She didn't know why he was so furious and why was he packing his clothes and where was he going. She needed answers.

She said ,"Raghuji, you look upset, and I feel I am the reason. I don't know what I did to upset you. "

Raghu glared at her and then spoke," You don't know,really?"

Maithili looked perplexed. She didn't know what she did or what he meant. She said ," No, Raghuji .I really don't know what I did to upset you.Can you please elaborate?"

Raghu snickered and said," Tell me, Maithili, why did you marry me and be honest?"

Maithili said," It is an arranged marriage. Naanima and Neerav Uncle came up with the marriage proposal, and my family accepted, and Naanima convinced me that you are perfect for me and we will be happy together, and I trust Naanima, so I agreed. "

Raghu strode towards Maithili, and his eyes were shooting daggers. Maithili took a step back to put some space between them as now he was intimidating her. He grabbed her harshly by her arms , clenching his Jaws ,glowered at her. He chrotled and said," Wow. Maithili Pathak, you are one hell of an actress . You think you can fool me like you fool everyone else by your innocent facade? I know that sinister mind behind it. We will never be happy together, and you are not perfect for me. You can never be.You understand the difference in the class that we come from? You trapped me by despicable means. I know what kind of a person you are, and you will do anything to climb up the social ladder, don't you, Maithili ? It will not work. I will very soon show you your place. I can never fall for the likes of you. You disgust me. I don't acknowledge this ruse of a marriage. "

Maithili was stupefied by what Raghu said. She did'nt know anything about it .She felt like the ground beneath her slipped. Every word he spoke pierced her heart like daggers. She broke into tears and couldn't utter a word in her defence. She felt too numb to react.

Raghu left from there as he didn't want to hear any clarification from her because he knew even if she did give him any clarification, he wouldn't buy any of lt. He was determined to believe what he wanted to believe based on his misguided hatred towards her.

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After Satyanarayan pooja, Neerav asked Varun to meet him in his study. Varun went to his study where Neerav was waiting. Neerav forwarded some documents regarding the release of Shalini and briefed him everything in detail, and told him that Shalini would be released the next day after completing the formalities. Neerav held his end of the bargain as promised, which meant a lot to Varun. He already knew Neerav was a man of his word, but now it only strengthened his belief even further.

Naanima called Maithili downstairs to bide goodbye to her family as they were leaving. Maithili was not in the state to speak or socialize or even move because she was devastated by the truth that Raghu revealed to her. All her senses had gone into hibernation . Naanima kept calling her, but she could'nt hear anything as Raghu's words kept reverberating in her ears.

When Maithili did'nt respond, Naav realized something was not right and came to her rescue. She went to Maithili's room and saw her sitting like she was hit by a lightening . So she knew immediately that something was wrong.

Naav asked, " Maithili, what's wrong. what happened? you don't look good."

Naav's voice jolted her back to reality. She looked questioningly at Naav and said, "I am ok, Naav. What is it?"

Naav said," Naani is calling you downstairs. Your Dad and siblings are leaving. What is it Maithili, please tell me what happened ?you definitely don't look good. "

Maithili said, " Nothing, I will go down now and see my folks off. Don't worry, I am alright. "

Maithili hugged her Dad and Siblings and bid them goodbye. Her Dad was too emotional as she was going to leave her paternal house and stay at her husband's house.

He said," Maithili ,I am sorry for everything. I couldn't give you the life you deserved. It is all my fault. I hope and pray with all my heart for your life in the future in your in-laws' house to turn blissfully happy for you.I have paid you tuition and hostle fees for your entire course. It is not much, but it is a token of my blessing to you."

Maithili was too emotional, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She said, " Dad, I have been happy. you have given me a good life. Please never apologize to me. You are the best father."