FF - If Only I Could (Updt 24-35) Pg 16-18 - Page 9

Hello folks - here are updates 17 to 20...Happy reading...

Chapter 17

Mrityunjay rode Marya at dawn, then attended to her needs and was walking towards the house when he spotted her in her extended warrior pose...a hand touching her foot and the other upright in the air...she saw him...she quickly straightened up and saw her wave out to him...

Bu then why was he walking towards her? he asked himself...

Tara asked herself the same question, a loosely fitted shirt sat on his broad shoulders...the early morning sun casting a golden glow on his brown curls...the stubble...she gulped...then quickly pulled the shirt around her slim waist...and smiled..."Good Morning, you up so early today."

He approached her and replied, "Yes stayed at the stable last night...and you?...okay yes the warm ups before the dance sessions."

And then he sat on the parapet, "How is Vasu?"

Tara wanted to continue with her yoga routine, thinks does he not get it, I need my privacy?.but then she had waved, well it was just to say hello...but she instead found her feet walk towards where he sat, she plonked herself too, saying, "She is doing fine...she has a test...at first she did not want to attend." She looked at her hands, and then looked up and continued, "She has agreed now as I promised I would accompany her to University. The Paper is today afternoon."

Strange he could talk to her so easily after all their fights and arguments, "Is the Driver taking you both?"

"Yes of course"

"I will come along."

Now why does he have to come with us... "You? But why?"

She folds her arms and pouts her lips, "I can handle it."

"I know you can, but just in case there is trouble for some reason...I will stay in the car...and wait outside the University , until you both finish."

She sighed, such a bully, thinks I can't handle things, but he did have a point, what if? After all it was his sister.

'Fine...now acting cheeky she goes on, "Can you please leave now..I still need to continue with my routine.

He gets up, "What time do we leave?" She lets him know whilst taking a whiff of his sweaty self.

He walks away, kicking a stone here and there. Turns and sees her supply body take on another pose, and telling himself, he was going along to safeguard Vasu...nothing more.

Tara and Vasu were all ready, when Tara asked Joseph where was he?...

Joseph replied in the negative that he had no idea. Tara then told Vasu she would go and check as they would get late for no reason, though they were had enough time to reach Uni.

Reaching their bedroom she knocks, not a sound...pushes the door open only to find him soundly sleeping almost snoring.

What? The guy is sleeping! Did he just forget? Well they could just leave, but then he would find an excuse to blame her for nothing...so decides let me wake him up, Oh gosh she now had to call out to him. She calls out, he does not answer, she paces the room, then goes to him and shakes him touching his arm, calling out his name, "Mrityunjay utho, Mrityunjay get up."

He opens his eyes to see a faint vision of her standing right over him. He wakes up all of sudden, "Oh gosh, so sorry, will be ready in a second." Gets out of bed and says, ""Can you pull out something for me to wear?"

A shocked Tara, "Me!"

"yes you...please aren't we getting late?"

Why did he order her around like as if she was his wife? She frowned. What the hell, he was treating her like his paid nurse now.

He did not bother seeing her uneasiness and dashed into the bathroom under the shower.

After giving a lot of thought she pulled out a kurta set and placed it on the bed, just when he walked out only wearing a towel around his taut waist. She looked up to see a hairy broad chest...those rippling muscles...she gulped hard, lowering her gaze...yet she stole a glance at his bare calves...she better get out of here.

"'I'll be down," and rushed out of the room feeling her body all warm and fuzzy. The man was shameless, oh but of course he would probably be more ashamed in front of a man than a woman of course! She rolled her eyes...Halleluia!

A faint smile played on his lips, she did feel shy of him. Whilst getting dressed he thought , he did not mean to take advantage of her, but it just came naturally, asking her do things for him, like as if he had some authority over her. He sighed, but he did legally...yet...he could not afford to get used to such things in his life! But why was she dressed like a college girl, jeans and a floral shirt?

They drove to the University with Tara taking the front seat and Vasu sitting at the back with her books spread out revising. She kept asking Mrityunjay for doubts and he answers them.

She hardly said a word to him, busy looking outside checking out the hustle and bustle of the city. Suddenly Vasu asked, "Tara Bhabhi you will come inside with me right?"

Mrityunjay and she exchanges glances. She turned and spoke to Vasu, "Yes Pari I will. Don't worry, I will be right there, whilst you give you exam, I shall sit in the Principal's office, or maybe go to the canteen!"

At once he said, "NO! You are not going to the canteen, you stay put in the Principal's office, did you hear me." First and foremost she was dressed like that and then wants to wander around! Foolish woman!

Who was he to order her around? But quietly relents and nods her head.

Tara and Vasu get off the car and enter the University. Mrityunjay gets off and stands outside, making sure there was no trouble when they entered. He watched them go and saw them stop when a group of students stopped Vasu. High fives were exchanged and the girls hugged Vasu. She was welcomed back...he smiled...thank goodness...The boys too came forward...and he could see they were all agitated and talking and laughing. Tara too took part and laughed and smiled and then she shook hands with a guy. Now this irked him. He locked the car and entered the University, quickly striding to where they were...Tara turned to see him amongst them. Vasu, "Bhai!..meet my friends."

"This is my brother."

The same guy who shook hands with Tara extending his hand saying, "Hello Sir, nice to meet you and your wife."

He shook hands, "Same here young man."

"Vasu aren't you getting late for the paper?"

"No Bhai ...another half hour to go!"

The boy and another girl spoke up, "Are Vasu all the best haan, and yes we have something really exciting to tell you both. We have decided on a campaign for our University. I mean your Bhabhi inspired us to do so."

Tara now enthusiastic about it asked, "Really, what is it?"

"Ma'am we have decided to start a campaign in the Uni about educating girls and boys on how to behave and treat women, in and outside of University. How girls must fight back and for guys too on how to protect the girls and females around them. Vasu we will talk about it soon. So much to tell you."

"When do you plan to come back to Uni, we miss you yaar."

Vasu looked at Tara, "Soon in the next few days."

The girl hugged Vasu and then they left Mrityunjay standing there seeing Tara so part of the youth around her. At that moment someone's heart swelled with pride.

And then he heard one of them say, "Vasu why is your brother so grumpy, doesn't he smile."

Pat came Tara's reply, "Oh you see he has fake teeth, if he smiles they may all fall off."

Vasu too laughed, "Bhabhi...that's my bhai you are talking about."

They all laughed at the joke on him. She turned to see if he had overheard and saw that he did, the laughter vanished from her face. She turned back and walked faster into the University. He sure is going to kill her for that remark!

Chapter 18

Whilst he sat and waited, he thought of the perfect way to punish her for that remark, but he just could not. He banged his fists in frustration on the dashboard and steering wheel. She kept arousing such thoughts in him. He would find a way though of making sure she paid for that joke on him!

Paper done, they return to the car, and there goes Vasu, 'Bhai I am hungry and so is Tara, can we stop to eat some ice-cream?...please Bhai"

Theek hai, he consents.

Vasu, "Tara have you tasted Baskin Robbins ice-cream"

"Nahi...woh kya hai, are chodo, BHopal mein agar malai kulfi nahi khayi toh kya kiya."

"I will take you to the best place in Bhopal for malai kulfi."

"Bhai...please naah...let's go where Tara says, I want to taste. Mama never allows me to eat and enjoy like my friends do. They too talk about it."

He agrees, and starts taking directions from Tara.

They reach a small nukkad of a busy market place. And there stood a ice-cream cart "No. 1 Malai Kulfi Centre."

Mrityunjay parks the car, the girls excited as ever get down and they buy three sticks of Malai Kulfi and return. She offers him one. He declines. Vasu has one and was enjoying the flavour and sheer joys of sucking into the milky cold stick.

"Tara this is awesome, thank goodness Mama is not here. What fun naah."

He watches Tara like a child...who would say she was married! "Hold them please," and coolly hands them over to him.

She sits and then takes just one. "Have it, it's really good."

He returns it back to her. "No thanks, I don't want it."

"Eat it, you are not going to die eating it, for heaven's sake." and then realizes what she just said.

He gives her a hard stare. "I'm sorry I did not mean to...I mean," and takes the stick from him.

"It does not matter anymore...I just don't like kulfis."

"So I have to end up eating both now!"

Vasu informs, "Tara, you know Bhai loves chocolate cakes...all kinds of cakes actually." Tara steals a glance at him. He doesn't look like he would loves cakes...maybe bitter chocolate!

And goes on to hold one in each hand and licks both right in front of him. She was clueless to what the act did to him... Trying her best to finish both, sucking onto them, making weird slurping sounds, whilst the melted cream trickled down her mouth and her hands, licking of her lips with her tongue...Had it not been for Vasu's presence he would have thrown caution to the winds and wiped off the cream off her lips...and who knows what more...

He was losing concentration, he better driver properly... looked straight ahead of him..and then he braked.

"Bhai! what happened?"

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, sorry!" And then moves the car to one of a street and parks. "Please finish, clean up and then we leave."

"Will you just wipe off your face, you look like a clown," he barked all of a sudden! She looked at the half eaten sticks of ice cream, one in each hand..and saw him turn his face away and rub his forehead.

"Huh!" Fine...she was upset...holding the half-consumed sticks in one hand, she pulled the window down, opened the door , got down and threw the sticks in the street bin close by.

When she was gone, Vasu slowly asked, "Bhai why do you fight with her always?...can't you be nice to her? "

How could he explain to his little sister why he had to be rude, "Sorry Fatso!"

He gets off the car, and gets a bottle of water to give it to her to wash her sticky hands and his kerchief to clean up. She takes it from him rubbing off everything from her mouth leaving even lipstick marks. She seemed miffed. Who cares if he was disgusted by lipstick smears!

They reach home and just when she walked towards her room, "Wait a second Tara! I want to speak to you, can you come to my room?"

She walked, and he after her. "What is it now?"

He folded his arms and said, "Next time don't make a joke about me."

Tara thinks oh gosh no...he heard it...I've had it now.

She won't show him she was scared of him now. "So! what do you want me to tell them you don't smile because you have a noose around your neck?'

"But you could have just ignored their question and just not answered!"

Oh boy she did reel him. She better be careful next time. "Fine, now what? So do I get punished?"

Looking at the defiance in her eyes and yet being vulnerable to the situation, he let go of his crazy thoughts...it was becoming hard to think rationally. And then she was too damn naive...

'It's okay you can go, but don't you ever do that again?"

He shut the door after her and leaned against it, how could he tell her he did not care about the joke, but instead it was her being so much at ease with the young boys there. He had seen how the boys were really flattered to be around her. This irked him.. ...since when did jealousy creep in?

He ran his hands through his hair...confused with himself, irritated, why was everything about her affecting him? What she did, who she spoke to, where she went. What right did he have? And then this sudden urge to...to be around her. For God's sake she lived in the same house. Yet! he asked himself...he shut his eyes and she was right in front of him, he opened them and they searched for her. He pulled off his kurta and flung it on the bed. How was he supposed to get rid of these feelings? Damn!

Chapter 19

The next few days fell into a routine for both. Vasu returned back to college and sat for the rest of the exams. Usually he would see her at the breakfast table, he would serve him and make small talk. With someone or the other at the table, he would rarely find her alone.

One morning strangely all apart from Aditya were seated at the table. He found it strange to see his mother around. She was courteous as usual.

Baba, Sit Tara, have breakfast with us."

Tara took the seat beside Baba and opposite Mrityunjay. Vasu came down the stairs all set to go to college when she sat and announced, "Guess what, remember Tara the other day my friends spoke to us about, well its happening."

Baba, "What's that Vasu beta?"

"Well a student initiated campaign is being started. This campaign would cover defence lessons for girls, counselling for students who face attacks even at home or outside university and even lectures for guys on Chivalry and How to treat women. And guess what," her eyes lit up...what asked her Mother, "We decided to call it the Tara campaign."

Tara was shocked, "Kya...nahi Vasu no...please...no...I am not even a student there and it's not about me."

Vasu was sad, but she went on, "Actually Tara I gave the same reasons for knocking off my name too, so suggested yours...but now you too?"

Tara continued, "But we can think of something else."

Just then Mrityunjay spoke up, "I have a suggestion."

All eyes were on him, "Bolo Mrityunjay."

He looked at Vasu and said, "You can call it Mission Pari." And his eyes moved and dwelled on Tara whilst uttering, "Every girl is an Angel." She stared at him with a weird surprise look, he had used the pet name she had given to Vasu. And this was known only to Vasu, Him and Her.

"Oh Bhai that is perfect," Tara too was delighted. "Perfect Name for a Perfect Mission."

She looked at him again, but he was intent on eating his breakfast and looking at Vasu. Nirmala then spoke, "Vasu that is really cool and also I can volunteer to make a flyers along with my friends...Hmm."

"Oh no Mom, that is fine, the Art students are taking care of that...but we might need some help with the counselling. Aunty Asha could assist." Nirmala agreed.

MJay again spoke up, "Vasu I can talk to someone about the defence courses for the girls. In fact you will get the best. What say Baba?"

She looked around her and felt an outsider for the first time. Together they are looked like one big happy family. Just she was the odd one out. She rose from the table, when Vasu too got up and came to her side saying, "This is all happened because of you. Tara Faltu you are the best," and hugged her from behind.

Baba exclaimed, "Vasu!

Tara explained, "Baba bas mazak hai hum dono ke becch mein."

Whilst Vasu dashed off, Mjay told her, "Would like to see your mission statement, its important."

"Sure Bhai," then hugging both her parents left.

Tara couldn't take her eyes off him, he was a man of surprises. Baba noticed the admiration in her eyes...was he reading too much. So it was both ways and he hadn't done anything yet. God has his Ways. He gave out a sigh of relief and left for the day.

Vasu, thought to herself whilst banging her fist over her books, "Something is cooking up, Bhai likes Tara I think. He was looking at her half the time whilst talking to me!"

After a while they both were leaving the house together, when she fell into step with him. Outside in the lawns she continued walking along, then said, "That was nice of you to support Vasu's cause."

"yeah wish I could do more than just that. Especially talking to the boys and training them,"

"So why not?"

Don't know what came over him that he opened up to her, "How could I Tara, if the kids or their families got to know what I have been accused of, I would be thrown out of there Doesn't matter to me, but Vasu."

There was a tinge of sadness in his voice. She felt for him. "I have a suggestion."

He turned to look at her, the sunlight letting a soft glow on her skin..."What!"

"If you can't go to them, let them come here. Why don't' you let Vasu chose a couple of guys who could come over the weekend and you could train them at your stable?"

The girl was determined to get him involved, "It would be worst still, would they trust me Tara is the question?...you are too naive to understand."

She suddenly stopped walking, he did too. She turned to him and asked, "Did you commit the crime Mrityunjay?"

Did she just call him by his name, his heart skipped a beat, he replied, "Does my answer matter at all?"...and then moved closer to her and looking right into her big brown eyes he asked, "What do you think Tara?"

Her eyes shining bright...and without hesitation even for a second she replied, "A crime is a crime, does not matter who the victim is...if I had believed you had done it, I would not have spent 10 days in confinement with you Mrityunjay."

And then continues, "But I ask myself this question...how did I come to trust you so easily...I have no answer to that."

She then stepped back, bent down to pluck a flower from the flower bed and pinned it into her hair, smiled and walked away.

Surprised by her answer...all he did was stare at her...a woman with a flower in her head...giving him his answer...she had placed her trust in him completely.

Tara walked back to the gazebo thinking, she had spoken the truth...she had never felt uneasy living in that room with him...but what made her tell him that...he was never going to think the better of her...she was here for the money according to him...she sighed...and then his preferences were so different. Why would he take a second look at her? She was but a nuisance to him and he made sure he kept her under his control, nothing more than that. She would insist for the divorce papers from Baba tonight. Every time she did, he would come up with an excuse. She needed to be firm.

A tear trickled down her cheek, she wiped it away and saw her instructor waiting.

Tara was clueless though that she had just made it harder for the man to deny her. He walked to the stable...and whispered to Marya, "What do I do Marya with her? Why did this happen to me? Why did Baba have to bring her into my life Marya? When I can't...every time I say to myself I will stay away...it gets worse...instead... I want to feel her crazy presence... He hit his head against the pole... Marya grunts, kicks the hay around her...he looks at the mare...and then he laughed aloud, "The silly woman thinks I am not straight, she thinks I like men...and I can't tell her otherwise...for her own good...she is better off without me! Gosh!"

The mare understood her master's misery and torment...she neighed...she was the only one he spoke his heart out to, when he was happy or at his worst moments...

He came closer to Marya and whispered, "What I feel for her, Is this Love?...why now? why at this stage in my life?" feeling the tightness in his chest...he lay his head on the mare, "Oh Marya..."why is life so cruel?"

And the days went by...Tara managed to get Baba to give her the divorce papers. She signed them off and wrote another clause that as his wife she would not file for any alimony, and rejected all claims of inheritance in the event of death or otherwise. She had shunned all monetary claims with the Shekhawats.

To be continued/...

Chapter 20

Another afternoon when they were all sitting after lunch and Tara was busy playing the dhol in front of Baba, the door bell rang...when her mother barged in shouting, "Tara! Tara!...

Tara surprised, "Maa..kya hua...Nandu theek hai naah?"

Ardhana looked at her daughter angrily, with tears in her eyes, "Chall abhi ke abhi apna bori bistara band le...aur idhar se nikal...tuh dhol lekar baithi hai jab humara band baj gaya hai. AKal hai ki nahi?"

Jayraj got up saying, "Samdhanji kya hua...aap yahan!"

She pulled at Tara's hand, almost dragging her away, turning to Jyaraj and said, "Thakurji sabse pehle mein apni beti se baat kar rahi hunn. Doosri baat, joh insaan mujhe shaadi ke mandap se door rakh kar meri beti ko uske mujrim bete se shaadi karwa leta hai, mein usse kya baat karunn...aur apne paison ke bal se meri beti ko yahan phansa kar rakh leta hai?...Aap achi tarha se jaante te the Thakurji, ki mein iss shaadi ke liye kabhi haa nahi karti."

Tara tries to pull her Mother's hand off her arm, "Maa baat toh suno.Mein kahi nahi jaa rahi hunn"

Furious than ever, she raised her hand to land on Tara's cheek in a stinging slap...Tara went pale... tears rolling down her cheeks...Aradhna said, "Chup...ek dum chup...sab kuch jaante hua tuh ne itna bada kadma liya? Kya teri maa mar gayi thee tumhare liye? bas abb...seedhe ghar chal abb..."

Mrityunjay gets up, she raises her hand and tells him, "Hume aap se koi baat nahi karni hai"

"Haan aur ek baat, mein Tara ko yahan se lekar jaa rahi hun...aur Bunty bhi wapas aa sakta hai...hume unn paison yaa aaram ki zindagi nahi chahiye jisme meri beti ki bali chadi ho." (Iam taking her away, I don't wany any of this luxury which is burdened by my daughter's sacrifice)

Mrityunjay realizes that her mother never knew of the circumstances all along...Baba should not have hidden it from her Mother.

He saw his son's accusing eyes on him. Baba put his head down in shame, yes he had hoodwinked her family and ensured Tara was alone in her decision about the marriage, afraid that her mother would never have allowed it to happen then.

Tara was being yanked by her mother, and they all stood helplessly and watched. Mrityunjay could do nothing. He saw her slipping away...

Tears running down her face...she kept tugging at her mother, "Maa...suno...please re maa."

Mother and daughter had both reached the outside of the house, when Tara managed to let go of her arm.

Mrityunjay watched Tara and her mother argue...amidst tears and frustration. She had managed to make her mother sit on the bench...holding her mother's hand Tara revealed everything to her mother, "Maa we got married in the prison, at that time I thought he was behind bars due to some business deal, I got to know at home and was leaving when Baba explained that he was wrongly accused in this murder & rape case and it's a Man."

Her Mother more shocked than ever with this revelation exclaimed, "Kya Tara...tuhh pagal toh nahi ho gayi hai...idhar rehkar?..."

She touched her mother's hand gently and said, "Maa...I believe he is innocent, we live in separate rooms, if that makes you feel better...and he has been a perfect gentleman with me...also you know I did this solely for Bunty I could not crush his dreams. Maa think about it, if Bunty has a good education it will solve our problems forever."

"But Tara...a criminal?...I mean what will people say?"

"Maa re tuh bhi naah, is society coming to our rescue when in trouble?...Baba had kept up to his promise and he cares for me like his own daughter...I am completely safe here...and yes I won't hide from you anything...we both decided to go through a divorce once this case is over...which might be soon...so you see this is temporary."

"Tara I don't understand what you say...nothing makes sense."

"See Maa...trust me...will you...if I was being harassed do you think your Tara would have continued to stay here?..she wound her arms her mother, "You think I would spare anyone? I am being taken care of and so is our family...also forget about the society...we can even leave town and settle elsewhere when this is all over.. ...the world is such a big place...surely we can find a small little haven for us?...Haa Maa...and yes I have to tell you this...I have started to learn dance and singing again...It was my Daddy's dream...and I will fulfil it someday. Baba is paying for my training."

"What? You are really crazy." Aradhna was shocked to see her little girl take so many decisions in her life on her own.

"Well Maa I thought why not make the most of the situation, there was no point in crying over a situation I got myself into. Maa I love you and won't hide anything from you I promise."

She lay her head on her mother's shoulder and felt good and relieved at last for sharing her woes. It made her feel so protected...she knew if nothing worked her family her pillars of strength would always be around her.

Her mother cried and held her dear child. She was like a man for her. When did this little girl of hers grow up? Despite being married she wasn't living as a married woman. What could be worse than that? How could God not bless her with happiness and find her love that she deserved. She sighed...she had some fighting to do with God when she returns home.

For now she would speak to Thakurji. She told Tara she had to speak to him.

Mrityunjay watched both Mother and daughter enter the house again. Her mother looked at him and said, "I want to speak to your Father and you too."

Thakurji came forward and directed Tara's mother to the study room.

She first spoke to Thakurji. "Tara ne mujhe sab kucch bataya hai. Mein meri beti ko tumhare hawale aur tumhare bharose par chod rahi hunn. Tara tumhari zimedaari hai."

And then she looked at Mrityunjay and said, "Tara meri beti hi nahi Mera Beta bhi hai woh. Mera kandha hai woh. Tumhare beech kaisa bhi rishta ho...lekin jab tak woh tumhari patni kehlayegi woh tumhari izaat hai. Uske upar koi annch nahi aani chhahiye."

"Agar usse kuch bhi hua...toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga."

"Ji Maaji...mein waada karta hunn." He then came forward and touched her feet.She blessed him...and thanked Thakurji and left.

Tara then went and spoke to Baba apologizing for her Mother's behaviour. But Baba instead told her that her Mother had every right to be angry. They had after all hidden such an important matter from her.

Mrityunjay noticed the bruised cheek from the slap. He went up to her saying, "I am sorry, did not know that your family was not aware of my case."

Her eyes still wet with tears, not looking at him said, "It's not your fault, I chose to do so...or she would never have allowed this to happen...excuse me," and walked away.

She stayed in her room all day. He felt miserable.

To be contd/...

Chapter 21

Tara was in her room practising her singing when her phone rang. It was Vasu. She screamed from the other end, "Tara I passed, those tests and with awesome results, coming home now."

The girl reached home and right away went upto Tara. She hugged her hard and said, "Chalo let's celebrate, I will take you where ever you want to go."

Tara was excited and glad so said, "Listen Vasu, what say we celebrate with some masti of our own at home? And we get Meethi too. Just the three of us...and yes you can take your friends out. What say?

Vasu folded her arms, narrowed her eyes and asked, "Tara what is cooking up in that head of yours?"

Tara filled her in with all the details. And the three women decided to have some plain crazy fun the next day. Vasu and Meethi were both excited. No one would be at home and Bhai goes to the stable. Vasu spoke, "We can order for some pizza and ice creams too, what say?" All agreed.

Tara called her mum and asked her to send Bunty's shirt, jeans and some other stuff. Aditya's clothes were stealthily stolen for a day for Meethi.

Next day as soon as everyone was gone from the house, Meethi and Vasu came to Tara's room. They dressed for a session of fun, song and dance. Meethi put on Aditya clothes and Tara put on boots borrowed from Vasu, tucked in the almost transparent white shirt into Bunty's fitting jeans... And Vasu put on one of Tara's saris...

They all looked at each and laughed. Vasu looking pretty in the sari, whilst Tara and Meethi looked ridiculous yet cute in their male ensemble, moustache and all.

Vasu remarked, "Tara you are looking like a real hot guy, and then turned to Meethi, "Bhabhi if Aditya bhai had to see you like this...he sure would go mad!"

"Life mein kuch masti aur alag nahi kiya toh kya kiya? Hmm.." said Tara with hands on her hips.

And so began their day of fun ...amidst roars of laughter Tara began to imitate Mrityunjay, Tayaji, Aditya, Baba, Fahim Chacha and even Joseph was not spared. The girls fell off their chairs just laughing...watching Tara and her amazing antics!

Joseph knocked on the door and informed the pizza delivery was here. They took the pizza from him and shooed him away. He looked at the closed door and the sounds of laughter never heard before in this house. The women were really having fun. And then suddenly he heard loud gyrating music coming from the room...good no one was around...or else Nirmala Madam or Kuwar Sahab would have blasted him...he then himself smiled and broke into a dance routine...the music was so tempting...and then straightened up to see if anyone was looking. Phew no one!

After a while Tara said, she and Meethi would be the guys who are supposed to woe Vasu the girl...she the road-side romeo and Meethi the decent guy. So Tara opened up her shirt a bit and tied a scarf around her neck typical mawali style...gosh her shirt was transparent...revealing her lacy pink innerwear...never mind they were just the three of them here. Who cares...

She was on top of the coffee table dancing away to glory... and pulling on an act...singing to the bollywood number...whilst outside the door stood Joseph with the ice cream bag in hand, knocking...

Mrityunjay entered the house and heard the sounds of a raunchy movie song being played out loud...he ran up the stairs to see and found Joseph standing outside the door waiting for someone to open it.

Joseph, "Sir they can't hear me I think."

Mrityunjay fuming, "Kabse?"

"ten minutes sir...ice cream." lowering his head...

"Ok give it to me and go"

Mrityunjay knocked once, no response, he knocked twice - no response, he knocked thrice...still no response...how could she?... he pushed open the door to see that she was shaking her booty to the song... with her back to him, Vasu and Meethi also were in a world of their own...when suddenly Meethi stopped in her act of dance...shocked to see Mritunjay standing there...she nudged Vasu...Vasu saw her brother and said softly, "Oh my Gosh Bhai!"...he looked angry...she stood standstill...but Tara oblivious to his presence continued, with the scarf dangling in her hand...he shouted "Stop it!" Tara turned and was about to trip and fall off the table when Mrityunjay lunged forward and held her in his arms.

Vasu and Meethi looked at the scene and ran out of there for their life...leaving Tara to handle her husband.

The room was a total mess, ice cream all on the floor, whilst Tara lay cradled in his arms and her one arm wound round his neck... She looked into a pair of dark angry eyes, but still mustered enough courage to say, "Why are you here? Put me down...damn you." He looked into those cheeky large brown eyes and dropped her off on the floor. She got up dusted her hands and was about to say something, when he blasted her, "What the hell is going on Tara? Don't you have any sense at all? Behaving like a kid...and then pulling Vasu and Meethi too into your stupid and foolish antics? Have you thought for a second that you are a married woman?"

She listened to his crazy barrage...but the word married just got to her...she looked up angrily...fuming she accused him sarcastically and with sadness, "Married?" She went closer to him and demanded, "Oh really! Married!...Just explain to me how married am I now Mrityunjay Singh Shekhawat? YOU! of all the people tell me that?" He knew what she meant... he realized he might be too harsh...he saw the raging anger in her eyes...she raised her hand and continued, "Let me finish and don't say a word?".."Do you need sense to have some fun?...do you even know why we were having a good time? Meethi lives like a robot in this house, Vasu is only given orders...when was the last time they had a little bit of fun? Tell Me? This was to celebrate Vasu passing in her tests despite what happened in her life...How wrong is that?" she yelled at him...

He looked at the woman standing there dressed as a man, wearing an almost unbuttoned shirt that revealed the very lacy pink bra underneath it...his eyes turned dark..he gulped...then saw the jeans and boots and that moustache that she had not bothered taking off whilst talking...She looked funny yet sexy and adorable...

Suddenly she pulled off the moustache in one go... winces in pain...He spoke, "Tara I did not mean...just that Joseph..." she did not let him complete...instead pounced saying, "Joseph!...hahaha...I bet he would have danced to the beats of the music...gosh they all look like they are in a very sophisticated prison in this house...Look at them...have you seen Joseph or Daijaan smile?"

She goes on,"Strangely no one is really living in this house. All move around like zombies and you most of all."

He came up to her and barked back, "ME! What do you want me to do? Celebrate my looming death?"

Tara now angrier than ever for everything, "Death...death...death... what do you think are you the only one who is going to die Mrityunjay? There are thousands in this world who will die this minute. You have a tomorrow and many more days probably...hell I could die before you...who knows...so for heaven's sake stop giving that excuse."

She continued, "None of us know what's going to happen next..where life will take us?" looked right through him and said, "Why don't you just laugh, love and live each day like it's your last" she was tired of fighting...her voice cracked, "Just Live Mrityunjay Live... whilst you are Alive!" and then moved away from him...breathing heavily still. The atmosphere was tense...

She went about picking stuff around the room...He stood there shaken by her words, "Sorry I..."

Her temper had not cooled off...irritated, frustrated she lashed out, "Wait a minute...wait a minute...you know what...I should be the one to say Sorry...Sorry for having some fun" then pointing out to the mess, "for ...for ruining this room, for making such a ruckus in your house, sorry for...for ending up being your wife, sorry for being the way I am...a jungli... sorry for saying things to you...Sorry for everything... Happy now? So just go."

He walked towards her, "Tara...please."

She turned her back to him..."Just leave..."

He walked out of the room...she slumped on the bed...and let her tears flow...

He walked into his dark room and slumped on the settee holding his head between his hands...why did they always have to end up like this...hurting each other...

Contd/...

Chapter 22

They had hardly spoken to each other after that...and if at all...it would always be in the presence of Baba. Whenever he tried to say something she would simply ignore him and walk away.

A week later at night, he was in his room reading at almost two am when he heard it, a loud cry "Buntyyy", he opened his door, and then heard more wailing...realized its Tara, he dashed to her room, frantically knocking, he could hear her cries, "Tara open up!, all he could hear were sobs...he banged harder, "Tara! dammit open the door! Now!...please Tara...open the damn door!

She opened howling and crying aloud like a baby..."What happened Tara...Bunty?...what happened?"

He shook her arm, "Say something Tara!...first stop the crying. I am here now. Tell me"

She realized he was there to help, between her crying she spoke, "He had an accident, I...I got a call."

"From whom?"

"Don't know...maybe from his University,"still sobbing..

"Where is your phone?"

She searched for it hurriedly then picking it up from the chair, she handed it over to him.

Mrityunjay looked at her ashen face...she was shattered with the news, but first he had to find out, he redialled the last caller...the phone rang, "Hi this is Mrityunjay, Bunty's brother-in-law."

The person at the end hardly spoke a few words, when the phone got cut midway. Tara quickly explained, "No credit I think."

He looked at the foolish girl standing there, who was supposed to be Jayraj's Bahu and had no credit in her damn phone when needed most! He wanted to scream at her, but seeing her state, just shook his head...and simply dialled the number from his phone.

And then he commandingly asked, "What's your name and who are you."

The student explained he had a bad accident and was rushed to the hospital. He gather all the information...he could hear Tara now crying louder than ever knowing it all.

He wanted to gather her in his arms...not yet... first he had to find out more.

He then called Vijay his closest friends, "Hi Vij, Mrityunjay here... Listen up, quick, put your pants on, I need a big favour. Bash me later with all your questions, but first do as I say, this is the hospital, patient's name is Bunty...Tara spoke "Rohit Sharma" Mrityunjay said to Vijay, "Vij no it's Rohit Sharma...has been taken into emergency and call me from there...these kids I have been talking to aren't able to tell much."

The man as the other end, "Gosh Mrit! Bloody hell you get married you don't bother telling me about it when the whole idea is mine, Baba lets me know, who is this kiddo?'

Mjay gulped hard, "My wife's brother."

At the mention of the words 'my wife' Tara shot her heard up between her sobbing, his back was turned to her...pacing the room whilst he spoke so matter of fact and called her his wife, that to someone at the other end of the earth.

"Give me an hour or so buddy, will call you back!...what's her name." He answered, "Tara"

The guy whistled, "Hmmm...as beautiful as her name?"

He stole a glance at the child-woman still right there in a mess, "Yeah...absolutely."

"Will you hurry up Vijay?"

"Well if you wanna know, I am pulling my pants up, haven't brushed my teeth...whilst the wifey looks on...why and who I am rushing out to meet, just for you buddy!"

Vij continued, "Pal listen on a serious note, don't worry I'll take care of stuff, trust me...and yeah hug her for me will you?...go on I know you too well, hope she is not as dull as you are."

He growled,"Vij!"

Mrityunjay put the phone down and poured out a glass of water for her. "Now drink this," and then pulled her up from the floor and got her to sit on the settee.

He sat next to her, tears still streaming down he face, "Tara stop it...you heard me right...Vijay a very close friend is rushing to the hospital...Nothing is going to happen to Bunty."

She jerks her head up crying and accusing him, "How do you know nothing has already happened to him or not? What if he was...what if?...and then wails, her body shaking...he couldn't see her anymore like this,..he could not stop himself anymore... Mrityunjay put his arm around her, pushed the hair away from her face, she automatically let her head rest on his shoulder...and wept bitterly...why did she find so much peace and comfort in the crook of his arm...he uttered softly, "Tara...let's hope nothing happens okay... Shhh...now enough..stop it...Bhais of Bhopal don't cry like babies."

She raised her head and looked at him... is that why he put his arm around her shoulder? He thought of her as a Bhai! She pushed his arm away. Got up and with her koala like eyes...and amidst kajal stained tears "I am not a Bhai!'

Oh gosh, he was saying all the wrong things, damn.."Sorry I know you are not a Bhai..I did not mean it that way"...what a bozo he was...at least she had stopped crying...He continued, "Until we wait for the call, would you like to pray!"..he had to divert her mind...

She nods but asks, "You don't mind?"

"No, I don't...and gently told her, "Come now...go and freshen up...you will feel better."

When she was gone, he smacked his fist into the settee... Oh how he wish he could just tuck her in bed and take away her worry...

She looked terrible, and realized she was still in her night suit, her weird pyjama pants and just a spaghetti tank top. ...She would change, it was too intimate...he was around. She then quickly got dressed in a salwar suit and came out to see he had bought a tray of tea for her.

She questioned him with her eyes, he responded, "You are probably going to stay awake all night, but, first finish your prayers."

She lit the diya and incense sticks and prayed. Whilst he looked on...He was getting anxious now. Vij hadn't called yet.

He shut his eyes and hoped that all would be okay...'Oh God for Tara's sake please make sure Bunty is doing fine...please."

She finished her prayers and he made her a cup of tea and silently offered it to her, then got his cup of coffee. It kept them both occupied with the silence echoing around them...

He kept looking at his watch, pacing the room, with the coffee mug in hand..."How much longer" the phone rang, Mjay picked up the call right away, "Yeah Vij."

Vijay filled him with the initials details, "Tara around? Ok the boy had it bad. Multiple fractures. Head injury, how severe I don't know. Some stupid hit and run case and drunk bozo...the kiddo was on a bicycle...thank goodness he had his helmet on, surgery on...spoke to another doc from emergency, she said he would be okay...dunno Man.!

She was standing next to him, he moved whilst he spoke...she walked behind him, tugging at his vest..."What happened...how is he...tell me something"

He disconnected the call, held her hand and got her to sit. Taking her hand in his he said, "He was hit by a car, his friends rushed him in time to the hospital, he is injured quite badly, and the surgery is on. VIjay my very close friend is still there...doctors say he will be fine." And then she burst out crying, "Why did this have to happen? No one is with him? Why did he have to go abroad? It's all my mistake. If I hadn't to marry you, Baba would not have paid for it...all my fault...and she howled and howled..."He is paying a price for my mistakes." She pulled her hands out of his grasp and got up and moved away from him...went to the window and leaned her head against it and cried her heart out.

He was left speechless with her outburst of anger, frustration, pain knowing the boy was so far away...and she could do nothing about it...why did her words prick him?...It was such a delicate situation...he stood there silently...desperately wanting to gather her in his arms and console her, tell her everything would be alright...but he was the last person she wanted to see...yet he would not leave her alone.

It was the darkest night for Tara...what was the whole point of this marriage... did not do good for anyone...What if Bunty could not walk again? What if...so many fears ran through her head...she sobbed continuously, she longed for the comfort of her mother, no one to console her...a husband who wasn't even hers.. when she heard his voice, "Tara please stop crying, I can understand what you are going through...Bunty is just like Vasu to me!" holding her arm he turned her around, a tiny tug and she landed right where he wanted her to be, in his arms, sobbing hysterically against his chest, both her hands clutching his T-shirt, he stroked her head with one hand and the other he stroked her tiny back... it broke his heart to see her this way..."Shhh...bas Tara bas...enough Baby...stop it now...shhh... I promise you he will be okay" she hears his soft soothing words... felt the warmth and strength of his arms...it felt so good...and then suddenly...Oh Gosh no...she realizes what she had done and suddenly moves apart, he let go of her, it felt so natural to be there yet so awkward, she whispered, "I...Im sorry..."

"It's okay", he hushed her, his voice suddenly cracked...I'll be back."

He rushed out of there and went into his own room and broke down against the door and wept...for her...he knew then...He wanted to live for her, he loved his Tara, she was His Eternal Woman!

He held his head in his hands and felt the stinging tears..."If Only I Could My Love...If Only I Could...!

Knowing she was alone, he gathered himself quickly, washed his face and walked out of there back to where she was.

She was curled on the settee, dozing off to sleep. When he entered she straightened up. He went up to her saying, "Go on rest," and then picking the blanket and a pillow from the bed and placed it under her head, tucked the blanket around her and let her sleep right there on the settee.

He put his phone on silent and waited for Vijay to call back with more news. It was almost dawn, the phone flashed he tiptoed outside the room and took the call.

Vijay, "Buddy ok the surgery was successful, doctor says nothing to worry. The head injury was minor, the fractures a couple are bad, but sorted and he should be fine. I am going to see him now, he is awake they say, bye, will call you."

MJay, "Thanks a million Man."

He went back in and was not sure to wake her or not...he waited and watched her sleep...after a while he pushed the lock of hair from her face, knelt down at her side and waited. After a while the phone flashed again, he answered, "Listen Mrit...he is fine...the boy is absolutely cute...told him who I was...don't worry guys he should be okay. I can put him on speaker for a second if Tara wants to hear him...he is still groggy though... She must be scared to death."

"Call you back in a few minutes."

All curled up she slept like a baby, he touched her arm and whispered, 'Tara...Tara...wake up..."

She opened her eyes to see him so close to where she slept, straightened herself up, he spoke softly, "Bunty is perfectly fine, surgery was done, Vijay will put him on speaker...only for a second but...he can't talk really."

He handed the phone to her, Vijay on the other line, "Tara... ...hello I am Vijay...namaste...here say something...She started to weep when she saw Mrityunjay make signs to her not to, she gulped hard and spoke aloud, "Bunty kaisa hai re tuh.?"

Faintly she heard Bunty say in a groaning voice, "Faltu! Jiju!...I am fine...don't worry re faltu."

"Dekh Bunty tuh Vijayji ki baat sun...aur apne aap ko sambhal, tuh theek hoga jaldi...aur nurso ko tang mat kar...Love you re Bunty...sorry mein tumhare paas nahi hunn."

"It's okay." the voice got fainter.

Vijay came back on line, "Listen Tara, he is still drowsy, so can't speak much...please don't worry, MJay's Bunty is my Bunty. I promise you my wife Simi and I will take good care of him. I am going home now and will bring Simi here to be with him. You must know I would do anything for Mrityunjay. He is my God!"

"Thank you."

Mrityunjay took the phone, Vij continued,"Man she has such a beautiful voice, listen I am stinking like a fish, got to go home, will come back with Simi...and we have a lot of catching up to do...come online tomorrow, you have been ignoring me for too long Mrit!"

"Fine, call me later...thanks once again buddy."

He looked at Tara, who eyes were swollen with all that crying...what a night it had been...

He sat next to her, "Felling better?" she nodded..."Come on now catch some sleep, go on to that bed of yours."

"No"

He had to be firm, he stood up, extended his hand to her, "Listen to me Tara...now...chalo..."

She got up obediently, he picked the blanket, she went and lay down on the bed, he tucked the blanket and turned off the lights, leaving the night lamp on.

She whispered, "Why don't you go back to sleep too?" Ignoring what she said, he went and sat on the settee.

Contd/...

Chapter 23

He fell asleep until the rays of the sun hit his eyes...realized it was mid-morning...found her still asleep...so tip-toed out only to find his Father about to enter his room. They meet each other outside his room, he opened the door for his Father to come him, who asked, "Mrityunjay what happened? Did you not sleep all night? Tara too is not down for breakfast?" But there was a twinkle in his Father's eyes. Oh my gosh what was his father thinking...

"Baba...Bunty had an accident, minor head injury, multiple fractures, Tara got a call at around 2 am, surgery done. He is okay. Vijay is with him...was with her all night and on the phone with Vij."

How is Tara Bahu?'

"Baba she is shattered, though sleeping peacefully now." He felt the deep concern and worry in His son's voice and manner. His face drawn, the sunken eyes...all for Tara. He knew it then his son had finally come home.

"Ok son, you too rest...I shall talk to you both later...and will call Vijay too."

"Yeah it's been a long night."

He then called Vijay again, his very close and dearest friend, who knew all about his case. They had talked and talked and he filled him in about Tara and at what juncture he stood. The marriage idea was Vijay' s idea, but after he had come out, MJ never did fill him in with the details upset as to why Vijay ever did give this suggestion to Baba.

He could heard Vijay sigh and say, "Man Mrit you started it on a wrong foot...how could you have possibly jumped to wrong conclusions about her without getting to know her and she on the other hand has her own notions about you. Gosh you have got yourself into a real soup."

"Why don't you just sit and talk it out to her."

"If I do she will simply bolt out of here, no reason for her to stick around, and then I have nothing to give her Vijay."

"But Mrit...you are in love with her Man...tell her so."

Mrityunjay replied, "Vij...you mean tell her that I can love her just for a months, days maybe? Is it going to change things...there is no point is there now...not when I have the noose waiting for me."

"Don't do that crap with me buddy...I know you too well, ...this is pure suicide Mrit...and I hate you for that."

They argued some more...

Finally Mrityunjay said , "Listen this stays between us and us alone, hope you get that."

"Yeah yeah I do."

He disconnected the call and then increasing the temperature a notch higher, he got into bed, hugging the pillow thinking of the moment she was in his arms those few minutes, he smiled to himself and right away fell into a deep sleep...

It was around three in the afternoon when he heard a knock on his door. It was Tara...she entered and asked, "Any news?"

"Did you eat?"

"No!"

"Me too, I am hungry so let's go and eat something...and yes I spoke to Simi she is with him. Vij went to the University, finished the paper work there, spoke to the cops etc...

"After lunch you can talk to Simi...he is doing fine."

"I am not too hungry."

He firmly stood there and scolded her, "Now Tara if I have to shove food down your throat I will do it, so come along and eat like a good girl...chalo...come on."

Pushed her out of his room and got her down to eat something. She nibbled on her meal, and he made sure she finished everything in her plate.

"Baba too will be here any minute. He wanted to see you too. He was worried as well when I told him. And I think you should tell your mother about it."

She nodded, deep in thoughts, eyes still glistened with tears, and she would wipe them off time and again, forcing herself not to cry. This was not his Tara, the crazy woman. Something in her just died.

Just then Baba came and immediately asked, "Tara Bahu kaisi ho?" And all she did was say, "Baba yeh kya hua." and burst out crying again...Baba stroked her head gently, she lay it in the crook of his arm...then Baba lifted her face and said, "Wipe off these tears, as long as I am there, nothing will happen to Bunty, even if this means that you have to go to him...we will make the arrangements. And he is in a country where he gets better treatment than he would here."

She wiped her tears and said, "I want to go home...to my mother" Father and son looked at each other. Mrityunjay's face fell...Baba did not know what to say. It was his son's call.

"For a few days at least" Mrityunjay choked...she was going away from him, yet he spoke up, "I'll take you home, pack your bag."

She went up to pack her bags, Baba asked if Mrityunjay had made the arrangements, he said, "yes Baba, he will stay at Vijay's place. I have wired the money too. They will also get him a nurse at home. So Simi is not overburdened and he is taken care of professional, plus Vij has spoken to the University about video conferencing from home with his tutor so he does not miss on lectures."

"Good...and did you speak to Vij...I mean not about Bunty?"

"Will do so tonight or tomorrow Baba."

He then knocked on her door, she was zipping up her bag, "most of my stuff is still at home. I don't need much."

He picked the bag for her, whilst she objected that she could do it. He ignored her and walked out with it.

She got into the front seat of the car. He then went back and got a laptop bag with him, placed it on the backseat of the car.

Tara wondered what did he need that for? Anyways she was worried about what and how to tell her mother about Bunty.

She sat in silence on the ride home. He turned to her and said, "Listen Tara you can't be crying in front of your Mother. If you breakdown who is going to console her...please you got to be strong."

They reached home, he carried the bag in, and her mother was surprised to see her with bags and Mrityunjay in tow.

"Are Tara kya hua sab kuchh theek hai, namaste" to Mrityunjay. And then she sat her mother down before she went to get them something to drink.

"Ma idhar aao baitho..." Aradhna sat down, anxious...Mrityunjay sat beside her.

Tara held her mother's hand and said, "Ma Bunty ka accident hua hai"

Kya...kab kaise!" and began to weep.

"Mene kahaa tha tumhe Tara...hazaar bar usse mat bhej bahar gaon...mat bhej."

"Ma woh theek hai, thodi chot lagi hai, meine baat ki hai usse,"

"Lekin abb hum toh nahi hai naah uske saath...acche bure waqt mein hum kabhi alag nahi hua hai."

"Maa woh Bunty ka sapna tha, na tumhara, na mera..issli liye toh use itne duur bheja."

Mrityunjay spoke up, "Dekho Maaji mera dost aur uski biwi hai Bunty se saat. Koi darne ki baat nahi...Woh use apne ghar bhi lekar jayenge, hospital se nikalne ke baad...Aap Bunty se baat karlo mein abb phone lagata hun."

"Vij, Simi...how are guys...my mother-in-law, Bunty's mother wants to talk to him...is he awake?"

It was morning there, "Hey Mrit...yup having breakfast in fact. Here let me put it on speaker."

Tara and her mother spoke to Bunty. He laughed and sounded so much better than yesterday. He told them he found a new big sister, Simi Didi...she was awesome and fun...and better than even his Faltu.

They were both relieved. Mother got into the kitchen to get them something, when Mrityunjay asked her, "where shall I set up the laptop."

She frowned, "Why?"

"So that you can see and talk to him silly, setting it up for you and your mum and Nandini."

Her eyes lightened up, "Really?"

It made his heart skip a beat, "Yeah, you want to see him right?"

She checked the rooms, her Mother told her which room she could put up in. He entered and fixed it for her and got it running. He gave her Vijay's and Simi's numbers. Explained the time difference. Told her when to call. And then said, "Here keep this phone, don't want you running out of credit like last night."

"I...I don't need it."

"Don't be silly...you would now.."

Why was he going out of his way to ensure she had no problems in any way. Suddenly he asked, "How long do you intend to stay?"

She replied, 'A week or so!" This was the first time she would be separated from him and Baba.

What! His heart sank...that was way too long...but isn't this exactly how he wanted and would eventually happen anyways.

He fiddled with the wires of the laptop and asked, "And your classes?"

She unpacked her bag, "I will call and inform them that I need a break...they would understand."

He heaved a sigh of remorse, "Yeah they would."

"If you need anything call me...and I have put in the driver's number, call him if you need to go anywhere."

"That is not necessary, there are rickshaws and buses."

He pleaded, "I know there are...yet I don't want you to, and do we have to argue on this?

She sighed..."Fine... and thanks a lot for everything...asking your friends to take care of Bunty and all...I mean it."

They both seem awkward by this separation, he wished he could tell her he wanted her back tomorrow, but refrained, "you are welcome, ...I'll get going...see you...take care."

She raised her eyes to him, "Yes...ok bye."

Just when he walked out Aradhna came and stopped, "Beta, kahan jaa rahe hoo. khana khaa kar jaana...itni jaldi bhi kya hai...khana khaye bagair nahi ja sakte ho aap...aur Nandini bhi toh aayegi abb...hmmm...bas phata phat khana laga deti hunn."

Where were her manners, her Mother pointed out to her, so she said, "Sorry yes..please stay back and have dinner. You will love Mum's cooking."

He did not need any convincing, smiling he looked at the motherly woman who welcomed him despite everything, "Fine sure I will then."

To be continued/...