Malaal Ongoing G

Malaal-Chapter 2

Published On Saturday,Jul 18, 2020 12:58 PM GMT-06:00

Chapter 2

Radha was always suspicious of Rashi, maybe because Rashi used to plot against Gopi earlier and Urmila was always very vocal about her dislike for Gopi. But moreover, Radha was low-key jealous of Gopi’s bonding with Rashi. Since Gopi had spent all her life with Rashi, it was obvious that she was more close to her than Radha. On the other hand, Radha had always longed for the love of her sibling and when when finally had the chance, she couldn’t digest that she wasn’t the centre of attention for Gopi. All of it had been piling up slowly, with Kokila’s interfering nature acting as an add on. Radha, in her late teens, and never been guided morally, would naturally be attracted to many men, even if it meant Ahem and Jigar. She had a slight crush on Ahem in her early days, but his stern nature put a bad taste in her mouth. Until one day she saw a shirtless Jigar working out in the open. It injected a feeling of lust in her. Jigar had always been a sexy man, but the thing that would make any woman fall for her, was his friendly and caring nature. Radha had all the reasons to do what she would do.

She wanted Jigar. She wanted Gopi. She didn’t want Kokila. She didn’t want Rashi. And she had a perfect plan to get all of it.

“Come on Radha. All you have to do is to slowly play your cards right.”, she thought.

**************************

“Jigar Ji stop!”, Rashi whispered, as she tried to wriggle out of his grip. They were standing right around the kitchen wall, with Hetal and Kokila inside.

Jigar wouldn’t. She had been teasing him all morning while having breakfast and knew that he had to go to the office. But little did she know the effect she had on him.

“I won’t let you go today. So stop struggling and keep quiet.”, he said, pinning her slowly with the wall.

She went silent suddenly. It was a strange time and definitely a dangerous place to do all this, but did Rashi ever avoid taking risks? Her silence gave him the signal he wanted. He closed on her and slightly kissed her neck. She kept her hand on her mouth to prevent a moan. He moved his hand to the exposed skin of her flat tummy and caressed her. She was shivering a bit. Their lovemaking was interrupted by Meethi’s shout.

“Arre Nanibhabhi!”, she shouted and when Rashi and Jigar turned, they saw Meethi looking at them and then in the direction of the kitchen. They realised that Meethi was giving them the signal that Kokila was coming. They separated quickly, avoiding to think what Meethi saw and Jigar walked away. Rashi quickly caressed her saree.

“Meethi, why are you shouting?”, Kokila came.

“Actually there was a cockroach around the dining table.”, Meethi said nervously. Kokila looked at her suspiciously.

“Meethi, come with me to the balcony. Let’s get the clothes. Come quickly.”, Rashi dragged Meethi away.

“Now tell me, what did you see?”, Rashi asked her, once they were there.

“I saw you two...”, Meethi said awkwardly.

“Why did you keep watching us? You should’ve left.”, Rashi scolded her.

“Actually Rashi bhabhi, it was so shocking, I couldn’t move.”, Meethi said, surpressing laughter.

“What? Why are you laughing? Come on, help me with the clothes now, hunh.”, Rashi said, with discomfort. After some time Meethi left, leaving Rashi musing about Jigar’s touch.

Radha had come on the balcony. She knew what to do.

“Rashiben. Have you thought about it?”, she asked suddenly.

Rashi turned around and saw her with a puzzled expression. “Thought about what?”

“Arre Rashiben, the anniversary gift that you will give to Jigar Jiju?”, she said.

It hit Rashi. Their wedding anniversary was days away and she hadn’t even thought about it.

“Oh no, I should’ve thought about it earlier. I had been so busy with the kids, I forgot it completely.”, she said worried.

“I knew it Rashiben. That’s why I have already thought about it. I think you should gift Jiju a pet. You know that he loves animals.”, she said slowly.

Rashi thought it over. It reminded her of the time when she and Jigar had been reconciled due to an injured pigeon. Radha was trying to gauge her reaction. She needed a yes on it.

“Nice idea Radha! I will go to a pet shop today only. Thanks.”, she exclaimed.

“No Rashiben, no need to do that. You know when me and Ma Baba used to travel, I had befriended a guy called Varun. He used to supply exotic animals to zoos and exhibitions. He had so many cute puppies, exotic and low of cost. Something you won’t even find in the best pet shops in Rajkot.”, she said, pretending to imagine a flashback.

“Really? Wow. But what about that? Are you still in contact with Varun?”, Rashi enquired.

“Yes Rashiben, Varun and I became good friends. You should meet him for the deal. Jiju would love the gift.”, she said.

Gopi had been listening to the conversation while passing by. She smiled and decided to keep quiet about it. After all, Rashi had every right to select a gift for Jigar. Gopi must concentrate on her present for Ahem ji. Also, she was happy to see Radha volunteering to help Rashi. It would make their relationship better.

“I would send you his number, okay Rashiben? You call him and decide about the pet okay.”, Radha said with a sense of relief.

*********************

“Call her only when she and Jigar would be close together.” Radha messaged Varun.

“But how would I know that?”, Varun replied.

“You fool! Obviously I will message you that time. I will keep an eye on them.” she replied.

Rashi had tried to call him all day, and as planned, his number had been busy. He would call her when the time was right.

“Ahem ke papa, aap samajh nahi rahe hain. Mota Bhai ko thoda intezaar karna chahye tha, yeh nirnay lene se pehle. Aakhir Jigar abhi kaam mai utna maahir nahi hua hai. Tab tak Ahem hi saara sambhal leta.”

Kokila was roaming around her room and trying to convince Parag against Chirag’s decision. She was strongly apprehensive of Urmila’s intentions. All she wanted was some time, to see whether Urmila was really a threat or not.

Rashi was approaching with tea for Kokila, when she heard it all. Tears developed in her eyes and she walked off.

“She would always only think about his son and daughter in law. Why is she so selfish about her own immediate family? Why can’t she be happy for all of us?”, these questions were ramming into Rashi’s head, and all she could do was to pray that Chirag doesn’t change his decision.

“Koki. I understand your concern. But let’s give Jigar a chance. After all, it’s his rightful inheritance. He hasn’t held a high position in the company for so long but never complained. He deserves this.”, Parag said calmly.

“Okay. Yes, I think I am being too apprehensive. After all, he’s a father now. He must get what he rightfully deserves.”, she replied after a long pause.

She realised that she just needed to be careful about Urmila and nothing else. And that was not a big deal for her smart brain.

“Rashi, where’s my black T-shirt?”, Jigar shouted.

“What? Look carefully. It’s there in the cupboard.”, Rashi said without looking up.

“Why would I ask if it was here? I am not blind.”, Jigar said irritated.

“Uff, get a side. Let me see.”, Rashi came closer to the cupboard, when she saw Jigar smiling. She knew it.

“Not again...”, she squealed, while Jigar pinned her against the cupboard.

“Haha, you really thought I was looking for the black T-shirt?”, he said and kissed her cheek.

Rashi shifted under his weight. She wouldn’t let him dominate her this time. She wanted him. More.

Rashi managed to bring her hands to his shoulders and kissed his neck. He loved it when she dominated him. Suddenly her phone rang. Jigar knew that she would ignore it, but her face turned serious and she ran to the phone. She looked hesitantly at him and moved out of the room to talk.

Jigar stood their shocked. “Is everything okay? Why did her body language change like that?”, he thought.

**************************

It had been some days since this incident, and Jigar couldn’t help grow suspicious. Every time Rashi had that call, she would move away to talk, as if she was hiding something. He had asked her about it, but she had smartly brushed it off. He was definitely growing anxious by the day, until finally it dawned upon him.

“Umm, I love you.” That’s what he had heard her say. Saying it to the person on the call.

“It could’ve been some girl from her college or something.”, his mind would say. But he knew that something was wrong. He didn’t approach Rashi that night. He pretended to sleep, until he had the chance to spy on her phone. That’s the only thing he was left with.

He looked at his wife, sleeping on his side. So beautiful, so naughty and absolutely stunning. He separated himself from these thoughts and went on to check her phone. He searched the call logs and found the name ‘Varun’. 3 days. 25 attempted calls. 5 received calls. And then he saw the message: “Ya, I’ll meet you tomorrow at Desert & Desserts Cafe at 1:00 pm.”

Jigar’s head was spinning. He didn’t want to think what he was thinking. But he just couldn’t help it. He had heard her say ‘I love you’ to Varun. She’s been keeping her calls a secret. She’s been talking to him much. And now, she’s meeting him. He quickly drank some water and tried to get some sleep, in vain.

Next morning, Rashi was buzzing with excitement. After all, she had to bring the pup today, hand it over to her mother, till her anniversary. Varun had asked her about what she would like to get printed on his neck collar. ‘I love you’ or ‘My sweetheart’. She had chosen the former. “Jigar ji is going to love it, I’m sure.”, she thought.

“Rashiben!”. She was brought back to reality by Radha’s scream.

“What happened Radha? Why are you screaming? You gave me a heart attack!”, Rashi exclaimed.

Radha was laughing hysterically. “Rashiben, I’d been talking to you for minutes when I realised that you were lost in thoughts. Is everything okay? Are you thinking about what Kokila kaki is doing?”, she added, with a voice of concern. Her manipulation was about to start.

Rashi looked surprised. “What are you talking about? What’s Kakiji doing?”

“Huh? You don’t know?”, Radha said slowly, attempting to show that she said it by mistake.

“Radha, what is it? Tell me now.”, Rashi’s fears were elevating. And so were Radha’s dreams.