Chapter 14

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Note - Apologies for the late update. I wanted to disconnect for some time. With how the show was progressing (regressing) and my disappointment at the current track and all that was happening around, was creating too much negativity and I wasn’t finding the words to write the story as I had visualised it. I wanted to break away from the toxicity and write with a free mind. 


Chapter - 12

Patralekha was impatiently walking across the room, waiting for Samrat to return. She had played her game and she was eager to know if it had yielded the desired results. Controlling the strong urge to stealthily follow Samrat and hear the conversation that had crossed her mind, as she didn’t want to be caught and confronted by both parties. Just when she thought that she had reached the peak of her patience, Samrat walked in, calm as cucumber, and this only riled up Patralekha. Did her strike miss the target?

Patralekha – What happened Samrat? I hope you didn’t fight with anyone. I don’t want to be the reason for a rift between brothers. People will only point fingers at me for spoiling your relations. I wanted to stop you, but before I realized you had left.

Samrat – As family we are bound to disagree with each other. But that is part and parcel of being in a family and it will get resolved one day. Don’t stress yourself over it. However, I certainly want to have this discussion with you now. I have gathered that Virat has moved on, and he is longer interested in his past. He made that clear to me.

Patralekha – But Samrat…

Samrat – I’m not finished yet. Please hear me out first. What has happened is all in the past now. There is no point of dwelling on it. Now we all need to think about our present and future. Virat is clear that you are neither part of his present nor will you feature in his future. So now the decision is yours. I’m willing to set you free from this marriage. You can lead your life the way you want. I won’t force my decision on you though. You are free to choose your path. I leave the decision to you. If you want to me in to be part of your life or not,I will stand by your decision.

Samrat had thrown the bait and was waiting for her to bite on it. He knew that she will not leave Virat so easily and this marriage was her only excuse to stay in CN, close to Virat. While he was bubbling up inside, he maintained the calm demeanor outside. And she fell for it.

Patralekha – You are such a good human being Samrat. I really admire you, for the love for your family and brother. I regret not being able to reciprocate the same feelings. I would want to give our marriage a chance. But you will have to give me some time. I already like you, but I need time to get over my past and bridge that gap between like and love to give this marriage a sincere chance.

Samrat only gave a sloppy smile with a nod. He didn’t trust himself with words anymore, seeing the vileness behind the façade.

Next Morning

Just as the elders were debating on how to ease the tension and sort out the perplexity caused with Samrat’s return and the revelations, they were pulled out by the laughter at the entrance. They looked up to see Sunny accompanied by Samrat & Virat who seemed to be back from their early morning football match. It seemed like nothing had conspired between them, and like “yesterday” was just a bad dream. Before they could recover from the surprise, they heard Patralekha call out Samrat.

Patralekha (dawning her best fake smile)– Samrat, go and freshen up quicky. Breakfast is ready.

Everyone around was in for another surprise. They just couldn’t fathom what had led to this drastic change of events in just one night. Sensing the questions marked on their faces, Samrat cleared things to everyone. Knowing the brothers had sorted their differences, and Samrat and Patralekha had decided to work on their marriage, they thought it was best to leave the topic for now. Unwilling to disrupt the equations and the harmony, they decided to let bygones be bygones. Unaware of Samrat’s plans, Virat & Sai were not convinced about Patralekha’s change of heart. They suspected her motives, but then were cognizant of Samrat’s feelings and decided to respect the decision. Sai and Virat had gotten to know each other so well that they no longer needed words to communicate. Speaking through their eyes surrounded by family, they conveyed their message “Eyes on Patralekha”!! While they would be happy if Samrat & Patralekha would start their life afresh, they wouldn’t allow another heartbreak to Samrat. 

That’s what is family, that is the power of love. Each in their own way, unaware of the other, was trying to protect their loved ones.

Seeing the perfect opportunity, Sai broke in.

Sai – Kaku, so now that its settled, can we talk about the deal?

Bhavani started to squirm in her seat at the mention of deal. She had completely forgotten about it in the whole fiasco, but this “Jungli Mulgi” will never let her go off the hook. Internally freaking out at the thoughts of what’s up on Sai’s mind and if she was out to avenge for all hers insults.

Kaku – What deal? Stop your petty games. Are we kids here?

Sai – Hawwwwwwwwwwwww Kaku? How can you forget? 

She looked around for everyone to step in as witness, but none dared to defy Bhavani. So they started to look everywhere except Sai.

Putting an arm around Sai and looking down Samrat smiled at her with the brotherly love and the special place she had instinctively captured in his heart.

Samrat – Badi Mami, this is cheating. You gave your word. How can you go back on it? Are you not happy to see me? Are you not willing to pay such a small price for me?

Virat joined in to support as Samrat laid the trap with that pleading smile.

Virat – Come on Kaku. How would it look if someone came to know that Bhavani Chavan did not keep her word?

Bhavani glared at Virat

Bhavani (Rolling her eyes) – You will only support your wife. I don’t know what she has fed you both that you two are under her control.

Samrat & Virat walked upto Bhavani and hugged her from each side.

Samrat & Virat (puppy eyes)– You can’t even do this much for us? Should we think that you can’t even keep your promise, and you can’t even give into such small wishes for the sake of your own children? You don’t love us

Bhavani (holding them by their ears) – Enough of your emotional blackmailing. (Looking at Sai) – Fine! What do you want me to do?

The family was aghast. Though they were laughing inwardly at Bhavani’s state, none dared to show their true reactions. But all were excited to know what Sai had up her sleeve and how Bhavani was going to play it. Silently enjoying her plight and enjoying at her expense. Only one person kept a straight face with anger seething inside ….Patralekha!

Sai rubbed her hands as if prepping up for a fight, she looked at Bhavani with the eyes of a predator, or that’s what Bhavani felt.

Sai – So let’s begin!! Rules to be followed throughout at all times

1.       You need to maintain a constant smile on your face

2.       You will not argue with anyone especially with me

3.       You will not stop me from doing anything

4.       Not a single frown on your face

5.       You will talk politely to everyone

Bhavani’s heart was sinking with every word that Sai uttered

Bhavani (frowning)– Keep smiling, Am I a joker to keep smiling? What kind of stupid rules are these?

Sai – Kakuuuuu, Smile, Polite remember?

Bhavani rolled her eyes

Sai – Oh yes! No rolling eyes and scaring anyone please. Just that is enough to give a kid like me a mini heart attack. That’s the general rules, rest will let you know as the day progresses

Everyone around was standing dumbstruck. They knew how difficult these would be for Bhavani, but they were excited to see how this would unfold. Both were headstrong and stubborn, now they had to see who would give in. And right now, Sai seemed to be ruling.

Sai – Oh! The first task. So, to start with let’s have all the men serve the breakfast today, instead of the females in the house. Food is already prepared; it only needs to be served

Bhavani stared angrily at Sai. How can she ask the men to serve?

Bhavani – Was this not limited to me. I’m the only one who is supposed to follow your instructions. Why are you pulling the others into it?

Sai – You are supposed to do as I say right? And our family follows your orders. Simple. Now why don’t you give the orders Kaku………………….with a smile (fluttering her eyes)

Bhavani (forcing a smile on her face) – Today, the men of the house will serve breakfast.

While Virat, Samrat & Mohit were trying hard to stop their giggle, Ninad & Omkar didn’t know what to say. They couldn’t defy their Vahini. The women happy to get this luxury.

Sai – So let’s all gather at the breakfast table in 15mins

After the breakfast was done, Bhavani quietly tried to retreat to the safety of her room, worried about Sai’s next move, but Sai was quicker on her toes.

Sai – Kaku, where are you going? I haven’t even talked about our plan for today

Bhavani – What plan?

Sai – Kaku…”Polite” “Smile”

Bhavani (Placing a smile on her face, with all the sweetness she could muster) – What plan Sai? Do you want these men to cook lunch and dinner also?

Sai – Mohit bhaiya has his play in the evening. We all are going for it, to show our support as his family and post that we can go for dinner to some nice restaurant. So that will save them from cooking. See I’m not that mean (looking at Virat who had started to sweat at the mention of cooking)

Bhavani – Have you lost your mind?

Sai – Kaku you keep forgetting the rule.. Smile & be polite. No arguing. If you keep defaulting, there will be a penalty.

Bhavani – What penalty?

Sai – Every default will increase the time frame of this deal by 5 hours. And at the rate you are defaulting, I might get an extra day before evening

Bhavani was left dumbstruck. She couldn’t bring herself to defy, at the thought of being under Sai’s control for more than what they initially agreed.

Bhavani (smiling nervously) – So let’s all get ready on time, just as Sai said, to watch Mohit’s play

Mohit was ecstatic that his entire family was going to watch his play, but Omkar and Sonali as parents were feeling overwhelmed and so was Karishma. Even if it was unwillingly, the family would be acknowledging their son.

After everyone had retired to their rooms, when Mohit went and hugged Sai. Thanking her repeatedly with tears flowing from his eyes, he could not get any more words to express his gratitude. Samrat & Virat pulled him into a brother’s group hug. He was after all their little brother!! Sai looked on at the trio and felt her heart well up at the sight of this bond. Just then Samrat looked up and gestured her to join them. She was after all one of them, their very own in the true sense.

The day went by smoothly, with some bickering from Bhavani, and a constant reminder from Sai to keep it easy and smile. And as the day progressed, the constant crease on Bhavani’s forehead ceased to exist, and the smile came more naturally and voluntarily to her without any effort. 

Mohit was elated, on cloud nine seeing his entire family seated together in the auditorium to watch his play for the very first time. As the family watched him perform, they realized how talented and gifted their Mohit is, and the adulation from the audience made their hearts well up with pride. They shouted, hooted, clapped, cheered, cried, and laughed like one single unit, probably for the first time in a while… genuinely! The dinner was another family affair that would have put any one to envy. Bhavani would not openly confess, but she was grateful to Sai for bringing so much happiness to her family. All the past, personal grudges, fights and disagreements forgotten; it was only pure love!! Love of a big fat, close knit family…Even if was for one day!

Back home, content, everyone headed straight to their respective rooms, tired after the long evening well spent. In the silence of the night, when everyone was asleep in Chavan Niwas, two shadows surreptitiously made their way out of the door. Mohit went up to Sai in her room where she was enjoying her conversation with Devi Tai. Seeing his long face, they enquired.

Mohit – They always do this to me, because I’m the youngest. They ignored me and left me behind like always.

Sai & Devi looked at him confused, as he didn’t make any sense.

Mohit – Samrat dada & Virat dada left for their late-night escapade leaving me behind. They always do this to me, saying that I’m too young. Atleast now they can treat me as an adult, as one of them?

Sai & Devi giggled at Mohit’s disappointed look and the cute pout, but soon ganged up to teach the brothers a lesson. Sai knew exactly where to find them. On the other hand, Virat and Samrat had reached Naag nadi, their usual hang out, where they would often find their release from the daily stress and worries. They sat and chatted together like old times, reminiscing their childhood days. They spoke about their trials and tribulations through this entire year, but this time there was no awkwardness, the conversation just flowed like the water down the river without any obstruction. The ease the transparency had returned in their relationship, and they were back to being Jeeva and Shiva to each other. Engrossed in their 3rd round of playing stone throw into the nadi, they were unaware of 3 pairs of feet that had tip toed their way behind them. Surprise was an understatement for the 2 brothers who had been caught in their secret hang out. And Virat being the culprit to have exposed this spot to his beloved better half. While Sai & Devi blasted the two brothers for excluding their little brother, Mohit thoroughly enjoyed the show down. Finally, after all these years, he had an upper hand. After reconciling, they together played their little game, like they had just been sent back to their childhood, devoid of the worries of being grown ups atleast for this night. It seemed they had not laughed and enjoyed so much since ages. As they group hugged before leaving for home, laughing their hearts out, Sai had become an integral part of this brother sister gang. She may be Virat’s wife, but she was the most loved sister to the rest of them. 

Samrat – I can’t thank my luck to have you in my life Shiva, because through you I have got this sister ..Sai! She is the biggest gift of life to you, treasure her always. And I forego any grudge or disappointment, if I had any, for all that happened between us, because this turn of events gave you ..gave us Sai!

Virat & Sai’s Room

Sai had changed and walked out of the washroom, feeling a pair of eyes closely tracing her every step. Without even looking up she knew what that meant, without even a touch, a single word spoken, the ambience in the room had changed, turning up the temperature a notch higher, sending tingle through her veins. Avoiding his gaze, she walked up the mirror, removing her earrings and automatically raising her hands up to tie up her hair, only to be stopped by Virat. 

Sai – I’m tired Virat, and tomorrow is a weekday. Its already late. So, if you have any mischievous plans up on your mind, I suggest you keep it yourself, (Slowly easing her hands from his grip) as well as your hands. 

Virat – You lost the game Sai. And I was to ask for my part of the deal for winning

Sai looked up at him with the meaning of those words dawning on her. So that’s what the Mr Smarty pants ..her husband had up on his mind when he had said at Naag Nadi, “Oh what’s there to really give or take between a husband & wife”

While she was still reeling over the trick that her dear hubby had laid for her, she had got herself trapped between the cupboard and Virat. She tried to escape but it seemed Virat was having his way. His eyes, the way he looked at her, the love that could easily consume her was all that was needed to melt her. Locking their eyes, he gently traced his fingers across her face, before lowering his head for placing a peck on her cheeks. Simultaneously, his other hand leapt up her shoulder, pulling away dupatta and discarding it on the floor somewhere. Their slow foreplay continued with caressing, nibbling and pecking oblivious to the fact that they had an audience to their private moments.

Patralekha had been quietly observing the bonding and the  family especially her biggest supporter Bhavani melting towards Sai. And all she could do was helplessly watch as she was getting beaten at her every game by Sai. She was jealous of her, she hated her..no.. only if there was a feeling that surpassed all of this. She walked into their room as usual to find Virat holding Sai tightly in his embrace with his face covering hers. She wasn’t naive, she knew what they were upto. She knew that their relationship had crossed the carnal stage, but seeing it with her own eyes, only made her blood boil.

Patralekha stood there fuming with envy at the sight before her as she stepped over Sai’s dupatta carelessly thrown on the floor and rubbed it furiously against the floor under her foot. She hated the mere sight of them standing up close, but this was beyond her tolerance. She purposely dropped the vase next to her, to break their reverie, and she was successful in the attempt.

Virat – What are you doing here Patralekha? Do you have no manners? Aren’t you supposed to knock the door before entering someone’s room? Isn’t that basic etiquettes or you simply lack it?

Sai – Pakhi didi, what are doing here at this hour? Do you need anything? Is Samrat dada fine?

Patralekha – (barely able to hide the hatred in her eyes & words) I came for some medicine for headache. I didn’t mean to barge in like this, but my head seems to be splitting up and I just couldn’t get any sleep.

Virat went to the drawer, pulling out a box and handed it over to Patralekha.

Virat – Here, take this. Hope this gives you some peace (Pun well intended)

Patralekha walked out without another word at the sarcasm laced words of Virat, frustrated at being rudely interrupting in his love making.

Next Day

Virat had left early for office, and Sai was getting ready for college, when her phone beeped. She went over to check and found a message from a private number. Panic struck her as her phone started to beep constantly as more clips popped up on her screen. It was from last night, pictures of her moments with Virat, their precious, private moments. They were being watched at their most intimate level. She looked around, but how?? And since when? Heat flared up her cheeks and embarrassment creeped at thought of being exposed in this manner.

But it was the last picture that made the blood drain off her face and she found it difficult to breathe. It was Virat in uniform outside the Police station, speaking to someone on his phone and with a gun aimed at him from thick pack of shrubs closeby. And then a message showed up, “It is you versus your husband’s life. What is dearer to you? One word you utter to anyone, and the gun will get fired and it will not lose its aim. The choice is yours. You know who I’m and how and where to find me. I’m waiting. You have an hour. Your time starts now. Tick Tock”.

Rubbing her sweaty palms over her kurta, she tried in vain to control her racing heart beat. She weighed her options..did she have any? And then closed her fist tight against her side. She had made her resolve!

Chapter 12 - The chase begins!

[MEMBERSONLY]