FF: After the rejection--new chapter uploaded! - Page 14

Chapter 13:

Anandi was walking along the road lost in thoughts. A strange sense of restlessness and sadness had set on her mind. She could not pinpoint the reason behind it, but she started feeling like this only after meeting Shiv's mother. Anandi finally realized she was upset about Shiv's mother mentioning his marriage---the realization surprised her. Why am I sad at collector sahib's rishta being fixed somewhere else? I should be happy, isn't it? Then why is my heart heavy, why is there a lingering sadness? What has happened to me? Anandi felt confused with herself. She had no control over her feelings, and she could not understand her own feelings.

She was walking absentmindedly when her eyes fell on a commotion on the road. A man was beating up another man and the victim was crying. Coming closer she saw that it was Jagya beating up another man. She quickly ran to them and stopped Jagya. "What are you doing?" she asked Jagya angrily, shielding the beaten man with her arms. Jagya stopped beating but was still fuming with anger, "Let me teach him a lesson Anandi, chor saala. He is a thief, he stole my wallet".

Anandi looked at the beaten man. He was a handsome 40 year old man but something was different about him. He was crying profusely and behaving like a scared child. "Mujhe bachao please, he is beating me…it's paining so much", Vishnu was crying loudly while holding Anandi tight. Anandi quickly realized that he was a mentally challenged man and felt a surge of pity for him. She felt disgusted at Jagya's action, how could he do this to a mentally challenged man? She helped Vishnu to his feet and patted his head, asking him to stop crying. She offered him water and sat him down by her side. Jagya was still screaming, "abbey mera wallet wapas kar". Anandi saw Vishnu holding Jagya's wallet and lovingly asked him to give it to her. Vishnu protested, saying he had found it on the road. Anandi sweetly explained to him that somebody might have lost the wallet, so it was on the road. Vishnu was still obstinate: "Nooo"

"Okay you will get a chocolate if you give me the wallet," Anandi tempted him.

Vishnu quickly relented and gave the wallet back to Anandi like an obedient child. Anandi threw the wallet at Jagya and asked him to leave from the place. Jagya left grudgingly, warning Anandi of the 'evil' intentions of the madman.

Vishnu had calmed down a bit with Anandi's care. But he was still scared and holding on to Anandi's hands. Anandi asked him where he lived but he could not answer. All he could say was he was in his Bhaiyya's office and nobody as playing with him so he came out. "Do you know your Bhaiyya's name?" asked Anandi. "Yes, he is my Shiv Bhaiyya, he is the best bhaiyya in the world", Vishnu was already looking happy talking about his brother. Anandi became curious "What is your Bhaiyya's full name? What is your name?". "My Bhaiyyas's name is Shiv Raj Sekhar and my name is Vishnu Raj Sekhar". Anandi was sufficiently surprised. So he is collector sahib's brother!!How come collector sahib never mentioned his brother!! How did he come here, that too alone? Where is collector sahib.

Just then Shiv's jeep came along the way. Shiv was very relieved to see his brother with Anandi. He ran to them and hugged his brother. Vishnu was very happy to see him too. He started blabbering excitedly, "Shiv bhaiyya, this didi is very nice. She saved me from a monster. The monster was beating me up." Shiv looked at his brother. He looked beaten and his dress was smeared with dust from the road. Shiv squinted his eyes, "who was beating you up Bhaiyya?". "A big monster, a very bad monster, it pained so much, but this didi saved me" said Vishnu. Shiv looked at Anandi confused, "do you know what he is talking about?". Anandi just looked away and said, "woh Jagya had a fight with him…" Shiv's blood boiled to think Jagya dared to touch his brother. He wanted to go right now and smash his face with one punch, but then immediately restrained himself looking at Anandi. Anandi looked visibly embarrassed at her husband's actions. Shiv decided not to pursue the matter in front of Anandi, he will settle scores with Jagya later.

Shiv thanked Anandi for taking care of Vishnu. Vishnu was not ready to let go off Anandi's hand. He was praising Anandi profusely in front of his brother and finally asserted excitedly, "Shiv Bhiayya, I want this didi as my bhabi. Please make this didi my bhabi, I like her very much". Both Anandi and Shiv went red with embarrassment. Anandi was again reminded of Shiv's rishta and she felt sad again. She patted Vishnu once again, excused herself and left the place without any further word with Shiv. Both Shiv and Vishnu were a little stunned at her sudden departure. But Vishnu was adamant that he wanted Anandi as his bhabhi.

When the brothers reached home, their mother was very worried seeing Vishnu's clothes and face. Shiv decided not to tell his mother about Vishnu's beating, so he lied saying he had fallen down. He also asked Vishnu to keep it a secret. Vishnu was more than happy to forget about the bad incident; rather he was talking excitedly about Anandi.

"Mummy mummy, I met this didi toady and she is the best didi I have ever seen. She hugged me and patted me and gave me chocolate and loved me very much" said Vishnu excitedly.

Supriya devi was laughing seeing her son's excitement. She asked Vishnu, "so what is your didi's name?"

"I don't know but Bhaiyya was calling her Anandi and mummy, Bhaiyya also likes that didi very much. He was staring at didi like a film hero", Vishnu said, giggling.

Supriya Devi stopped smiling. She looked at her younger son who was looking away as soon as Vishnu uttered those words. Shiv's face clearly showed the truth of those words, and Supriya Devi went up to him. "Shiv beta, is it true?"

"No maa, nothing like that, bhaiyya is too innocent to understand those things", Shiv tried to protest.

"But I am mature enough to understand your feelings, I am your mother and I can clearly see my son has fallen in love with the girl just mentioned," Supriya Devi said with a smile.

Shiv looked at his mother. How could she read me like this? Have I become so obvious with my feelings that even Vishnu bhaiyya could see my feelings. Shiv did not protest anymore, he just looked down and admitted his love for Anandi.

His mother was very happy. "By the way, I have met Anandi too. She came here today morning to see you. And I like the girl. It's an yes from my side too. Let me go and talk to her family then", said Supriya Devi happily.

Shiv looked down with pain. "It's not that easy mom", he said with a sigh. He told his mother everything about Anandi and about everything that has happened here. "But I have not given up hope," Shiv said with a resolution, "I believe some day Anandi will see my love and I am ready to wait for that day."

Surpiya Devi had turned pale hearing the details. Her voice became hoarse, "Shiv beta you must forget her"

Shiv was surprised to hear it from his mother's mouth. "Maa I know it's difficult right now, but I believe things will be fine later, I will wait for her final decision," Shiv tried to convince.

"Shiv beta. You know the fact---your father will never accept a girl like Anandi" said Supriya Devi with fear.

Shiv clenched his jaws at the mention of his father. That man. The corrupt, greedy politician of Jaisalmer, one who had no morals, had no ethics, who lived on people's money. The man who has been a dictatorial husband to his mother, had never been a good father to his sons, has had relations with multiple women throughout his life. It's been 10 years since Shiv talked to his father. He would rarely visit his home, and whenever he did he made sure he did not have to meet his father. He refused to take a single penny out his father's immoral money, and had built his own life on his own resources. The mention of his father made Shiv angry and he said with a resolute voice, "It's my life mom, and my father is no one to decide what I do with my life".

I will add the index very soon.

Jagya a monster...🤣 🤣 so good. I love your writing 👏👏