Chapter 2

Peace

@MsPrez

| PART-1 |

| PART-2 |

Cue: 16th Sept's episode, excluding the hallway argument of RaghVi

Pallavi is still in the Telugu attire and has successfully patched up with Jaya. On the other hand, Raghav has just left without having breakfast after Jaya asked him if he wanted to say anything to Pallavi.

"Ghamandi Rao!" Pallavi mumbled, glaring at Raghav's retreating figure.

"Sahi bola tum," Amma said, chuckling.

Pallavi didn't want anyone, especially Jaya, to hear that. "Amma, vo..."

"Mera beta ko chhodo, woh toh hain hi sadu. Mereko bohot bhookh laga hain, chalo hum nashta karte hain." 

Pallavi smiled at her MIL and started having breakfast with her, mentally making a note to later check on her puffer fish of a husband.

After a while, she was headed towards her room to change. She stopped right outside the door when she heard some music coming from inside. It sounded similar, she has heard the tune before. 

"Main bahar kyun khadi hoon? Ab yeh mera bhi kamra hain," Pallavi reminded herself before entering the bedroom.

The sight in front of her was a clear answer to why she knew the tune. She has witnessed this once before, Raghav Rao performing Bharatnatyam. This was his way of subsidising his raging anger. She smiled as the previous memory of watching him perform this beautiful art form flashed in front of her eyes. 

While she stood by the door, admiring her handsome husband and his brilliant skill, he seemed to be unaffected by her presence. The undivided concentration he gives while doind something was just one of the many qualitied she admired about him.

She got an idea and went to stand on the opposite side of the room. She started out by tapping her foot lightly but then began performing Kathak.

Raghav Rao, the fire. Pallavi, the water. Like the opposing elements, their art forms were different as well. But like the opposing art forms were brought together in the same room by the common music, Raghav & Pallavi were brought together by love. 

Raghav was concluded his performance, panted in exhaustion. The same way Pallavi was admiring him dance before, this time he stood frozen in awe of her gracefulness. She could be doing anything but he would never get tired of watching her.

Unknowingly, while spinning Pallavi had crossed her side of the room and came to the other side. Her back collided into his bare chest and he engulfed her completely by wrapping his arms around her. No matter how hard they try to stay apart, their hearts will always guide them towards each other.

Inhaling the fragnance of the gajra, he let out a deep sigh. "Pallavi..." He huskily whispered in her ear and nuzzled into her neck.

She had leaned her head backwards and rested on his shoulder. "Hmm..." With eyes closed, she was definitely enjoying the feeling.

"Tumko pata hain na ki main tumse gussa hain?" It was evident from his tone that he was struggling to keep up the facade of being angry with her.

That one line brought her back to reality. Her eyes shot open and she quickly stepped out of his embrace, turned around to face him. He grunted at the lack of her in his arms.

“Kya kaha tumne? Gussa? Tum mujhpe gussa ho? Achchha….” She crossed her arms over her chest, nose flaring in anger. “Zara batao toh kis baat pe gussa hain aap, Mr. Rao?"

That was a question but Pallavi didn't let him answer it, she answered it herself. "Haan! Yaad aya... Bhaag ke shaadi kisne ki? Keerti ne. Keerti behen kiski? Tumhari. Ussne kise room mein lock kiya? Mujhe. Lekin gussa tum mujh pe aise ho rahe ho jaise ki usske shaadi ki pandit main hi thi, maine hi usske phere karaye, maine hi usske gali mein mangalsutra dalvaya, maine hi usski shaadi karayi." She mocked. "Tumhare unjustified gusse ko zara sa importance kya de diya tum toh mere sar pe chad ke tandav karne lage!" 

"Toh kisne kaha importance dene ko? Matt do na." He answered in annoyance.

"Sahi kaha tumne! Lekin ab kya karu? Pyaar kiya hain tumse, aise tumhari chuppi bardasht nahi hoti. Iss liye importance dena padh raha hain. Ab lag raha hain ki tumne mujhse kabhi pyaar kiya hi nahi. Tum itne din tak gussa nahi rehte agar main thodi si bhi important hoti tumhare liye. You just don't...."

Her lecture ka dukan was abruptly shut down when he pulled her towards him, making her crash into him.

"Chup! Bohot bakwas karlia tumne. Tumne socha bhi kaise ki tum mere liye important nahi hain, Pallavi?" His voice was soft, almost like a whisper.

"Toh phir itna gussa kis baat ka, Raghav?" Devoid of anger, her voice was so gentle.

"Okay, I agree mera gussa unjustified tha. I can't help it. Mereko jab gussa aata hain toh sahi-galat kuch samajhich nahi aata." He sighed. "I am s..."

"Sshh! Maine bhi bohot galtiya kari hain lekin you never expected apologies from me. Tum meri baat samajh gaye, that's more than enough for me." She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his torso in a tight hug.

It felt as if a huge weight was lifted off of their shoulders. All the muscles of their bodies seemed to relax after being tensed for so long. They stayed in the embrace in silence, just listening to each other's heartbeat until he decided to break the silence.

"Telugu ammai."

She looked up at him in confusion, "Kya?"

"Tumne puchha tha na ki kaisa dikh raha hain tum. Wahi bola. You look like a Telugu girl."

"Sach mein?" She smiled and her eyes twinkled like a happy baby. 

"Nahi, main toh jhooth bol raha tha."

That earned him a smack on the chest but he laughed it off.

"Dh...dhan...ya... Dhanyavādālu!" 

"Wow, Pallavi, not bad!"

"Na...pe..." She tried remembering the exact words, "Haan! Na peru Pallavi Raghav Rao." She said with her brightest smile.

This time he was dumbfounded.

"Nēnu ninnu prēmistunnānu, Pallavi Raghav Rao." 

"Huh...what?" All she understood was her name. "Meri Telugu...konchum konchum."

She made a puppy face at which he chuckled.

"Veda manus!" 

Then she also joined in his laughter riot and rested her head back on his shoulder.

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English translations:

Telugu ammai (Telegu) = Telugu girl

Dhanyavādālu (Telegu) = Thank you

Na peru Pallavi Raghav Rao (Telegu) = My name is Pallavi Raghav Rao

Nēnu ninnu prēmistunnānu (Telegu) = I love you

Konchum konchum (Telegu) = Little little 

Veda manus (Marathi) = Crazy person

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The End....

Hope y'all enjoyed this! 

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Other MHRW works:

FF: All Over Again

TS: Roaring Love

OS: Never Say Never

OS: Raat Khatam, Baat Khatam

Drabble: The Luncheon