SS: realisation updated 13/1/13 - Page 2

Part 4

Anandi danced around the house.There was an extra spring in her step and a tune on her lips.never had she felt so happy in her life.Today,thanks to Mahi,she had truly buried those frightening ghosts of her past and had moved on.Her heart now swelled with love for her Shiv and she was eagerly waiting to confess it to him.She remembered how eager he had been on their second day ,how he had gone early to light the room with candles,how he stood with his hands on his hips an expectant smile on his face.A twinge of regret shot passed.If only she had not been so pigheaded and wasted so much time…Never mind she would make it upto him.And what better time than tonight.Ashima had gone to delhi and Mahi said something about going to Mt.Abu to meet a friend.Anandi set about cleaning the bedroom,changing the sheets ,spraying the room with an exotic room freshener that Ashima had given her from London and finally lighting all the candles.She thought about the floral arrangement on her wedding day but was still a little shy to do that too.What she had done this far was a big step for a girl like her,but she was willing now to do anything to make it upto Shiv.

How hurt he must have been when she told him that her mind was flooded with thoughts of Jagya.Duringthe pagphere,how stupid she had been and Shiv , understanding her had enquired about Jagdish just for her…She, who was supposedly the kindest and considerate person had always turned a blind eye when it came to Shiv.She realized that she had taken advantage of him in every possible way…..taken and never given,right from the start of their relationship.She had been ,albeit in a different way,as selfish as jagya had been with her.In this case,she stood accused and Shiv was the victim.

Dinner was ready and the table was set…Shiv's favorite halwa was ready..Anandi was dressed as on the morning of her first day after wedding..a simple sari with just a chain ,plain gold studs,her hair let loose and her maang reddened with sindoor.there was no pallu covering her head.where was shiv? Her heart was beating a little faster.she was getting more nervous with each passing minute….

Shiv,on his part,was ignorant of all that had happened that morning.Mahi had called on him but he had been too busy to lend him an ear.The fellow had said something about big brother owing him big time and that he would return from Mt.Abu to collect all his dues and more..That ,from now on,even if Shiv would not oblige him ,he was sure that Anandi would for life.And his parting remark was a cheeky smile on his face ,telling Shiv to keep repeating ALL eez well on his way home.

Even before he couldalight from the jeep,the front door opened and Anandi came running out.It was as though she had been waiting for him all this while'.And OMG she looked tunningly beautiful.He wished time would freeze and he could just stand there staring at her.Just chill shiv', he thought to himself,'do not get your hopes up again…You never know with her,she blows hot and cold all the while.'She was looking flushed."What is it ,A?Is everything alright?Ddiji or Jagdish….. is something wrong with them?"These days those were the only people who could bring out such reaction in her.

For a minute A was irritated.But how could she blame him? Her past record made him talk so.She took a firm resolution,that from this moment on ,Shiv and only shiv would be her priorty…She had done enough for the singhs,Oh,she would be there always for them but would now take a back seat in their affairs.Jagdish had to accept his responsibility now.It was time he stopped running away from situations when they got sticky.He had to sort out his problems with ganga and come to the badi haveli.Who told him that atonation for his sins meant fleeing from the responsibility of taking care of one's parents?

She came back to the present.She gave shiv a thousand watts smile and said that from now on all would be great and things would only get better.Shiv was flummoxed.His wife was talking in a similar vein to his brother.Had they been upto something? As he went in to freshen,Anandhi stopped him and told him to use the spare room.She had just sprayed mosquito repellent in the bedroom and it would be ready for use half hour later.

At the dinner table,he noticed the table had been laid only for one,though she had not eaten.as he got up to get her a plate,he felt a delicate hand pull him back.Anandi signaled him to sit down and told him they would eat from the same plate.a feeling of dj vu coursed through Shiv.It seemed in the distant past that they had shared such romantic moments….A piece of paratha against his lips broke his reverie..Anandi feeding him!!!!!Shiv's jaw dropped in disbelief.What was she upto feeding him and giving him that coy smile?The rest of the dinner passed in a dream..all Shiv could remember was Anandi fed him with such an angelic smile on her face that radiated such joy.