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Author pov
Indra's guilt and disappointment were only increasing day by day. Even if Tulasi didn't say anything, he could feel her sadness. He didn't know how to fix his mistake. The mistake he made while being drunk.
He quit drinking after that day. He swore to the gods that he would never touch alcohol again.
Since Rudra's marriage is in 2 days, Saraswathi sent a guard from her house to inform Indra to visit her house for some rituals. And also to bring Tulasi with him.
Anuja was unhappy about this because the house belongs to the people that brought bad things to them.
"Don't go there, and don't even think about taking Tulasi there. The house just gone through deaths and belongs to widowed women. We can't enter it. What if they affect tulasi? It may also affect the future offspring of tulasi." Anuja says.
Indra shook his head and sighed "Maa, you're overthinking. Those all are superstitions, and Sugandha will soon be this house's daughter-in-law. There's nothing wrong with us going there."
"You don't understand! I won't allow you to step into that house." Anuja says while walking towards him.
"Maa, will you stop it!! I know you hate this marriage, but please stop saying stupid things. I'm already going through so much. Let me do what is right" Indra said in a pissed tone. He didn't sleep these days. The last time he slept well was before the incident. He was slowly going into depression, but no one noticed it.
Indra didn't even bother listening to Anuja and took Tulasi with him. He was about to say something horrible if he stayed there longer; that's why he left hurriedly.
The couple reached the house of the expired Vardhan. Indra got flashbacks of the memories that happened here. It ruined his mood, but now that they're dead, he wants this to be the new beginning.
The couple made their way inside. Saraswathi was waiting for them outside.
"It's nice seeing you again. Please come in" she said while covering her head.
They all made their way inside, and Tulasi was looking around.
"Sorry for bothering you people…. I can't perform any rituals since my husband and son…" Saraswathi couldn't finish her sentence. It was too emotional for her.
Tulasi walked towards her and rubbed her back, trying to console her. "Please don't be sad. We're here for you."
Saraswathi looks at her and smiles with tears, then nods. "yes… I have Sugandha and you guys."
Tulasi smiles under her headcover. She steps back when she hears Sugandha walking towards them.
She tries to take a good look at her. She looks a lot better now, compared to that day when Tulasi saw her for the first time.
"It's fine… It's just me here. You women can remove your headcovers and talk peacefully." Indra said.
They all did just that, and Sugandha looked at Tulasi; she thinks that she's very beautiful. Tulasi saw Sugandha's face clearly now; she looks beautiful without all those bruises.
Then Saraswathi turned to look at Tulasi; she couldn't see her properly when she visited the house that day. She took a good look at her face. She thinks that she met her somewhere before. She looked so familiar to Saraswathi.
She did recollect those memories, and then her eyes widened; she was the girl that she saved from getting crashed years ago. She clearly remembers it since she's the one who admitted Tulasi into the hospital herself and also paid the fee.
"Y… Your...y... yo-" before Saraswathi could finish, Tulasi held her hand with a forced smile.
"L… Let's discuss about the wedding preparations already." Tulasi tried to divert the conversation and shook her head as no without Indra noticing.
Saraswathi understood the situation and kept quiet, then nodded.

When I saw that woman, my body froze. I never expected to see her again. I remember her face very well, since she's the one who saved me that day. What a small world; now she's going to be my relative. I gulped. What if she tells everything to Indra ji? No... no... I can't let that happen.
Thankfully, I stopped her before she said anything about that incident.
The whole afternoon we talked about the wedding with a pandit ji. Since Sugandha's first husband died just a month ago, the pandit ji asked them to do some stuff before the wedding.
The whole time I could feel Saraswathi chachi looking at me. I was praying that she wouldn't mention anything about it.
Eventually, it was time for us to leave. She asked to stay for lunch, but Indra ji refused.
Sugandha and I also talked for a while, and she seemed like a kind person. She endured a lot; I hope she finds her happiness soon.
The time passed, and we left for our house. I really wanted to tell Saraswathi ji to not talk about it to anyone, but I didn't get the chance to be alone with her. I prayed to meet her again soon before she told anyone about it.
"Tulasi… we reached." I heard Indra Ji's voice, and I broke out of my thoughts.
"J..ji" I got down and was about to walk inside, but Indra ji held my hand.
I looked back, and Indra ji was already looking at me with…. hopeful eyes.
"Tulasi, i… please forgive me. I... I know that I don't deserve it, but at least tell me that you'll give me a chance." Indra ji asked.
I didn't know what to say or do. Since the day it happened to this very day. He apologized every single day. He begged for my forgiveness, but I refused to talk about it.
He told me that he quit drinking and is also learning to control his anger. I can see that he's going through a lot inside. But… I'm not ready to forgive him yet. I love him; I love him so much... But I also want him to realize the severity of his mistake. I can see it's slowly getting into his heart. He changed a lot. He doesn't eat much and sleeps late. He looks sleep deprived.
"Indra ji, we're outside. I don't want anyone to hear about this. Let's go inside. I…I'm hungry." I said and walked inside after retrieving my hand back.
I lied, but that's the only way I can escape. I saw Maa ji was waiting for us. Before I stepped inside the main door, she stopped me.
"Go and wash your feet and hands before you step inside." She said while handing me a jug of water.
I didn't argue and complied. Indra ji also did the same.

She again refused to forgive me…. Ofcourse, I don't deserve it. But… my heart can't handle this guilt anymore.
The whole month, I tried to keep myself busy with these thoughts but failed. I wanted to hurt myself so many times, but… My people needed me.
I watched her going inside our room. Maa was angry with me, so she didn't talk much. Rudra was busy with the work that I gave him.
I wanted my mind to be at peace again…. I made my way towards the nearest temple barefoot.
Once I reached, I walked straight to Lord Rama's place. I got on my knees and bent down. Praying to Lord Rama. I just stayed there for several minutes, and then I heard the voice of a man.
"Who are you…? You've been praying in that position for too long. What are your wishes, hmm?" The man looked like a priest.
I stood up. "I was just asking for forgiveness for my sin."
"Don't worry, the lord always has your back. Every human makes mistakes; yours will also be forgiven." He said.
"What if it's unforgivable? Then?" I asked.
"Nothing in this universe is unforgivable. Once you realize your mistakes and change for good. The god will definitely forgive you. He's the father to everyone… and he always gives a chance to his kids to redeem themselves." The man said with a smile. His words made me feel like there's some hope.
"I want to redeem myself. Infront of God and for my wife" I told him with hope and determination.
The priest smiled and asked me. "how do you want to redeem yourself, son?"
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