FF:Out Of Darkness *Part 29* (Pg 75) *Updated* 9/7 - Page 56

************ Part 29 ************

Radhika was smiling all the way back to the breakfast table oblivious to Vivek and Mrinalini's inquisitive gaze. She sat back on her seat, the smile not leaving her face not until her eyes fell on the half eaten plate and untouched glass of juice of Rahul Veerji… suddenly realizing that Pati had been angry at him…. he didn't even let Rahul Veerji finish his breakfast….. poor Rahul Veerji… having to work with an empty stomach, she knew how hard that was… she had done that so many times that it didn't make a difference to her anymore but Rahul Veerji… he was probably not accustomed to working with an empty stomach…. Maybe she can make him a special meal for his lunch and send it to the office with Nakul…. She had seen Nakul prepare the lunch for them, packing it in a big lunch box and then ordering the driver to take it to the office…..

Yes, she will do that… she will make Rahul Veerji's favorite dish for lunch and pack it up in that big lunch box…. but…. she didn't know what he liked to eat…. Maybe, she can ask Mayank without anyone knowing…. She knew Pati wouldn't be angry at her for speaking but she wasn't sure about the other family members…. except for Mayank… she hoped Mayank won't tell on her…. maybe if she baked some chocolate chip cookies then Mayank might not tell on her…. yes…. maybe… she will have to try… as long as Pati didn't get angry at her… she was fine…

"KakiMa?" Radhika turned to Mayank hearing his voice and feeling the tug on her dupatta. He had been patiently waiting for her to get back so she could feed him the fruit salad. She gave him an apologetic look before feeding him a spoonful of fruit salad she had prepared for him on his insistence. Her eyes stared at his burned palm which was covered with white cloth as she had dressed his wound just an hour ago. Poor Mayank, she had cried too much seeing his tears and his pain filled screams yesterday when he had accidently burned his hand…

"BadiMa, will Kaka punish Dad for lying to him?" Mayank asked Mrinalini as he chewed on his food.

Radhika stared at her waiting for her answer, she wondered if Pati really would punish his own brother for lying?...her Nirendra bhaiyaji had never punished Arjun Bhaiyaji no matter how many tantrums he threw or how many things he broke, not even when he hit Nirendra bhaiyaji in anger…..

"I am afraid so… you know how your Kaka hates it when people lie to him…lying is very bad, you must never lie to your elders or else you will be punished very severely by your Kaka" Mrinalini warned her nephew exaggerating her words, satisfied to see the fear in his eyes – that will keep him away from lying. "You know even I don't like it when you lie to me" Mayank gulped and nodded his head at his BadiMa.

Radhika's eyes widened as she heard her Pati's sister's words. She remembered the morning incident and how Pati had told her he didn't like people who lied to him.

"arre Radhika! You haven't eaten your breakfast yet…. why don't you have your breakfast, I will feed Mayank his" Mrinalini suggested taking Mayank's bowl of fruit salad from Radhika's hands.

"No! mujhe KakiMa ke haath se hi khana hain" Mayank cried pushing his bowl back to his KakiMa.

"lekin Mayu, KakiMa might also be hungry, you wouldn't want her starving now would you?" Mrinalini asked her nephew.

"Nahi" Mayank shook his head shamefully, he didn't want his KakiMa to stay hungry. "Here, KakiMa, you must eat too" Mayank said pushing the fork holding a piece of omlette into his KakiMa's mouth; almost dropping it in the process since he was using his left hand.

Mrinalini smiled seeing the scene before her; she was happy that Radhika at least seemed to be connecting with someone other than Dev - even if the said person happens to be little Mayank. But maybe once Muskaan started her treatment then Radhika might finally come out of her shell and finally speak and befriend other family members. Although Mrinalini could see the few subtle changes in the girl…. she was now more expressive in her facial expressions, her eyes expressed many things if one took the time to study them…. something little Mayank did not have trouble understanding while everyone else was still struggling to read her expressions.

Mrinalini fervently hoped Muskaan would quickly proceed with her treatment of making Radhika talk… she wanted very badly to hear the girl's voice…. She wanted to speak with her…..

Mayank gave a frustrated sigh after his failed attempt at feeding his KakiMa; he couldn't even hold the fork with his left hand. "BadiMa aap KakiMa ko khilado na, jaise aap Sia di ko khilathi hain…"

Mrinalini raised her brow at her nephew's suggestion. He was only five but easily managed to manipulate everything according to him. There was no doubt he was her nephew!

…..

…..

…..

"Lovely" Muskaan sneered seeing the scene in front of her, Mayank being fed by Radhika and Radhika being fed by Didi.

"Morning Mayu" She greeted her son kissing his cheek, her eyes lifted to meet with Radhika's waiting eyes.

"Morning Mamma" Mayank greeted back his mother, kissing her cheek in return.

"Morning Muskaan" Vivek greeted Muskaan.

"Morning" Muskaan murmured back slumping on the chair beside Vivek.

"Tell me, when did Jhansi ki Rani turn into Mother Teresa?" Muskaan questioned Vivek in a soft whisper, still amused by the scene playing in front of her.

"Ever since you taught your son the manipulation tactics" Vivek whispered his answer to her.

Muskaan grimaced hearing her Jiju's reply. "Good one, Jiju…. Good one"

"You don't look too good" Mrinalini stated staring at Muskaan's pale face, her distorted hair and still in her pajamas.

"Yah?... that's because I don't feel good" Muskaan pointed out rolling her eyes as she lifted the lid off the bowl to see what it contained for breakfast. "Urgh" Muskaan scrunched her nose not liking the smell; she quickly covered her mouth unable to bear the sickeningly sweet smell of freshly baked muffins.

"Keshav!" Mrinalini called out seeing Muskaan rush out to the nearest bathroom.

"Ji, Ma'm?" Keshav came to stand by Mrinalini's chair. "Please get some crackers and lemon juice for Muskaan" Mrinalini ordered. Keshav nodded and hurried out to follow the order.

"Feeling better?" Mrinalini asked once Muskaan seated herself back.

Muskaan nodded her head taking deep breaths. Her eyes landed on Radhika and Mayank - both staring at her with worried eyes. Muskaan smiled at both of them to ease their worry.

"Here, have some crackers, it will settle in" Mrinalini said passing them to Muskaan's outstretched hand.

"How is your hand Mayu?" Muskaan asked staring at her son's weary face. She looked to Radhika who also had a similar look – they both seemed to be worried about her health. She stared at Radhika remembering back to the night before, the way the girl had reacted after her nightmare and how Dev bhai had cared for her….. Dev Bhai! She suddenly realized about the discussion they both had and the instructions she had given him regarding Radhika's selective mutism… she had told him to get back to her with the results but obviously he seemed to have forgotten about informing her of the progress he made….

Muskaan bit into the crackers, picked her cell and typed in her message to Dev bhai letting him know that she was still waiting for his call.

"I better get going before I get late…. Have a case to fight today" Vivek announced as he pushed his wheel away from the dining table.

"Good luck jiju…. The victory will be yours… I know it!" Muskaan stated as she watched him stare at Didi.

"Nakul, go see to Vivek's needs" Mrinalini ordered the servant without even a glance towards her husband's waiting eyes.

"No need, I am still very capable of taking care of my own needs" Vivek murmured as he wheeled himself out of the dining room and heading towards the main door - too disappointed and hurt by his wife's indifference.

Muskaan glared at Didi for upsetting jiju. It wouldn't have hurt her to wish her husband luck for his case or simply a good bye greeting?... Muskaan sighed as she once again checked her phone – no reply!

She picked a toast from the tray in front of her and realized it was futile to wait for Dev bhai's reply but she wasn't going to give up – she will continue sending him her message over and over again!

"How did it go this morning…. With Radhika" – Muskaan

"It took some time but she did give a verbal reply to me" – Dev

Muskaan smiled happy at the little progress.

"It's a step forward" – Muskaan

"Yes, she behaved a little different not so scared now…." – Dev

"Let me try to take this another step forward…. Let's see if she will speak with me and Didi" – Muskaan

"Good Luck!" – Dev

"Radhika, did you dress Mayank's burn this morning?" Muskaan asked staring at Radhika who was wiping the smudge from her son's chin.

Radhika nodded her head. She had prepared the salve in the morning and did not delay in applying it on Mayank's palm.

"Mayu, why don't you go and get ready, I will take you to the doctor's to get that burn examined" Muskaan said to her son hoping he would leave the room so that she can carry out on the questioning without his interference.

"But mama…" Mayank tried to argue but was stopped by BuaMa

"Mayan, go do what your mother has told you to" Mrinalini ordered her nephew who quickly hopped down from his seat and ran out towards his room.

"Radhika, you didn't answer my question…. Did you dress Mayank's wound?" Muskaan asked the girl once again ignoring the inquisitive look she was receiving from Didi.

"It's bad manners to bow your head when someone is speaking to you, Radhika" Muskaan informed the girl. "It's also considered bad manners if you don't maintain eye contact" Muskaan added. She knew she was being a little rude but it was important to teach Radhika the right ways not the ways her father had instilled in her.

Radhika swiftly lifted her head hearing the words; she furrowed her brows in confusion…. All this time she had been told to keep her head bowed down and never lift her eyes and now…. Now this lady was telling her it was bad manners?...Radhika looked at Pati's Didi hoping she would clear her confusion.

"Muskaan is right, Radhika…. It is rude to look elsewhere when one is speaking to you…. One must always keep an eye contact with the person he/she is conversing with" Mrinalini explained to the girl, smiling softly at her to show her they were not angry with her.

"Do you understand that?" Muskaan asked waiting to see if the girl will practice what she had just learned.

Radhika looked towards Muskaan, keeping her eyes on her and nodded her head. She understood.

"Good, now tell me did you dress Mayank's wound?" Muskaan repeated the question from earlier.

Radhika stared into her eyes and nodded her head.

"You did dress his wound?" Muskaan asked.

Radhika nodded once again.

"Did you use the same salve you had prepared yesterday?" Muskaan asked the girl.

Radhika bit her lip wondering why she was asking her such questions. Was she not supposed to dress the wound?...

"Can you please tell me the ingredients you used to prepare that salve?" Muskaan asked holding the paper and pen she had grabbed from the nearby desk.

Radhika stared at her as she wriggled her hands in agitation. She tried to open her mouth but her fear did not let her voice her words. She felt her panic rise as she stared at both Muskaan and Pati's Didi waiting for her to speak.

"Radhika, I am waiting" Muskaan reminded the girl as she tapped the pen on the dining table.

"Radhika, tell me the ingredients you used" Muskaan ordered using a more authoritative tone.

Radhika chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes clouded with tears as she struggled to find her voice.

"Speak!" Muskaan commanded not really taking note of the girl's emotions.

"Muskaan! Will you stop drilling your questions!" Mrinalini snapped having had enough of Muskaan's continues questions.

"You are scaring Radhika, the poor girl is in tears" Mrinalini pointed out as she wrapped her arms around Radhika's trembling body.

"Didi, please, I just need her to speak" Muskaan stated giving a pointed look to Mrinalini before she turned to Radhika.

"Radhika, you need not be scared of me. I just want you to give me the name of the ingredients you used to make that salve for Mayank's burn. Will you please tell me?" Muskaan asked the girl again hoping this time she give an answer.

Radhika bit her lip to stop them from trembling, her hands clutching each other and tears poured down from her eyes. She was trying very hard to stop herself from being so frightened but she couldn't help it. She was scared – Very. Muskaan was asking her a simple question but still she found it hard to answer….. she knew the name of every herb she had used to make that salve but she just couldn't voice the names…. Her panic had escaladed with Muskaan's continues questioning…. She feared that she had somehow caused mishap in her attempt to ease Mayank's pain…. What if she had used something wrong in that salve?... what if her mistake had worsened Mayank's burn?... is that why his mother kept asking her the question?... the repeated questions from Muskaan terrified her….. her whole body had gone numb at being cornered in such a way….. on one side was Pati's Didi comforting her with her embrace while in front of her sat Mayank's mother watching and waiting for her to answer.

"Radhika, why don't you go check on Mayank…. See if he is ready?..." Mrinalini spoke losing her patience with Muskaan.

"Radhika, I need to give the list to the doctor…. He needs to know what kind of salve was used in order for him to treat Mayank's burn" Muskaan tried for one last time.

"Here take this paper and pen, write down all the ingredients you have used to make that salve…" Mrinalini suggested snatching the paper and pen from Muskaan and handing it to Radhika.

Radhika nodded her head and hurried out of the dining room taking the escape Pati's Didi provided her. She dared not look in Muskaan's direction in fear of seeing anger in her eyes.

"What was that?" Muskaan asked after Radhika's exit.

"I should be asking you that question! There was no need for you to be so persistence with her…. Give her some time she will come around" Mrinalini said staring back at Muskaan with equal fervent.

"Time? I believe I have given her all the time but now I need to push her, that's the only way" Muskaan stated.

"There must be another way…. You are pressurizing her" Mrinalini informed her.

"I can't believe this! Weren't you the one who was raving over Radhika's silence and pressuring me to do something about it? in fact, just last night you had me enact on your order!" Muskaan pointed out to her.

"that was yesterday" Mrinalini snapped.

"And what has changed in one night?" Muskaan asked intrigued by Didi's patience.

"A kiss…. That's what happened!" Mrinalini said a grin plastered on her face as she recounted all that had taken place at the breakfast table before Muskaa came. She did not leave a single detail out as she told everything to Muskaan even the sweet romantic goodbye that was shared between Dev and Radhika.

"Pati? Are you serious?" Muskaan asked amused at learning what Radhika had called Dev to get his attention.

"Yes, she did and Dev didn't seem too surprised by it….. I am guessing she has been calling him Pati for a while now" Mrinalini said with a smile.

"That is so cute…. Pati…. She is so adorable" Muskaan gushed with adoration. She would wait to get the full account from Dev bhai. She needed to know every little detail of what took place between them, how exactly did Dev bhai applied the directions she had given him and how Radhika responded at every step.

"You don't know how happy and relieved I am after witnessing those scenes between them" Mrinalini gave a big sigh.

"You shouldn't have spied on them like that" Muskaan admonished her firmly but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.

"Oh hush, I was too curious! I am glad I followed them into the hall…. I knew Dev was very taken by Radhika but I did not believe he would show such patience and care towards her…. Now just a few well crafted plots from us and he will soon be completely in love with her" Mrinalini stated, a mischievous smile crept up on her face as her mind conjured up with the many possible ways she could bridge the gap between her brother and his wife.

Muskaan gulped as she eyed Didi and took note of that smile on her….. she wondered what sinister, manipulative plots were going through her head. Muskaan knew she would have to stop her from playing the manipulative cupid for Dev and Radhika.

"Oh! Look at the time! I better get going…. There is so much to do today!" Mrinalini said getting up from her chair.

"Di!" Muskaan called out halting Mrinalini in her steps.

Mrianlini turned waiting for Muskaa to speak.

"Don't ever interrupt or interfere in my dealings with Radhika" Muskaan warned her.

Mrianlini's eyes hardened at Muskaan's warning. She opened her mouth ready to spurt out her admonition to the girl for speaking to her in such a way.

"Listen to me first before you lash out at me. I know you are very happy with the progress in Radhika and Dev bhai's relation but that does not mean you can overlook Radhika's shortcomings. Radhika needs to speak…. With everyone!" Muskaan said emphasizing on the last word because she knew Mrinalini would be quick to point out that Radhika does speak with Dev.

"I know you felt I was being too harsh on Radhika with my insisting questions and maybe I was but that doesn't mean you can interfere and mother her. Although, I won't deny that there will be many instances where I would need you to mother and cuddle Radhika but only when I give you the nod for it until then please refrain from interrupting me in the future"

Mrinalini patiently listened to Muskaan's explanation and understood her point of view which was why she nodded her head in acceptance and gave her the promise of keeping away from interfering in her therapy sessions with Radhika.