I Love writing this story. More because I am completely done with ITV saas bahu family drama. Normal families are never villains; in real life, conflict still exists....... In this story as well, there's limited villainy...... Conflicts arise out of being equal individuals.... each one has his or her own trait..... Pooja is sitting on the fence unable to reciprocate to Darsh because of her once bitten twice shy insecurity....... It will be interesting to see how this love saga proceeds.
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The comfortable silence stretched between the two genuine souls as time passed, or had it stood still? Both didn’t care…..The loneliness of the hearts melted away as the silence wrapped around them comfortably…. Silence so pure, it was holy…… binding the two together in a ‘premsootra’!
“DD……..Haven’t I told you before? Ammi ki yaad ko sehaj ke rakhana hai humein dil mein……. Use pyaar se yaad karna hai……. Aasuuon se nahi.”
He nodded silently. Her words always ebbed that pain in his heart.
“May I ask you a question?” The comfort Pooja felt in their silence gave her the courage to ask.
“You know you can ask as many as you want to! Why one?”
Darsh already knew the question that plagued her mind all the time. What she didn’t know was that the answer lay with her herself and not him. It was that insecure feeling that life had built inside her over time. The feeling had wrapped around her so much, it had become a prison…….. He knew his efforts would need to be perseverant because she was hell-bent on barricading the doors against anyone who wanted to come in.
Pooja heaved a deep sigh. She knew this was her only important question…… She had asked this question earlier but somehow the answer though very genuine, had missed to guide her heart firmly……. Maybe it would change now…… Maybe this time the answer would decide her fate!
“Why me? ....I’m not even pretty.”
He turned and stared at her. “Pooja…… pretty is a nasty word to use for that ethereal beauty that creator himself made…It’s so superficial, just skin deep…and what is beauty per se, it’s just the Impression of human perception ….. And it changes with time…… What was thought as beautiful a generation back is not the same in this generation and will neither be in the next generation….. My Ammy was beautiful…Her soul was beautiful… Time wouldn’t change that beauty…… I find the same beauty in you…..beauty that comes from your thoughts, your guileless nature, your pure heart! ……that kind of beauty can never get scarred by wrinkles or fade away with age…….” He took a pregnant pause still looking deep into her eyes “You are beautiful!”
His words pierced deep in her heart touching her soul….. To make matters worse, he took a step closer, bringing him within touching distance. He smelled good too, like cut grass on a rainy day. Earthy. Wholesome. It made her wonder what he would taste like...
Crap. Thinking about those old days wasn’t good. “It’s getting late, I must go.” She turned away “Meri baat ko yaad rakhana….”.
Darsh rested his head against the wall, a mischievous happy smile playing on his lips. He knew her soul was being touched. She wasn’t comfortable with the feeling yet; but he would continue to pursue her….. in every possible way.
“Koun si”
“Yahi Ki Ammi ko Pyaar se yaad karna hai, dard se nahi.”
His smile broadened, “Tum bhi ek baat yaad rakhna.”
A baffled expression came over her face, “Koun si?”
“Vahi jo abhi tumse tumhaari chuppi ne kahi hai…… Hajaar baton ki ek baat!”
Out of their own volition, Pooja’s lips twitched into a resisted smile.
In the morning, Advay’s sleep broke first. He had slept peacefully as the quiet on the patio last night had helped him realize that the answer to his problem lay within the problem itself. He had felt quite satisfied with his own solution. He would put a kill program in his algorithm and mask it before submission. Nobody would know it, but it would safeguard his algorithm.
Waking up from his reverie, he realised he had spooned Chandni and his hand now rested securely clasped in hers. Spooning her was his regular habit and clasping his hand was hers perhaps. He tried pulling his hand out in feigned anger but she moaned in her sleep showing her resistance.
For a moment, he thought to himself. What Naani had mentioned was correct. He had been angry about the hen fight but somehow there had been a childlike fun in the whole thing……… And all this stuff, Chandni had arranged by herself. He would never admit it to her, but he was actually proud of her….. He remembered that petrified Chandni who could not dare to step out from the haveli……. Everything about her had changed now…..His caterpillar had morphed into a beautiful butterfly!
And that reminded him. If she was not showing interest in what Miku wanted to teach, then he would ensure that she taught her knowledge to his students. Teaching came naturally to her as he had witnessed in their first meeting when she was teaching the foreign tourists. Advay was fully aware of his wife’s talents and would never allow them to get wasted.
What Advay didn’t realise was that Chandni had also woken up and was wondering how come his arm was around her like always. She wondered whether, in her sleep, she had pulled it over her. Last night he had seemed very angry and she did not want to perturb him further. But he didn’t seem to mind that she had done so. What was going on in her husband’s mind she wondered while she reveled in the moment to feel his closeness as she always loved.
Realising that she was awake, he pulled away his hand briskly making her wince in pain.
‘There goes my one moment’s peace,’ thought Chandni, ‘Atrangi Singh Raizada!’ She cursed in her mind. ‘Mujhe sataane mein isse bada majaa aata hai.’
When Chandni entered the kitchen, Pooja seemed to be in a chirpy mood while gloom still settled over Chandni’s features. Pooja rushed to her in concern.
“Chandni, is everything OK? Could you appease Bhaiyya last night on the patio?”
Chandni shook her head in denial, her eyes filling with tears once again with the bitter memory of his rejection. Pooja’s temper flared up seeing the sadness on Chandni’s face. Her Bhaiyya was taking this too far and she would resist it. Stomping her feet, she went to inform Naani in pooja-room.
“Naani, what’s this going on? Bhaiyya is now doing too much…… Poor Chandni, she has been crying early morning……. One whole day has passed, the night has passed and Bhaiyya is still not forgiving us……. Ab jyaada nakhara kiya na…. toh main…..Toh main” In frustration, she pointed the kitchen knife angrily in front.
Naani had been reading Ramayan but she stopped and smiled. “Ab apne Bhaiyya ke gusse mein mujhe maar dalogi kya?....... And where’s that Chandni, why doesn’t she come to me and speak for herself?....... why are you getting involved in that Husband Wife squabble?...... Don’t you have enough on your plate already?”
Feeling abashed at her angry reaction, Pooja took her hand and voice both down. “Naaaaani……..bhaiyya is not doing this right with Chandni….. You tell him, please…. He may not listen to me in his anger, but he would never deny you anything.” Pooja urged.
“Okay, I’ll speak to him” Naani acquiesced.
In a short while Advay was with Naani as soon as he got the message from Murli. “Yes Naani, you called?”
Naani gave a knowing smile, “You are actually enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“What, Naani?”Advay looked baffled, half feigned, half genuine.
Naani’s smile broadened, “This game you’re playing with Chandni…… tormenting her……. don’t say that you are still hurt angry, are you?”
“No Naani, not really.” Advay agreed with a return smile.
“Don’t stretch the string too much……. Kahi lene ke dene na pad jaaye……. Your wife is no lesser than you!” Naani warned.
“Let me enjoy a little bit more, Naani ….. As you gauged correctly, I’m actually enjoying this new thing between us.”
“Hummmm……You are enjoying because she’s the one being tormented…..if you were in her place, then?”
Advay smiled sheepishly, “That will never be….. She simply cannot torment me……. Too simple a girl to do that.”
“Then I can only say, you don’t know women.” Naani had a too-knowing smile on her lips making Advay a little uncomfortable.
While returning back, he saw Chandni en route. Their eyes met and he saw the dread in her eyes. He walked up to her, his lion-gait feral…. Too confident for Chandni’s comfort. She waited anxiously wondering whether he was ready for a normal conversation. Closing the distance between them, he almost towered over her. In defiance, Chandni straightened her posture.
Suddenly, his mouth curved into a lazy smile and displayed a set of perfectly straight, white teeth. A pure devil smile that promised retribution and promised it slowly. Her toes curled in response to the predatory look on his face.
“Why did you go to Naani?” His voice had an innocent tone but an insulting undertone. “You could have come straight to me… rrrright?...... Now, learnt your lesson? Nobody fiddles with me. I am the ASR! ..... Hummm?”
Chandni was shivering with trepidation from inside but she refused to cower in front of him. She chose silence at that moment to be able to give the fitting answer inaction later on…
A while later, when Advay came out Shilpa, Pooja and Chandni sat at the dining table each doing some kitchen thing.
“Chandni, I want tea.”
No response.
“Chandniiii….I said I want Tea.”
“I heard you. Go ahead…make it and have.” Chandni sounded flimsily casual.
“I? Make tea?” Since marriage, he had hardly entered the kitchen and she always ensured to get his tea for him on time.
Recognising her ploy, he approached Pooja in a warm urging tone, “Pooja, Chai bana do na please.”
“Sorry, Bhaiyya.” Pooja spoke chirpily, “Firstly, I’m kneading the dough.” She showed her hands “And even if I were not, I am on Chandni’s side.”
What had happened to the ladies today? He tried ordering Shilpa.
“Sorry, sir bhaiyya …..Mera na haath jal gaya hai” She showed the bandage on her hands, “Aur vaise main bhi Didi ke side mein hoon.”
Advay was getting exasperated with this unity. He barked at Murali who was going out of the door, “Muraliiiiii, ruk……. Chaay bana mere liye.”
“Humne toh kuchh nahi suna Tanaatan…..Hum Bazaar ja rahe hain, Bhaiyya” Murli escaped in a hurry.
Just then Darsh arrived at the scene, “Kya hua hai?”
“Saala ekchai maangi hai, voh bhi nahi mil rahi.” Advay whined.
Darsh roared in laughter, “Ab aaya na, Unt Pahaad ke neeche?”
“Saale, tu toh na, maar khaakar hi maanega”
Darsh ran away to escape Advay’s punch and Advay ran behind.
“Come on, let’s go out. I’ll give you tea.” Darsh offered pulling Advay towards the door.
“It’s not the same as homemade.” Advay resisted.
“Tu Chal, toh!” Darsh forcefully pushed Advay out. As soon as they were out, Darsh chided Advay, “Saale, tujhe chaay ki padi hai….. we have humongous data coming from all the new sources I told you about. Let’s discuss that in some café.”
Miku sat on his laptop chatting with his friends. It had become his regular ritual. They had always been his team to do pranks and make everyone chirkuts. But now, life had taken a new turn for him and for them, both. They were being rewarded with money while he was being rewarded with peace and satisfaction.
“You guys managed the execution perfectly. I am really happy with your work on executing Kaaliya. Well done, boys! So, with Gangaram and Golden Tooth both out, now we focus on the keychain guy. I suggest…..”
While Miku was narrating his plan, what he didn’t realise was that the door was ajar and Maasi who was passing by had halted to overhear everything. As Miku proceeded, the regular frown on her forehead faded out and her usual stern features became softer with a happy smile.
When Advay returned, Miku and Chandni sat together chatting happily enjoying chai and pakoras. Advay gauged Chandni’s game but refused to respond. He ignored both and proceeded to his room. Murli immediately went to inform Maasi as ordered and Maasi went to meet her favourite nephew.
“Advay…..”Maasi sounded sheepishly abashed, “I am very happy today.”
Advay smiled. “That’s very nice, Maasi. May I know what’s the reason?”
“I had started to believe that both you brothers have almost forgotten my sister's misery and are happy only in your happy lives with your wives……..But, you put Gangaram to his destiny first and now Miku….. ”
Advay’s easy smile disappeared and a frown suddenly marked his brow.
Maasi continued, “Miku gave the golden tooth man the same fate that was once given to my sister. He had that man burned to death and now he is going after the keychain guy.”
The frown became deeper as fury driven by fear crowded Advay’s heart. “What are you saying, Maasi?”
“Yes Advay, I heard it all when he was discussing with his friends,” Maasi confirmed.
Everything happened in a jiffy. Advay came out and bellowed, “Mikuuuu!” Miku and Chandni jumped in their seats wondering what had come over Advay suddenly.
A worried and scared Miku entered Advay’s room and Chandni followed suit right behind to protect him.
“Miku ne kuchh nahi kiya. Usaki koi galati nahi hai.” Chandni spoke defiantly ready to pounce.
“Miku ne achcha kaam kiya hai. Shabaasi dene bulaya hai…. Tu itni tewar mein mat aa.”Maasi appeased smilingly.
Advay chose to ignore both as fear and concern spread fast in his veins curdling his blood. “What are you doing, Miku? ....... You had the golden tooth man executed?”
“Haan Bhai! Main aapko bataanewala tha.” Miku pleaded.
“Why?”Advay’s single question was so stern everyone flinched back.
“Bhai, you have been busy since we came here, so I did not want to load you further. Mouka achcha mila to jaane kyun de?”
“How can you be sure that he was the right guy?”
“Yes, Bhai. I had that checked and confirmed again and again…… Even spoke with Mamaji…… he too confirmed. He recognised the man from Ranajit’s chamchas…..Mamaji said he didn’t know who had the keychain, but this was the front tooth always visible……Kaaliya was the guy.”
“Miku is right……. Mujhe Miku pe poora bharosa hai.” Chandni defended further.
Advay gave her a disdainful look, “Baat bharose ki nahi, fikar ki hai.” His features softened as he turned to Miku, “Miku, didn’t I tell you to only focus on the Allahabad development project?”
“Yes Bhai, I’m monitoring it closely. I’m even supervising all important company meetings…..I’ll mail you all reports. I have been wanting to talk to you, but you went to Spain and then when you came back everything was going haywire…. I didn’t get any peaceful time with you to discuss.”
“I was in Spain but we still spoke, right? .....and yet you chose to not mention a word to me…… and why are you getting in this risk at all?.... That too, alone?... by yourself?? Why?” Advay’s voice rose in an angry octave.
“Bhai, they were my parents, too.” The disheartening quiet in Miku’s voice touched everybody’s heart. Miku was hurt but he still stood on his ground.
Two brothers, extremely strong and loving each other but now being on different sides of the coin made them stand against each other.
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First time in their life, the brothers are against each other....... and both out of pure goodness of heart...... What will be the result of this conflict?
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