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Chapter_07:
After 2 days manvi got a call from 1 of d renowned schools of Chandigarh. They said dat they got her CV from online job posting site N called her for an interview. Manvi went there with a fear of rejection but after clearing d interview came out with d appointment letter in her hand. Standing at d school premises she looked up n thanked God n then rushed home.
Shetal was in kitchen wen Manvi entered. Sensing her presence she asked "Manvi ,subha se kahan gayab hai tu?aur itni der kahan ho gayi?at least bata k jati beta,mujhe teri chinta ho rahi thi……
Manvi hugged her slowly from back n said "Happy Mother's day Mumma" n gave d envelop in her hand.sheetal was really happy but a bit surprised by Manvi's gestures & her happiness was multiplied a million tymes wen she opened d envelop n found Manvi's appointment letter there.
"mumma,mujhe job mil gayi hai. Now u don't have to worry abt anything" Manvi said.
Sheetal caressed manvi n kissed her forehead gently. manvi could see tears glistening in Mumma's eyes .Shetal hugged her n said "beta, all I want is to see u happy". Manvi's small smile vanished n she released an unheard sigh!!!
Next afternoon: a black Mercedes Benz stopped in front of d small but beautiful house as d owner of d car signaled his driver .Vikas kahnna , d well known UK based business tycoon was back to India after 5 years.He looked at d house anxiously. It took only 35 minutes to reach this place from airport, but it seemed lyk ages to him. N now wen d moment has come, he really had to gather all his courage n strength before opening his car door. He let out a long sigh n got out of d car. A girl of petite figure, wearing a beautiful pink anarkali stepped out from d other side of d car. She was wearing simple make up n Jewelry which was complementing d calm n composed look on her face. She came near Vikas and said "chale Dad?" Vikas looked everywhere but her daughter's face as he didn't have d courage to meet her eyes. After hesitating a little he moved forward towards d house.
Sheetal was busy preparing some food for Manvi who has just came back from her 1st day of work n went to have a shower. Shetal was thinking abt manvi. After so many days manvi seemed a little bit happy. Shetal was only concerned abt manvi, may b this job can help manvi gain her lost confidence n restore her faith in lyf. Finally things seemed to get a little better. She came out of her thoughts as she heard d doorbell. As she opened d door she was shocked to see Vikas Kahnna standing there with his daughter. manvi's father Ram Chowdhry n Vikas were really close college friends. N their friendship deepened as time passed. Vikas took over d family business after his father's sudden death n Ram joined an MNC .Both families were neighbors n were really close to each other. When Jeevika was 10, her mother passed away.From then on Shetal tried to give more luv n affection to her. Manvi n jeevika grew up like sisters.N to Jeevika , Shetal was her Choti maa. But, d relations which r too close, smtyms faces too many black clouds. Such a moment came in their lyf too.One day Ram realized dat Vikas's manager was making big scams in d company n told him abt it.But d manager was too smart n last of all Ram Chowdhry was unable to prove anything. Ram was more than hurt wen he realized dat his friend didn't trust him in this matter. All this created a rift b2in them.Both of them even didn't allow their daughters to meet. Manvi cried a lot but for his Papa's sake she kept her word n stayed away from Jeevika.But matters worsened wen one day Jeevika came to meet manvi n Choti maa at their house secretly n was caught by her father. After a few days Vikas decided to shift to US, as he considered it to b good for both families.Jeevika hated her father for all this, but she had no choice but to go with him.Shetal knew that Ram was upset with all this but had never shown it on his face. She often saw him standing at d terrace, looking at Vikas's empty house sadly.
"Andar aa sakta hoon vabi?" Vikas said n Shetal came out of her thought. She nodded yes n they came inside.
"Baithiye" Shetal said trying to keep her tone normal.
"nehi vabi" Vikas said "May b I don't even have d right to stand here.I've just come to say sth.Actually….(He said hesitating) I should have said this a long tym ago. m here to say sorry to all of u ,sorry for all that I did.May b what I did is not pardonable at all.I've hurt every1. U,Ram,manvi n even my daughter. N may b it's too late for all this. Coz whatever I m8 say,I'll never get to apologize to my friend" (saying this he looked at d picture of Manvi's father hanging from d wall)
"Bhai sahab,aap…."Shetal tried to speak but was interrupted by him "let me finish vabi,plz.After I went to US I engrossed myself more in work to forget all those incidents. But,I was blind n I was a fool who was misguided by an outsider n didn't believe a friend .After 6 months my manager flew with a huge amount of money. Later,d police managed to catch him n bring back d money but by then I had lost more precious things in lyf-- My friend, n all of u.I was so ashamed dat I couldn't muster d courage to contact any1 of u.i had somewhat accepted dat I have to live with this burden for d rest of ma lyf.But, last week I came to know abt Ram.N realized I've been late again."He paused for a few seconds n then turned towards Sheetal. "vabi,plz ho sakein to mujhe maaf kar di jiye"
Shetal was listening to him silently all d while.Now she spoke with teary eyes "bhai sahab, U were not only my husband's friend,I've always looked upon u as my elder brother.m really happy dat u've realized d truth. I've no grudges against u. U also try to 4get everything"
"I can't, even if I want to vabi." He said "aap ka dil bohot bada hai,isi liye aap ne mujhe itni asani se maaf kar diya"
"agar aaj Ram hotein ,to woh bhi yehi kehtein,m sure" shetal said while tears escaped from her eyes. She sighed n continued "we can't change what has happened. If we could, today Ram had been among us. But ……But I've learned 1 thing in these 3 years. U must try to accept d reality n move forward"
After a pause she said "today m really happy. Today both of u came home n Aaj hi manvi bhi pehli baar job pe gayi "
"Meri Mannu itni badi ho gayi hai, k job bhi karne lagi hai?" Shetal heard Jeevika speaking for d 1st tym since she entered. She went near her. " Badi to meri gudiya bhi ho gayi hai!!" she said while placing her hand on jeevika's head n then hugging her.Both were in tears.
"I missed u Choti maa, a lot" Jeevi said sobbing.
Shetal : I missed u too beta
Jeevi: Choti maa, mannu kaha hai?
S: apne kamre mein hai
J: can I go n meet her?
Shetal nodded yes n Jeevi left quickly.
Vikas came near Shetal n said "vabi, main apni beti ka bhi gunehgar hoon.She never complained but I knew ,Jeevika was upset with me.after going to US she shut herself in her own world.but from d day she came to know we r coming India,she was really happy.N today I can see my old Jeevi back.Its all bcoz of u"
Shetal: bhai sahab,a daughter can't b upset with her father for long.
Vikas nodded. "waise bhabi,I've decided to settle down in India.N there's 1 more thing…
Shetal gave him a questioning look.
Vikas :jeevika k liye ek rishta aya hai.ladke wale humse jald milna chahte hai.
S:does jeevi know abt it?
V:no,I thought I'll talk to her once we come to india.But, I think now it'll b better if U talk to her.she'll b more comfortable with u to talk abt it.N I'll proceed only if she's ready for all this.
S:ok , Main usse sahi mowka dekh ke baat karungi.
After taking a shower Manvi stood in front of d mirror.But as soon as she picked up her hair brush she heard sm1 calling her name "Manvi !!!"
d hair brush fell from her hand hearing d voice n she froze as she saw d reflection of d person in her mirror.She couldn't believe her eyes. tears welled up in her eyes & she hardly managed to utter " Di !!!" .Jeevika was standing at d door with teary eyes.It took manvi a few seconds to gather strength n then she ran towards Jeevika n embraced her in a tight hug. manvi felt, if she loosened her grip, she'll loose Jevika again.(guyz u can imagine d sad EHMMBH tune here)
"di…"Manvi uttered almost in chocked voice ,breaking d hug finally "aap yahan?"she touched her again n said "aap sach mein ho?"
Jeevi cupped her face n said "haan Mannu ,main sach meein aa gayi hoon."
M: but di,aap yahan kaise?Uncle ne aapko kaise aane diya?
Then Jeevi told her everything.
M:sach di,u'll stay her?
Jeevi nodded yes.
J: mannu,what dad did was really wrong.He has hurt ever1.Specially uncle.(saying this she looked at Ram uncle's photo).manvi also looked there.jeevi noticed manvi's eyes were filled up with tear. She held her with both hands n said "mannu,mujhe maaf kar de,I wasn't with u wen u needed me most."
Manvi hugged her again, this time even tighter N said "no di,don't say sorry.Now u r here na?So,plz don't leave me again"
J :I won't
Suddenly manvi's face became pale as she remembered sth.
M:Di…
J:Hmm
M:u won't leave me na,pakka??
J:jeevi broke d hug n said "Mannu!!aise kyun bol rahi hai!!
M:kya karun di?woh kya hai na,meri kismat hi itni kharab hai,jisse bhi pyar karti hoon woh mujhse dur chala jaata hai.
Jeevi cupped her face again n said "mannu, zaroori nehi hai jo past mein hua hai wohi future mein bhi ho! so plz stop thinking lyk this." N wiped her tears.Manvi gave a pale smile.
Just then Tanu entered. "di woh Aunti apko bula rahi…..sorry, did I came at d wrong tym!!"
Manvi turned n said "nehi tanu, its ok.come in."
J:yeh Tanu hai?itni badi ho gayi hai!!
T:aab di…., 5 saal k baad mile hai.baadi to hongi na!!
J:kaisi hai?
"m fine di" she said while giving her a small hug.
Just den manvi's phone rang. As tanu was chirping with Jeevi , she excused herself n went to d balcony to receive d call.
M:hello?
V:Hello dedh futiya!!
M: Excuse me !!who's this….(it took manvi a few seconds to realize who was on d line) Virat!! Tum! how did u get my number?
V:well, m a magician, u know!
M;viraaat!
V:ok ,ok, u had ur CV in our office remember? i got it from there.woh kya hai na, I just wanted to know if u r f9.waise toh I know ur home,but har baar tum kaisi ho ye janne k liye tumhare ghar to nehi aa sakta na,it won't look good.
M: M f9. N by d way y wouldn't I b? (Though she was moved by his concern, she didn't show it in her voice)
V: nehi,woh…, u say urself na k musibat tumhari friend hai,toh..
M;yeah ,r8!! But seems lyk musibat is on a short vacation now! in fact m more dan f9 2day.
V:Really !!dats nice!!well,tell me also,wat's d reason of ur happiness?
M:kyun bataun?(she said teasing him)
V:Manviii (he said impatiently)
M;ok baba,well, I can tell u 1 reason, I got a job.
V:really!! (virat sounded extremely happy).congrats!! well ,ab to treat banta hi hai.coffee?
M:u r such bhooka yaar!!
V:what!!
M: no, I was just kidding! U r welcome for a coffee, anytym.
V:hmm,phir thik hai.hey u know,even I have sth to tell u.
M:what?
V:bhai ka rishta tai ho raha hai.
M;wow! congrats!
V:thanx .waise abhi kuch tai nehi hua.abhi bas ladki dekhne jaana hai
(just den manvi heard Mumma calling her)
M:virat,Mumma is calling me.i'll talk to u later.
V:okiiis!no problem.take care ok.
M:yup,u too.Bye
V:bye
While manvi was talking on phone tanu got a chance to talk to Jeevi alone.
T:di ,m really happy dat u came back.Manvi di really needs u.
J:janti hoon.
T:No di,u don't know anything.n even I don't
J:matlab !! main samjhi nehi !!
T:Di,after uncle's death manvi di handled everything so bravely. But don't know wat happened, suddenly she has really cut off herself from everything.(Den she tells jeevi how manvi remains upset most of d tym. jeevi is worried to hear all this)
T:di,u know her more dan me.u know she has always been a strong girl. There must b sth wrong which is bothering her. i never got d r8 chance to talk to her.But I guess u r d r8 person to do that.
Just then Tanu stopped as she saw Manvi coming back.
M:kya batein ho rahi hai?
T:kuch nehi di ,aise hi..
M: lets go,mumma's calling ,na?
T:ya,chalo.
jeevi accompanies them but with a worried look on her face as she was thinking abt what tanu told her.
Manvi sees vikas Uncle sitting in d living room n talking to her mumma.She greets him n seeks his blessings.
Vikas :how r u beta?
"m f9 uncle." (she replied slowly)
V: manvi,m really sorry beta.main tumhara bhi gunehgar hoon .u had to stay away from ur Di,just bcoz of me
M:plz uncle,don't say sorry.u r our elder. N elders should raise hand only to give blessings not to apologize.
"ye to tumharein sanskar hai beta" N he hugged her, saying "jeeti raho"
Sheatal wiped off her tears n said "chalo bohot hua .aab baton se hi pet bharna hai,ya kisi ko dinner bhi karna hai?"
J:karna hai na! bhai mujhe to badi bhook lagi hai.N kitne din ho gaye apke haat ka khana khaye(she said side-hugging Shetal)
S:den come n help me.
After dinner jeevi n her father stayed there for that night. Vikas said that he has told d servants to clean their house n they'll b f9 there, but couldn't object to Shetal's request as jeevi also wanted it.
Next morning all join Sheatal for d pooja. After pooja,Vikas goes out saying dat he has some work.jeevi was leaving after taking d Prasad when Shetal called her n said she had sth important to ask her.She talked To jeevi abt d marriage proposal. Shetal noticed jeevi's face turning pink n she nodded shyly saying "jo aapko thik lage". Shetal blessed her n assured dat there's no force on her n d proposal will only go forward if she lykes d boy after meeting him. After Shetal left tanu teases jeevi abt her marriage, but b2in all this Jeevi suddenly notices manvi's face has become pale. She asks manvi wats wrong but manvi avoids saying she has to get ready for school.
Jeevi follows her to her room.She hugs her from d back saying "mannu, kya baat hai?apni di ko nehi batayegi?
M:manvi had tear in her eyes.she looked at Jeevi n said,"kya Di !! kal hi toh aapne mujhe promise kiya na,k aap mujhe chod k kahi nehi jaogi.Aur aaj ye shadi ki baat kahan se aa gayi !!(she sounded lyk a child)
J : Achcha,to ye baat hai ! mannu ,maine shadi k liye haan thodi na kaha hai?Choti ma ka kaha main nehi taal sakti,u know dat.rishta wishta pakka hona, na hona ye to baad ki baat hai.aur…kya pata main unko pasand aaun bhi ya nehi !!
"of course pasand aaogi." Tanu said while entering d room "humari Jeevika di is d best .koi unko pasand na karein,not possible.kyun?"she looked at manvi for approval who also nodded yes, sadly .Tanu continued "Di,….pasand to aap ko karnah hai.agar wo ladka kuch khas nehi hua na,to ade tede shakal banke usko bhaga dena,ok?"
Jeevi couldn't but help laughing at Tanu's words. She hit her head playfully n said "pagal" to which Tanu giggled. but manvi was still upset with this whole arrangement.
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