✨THE DEITY CALLS-CHAPTER-19

Author's Note:

Before diving into this chapter, I just wanted to address something important. I've noticed in some stories that the word "Mama" often gets misunderstood, and sadly, it sometimes leads to unnecessary hate. 💔

In South Indian culture, the term "Mama" holds a deep and beautiful significance. It's not just a word—it's a way of showing respect, affection, and even love. ❤️ In many families, wives affectionately call their husbands "Mama" as a sign of endearment and a nod to tradition. Even to this day, my mother lovingly calls my father "Mama," and it's a sweet reminder of our roots.

I know we all come from different cultures and backgrounds, and that's what makes us so unique and beautiful. 🌍✨ So if this term feels unfamiliar or odd to you, that's okay! But let's remember to embrace diversity with kindness. 🫶 If you don't connect with it, that's perfectly fine—just please don't spread hate toward it or those who cherish it.

We're all here to enjoy a story, share emotions, and connect, so let's keep this space filled with love and respect. 💕 Thank you for understanding

Third pov:

It had been three blissful days of calm and joy. Priya sat on the balcony, her face glowing in the soft evening light. The gentle breeze played with her hair as she rested her hands protectively over her small baby bump. A smile crept onto her lips, growing wider when two strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Hey, wifey," Vishnu's deep voice teased in her ear, his hands slipping beneath the soft fabric of her saree to rub her belly gently."How's my queen doing today?"

Priya leaned back into him with a soft chuckle, "I'm fine, Mr. Husband," she replied cheekily before turning to bury her face in his chest. Vishnu pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head.

But Priya wasn't one to let things go unnoticed. She pulled back slightly, peering up at him with narrowed eyes. "I am noticing you for these past three days, Are you hiding something from me?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp.

Vishnu couldn't help but grin at her. She always read him like an open book, and while he loved that about her, he had to keep Rudhran's secret under wraps. Stroking her cheek with his thumb, he replied softly, "Nothing for you to worry about. When the time comes, you'll know everything, okay?"

Priya studied him for a moment before letting it slide. Her lips curled into a small smile. "Fine. But don't think you're off the hook, Vishnu."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he said with a wink.

Priya's gaze softened as she shifted topics. "I'm so happy for Rudhran and Aaradhya. They deserve this. We have to support them, Vish."

"Of course, we will," Vishnu replied without hesitation.

Asusual they both are sharing their sweet nothings, suddenly her expression faltered. She glanced down, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm scared, though. What if something happens to me... or our baby, Just like last time?"

Before she could finish her thought, Vishnu's hand shot up to gently cover her mouth. "Priya ma, stop right there," his tone firm yet tender. "Don't even think like that. You and our baby are my entire world. Nothing is going to happen this time. I'm here with you, and we've got this, okay?"

Priya's worried eyes searched his, and the reassurance in his voice melted her fears. She nodded slowly, leaning into his chest again.

To lighten the mood, "You know we are going somewhere!"

Priya tilted her head up, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Where are we going, Vishnu?"

Vishnu smirked,  "Rudhran's got it all planned. It's a family trip. That's all I'm saying."

Her face lit up instantly. "A family trip? Really? It's been so long!"

"Exactly," he said, pinching her cheek gently. "Pack your bag, wifey. The doctor gave the all-clear, and you deserve a little break."

Priya raised an eyebrow at him, her feisty side coming through. "You're telling me to pack? What about you, mister? Aren't you coming?"

He winked at her,  "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm a pro at last-minute packing. You, on the other hand, take forever just to decide which saree matches your earrings."

She swatted his arm, laughing despite herself. "You're impossible, Vishnu."

"And you love it," he shot back with a smug grin, pulling her closer. He pressed another kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if to remind her of the love and strength they shared.

Aaradhya pov:

I couldn't believe how happy I was. After three long years of emptiness since my parents' passing, I finally felt at peace—at ease, really, with him by my side. These past three days have been the best days of my life, full of warmth and love. It still feels a little overwhelming at times, especially when Patti, Gomathi Amma, and Sathya Appa found out and were so happy for us. I never imagined I would get to experience this kind of joy again. Patti was practically glowing, and seeing everyone so supportive made my heart swell with gratitude.

And then, after his confession—oh, I still couldn't get over that—things changed. I haven't seen Reena Madam around the house since then. Both Dhivya and Priya Akka couldn't stop teasing me, and while I was embarrassed, I couldn't help but laugh along with them.

That night, after everything had settled down, I met him on the terrace again. It had become our little place, a quiet corner where we could just be ourselves without any distractions. I felt a little more comfortable now, though I still got shy whenever he looked at me too intently.

As I stepped onto the terrace, the cool night air hit me, and I inhaled deeply, letting the breeze calm me. The lights from the street below made everything look so peaceful, so serene like the whole world was at rest. But my thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud "BOOO!"

I gasped, startled, my heart leaping into my throat as I whipped around to see him standing there, a playful grin on his face. I blinked, trying to regain my composure as I clutched my chest, still catching my breath.

"Scared you, didn't I?" he teased, his voice light with amusement.

I pouted, but I couldn't help but smile shyly. He chuckled and pinched my cheeks, then slung his arm around my shoulders, gently bumping his head with mine. I felt a little flutter in my chest as I stood there,  Everything felt different now between us—more real, more intimate. I wasn't sure how to navigate this new space we were in, and I felt a little unsure of myself.

His hand rested on my back, and his touch sent a warm, "Still shy, huh?" he murmured,  "You're not used to saying my name, are you?"

I felt the heat creep up my neck,  I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I... I don't know how," I admitted softly, The idea of calling him by his name made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't explain. I had grown up in a village where we were always taught to respect elders and address them formally. And he... well, he was someone I looked up to, someone commanding and authoritative. The thought of calling him by his name felt completely out of place, like I wasn't supposed to.

he looked at me with that gentle, understanding smile, and a mischievous glint flickered in his eyes. "Then how will you address me?" his voice playful but tender. "You know I'm even okay if you call me 'dei'." He chuckled, making the informal way of addressing someone seem so casual, even though I knew that was something lovers often say to each other.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I immediately shook my head frantically.

He laughed, amused at my reaction. "How will people call their husbands in your village, then?" he asked, his voice filled with teasing curiosity.

I hesitated,  "They'll call them 'mama,' or 'ennaga,'" I replied shyly, the words barely escaping my lips.

The moment the words left me, I realized how simple and loving they sounded. Something about those names—mama, ennaga—felt sweet, like a soft and comforting bond between two people who cared for each other deeply. My heart fluttered just thinking about it.

"Then after our marriage, how will you call me?" he asked so casually, his voice light, but the question caught me completely off guard. I bit my lip, trying to avoid his gaze.

I glanced up at him and mumbled, "How do you want me to call you?"

A soft, knowing smile tugged at his lips. "Can you call me mama?"  his voice holding a touch of longing, almost like he was daydreaming about it. His eyes softened as he waited for my response, and I felt a strange warmth spread through me.

I could feel my heart racing as I tried to fight the overwhelming shyness, but something about the way he looked at me—so gentle, so tender—made it impossible to resist. I barely whispered the word, but it slipped out naturally, "Mama."

As I whispered the word, "Mama," his eyes seemed to light up instantly, like a spark had been ignited in him. There was a softness in his gaze, an almost dreamy look that made my heart race faster. His expression softened, and I could see how much the word affected him.

"Again, please?" his voice barely above a whisper, , as though he was completely lost in the moment, savoring the words I had just said. It was like he wanted to hear it again, like it was the sweetest thing he had ever heard.

I felt my cheeks burn, but the moment was too beautiful to resist. I shyly repeated it, "Mama," barely able to meet his gaze, feeling my chest tighten with the vulnerability of it all.

His face lit up even more, and I saw the warmth flood his eyes. A dreamy smile spread across his lips, and his arms pulled me closer, as though he couldn't bear to be apart from me for even a second. "I love it so much when you call me that," his voice filled with affection, like he was cherishing every syllable.

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, holding me close, as he whispered, "You don't know how much that means to me, Aaradhya."

I was lost in the softness of his touch, the warmth of his embrace, and the way his affection made me feel like I was everything to him.

He held my hand gently, his thumb tracing soft circles over my skin as we sat together under the open sky. His voice was so soothing, so captivating, as he talked about everything and nothing at the same time. He shared little stories about his childhood, his dreams.

And then, his tone softened as he spoke about his mother. "My amma... Sumathy. She was the kindest person I've ever known," he said, his voice full of warmth and love. I could see the tenderness in his eyes as he talked about her. "She always believed in me, no matter what. She used to say I was her strength, but really, she was mine."

I watched him carefully, my heart aching a little at the raw emotion in his voice. I wanted to say something, to comfort him, but I didn't know how. I just held his hand a little tighter, hoping he could feel my support. I hesitated, biting my lip nervously before finally whispering, "Mama... can I ask you something?"

He turned to me immediately, his dreamy smile returning as he replied, "Tell me, ma."

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. I didn't know if I should ask, but the question had been weighing on my mind. "Why... why aren't you speaking with your father?"

His smile faltered slightly, and I felt my heart sink. Did I ask something I shouldn't have? Was it too personal? I quickly started to backtrack. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

But he stopped me with a gentle squeeze of my hand. "It's okay, Aaradhya," he said softly. "You don't have to apologize."

I saw something raw in his eyes—pain, anger, and something deeper, something that had been buried for years. "You deserve to know, Aaradhya," he said quietly. "Especially since... he's the one who brought you here."

I blinked, confused by his words.

"My father... Rajendran,"  his voice laced with disgust. "He wasn't the man everyone thought he was. To the world, he was this respectable businessman, a devoted husband, a caring father. But behind all that... he was a liar. A cheater."

I gasped softly, my eyes widening, but I stayed silent, letting him continue.

"For years, he kept a secret,"  his voice growing colder. "He had another woman—Yamuna. My so-called stepmother. While my mother, Sumathy, gave her whole life to him, loving him, trusting him... he betrayed her. He cheated on her with Yamuna, and they had a son. Ajay."

My hand tightened around his instinctively, and he glanced at me, his expression softening/

"I didn't know," he continued, "None of us did. My mother... she didn't know. Not until I was fifteen. That's when the truth came out. He couldn't hide it anymore. And do you know what it did to her, Aaradhya? It broke her. Completely."

I felt my chest tighten, my throat aching as I imagined the pain his mother must have gone through. "What happened?" I asked softly, afraid of the answer.

"She... she couldn't take it," his voice barely above a whisper. "She took her own life."

I gasped, my free hand flying to my mouth. My heart ached for him, for his mother, for everything they had endured. Tears pricked at my eyes as I watched him struggle to keep his composure.

"That was all Yamuna needed," he continued bitterly. "She waltzed into our lives, claiming her 'rightful' place as his second wife. She brought Ajay with her, and my father let her. He let her take over everything. Our home, our lives. He didn't even try to fight it. It was like my mother never existed."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The man who had brought me to this house, who had seemed so kind, so fatherly—he had done this? He had destroyed his own family?

"I hate them," he said,  "Both of them. Yamuna, and Ajay. But most of all, I hate him. My father. He let it happen. He let her replace my mother, erase her from our lives. He doesn't deserve forgiveness."

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I listened, my heart breaking for him. I wanted to say something, anything, but I didn't know how. What could I possibly say to ease that kind of pain?

"You're stunned, aren't you?" he asked suddenly, looking at me. His voice was softer now, but the pain was still there. "Knowing that the man who brought you here... who brought us together... is the same man who destroyed my family?"

I nodded slowly, unable to find my voice.

"I don't blame you for being shocked," he said. "You're... you're the only good thing he's ever done for me."

His words made my heart ache and flutter at the same time. I wiped at my tears quickly, not wanting him to see me cry. "Mama," I whispered hesitantly, "I... I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to say anything," he said, pulling me closer. His hand came up to gently wipe away a stray tear from my cheek. "Just... promise me you'll never leave me. I don't think I could take losing someone I care about again."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I promise," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion.

his expression softening slightly "After everything happened, my grandfather stepped in," he began, . "He's the only one who stood by me when my world fell apart. thatha sent me to Canada. He said it would be good for me, a fresh start away from all the pain here."

I listened intently, the warmth in his voice when he spoke about his grandfather making my heart ache a little less.

"Thatha was my anchor," he continued. "He made sure I had everything I needed. Not just financially—he was always there, even from miles away. He called me every week, sometimes every day. He reminded me I wasn't alone, even when it felt like I was."

I smiled softly, sensing how much his grandfather meant to him. "He sounds like a wonderful man," I said quietly.

"He is," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I owe everything to him. He didn't just send me to Canada to study—he sent Vishnu with me."

"thatha trusted him to look out for me, and he did. Vishnu's the reason I didn't lose myself completely back then. He kept me grounded. And together, we started managing thatha's business in Canada."

I could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke about their achievements. "We expanded the company, built new partnerships, and made a name for ourselves there. It wasn't easy, but Dada's belief in me kept me going. Every time I felt like giving up, I thought of him. Of how much faith he had in me."

I reached out instinctively, placing my hand over his. "You've worked so hard," I said softly. "And your thatha must be so proud of you."

Rudhran mama eyes softened as he looked at me. "He is," he said. "But I'm proud of him too. He's been the pillar of our family, the one who kept everything from falling apart. Even after everything my father did... thatha never gave up on me, I am devastated when he passed away."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the stars above. "When patti called me back to Chennai for the company's 50th anniversary, I couldn't say no. I came back for him, for the legacy he built, not for my father. I wanted to honor Dada, to show him that everything he taught me wasn't in vain."

I felt a lump in my throat as I listened. His love and respect for his grandfather were so genuine, so pure. "You're lucky to have him," I said.

"I know," he replied, turning back to me. "And I'm lucky to have you too, Aaradhya. Dada was the reason I stayed strong all these years, and now... now, you're my reason to keep going."

He, noticing the sudden weight in the air, gave my hand a gentle squeeze. His lips curved into a playful smile, "Enough of this heavy stuff, ma. I don't want to see you with that serious face," he said, tilting his head to look at me.

I blinked, startled out of my thoughts. "What serious face?"  my brows furrowing slightly.

"This one," he said, leaning in close and dramatically squinting his eyes as if imitating me. "The one that makes you look like you're calculating how much turmeric to put in sambhar."

I burst out laughing despite myself, covering my mouth with my free hand. "I do not look like that!"

He grinned, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Oh, you do, Aaru ma. Especially when you're lost in thought."

The breeze brushed past us, cool and gentle, as he pulled me closer into his arms. His embrace was soft but secure, and when he kissed the top of my head, "Aaradhya, be ready—just one day,to go" he whispered near my ear.

I blinked, tilting my head up to look at him, confused. "Ready for what?" I asked, my brows furrowing slightly. His face broke into one of those secretive smiles that always made my heart flutter.

"You'll know tomorrow," he said, his tone playful yet filled with meaning.

I wanted to ask more, but something about the way he said it, so full of confidence, made me stop. Whatever it was, I trusted him. I always did. Smiling softly, I leaned my head against his chest, letting his heartbeat soothe my curiosity.

Third pov:

The next day

As per Rudhran and Vishnu plan, they settled everything. The living room was alive with chatter and movement as the entire family gathered,  Even Yamuna and Rajendran too Yamuna's eyes occasionally darted around with thinly veiled annoyance. Ajay sat beside his mother, clearly disinterested, his posture slouched and detached. Dhivya,  had pulled Aaradhya closer to her, her teasing smile causing Aaradhya to blush faintly. Ganga Patti was seated near Priya, sharing advice about pregnancy, while Sathya and Gomathi couldn't stop doting on Priya, showering her with love and attention.

Ganga patti sat proudly in her chair, her sharp eyes scanning the room with satisfaction. But as soon as Rudhran stepped forward, her focus shifted entirely to him. "Rudhra, kanna,"  her voice warm and curious. "What's this sudden gathering? Why did you call us all here?"

Rudhran smiled softly, his gaze briefly lingering on Aaradhya, who quickly looked away, her heart fluttering under his watchful eyes. Straightening, he turned back to his patti and said with a playful grin, "Well, patti, you've been saying for a long time now that we should all visit our family deity, haven't you?"

Ganga patti's face immediately lit up,  "Yes, yes! I've been saying that for ages! If we all go together and pray, good things will surely come our way," she said enthusiastically.

Rudhran and Vishnu exchanged a knowing glance, a smirk tugging at their lips. "As you wish, patti," Rudhran said smoothly. "We've already made arrangements. Everyone will be going to the family deity's temple together."

The room erupted in various reactions. Ganga patti beamed with delight, already mumbling prayers of gratitude under her breath. Sathyan, practically jumped out of his seat, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "Ah, this is great! It's been so long since we've gone as a family! Rudhra, you've done well!" he said, clapping Rudhran on the back with pride.

he said, his tone calm but firm. "Aaradhya will also accompany us to the temple"

His words sent a ripple of warmth through Aaradhya, who fidgeted with the pallu of her saree, her cheeks burning. Dhivya bit back a laugh. Rudhran continued, "Everything's been arranged. I've already booked flight tickets for us to travel to our native place. We leave tomorrow."

The announcement caused another wave of chatter to ripple through the room, with Gomathi practically bouncing on his feet. "Tomorrow? Perfect! This is going to be such a memorable trip," her voice full of excitement.

Rudhran's gaze found Aaradhya again, and though she tried to avoid his eyes,He walked over to Ganga patti and gently held her hand. "This is for you, patti. We're going to do this together as a family."

As the room settled, the mix of emotions was clear—enthusiasm from some, disinterest from others—but Rudhran's calm authority kept everything in check. And Aaradhya? She stood quietly in the corner, her mind spinning as she wondered what this trip would bring and what it meant for her place in Rudhran's world.

Hey guy! 🌸

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