So heres chapter 1...
CHAPTER 1: CALLINGS FROM THE PAST
FOUR MONTHS LATER:
Mrityunjay Singh Shekawat walked up to his front door and pressed on the doorbell. Joseph , the house-keeper opened the door.
''Joseph, there is a box with files in it, in the car. Please bring it to the study for me.'', he said, then looked around noticing that the house was awfully quiet.
''Where is everyone?'', he asked
''Bade-Sahab. Thakur-Sahab is gone to see Bade Thakur-Sahab. Chote -Sahab and Choti-Bahu are gone with Pia Baby for her monthly check-up and Bade-Bahu is in her room.'', explained the man, stepping towards the door as he wanted to get the box from the car.
''Oh! And Joseph, make sure no one disturbs me in the study. I have alot of work to do.'', he instructed in a stern voice.
''Ji Bade-Sahab.''
Mrityunjay stepped into the entrance hall of the Shekawat house and when he looked up, the sight that greeted him, tugged painfully at his heart. His Jaan's face, was encrusted in a wooden frame, with a beautiful garland over it. It hung there, showcasing her beautiful face and her smile. God! He missed seeing that smile. He missed her. He remembered the day he took it. It was a year ago when they had gone on their honeymoon to Paris. They were so happy. He felt his eyes well up but his moment was interrupted by Joseph.
''Bade-Sahab, here is the box. I'll take it up while you change.Shall I get you a cup of coffee in the mean time?'', he asked kindly.
''No, I don't want anything. I'll call if I do.'', with that said, Mrityunjay walked up to his room to get changed.
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Tara sat on her bed, her knees drawn to her chest with her hands resting on them. She had just completed another one of her daily crying sessions. It had become a daily routine for her but only in the confines of her bedroom. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and eyed her sindoor and mangalsutra. She felt as though she couldn't recognise herself anymore.
With each day that passed she felt worse about herself. She knew that she was the intruder in the house, the one that had to find her place. She felt as though she had committed the biggest sin ever. She had fallen in love. And then she had let that cloud her judgement and hence her life today.She replayed the conversation she had had with her mother almost four months ago.
FLASHBACK:
'Tara. Listen to me, Thakur-Sahab and I both think it's a good idea. Just please bachu, do it for your mother and your Didi.'' , said a desperate Anuraddha.
'I'll do it Ma.''
'Thank you meri bachu.''
END OF FLASHBACK
Only now did Tara realise that she had been so caught up in her own emotions that she failed to see the reality of the situation and its outcome. Here we had, Tara Singh Skekawat, married to her Brother-in-law, madly in love with him, trying to find her place in the Shekawat family and failing miserably at every attempt.
Because the reality of it all, is that Mrityunjay Singh Shekawat would never love her back and the Shekawat family would never accept her besides, Baba. Even Pia, her niece, showed her dislike towards her. And the most shocking part, was Meethi who was once her Best friend showed her disapproval too. Tara was all alone.
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Mrityunjay was busy in his cupboard, taking out a sweater when something fell out. It was a glossy paper and it didn't take him long to realise what it was. A sonographic picture of his baby, their baby. He ran his hand over it. They were going to name him Dhruv. Of-course they had two names because they didn't know the gender. But Dhruv was the name if it were a boy.
He remembered how Nandini would say that she wanted a boy. A mini MJ, she would say. Gosh! They were so excited for the baby. He remembered the day she told him.
FLASHBACK:
''Hi Baba!'', greeted Mrityunjay after returning from a long day at work
''Hello Beta.'', he greeted, smiling brightly
''Where is Nandu?'', he asked impatient to see his wife.
'' Bahu is in her room. she wasn't feeling well, so she went to lie down.'', said Baba
''What? Nandu is sick and you're telling me now?'', said Mrityunjay in a worried tone
He rushed up to their room to find his wife out of bed, twirling in front of the mirror with the green saree, he had gifted her, draped over her shoulder. She stopped immediately when she saw his reflection in the mirror. Nandu's face turned crimson.
''Jaan, Baba told me that you were feeling sick. But you're out of bed.'', he told her, coming up behind her, to hug her.
She instantly relaxed into his touch and smiled. ''Mrityunjay, I'm fine, Actually, Baba sent me to bed but I'm too excited to sleep.''
''About what Jaan?'', asked Mrityunjay confused.
''Mrityunjay, I asked Baba not to tell you because I wanted to be the one to tell you.'', she said, confusing Mrityunjay more.
''Tell me what?''
''I'm pregnant.''
''What? Are you serious? Oh my God! I can't believe it. Jaan we're gonna be parents.'', said Mrityunjay in an excited tone, lifting Nandini up and spinning her around.
He put her down and said, ''I love you.''
''I love you too.''
They stood for ages hugging each other while the rest of the Shekawat family stood watching them with teary smiles.
END OF FLASHBACK
Mrityunjay didn't realise he was crying until a tear fell on the picture. He put it back in the cupboard. And sat down on his bed, clutching the edges to control his emotions.
Mrityunjay Singh Shekawat was tired of his life. It didn't mean anything anymore, without, his wife, his jaan, his best friend, his lover, HIS NANDU...
So that was it. hope you like it. Please comment, I'd love to know how it was.
-LIVI-
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Mangal Lakshmi
