The next part is inspired by Misti as she suggested a fight between Dev and Imarti. It was a great suggestion as it gave me a catalyst to move the story forward.
Part 15: Dev's headache continues
Few days later:
Dev was feeling happy as he was almost done with his project for which he had used Birju and Imarti's help. On top of that, Vivek had informed him that Kaam had found a house that was a mile away from PB and Kaam was in the last stages of finalizing the deal. He was dreaming of the day when Kaam would be out of his house for good. He rushed home couple of hours after lunch as he wanted to surprise Radhika.
Dadima was sitting in the family room reading a book. Dev greeted her and sat down with her to chat; he had started doing that ever since he saw Kaam getting close to Dadima. Dadi was happy about this as Dev was now starting to confide things to her just as he used to do before his accident. After sitting for half an hour and still not seeing Radhika coming to join them, he asked the whereabouts of other family members.
Dadima replied, "Well, everyone is out except for me. Vaishali has gone to her favorite spa for some facial treatments. Actually, I gifted her that as she hadn't gone to one in five years. She lost heart in all these things after your accident. Also, we couldn't afford them during those days."
Dev asked, "What about Imarti and Radhika? I don't see them either. Did they go with her? Ma used to sometimes go with Mrinalini in the past, but Radhika is usually not interested in such places."
Dadi replied, "Well, Vaishali didn't want to go alone. So, she was asking Imarti and Radhika to go with her. As usual, Radhika refused but Imarti wanted to go. So, .."
Before Dadi could complete her sentence, Vaishali came back with a big smile. She was looking quite pretty with her glowing face that was accentuated by her new light pink sari and newly bought pearls.
Good to know that Vaishali is again now looking after herself.
Dadi saw her and asked her curiously, "You came back alone?"
Vaishali: I wanted to surprise you and that's why I asked Imarti to stay outside. Let me call her.
Vaishali called Imarti and everyone just blinked at her when she came inside. Imarti's long choti had been replaced by hair that was hanging just below her shoulders and she was wearing a modern chudidaar with knee length kurta along with high heel sandals.
Dadi: Vaishali, what happened to Imarti?
Vaishali: Well, I asked my attendant to give her beauty treatment too. Then, the attendant suggested a haircut and Imarti wanted one. So, I asked her to go ahead as I treat my DILs like my daughters. I don't want to impose my will and views on them. Once she had a haircut, I just wanted to buy her new clothes and shoes that would go along with the new hairdo. That is the reason for our delay in coming back.
Dadi and Dev were quite impressed with this new improved Vaishali as old Vaishali would not have agreed so willingly. She had changed a lot in last five years and was now less concerned about society. In any case, the new look suited Imarti a lot. Imarti wanted to look modern as she had decided that she had to look a part of Delhi high class society in order to get more clients for her upcoming business.
Suddenly, Dev realized that Radhika was not with Imarti and asked Vaishali, "Ma, where have you left Radhika? Wasn't she with you?"
Vaishali: No, Radhika did not want to come with us as she wanted to finish some pending Mrs. RP work.
Dadi: Dev, I just told you that Radhika refused to go with Vaishali. It turned out to be a good decision anyway. She got a call from one of our main temples as they wanted Rajpurohitain to read couple of chapters of Tulsi Ramayan in her beautiful voice as some religious heads were coming from Haridwar.
Dev: Dadima, why didn't you tell me? I would have returned earlier and taken Radhika to the temple. At least she could have informed me."
Dadima: Don't worry about that. Radhika did not want to disturb you as you have been so busy. It was a last minute request, so Radhika did not have much time to inform you. Also, she thought that she would return before you come back. I am surprised that she is taking so long. She left soon after Vaishali and Imarti's departure. So, she should have come back by now.
Dev (alarmed): Did you send her alone with the driver? I know Birju is not available as he is out of town running errands for me.
Dadima (consolingly): Dev, don't worry too much. The temple is at the outskirts of Delhi. So, I wouldn't have let Radhika go alone. Luckily, Kaam was free today. So, he offered to go with her. That's why I am not worried about her.
Aiyyoooooooo dadima.........yeh aapne kya kar diye. You are waving a red flag now.😉
Dev (angrily): You sent her with Kaam. What were you thinking? That guy is so irresponsible and selfish that I wouldn't trust him with a mosquito let alone my Radhika.
Knew it.........Dev babu ko gussa aa gaya.😉
Then turning to Imarti, Dev said, " Imarti, I made you Radhika's bodyguard and it was your job to stay with her."
Imarti who also was fuming that Kaam had taken Radhika retorted back, "How was I supposed to know that Radhika would go outside? Remember she left after me. Ma and I were under the impression that she was staying home to complete her work.
One more joins the party...
Dadima tried to intervene, "Dev, don't be so dismissive of Kaam. I know you worry a lot about Radhika and think that nobody else can take good care of her. But, Radhika is pretty self sufficient. She knows how to take care of herself. She took care of all of us for last five years with very limited resources. Also, Kaam is a really nice guy and he has become Radhika's close friend ever since he came to Agra. We all know him quite well by now and trust him.
Dadima you are wasting your breath.😉
Dev was not happy with Dadima's statement and had just started to have an argument with Imarti when Radhika returned with Kaam. Kaam was laughing and joking with her as they entered the house.
Aiyoo.....Kaam walking in and smiling and laughing with Radhika..........enough fuel to light someones fire.
As soon as Radhika saw Dev, she exclaimed happily, "Oh, you are back so soon. If I had known you were coming early, I would have come home sooner."
Before Dev could retort, Dadima said, "Choti bahu, what took you so long. I thought the whole thing was just for couple of hours."
Radhika replied, "Surprisingly, one of the Mahant recognized Kaam as this famous singer. So, the mandir priest and others just insisted that he sings few bhajans."
Dadima said, "Oh, I should have gone with you. Then, I could also have listened to your bhajans. I just love Kaam's voice so much."
Oh really dadima........did you look at Dev while saying this.........you know that Dev is also possessive about you.
Kaam (smilingly mockingly at Dev): Dadima, you don't have to drive to a temple to listen to my bhajans. I can sing for you anytime you want. I feel as if you are my real dadi. But, I didn't sing alone all these bhajans. Radhika also sang with me and that's why the time flew. Once all those mahants heard Radhika's voice, they also wanted her to sing. So, we sang everything together. This is the most fun I ever had singing any songs. It just brought back old memories of Vrindavan when my father used to teach Radhika and would insist that she sings with me once in a while. That time, her voice was of a young child, but today was a new experience. Her voice is so good that I feel that I can sing with her forever.
Yeh Kaam.......add more ghee and oil to the fire.........hope that you are using good quality ghee.
By this time, Dev was trembling with anger and jealousy. Since he couldn't take it out on Radhika, he focused it on the biggest culprit in his eyes who was Imarti. He ignored Radhika and turned to Imarti and asked her curtly, "Imarti, I need to talk to you. Can you just come upstairs?"
Ahhh the fun starts........😉😃
Imarti too was irked at Kaam's actions and was in a querulous mood. She followed Dev who had barely climbed the stairs when he turned on her, "Imarti, I never thought you would be so irresponsible to leave Radhika alone with Kaam."
Ohh Ho...........the guns are firing now.
Imarti: It is not my fault. I work twice a week for Ma. Today was my work day with her and I couldn't refuse to accompany her. Also, Radhika was planning to stay home. How was I to know that she would get an invitation to go to that temple. She didn't even call me on my cell phone.
Valid point.........👏
Dev: Imarti, she probably did not call you because you are not reliable. She would have waited for you for hours and you wouldn't have shown up anyway. I am also realizing that I made a mistake in giving you that job as Radhika's bodyguard.
Dev Dev..........ok do carry on.
Imarti was insulted at that and said, "I am very reliable and have looked after Radhika for last two months. Nakaam did not get a single chance to talk to her alone and he has tried several times."
Again right answer......Imarti you are good at this.
Dev: He didn't get a chance because Radhika is always busy. So, in some sense you are right. It is because of you Kaam was unable to meet Radhika alone. You never help her in any household work anyway. I am beginning to think that your desire for so-called career is just to avoid housework. You are extremely selfish and take advantage of Radhika's good nature.
Imarti was almost ready to bring out her Rampuri chaku at this insult, "Look, who is talking about being selfish. What about you? Radhika is running after you as long you are at home. She gets up before you and does all that puja. Then, she brings you tea and wakes you up. She puts out your clothes and serves you until you leave. She can only do her work while you are not here. Once you come back, her service with you restarts.
Dev (fuming at this ridiculous charge): It is not a chore for her but spending quality time with me. We want to spend most of our free time together as we love each other a lot. We have already lost five years of our lives and Radhika is just making up for that.
Heh good answer Dev.👏
Imarti: Well, she and I have been apart for all our lives and have met after twenty five years. When will we get to spend time together?
This is like a tennis match now.😉😃
Dev: You can make up for that lost time all day if you help her in household work instead of spending time thinking about ridiculous jobs at which you suck anyway. In fact, I am firing you from all jobs as of this instant. I now know that they were excuses for you to avoid helping Radhika. You can keep the camera for your personal use. I will also not allow Birju to get into business agreement with you because both of you would make a mess of it. I will myself start some other business with Birju.
Imarti: You cannot do that. One of my jobs is working for your mother and she is paying me for that. Also, I am done with that job I was doing with Birju. So, you can only fire me as a bodyguard and part-time assistant to Radhika. As far as these two jobs are concerned, I was doing an excellent work. So, there are no grounds to fire me. Also, Birju bhaiya and I have already done a lot of research and we are ready to start once we get some office space.
Good going.
Dev: Well, I hired you and I can fire you anytime. So, from tomorrow onwards you would help Radhika and learn to be a proper DIL to PF. There is no need for you to use your time and money in some hare-brain idea. Instead, concentrate on learning things that would turn you into a proper badi bahu of this house.
Aiyoo.........anyway let them fight.....mera kya hai.😉
Imarti was now totally incensed at that and decided to strike at Dev's soft spot, "Dev, you should not be blaming me for NaKaam spending time with Radhika. If you had believed her in Agra when she met you, NaKaam wouldn't even have come to Delhi. He only came because he was concerned that you as Abhay and that cartoon fake family of yours were taking advantage of Radhika. I mean who would have thought that Radhika's own husband would not believe her over a fake woman. That's why Nakaam thought that you were a fraud."
Aiyoo Imarti.........this was a big ouch.
Dev was angry at this stab and replied in the same tone, "Well, you should also not be blaming me for not giving you time with Radhika. After all, how am I supposed to know that your interest in her is genuine and you are not planning to run away again with her jewelry."
They are having a competition of ouchs.🤔
Imarti really felt hurt at this low blow from Dev. By that time, the rest of PF had gathered downstairs as Dev and Imarti were really shouting. Radhika quickly went upstairs and tried to calm them down. But, both refused to listen and went to their respective rooms. Both did not even come down for dinner. Radhika eventually took their dinner to their rooms and tried to talk to them. She soon gave up and decided to wait for next morning to make them see reason.
Wonder if both are pouting here.🤔
However, things were same at the breakfast table. Both showed up but were not talking to each other. Dadima was feeling amused by this childish quarrel. Vaishali was siding with Imarti on this whereas Vivek was acting neutral. Kaam was the only one who felt happy at this turn of events. For the first time, he felt a mild affection for Imarti as he was getting tired of Dev and Imarti's friendship where they were always thwarting his attempts to have a proper conversation with Radhika. He decided to be nice to Imarti as he believed in old adage that enemy of an enemy was a friend.
Clever move kaam.
Kaam: Imarti, I did not get a chance to compliment you yesterday as you were busy with Dev. But, you are looking very pretty and this new hair style suits you.
😳
Imarti was pleased that Kaam had stopped calling her Jalebi and decided to be pleasant to him, "Kaam, thanks a lot. You seem to have a really good taste. I am glad you had a good time yesterday singing all those bhajans. You have a really good voice."
😳😳
Dev was not amused at this new found friendship between Kaam and Imarti and was sulking even more. Radhika was coaxing him to eat his breakfast and drink juice and he agreed on a condition that she brings his breakfast upstairs and eat with him in their room. Since he was in such a bad mood, Radhika decided to follow him upstairs to placate him. Afterwards Dev felt calm as Radhika hadn't talked about Imarti or Kaam the entire time and he left for the office.
😳😳😳
The stalemate continued in the evening as both Dev and Imarti refused to listen to Radhika. Radhika decided to wait until the next day to bring her two favorite people together. The next morning was similar to the previous day and finally Radhika decided to be a little forceful with both of them. She first went to talk to Imarti and tried to make her understand Dev's insecurities.
Radhika: Imarti, I know you care for me. But, you have to understand Dev's desire to spend time with me. We have lost a lot of time because of other people. That is why he is wary of Kaam. Once he realizes that Kaam is not like Shantanu, he would change his attitude towards him.
Good point Radhika...but I think you are wasting your breath.
Imarti: Radhika, I never had any problem with Dev monopolizing your time. But, he is really selfish and makes you serve him hand and foot.
Its actually not that Imarti.
Radhika: Imarti, you don't understand my relationship with him. I like doing these things for him. I am used to working and serving from my childhood. But, nobody loved me or appreciated me like he does. I love him intensely and so I feel happy in doing these things for him. He has never asked me to do anything for him. In fact, he used to take care of me after the second wedding when I got burnt. He was the one who would bring tea in the morning or give me my medicines. He chose the clothes and did my dressings those days. He has done so much for me that doing these small things for him make me feel happy and content.
Exactly and true.
Imarti: Radhika that may be true. But, this is not right. I know he loves you, but now you are carrying my little nephew or niece. So, I don't want you to be tired. Also, you never think of yourself. I know Vishaka was not a good sister, but I really care for you. I have seen him being rude towards you, but I have rarely seen him apologizing to you for that. I am almost sure that he never apologized for keeping that Kanika in your room and letting her sleep in your bed. You are so naive that you let people take advantage of that. In fact, I was better off stealing things than guarding you as you don't seem to learn from your mistakes.
Ouch Imarti.......Kannika.....but Radhika does have to deal with that and discuss with Dev.
Radhika did not like Imarti bringing up Kanika as it was her weak spot and also she felt hurt at Imarti's words that she would rather steal than look after her (Radhika). She decided to give up and told Imarti quietly, "Imarti, it is your life and if you would rather steal, then I cannot stop you. You do what you want to do."
Good but I hope that Radhika does realise to talk about Kannika with Dev......they canot brush it under the carpet.
Imarti felt remorse for bringing up painful memories for Radhika after she left. Meanwhile, Radhika decided to talk to Dev to resolve this cold war. She thought that maybe Dev would show some maturity and make a first move towards Imarti. But, she was mistaken as Dev did not want to listen to any excuses.
Liked the remorse part from Imarti.......
Dev: Radhika, I know you want me to be friends with Imarti. I also like Imarti but she takes advantage of you. She is basically a lazy person and is just looking for excuses not to help you. I want you to take rest to make sure that our child is born healthy.
Radhika: I know that she doesn't like to do household work. But, I don't want her help in that area as I can take care of everything by myself. I was just training her for emergency days such as during delivery or during my absence for any other reason. As I rarely go anywhere, she doesn't need to do that often. She is not lazy and she helps me considerably in other things. Now, I have a more organized schedule and now surprisingly I have enough time for all my appointments. Also, she has helped me several times in Muths and temples whenever I have needed help.
Radhika did not know that Imarti would cancel some of her meetings with some people whom Dev and she had discovered to be wasting Radhika's time.
Dev: Radhika, that is all fine. But, anybody can do that job in few hours. She is just using these jobs as excuses. Your sisters have always taken advantage of you.
Radhika: Imarti is not like Vishaka. She may not help me in household work, but she helps me a lot with other things. Also, she is a great company and she cares for me like a proper sister.
Radhika you are again wasting your breath.........do realise that your husband and twin and very similar to each other and thats why they will clash.
Dev: Radhika, she is your sister and so it is her duty to treat you properly. But, you are not a good judge of people when it comes to your family. Look at how you brought back Vishaka to this house five years ago despite my warnings and it resulted in us getting separated for so many years. I don't want you to make another mistake with another sister of yours.
😳,...............but Radhika needs to face her faults.
This stung Radhika as Dev's statement was true to a large extent. As Dev was the only one with whom Radhika had truly ever shown her feelings, she replied back in an even tone, "I am not the only one who has made bad judgments. Kanika was not my sister and I did not bring her to this house."
Touche!
Dev felt remorseful in letting his anger get the better of him. In his anger, he had brought up hurtful memories that both have tried to suppress. He tried to call back Radhika, but she had already left the room. She did not come back to their room that night and Dev found out that she had gone to Dadima's room to sleep. He decided to let her sleep in Dadima's room as he was thinking that she would be her normal self by next morning.
Yeh right....now face the music Dev.
Both Imarti and Dev showed up for morning puja. Radhika quietly did her puja and then gave them prasad without talking to them. She talked nicely to Kaam and other PF members. Then, both Dev and Imarti came to the breakfast table at almost the same time and tried to talk to Radhika. She ignored them and quietly served them breakfast and left the room. Eventually, everyone got up but Imarti and Dev stayed at the table in hopes of Radhika coming back and talking to them. Dadima also stayed back as she was feeling entertained at this whole fight.
Oh dadima you will not change......no wonder Iike you.
Since both Dev and Imarti were stubborn and were unwilling to make the first move, Dadima decided to act as a broker, "Dev and Imarti, have you both realized that you are very similar in many things. Both of you are stubborn, quick tempered and somewhat self-centered. But, you do care for Radhika deeply. So, there is no need for competition as you both do things for her in your own way. Imarti is like a tigress when it comes to protecting Radhika. She can be quite a menace to those she perceives to have wronged Radhika. Dev, you are the same. So, what is the need for this fight?
Exactly........but Iliked it.😳
Dev, Imarti does not have to help Radhika in housework to prove her love and loyalty. She helps her in many other ways.
Right.
Imarti, Dev is not taking advantage of Radhika if she pampers him. This is her way of expressing her intense love for Dev. Their relationship is unique and personal and does not need interference or lectures from others even if that person is Radhika's sister.
Right again.
Radhika loves you both a lot and is happy that her sister and her husband get along so much. Vishaka took so much away from Radhika that Dev would never have a normal relationship with her. So, she feels good that her own twin sister is going to live with her permanently and gets along so well with her family. So, you would make her really happy if you forgive each other and become friends again."
They will become friends but will again fight.....it won't take time for these two to wind each other up.
Finally, Dev and Imarti understood and both were ashamed at their childish behavior. Dev in a generous mood gave back Imarti her two jobs and also decided to forgive his loan on her camera. He even offered to set up her business with Birju on the condition that she proved her sincerity in pursuing her career. Afterwards, they both went to the kitchen together and finally were able to persuade Radhika to forgive them. As usual, Radhika forgave them easily and was happy to see them become friends again.
Since Dev had done so much for her, Imarti decided to do something for him and couple of days later intercepted him just when he was about to go to his study for some work. She gave him a DVD and told him that this might help him in his mission to oust Kaam from Radhika's life.
Oh Ho.......DVD so what truth is going to come out.
Precap: Dev is badly shattered.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
