Malaal- Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

“Baa, come.”, Parag said as he escorted Baa down from the car.

“Arre wow, Rashi has made such a beautiful and grand house, I knew that our Rashi was talented.”, she said proudly and everyone smiled for a moment.

Just then, a car stopped and Rashi came out of it. She was accompanied by Ishan and Harshad. She was in all black, like usual.

The moment Rashi approached them, her heart stopped for a long moment. Jigar was standing right in front of her.

Both of their worlds paused. Rashi kept on looking at his face, all her pretence, all her anger, all are regrets vanished for a moment and all one could see was love and longing on her face, and a hidden smile struggling to come to the fore. Jigar, on the other hand wanted to hug her, beg for her forgiveness, hold her tightly and cry till his tears get exhausted. Rashi was about to cry when suddenly everything came back to her. She began to hear every single word Jigar had said that day. Every single thing he had done, the money on her face, the bodies of her children, the poisonous insults that he had hurled upon her, the years that she drank down with alcohol, the nights that she spent crying. She brought herself back with all the might that she was left with.

She dragged her feet past Jigar, who kept on staring into nothingness. Rashi passed by the whole Modi Family, but stopped to greet Baa.

“Jai Shri Krishna Baa.”, she said and managed to smile.

“Jai Shri Krishna maari dikri. I am so proud of you Rashi dikra.”, Baa said and hugged her a bit.

Rashi nodded and went inside. Ishan and Harshad followed. Gaayu came running to Rashi.

“Rashi Di are you okay now?”, she asked panicked. She then looked at the whole Modi Family standing behind. 

“Gaayu, these are my ex in laws, who will be staying here as guests. Give them all your services, after all I am one of the biggest names of this city and my hospitality should be great, isn’t it?”, Rashi said as she walked to her room. 

The Modi Family was struck by the grandeur and beauty of the house. It was one of the most classic designs that they had ever seen.

“Ishan, I’ll be back tomorrow.”, Harshad said as he left past the Modis.

Ishan glared at the Modi Family.

“Gaayu, show them their rooms and all. I’ll be staying with Rashi for the night. Get food and medicines in the room itself. Also, get my spare clothes from the guest room cupboard.”, he said as he walked into Rashi’s room.

Everyone’s was surprised. What relation did Ishan and Rashi share? What about Harshad? 

These questions were ramming into each of their heads but none said it. 

Ishan going into Rashi’s room made Jigar’s heart burn, but he knew that he deserved it. He left Rashi when she had needed him the most and came back when she had it all. He definitely deserved every single pain that Rashi would give him, and he was ready to bear it all silently.

“Umm, you all take a seat please. I’ll get the rooms ready in an hour or so.”, Gaayu said as she turned to go. She turned back.

“Also, it’s my request to you all, don’t go in her room even by mistake. Even I’m not allowed in when she’s alone or with Ishan sir.”, she added.

“Why is it so?”, Hetal wondered loudly.

“Because she doesn’t want anyone except Ishan sir to see her cry her heart out everyday.”, Gaayu said and went away.

Kokila sat there distressed. She just couldn’t see anyone in so much pain. Especially her own family member. 

Jigar looked around the house. Dark. It wasn’t definitely what Rashi’s taste used to be. She had changed, he realised.

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“Come on Rashi. I told you, I am with you. We will sort this out together.”, Ishan said as he hugged her softly.

Rashi didn’t say a word. She just closed her eyes and laid next to him.

“Rashi?”, Ishan asked.

“I just hate them. And the more they try to hurt me by doing these tactics, the more I would hate them.”, she said, tired.

“Rashi, forget about what’s happening around and sleep. You need to restore your health to make a bang on comback!”, Ishan said and tucked her in her bed. 

Rashi smiled sadly and closed her eyes. After a long time, she finally drifted off to sleep. Ishan looked at her thoughtfully.

“I’ll try my best to make sure that you don’t get hurt by them again.”, he said with himself, and drifted to sleep on the couch.

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