Chapter 14

Part 14 - ‘Tu bin bataye’

Sai is a little hesitant to be walking inside with Virat holding her hands, but she sees him looking at Omi Kaka and Bhavani Kaku while doing this and realizes it's a signal for them. Both happy and worried at this, Sai tries to remove her hand from his, only to see Virat leave it but instead put his arm around shoulders and pull her closer. Omi and Kaku only manage a scorn on their faces after seeing this.

The youngsters are busy packing and arranging stuff to be taken to the wedding venue in the evening. Sai is busy helping everybody but notices that Virat hasn't come back yet. He had gone outside saying he had some important paperwork to file.

Just as she is about to call him and enquire, she sees him walking in with a victory smile. He comes near her and asks, "Mera intezar kar rahi thi kya?"

"Nahi.. aisa kuch nahi.. mujhe pata tha aap aa jayenge Shaam se pehle"

"Okay.. but mujhe ek important baat karni hai.. jara room main chalo"

Sai hesitates and an amused Virat tells her.. "Don't worry.. Chipkali nahi rakhi hai maine vaha" and winks at her.

Sai blushes at the mention of Chipkali and walks with him to his room. 

Once inside, Virat first puts on the music system and Rahman's Tu bin bataye is on.

Meethi lagi, chakh ke dekhi abhi

Mishri ki dali, zindagi ho chali

Jahan hain teri baahein mera sahil wahin

Tu bin bataye mujhe le chal kaheen

Jahan tu muskuraye meri manzil wahin

Sai is standing near her desk and toying with the bamboo plant. Virat goes and stands behind her, holds her by her shoulders and asks,

"Do you trust me, Sai?"

Sai startled at the question and where it might lead, turns around to face him. He has a pained look on him, his voice full of regret. Unable to understand, Sai just looks at him. Virat once again takes her hands in his and his thumb is caressing her hand where his name has been written. 

"Sai.. I am sorry. Main Kaku aur Kaka ke behaviour ke liye tum se maafi maangta hun. Unhone tumhe phirse hurt kiya. And I want to make it right. I will not let them do this to you again and again. Main sab thik karunga aur tumhe bhi apne aap se alag nahi karunga. I am just asking you for time. Kal Bua ki shaadi hai. Humne kitni saari planning ki hai. I know tum bhi chahogi ki sab acchhe se ho jaaye. So just give me one more day”

“Also, I have planned something for us. Will tell you later” 

“Virat Sir…”

“Phirse Virat Sir???”

Sai smiles and says “Vo aise hi.. Aapka reaction dekhna tha… anyway… it’s okay. I sort of knew ki vo log mujhe accept nahi karenge. But it is also difficult for me to stay away from you. You had made a place for yourself in my heart. I could not give it to someone else. Isliye to 5 saal koi mere aaspaas bhi nai bhatka… nahi maine kisi ko bhatakne diya. I was prepared to stay alone all of my life. Lekin pichle 3-4 mahino main jo bhi hua hai.. Shayad ab uski jarurat nahi hai” with this, Sai finally smiles happily looking at Virat.

Virat, overjoyed and not expecting this, hugs her tightly.. “Matlab tumne mujhe accept kar liya?”

Sai chuckles, “Are nahi.. Itni asani se nahi Modak… abhi to aapko Kaku ko manana padega”

Virat breaks the hug and pouts, “Oh.. to ye condition hai Ms. Joshi ki?”

“Ek aur hai… vaada hi samajh lo.. Aap to bahot vaade karte hai na”

Sai looks at him teasingly, Virat is suddenly looking dejected.

“Aap kabhi bhi mujhse kuch nahi chupayenge.. Chahe vo kitna bhi bura ho”

Virat realises she is hinting at the Sada-Shruti situation and nods.. “Pakka”

Sai - “Deal???”

Virat - “Pakka deal!!!”

Sai - “Aise koun deal final karta hai… rukiye”

Sai fishes out a small box from her bag in the room and gives it to Virat.

As soon as Virat opens it, his face lights up. “Ye abhi bhi hai tumhare paas?”. It is the ring he had gifted her on her birthday. Sai nods happily “Aapne hi kaha tha na… ise hamesha pehne rakhna.. Agar main na rahu to bhi… Divorce ke baad maine pehenna band kar diya but always kept it close. Now, lets finalize this deal”

Virat takes the ring from the box and puts it on her finger. Sai smiles and Virat gives a light peck on her cheeks astonishing Sai. Just then, they hear someone talking in the corridor and half heartedly move away.

By the evening, everyone gets ready to go to the venue for Simant Poojan. Sai is wearing a maroon saree and looking for Virat. The moment he sees her, he puts his hand on his heart and he has such a loving smile that she can only blush. Sai is wearing the ruby necklace and the ring too. To him, his Sai is back and that is all he can think of. Even though they are standing away from each other, both are locked in each other. Finally Mohit pokes at Virat and Samrat nudges Sai to bring them back to the present. Mohit pulls both of them together and starts clicking pictures. Virat pulls Sai closer by putting his hands around her waist while throwing a glance to Kaku.  

Later, at the venue, Simant Poojan event is on. Virat whispers something to Ashwini and Shivani. They look at him approvingly and call Sai.

Ashwini informs Vishal’s mother (Rekha tai) to include Sai in the list.

Rekha Tai - “Kyun nahi.. Ye beta!!”

Sai in a low voice - “Par Aai… main kyun?” 

Ashwini - “Abhi jo bol rahi hun, vo kar… baad main batati hun”

Sai is made to sit on the chaurang (chowki/low square stool), Rekha does her veneration and fills her Oti.

Bhavani and Omkar are getting visibly upset and hints at Ashwini to come to them. Virat already anticipating this goes with Ashwini. Before Ashwini can say anything, Virat speaks in a low yet stern voice,

“Kaku, isse pehle ki aap kuch bolo aur tamasha ho.. Main bata du ki maine hi Aai se ye karne ko kaha.. Aap shayad abhi tak samajh nahi pai hai ya samajhna nahi chahti.. Sai meri patni thi aur main use phirse apni patni banane wala hun.. Is rishte se uska Chavan parivar ki badi bahu hone ke naate ye haq tha.. Jo use milna chahiye tha.. Aur jo maine use dilvaya.. Baki aapko jo bhi bolna hai vo kal baat karenge.. Abhi don't create an issue”.

Understanding that Virat is not going to budge and to save face in front of others, Bhavani and Omkar avoid making any further remarks and put on a fake smile.

Sai, who has not heard the conversation is surprised to receive the Oti but she sees Virat looking at her with contentment and pride and finally smiles.

—--

Simant Poojan is an event prior to the wedding where the families are introduced to each other formally. So the equivalent relations (Mama-Kaka, Kaku, Masi) are introduced to each other. Men exchange coconut symbolically while women fill each other's Oti. Oti (literal meaning lap) is a rasm where ladies are given rice, coconut, some money, blouse piece etc. as a symbol that she has her lap/heart full. Here, Virat asking it for Sai is high in significance as it means he is bestowing the right to her.

Song is ‘Tu bin bataye’ from Rang de Basanti.