Finale Part (B) Matured

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                               Finale (Part-B)

The entire family(except a few) was busy trying to figure out where to find Sai and how she could leave without informing anyone. She had belongings were still in her room. They were getting all unwanted, scary thoughts. Just then Sai entered, her jovial self, like nothing had happened. Ashwini ran towards her and hugged her. Virat didn't know how to react, he was rooted where he was for a while. Then relief flooded him to see her safe. He wanted to hold her in a tight embrace like he could keep her protected there with him forever. But he couldn't, wouldn't dare. It took all willpower not to run to her. But what he didn't understand was that smile on her face like they had been sent back in time and the last 2 days had been erased. 

Ashwini - Where did you go without informing anyone? You got us all worried.

Sai - Sorry Aai. I had gone to the temple. (To herself - It is a start of a new chapter of my life and I wanted to take the blessings of the almighty)I didn't want to disturb anyone. It was very crowded so I got late. And as usual I forgot to take my phone along.

Ashwini - (playfully planting her palm on her cheeks) Why do you always end up doing things like this? Now go and get ready. Aren't you getting late for college

Sai - Ho Aai! 

And she ran up not giving anyone an opportunity to question her anymore. All this while Bhavani and Pakhi were getting irked to see Sai back and surprised at Sai's casualness, while the rest were left clueless.

Breakfast table

Bhavani in her usual manner was grumbling, and taunting Sai. Virat was quietly having his breakfast, when Sai came down hurriedly.

Sai - Aai please give my lunch, I'm running late.

Aai - Have breakfast first. 

Sai - No Aai. I have already missed the bus, now will have to change 2 buses and I will definitely miss my 1st lecture.

Virat - (Somehow finds the courage to speak to Sai) I can drop you.

Sai (Nonchalantly, busy checking her stuff in the bag) OK

Virat couldn't believe his ears. He looked at her and then at his Aai for reassurance,  that he had heard her correctly. Aai also had a surprised look and she gave a knowing nod to Virat. Not wanting to lose the opportunity, he ran back to his room to get his phone, wallet and keys, leaving his breakfast halfway. No one was able to decipher this changed attitude of Sai. It didn't fit the current situation. Was she losing her mind or this was the calm before the storm. Bhavani and Pakhi were also getting curious and doubtful about the success of their plan.

Ashwini - Sai.. you shouldn't leave the house empty stomach. Have something till Virat comes. I will pack more and you can have it on your way.

Bhavani - You are only concerned about this useless girl. Your son left his food halfway only for this ungrateful girl. She just makes everyone's life uncomfortable.

Sai (ignoring Bhavani's taunt) quickly picked up the half eaten flat bread from Virat's plate and gobbled it

Sai - (Casually)Happy now Aai? Can you please pack some extra? I will have him eat on our way.

Everyone was zapped at Sai's action. Virat had stopped in his tracks. He didn't know what to feel and what to make of this whole new version of Sai. But just that act had made his heart do a quick somersault.

Sai - Can you please hurry up Virat? I'm getting late.

This was getting weirder. What had gotten into Sai? She was dropping explosives, one after the other. The way she was behaving since she came back in the morning was so out of character, but this was beyond anyone's imagination. Sai had called him Virat instead of Virat Sir. How did this happen? Was that a slip on her part? All eyes were popping out staring at Sai like she was an alien who had landed in CN just now. 

Virat (Coming out of his trance) Just nodded unable to form any words and walked out followed by Sai leaving behind the puzzled Chavans.

Their drive to her college was a quiet one barring the few words spoken to Virat for having the breakfast Aai had packed. But he was not prepared for his heart to flip again within such a short span. His poor heart! Sai had rolled up the flat bread and was feeding him. He looked at her in daze but couldn't utter a word.

Sai - Can you quickly take a bite? My hand is hurting holding it like this like forever.
And he took the bite followed by a few more like an obedient child. Sai was at ease, there was no awkwardness or anger in her demeanor. Virat's heart on the contrary was running a million miles per second. He dropped her off and she handed him lunch bag that she had been holding and left with a curt Thank You.

Evening

Virat enters and Pakhi was ready with another story to take him out with her. But before she could approach, Sai came running to him.

Sai - I have something important to discuss with you. There seems to be some problem with my scholarship

Virat is about to leave with Sai when Pakhi interrupts.

Pakhi - I have been waiting for you. I had even called you so many times. But you didn't answer. Can you please come with me? Sai can wait. You can resolve her issue later. A few minutes will not make a difference.

Virat - This is important. Anything related to my wife is important to me and is of utmost priority. I'm sure you can wait

Pakhi - How can you ask me to wait?  She is an immature girl who wants everything to be done as per her whims and fancies. Every small thing is important for her because she knows you will do it for her. Are you not intelligent enough to understand that? And how can you ignore me and prioritise her?

Virat - (Losing his patience) Did you not understand what I just said? I will not tolerate anyone insulting or berating my wife. And for me she is priority. To make it clear she is a very intelligent and caring girl. I don't want you to compare yourself with her. She is my wife and she will always hold the most important place in my life. So don't ever question it. You will end up insulting yourself. 

Virat leaves with Sai. Pakhi felt such rage that she could just kill Sai at that moment. But she held herself and smirked whispering, "later". She was already plotting her next move.

Later in the evening

Pakhi saw Virat taking a stroll in the garden and went upto him. But just when she was about to call Virat, Sai came from nowhere pushing Pakhi, making her way to Virat.

Sai - Virat, I need to get some urgent printouts for tomorrow's class. The printer at home is not working. Without even giving a second thought Virat left followed by Sai. Pakhi stood there fuming. 

Pakhi (to herself) what does she think? Is Virat her puppet or her personal attendee? She is ordering him around and he is following her like a puppy. He is just doing it out of guilt. But how can he be so spineless to take orders from her and be at her disposal all the time. Let them come back, today I will make her cry harder than she has ever in her life. Be ready Sai

Dinner time

Everyone was waiting for Virat and Sai for dinner. It was pouring heavily. Sai as she was now habitual, left her phone at home and Virat's phone was switched off. Just when Pakhi was trying Virat's phones for the umpteenth time, pacing across the living room they arrived. Completely drenched. Pakhi couldn't tolerate any of this anymore. She lashed out at the two of them

Pakhi - How much time does it take to get printouts? How irresponsible of you guys? She is selfish, but how can you be so careless and irresponsible Virat? You got me so worried. I mean all of us.(she looked around for the others to support her, but no one did).

Virat - Enough Pakhi. We are not kids. And it's not that late either. It's barely past dinner time. We got stuck on our way, because of a flat tire and then it started to rain. 

Ashwini - Forget all that. You both should go and dry yourself quickly or you will catch cold. And then come down for dinner

Sai - Aai.. we were feeling hungry while we were waiting for the tyre to be fixed. And since it was raining we went to this food stall for shelter and ended up eating from there. 

Pakhi - Did you go to get printouts or was it a  pre planned date to compensate for the last one that was spoilt? (Realising that she had let the cat out of the bag, she fumbled and tried to cover up) You should have atleast informed us. We wouldn’t have waited for you to come home.

Virat - I seriously don't owe you any explanations

And with that Virat left for his room holding Sai's hand.

Pakhi on one hand was thankful that no one caught her blunder. But on the other hand she felt things were backfiring. She had to get Virat in a more amicable state with her, and for that she needed to change her tactics. Play the victim card.

Sai and Virat's Room

Pakhi entered with 2 cups of tea. Sai was in the shower she figured as she could hear the water running. 

Pakhi - Virat..I got some hot tea for you, since you got so wet in the rain, this will warm you up

She extended the cup to Virat

Virat - Thanks! You can leave them here. Sai will just be out of the shower, I will have it with her.

Pakhi could barely control her temper

Pakhi - Oh! It completely slipped my mind. I only got it for the two of us. I thought that now you will be able to spare sometime and we could talk. I understand that I was quiet of place when I spoke to you earlier, but it's just that this thing has been troubling me, and I haven't been myself

Virat - That's fine I can share mine with her. 

Pakhi tried not to react, but envy played on her face.

Before Virat could say anything further, Sai came out of the shower. She looked between  the two of them, when Virat extended his tea cup towards Sai

Virat - Pakhi came to give us some tea. It's only one cup. Would you mind sharing it with me? Or you can have it all by yourself.

Sai - Nope. That's fine. I will share it with you

Virat and Sai shared the tea from the same cup taking turns alternatively.

Pakhi couldn't stand this intimacy that she witnessed between Sai and Virat.

Pakhi - Sai, if you don't mind I need to discuss something important with Virat

Sai - I think he needs some rest. Why don't you keep this discussion for tomorrow

And what followed was an argument between Sai and Pakhi

Virat (losing his mind in their quarrel) - I actually need some fresh air. I'm going out

Sai - It's unlikely that it will rain again. The weather is so pleasant. Lets go for a drive. I feel like having an ice cream. Or rather two. Perfect in this weather 

She clapped her hands at the exciting idea and pouted making a cute face at Virat. How could he deny her. He quickly grabbed his wallet and car keys 

Virat (holding Sai's hand) Let's go

Pakhi stomped her foot and then quickly followed them. 

Living area

Bhavani - Where are you too heading, at this hour? You have just got back home

Virat - I was feeling a little suffocated. Need some fresh air and Sai wanted to have some ice cream. So we are going. Will be back in sometime

Bhavani - Have you lost your mind, giving into all her demands? How can you both go out this late?

Virat - What's wrong with it? As husband and wife we can go out and spend sometime together right?  There is nothing unusual in it. 

There was finality to his tone. There was miss and blink eye gesture that passed between Virat and Mohit. Mohit quietly grabbed Karishma's hand, and went into a get set go mode waiting for the next signal. 

Virat - Infact I think Mohit and Karishma should also join us.

He didn't wait for a response and made a quick exit with Sai. Without another word Mohit followed practically dragging Karishma behind him. 

Poor Karishma was in a daze, she was not even spared the time to realise what had just happened.

Outside CN, all 4 got into the car and drove off. Karishma had no clue, and didn't know what to make out of all this. Just as they crossed their Main gate the trio barring Karishma, erupted into laughter. Karishma after a while gained her composure and hesitating initially joined them. She also had dreamt of such getaways and some quality time with her husband but would have never dared to ask.

They reached the river side and got out of the car. There was a chill in the air due to heavy downpour earlier. But it felt nice, romantic. Sai spotted an Ice cream vendor and started jumping like she had hit a jackpot. Virat couldn't take his eyes of her. Mohit, quietly nudged his dada, and gave him a teasing look. 

Mohit - Enough Dada. She is your wife only. You can keep admiring her all your life. But if you don't get the ice cream, you may just find yourself in deep trouble

Virat knowing the kind of trouble she was capable of creating hurried towards the vendor. They all got ice creams for themselves, Sai with an extra one as her back up. She was still confused about the flavours, so she strictly told the vendor to not leave his spot and that she would be back to check out more flavours.

After a while they went down to the river bank and sat down just enjoying the beautiful view of nature. Just when all were lost this view, Virat felt a splash of water on him. It took him a few seconds to realise that Sai had just started with her antics and was spattering the rest of them with the river water. They all got up and started splashing water, giggling, laughing, screaming and running after each other. Virat was chasing Sai and had moved away a little, but close enough for Mohit and Karishma to clearly see them. Virat got hold of Sai from behind, snacking his arms around her waist he picked her up and swirled her around. They were laughing like no one or nothing else existed. After spinning her around he placed her down on her feet. They could not take their eyes off each other. Slowly, very slowly, Virat's head descended down and captured Sai's lips. They stood there kissing, holding onto each other tightly. After a while they stopped and tried to catch their breath. But it seemed that they were far from over for tonight.

All this while Mohit and Karishma were busy capturing Sai and Virat and filming their romantic moments. Virat grabbed Sai's hand entwining their finger and signaled Mohit that they are off and both the couples can have some private time before they head back home

Mohit held Karishma's hand and walked off in the opposite direction giving a thumps up to his Dada. But before he left he sent out the pictures  and videos to someone. Then sent a apology note that it was sent to the wrong number without bothering to delete them from the chat. And his face broke out into a mischievous smile, as he walked along the banks holding Karishma's hand. Well he was pretty good at capturing moments, "Interesting ones, really really interesting ones".

CN (Pakhi's room)

Pakhi saw the videos and went beserk. She went around screaming and shouting, breaking anything and everything that she could lay her hands on. She was out of control. Finally she sat down on the floor with a thud, lifeless. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the videos and pictures that Mohit had shared. There was fire burning in her eyes when she saw them kissing on the river bank, drenched, completely stuck to each other like they were inseparable. She was not naive to not understand that this was a ploy and not an error. This was intentional and she knew that. But her mind was reeling in the thought on how her plan had flopped. She had lost Virat, lost him to Sai and she could not contain her anger at her defeat. She was still not able to accept that she had lost to Sai. Just then there was a knock on the door and Ashwini walked in carrying a tray with ice cubes and a glass of water. She looked around the room and smiled. Pakhi stood up and started hurling out the venom that her whole existence had become now. Ashwini stood there unaffected, with that smile broadening with every passing minute with every passing remark from Pakhi. 

Pakhi - Your Son and your dear Sai will never be happy together. I will never let that happen. I will ensure that Sai is thrown out of CN and Virat's life.

Pakhi was going on with her curses, when she felt a hand being waived high and was thrashed across her face with full force. Pain surged through her entire being and tears sprung from her eyes while she tried to decipher what had just happened. She was holding her left cheek with her palm trying to soothe the area where she had been slapped hard by Ashwini. 

Ashwini (quietly pointed at the tray and calmly said)- Use the ice water to cool yourself down. You can choose to drink or throw it over your head. I leave that to you. And clean up the room before morning, you will not have anyone cleaning up the mess you leave behind everytime (pun intended)

She started to leave, but turned back and said

Ashwini - You can never separate Virat and Sai. Their love is too pure and strong for your vileness to destroy. You have lost and you will be defeated everytime if you try again, because Love will always emerge above all odds.

With that she left without a trace of anything that just happened between them, leaving behind a helpless & defeated Pakhi.

Epilogue - Want to know what transpired to cause the change of events? (Clue- What goes around comes around)

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