Chapter 5

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Helloz! To be honest, I have dreaded writing this chapter, from right when I conceptualised it. I had wanted to create a character that you love and connect with knowing the fate I was planning here. Apologies in advance. I hope you will see this through as the story progresses. 
Also, I know I returned to writing after a break, the show is on its worst track and this story somewhere is not treading on the same story line. So in case it is not interesting or gripping enough for a read, I can discontinue and probably pick up something else or continue on the TS instead. Let me know.😊

Chapter - 4

Moments

A moment just went by,

And I didn't blink an eye

Then another whisked,

And a sigh was risked

One made my eye tear,

Next let a smile to smear

Awaited moment just arrived,

Then departed to past and thrived

Tagging emotions to some precious,

Others left not so gracious

Pretended some never existed,

Legion unnoticed never to be listed

To call out between regret and well spent,

Relive the past moments in current

Fleeting faces to forms, laughter to cries

Engraved in a space holding heartstrings in ties 

Worth or worth in a while in histories

In that journey of moment to memories

The entire CN had a death like silence to it. No. Death had cast its spell and taken away a precious soul.

It had been a few days since Nagesh Chavan had breathed his last, peaceful in his sleep. Supposedly. But if only the world knew the weight of a hurricane he was holding in his heart. Reluctant to let his breath leave him, not for himself, but for another life precious to him that he was leaving behind who had no one to protect her, but him. But he knew he had little control over his departure. And it was as if a blessing for the pure soul he was, that as he drew the last few, a ray of hope seemed to take over. Closing his eyes, bidding adieu with a slight smile forming over his lips and heart felt prayer for his hope to continue even after him.

Chavans were mourning and a prayer meet had been organised. Nagesh Chavan was reputed for his illustrious career and his kind nature had earned himself a huge fan following and a huge circle of friends & acquaintances who admired and respected him. Hence, his prayer meet was attended by an enormous number of people, well known personalities to common public, colleagues, subordinates & friends to offer their respects and condolences. Bhavani though torn between mourning the death of her husband to holding her family together chose to stay strong for the latter. Every single person was breaking up in sorrow, but the younger generation, Devyani, Virat, Samrat & Mohit were shredding to parts. Each had lost not just one relation but multiple, that was the bond they shared with Nagesh. They had lost someone they had loved, idolised and most importantly depended on, their support system, their pillar.

A few days later

The family was slowly moving into normalcy, slipping into their routine. But the loss, the vacuum was being felt immensely by a few. Virat and Samrat had just consoled a crying Devyani and put her to sleep before leaving for Nagesh’s study. Their favourite place, their chosen haven, a place poignant of the many memories it held, symbolic of the varied emotions they lived and cherished. Every corner of this room reminded them of their times together, and it just was piercing their heart that it would never be same again. They would never see that face again, never see that smile, never hear that voice again! Life is numbered but they had never thought that it was so short lived. They had only just started to have more time in his company on a daily basis.

Samrat went behind the table moving his hand over Nagesh’s chair as if he could feel his Bade mama’s touch one last time that it still held.

Samrat (with a sad smile, recalling a childhood memory) – Shiva, do you remember when he got this chair. And you and I were fighting to be the first to sit on it with him. And how he picked up both of us and placed us together on each side.

Virat – And it felt like we had won the world. We were ecstatic and were roaming around telling everyone in the house. Baba and Kaka also never sat on that chair. So, for us it was a privilege, being allowed to loiter into his room, with free access to his library, his private things like no one else.

Samrat – We would just rush into his room whenever we knew he was at home. Our every win, every victory, every sorrow everything was first shared with him. He wasn’t always there but we craved and enjoyed every second spent with him. Every moment is so vivid and etched in our memories for ever

Virat – True. I remember the pride in his eyes when I informed him about clearing civil services exam and when I received my first posting. More than my achievement I was more thrilled to see the pride he took in it. He knew my insecurities with marriage having seen my own parents. He had always tried to make me see a positive side of life

Samrat – Always. His writings are a proof of it. I can never have enough of it. It always gave something to learn. It was so much fun to sit around him, just listen to him reciting his poems, talk about his new piece of writing, his advice or just simply talk about anything under the sun. I miss him Shiva. I miss him so much.

Virat – I’m also feeling lost without him Jeeva. I don’t know what to do. He was our anchor, without him I’m lost. We would come to him for everything and now …..Every time we were up for scolding, we would run and hide behind him, because we knew he could protect us and no one would dare to question him. But when he needed someone to stand next to him, we failed. We failed Jeeva. We failed to protect Bade Kaka. And I can never forgive myself for it

Samrat – I wish I had tried harder. I wish I had not gone numb by Badi mami’s harsh words. He needed me then & I lost the power to speak. We had promised and he had counted on us. I was such a let-down.

Virat – We were. But we will have to figure out a way to find him peace wherever he is. I know Devi Tai and her well-being were troubling him and were his point of grave concern. And we must find a way to free him of that worry atleast in his resting space.

They both looked at each other teary eyed, but with a promise that together they would find a way.

Bhavani was sitting alone in her room. Her room. It had been, since that ugly confrontation with Nagesh. He had moved out of the room and had refused to share space with her even in his illness. She had spent countless days and nights alone in this room, while Nagesh was in service. But never had she felt so alone. Recollecting the initial days of her marriage..the most blissful days of their married life. They were not the only ones though. Bhavani remembered how her mother-in-law had resented her for bearing a girl child and the fact that she was never to conceive again. Nagesh had stood beside her like her rock, holding their daughter close, claiming her to be his heir. He had made it clear to everyone that even if she could conceive again, he wanted no other child as Devyani will remain his only child biologically. He had equally celebrated the boys that followed Devyani in the Chavan clan. But never differentiated. In fact, being the only sister only made her the most loved, especially amongst the brothers.

Bhavani regretted having spoken to him with such harshness and making him feel so alone. But she would never admit it to anyone. She could have probably chosen her words more carefully and spoken to him in private instead of enforcing her authority in front of the entire family. She knew she had humiliated him, but she couldn’t let this small guilt that had started to creep in deter her. This family was her responsibility, any guilt will only make the family look down upon her, and she may lose her authority and respect and she couldn’t afford it.

Bhavani – Wherever you are, please forgive me. All I did was for our daughter, and the prestige of the Chavan name. I couldn’t let anything taint it. I have lived my whole life protecting it. And I can’t change myself to think any other way.

She let the tears flow through freely in the privacy of her room that she had held back from the view of her family

A few more days passed

Chavans had gathered in the family room. The air was tense, and silence prevailed. Everyone waiting for Bhavani to speak up. The lawyer had shared Nagesh’s will details, and nothing could have prepared Bhavani or anyone for it. Bhavani felt as if the land beneath her feet had been snatched away from her. Nagesh had played and played that last stroke well. And she thought he must be having the last laugh seeing her misery. He had taken his revenge, if this was all he could manage in his last state. But this itself was a blow she was finding hard to recover from.

In his counterattack, Nagesh had left a major part of his property in the name of Devyani with Virat and Samrat to manage it for her. He had clearly left out Bhavani from this role. But he was still generous. He had divided a considerable share between each of the family members. He didn’t miss anyone. He was also mindful about donating to charities that he supported, especially a particular orphanage. But what shocked everyone was an alien name that had cropped up in his will. Sai! No one knew who she was, never heard her name before, but she was about to inherit something that had been always dear to Bhavani. The farmhouse, that he visited before his demise with Devyani. He had left such a huge property to a stranger; well she was to all of them. It was clearly mentioned that if for whatever reasons Sai does not take over the property rights, it was to be sold off and the proceedings to be given to the same orphanage. Bhavani couldn’t dream to part with it. This was no less than a earthquake that had shaken her whole being. But the most vital question here was, who was Sai? She ought to be an important person for Nagesh to bestow such generosity to her.

Bhavani – Has anyone heard of this name before? Does anyone know anything about this person, and her existence in Nagesh’s life?

Everyone nodded in negative

Bhavani – Virat, Samrat, you were his confidante. Did he ever mention anything about anyone with that name? Even in a passing? During a conversation?

Virat – No Kaku. We are equally shocked. We never heard about her from Bade Kaka. 

Bhavani – What information have you gathered about her Samrat?

Samrat – The details we got, linked her to the same orphanage mentioned in Bade Mama’s will. She is a 3rd year medical student at Nagpur Medical College. That is what we know of her for now. Since Virat had some pressing commitments I had tried to figure out things at my end. But Virat will now start digging up more into her background and her link to Bade Mama.

Sonali – Vahini, I don’t know if I should say this. But all this is only hinting towards one thing. From the leads that Samrat has got about this girl, what’s her name…Sai, it seems like

Sonali hesitated, but Bhavani prompted her to continue

Bhavani – Say what you have to say Sonali. Why did you start it when you can’t complete what you have to say?

Sonali – Vahini, I don’t want to anger or cause any more heartache you. It is the fact that this girl seems to be an orphan and dada has left her such a fortune only says that she is someone very dear to him, someone his own. His blood.

Bhavani – Sonali!!!!

Bhavani’s voice reverberated across the walls of Chavan Niwas and Sonali hid behind Omkaar for the fear of life. Bhavani was livid. She was already dealing with so many shockers, she was not ready for this. This could turn her world upside down. She could never imagine Nagesh cheating on her.

Sai is here? Sai is here?

Everyone saw Devyani an excited rush upto them smiling her best after so many days.

Bhavani – Who let her out? Patralekha?

Patralekha – Ashwini mami was with her I left her room

Bhavani (Fuming)– Ashwini, take her back into her room. Now!

Devyani – Ashwini Kaku, has Sai come to meet me? Where is she? She promised we will meet again, and she will play with me

Shock was an understatement when the family realised Devyani knew Sai. No one but Devyani. Bhavani knew that Devyani wouldn’t speak to her, so she motioned to Ashwini

Ashwini – Devi, who is Sai? You never told me about her

Devyani – She is my friend Ashwini Kaku. My best friend.

Ashwini – Where did you meet her?

Devyani was hesitant.

Devyani – I can’t tell you. It is baba and my secret. I promised him, Pakka one

While Bhavani, Ashwini & Sonali asked her one by one, Devyani was adamant. She refused to give out any information.

Mohit – Tai, you wont even tell me? I’m your brother cum friend. Remember? There is no secret between friends. 

Devyani looked around, then Mohit took her aside understanding her hesitation. Close enough for everyone to hear but pretending that none could. Devyani relayed the entire story, her journey and stay in farmhouse. About the children from orphanage and Sai.

Sonali (hesitating) – Vahini, if we put this all together, my doubts are getting stronger

Bhavani – Sonali, shut up!

Sonali – Vahini, Please listen to me once. This girl was with the kids of the orphanage when Devyani met her. So, it seems like she stays in that orphanage. The address we have for her is also the same. If she was just another orphan that dada was supporting, why did he have to leave something for her separately when he was donating to the orphanage? What makes her special? If, it was for her education and future, he could have done some funding. But leaving her his property, such an expensive one, means she is close to him. Very dear to him. And dada never mentioning her existence to us only indicates that he wanted to hide her identity. Why would dada hide it if she was just another of his charity cases? Only if she meant more. Some illicit relationship. An illegitimate daughter

Bhavani (Screamed) – No! No!

Bhavani who was walking across the room anxiously sank on the sofa. This information was way too much to take in. She was already dealing with one shocker after the other. But this one shook her to the core. Her entire married life was turning out to be lie. She wanted to ignore it. She wanted to shun it as just another made up story. But Sonali’s justifications were only hinting at that.

No one in the family could process this. For everyone Nagesh Chavan was a righteous and moralistic human being. He could never betray or cheat on anyone. But this truth could change everything. Bhavani composed herself, holding back the turmoil building inside her.

Bhavani – If this is true (she paused, she was not ready to even give this doubt a chance). I mean for any reason there is any such truth in it, we must find out. If the news goes out, our family reputation will be at stake. It will taint the Chavan name forever. And I won’t let that happen. Whoever this girl is cannot take away what is rightfully mine. I will not allow it.

Samrat and Virat looked at each other. They were not ready to believe this story. They trusted their idol way too much for it.

Virat – Maybe its someone who befriended Bade Kaka because of his money. And sweet talked him into this kind of gesture from his end?

Bhavani – You think your Bade kaka can be fooled so easily?

Patralekha – And don’t forget that he also left all his literary works to her too. 

That got the attention of Virat & Samrat. They had always valued it and often mentioned about getting Nagesh’s works published. But he had always said that he wants to keep this side of his private. So how could he give it away to a complete stranger. He knew how much Virat & Samrat loved his works and yet he chose someone over them to be their owner. The money & property never pinched them; this was something that got their jealousy peep out, for someone who had supposedly taken more prominence in Nagesh’s life than them.

Bhavani – Virat, you have to go and meet this girl. You need to use your official status to get the truth out of her. She may not give in so easily if we approach her as Nagesh’s family. She may just reveal the truth to a police officer. And you can verify her claims also simultaneously. We need to sort this at the earliest. Before the word gets out and we become news of the tabloids.

If she started to feel a grain of guilt in her conscience, it starting to wipe clean with the sequence of events that had recently taken place. Nagesh’s betrayal from the will to the doubt on his illicit relationship and his a prospective dual life weighed heavy!

Later in the evening (in Nagesh’s study)

Samrat – Shiva, You need to get this girl. Play smart. She looks like a clever one. An absolute fraud. I don’t buy Sonali Mami’s version of the story. Bade Mama can never do something like this. This girl may have trapped him emotionally. Or else why would he give her the rights to his writings?

Virat – You are right Jeeva. She could have probably manipulated him, expressing interest in his work. His works may not be of value to her but Bade kaka would have left it to her assuming she valued it. She may only have been looking for the money. I will get this fraudster. Just a no one can’t take away my bade mama’s possession, his treasure from us. I have told the orphanage that I want to meet her tomorrow, though I haven’t mentioned the reason or my identity as Bade Kaka’s family.

Samrat – You want me to come along Shiva?

Virat – No Jeeva. I can handle this. I will get her. I got this

Next Day (Orphanage)

Virat was waiting in the orphanage office for Sai. He had his back turned, when she stepped in, but there was something familiar that evoked a nostalgia, a few memories. A faint waft of a personal fragrance that brought only one face in his mind.

Sai – Yes ACP Chavan. You wanted to see me?

He turned around to come face to face to the person who was a fraudster, who manipulated his bade kaka, was about to inherit a significant part of his property, but most importantly his prized literary works. But all he saw was a face he had longed to see, the person who he was desperate to meet again, a voice he was craving to hear again. His heart skipped a beat. The girl he wanted to cross path with again, to probably think of a future together, someone who had induced feelings in him that he never felt before, a face that frequented his dreams often was right here. The face now had a name. But the image he had drawn of her when he met her, of what he got to know of her was in absolute contrast of the person he was here to meet. He didn’t know whether to go by logical thinking or follow the instincts of his heart. Confident of how he was to question and probe her only minutes ago, he now struggled to get words to speak. While they stared at each other, one recalling their past encounter unaware of the tornado in store, the other controlling his thudding heartbeat to get one steady breath.

Chapter 5 - Instinct to distinct (Will wait for your thoughts to take up this one)

[MEMBERSONLY]