Posted:
1. ts unedited and spelling sucks...read at ur own risk if u must😡
2. It's incomplete - D'uh...yeah...I know I am Queen of Incompletes!
3. Shreya - when u have time please correct my flop hindi n hinglish, thank you🤗
He was concerned how gaonwale would react to his return. But, it was a new day and he was determined to face it. He would apologize to his family and make it up to everyone. It may take time, but hopefully even Anandi would forgive him. He still could not believe she was now engaged to uss ghamandi Collector. That still shocked him. When had it started? His whole family was fida over their new "Kawarsa". Daadisa had been most concerned about Shiv's reaction to Jagya staying in the haveli. Bapusa and Tausa as well. They had debated it extensively and finally Daadisa had called Shiv and told him that Jagya had returned, but they would not let him remain if Shiv or his family felt it was inappropriate. Jagya had been tempted to leave right then he felt so humiliated. Shivraj had left it up to his family, but expressed concern that Anandi be okay with the arrangement The Collector was a pakka politician. He obviously wanted Jagya gone, but was too polite to directly say it. To hell with it. He was not going to let Shivraj Shekhar win. This was his home, his family, his haveli, his gaon, and he loved Anandi before he knew what love was. Yes. He had messed up, but he was BACK. And he would not let that Collector drive him away.
Jugya looked at the clock on the wall. He had sold the watch Gauri had gifted him to fiance his trip home. Gauri - he refused to think about her. He had given up everything for her. No more. It was time for breakfast. It had been so long since he had freshly cooked breakfast. The aroma of halwa was making his mouth water.
"Arre Anandi tum ne halwa banaya, Shiv aa rahe kya tujhe lene?" Jagya heard Tausa ask Anandi as she set the halwa on the dinning table.
"Haan. Woh bazaar jaana hai aur phir Gopalpur neher ke project ke liye...toh Shiv aa rahe mujhe lene" Anandi stated as she helped Taisa carry in the remaining dishes from the kitchen. Jagya slinked into the kitchen some of his enthusiasm for the day waning at mention of Shiv's name and the thought Anandi would be leaving with him.
"Tu aur Shiv bazaar kyun jaa rahi hai? Usse shaadi ki samaan kareedna hai kya?" Taisa teased Anandi.
"Nahi, Taisa. Ashimaji ki birthday hai do hafte baad. Shiv chaahate hai uske liye gift hum saath karide. Ashima ko mere saath karidi hui jewelry bahut pasand hai...toh Shiv soch rahe ki hum usse idar se choodiya ya earrings behje" Anandi explained as she set the table. His head buzzing from the mention of Shiv's name, all Jagya heard were the "hum" and "choodiya". He remembered how he had cheered up Anandi with green choodiya in the past. His chuhiya was so easy to please and forgiving. The memory made him smile. Yes. She would soon forgive. He just needed one chance to say sorry.
Shiv walked into the haveli and headed straight for the dinning table almost colliding with Jagya, who had stopped to observe Anandi. She was glowing this morning in a dark orange gagra-choli with matching jewelry. It reminded Shiv of the sari she had worn on his birthday. She looked fantastic. He smiled to himself as she set a katora of halwa infront of the chair beside herself and sat down. Ignoring Jagya as if he wasn't there, Collector went around him and sat down in his spot beside Anandi. Daadisa, Bapusa, Tausa, Taisa and even Nandu sat down at the table as soon as Shiv did...it was almost as if they had all been waiting for him. Jagya felt like screaming. Did no one see him?
"Aap mere aadaat bigad rahi hai. Aise hi har roz halwa khilayengi toh mujhe har subha aur bhi zyaada work out karna padega" Shiv stated with a shy smile as tasted the halwa with obvious relish.
"Toh aap maat kahiye" Anandi replied with a laugh reaching to takeaway Shiv's bowl. Shiv immediately grabbing her hand as well as the bowl to prevent her from taking it away.
"Tu usse kyun chhed rahi hai, chori...Kawarsa ko khanne de" Daadisa scolded Anandi with a fond smile. Though his appetite had completely disappeared, Jagya sat down on Anandi's left side. As he took a paratha, sabzi, and halwa from the center of the table, he remembered all the times Anandi had fed him at this very table. Did she remember nothing? And didn't the Collector have a house where they fed him nashta? And why was Makhan not serving him this morning. The questions raced after another in Jagat's mind giving him a headache.
"Shiv, tum sirf halwa hi khaoge? Anandi tu usse paratha de" Bhairon solicitously suggested. Shiv exchanged a glance with Anandi and explained that he had already had breakfast at home with his family. However, he had asked Anandi to keep a bowl of halwa for him when he had called earlier and learnt she was making his favorite his morning. Jagya swallowed the halwa in his mouth almost gagging. The halwa that had smelt so sweet to him earlier now tasting bitter.
Anandi and the Collector left for the bazaar right after breakfast and everyone else headed off in various directions as well. Leaving Jagya well and truly alone once more. Daadisa had given him some money. Maybe he could go to the bazaar and replace his watch...he would then go to his hospital and meet with Lal Singh. Him working there would surely make his family happy.
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Link to Pt 2 (p. 5):
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
Jhanak
