Story so far
Mrinalini was looking at Keshav and Radhika.
M: 'Koi ladka Radhika ko Keshav se jyaada pyaar nahi rakh sakta '
Dev loosened his tie around his neck, unbuttoned his collar button and said 'NO ma!!! Radhika ko Keshav se jyaada pyaar karne wala ladka mil sakta hai. Ek esa ladka jo use deewano ki taraha pyaar karta ho'
Mrinalini was shocked. She looked at her son and was aghast to see him so pale and sweating.
D: 'Aur ma Radhika ki sahaadi usi ladke se hogi ma'. He said that and just went away from there leaving Mrinalini shell shocked.
Part 17
Radhika came out of the wash room and found Keshav looking concerned. He asked about the reason for her being upset.
She lied that she had tears of joy and how happy she was for her sister's marriage.
K: 'Aap theek to hai na, Radhika ji?'
D: 'Haan vho theek hai'. Dev was standing there.
Radhika and Keshav both looked at Dev.
He had lost his jacket and had folded his shirt sleeves to the elbows.
He came near Radhika and took her hand in his and said 'She gets emotional during weddings.'
R: 'Ya, well Keshav ji, I would like to take your leave. I think it is time for me to go home'
K: 'OK, I will drop you.'
D: 'Well, Keshav, I will escort Radhika home. I am leaving as well, and as a matter of fact, you are the host of this party so you can not leave these guests.'
Keshav, despite of being a lawyer could not protest Dev on this.
Radhika was not bothered who dropperd her home. She wanted to go HOME. She was feeling miserable.
Dev took Radhika's hand and guided her out. He stopped briefly to talk to Vishakha.
After a while both of them were out side.
Radhika needed this fresh air.
Dev did not leave her hand. They had to walk a distance before they reached the car.
Dev opened the door for her and let her sit.
He drove. Radhika was sitting in a trance.
Dev was glancing at her every now and then.
They reached MH.
But Radhika did not move.
Dev looked at her and give her a little shake.
Radhika was brought to the present.
Se got down and headed towards her room.
There was no body in the house except Birju .
All the servants had gone and even Birju had retired to his quarters.
Dev followed Radhika and caught up with her near her room.
D: 'I am sorry, Radhika!!! Muzhe maaf kar do. Muzhe tum par nahi chillana tha.'
Radhika stopped. But she looked as if she was going to cry again.
Dev touched her cheeks.
This acted like the catalyst.
She hugged Dev and burst out crying.
Dev held her in his arms and let her cry her heart out.
D: 'Sorry, Princess. I am very sorry. I made you cry. But I could not help my self.The moment I saw you with …. But I am sorry … shhhhhh, don't cry. I am soooo…sorry….'
Radhika sobbed and sobbed.
Radhika felt better after some time. But she realized that she was sobbing in Dev's arms.
She also realized that Dev's shirt was wet now due to her tears.
She pulled herself from his arms, embarrassed.
She could not look him in the eye.
She was surprised at her own behaviour.
Why was she being a baby? Crying her heart out.
She realized Dev was looking at her with deep concern.
D: 'I am sorry my princess. I made you cry. It won't happen again. I promise, I will never yell at you.'
R:'No, I am sorry for making you come her and for being such a baby. I am extremely sorry. You had to leave Vishakha and come like this.'
D: 'Don't bother. You sure you are ok. I think you should get some rest.'
Dev wiped the trace of tears from her cheeks. Pushed her hair behind so that he could look at her face.
She looked beautiful even being messy. Her kaajal was smeared due to crying; her nose was red but looked cute. Her lips were pink due to her holding them within her teeth. She looked beautiful.
Breathtaking!!!
For him, she always looked beautiful. He had to remind himself to take his eyes off her.
She was wearing his favourite colour sari.
D: 'You look tired, go and have rest'
Radhika nodded and went inside her room.
She changed and went to bed.
The whether was terrible.
It was going to rain. The thunder storms had begun.
She heard the sound of some cars, which gave her hint that every body had returned.
It started raining heavily with thunder storms.
She was terrified.
It reminded her of the night when her parents were killed.
She hugged the pillow.
She could hear a soft knock at her door.
She was too terrified even to react.
She heard the door open.
'Radhika? Are you all right princess?' It was Dev.
He went near the bed and saw her hug the pillow.
He touched her shoulders and instinctively she turned and sought comfort of his arms.
He held her the same way he used to hold her all those years ago.
She buried her head in his chest and he hugged her even tight.
D: 'I knew you must be terrified, so I came.'
Radhika was trembling. But the sound of his voice and his hands stroking her hair made her relax.
It rained for almost two hours.
Radhika stired a little and relized that she has falled asleep in Dev's arms.
Dev was holding her very close. Radhika realized that they were both on her bed. Her hair was spread over his chest and he was stroking them.
She stiffened.
Dev realized that Radhika was awake. He loosened his grip on her and let her go.
He got up from the bed and looked at her.
He saw that Radhika was uncomfortable by the position they were in and avoided looking at him.
So he casually said 'I will leave now, but will you be alright?'
Radhika simply nodded.
Dev left her room and closed the door behind him.
Book Talk
Anupamaa
