Chapter 4

[MEMBERSONLY]
[NOCOPY]

Chapter -3(Part A)

(5years ago)

Virat was desolate after Sai left. He had tried his best to stop Sai from leaving CN, but she had made up her mind. She was determined, and seemed there nothing or no one that could stop her. He couldn't blame her either. His family had made things worse by their continuous taunts and accusations. Virat finally went ahead with his last resort. He told his family that he would leave CN if they wouldn't allow her to stay. But before anyone could make their decision, Sai made it clear that she wouldn't stay even if they agreed, and walked away, breaking his heart completely.

After Sai left, Virat had been in constant touch with her. They would call on regular basis and check on eachother. But that was not enough. It may be a temporary solace but he wanted more. Virat had been constantly thinking of a way to be back with Sai. He also feared that the distance and the uncertain nature of their marriage might drive Sai away from him. It was a week since Sai had left, when Virat was informed about his promotion and transfer. It was like God had just answered his prayers. A new plan seemed to take shape in his mind. Sai had refused to live in CN, and she was not willing to move out with him. What if, just by sheer luck she agrees to another arrangement. Virat had not been able to hide his smile the whole day thinking about the plan he had devised. 

He had called up Sai and asked her to meet outside the college after her classes. He had then taken her to a park where he and Samrat frequented during their childhood. Though a lot had changed but it still felt nostalgic being there. Virat had brought Sai here because this place gave him a sense of calmness and to execute his plan this was very important. He was walking on egg shells and had to tread very carefully. He started off by informing her about his promotion and transfer. She was overjoyed, but he didn't miss that disappointment that washed over her face at the mention of his transfer. He took that as a positive sign and broached the subject. 

Virat - I have been missing you so much Sai. My family is incomplete without you. I feel incomplete without you

Sai tried to interrupt, but Virat went ahead

Virat - Please let me continue Sai. Just hear me out first. I know you don't want to come back to CN. And I know you don't want to be the reason for me to leave home either. But this is different. I know I will have to move out of the city and with your college it's not feasible for your to shift with me. But can we workout a weekend arrangement, wherin you stay with me over the weekend. I will pick you up on Friday evening and drop you back on Sunday evening or early Monday morning whichever would be comfortable to you. You can think through it. There is no hurry and I don't want to push you.

He saw Sai listening to him intently and tried another tactic.

Virat - I have just recovered. I will be by myself there. You know how hopeless I'm with managing house alone. In Gadchiroli, I had Kamal Sir and you. Where will I find another Sai? Or will I be lucky enough to find genuine helpful people there too? 

Sai was practically glaring at him when he said another Sai

Sai - There is only one Sai. And that is me. I'm a unique piece and there is no one else who can tolerate you like I do. 

She made a face at him

Virat - Ok, then someone who can still help me with settling down. I don't understand all this. Staying at home has made me habitual to getting everything done for me. And now it will be difficult to get back into a bachelor mode after living with family.

He saw Sai biting her lips, like contemplating the possibility of this arrangement. Virat played his last card.

Holding her hand in both his hands, he looked at her with pleading eyes.

Virat - But most importantly, I want you to agree for me. Because I want you to..because I would love it, because it means so much to me

He saw the glacier melting, but he restrained himself, not giving into the excitement bubbling inside him.

Sai - (Smiles as she gave in) All right Virat Sir. Let's do this. But be mindful I may not come over every weekend. Depends on my studies, exams etc.

Virat was geeking like a kid. He thought..this is perfect for now. We will work it out and make things happen. Let's take this slow. For now he was happy ..more than happy..he wanted to shout out aloud. But all he did was  smile and said "Agreed". But that word held the heaviness of many more promises. Promises to himself and to his love.

Virat left a week later and picked up Sai from college on his way. She helped him with setting up the house and stocking up things. Virat had smartly feigned ignorance over a lot of things and his incapacity in handling household work. Only to make Sai feel his dependency on her.

And thus began their weekend rendezvous! 

It had been a couple of weeks since the arrangement started, and they had slipped comfortably into this routine. Away from daily dose of arguments and constant interference of their family, they had been able to live more freely and start knowing each other some more. They were approaching their 1st marriage anniversary. Virat wanted to surprise Sai. He wasn't sure if she remembered, but with the safer zone that they had reached in the last few weeks away from the prying eyes of their family, he wanted to take a little step ahead with her. A snail step, but never the less a step forward.

Their anniversary was on a Saturday. It took everything from him to make that phone call to her and tell her that he would be away for work and hence would pick her on Saturday early morning instead of friday. He had sensed her disappointment, but then she had spoken in her usual chirpy tone claiming to understand his work commitment. Virat had spent the Friday evening making all the arrangements and decorating the house. Sai had been absolutely ecstatic to see the surprise. He gifted her a beautiful yellow saree and she had loved it! He had always loved her in yellow. Well he loved her in any colour! He had taken her for a movie, lunch and then dinner. They spent the entire day together. Virat had very meticulously planned the entire day, ensuring that everything was as per Sai's preference. Sai was glowing with all the attention that was being showered on her. They got back home late, but sleep was definitely not up their priority yet. They sat outside in the lawn gazing at stars in the sky. There was comfortable silence in and around them and they were enjoying this solitude. 

Virat - Sai.. I want to ask you something, but don't want to offend you in any way. And definitely not disrupt the relationship we have developed.

Sai - When will you learn to talk in "Spasht" language with me? Stop beating around the bush. 

Virat smiled - This is very important for me Sai...Can you promise to listen to me carefully and not make any judgements without proper thought? And also whatever your decision, you will not let it hamper what we have built over these couple of weeks. 

Sai - Ok fine! I promise. Can you stop building up the suspense?

Virat - I know that we got married under pressure, but things have changed since then. I want us to start afresh. And what better start than friendship.

The moment he mentioned friendship he saw a flash of anger and then a play of different emotions on her face. Just when Sai started to speak Virat cut her

Virat - You promised to listen to me before passing your judgement.

That made Sai sit back reluctantly.

Virat - Before you give your answer, I want to make a confession. I want to tell you about my past

Sai - (getting irritated) I'm not interested in your past. I know enough about it and your definition of friendship

Virat - Sai please. This is very important for me. There are a lot of misunderstandings and I agree that it's all my fault. But it is imperative for you to know about everything, for you to consider my request without any prejudice.  

Virat went on to narrate his story of how he met Pakhi. He saw that Sai was a little uncomfortable when he told her about their meeting and their encouters at the yoga camp. But he continued, this was a make or break situation. He continued about how destiny played its role and they separated and couldn’t get in touch with each other. He told her how heart broken he was when he knew that she was to marry his Jeeva. He told her how he had requested Pakhi to go ahead with the marriage and his reasons for the sacrifice. 

Virat - I made her a promise to not let another woman into my life. But now when I look back it was an impulsive promise made under the intense emotion of loss and not a rational one.

He told her that once he had made up his mind, and not prove to be a hindrance in Jeeva's marriage, he has only considered Pakhi as his friend and SIL. Though it took him some time to get over his broken heart, but his intentions had been uncontaminated. Always. 

But with time I also realised that what I felt for Pakhi was not love, it had been an infatuation, a liking for a person I happened to spend a few days together, with whom I thought I got along and shared common interests.

Virat hesitated a little before going further, but he had to do this. They had to begin on a clean slate.

Virat - Sai... I agree that your ways at times are childish (he smiled at frown that appeared on her face), but I also know that you are mature to understand a lot of things much beyond your age. So what I'm now going to reveal is very sensitive. However things go between us from hereon, you have to treat this with the same sensitivity.

Virat then went on to recount the incident of the night Sai had left CN after she got Devyani married. He told her how Pakhi had come to their room and their conversation. Virat told her that he was shocked to realise that Pakhi was still holding on to her feelings for him. He felt guilty, (even though unintentionally) for giving her that hope and letting her harbour such feelings. He had started to feel awkward after her revelation at being alone in their bedroom with her. And he had made it clear to her. He had also tried to explain her that now they were married to two different individuals and he believes in giving the respect and honesty his marriage that it demands. For him she was a friend and his SIL, his brother's wife, nothing beyond that. That's how it has been since her marriage to Jeeva and that's how it will be forever.

Sai was stunned by these revelations. She didn't know what to make out of it

Virat continued.

Virat - Intitially I thought that Pakhi was trying to guide you into settling into our family. But it's after all this that I saw through things. Why she was targeting you. Her reasons for taunting you and picking up fights with you became more clear. That's when I realised that it was pure hatred, stemming out of her jealousy that was making her instigate me against you and create the rift between us and finally separate us.

I have told you everything that was there in my past. Now I leave it upto you to introspect and take your decision. Whatever your decision will be I will honor that. But please don't cut yourself away from me. I can't bear that.

Sai didn't know what to say. This was too much to process for her right away. Though she had been right in her assessment of a lot of things, but Virat's truth had cleared up some misunderstandings as well. This required her to look at things from a new perspective.

Virat (sensing her quandary) - Let's call it a day. We have been out all day and then I have exhausted you with my story. It's very late. I think we should sleep.

But sleep had eluded her that night. She kept tossing and turning in her bed trying to think over everything that Virat had told her today. She had seen the sincerity in Virat's eyes, and a pleading to understand him. But she couldn't give into the emotional upheavals, and had to think through rationally.

Next day (morning)

It had been relatively quiet between them. Virat was sceptical about bringing up last night and Sai had been deep in thought. Sai went around mindlessly doing the household chores and ensuring that everything was in place and stocked up for the entire week. Their drive to her college was also a quiet one. But just when were crossing Nag river, she asked Virat to stop. They got down at stood there for a while. Sai was again deep in thought and Virat didn't dare to interrupt.

After sometime Sai finally spoke.

Sai - Virat Sir... I do feel that you are at fault to some extent for this situation. I now also understand Pakhi's didi actions.The sacrifice you made was done with good intentions, and what followed was misjudgement and assumptions aided by game of destiny. But I can't say you were right completely, and what happened with Pakhi didi was also wrong. Though now I can understand things more clearly on why you both behaved the way you behaved. But that cannot justify Pakhi didi's actions. And her intensions bordering infidelity is definately unacceptable. 

Virat felt his heart sink a little. He didn't know what to make out of this and was dreading that he had lost his chance with Sai. But what she spoke next brought a smile of hope on his face. 

Sai - Thank you Virat Sir for insisting on revealing the entire truth to me and trusting me with it. It feels much better to have this clarity. (Extending her hand) And I wholeheartedly accept your friendship at this clean juncture.

Virat clasped her extended hand like it was his only lifeline.

Virat - Thank you Sai! I will ensure full transparency in this friendship from my end henceforth.

Things between them moved rather swiftly post that day. They enjoyed each other’s  company. Though they argued and teased, but that was natural to them.Thats how comfortingly comfortable their relationship was. It had come as a pleasant surprise to Virat when on a Sunday afternoon (when usually they used to leave for her college) Sai asked if she could stay tonight and if he could drop her the next morning. It meant that they would have to leave at the break of dawn, but he was happy to have those few more hours with her. And most importantly the progression he was daring to believe. 

And that's how the Sunday evening drive to drop routine shifted to Monday morning permanently.

[MEMBERSONLY]

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