Well guys this is a quickie, got this idea after watching the precap. Hope you like it.
PS Not proof read, so please bear with the typos.
The Thing She Loved The Most - SharMan OS
"Sumo woh dal tum hi banaogi and that's final" the authoritativeness in his voice sent an undercurrent down Suman's spine. She looked up in his eyes with a confused expression, seeking answers, but what all she met was determination and resolve.
"Han Suman di Shravan is right, only you can cook that dal and you will have to do it to save PCT. Aur phir hum sab to hain hi apki help karne ke liye" Preeti said bringing smiles to everyone's face at Tiwari killa. All the family members geared up to help Sumo to cook her special dal for saving her biggest order and went towards the kitchen.
"Shravan..." Suman whispered as she saw him walk away with everyone else. As he turned around, he noticed her still glued to her position, her body leaning against the sofa. He quickly strode towards her side and caught her by the arm.
"Chalein..." there was this possessive tenderness in his voice that Suman could not help but submit into his orders. She stared wistfully at his calm resolute features as he guided her frail body towards the kitchen.
"Shravan are you sure tum is daal ko banane mein meri help karna chahte ho" she finally asked before they reached the door of the kitchen.
"Kya matlab" there was an unexpected oblivion in Shravan's voice as he looked straight into Sumo's eyes.
"I mean after all tum iss daal se itni nafrat karte ho ki tumne iski wajah se mera PCT band karwa diya...to are you sure you can handle this...iss daal ki mehek, uska swad" this time Sumo didn't mince any words. His betrayal in the PCT land issue had been that one thing bothering her constantly now and she sought answers now, irrespective of the fact that it might once again send her recuperating friendship with him down the drain.
From Shravan there was a brief silence, followed by a few stanch words, "You know what Sumo, I wish you could understand that Nirmala Ahuja mere liye kuch maine nahin rakhti , that woman does not matter anymore. And in case you feel ki main unse aaj bhi itna effect hota hun ki unki yaadon ko mitane ke liye I can ever think to destroy your dreams or your passion, to shayad isse badi galat fahmi mein tum kabhi ho hi nahin sakti. Woh kuch nahin lagti meri, aur tum..." there was an intense silence that filled the air as Shravan stopped midway. Sumo almost sighed in amazement noticing the film of moisture that glistened his eyes. Had she ever imagined that her dreams, her PCT, her passion, it mattered so much for him. Did he really think so highly of her dreams and her identity? Sumo felt extremely restless as the thought struck her.
She was still looking at him profoundly and he guided her to the stove, this time without making any eye contact. Making her stand properly he faced away, showing off to be busy with other chores.
"Sumo maine sari cheezein taiyaar kardi hain, tu bas apna tadka daal de ismein" Preeta declared gleefully handing Sumo the knife.
Sumo took the knife absent-mindedly, her eyes still stuck on his pained face. Without looking away Sumo grabbed for the tomatoes that lied on the slab and started cutting them distractedly. Next she picked the chopped onions and poured them in the spluttering oil, leaving Preeta amused at the flawless flow of her hand movements.
Soon everyone noticed the way Sumo prepared the dal without any strain. Eyes still stuck at Shravan, her hands didn't shake as she continued to prepare her recipe without even needing to look down at the furnace, as if this was something she had been naturally programmed to do.
Blissful smiles graced the lips of the Tiwari family as they witnessed Suman come into her element while she being totally unaware of the transformation that dawned upon her body.
She was still lost in her reverie when a shrill wince from Shravan made her skip a beat.
Shravan had cut his hand while trying to open the packet of red chilli powder and the chilli stung his bloodied wound making him flinch in pain.
In no time Sumo ran to his side and took his hand into hers.
"Tum thode pagal ho kya...what do you think of yourself han...kahin ke superhero ho tum" she pulled him towards the basin and ran cold water on his wounded hand. A wave of pain etched across her face but what all Shravan could notice was the return of movement and sense in her limbs. Sumo could walk, no she could run. She could move her hands and arms. Shravan felt ecstatic as tears of happiness brimmed his eyes.
"Shravan tum ro rahe ho??...itna dard ho raha hai kya" it was strange she was so engrossed in his pain she didn't even realize herself coming back to normalcy.
Shravan held her by the shoulders this time and looked into her eyes through his moistened lashes.
"Sumo tum theek ho gayi ho!!...finally!! You are standing on your own feet Sumo...I just can't believe this!!...tumne dekha tum kaise bhaag ke ayi mere paas...aur tumhare haath, woh shake bhi nahin kar rahe. Tumne woh poori daal khud banayi...Tu theek ho Sumo...You are fine!!" the sheer happiness in Shravan's voice had sent Sumo in a whirlwind of emotions, both happy and sad. She could not believe she was recovered, and all that when what all she had on her mind was this one man, Mr. Shravan Malhotra. Soon enough Dr. Dayal's words echoed in Sumo's ears, "Only something that she loved the most, something that came most naturally to her, only that could bring her back to her senses". Sumo almost felt giddy as the strange realization took over, she gasped with a knowing smile, before collapsing in Shravan's arms.
Moments later, the doctor checked on Sumo in her room as everyone looked upon with a concerned expression on their faces. Whatever movements and exercises the doctor asked Sumo to perform, she could do it well. Her brain seemed in much synchrony to her actions and she was able to do the tasks much coherently.
"Congratulations Tiwari ji, Suman ki condition mein bahut improvement huyi hai, I think with medicines and physiotherapy she will recover completely in another two weeks. I think Sumo ko finally apne theek hone ki wajah mil hi gayi" the doctor's words sounded like music to everyone's ears. Sumo sneaked a glance at Shravan only to find him staring at her already. She blushed and looked away with a smile. While everyone thought the daal to be Sumo's reason of getting back on her two feet, it was she and Shravan only who knew much more.
As the doctor and everyone else was leaving the room for Suman to rest, she caught Shravan by his hand and made him sit near her.
"Tum kahan ja rahe ho...baitho yahan chup chap" she sounded firm and stern leaving him confused.
"Sumo tumhein kuch chahiye kya"
"Mujhe nahin tumhein kuch chahiye" Sumo slowly got up from her bed and reached out for the first aid box.
"Chalo haath dikhao apna, waise kitne budhu ho na tum, ek mirchi ka packet bhi nahin dhang se khol sakte..I cant believe itne saal akele rehne ke baad bhi tumhein cooking ka C bhi nahin aata" she dabbed some antiseptic in cotton and gently applied on his wound.
"Ahh" Shravan winced in pain and made his cutest puppy face.
"Well Ms. Suman Tiwari mujhe nahin ata to kya hua, tumhein to ata hai na...aur jab tak main tumhare saath hoon to mujhe ache khane ki kya tension" he winked at her with a gleeful smile.
"Acha aur agar kabhi main tumhare paas na hui to?" she asked almost impulsively, without understanding the gravity of her question.
"Ab aisa kabhi nahin hoga Sumo...ab main aisa kabhi hone hi nahin dunga"
His voice was sharp and piercing, something so enthralling about it that it left her breathless for a second.
Sounds of giggles soon filled Sumo's room as the old times gushed back. The same old bickering, the teasing, and the laughing till you fall off your bed.
"Please Sumo I am not taking any injections...no need to call arora uncle" Shravan's terrorized voice echoed in between Sumo's incessant chuckle.
"Oh jab mujhe injection lagna tha to bahut sher ban rahe the aur ab kya hua...So Shravan Malhotra the qutub minar ko injections se dar lagta hai...waise ye breaking news to sabko pata chalni chahiye" Sumo was fascinated.
"Shut up Sumo khabardar jo tumne kisi ko bataya...I will kill you"
"Oh really!! Haath to lagake dikhao" Sumo ran from the bed and Shravan ran behind, both huffing out of breath. Well, life was finally back to square one.
CID
Ishaani
