Chapter: Ashes and Unexpected Vows

Ravi stood outside Riya’s house, holding Inayat’s tiny hand.

He hadn’t gone there in months.

The door opened.

Riya’s mother froze for a second… then her eyes softened.

“Inayat!” she said, kneeling down and hugging her tightly.

Inayat laughed happily, running inside like it was still her second home.

Ravi stepped in slowly.

“I am sorry,” he said, voice heavy. “I couldn’t protect Riya.”

Riya’s father immediately shook his head.

“Don’t ever say that.”

Her mother added softly, “She was always happy with you. Very happy.”

Ravi’s eyes turned red.

“We are happy to see you,” her father continued. “Don’t ignore us. Bring Inayat often. She is our Riya’s part.”

Ravi nodded. “I will.”

For the first time in a long time, guilt inside him felt lighter.

At the temple, joy had just returned after the emotional storm between Veeresh and Poornima.

Then Rehan stood up suddenly.

“I have news,” he said, holding Gayathri’s hand.

Everyone looked at them.

“Gayathri is pregnant.”

For a moment, silence.

Then happiness exploded.

Devraj smiled proudly. His wife hugged Gayathri. Inayat clapped without understanding fully. Even Poornima smiled gently and hugged her sister.

But fate does not warn before it strikes.

While walking near the temple backyard, Rehan stepped unknowingly near the bushes.

A sharp cry.

Then chaos.

A snake slithered away.

Rehan collapsed.

“REHAN!” Gayathri screamed.

Within minutes, he was rushed to the nearest hospital.

Gayathri’s hands trembled as she kept repeating, “Nothing will happen… nothing will happen…”

Poornima held her tightly.

Veeresh stood frozen, calling doctors, arranging everything.

But sometimes effort is not enough.

The venom had spread too fast.

The doctor walked out quietly.

“I’m sorry.”

Gayathri’s scream echoed through the hospital corridor.

“No… no… no… Rehan get up… please…”

She shook his lifeless body.

Poornima cried watching her sister break like that.

Devraj closed his eyes in pain.

Ravi clenched his fists helplessly.

They brought Rehan home.

The Devraj mansion, which had celebrated weddings days ago, now echoed with funeral chants.

Gayathri sat numb.

Widowed.

Pregnant.

Broken.

Relatives began whispering.

Then louder.

“This girl is unlucky.”

“First marriage, now this.”

“The child brought bad fate.”

“She should leave. This is not good for the family.”

Poornima stood up angrily.

But before she could speak, Devraj’s voice thundered.

“Shut up!”

Everyone went silent.

“Don’t talk nonsense in my house. If you cannot speak good, get out.”

Some still muttered cruel words.

Ravi’s patience snapped.

He walked toward Gayathri.

She sat blankly, sindur wiped away, bangles broken.

Without thinking further—

Ravi picked up the sindur.

And filled her maang.

Gasps filled the hall.

“Ravi!” Devraj whispered in shock.

Ravi stood straight.

“This child is not unlucky,” he said firmly. “And Gayathri will not leave this house.”

He looked at the relatives.

“That child is mine now. And she is my responsibility.”

Silence.

Complete silence.

Gayathri looked at him in disbelief.

“Why…?” she whispered weakly.

Ravi knelt before her.

“Because no woman carrying a life deserves to be thrown out like a burden.”

Tears rolled down Gayathri’s cheeks.

“I already lost one woman I loved,” Ravi continued softly. “I won’t let another woman suffer because society is cruel.”

Devraj’s eyes filled with pride.

“Enough drama,” Ravi said calmly to the relatives. “All of you can leave.”

No one argued.

They left quietly.

Ravi helped Gayathri stand.

Inayat walked forward innocently and held Gayathri’s hand.

“Come,” Ravi said gently.

He took Gayathri to his room.

Not as a romantic husband.

But as a protector.

As a shield.

Poornima stood watching.

Her heart was heavy for her sister… but proud of Ravi.

Veeresh placed his hand on Poornima’s shoulder.

“Your family is strong,” he whispered.

Poornima nodded slowly.

That night, the Devraj mansion slept in silence.

One life ended.

One life began.

And one unexpected marriage was born—not from love—

But from responsibility.