PART-1 BELOW

PART- TWO

VOTE OF THANKS

Hello guys, I am Aazeen. New to this forum, and a writer on India Forums for the past 4 years, though I am not here into full fledged writing this time on the forum.

I am here because, I had just recently started following KRPKAB, and catching up with the previous episodes too. Though from the promos I saw, I have a sinking feeling for the lovely Devakshi couple in the recent future with Ishwari ji coming to know of their relationship, and them staying apart, though their love shall never seize.

But, there is a Post-Marriage fancy in my imagination, and I can't help but conjure up a post marriage scenario into a fiction. I have no slightest even idea if this could happen on the show or not, but for the sake of my own throbbing imagination, I am penning this down. Hope you all like it.

OS: KUCH RANG PYAAR KE AISE BHI

 Ishwari Dixit held up the Aarti ki thaali in front of her and was moving it in circles in front of her son, Dev, and daughter in law, Sonakshi, aka Sona or "Nootrishan", as she would call her earlier when she was her personal Nutritionist, months back. Now she held a job outside this house, and was in love with Ishwari's son, and married just a few hours back. Dev hadn't asked much for himself in years, and Sona was the only thing, or the only person more he wanted in his life. Dev's smiles were Ishwari's only therapy, and so did she smile; not the unrestricted one, but more a forced one, welcoming her daughter in law, that she still wasn't prepared of bringing.

Sonakshi clad in an intricate red, pink and orange coloured lehenga, tried her best to look more like a Delhi based bride unlike the Bengali Marriage they had a few hours back. She understood her mother in law and her discomfort well enough, and tried slipping her shakha pola under her three-fourth sleeves, that her mother made her wear the first thing in her wrist before putting on the bangles (two red and white bangles that married Bengali women wear). She did not want anything that would further agitate Ishwari ji.

Sonakshi looked up for a glimpse around her while Ishwari ji was doing the aarti. Maama ji seemed happy for his Bhanja, maami as usual had a cow-dung smelt face that was screwing up in displease, and Dev's three sisters, who now were hers too; Neha, Rhia, and Nikki were delighted at the thought of their only brother's finally marrying. Where Neha showed little but genuine smile, Rhia was her excited best, and Nikki- if she could help, would have still been dancing frantically the way she did when they were coming with the baraat to take Sona off to their place. Sonakshi heaved a relieved breath. Apart from Dev, these three girls were a strong backbone of support to her here. Other things can follow.

Sonakshi walked along Dev after kicking the kalash of rice, and walking into the kumkum water making traces of her feet behind. Though she was nervous inside as to how Ishwari ji is going to take along having her in the house, still the confidence oozed more fire into her to help her mother in law around the fact. She focused into her environment when she was being given various gifts and blessings, when Mami ji chortled- " Gareeb ki beti se bhagwaan jhoot na bulwaaye, par aaj kal toh Naukraaniyon(maid) ke bhi jalwe hain. Kaun deta hai kaam waali ko itna sona... Jeeji? Iska sirf naam Sona hai, isko zarurat nahi hai... (Then she sniggered and whispered loud enough)Kya pata Jeeji, leke bhaag jaaye heere- sone ke zewar?"

Sona felt humiliated again, but she was prepared enough for this kind of behaviour that no tears even threatened to go out of her control; but she knew it's too late to help; Dev had gone out of his way, his wrists clenched in a tight fist. She looked up at his hot red hued face, when he spoke- "Maami ji, aaj aakhiri baar samjha raha hoon, iske baad bolunga nahi. Sonakshi iss ghar ki naukraani nahi hai, woh ek Doctor hai. Aapko samajh nahi aata uska kaam, theek hai. Koi baat nahi... Aap jaanti nahi hain har cheez, koi baat nahi. Lekin humari baat pe yaqeen toh rakh sakti hain na, hum log toh padhe likhe hain..."

"Haai-haai!!! Gareeb ki beti ko anpadh keh raha hai ye Dev... Puri paanchvi paas hai ye Radha Rani..." Radha Rani began to start another drama when Maama ji pulled her aside, and furiously glared to which she mellowed to keep her mouth shut. Now was not the time to be thrown out of the palace like house at the mid of the night.

Sonakshi took the opportunity, and walked towards Ishwari ji, who looked not at all happy. She was trying to smile earlier, but it would just not happen now; it was getting harder to smile even for Dev. Sonakshi held her mother in law's hand, and politely asked- "Auntie ji, mujhe aapse akele mein kuch baatein karni hai. Kya aap please mere saath aayengi?". On Ishwari ji's nod she subtly nodded towards Dev, and began moving with Ishwari ji. She understood well, her mother in law didn't even expect, as much as she didn't want Sona to call her "Maa" just like Dev and his siblings did; and so ishwari ji didn't even notice her addressing her Auntie ji.

As they entered into Ishwari's room, and Sona made Ishwari sit at the corner of the bed, and herself sat down on her knees on the floor, and held her mother in law's palms in hers as she spoke earnestly- "Auntie ji, I know... Main jaanti hoon, main aapki pasand nahi hoon... Balki, shayad, aapke bete ki zidd hoon. Aapka beta zidd nahi karta kabhi bhi, aur iss baar unhone aapko manaane ke liye praarthna(prayer) se lekar zidd tak sab kuch apna liya... Aap khush nahin hain Auntie ji, main jaanti hoon..."

Ishwari ji tightened the hold of her pallu around her shoulder, looking affronted at being judged absolutely correct, yet did not wanted to accept that it was true what Sona was saying- "Kisne kaha tujhse ki main khush nahi hoon... Dev mera beta hai, aur kyu na khush hoon main uske liye... (On seeing the knowing look on Sona's face, she added just one more word-) Bas..."

"Bas ye Auntie ji, ki aap abhi bhi iss baat se pareshaan hain ki kahin aapka beta kahin aapse door na chala jaaye... Hai na?" Sona completed Ishwari's words, and Ishwari turned her face the other way. She did not want to face this. She has defiantly denied and avoided these topics for the past 28 years, and still felt no motivation to be confronted. But she herself did not realize that the girl in front of her wasn't any ordinary girl; she had the will and confidence to make things her way, just like she did for Ishwari's health back then.

Sona pulled at Ishwari's chin and made her look at her- "Auntie ji, main maa nahi hoon aapki tarah lekin apne bhai ki behen zaroor hoon, aur main jaanti hoon, ki kisi insaan ko apne jeewan ke itne saal dene ke baad usko kisi ke saath baantna aasaan nahi hota... It's just not easy, I know that." She looked down at her lap for the moment when she spoke- "Main ye toh nahi keh sakti ki main aapke bete ki zindagi ka kuch hissa nahi loongi, ye shaayad ek patni ke naatey mumkin nahi hai; lekin, (She looked hopefully at Ishwari) itna main aapko yaqeen dila sakti hoon ki aapke hisse ka pyaar Dev ki taraf se kabhi nahi bantega. Aapko kabhi ye mehsoos bhi nahi hone doongi ki ek aur insaan aapke ghar ka hissa hai... Aapke bete aapke hain, aur humesha pehle aapke hi rahenge. Main aisa kabhi kuch nahi dikhaaungi jisse aapko iss baat ka ehsaas bhi ho ki aapke Dev par aapka pehla haq nahin hai... Lekin Auntie ji, please aap aise dukhi mat rahiye... Hum sab aapki muskaan se hi toh jeete hain, aapki health hum sab ki priority hai, please, aap yun tension le le ke khud ki tabiyat mat bigaadiye... Bas yahi kehna chaahti thi aapse..."

Ishwari tried smiling, this time something genuine. But just contended with a small nod saying- "Thoda samay de Sona... Shayad sab theek ho jaaye... Pehle toh jaa neeche warna Nikki raat bhar mein baavli ho jaayegi..." both of them giggled, and started to walk down.

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Sona still wore a loose Patiala pant and short kurta, after coming out of the bath the next morning, towelling her hair when she looked at an already awake Dev. Confusion and tension was etched on her face, as she walked and plopped down on the bed before him, and answered his unasked question- "Dev, mere kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Chudidaar Kameez  pehen loon, taaki aapki maa ko baar baar remind na karoon ki humari shaadi ho gayi hai? Ya phir saree pehnu, ki kahin wo offend na ho jaayein ki unke ghar ki bahu saree nahi pehenti hain? I am just so confused."

Dev gave her a brightest of smile and took her hand in his- "Sona, do it just the way you wish to do it. You don't have to wrongly pretend what you don't mean to. I have nothing better than to see maa happy, but not on false pretention Sona. Jo dikhaawa tum saari zindagi kar na sako, aise karne ka faaida hi kya? Just go the normal way. Okay?" Sona smiled, as well nodded, getting to dress herself as quickly as possible.

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"Aaye-haaye Jeeji, ye daaktarni kahin se aapko suhaagan dikh rahi hai?" Radha rani said from the dining table where Ishwari joined in too after coming from her room. Sonakshi wore a bright yellow and red saree, but did nothing expressive other than a handful of bangles in her wrist, a small red bindi and pearl earrings. She had successfully reached the temple room before either Ishwari or Radha woke up out of their rooms, and lit the lamps, and left for the kitchen before anyone of the two sees her around. But was unsuccessfully spotted around the kitchen, and could hear the criticisms. Kichchu Bhaiyya was cooking, and she tried being busy in instructing him. She knew how to make tea, so she did make for Radha and a glass of juice was Ishwari, when she was called out by Ishwari, that wasn't either harsh nor a polite tone. She brought juice for Ishwari, tea for Radha and a cup of black coffee for Dev who wore casual denim and a T-shirt, and touched his mother and maami's feet, to sit down on a chair next to his mother. He cautiously looked around when Sona was called around. She kept the tray on the table and spoke- "Ji, auntie ji?"

"Mangalsutra kahan hai tumhara?" Ishwari asked. Sona's fingers immediately caressed her neck. She had pulled out the mangalsutra out of her neck just before coming out of her room to not further add to her MIL's woes. But it seems the opposite. Dev quietly slipped the mangalsutra from his denim pocket, and into Sona's other free palm under the table. Sonakshi pulled the palm out to show it to Ishwari.

"Fashion ka zewar nahi hai ye jo mera beta itna kharcha karke laaya hai... Shaadi ho gayi hai toh pehen ke rakho isko. Jaao, jaake pehno..." Ishwari scolded. On Sona's nod, and the gesture to leave the table when Ishwari quietly added- "Sindoor bhi." "Ji, Auntie ji." Sonakshi left for their room, and immediately Dev's phone rang, his client was on call; he needed to refer a file. He stood from the chair looking at his mother constantly if she would react. But she just smiled and nodded, and hence he left for their room to take his file. He entered inside, looking at Sona who was standing in front of the dresser as it is, while he referred the file for a minute and then continued talking on call. His cell phone stuck between his ear and shoulder, head tilted sideways, making his hands free. He continued listening to his client, while his fingers picked up the mangalsutra from Sona's hand, and tied it around her neck without asking. She smiled looking at the mirror, and he pecked her shoulder in a return gesture from behind. In a moment, finishing his call, he came back to her, and wordlessly took sindoor from the box, and applied into her parting. It completely changed her look. She couldn't resist giving a broad watery smile as he very lovingly planted a long kiss on her forehead. She opened her Jewellery box and pulled out her mother's tinkling anklets; that now on were hers.

"No Dev... Not this. I will wear this on my own. It's not nice for you to do that." He just placed his index finger on her lips quietening her, and took the anklets from her, sat down on his hunches, and tied down the loud tinkling interlinked locks of anklet around her ankles. He had just done the second one, when he looked at the door to see Nikki's excited, astonished, ecstatic little yelp of joy- "Bhaiyya sitting on his knees before Bhabhi... How romantic...!!!" Rhia giggled, and Neha admonished her younger sisters- "What's such a big deal if he is on his knees before his wife; sab husbands karte hain... Itna kyu cheekh rahi hai tu nikki..."

Rhia and Nikki rejected their elder sister's scoldings nodding their heads in unison- "Of course! No big deal for you... You are married already... But for some young, free and single souls like us, it's still a big deal... How romantic!!!" Nikki dreamily sang.

Dev embarrassed, stood back on his feet, hiding his smile asked the three- "Tum teeno yahan kya kar rahi ho? Naashta nahi karna?" "Karna hai, karna hai Bhaiyya... Wo toh maa ne bheja humko ki Bhabhi ko kitni deir lagegi. Par yahan toh scene hi kuch aur hai..." Rhia wriggled her dark eyebrows, and Sona giggled this time, leaving Dev alone to pretend looking offended- "Chalo, baahar tum log sab... out!" said Dev...  "Bhabhi ko bhi le jaayein Bhaiyya?"Nikki asked. "Haan-haan le jaao apni Bhabhi ko bhi baahar... Mera kya lena dena tumhari Bhabhi se..."Dev continued his pretention. This time Neha came and whispered to him- "Bhai, door lock karke rakhna agli baar, acting aapse ho nahi paa rahi hai gusse ki..."Neha giggled, and this time Dev turned around his back to all of them, his face couldn't control the smirk, and that huge smile on his face. Good for him, they all left finally. He changed into his business suit, for he had to leave for his office.

He sat on a chair next to his mother on the head of the table chair. Maami ji immediately occupied the other chair next to Dev. His eyes immediately met Sona's who blinked calmly to drop any argument, and eat quietly. Ishwari's eyes suddenly got attention to the tip of Dev's ring finger, and thumb's tips, that were marked red with kumkum. She was elated, and expressed- "Tu... Tu mandir gaya tha aaj Dev? Tilak lagaaya tha? Kumkum?" she held on to his right hand, watching it again. Before Dev could even utter, Maami ji spoke at the moment- "Jeeji, kumkum na hai wo... Sindoor hai... Haan... Dekho, kahin koi tilak nahi laga... Apni patni ki maang bhari hogi Dev ne... Kyu Dev beta?" Maami pretended innocence...

Ishwari ji left the spoon mid way and looked disappointed for a moment, and then left the table, not wanting to hear anything from her son, who tried following her. He returned to the table, quite furious at the turn of events. He picked his coat, and wore it, and looked at Sonakshi- "Chaliye office... Aapke patients aapka wait kar rahe honge." Sonakshi was now appointed by Dev at his commercial office building after she had completed her course of treatment with Ishwari ji, and since then was his office nutritionist. She looked confused for a moment and asked Dev- "Aise hi chaloon?"... For no reason at the moment, he got highly furious- "Kyu? Tum agar sindoor mangalsutra pehenke nutrition chart banaaogi toh kya aapke patients marr jaayenge?"... Sonakshi was taken aback; Dev hadn't used this tone to her for days and months at stretch. But she just nodded and went to fetch her bag. She didn't want to add on to any arguments between them, and give a reason for Maami's smug grin to grow any further, satisfied at spoiling the day right on Day-One.

Dev was driving by himself, and Sonakshi quietly took her seat next to him. He waited for a few moments, and then bent towards her, and took her seat belt, and tucked it fasten. He started driving furiously, Sona clutched to her saree as to not say another word to him. Five minutes past, and he screeched halted his car with the brake. Sona would have been thrown on the dashboard lest the seat belt wasn't holding her in place. Dev banged the steering letting out his frustration. He looked tortured. "I am sorry Sona, mujhe sabke saamne tumse aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi, in fact, aise bolna hi nahi chahiye tha... I really am sorry." He innocently held his ears.

Sonakshi held his shoulder and comforted him- "Dev, I understand, you are angry at making maa upset right on day one; though we never wanted to... But Dev, there was absolutely nothing we could do then as in. We didn't do anything in front of her; we weren't even talking before her. That was just out of our hands, and maami ji cashed it out."

Dev nodded, he added though- "We are kind of indebted to Maama ji for whatever he did for us in our times of need. Maami ji and Vickkey exploit that very fact. Unfortunately neither maa nor I can do anything about that. Insulting her, would mean insulting maama ji. And that is what we would never want to do..."

Sonakshi nodded understanding, caressed his palm that was in her lap, soothing him- "Dev, I understand all that... Please lekin aap apna mood iss tarah kharaab mat keejiye... Shaam mein maa se baat karenge, dekhna sab theek ho jaayega..." Dev nodded his agreement, finally giving a little relieved smile, patting her hand, changing the gear back to the first, and started the car for the office.

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"Maa, lo, tumhari khaana..." Neha brought a tray of food for her mother to her room. Maami ji and Vickkey were blissfully unaware in their own world going out to eat, so Ishwari was alone. Her married daughter was home for a few days for her brother's wedding, and so served food for her. Ishwari was calm, but still sulking. Neha whooshed out a heavy breath as she spoke- "Maa ismein aise naraaz hone ki baat hi kya hai?" "Neha, tuney dekha nahi? Kyu lagwaaya sindoor Dev se? Khud nahi laga sakti thi?"

Neha kept on looking astonished at her own mother's immaturity. What was she talking? Did she have any idea? May be Neha's face gave away these questions... Ishwari spoke again- "Kya, tujhe main hi ghalat lag rahi hoon Neha... Kaun karta hai aisa, tu bata... Sab chochle hain..."... Neha shook her head sarcastically as she spoke- "Phir toh shaadi mein bhi sindoor daan hota hi kyu hai? Dulhan khud hi laga le khud ko sindoor, kyu dulhe se maang bharwaate hain?" Ishwari's mouth opened and closed like a fish in water when Neha continued- "Aur maa tum hi toh kehti thi ke wo patni saubhagyashaali hai jiski maang uske pati ne bhari ho... Toh kya aap apne bete ki patni ko lucky nahi hone dena chaahti?"... Ishwari did not know what to say... Neha spoke again- "Maa, ek baar khud ko Bhabhi ki jagah, aur Bhaiyya ko baba ki jagah rakhke dekhiye, aur mujhe bataaiye ki jo aapne aaj breakfast par kiya, kya wo sahi tha? Kya usmein Bhaiyya ya Bhabhi ki koi galti thi?" Ishwari shook negatively getting the point finally, and Neha completed- "Maa dhaage already bohot uljhe hue hain, unhe aur uljha ke kahin gaanth mat baandh lena... Dusre jo kehte hain so kehte hain, apne mann ki bhi sunna..." Neha patted her mother's shoulder, and the mother did let go off the day's issue. She would make up at dinner when she will happily talk around. And she did.

Sonakshi walked early at 5 pm alone, back from office. Dev would need more time at office, and so Sona was back alone, driver drove her here. It was also an unsaid agreement between Dev and Sona, to help Ishwari ji with accepting their marriage. "Tum akeli aayi ho Nootrishan? Dev kahan hai?" Ishwari ji asked when Sona neared her. "Wo Auntie ji... Aap toh jaanti hain na, Mr. Dixit ko kaam se fursat kab milti hai..." Sona spoke as a matter of fact, and Ishwari nodded in agreement. Neha's words and her behaviour towards Sona and Dev in the morning rang into Ishwari's ears, and she wanted to make up for that- "Nootrishan, tu chai banana toh jaanti hai na? Mujhe nahi pilaayegi banaake?" ... Sona ideally would have told her to have soup, but then somehow she couldn't say that today; a flashback of Dev and her conversation came to her mind, when Dev had asked her why she didn't control her brother Sourav's diet, and she had told that we accept the family unconditionally, we cannot always stop them to make them unhappy always; sometimes you need to let go... And now she was part of Ishwari's family, and she has to accept her unconditionally, just like she did for her brother.

"Kya soch rahi hai Nootrishan, nahi banana chaahti chai mere liye?" Ishwari brought Sona out of her reverie, Sona smiled back- "Auntie ji, kyu nahi banaungi chai aapke liye? Aap bhi bataaiye ki kaisa banaati hu jo bhi thoda bohot aata hai mujhe." Sona looked around if anybody else was around and wanted tea along. But she found none, and excusing Kichchu Bhaiyya, she herself set to make two cups of tea and a few biscuits for Ishwari ji and herself.

Ishwari ji was taking her fourth sip of tea when she looked over the cup rim, to meet Sonakshi's expectant eyes. She wasn't sure if her mother in law liked the tea she made for her. Ishwari ji was amused at her scared expression, and couldn't control her own laughter watching her getting more and more upset with each passing millisecond. Ishwari ji laughed out loud, Sona gave a more confused and scared expression- "Auntie ji... Wo..."... Ishwari laughed out more freely and patted Sona's cheek- "Arre Nootrishan, tu bekaar mein khud ko badnaam karti hai ki tujhse kitchen wale kaam nahi hote... Mujhe toh nahi lagta aisa... Bohot hi achhi chai banaayi hai tumne. Koshish karogi toh thoda bohot toh seekh hi jaaogi kuch khaana banana..." ... Sonakshi was elated, not with the kitchen work part, but with the ease of Ishwari ji's conversation, and she would not spoil it at any cost- "Sachhi auntie? Main seekh sakti hoon khaana banana?" "Haan bilkul... Kyu nahi... Main sikhaaungi tujhe..."

Kichchu, who had just come to put a water jug on the table took offense on the conversation and spoke to Ishwari ji- "Par hum apna kaam kisi ko nahi denge Maaji... Doctor didi humein bataayein, hum banaayenge... Warna humare hone ka faayda kya." Both Ishwari and Sonakshi laughed at him as Ishwari assured- "Haan haan... Main toh bas sikha rahi hoon... Tum hi banana khaana..."

Dev had just returned home for a file, and witnessed this scene. Whatever anger or disappointment he felt in the morning melt away, seeing his mother and wife sitting together sipping their teas and smiling-laughing together. His mother spotted him, and spoke- "Arre Dev beta... Tu kab aaya? Wahan kyu khada hai... Aa na idhar..." . Dev sat down next to his mother, when Kichchu Bhaiyya asked- "Coffee laa doon Bhaiyya ji?" But Dev answered to his mother making a puppy face- "Maa tu akele akele chai pee rahi hai... Mujhe nahi degi apne haath ki bani chai?" Dev picked his mother's cup and took a sip, and immediately his expressions changed- "Maa... Chai achhi toh bohot bani hai, par ye tere haath ka taste nahi hai... Tere haath ki baat alag hai... Arre waah Kichchu Bhaiyya, aap toh badi achhi chai banana lage hain..." Sonakshi looked down in her lap; a lingering little smile escaped her lips that hid with her bowed head. Ishwari ji smiled a little smile and said- "Chai Kichchu ne nahi, Nootrishan ne banaayi hai..."... If Dev had tried to mask his astonishment and happiness at that moment, he did a fairly good job, because though he gave a cordial happy smile, his eyes were twinkling, he did not let his mother feel those expressions. For now all was good.

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 It has been about six months since Sonakshi came to Ishwari Niwas after her marriage with Dev; all was well but it wasn't. Though Ishwari tried remaining casual to Sonakshi, but her face gave away the displease she felt when she found them together, either coming from office or out of their room; she would get upset, and it took another round of coaxing her out of her sullen state either from Dev, Sonakshi or her daughters. Rough the patch was, but they all were walking together. The only bigger problems Sonakshi faced were the tantrums thrown towards her by Radha rani Maami ji that would bring the entire house to see the drama unfold. It would sometimes humiliate Sonakshi, or sometimes create headaches to Ishwari ji, and sometimes irritation to Dev. But they were handling them one at a time, and life was fairly going on. Sonakshi and Dev wished with all heart that the bridge between them and Ishwari ji; they are so painstakingly building, should not be disrupted at any cost.

Sonakshi had gone to meet her maa-baba and family after office, and had returned after dinner. Wondering if Dev was back home or was still working at the office, she walked in her own thoughts, when she hit against a hard body, rough hands going around her waist. The very thought of an alien and unpleasant touch of a hand repulsed her, as she straightened. She back away immediately seeing Vickkey holding her, but he held on to her wrist quite firmly for her to shrug him off. She was annoyed instantly- "Mera haath chodo Vickkey..." "Arre Sushmita Sen, kya kamaal lagti ho saree mein tum... Kya figure hai, kya kamar hai... Haaye, hum toh marr jaate hain aapko aise dekhke..." he brushed his fingers against her waist, which revolted her, the very instant. She slapped his hand away from her waist with her free hand- "You are just so disgusting Vickkey, let alone the fact that I am a girl, elder to you; I am your elder brother's wife, how dare you touch me...!" ... Vickkey's other hand snaked around her waist firmly, pulling her hard against his chest- "Ladki ho, Bengali ho, Teekhi Mirch ho, Masaaledaar ho, isliye toh hoon tumhare paas... Kya hua agar Dev Bhai ki patni ho... Kaun maanta hai yahan ki tum unki biwi ho... Toh kya farq padta hai... You are as good as available..." "VICKEY! CHODHO MUJHE! Tumhari neeyat mujhpe humesha se hi kharaab thi, par aaj toh tumne had hi kar di..."Sonakshi was highly affronted. She pushed against his chest freeing herself from his hold. Just then they heard screams of Maami ji... "Haaye-haaye... Ye ladki toh usse kahin zyada aagey nikli jitna hum kabhi soch bhi nahi sakte they... JEEJI... DEV... Dekho toh zara... Iss ladki ki harkatein..."

As much as Sonakshi was in shock at Vickkey's behaviour she was all the more dazed in a bad surprise by what ruckus Maami ji was creating. In a few minutes the entire house was in the hall, Dev was the first one to rush from their bedroom. He found Vickkey straightening himself; he looked at Sonakshi, wondering what new blame Maami ji is going to hurl on her; for once he knew something is just not right, absolutely not right- Something was terribly wrong, Sonakshi looked at a breaking point. Ishwari ji came and in a calming voice asked- "Kya baat hai Bhabhi, kyu chilla rahi hain aap?" "Arre jeeji... Maine apni aankhon se dekha, ye ladki... ye aapki bahu, kaise lipti hui thi mere bete se, hatne ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi... Wo toh Vickkey ne dhakka maar ke isko alag kiya tha... Chi chi chi chi... Kaisi aawaara charitraheen hai ye!"

There could be two sounds that could be heard at a moment if one would have; a gasp of breath by Sonakshi in shock and a loud shout from Dev- "MAAMI! BAS! Bohot ho gaya... Ab aur nahi... Main ek shabd nahi sunoonga Sonakshi ke khilaaf iss baare mein... Character ki baat na hi karein toh achha hai... Sheher bhar mein naam hai aapke bete ki kartooton ka..."

"Dekha na jeeji... Kaha nahi tha maine ki aapke bete ko joru ka ghulaam bante deir nahi lagegi... Dekh leejiye... Aapka Dev kis tarah baat kar raha hai apni maami se... Sahi aur ghalat ka farq hi bhool gaya hai." Radha rani began with her rants, a sure shot she knows would work to divert Ishwari's mind...

But Ishwari still ignored that as she spoke in agitation- "Bhabhi, aap Sona par bohot bada ilzaam laga rahi hain. Ye baat uske sammaan ki hai... Aap kaise..."

" Haan-haan... Ab main hi ghalat ho gayi hoon na... Main yahan ek pal nahi rahungi... Aapne mujhpe shak kiya..."Radha rani began crying loud and wild running off to her room, Ishwari behind her. Though Nikki and Rhia stayed there, totally stunned by the turn of events; they too couldn't believe in Maami ji's accusations.

Sonakshi just couldn't stop her silent tears, as she walked off to their room; Dev looked silently at his sisters; who gave him miserable looks, understanding his plight. He walked back to their room dejected, but was very shocked seeing what Sona was doing inside- She was packing her bags, crying continuously, packing her stuffs, she was leaving... "Sonaaa! Sonakshi... ye tum kya kar rahi ho..." Dev held on to her wrist, but she gasped in pain trying to free her wrist, he looked at her wrist, and was pained and angered both at once, prints of fingers were red marked on her wrists that were hurting her. He had never man handled her... Not before marriage, not even after... He holding her wrist could never give her injuries; this has to be Vickkey's doing... "Ye... kaise lagi tumko Sona? Vick... Vickey ne kiya?" Dev was angry... Sonakshi nodded amidst her flowing tears... Dev asked again- "Pehle bhi kabhi ki usne tumhare saath badtameezi?"... Sonakshi nodded as she caressed her hurting wrist- "Bohot baar... Jab se main yahan kaam karne aa rahi hoon... Tabse... Mujhe, even meri cousin, Elina tak se aisi harkatein kar chukka hai..."... Dev was devastated- "Sona, tumne mujhe kabhi kuch bataaya kyu nahi... Achhe se batata usko..." "Aapka bhai hai, ye sochke har baar chodh deti thi... Par Dev trust me, maine uski inn harkaton ko kabhi promote nahi kiya; jaisa maami ji keh rahi thi... Waisa..." Dev did not let her complete her words by putting his finger on her lips- "Shh... Sona... You never ever have to explain me that, alright! Nahi... Kuch bhi nahi bolna... I know you would never as good as look at that peeve, let alone all the accusations she threw upon you..."

Sonakshi nodded and went back to packing, Dev again stopped her- "Sona, tum ghar chodh ke kyu jaa rahi ho? Nobody believes in Maami's words... Please! Aisa mat karo... Please! Main kaise rahunga tumhare bina?"... Sonakshi wiped the heavy trail of tears from her cheek before another one followed just the next second as she spoke- "I know Dev... I know... But please... Please main iss waqt yahan nahi reh sakti... Maa ko manana is a different thing, I am still upon that; Dev, Maami ji ke accusations bhi seh liye maine itne mahino mein- Kaamchor, Chor, Useless, Badtameez; sab kuch sunn liya, seh liya... But Dev, ye bohot zyada hai... Chaliye aapke aur family ke liye main Maami ka ye accusation bhi seh lungi; but jo kuch Vickkey ne mere saath aaj kiya hai; I... I feel dirty, revolted, nauseated... Please Dev, kuch waqt ke liye mujhe iss environment se baahar jaana hai... And no, aap mere saath nahi aayenge... Mere absence mein bhi aap maa ko bilkul bura feel nahi karayenge... Aap unke paas hi rahiye... Please... For sometime... Please?"

"Achha toh ye bata do, jaaogi kahan?" Dev was in pain. He couldn't bear a single tear in Sonakshi's eyes even if it is for the silliest reason; this one was way too much for him to handle. He just can't bear seeing her crying so much... He kept wiping her tears that uncontrollably kept flowing...

"Aur kahan jaaungi Dev... Maa-baba ke paas aur kahan... Main aur kahan jaaungi."

"Sona, kya inn sab mein tum kahin bhi mujhse naraaz ho? Mujhse koi shikaayat? Any complaints against me?"

"Aap... Aapse kyu naraaz hongi main Dev... Main toh..."

 "Bas... Toh phir tum apne maa-baba ke ghar nahi jaaogi Sonakshi..."

 "Phir main aur kahan jaaun Dev?" 

 "Sonakshi, maine tumse puri izzat, imaandaari, and sincerely shaadi ki hai... Purey haqq ke saath tumhare maa-baba se tumhara haath maang ke laaya hoon tumhe apni zindagi mein... Bhagaake nahi laaya hoon tumhe..."

"Aap kya chaahte hain phir Dev..."

"Sona..." Dev tucked her hairs behind her ears, and cupped her face firm in his large palms "Tum iss waqt yahan nahi rehna chaahti, I absolutely respect that... Tum nahi chaahti ke main saath mein chaloon tumhare, I understand that too... But you are going to live in my home... If not this home then some other... Sona, we own an apartment nearby. Tum chaaho toh wahan settle ho jaao kuch dino ke liye... Main bhi aaraam se tumse frequently din bhar mein mil paaunga, aur tumhe apne maa-baba ke ghar nahi jaana padega..."

"Okay!" Sona wiped her tears again, and resumed packing... And walked along with Dev who rolled her suitcase out of their room; they could still hear a lot of shouting and arguments from Maami's room, but they walked off without a word or anybody's notice.

Three minutes in the car, and they stood in front of a well state apartment, whose lock Dev opened, and switched on the lights. The house was clean- Dev's family maintained it in between... She settled in whichever room Dev pulled her suitcase in; seems like the master room... He showed around the balcony, kitchen, ect; settled her in the bed and stayed back with her, until early morning; until he was sure Sonakshi was sleeping peacefully. For her knew she would never be able to sleep, if he had left her here. Truth to be told, he himself would never be able to sleep in that large mansion's huge room without the love of his life. He kissed his sleeping wife, kept a spare key on her bedside table with a note, locked the apartment, and off he went to Ishwari Mansion. He needed to clear the mess...

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Dev took a bath, and came out of the room when Ishwari and all others were at the dinner table except for Vickkey. Maami ji's eyes look swollen, and Maama ji looked ashamed to even utter a word, he went into the room immediately. Dev touched all the elders' feet and sat for breakfast... A few minuted passed by, when Ishwari finally spoke- "Dev, Sona so rahi hai abhi bhi? Kabhi itni deir tak usko sote dekha nahi... Mera matlab..."

"Maa, Sonakshi ghar par nahi hai... Wo raat mein hi ghar se chali gayi..." Dev explained quietly.

"Chali gayi ka kya matlab hai Dev? Kahan chali gayi? Apne maa baba ke ghar gayi hai? Aur tuney jaane kyu diya usko?" Ishwari was devastated with the news.

"Maa, wo bohot takleef mein thi... Wo kisi bhi haal mein rukne ko raazi nahi thi... Baat sirf uske character ki nahi hai, wo Vickkey ki harkat se bohot zyada naraaz hai..." Dev explained.

At the same time Maama ji came dragging a lethargic Vickkey along... Though Dev never wanted to see his face again, but he looked at him in anger... Vickkey's face painted black and blue; Dev knew he was given good enough punishment through the night... Mama spoke- "Maafi maangega ye Sonakshi beti se... Hockey stick se khoob pitaayi lagaayi hai iski maine... Radha Rani, ye tumhari bina matlab ki shay ka nateeja hai... Hain bhai... Dev beta, mujhe sach mein bohot dukh hai jo Sonakshi beti ke saath hua, main sach mein behadd sharminda hoon aise bete par."

Dev shook his head negatively- "Mama ji, wo filhaal kuch bhi baat nahi karna chaahti, par main positively aapki baat pohcha dunga usko..." Mama ji nodded in consent.. Dev nodded at his mother to get up; it was pain clear to see on his face, how sad he is... Ishwari ji stopped him immediately- "Dev, beta wo apni maa ke ghar gayi hai?" Dev shook his head negatively... Ishwari was now very worried- "Phir kahan gayi hai wo?"

Dev stood from the chair- "Maa, wo bas chali gayi hai, kahan gayi hai, ye main nahi bata sakta... Par theek hai. Akeli hai, par theek hai... Wo sambhaal legi khud ko..."

Ishwari caressed her son's shoulder- "Par beta, tuney usko akele kyu chodh diya, agar wo apne maa ke ghar nahi gayi toh... Kaise rahungi tanha akeli aise?"

Dev gave a tired smile towards her Maami instead and said to his mother- "Dekhiye maami, main abhi bhi apni maa ka beta hoon... Joru ka ghulaam nahi bana..." His eyes were gleaming with unmistakable tears... Though he said it under his tone but was audible enough- "Tukde-tukde karke baant diya hai mere unconditional pyaar ko..." He left his breakfast, and went to get ready for his office.

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Maama, Maami and Vickkey had left Ishwari Niwas the very next day of the fiasco, and Maama ji had given his swear to Ishwari to never call his wife or son, or contact in any manner. He did not wish any further bad to the Dixits. Ishwari finally had to accept it. Maama promised to come and meet them regularly... Now her two only concerns were Sonakshi's return, and Dev's sadness... Dev spent as much time as he did earlier with Ishwari, he fulfilled his responsibilities as a son, as a brother; but he wasn't happy at all... And Ishwari could bear everything in life, but her children's sadness... She just couldn't see Dev so subdued, Sonakshi not at all around, the house almost quite even with her two daughters around... Every time she had her meals, she would remember Sonakshi hovering around her, fussing over her correct diet and medicines, her laughter from every corner of the house. The absence of that one member of the family felt so thick and tangible, that sometimes even Ishwari would get upset to not see her daughter in law around.

One such night, Dev was pressing his mother's foot, when she asked- "Dev, tu Sonakshi se mila? Kaisi hai wo?"

Dev nodded as he spoke- "Theek hai maa... Ghaav theek ho gaye uske..."

"Ghaav?" Ishwari sat up alarmed... "Kaise ghaav? Kab chot lagi usko?"

"Maa, Sona ki kalaayi mein moch aa gayi thi, Vickkey ne usko bohot buri tarah se handle kiya tha uss raat... Kaafi dard mein thi, jab wo ghar se gayi thi... Par ab theek hai..."

"Dev, beta, kya tu apni maa ka ek kehna maanega... Please? Main haath jodti hoon tujhse, please ya toh tu Sona ko ghar le aa beta, ya mujhe uske paas le chal... Ye ghar uske bagair kaatne ko daud raha hai... Mujhse nahi hota aur... Mujhe meri beti waapas chahiye... Please..."

Dev hadn't expected his mother to get so emotional... He held her palms to dissolve her pleading... "Magar maa... Main aur Sonakshi dono nahi chaahte ki aap bilkul bhi dukhi rahein... Aap uske rehte..." Dev didn't know how to explain to his mother...

"Dev, beta, jab ek car mein log baithe hote hain, aur humein ek insaan ko aur bithaana hota hai, toh hum kya karte hain? Hmmm? Apni jagah se khisak ke uske liye jagah banaate hain na? Usko andhere raaste mein chodh toh nahi dete na? Toh humari zindagi bhi ek car jaisi hai... Sona humare ghar ka hissa hai, chaahe mera mann mane ya na mane, par wo teri, meri, hum sabki, iss purey ghar ka hissa hai... Aur humein uske liye jagah banaani hi hogi... Usko akele andhere raaste mein nahi chodh sakte... Tu bas thoda samay mere saath bita liya karna, aur mere liye bas kaafi hai..."

Dev didn't know how to thank his lucky stars... He always had wished for this moment, and it has now come... Some part of his happiness returned just then... On Ishwari's insistence that she wanted to talk to Sona he finally spoke-"Maa, tu khud baat kar le usse... Tum jaano tumhari bahu jaane... Mujhe bata dena, kya karna hai aap dono ko..."

Dev dialled Sona's number, and she had picked up the call on the second ring... When no one spoke she said- "Dev... Aap hain kya? Kya hua? Maa theek toh hain?"

"Nahi, tumhari maa bilkul theek nahi hai... Teri ye maa tadap rahi hai apni beti ke aane ke liye... Par tu hai ki waapas hi nahi aati... Tera pati bhi bohot bura hai, mujhe batata bhi nahi hai ki tu hai kahan... Sona... Nootrishan, main tumhe chetavni de rahi hoon, agar tum aaj ki raat hi waapas nahi aayi aur subah naashte ki table par nahi mili, toh sach mein kal subah se Nathhu Ram ki dukaan ki kachodi samose roz khaaungi, haan!"

Both of the women laughed their heads off, both had tears in their eyes... There were so many shades of love through their lives, that it rightly stated- KUCH RANG PYAAR KE AISE BHI!!!

~~THANKS FOR READING~~

I hope you all like it!

Aazeen022016-09-03 08:22:51