The sun bathed Circuit House in a soft, yet vibrant, orange glow as Shiv drove down the driveway. It had been a tough, tiring day for him. The entire rigmarole with the railway ministry had yet to be sorted out. The details of the retendering process were tough to work out.
It was still a surprise to him how the entire village had turned on a pin and blamed him for Jaitsar not receiving the funds for the much-awaited railway line. Even the Singh's had got a bit suspicious of him at that time. His own family had been shocked at the censure and criticism coming his way. CM had not given him a moment's peace.
But, at the end of the dark night, lay the rainbow. His Anandi, now only his (in his mind), had stood stalwartly at his side, fighting furiously for his honor. It was her presence of mind that made the difference. She stood like a "sherni" protecting her young, fighting the village gossips, her own family, his family's slight, new mistrust of her, and finally, her own personal bugbear, Jagdish. Acting as Shiv's witness and working with Bhim Singh and a team of software experts on the data history in Bhim Singh's computer, she played an important role in proving that the culprit was Jagdish.
That revelation brought down the skies on Jagdish's head. The united defence shocked and exposed his shenanigans in a way that alienated him forever from his family and village. Ashamed (but contrite?), he had temporarily disappeared from the scene.
His honor intact, Shiv had risen like a meteor from the ashes. The Singhs, the villagers, and all his opponents had been deeply sorry. Being the man he is, Shiv had forgiven them and looked beyond at his future. To his everlasting joy, his CM had finally reached out to Anandi, embracing her with open arms.
And Anandi, what could he say about her? Her fighting spirit, her keen brain and analytical abilities, and yes, her newfound determination to be vocal in her support for him, had shaken him to the core. He still remembered how, on returning from Udaipur after going there to explain everything, while eating food at a roadside dhaba, she had broken down completely and apologized for her (self-perceived) role in the act of revenge on Jagdish's part. Taking a firm hold of her shoulder, he had taken her for a walk in the small acacia woods behind the dhaba.
Smiling wryly, he remembered his great shock and pleasure when she suddenly collapsed on his chest and said, "Don't leave me, ever!" Raising her sweet face to his, he had to stop her flow of words and tears by pressing a soft kiss across her lips. Almost shuddering with shock, she had pulled back slightly, eyes widening, nose flared, and stared back into his smoldering eyes. Blinking rapidly, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and took the initiative back from him. Holding his hair in both delicate hands, she took him deep into the world he had only imagined so far. It had been the best day of their courtship!
Things moved at jet speed after that. Everybody decided that the day the chaumasa got over was the day of their wedding. He and Anandi had not complained, they were only too eager to be one. The days whirled by in shopping, decisions made, and stolen kisses.
The day of their wedding arrived at last. Her softly glowing face, radiant from under the deep red net palloo, her soft presence at his side during the mantras, her following him and then leading him in the pheras remained as a vivid memory to be taken out in times of stress and reviewed in his mind's eye.
The night that followed still made him blush. Seeing her sitting on the beautifully decorated and scented bed had taken his breath away. He had to be literally pushed into the room by a giggling Sanchi and assorted cousins. Taking a deep breath, he had approached the bed and sat down as close to her as he possibly could. Sensing his shyness, confusion, and cautious eagerness, Anandi had suddenly taken his hand in hers and asked him if he needed something. "Only you, my love." Sharing the mandatory glass of milk, he drowned in her kohl-lined doe-like eyes, knowing he had lost himself forever. Slowly moving closer, he softly undraped the palloo from her head. Catching his breath at the sight of her lustrous, waist-length hair, which he had only caught glimpses of earlier, he framed her innocent face in his hands. Finally acknowledging his "haq," he covered her lips with his. The stillness of the night was only broken by their soft sighs and mumbled words of love.
Drawing up in front of the main door, Shiv killed the engine, realizing that he still had a beatific smile on his face. "Anandi," he yelled! He had missed her greatly in office today, as she hadn't been able to come in; their maid was ill.
As he strode into the hall, he stopped short. Anandi was fast asleep in their favorite seat in the house ' the rocking chair in the nook. Smiling tenderly at the best sight in the world ' his Anandi, lost to the travails of the world, in deep slumber, and nestled in her arms, the pride and joy of their lives - Anshika, born just 2 months ago.
He still remembered the elation they both had felt when they had learned that she was pregnant just a month after their wedding. The hurt Anandi had felt at not being able to conceive in her earlier wedding was washed away in one fell swoop, leaving no remnants of bad memories with her. His joy had known no bounds on seeing her glow with her impending motherhood and the burgeoning new life in her.
Smiling at the memories, he moved softly towards his life. Kneeling next to the sleeping pair, he gently encircled them within his arms and rested his head on Anandi's shoulder. Smiling dreamily, Anandi opened her eyes and put up her hand to caress his cheek, "Shiv."