Well all you bikharris can stop for bit...yup i am back with an update....and i was going to say it is a reward for your good behavior of not threatening or demanding but simply asking (niks new method 🤣)....but reet had to ruin that with her 😡....but khar i have decided not to punish you....
yup i'm updating...but i'm warning you ahead of time...not sure when i will get the chance to write more as i'm in the home stretch of exams and that means only 😠for all of us....
this update i swear has all i have written...
be careful what you wish for 🤣
Part 14
It had taken Shilpa a few weeks to finally get a track on where Akash had ended up and who would have thought he was right in her backyard in Dallas. She had just gotten her work vacation and flight arrangements set and was in her room packing when someone knocked on her door. She looked up and smiled upon seeing Sid leaning on the door frame with a curious look on his face, "Going somewhere?" he asked. Shilpa turned back to her packing eager to get on the road and answered, "Yes I am! I finally figured out where he is and I am not wasting a second." Sid came into her room looking even more confused then before, "Wait you're really going? Hang on, you found someone? Who did you find?" Shilpa looked up and upon seeing the lost look on Sid's face she realized that poor Sid had no clue what had been going on for the past few weeks. She stopped what she was doing and led Sid to the pair of chairs that faced the window. "Sorry Bhaiya, I forgot you have been so busy with the hospital these past few weeks that you haven't been able to join us for dinner where most of these talks have been going on. I am going to Dallas tonight because I finally figured out that that is where he is. And I need to tell him how I feel before it's too late." Sid was confused as hell what in the world was going on? Who was him? Who was the guy that Shilpa had been looking for the past few weeks and most especially who was the guy that she needed to tell what she felt before it was too late. He hoped to hell that she hadn't lost her mind and was talking about that him. Before his thoughts could run away from him she continued, "Bhaiya I finally figured out why I have been feeling the way I have been for the past few months. Before when I was India I was too excited about coming here to the States, coming to see you and Sue, that I wasn't able to figure it out sooner. But once I got here and settled I was finally able to feel and it wasn't until then that I realized that there was something missing. Oh I'm not saying I miss India or that I don't feel comfortable here with you and Sue, heck this is the first time I have felt at home. And that is all because of yours and Sue's love. But after I said something to Sue the other day I started to make a connection I have been feeling restless and lonely because my heart wasn't with me. That I had already given away to someone."
Sid sat back and tried to sort through what Shilpa was telling him. He was really confused, but one thing was abundantly clear based on the way here face glowed with the words she spoke. Shilpa had finally figured out that what was missing in her life was the man she loved. Sid asked the question whose possible answer scared him to death, "Who is it that already owns your heart?" Shilpa glanced up and gave a small smile as she confessed to the only other man that had made a place in her heart, "Akash." Sid had to take a second to gather his thoughts as he let out a giant sigh of relief upon not hearing his name come out of Shilpa's mouth. Then he realized that he didn't recognize the name that had come out of her mouth, "Wait? Who's Akash?" Shilpa suddenly became shy as she realized she was telling her brother about the man she loved, as she nervously gathered her thoughts she wanted to get it perfect the first time. She really wanted Sid to approve of Akash and her and Akash together. "You've met him before. Well not in person, but on my webcam." Sid tried to think back through the countless webchat him and Shilpa had had. He couldn't quite figure out who it was until Shilpa continued with, "He was the one that told you not to worry about any boys causing me trouble at the new hospital that he would take care of them on your behalf." Sid thought back and then it clicked, he did remember Akash he was the one that had settled Sid's nerves on Shilpa started at the new hospital alone. He was also the one that called in to Sid and gave him updates on what was really going on in Shilpa's life. Of course she had no idea about that and she would probably kill them both if she knew he was keeping tabs on her through her friend, but it was the right of a big brother. Shilpa then went on to tell him how she had known him her whole life, followed by their years together and ending with the goodbye in the caf. Once she had given her full story she sat back and waiting anxiously twisting her fingers in her lap. She really wanted Sid to approve her plan, she was going to tell Akash what was in her heart, and if Sid rejected she would still most likely still do it. But it would make it a whole lot easier to have his backing behind her. His face was stone walled she couldn't get a read on it, she had no clue if he approved of Akash or not. And she certainly had no clue if he approved of him and her together. She was just about to demand a reaction when he reached over and took her wringing hands in his and looked up at her.
"I have never known you to be nervous about anything. Clearly this man has touched you in a way no one else ever has. If you truly do love him and you have decided to tell him what lies in your heart then you know that I am behind you 100%." He smiled upon seeing Shipa visibly relax with his words. "The fact that the man you have chosen to give your heart to is a kind and strong man. Who has proven over and over again that he will stand by you through all the hardships of life, who has stood by you even when you didn't realized he was there tells me all I need to know. Go tell him that you love him don't delay it." Shilpa leaned over and hugged him tight as he hugged her back he finished with, "And if he's stupid and says no just give me a call and I will hop on the next flight to Dallas and put to use these biceps I have been building just for that purpose." Shilpa let got of Sid with a laugh and retorted with a sassy, "Oh Please Bhaiya. You think if that fool is too stupid to grab a hold of Shilpaaa that I would let him get away without any physical regret? By the time you get to Dallas he will be begging the doctors in the ER for some pain meds to knock him out." Sid let out a laugh and said, "That's my girl." He then proceeded to help Shilpa pack up her things before driving her to the airport.
As Shilpa hugged Sid goodbye at the airport she finally said what she had wanted to tell him for a long time, "Bhaiya, you know love doesn't just come once in life. But in order to find it again you must open yourself to the possibility of it." She saw the dark cloud descend upon Sid and didn't want to leave with that image of him so she concluded with, "At least that's what my fortune cookie told me yesterday." Sid let out the smile she was hoping for as she turned and walked towards her chance at happiness.
As Sid watched Shilpa walk towards a future he hoped was filled with nothing but possibilities he thought to himself, Shilpa, I hope to God you never have to find out why a person has to close himself off from love.
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Shilpa was in her rental car headed towards her future. As she watched the exits pass by and waited for the right one to come she felt her self getting more anxious. I can't believe I'm going to be seeing Akash in just a short while. I hope everything goes smoothly I hope he figures out that I have realized what a fool I have been, and that I want him and only him. But what if I'm too late?...no wait you can't think like that think only positive thoughts. Heck even bhaiya likes him he has to be the one and if he's the one then there is no way I can be late. It was at that moment that the exit she needed to take came into view. She merged lanes and took the exit and drove towards the address she had found. As she drove down the street she couldn't help but notice all the cars lined up along the sides. And they all seemed to converge on one house, a house that was decked out with lights and decorations. Shilpa's natural curiosity won and she slowed down the car to check out what was going on as she did she noticed a number of women dressed in sarees and men in suits both Indian and American crowded at the front entrance. She was trying to figure out what was going one when she saw the man in the middle get lifted up and the woman opposite him get lifted up as they tried to out garland the other. It was then that she realized that the man was the dulha and the woman the dulhan. She couldn't keep the smile from growing on her face and thought to herself as she put her foot on the gas, I got the message God, everything's going to be all right...
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Walking up to the hospital was nerve wracking, unsure of what to expect all they could do was hope for the best. It had taken long enough for them to finally take this step. I know I should have done this a lot sooner, but I just couldn't get up the nerve. I'm still not sure I have the nerve, but I can stand it anymore. I need to see you. I need to talk to you. Even if it's only for a few seconds. They walked up and found out from the receptionist that the offices were located on the 3rd floor and that there would be a directory posted on the wall. As they got on the elevator they took a deep breath and let it out, the doors opened on the 3rd floor faster than expected. They walked towards the directory and ran their fingers along the names until they hit the Ms going from bottom to the top the finger paused along a familiar name. After pausing for a moment too long it continued up until it hit the one it was looking for and then they headed towards that office. As they came to the office door it was closed and no note was left to let one know when the Doctor would return. The person gently hit their head against the glass in a show of frustration, they were simultaneously relieved and disappointed. I can't believe after all the time it took me to come meet you, for all the anxiety and nervousness to peak only to come to a closed office. After letting out a sigh they turned and went on a search to find a receptionist that could tell them where they could find the doctor. Fortunately, on the way to the desk they ran into one who asked, "Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" They responded with, "Yes I am, actually I was just coming to the desk to ask, where can I find Dr. Shilpa Malhotra?" The receptionist was kind and offered a sympathetic smile while delivering the unfortunate news that the doctor wasn't in today and wouldn't be in for a few days. It seemed the only way this meeting was going to go down was to meet the doctor at home. They thanked the receptionist and headed to the nearest computer to look up the address on white pages. With the address in hand they headed out of the hospital and towards the new destination.
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Shilpa had driven about 2 blocks before she realized she had already passed the address she was looking for, she made a quick U turn and headed back in the direction she had come from. This time she paid closer attention to the numbers on the houses. It wasn't until she reached the house that had had all the wedding masti that she realized the number on her paper matched the one on that house. She pulled to the side and parked her car. Her subtle anxiety sky rocketed to straight up nervousness. As she sat in the car comparing the address on the house to the one on the paper and tried reconciling the facts of the fact that there was wedding going on there. She didn't know what to do. No it can't be. The world cannot be this cruel there is no possible way that just when I discovered that I love Akash and decided to find him and tell him everything that is in my heart that it would end up on the one day that would prevent me from doing so ever. I can't believe that I was supposed to come out here with the intention of finding my true love only to find out that he is becoming someone else's today...forever. Could, would, Akash move on without me? I mean I know he has no clue that I have stopped being and idiot and realized what was in front of me this whole time, but then again life moves on. Isn't that what I've been trying to tell bhaiya this whole time? What I thought I had been doing since I left Sanjeevani? What am I supposed to do? Should I go and pretend I'm part of the wedding party and find out if Akash really is the groom? Or should I just walk away and let him be, after all he deserves to be happy. But what if he's just settling, like she did with bhaiya? I would never want that to happen to anyone especially not Akash. But what I fi go in do find out he is the groom, and he's happy with her whoever her is, what will that do to me? Do I still tell him what I have figured out? Or do I walk away without saying anything? But could I really drive away without finding out the truth? No, I can't. You're not a coward Shilpa, besides you know you can't live with what could have been. You never could. With that decision made Shilpa got out of the car grabbing her scarf grateful she had ended up wearing a kurta on top of her jeans and headed towards the front door, putting on her best con woman persona on with each step she took.
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As they followed the directions on their GPS to the doctor's house they couldn't help but feel the nervousness growing. They were about ten minutes from their destination when they felt a sudden need to pull over and walk along the path. They tried to fight the pull but it wouldn't fade so finally they gave up and pulled over. Having no clue where they were headed the started walking along the path inhaling the freshness in the air, taking in the beautiful trees and flowers that lined that path. They got so engrossed in enjoying the nature surrounding them that they didn't realize that they had been walking for almost twenty minutes. They heard voices in the distance and their curiosity was piqued and so they headed towards the noise after walking a few hundred feet they looked down a ways and saw a man and a little boy playing. They couldn't see the face clearly but it was clear that the two were having a blast. It seemed as though the wrestling had initially begun as soccer evidenced by the ball that lay a few feet from them. The giggling boy and hearty laugh of the man brought a smile to their face. Not even realizing it was happened they lost themselves into another world unclear whether it was memories or dreams, but the same laughter the same fun only the boy was theirs and it was them having fun together with the one they had lost. I should never have let you go. Even if I thought that was what was best for you, what would make you happy I should have never have done it. We could have had a future that dreams were made of. That could have been us with our kids enjoying an afternoon of love. I loved you enough for both of us, and yet not enough to keep you with me where you belong. If I had a chance to do it all over again I swear I would never have walked away I would never have let you go. Oh how I miss you....
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Shilpa had gotten to the door expecting to have to pull a con to try and get in, but it was unnecessary. Because as soon as she reached the threshold there was a group of giggling girls that grabbed her and pulled her into a room and started to break into a huddle. One of the girls who was probably just a few years younger than Shilpa started off by dividing duties which seemed to be locations in the house. Shilpa was completely lost when she was assigned the grandma's on the groom's side until the littlest one, about 8 years old, asked where to meet up if they got the shoes. It was then that Shilpa realized that the girls at thought she was a part of the bride's side and were including her in their plan to get the groom's shoes to get some money out of them. She decided it was better to just play along and use the game as her cover. She pulled aside the older girl and quickly got pointed in the right direction. She walked towards the elderly on the groom's side hoping to find Akash in the audience, anywhere but on the mandap. She couldn't get her eyes to glance there to just end the misery immediately. Because she knew that if she did she could no longer wonder and hope. So she went and attacked her duties first and checked around all the bags the elderly had to see fi she could find the shoes she was sent to find. When it became clear that they weren't there, at least not in plain sight, she headed towards the side and as she stood there tyring to figure out what to do. She knew she couldn't delay it anymore she took a deep breath and glanced at the mandap. As she slowly opened her eyes she realized that there was no one there. What the, seriously? I once again find the courage to figure out once and for all if Akash is the one getting married and the groom isn't there yet! Shilpa started to search for a seat when she heard voices, one voice in particular that made her heart beat faster and the hairs on her arm stand straight. She didn't want to investigate, in fact in that moment she really just wanted to turn around and leave but her legs had will of their own. They started to pull her towards one of the rooms and as the voice, well make that voices, got louder she couldn't deny it any longer her heart knew he was in that room. She stopped just to the side of the door out of sight. She once again closed her eyes and thought Okay Shilpa this is it. Decision time, if Akash is the on getting married are you going to accept that and walk away without telling him that you were here and more importantly how you feel, or are you going to go in there tell him what you have come to realize wish him congratulations and then walk away leaving him the choice to decide what he wants from his future. As she stood debating the two options it occurred to her that there was a third possibility that he wasn't the one getting married and that she wouldn't have to choose. The second that thought took route Shilpa opened her eyes hope once again rising and she leaned over the doorway to see his face. The second her eyes landed on two mean in a bear hug thumping each other's backs both decked out in wedding attire, but one was red and clearly made for the groom. She looked at the one that was in blue a smile growing on her face as she heard the other voice in the room say, "Akash, I can't believe this day is finally here. It seems as though it has taken forever even though it's only been a few months. Congrats yaar I wish you the best of luck may you find happiness in this new chapter of your life."
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Unsure for how long they had been standing their lost in a mix of dreams and memories watching the man and boy and yet not. Suddenly they were brought back to realize when a squeal and a higher pitch giggle joined the other two. Broken out of the trance they glanced towards the commotion it seemed as though the squeal had also interrupted the horseplay between the boys and they started to approach the new member. It was clear that the new member was a baby and she was being held in the arms of a woman whose back was turns towards them. Their eyes were stuck on the woman and although her back was to them she seemed familiar, unsure of why having no reason to think so, and yet it seemed as though she might have been who they were looking for. So focused on trying to get a glimpse at the face that they hadn't realized the man and the boy had approached her and they were all now standing in a group. The boy said something and they all erupted in laughter their eyes were once again drawn to the boy, he looked familiar, unsure of how or whom he reminded them of they continued to observe the four interact. The man reached for the girl while the boy ran to grab the ball he was just about to toss it towards the adults handling a pass over of the baby the man completely oblivious to the projectile heading right towards him and the baby. The woman caught the motion just in time and deflected the ball while yelling out, "SIDDHANT!!! How many times have I told you NOT to kick the ball around Mahi?!?" The boy's joy deflated immediately and he soberly walked back towards the adults. But the observer was frozen in their spot. That name. It can't be. OMG it looks just like him, how did I not put it together faster. Their eyes shot back and forth between the boy and the man and as the connection started to vaguely form the man called the boy Jr and all the fogginess cleared. OMG it is. Wait if that's him then that means she can't be her. Can she? The observer tried to get a look at the woman's face, but it kept being elusive. I mean that's her brother right? At least that what she always said. But so much time has passed things change, they could have figured out that what was friendship portrayed as brotherly and sisterly was more. But that was her sister's husband she wouldn't...then again her sister never appreciated him. He deserves to be happy, but with her? If it is her then I'm going to walk away and not disrupt this beautiful world they have built. I have always wanted her to be happy, heck that's the reason I came to find her even when I told myself I wasn't going to, that she had chosen and it was a life without me. But my heart couldn't stay away I needed to see her once, needed to say all that I felt and laid in my heart. But, him and her am I really seeing this or is it just my way of looking for an out without risking rejection....
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Shilpa froze her smile became distorted her eyes started to blur. She wanted to plug her ears and deny what she had heard she didn't want to face the fact that Akash was getting married. She was about to step back but she stopped herself, NO! Wait I need to make sure. I need to see his face. I will not leave here without making sure, because if I leave and later find out what I saw and heard was wrong I will never forgive myself. Shilpa waited and as each second passed her heartbeat grew slower, her tears dropped down faster. The two men released each other and both slowly started to turn to face the other two men who were in the room, they turned so that they were almost about to face Shilpa. She held her breath waiting. But before they could fully face her the other men stepped up and closed the circle all laughing and enjoying the festivities. She started to crane her head to get a better view and then she saw it. Saw him. In that instant she knew what her decision had always been. She was going to walk out of his life forever without leaving him the burden of wondering if he was making the decision. He had clearly moved on and she would not be the reason he started to question which path was right. She would not be like that guy who had ruined her bhaiya and her life. Shilpa turned around and left the house without anyone the wiser.
Arp
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
