Hi, y’all! Thank you for the wonderful response. Hence, a quick update like I promised. Here are the responses to the comments from the previous episode:
Hi Seanna, thank you so much and I guess, you’ve waited forever for this episode.
Hi KV2711, thank you so much!
Hi Aafrin, thank you for reading and commenting! And yay, I love Riddhima’s fierceness too.
Hi Vyshnavi, thank you! Here’s another episode. 🙂
Hi Aarushi, thank you so much!
Hi Niyati12, thank you so much!
Hi Shivangi, thank you! Riddhima’s going to be extremely ferocious in here and I can’t wait to portray more of her.
Hi R.N 😇, thank you! I’m glad you liked Riddhima’s fierceness.
Hi Akshitha, thank you so much! You’re extremely sweet. There are going to be RiAnsh moments really soon, but before that, some family dynamics need to be taken care of. I hope you like it, nonetheless. 🙂
Hi Jennifer, thank you so much!
Hi Mary, thank you so much! I’m glad you liked Riddhima’s fierceness. RiAnsh moments are coming up really soon, just a little more wait.
Hi Rishiiii, thank you so, so much! I’m so happy you liked the characterization of Riddhima. As for Vansh’s reaction, there’s still some time to that. First, I need you guys’ reaction to this episode, lol.
Hi Nifa, thank you so, so much!
Hi NA, thank you so much!
Hi Naira_u_singh, thank you so much! Also, all okay? Where’s your FF?
Hi Lavanya, thank you so much!
Hi Nia, there’s no way I’m writing Riddhima’s character as a weak one, lol. Always had it planned for her to fight this situation alone. And thank you so, so much! You’re extremely sweet. Also, thank you for catching up with the whole story in such a short span of time. It really means a lot.
Hi Tanya, thank you so much!
Hi Jayanthi, thank you so, so much! That means so much to me. I’m glad you liked the characterizations the character perspectives; I look forward to hearing so much more from you.
Hi TSA, thank you so much! In case, you wanted some more of their bond, there’s more here, hehe.
Hi Jayashree, thank you so much!
Hi Priyadharshini, thank you so much!
Hi JJ, thank you!
Hi Vkjhp, thank you so much!
Hi Thakur Priyanka, thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked Riddhima’s strong character.
Hi Amzia, thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Hi RianshianSumellikan, thank you so much! This episode will clear your doubt about that guy. 🙂
Hi M, you’ll know about the guy in this episode. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Hi Rupa, thank you so much!
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BECOMING MRS. RAISINGHANIA – EPISODE 15: AFFIRMATIONS
Riddhima could’ve almost sworn her breathing had paused when her mother had asked. She’d thought she’d gotten better at framing lies, but she could still be caught so inevitably, and her Ma wasn’t even her real mother.
Riddhima: I did tell you, Ma.
Payal (inhaling deeply): Riddhima, are you happy here? I know I’ve never asked you this, but are you happy with this marriage? You know, one no of yours can change the whole decision.
Riddhima looked away and laced her fingers above her stomach, clueless with the way the muscles in her stomach clenched.
Riddhima: I don’t know, Ma. Do you really think a marriage can make someone’s life perfect? We’re all estranged, broken souls and there’s no way someone can complete us. And especially when, I don’t want anyone to. (sighing) I never wanted a marriage, Ma.
Payal turned around on the bed and looked at Riddhima, slowly pressing a finger against her creases. Riddhima wasn’t her own daughter, but perhaps, she’d loved her a little more at times – especially because, she needed to feel at home. Ragini had always been in her home, growing up with the mother who’d given her birth. She knew she’d always be the second mother for Riddhima, but for her, Riddhima had always been one of two daughters.
Payal: You know when you say things like this, I always realise how miserably I’ve failed as a parent. I know I’m not the best mother and I know you wouldn’t even correct me there, but trust me when I say, Samyukta would’ve never wanted things this way. She wouldn’t have liked it if you said these things.
Riddhima (gulping the throatiness): Ma, I don’t think I’ve ever compared the two of you. Sure, there have been situations when I’ve thought how Mummy would’ve reacted, but that was not because I wanted to choose the better one among the two of you. It’s because I’ve not known Mummy too well, but I wanted too. I wish, at times like these, that I’d both my mothers with my myself.
Payal: Perhaps, it’s for the better. She’d be so broken if she heard you say all this. You must know, your mother romanticised marriages. I can’t even begin to imagine how much your words would’ve hurt her.
Riddhima: Who knows, Ma! Maybe, Mummy is the reason why I despise marriages? I’ve never thought of it this way, but probably, I wouldn’t have been so bitter if she hadn’t left me as a child.
Payal (tossing and staring up at the ceiling): Unless you become a mother yourself, Riddhima, you’d never know how it feels to know that you’ve failed as a parent. God forbid, I hope you don’t have to, either. And I hope you won’t make Samyukta feel that over and over, even if she’s gone. Sometimes, you’ve to just let go, Baccha.
Riddhima: Or maybe, sometimes you’ve to just hold on, Ma.
The two of them stared at the ceiling then, letting the silence envelop the room. Sometimes, silence was the best remedy and Payal knew when her daughter needed space and privacy. Her daughter wasn’t as cold as she personified, after all. Her daughter was caring, loving and gentle, and she believed in miracles.
Perhaps, she was a little too afraid of her own self, but someday, someone would heal her beyond perfection.
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Riddhima stood outside the door, contemplating several times on her decision. Why had she chosen to come here? There was still time; She could still choose to walk back to her room and pack-up from the trip. Mahabaleshwar had been extremely pleasant to her, but it was also their last string of attachment with the Raisinghanias.
When she’d walk out of this room several hours later, she’d have broken her apparent courtship with Vansh and tampered his image in front of his mother. The idea tasted bitter on her tongue and she’d have almost escaped from there if his mother hadn’t opened the door right then. She mentally berated herself but forced a smile on her lips and greeted her.
Uma: Arey, Riddhima! Why are you waiting here? You could’ve just knocked on the door.
Riddhima (biting the inside of her mouth): I just came here. Sia told me you’ve been wanting to talk to me, so I thought I’d drop by before we leave from here.
Uma: Of course. Come on inside. (seeing Riddhima’s hesitance) Arey, come come, don’t get so worked up.
Riddhima followed her inside the room and looked around, noting the tidiness of the room. The room was a lot similar to the room her mother was staying in, besides the few extra pieces of furniture that the Raisinghanias had probably customised for themselves. She sat down on one of the plush chairs away from the bed and smiled at Vansh’s mother.
Riddhima: This property is completely astounding! And you all have maintained the place really well, too.
Uma: It’s not us, really. One of Vansh’s distant cousin looks after this place throughout the year. I don’t think you’ve met him, though. He’s been unusually busy this year.
Riddhima: Oh. I don’t know a lot of people here anyway, Aunty. I’ve only really gotten to talk to Sia and Aryan. I was mostly alone at other times.
Uma: I know. Sia has been telling me about you. Kabir – as in, that distant cousin – he’s been around for a day or two, but he’s usually here for longer. Vansh and Kabir get along really well.
Riddhima smiled at her and looked down at the marbleised floor, tapping her foot quietly.
Uma: How did you like your time here?
Riddhima: It was nice, Aunty. Since I’m in the field of architecture, I really got to appreciate the intricacy of the architecture of this property. And besides that, I think I got to know a few people I wouldn’t have gotten to learn about, if not for here.
Uma (in a tone of realization): Oh right! Vansh has told me quite a lot of times that you work under Angre. I know it by heart now.
Riddhima furrowed her brows at that, unsure of why he’d repeated it to his mother multiple times. What was she to do with that bit of information? She massaged her temples, realizing that Vansh Raisinghania was beyond her understanding. Despite all the time she’d spent in his company, she still wasn’t sure who exactly he was.
Uma: Are you fine, Riddhima?
Riddhima: Absolutely. I was just thinking of something else, but nothing important. (suddenly recalling Sia’s words) Although, you did want to talk to me about something. Is there anything important?
Uma (sighing deeply): It’s very unfair of me to ask you this as a mother, Riddhima. Perhaps, I won’t be able to forgive myself for this ever, if things pan out differently, but I really just have to be sure that nothing wrong is happening in front of my eyes.
Riddhima: If there’s anything I could help you with, Aunty, please tell me. I’ll try my best at it.
Uma: It’s about Vansh!
Riddhima straightened in her chair, sitting upright and listened to her carefully. What did she want to talk about Vansh; Especially, with her? She hadn’t even known him for long enough to justify anything he did in front of his mother.
Riddhima: Aunty, I don’t think… I don’t know Vansh that well to…
Uma: That’s why I want to know, Riddhima. Is Vansh forcing you to marry him?
Riddhima widened her gaze at that and let the words register in her mind for one another time. How did his mother know of this? The two of them had never talked about that stupid deal of his in the public. She stared at his mother and fiddled with the fingers in her lap, unsure of her response.
Uma: See, I know it’s very wrong of me to ask you this. Probably, I wouldn’t even be able to forgive myself for this ever, but I just have to know if my son is doing something wrong. As his mother, I have all the rights to know that and you cannot deny me of knowing the truth.
Riddhima looked at her, almost rendered speechless at the words. She’d come here for steering clear of any attachment, but how could she tamper a son’s image in his mother’s eyes? If someone had insulted her before her mother, she wouldn’t have been able to live. And as a child of someone, she probably had no right to do this either.
Riddhima: Aunty, I…
“Aunty, you called me?”
Riddhima turned toward the door, almost thanking the person at the door. She didn’t want to be the reason of shaking a mother’s belief. She forced a smile on her lips and smiled at Angre who was waiting at the door. After their conversation the previous evening, she’d realised the several times she’d put across her arrogance before him and she knew she had to apologise to him.
Uma: Good morning, Angre! I hope you got a nice break from work yesterday evening.
Angre: Of course, Aunty. Your parties are always so relaxing, they always hit home. I know when I’m coming to a party hosted by your family, there can’t be a better way to spend time.
Uma (smiling): You always flatter me. Now, Come inside and help yourself with these cookies. I’ll ask Ramu to get some more of them. (looking at Riddhima) You also take some, Riddhima.
Riddhima picked up a cookie from the tray on the table and held it between her fingers firmly. Seconds later when Angre picked a cookie from the tray, a wave of shock and disbelief coursed within her. She looked at the ring on his finger carefully, noticing the intricate details and as he pulled his hand away, Riddhima looked up at him. She noticed his figure, his dishevelled hair styled backward, his scrunched shoulders and his height. She was sure that it was almost impossible for her assumptions to turn true. Although, as he turned around and weaved his way toward the bed, she saw him limp and she knew there could be no mistake.
She knew he was the one who’d tried assaulting her the previous evening. Her Boss, the person she respected unbelievably at work. The son-in-law of the Raisinghanias and, Ishani’s husband.
In the spur of that moment, several of Vansh’s words surfaced in her mind and she recalled the way he always spoke of saving his family. He’d told her once that his entire family was on one side and his twin was on another side. He’d told her that he loved Ishani more than himself and he’d never let anyone ruin her happiness.
Uma (turning around): Beta, about Vansh…
Riddhima (inhaling deeply and interrupting): I want to marry Vansh!
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Finally, that’d be it for this episode. I’m sure you guys know now why I’ve wanted to write this episode since forever. Now that it’s done, please do let me know your thoughts on this episode and in case of any changes, feel free to share them via the comments. Like always, Thank you for reading!
P.S.: This FF is based on a lot of familial relations, so it’s difficult to incorporate romance at all points, although I’m really trying for a balance between all the different genres/themes. This was also one of the reasons why I began writing “It Ends With Us” since that has a plot which is mostly driven by love and romance.