It was now two years since Anandi and Shiv had married. Blessed with baby Anshika a mere 12 months after their marriage, their happiness was complete, revolving around themselves, the apple of their eyes, their extended families, and Jaitsar.
Shiv, as collector of Jaitsar, and Anandi, as sarpanch, led two intertwined, yet separate, professional lives. Anandi was personally involved in the daily lives, joys, and battles of the villagers while Shiv represented their interests at a broad level, interacting with the government for the betterment of Jaitsar. Though their views clashed regularly, they had perfected the art of leaving their official problems at the office.
It had become routine for them to drop Anshika off at her nani's home while leaving for work and picking her up on their way home. Their joy knew no bounds when they re-entered their oasis of peace in the evenings. Quickly finishing off her kitchen chores, Anandi packed off all the staff for the night. Both she and Shiv did not want any intruders on "their" time. Taking turns to play with and care for Anshika relegated all their stress to the background. It was a time for joy and enjoyment in each other. Putting Anshika down to sleep was usually Anandi's job. Shiv did not ever leave her to it though. Sitting at his laptop, he cast a loving eye over Anandi rocking their baby to sleep.
After that started the magical part of their days. With Anandi often sitting on his lap, they shared their thoughts, the little things that had affected them, and often apologized for any heated words exchanged. Best friends forever took on a whole new meaning for them. Their friendly banter usually metamorphosed to something else. A night that knew no beginning and no end. Interspersed with tender caresses and heated exchanges, energizing them for the morning to come.
And then, the day arrived when Shiv got "the" letter. A letter of transfer, to a much better post, at a much bigger city. With hands shaking, he gave the letter to his beloved that night. Putting her hands tenderly on his face, she pulled him down for a soft kiss. "Aap kya karna chante hain, Shiv?" Staring into the luminous eyes, he muttered, "I can't do this to you, my love. Your family, Anshika's well-being, all lie here in Jaitsar. And if I uproot you from here, I will not be able to see you despair in the absence of the village of your soul."
Shiv tried desperately to revert the transfer, but his seniors were convinced that he was meant for bigger and better things. With a heavy heart, Shiv and Anandi decided that he had to go, coming in to meet his family every weekend.
The very same evenings that Anandi had so looked forward to became anathema. Circuit House resonated with silence. Dadisa told her to come spend the weekdays at the haveli, but Anandi could not ' how could she leave the house of her soul mate? The first week dragged, Anshika herself seemed to wilt, missing the strong male person in her life. Anandi could not wait for 8 pm to roll around and Anshika to go to sleep, so she could Skype her beloved. Each night, long into the night, they chatted, baring their hearts once again, sharing their loneliness. Each night, their stress was more visible to each other. Both tried to hide it, but they knew each other too well. Their guilt too was visible. Anandi, because she had been unable to break her ties with Jaitsar, and Shiv, because he had had to go.
When Friday rolled over, the morning seemed brighter, birds chirped louder, and Anandi's excitement at seeing her piya that evening was palpable. Everybody around her smiled at the visible joy with which she ran through that day.
Having put Anshika to sleep for the night, Anandi paced on the porch, waiting and still waiting. Shiv's favorite food had been prepared, including the "halwa" that had played such a prominent role in their relationship. As the clock struck 10, she heard the familiar sound of his jeep. She ran down the driveway and almost before he drew up, threw herself into his arms. Getting off the jeep quickly, he twirled her around joyously and almost ran down the driveway to their house.
After surfacing for breath, he rested his forehead on hers, "God, I missed you." "Maine bhi had se zyaada aapko yaad kiya. Agar ye Skype na hota, to shayad meri jaan hi chali jaati." "Shh, aisi baatein nahin karte." He dropped down on the rocking chair, draping her comfortably over his chest. "Aur main aapse kuch kehna chahta hoon' beech mein kuch nahin kehna." "I cannot bear this judaii. This one week has seemed like a hundred years to me. I am planning to resign, Anandi." "Kya Shiv, aise karne ki koi zaroorat nahi, I will come with you, wherever you want. Meri zindagi aap hi se judi hui hai'"
"Kaha than na, kuch nahin bolna? I am planning on quitting so we can be together, but I know I will never be able to live myself if I don't work toward rural upliftment. Living here in Jaitsar has shown me how much needs to be done ' education, women's empowerment, employment, roads, lights, water, so much is there to be done. And much of this gets stuck in governmental red tape. Having been on the other side, main acchi tarah se jaanta hoon what can be done to speed things up." "To kya Shiv, aap NGO shuru karna chahte hain?"
Reeling back in shock, Shiv moved her off his chest to stare at her face. "But, how did you guess Anandi." Giggling a bit, she said, "Aapko is prashna ka uttar nahi maaloom hai kya? Kya ye ho sakta hai ki aap kuch soche aur mujhe maloom na ho?" "So, Anandi, do you think we can do this? It might take time, but our dreams can and will come true."
Throwing her arms tight around his neck, Anandi breathed into his mouth, "Haan Shiv, agar hum dono kuch chahein to duniya ki har cheez mumkin ho sakti hai."
I agreed to fulfill the petition folks š
Hope this brightens your day š¤
Ab aap bhi kuch karo...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
