Hi, y’all! I was just going through the comments on the last few episodes and I was wondering if a few of you have been losing interest in the FF. I know, I haven’t been able to implement a lot of your suggestions into the story yet, but I really plan on doing it when the plot permits. I hope you guys won’t give-up on me for that, though.
Also, a few changes that I’ve been wanting to mention with respect to the characters: 1] Ragini’s character can be presumed to be essayed by Tejasswi Prakash. That’s whom I imagine while writing her character. 2] All the mothers in the FF are widowed here, because I don’t want to add in extra characters and make the story very confusing, hope that’s easily understandable.
Here are the responses to the comments from the previous episode:
Hi Sumisha, I am so sorry! I know, I’m always so late, but I really can explain. Semester ends aren’t easy at all. Anyhow, thank you and I hope this update is quicker and you like it.
Hi Shivangi, thank you so much! That really means a lot.
Hi Jayashree, thank you so, so much! I’m glad you liked the previous episode.
Hi Priyadarshini, thank you so much! I hope to hear more from you in the coming updates.
Hi Naira_u_Singh, acha Sorryyy, but I wrote this quickly so hope this suffices the previous wait. But thank you so, so much!
Hi Riansh Lover, thank you so, so much! I’m so happy to know you’re liking the story.
Hi Sahada, thank you so, so much! You’re so genuinely sweet, I really appreciate it. As for the covers, my perception of them is: the Luka Chuppi cover is Vansh holding her hand, never letting her go while Riddhima just wants to leave despite what she feels for him. The cover for this is more of about how Vansh wants to marry her, and she’s going to marry him (as per the future story) regardless of not really wanting to. But I think, I like yours better, hehe.
Hi Rishiiii, thank you so, so much! That really means a lot and I’m really grateful for your words. As for jealousy, that’s coming up in 2/3 more episodes, I’m sorry for the wait, but I don’t want it to be abrupt when thought in retrospect to the story.
Hi Diha, thank you so much! I hope you like this update too, haha.
Hi JJ, thank you so much!
Hi Nivisha, thank you for reading and commenting! As for your question, No; Vansh didn’t want to marry Riddhima because he liked her. It was always because he thought she loved Angre and the two of them were eventually going to spoil Ishani’s life.
Hi Vkjhp, thank you so much!
Hi Astha, you’re so, so sweet! Thank you so much, that really means a lot!
Hi Aafrin, thank you so much! That means a lot and I hope to hear more from you in the future.
Hi KV2711, thank you so much! So happy to know you liked the previous episode.
Hi Honey, thank you so much!
Hi Denza, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. As for Riddhima’s past, that’s gonna take a bit to unravel, but I feel there’s a lot that’s meant to happen before that, so I hope you like it, nonetheless.
Hi Anu, lol how did you know? I was actually not willing to write the previous episode but wrote it because I didn’t want to leave it mid-way through. But thank you so, so much. That really means a lot. And yes, I’m not a believer of love at first sight, so you’ll get to see the transition in detail, I guess; I hope you like it. And this update’s before 2021, lol, but wishes for the new year to you too!
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BECOMING MRS. RAISINGHANIA – EPISODE 11: THE ENCHANTMENT
As the sun rays filtered through the curtains the following morning, Vansh woke up lazily, willing to rest for a longer period. He knew he couldn’t, though. No one knew how late he’d stayed up the previous night, and he figured, spreading the word would only allow Ms. Goenka to resent him further.
He poured himself a glass of water and walked over to the floor-length windows to see if the weather had improved. He’d been oddly surprised seeing her fear from thunderstorms. It was unusual, especially because he loved rains. As he stared outside, the weather had changed pleasantly. Yes, it was still clouded – partially, even if – but the sky was otherwise clear, and the sun shone bright.
He felt a surge of relief push within him. Why, he didn’t know. The thought of Riddhima not worrying about the weather in fear calmed him and allowed him to revel in the tranquillity. Moments later, when he looked down, he saw her right below his room. She stood beside the lake in the premise and keenly looked at the calm water. And suddenly, he wanted to meet her.
An hour later, while he was pressing down the collar of his shirt, he berated himself infinite times. He needed to stay away from her, but every time he saw her, he felt the magnitude of the pull and he’d begun believing that she was impossible to ignore.
When he hurried down the stairs and walked toward the door, he hoped Riddhima hadn’t walked away elsewhere. As he neared the exit, his mother called him out from behind.
Uma: Vansh, Wait!
He turned around and looked at his mother in question. He’d dropped by his mother’s room the previous night, right after dinner, to ensure if she needed anything, but she’d denied. He’d figured back then, though, that she’d seemed a little distant. He’d tried asking her where she’d been lost, but he’d barely gotten an answer. After several attempts into a one-sided conversation, he’d decided to talk to her later.
Vansh: Good morning, Ma! Are you fine today?
Uma: Good Morning! Are you headed somewhere?
Vansh (nodding): I was just going to take a walk around. Is everything okay?
Uma: That’s great then. You can do that later – I need to talk to you, first.
Seconds later, they heard the patter of light footsteps and Vansh saw his Chachi come toward them while she instructed one of the decorators for the party that night. In all these previous years, he’d been acutely aware of how this party had always very important for the Raisinghanias.
Chanchal (after guiding the decorator): What’s happening, Jiji?
Uma: It’s good that you came too, Chanchal. I wanted to talk to him, it’s good if you’re there too.
Vansh: What do you want to talk about? Can we not do this after I return?
Uma: It’s about your decision to marry Riddhima.
Vansh: What about it, Ma? Can I please come back and talk if it’s not that urgent?
Chanchal: Offo, Vansh. What’s so exciting about the walk that you can’t wait for two minutes?
The question rendered him speechless and he shut his mouth, realizing he’d to listen to his mother. How could he tell that he was going to meet the girl whom he was forcing to marry, just because he couldn’t rid himself of his thoughts? The thought still amused him, because he was still trying to find out the answers for himself.
What was Riddhima doing to him?
Uma: I don’t want you to marry Riddhima, Vansh. Since we’re here, I feel it’s a great time for you to start courting some other girl.
Vansh (exasperated): Why, Ma? You were the one who wanted a Goenka Bahu (daughter-in-law), What’s wrong now?
Uma: Really, Vansh? This entire fiasco is wrong. I wanted Ragini to be your wife and fine, if you don’t want to marry her, that’s your choice. But I wouldn’t let you marry Riddhima. Don’t you see, you’re forcing this decision on her? I’ve seen how distant she always is around all of us, and you want me to believe that she’s fine with your decision?
Vansh (slightly agitated): Did Riddhima tell you something?
Uma: No, Vansh. She doesn’t talk to me. I’ve seen her, she’s always trying to run away from all of us. Marriage can’t be forced, and I don’t want my children to do it, either. You’ve taken care of this family in so long, and I don’t have to remind you of what’s right or wrong. You know it very well for yourself.
Vansh ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, tired of this conversation. He’d tried to explain to his mother several times, but she didn’t seem convinced, ever. Call it a mother’s instinct, if need be, but she was sure of something being fishy.
Vansh: Ma, if Riddhima hasn’t told you anything, then there’s no need to draw conclusions. You know me and I’m sure you know I understand the meaning of a marriage. You know I wouldn’t do anything of that sort.
He bit the inside of his mouth but looked at his mother anyway. If he casted his gaze down, he knew his mother would know he was blatantly lying to her.
Uma: However, you’re a businessman and maybe sometimes, I won’t know how far you’ll go and bend the rules to suit yourself.
Vansh stepped closer to his mother and held her hands, firmly. He looked down and massaged her fingers softly, wanting to assure her of the lie in any possible manner.
Vansh: I don’t know what will convince you, Ma. But I’ll never do something that embarrasses you or the family. (noting the time on his wristwatch) Can we please talk about this after I return? The weather might worsen any moment.
He saw her inhale a deep breath and then, slowly nod. His mother wasn’t convinced yet and he knew, this conversation was going to prolong for days. True, he’d forced this decision on Riddhima and was probably, continuing to do so, but there was also the existence of that gravitational pull between them that he couldn’t ignore.
He couldn’t ignore HER.
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Riddhima stood by the lake and stared at the still water, contemplating the moments from the previous episode. She hadn’t expected Vansh Raisinghania to go beyond his steely, manipulative exterior to comfort her and help her. She didn’t understand him.
Over the past few days, she’d seen so much of him – so many shades of him, she couldn’t understand who he was. She didn’t want to see the good in him, because first impression was always meant to be the last impression, right? Yet, she felt as if, she still didn’t have a clear perception of him.
Moments later, she felt the tap on her shoulder and turned around. A small smile curved her lips and she stared at him as he stood beside her and stared into the distance.
Aryan: Nice weather, isn’t it?
Riddhima: Yes, the sky has almost cleared out too. It was terrible last night.
Aryan: Yeah, I guess. Although, I’m sure Vansh Bhai must’ve enjoyed. He really enjoys thunderstorms, you know.
Riddhima (furrowing her brows): Really? It didn’t feel like last night. (realizing her words) I mean, when he was asking the servants to shut all the doors and windows post dinner, I thought he doesn’t like it, either.
Aryan: Either? You don’t like thunderstorms?
Riddhima: No way! A soft drizzle is fine, but thunderstorms aren’t my thing.
Aryan: That’s one difference then!
Riddhima: What difference?
Aryan shoved his hands into the pockets and the two of them walked closer to the lake, carefully seeing they weren’t stepping on the filthy mud. The wind had just begun blowing and Riddhima revelled in the weather, slowly folding her arms across herself.
Aryan: The two of you – as in, you and Vansh Bhai – are very similar to each other, you know? Like, even though you’re the younger sibling, I have a feeling you’re the more responsible one. And it isn’t easy being the responsible sibling.
Riddhima: I don’t think Ragini Di is irresponsible. She may be a little carefree, but she knows what she’s responsible for.
Aryan: I don’t mean it in that way. But in the past few days I saw you, I feel like you just… you know, care a little more. Like, Vansh Bhai cuts down on a lot of things he needs for himself.
Riddhima: Really? That’s who Vansh Raisinghania is?
Aryan: Yes, like I’ve seen him since so long and I’ve always seen how he prioritizes the entire family before himself. If there’s ever the need, he’ll rather see everyone else gets what they would need rather than himself. And I see that in you, too. You’re much younger than him, and even me for that matter. But that sense of responsibility just lies in both of you.
Riddhima didn’t want to listen to more of Vansh Raisinghania. His personality had already confused her, her thoughts constantly brewing with the different shades she’d seen of him. And on the contrary, she also didn’t want to change her opinion of him. She couldn’t ever forget the way he’d wanted to force this marriage on her.
Riddhima: What’s the time?
Aryan (looking down at his wristwatch): Almost 11. Which reminds me, Are you joining us for the party at night? You must come, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
Riddhima: I’m not sure. (rubbing her upper arms) I don’t really know a lot of people here to spend an evening partying.
Aryan: Oh, don’t be stupid! You know me, Vansh, Siya and then there are the elders too. I’m sure you’d manage. But for now, I’ve to get going. Chanchal Aunty has asked me to get some things, so I’ll see you around?
Riddhima nodded her head and as his figure retreated from her vision, she stared into the water in the lake, now standing at a very minimal distance. The water wasn’t very clean, and it almost looked like a ditch, with all the mud and dirt accumulated from the previous day’s storm.
“Hi to you, Ms. Goenka!”
The addressal was so sudden while she was engrossed in her thoughts, that she lost her balance and fell into the ditch almost immediately. Vansh had held out his hand to pull her closer to himself, but the entire sequence had happened in such spontaneity, that he hadn’t been able to get a hold of her.
He stared into the water, but when the water stilled, he dived into the water to search for her. The thought of something happening to her terrified him and he wasn’t sure why he felt the course of nausea within himself. What did she mean to him, even?
He searched for her under the water, looking carefully in the dirt where she’d drowned. When he resurfaced to breath, he saw her waiting near the bank and tapping her foot, softly smiling at him. He rose his hands in the air, asking her what she was doing, but she laughed in cue – almost like she was prepared for this occurrence.
Riddhima: Did you think I drowned? Vansh, I grew up in a small town. You can’t expect me to not know swimming, C’mon.
Vansh stepped outside the water and cornered her against one of the trees in the adjoining area. His breathing had almost become uneven with the worst possible thoughts and here, she was pranking him and laughing mightily.
Vansh: Do not ever do that! Do you understand? I was so scared that something might’ve had happened to you, and you… Don’t do that ever, ever again. I was so damn scared.
He engulfed her in a quick hug and pulled her closer to himself, his breathing still uneven. Just the thought of something happening to her was so frightening, he didn’t know what he’d have done, had something really happened to her.
Riddhima stared into the distance, a wave of shock unravelling within her. She didn’t understand his behaviour; Why had a simple prank throttled his breathing and clouded his thoughts in worry?
When Vansh pulled back moments later, he realized how he’d overwhelmed her with the suddenness of the situation. He stepped away from her, shivering as the wind blew past him and he began walking back inside the mansion.
Vansh: Sorry, that was just very sudden. But doesn’t change the fact that, it was an awful joke.
Riddhima: It’s okay, I get it. You needn’t have to apologise for it.
The two of them walked back toward the mansion in silence, quietly shivering in their drenched state. Vansh stared at her from the corner of his eye several times and he found himself enchanted. He figured, there had to be something about her that steered him closer to her. The more he wished to detach himself, the more attached he grew, and he wasn’t sure, if it was the smartest thing to do.
After all, this wasn’t how things were going to transform and become blurry.
Riddhima (pausing mid-way): But Vansh! Why did you react that way? Hum aapke hain kaun? (What do I mean to you?)
She tried uplifting her mood, but the question knotted the nerves within him, and he continued walking back toward the mansion, not waiting for her. Because really, what was she beginning to mean to him?
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That’d be it for now. Please let me know what you think of this episode and if any changes are needed, please do let me know. Like always, thank you for reading!
And just in case, I’m not able to write this FF before 31st – wishes for the new year to all of you!