Trials Of Fire Ongoing G

Epi 144 Ch 74 Advay In Spain Chandni In paris, who misses whom?

Published On Wednesday,Jun 23, 2021 10:13 AM GMT-06:00

Advay dropped his laptop on the bed carelessly. He had carried data for his huge list of task items. He had always been a workaholic and while in London, it had not mattered at all. But, after reconciliation with Chandni, Pooja had warned him time and again to maintain work-life balance. While on honeymoon, he had further curtailed his work focus but it never left his mind. Since Chandni had not accompanied him, he found this opportunity ideal to catch up on his work, both the company work as well as the philanthropic project started for village betterment. The village project responsibility he had partly delegated to Miku; yet he preferred keeping tabs on the progress himself.

Before starting work, he contemplated whether to call up Chandni. Had she been able to sleep through the night? Would she respond to his call? Or whether she still needed space further, as said by Pooja?

He chose to call Naani instead.

“Good Morning, Naani. Hope I didn't disturb you?”

“Arre Chiku Beta, what disturb are you taking about?” There was laugh in Naani's voice, “Tell me you guys reached safely?”

“I reached safely, Naani.” Advay wondered whether Naani knew that Chandni had not accompanied him?

“You? And where is Chandni, then?”

“Why? Isn't she at home there in Paris? Have you not met her for morning pooja?”

“After reaching here, where is she attending Pooja regularly?” This time Naani was teasing and Advay blushed at the other end. “Nobody was there so I did the pooja myself.....But why Chiku? Couldn't you bring her round to going with you?”

“I tried Naani, I tried sincerely. But you know how she is....she blocks all communication.” Naani was the only person to whom he took complaints about Chandni. “Pooja advised me to give Chandni her space; so I didn't push.”

“Utter rubbish!”Naani was irked. “I don't understand you new generation people. You make big issue about space. A married couple should be able to enjoy their space while being with each other.”

“Shall I call her now, Naani?”Advay desperately wanted to speak to Chandni, though he didn't know what he would say now. Maybe request her once again to come over. Things could be amended even now.

“She has refused to budge in to your persuasion, right? Now don't call her at all. Wait for her to call you. Tit for tat works sometimes.”Naani was tutoring her grandson on tricks in marriage which she had learnt herself.

Advay smiled while on call. Tit for tat was Chandni's way with him always. When he made her chappals magnetic, she did the same for him. During Allahabad days, their game had continued all throughout.

"Naaaaani, there has been enough tit for tat between us. I am here and she's there, She souldn't feel distanced from me.....maybe I should call her."

"Don't you dare!" Naani scolded Chiku,"And don't naaani me. Yeh baal maine dhoop mein nahi safed kiye. I have better understanding of marriage than you" (My hair is grayed out with age ,not sunlight.)

Advay threw his head back and roared in laughter at her tone. He loved his granny but he knew she could always have some trick up her sleeve. She had done that many times after his forced marriage with Chandni.

“Okkkk! As you wish and Naani, one more thing. Programme here is going to take me 2-3 days. Would you inform everybody?”

Mr. Gomez had informed him that the procedure was quite long and stringent for security protocol before getting access to the inner domain and it would be some time before he actually met him.

“I'll tell her. That's what you want, right?” Naani smiled, “By the way Chiku, what work is this? Is it your regular government work?”

Advay hesitated. He never lied to Naani, but this was something he knew she would thoroughly disapprove of. She had the power to call him back immediately.

“Not Government exactly….. something else.” He acted flippant.

Naani had noticed his hesitation immediately and his reply had her worried, “what else?”

“The work hasn’t started yet, Naani. How can I tell what it is?”

Naani knew when to recede, “It’s OK, Chiku. I trust you to always do the right thing.” Her Voice firmed up.

“Yes Naani, I will.” Advay knew without getting into details Naani had put boundaries around him.

In Allahabad, the Haveli had not taken a wink of sleep. Meghna cried silent tears in her room; while Mamaji sat in the drawing room deeply lost in thoughts. Once or twice in the night, he had approached her, trying to coax her to sleep. She had tried but in vain. The hurt in her heart was truly egregious, it wouldn't allow her to settle down. After few attempts, Mamaji had just waited outside patiently.

For a moment he wondered, is my hope unjustified that PP would stand by his love or is my fear unfounded, that he would give in to his mother's demands owing to respect. If this proposal failed, he would take care of Meghna and her baby like his own children. He was sure Advay would provide completely for them, Rather he would not hesitate for a second to invite Meghna to his home and protect her for lifetime. .

Veer was in regular contact with him for the village improvement project and he had urged not to disturb Advay even for the revenge regarding details. Naturally, because Advay and Chandu Banno had found their happiness after a very long wait.

However, Meghna's matter was different and urgent, too. One thing Mamaji knew for sure that he would not let anybody insult Meghna as unwed mother. Something needed to be done before the news spread like wildfire and burnt Meghna’s honour in the society.

Advay had himself strictly warned against such thing happening. This news breaking out in this manner would jeopardize everybody’s future, Mahantship and the village development project…..literally everything! All the goodwill built till now would evaporate away against the sensitive social stigma.

Mamaji could only trust Advay in this matter. Supporting Meghna was not an issue But the goal was to help her find her love. And then there was the question of the baby. Life would be too strenuous for Meghna as an unwed mother. He resolved to call up Advay, as an exception this time.

A smiling Pooja opened the door to Darsh. Her smile lighted up his heart, always!

“Where had you gone missing?” She questioned as she turned back from the door.

“I had work.” Darsh got defensive.

“What work?”

Darsh smiled. Pooja always asked him questions with the same authority as his Ammi.

“My show practice, lady! We men have work, not like you girls, shopping and loafing around.” He teased.

“Don't you dare say....” Her sentence was not finished when Darsh saw Chandni coming and was hugely surprised.

“Hey CD, didn't you....”

Before he could a complete his question, Pooja shushed him putting a restraining hand on his shoulder.

Somehow Darsh found that possessive touch comforting. She smiled bright and pulled his hand with her.

“Come, I have to tell you something.”

As soon as they entered the kitchen, she warned him. “Don't ask her anything. Don't even discuss about Bhaiyya.”

“Why? Did they not reconcile?”

“Na....”She shook her head. “Something between the couple.... they must sort it out themselves..... not for us to interfere.”

Pooja would never disclose Chandni's secret, though Darsh was very close friend.

“Doesn't she know he loves her to no limits.” Darsh was incredulous.

“Of course, she knows...... Like as I said, something between the couple..... not our stuff to discuss! Let me give you your special....She got busy with the stove while she continued chatting and Darsh perched on the kitchen platform...

“want something to eat as well?.....where did you eat last night?.....have you been practicing all night?”

Darsh loved this nonchalant comfort with her. It felt so homely.... almost as if they were a couple, he thought dreamily and then checked himself. His mind was running too fast. And getting out of his control, too. Her vicinity, her comfort with him brought happiness. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so happy, he realised to his astonishment.

"hey!” Pooja clicked her fingers in front of him, “Where are you lost?”

“Lost in your questions, meri Ammi! How many questions you ask, lady!”

“I am not your Ammi, ok! I am Adi's Mummy!” Pooja laughed.

Advay and Gomez sat chatting over their breakfast. Noticing that Gomez was absolutely comfortable with him, Softly, Advay broke out his query, “What kind of work are they expecting from me?”

“oh, it will be some moonshot, for sure.”

“ya……but what kind of moonshot? In what area?”

“Well! If I knew inside secrets, I would surely have told you in our earlier meeting." He laughed," And if I get any hint now on, then I shall call and update you immediately.”

Advay knew that Gomez spoke the truth. He was a friend acting as emissary, not an adversary. It was impossible for any outsider to know of the family’s work and plan, let alone make any guesses about their thought process.

Advay mastered the art of assessing his opponent thoroughly before any meeting or action. In Allahabad, upon arrival, he had won over Indrani to claim access to haveli and his room back. When PP had arrived on scene, he had befriended him to avoid his doing marriage rituals with Chandni. Even for the passports, he had easily tricked Chandni using Murli's help.

However this ball game was so different from those. Here the players were big shots, making his skill as well as his resources fall short. It could be something big or something trivial…. Advay would just have to deal with it ….

Maybe even learn from it, to maintain absolute secrecy. His personal mission needed that very much. Absolute secrecy was the crux of his plan. The players could be really mean;...... Secrecy and time was becoming very critical, every passing moment increasing his risk further.

Lost in his ruminations, it took Advay more than a minute to realise that his mobile had been vibrating. Why was Mamaji calling? It was still pretty early morning in India. He bid goodbye to Mr. Gomez with a promise to meet him after lunch and then took the call. .

“Hello Mamaji!”

“Advay beta, sorry to disturb you while you are there; but this was urgent.”

Advay sensed the panic in Mamaji’s voice. “What’s the matter, Mamaji? Yourself and Meghna OK?” The first thought flashing against his mind was that of revenge mission against his parent’s murderers. It had just begun and there was always huge risk of someone retaliating in attack.

Mamaji realised where Advay’s concern came from and hurried to assure him. “Physically totally OK, beta!” He took a pregnant pause wondering where to begin to narrate the happenings. “Pratham took us to meet his mother; but…”

Advay immediately sensed the concerned hesitation in Mamaji’s voice. “What happened Mamaji?”His tone was encouraging.

Mamaji took strength and narrated that PP’s mother had rejected the alliance outright and to spoil the game further he had gone and lost his temper over her accusations. It was too difficult to utter those words for his most favorite Banno. His tongue trembled…... “Ek Raat ki Dulhan!”

In blink of an eye, Advay’s face darkened. An ache lifted to his throat …. anger, pain and loss congealed together…. How dare anybody accuse HIS WIFE! .... But it was his own grave mistake, an epic crime…one he would never ever forgive himself for. He had imagined her to be the main culprit acting as accomplice in murder.......He had gone and shattered all her dreams of a loving marriage. As if that wasn't enough, he had gone and maligned her name in entire society…. Creating a permanent stigma on her in public.

Mamaji had continued speaking in his own trance, "PP was trying his best to reason out with her but she refused to even consider the alliance. These two children love each other so very much. What will happen to them?.... I don’t understand what would the world come to if people kept carrying grudges against all reason?”

Advay collected himself, “We can’t blame others. After all I did beat up PP and I exposed the baby ditching Chandni in Allahabad after spending the first night with her. I am myself responsible for this mess and I shall have it resolved.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Beta!” Mamaji tried consoling Advay, but he knew Advay was a person of owning his actions. “His mother is angry about that fight on the marriage day. It was initiated by my sister by sending goons to beat you.” He felt bitterness in his mouth with mention of his sister. “ I do not blame you for any of those happenings. And I am not calling you up holding you responsible for this mess; rather I know you are the only one whom I can entrust the responsibility of Meghna's happiness. We cannot thwart Pratham’s mother anymore; that will have further repercussions. We must keep Meghna’s best interest in mind before taking any further step.”

“Yes Mamaji. You are right…. Let us think patiently. I’ll call you soon.”

“I genuinely didn't want to disturb you on your honeymoon; it's just that I can completely trust only you, "Mamaji smiled apologetically and then continued happily, "How is my Banno, Beta? It’s been a while since I spoke to her….And how is our Patakha Shikha?”

“Both are fine. I have come away for some work otherwise I would have got you connected immediately. Why don’t you call Chandni on her mobile? She’ll be happy to hear from you.” Advay smiled too but then became serious, “Mamaji let us not mention anything of this to those two. Let us handle the issue within us.”

“Yes of course, Beta!”

Mamaji is right. For any option, Meghna’s best interest must be assured. Advay liked that girl for her brave nature after she had acknowledged the baby as hers to save Chandni from undeserving blame. She deserved every happiness in her life.

Seeds of anger and resentment were already sown between the two families and a marriage alliance between such opposing families would never be easy. Further, knowing PP’s mother’s short tempered nature, Meghna would always be at risk even if marriage happened. PP’s mother could not really be blamed, after all her son had taken huge beating and then, which mother of the world would accept another man’s child in her son’s life?.....

Situation was quite difficult and needed delicate handling. Mamaji had trusted him and that increased his responsibility further more. Advay walked to his room in tension pondering over the right solution.

Chandni walked towards Naani’s room in gloom. She knew Pooja didi had purposely diverted Darsh’s attention away from her to allow her personal space and spare from family pressure ; but for how long? Somehow, Chandni would have to face the family and their questions.

“Naani, are you there?” She Called out to Naani as she opened the door. “I brought you oil for massaging your knee.”

“My knee was hurting yesterday and now you are bringing oil? I don’t want any oil massage.”

Naani’s angry expression hurt Chandni deep in her heart. She rushed inside close to Naani and pleaded. “Naaani ……why do you say so? I know you are angry with me, but please let me massage your leg. Don’t take the anger out on your body.”

“First, answer my question. Why did you not go with Chiku?” Naani was adamant on her angry stance.

“Naani, I couldn’t.” Chandni whined defending herself, “I got my…..” Her voice trailed off.

“I realised that when you did not come for morning pooja. But that's not the reason to not go with him? And I suppose you didn’t even say goodbye to him when he left.”

“Naani, I felt so depressed, I didn’t want him to know.”

“What’s there to be so depressed about? Did I not tell you time and again to have faith? Don’t you always say that Mahadev is with you all the time even when not seen?......What does faith mean for you, Chandniiii?” Naani implored, “If you trust Mahadev, then you must accept his will graciously even when it’s against your own wish.”

“But Naani, it’s one single happiness I want and I am not getting it.”

“Show me one person who has all their wanted happiness in life!"Naani challenged, "Look at Pooja, she has a child but no husband who loves her. Would you sacrifice your husband’s love to get a baby?”Naani was exasperated.

“NO!” Chandni denied savagely pushing the horrible thought away from her. She couldn’t imagine such a thing even in her worst nightmare.

Naani melted noticing Chandni’s stricken face, “Chandni, you have got Chiku’s love after such long penance in life. Don’t lose it now with this mad depression of yours! With such attitude, you alienate yourself from him. Both of you suffer then. Do you know whom is Chiku meeting with, in Spain?”

“That Mr. Gomez had come to invite him but I do not know any other details.” Chandni shrugged apologetically.

Naani’s expression grew pained, “This is what I do not like. You are so engrossed in your sadness that you miss on wifely duty. Had you gone with him, you could have found out what he is doing there? It is for a smart woman to find out things about her husband without even having to ask him or his having told her……" Her concern grew further as she continued, "And then you are married to Chiku, that is like walking with fire in your palms! You have to be alert and keep tabs on his doings….. I have been refraining him from hatred and anger all these years, but now you must protect him, you must keep him on the right track.” She stressed on the last sentence.

Chandni’s face fell realising her mistake. She genuinely didn’t have any idea of Dev’s work and Naani was right that Dev was inclined towards anger. Any action resulting from that could any day boomerang on him. “I am sorry, Naani. I made a mistake. From now on, I will try and forget about the baby part. I shall only focus on our relation.” She turned Naani towards herself lovingly, “Now please let me massage your knee.” She pleaded with a smile.

Naani smiled back as she sat on bed. Chandni started gently massaging her knee. “Where is Pooja?” Naani asked casually.

“Darsh has come. He and Pooja went to the kitchen.”

Naani’s face lit up with a satisfied smile which Chandni could not understand. “Ok! Not immediately, but later, ask Darsh to come and meet me. Naani was lost in some thoughts which Chandni could not fathom.

“DNA! ....That's it! Best way to manage this situation. Trying to convince PP’s mother otherwise was almost impossible..... And with such option, he would be killing two, maybe three birds with one stone…. Why had he not thought of this option earlier when he was in Mumbai?” Advay marveled to himself as the brilliant idea struck him.

He would have to maintain complete secrecy about this and use his contacts wisely. But before he contacted anybody, PP’s complete sanction would need to be taken. He would make a conference call between the three of them. Advay was very much a man of actions.

His mind pondered further.....in regards with accusation on Chandni, he would someday make sure that Chandni was given her due respect in Front of PP’s mother in public. That would have to wait for now…….. Of course, he would not leave any occasion to endorse Chandni as his one and only wife, even if he had to marry her again and again, same as Shiva and Parvati... In a way he understood his parent's teaching now..... Naani had trusted him, mamaji had acknowledged his trust..... could Chandni give him her complete trust?...That ultimate trust which has to exist between each married pair.

“Will you make our marriage real with your trust, Chandni?” Advay reflected to himself.

I am "the ASR". I will do everything to woo back MY WIFE!.

Chandni smiled a bit extra bright as she saw Darsh coming out from kitchen looking very happy. “ Hiiiiii Darsh! Are you done with Pooja? Naani wants to meet you” She tried enthusing fake happiness in her voice.

Dev stared at her for a minute and then asked softly, “Tum itna Jo Muskura Rahi ho,Kya gam hai jisko Chhupa rahi ho?” (You are smiling so very bright, what pain are you trying to hide behind that smile)

“Don’t lie to me, Girl! You didn’t go with AD, after all. You are hurting because of his anger, right? But don’t you know…… that man loves you to death! Why let anger come between your love? You stayed back because of hurt pride, right?” Darsh’s fierce dark eyes seemed to cut through Chandni’s soul.

She clasped her trembling hands as she scrambled to think of a good lie. After all, she could not discuss personal details with him, the same way as she did with Pooja. And then this was too personal a detail to discuss with any man.

Her cheeks burned red, and she dropped her gaze.

“I imagined you to be a wise girl, CD! Never let the sun set over husband wife’s strife, don’t you know that? Ad will always be angry whenever you are threatened in any way. You have to accept that.” Darsh tried convincing her like an older brother.

Clinging to her self-respect, Chandni lifted her chin and smiled, “I don’t know whether I am wise or not. I am not angry with your friend; but sometimes he needs to learn a lesson. Iss liye thoda drama karna padata hai. (That’s why Some drama needs to be played) Don’t you fret over us. Everything will be nice once he returns back. Go meet Naani.” She pushed Darsh to Naani's room , this time her smile truly happy.

AD was truly lucky, he had a sweet and yet wise wife. I truly like her, thought Darsh as he whistled his way to Naani’s room.

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What results will Naani's trick bring in Advay Chandni's love story ahead? smiley2 Keep guessing.