Malaal- Chapter 12

Chapter 12:

The Modi Family silently sat on the dining table, no one had any appetite, but they had to act strong. Jigar was silently eating his food, regret clearly written on his eyes. Hetal decided to give him emotional support and shifted to the chair beside him.

“Jigar dikra, see everything will be fine. We all will find out Rashi. Don’t be so sad, it can affect your health.”, she said and tried to smile. She expected an answer. A yes. Or a no. Some emotional rant. But all she got was silence. After some moments, Jigar spoke up, only to say, “Mom, you are sitting at Rashi’s place.”

Everyone looked at Jigar and then at each other. Hetal nodded and moved away with saying anything.

“Come, it’s time for the pooja.”, Kokila said as she stood up. Everyone nodded and followed suit. Except Jigar.

“Jigar, come dikra.”, Hetal asked him.

He shook his head. “I am sorry Ma, but I won’t come for the pooja.”

The whole family was shocked and looked at him in disbelief. 

“Jigar! Enough now! This is pooja, not some recreation that you will ‘choose’ to come or not.”,  Chirag scolded him. Parag nudged Chirag’s arm and signalled him to calm down.

“I am sorry, but I won’t. Until I have Rashi beside me again.”, he coldly said and left the hall.

Ahem followed him to his room. He saw Jigar look at Rashi’s paintings all around. It was a bit nauseating for Ahem to have paintings of a person all around, especially of the one who had left their lives.

He kept his hand on Jigar’s shoulder. “Jigar, see I understand your pain. After all, she’s the love of your life. But you can’t just stop doing everything because of that. You can’t just stop living.”, he said.

Jigar turned around with tears in his eyes. “Exactly Bhai. One can’t just stop living. But I have. And that’s how I want it to be. It’s a punishment for me. I have a request Bhai. I promise I won’t irritate anyone of you for my emotional turmoil, but please let me be. Leave me on my own.”, he pleaded.

Ahem had tears in his eyes. His fun and caring brother had suddenly changed into a sad and helpless man, in a matter of a day.

Ahem nodded. He hugged him tight. 

“Jigar, you will definitely meet her again. My heart feels that.”, he said and separated from him. 

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“Good morning Rashhhi!”, Ishan entered her room all excited. He saw Rashi shift a bit under her quilt. She looked so peaceful in sleep. Unlike her conflicted life. Ishan smiled sadly.

“Offo, let me sleep Jigarji.”, she said and went back to sleep.

Ishan sighed. “And she was saying that she doesn’t love him anymore.”, he thought and rolled his eyes. He went closer and nudged her.

“Hello Ms Rashi! Get out of your dreams. Wake up and get ready for your day. This is not Rajkot!”, he said loudly.

Rashi sat up with a jerk. “What is it Jigar-“, she said when she suddenly realised where she was. She felt like crying again. 

“When the hell is he going to leave me!”, she shouted in frustration.

“The moment you leave him.”, Ishan said calmly. Rashi looked at him with a tired expression.

“Okay forget this and let me tell you this: Get ready for your interview. It’s at 12 noon sharp.”, he said. 

Rashi stared at him. “Interview? Did we talk about it? Where? Wha-“, she said in panic.

“Will you let me answer?”, Ishan asked.

Rashi kept quiet and nodded.

“So yeah, I saw your qualifications yesterday and lucky you, the company where I work; Regal Hues Fashion Ltd, has job vacancies in its Finance Department. You have to go for an interview today!”, he said.

Rashi couldn’t control her smile. Nervousness and joy crept on her simultaneously. 

“I am a bit nervous.”, she said. Ishan shook his head.

“You aren’t the one to feel nervous Rashi. You aren’t one of those.”, he declared.

Rashi felt an immediate sense of pride. She had to fight her woes, her memories and her feelings and this was a great opportunity for that.

“I will land the job. Just watch.”, she thought and smiled.

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Note: Sorry for the late and short update. Will upload more soon! By the way, tell me if you want me to publish another fun RaJi story(many chapters of which are ready already), or you want to wait for this one to end? Love love!