-Agar Tum Mil Jao- last part pg 72- 6/5 - Page 48

Part 29

After dropping Dev at airport…Pallavi decided to visit khanna house being a weekend she will be able to spend time with everyone.

She chatted with Massi, Rj & Kabir…also played with Ria, helped with dinner along with Prachi…after long time she had a nice time with everyone…😃😃 as they had various things to talk about…Massi walked behind her constantly with a plate piled with food….😆😆 occasionally Pallavi was whisked away by the family one by one to show her their new computer, saree, jewellery….etc…

Khushi mainly stayed silent ….didn't even commented anything neither initiated a conversation…

After dinner…before leaving for her apartment Pallavi decided to just relax a bit on her fav place …the white swing in the garden…😊 She sat there lost in thots …after a while she almost got scared when she felt someone sitting beside her…& heard voice asking

Rj--Missing some1 are we??😉😛

Pallavi (shocked)—Rj tummm??

Rj (coolly) –ofcourse Main!! ab apne ghar mein main hi hoonga 😆😆😆 (teased) par tum Kisi aur ko expect kar rahi thi 😉 ….waise jisse expect kar rahi thi…unhe thodi der pehle tum khud airport drop karke aayi ho…😛😆😆 .aur unhe wapis aane mein 3-4 din lag jayenge… 😆😆😆

Pallavi(sarcastically)—thanx for the information …mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha….😡

Rj(laughed)—My My!! Abhi se mood off hona shuru hogaya…how will u survive rest of days…😈 (Pallavi glared) is tarah ghoorne ki zarut nahi hai….I was just asking ….I mean…u will be fine na…(teasing more) I mean its really difficult when u are in love & u have to be apart….😛😛😛 (melodramatically) pyaar mein doori sahi na jaye 😈(cracked up) abhi se yeh halaat hai!! Toh…. By end of 4 days …I wonder what will happen to u….🤣tum kaho...toh shud i call him & ask him to comeback ...koi badi shidat se unhe miss kar raha hai 😆😆😆😆

Pallavi (smacking him)—stop it Rj!!! (though laughed along) & plzz meri tang khichna band karo…subah se koi nahi mila tumhe…

Rj(smiled)—mile toh Dev bhai bhi the…but unki tang khichne ka exclusive copyright tumhara hai 😈 (Pallavi smacked him again) aur waise bhi Bhai ki tang khichna thoda risky hota hai…😛😛 you never know when he turn the tables on you…😆😆 unki tang khichne ke chakkar mein kahi who meri bolti kar dete hai…😆😆😆 but thanx to you ab I can take risks of pulling his leg coz now he is not as angry young man he used to be…😃😃😃

Pallavi(laughed)—try getting on his wrong side he is still the same angry young man….

Rj—haan par ab unke gusse ka solution hai mere pass…😛😛 jisse unka gussa instantly gayab ho jata hai…😆😆

Pallavi—really!!!😲😲 In dat case tum pure office staff ko kyun nahi batate…poor them once in a while they have to bear Boss's temper…

Rj—u sure u want me to do that….😈

Pallavi—now don't tell me!! Tumhara solution koi secret scientific formula hai jisse tum kisi ko nahi bata sakte…😕

Rj—bata toh sakta hoon…par problem tumhe hi hogi…

Pallavi(confused)—matlab?? Ab tumhare solution se main kaha beech mein aagayi ?

Rj(teased)—ab solution hi tum ho toh tumhe toh beech mein aana hi padega….😛😛 & you know humara office staff kitna hai…😆😆 aur tum bechari akeli jaan kitno ki help karogi…. 😈

Pallavi (still confused)—Main kyun help karungi?? 😕😕

Rj—ab bhai ka gussa bhagane tum sabse easy solution ho toh 😈 tumhe toh help karni padegi...as jab bhi bhai gusse mein tumhe saamne khada kardo…😆😆😆 .& gussa gaayab hojata hai….😈 ...maine khud kai baar test kya hai...koi bhi galti ho...& I just say Pallavi ne mujhe nahi bataya tha...& Tumhara naam sunte hi he gets a silly smile & aage mujhse kuch nahi poochte (imitating Dev) "Its OK" kehkar chod dete hai 🤣

Pallavi (gaped at him…smacked him again)—ab samajh aaya tumne mujhe apne dream project mein involve kyun kiya (Rj kept laughing)…& I thot tumhe seriously mere help ki zarut padti hai…. 😕

Rj (rolling with laughter)—itni simple baat tumhe ab samajh aayi…😈 log sahi kehte, insaan ka dimaag bachpan se 365 days...24*7 bahut achi tarah chalta…until we fall in love ….😆😆😆

Pallavi(laughed along)—shut up Rj!!! You are too much 😳😳 & aisa kuch nahi u are just making it up all….😳😳 Mr.khanna mujhpar bhi naraaz hote hai… so see, your theory doesn't work… 😆

Rj—haan par, tumpar gussa kabhi kabhi hote…😛😛 .agar hote bhi honge toh tum bas smile kar deti hogi & he wud be flat…😉😈... Par hum masoom office staff par toh humesha gussa hote hai…😕😆

Pallavi—ab tum log kaam nahi karoge toh he has to be strict…😛😳 ... by the way…you said office mein Mr.khanna ke gusse main tumhe bachati hoon….just incase agar who yaha ghar pe naraaz hojaye toh?? 😛

Rj—tab toh unka gussa bhagana aur bhi asaan hai (pallavi gave a confused look)Ria ko unke saamne kar do & he forgets everything…(cracked up)😆😆😆

Pallavi (just shook her head)—tum bhi na Rj….You are limit 😆😆😆😆(laughing) ….

Rj (composing himself)—So, B'ful…now dat I brought your smile back…ab batao problem kya hai??? (Pallavi just gave confused look) Mere aane se pehle aisa kya soch rahi thi…ki mere aane ka pata bhi nahi chala…😕

Pallavi—problem?? I mean kaisi problem (she avoided looking at him) mujhe samajh nahi aa raha what u talking about…

Rj (seriously)—oh really!!! Tumhe samajh nahi aa raha…come on Pallavi…you know it yourself mujhse chupane ka koi faida nahi hai…So, its better u are out with it….

Pallavi—Seriously Rj, its nothing…bas main aise hi…😊

Rj—haan toh aise hi jo soch rahi thi who bata do!!! & u know me….I will not let u go till you tell me wats wrong?? 😕😕

Pallavi–Rj, tum bhi…(sighed) Dev ki tarah ek baat ke peeche pad jate ho…

Rj—obviously ab bhai hai toh kuch toh effect aaega….now don't change the topic …bolo, what you were thinking….

Pallavi –nothing, it was just…(paused) was a little confused, infact still confused ….I know mujhe nahi hona chaiye par phir bhi (paused)…ek ajeeb si uljhan hai…shayad ek darr hai… I don't know…it seems I am going nowhere….life is being too complicated…

Rj(confused)—matlab??😕😕

Pallavi(ignoring his question)—tumse ek baat poochu (Rj nodded) I want a frank opinion Rj….kya tumhe sach mein lagta hai maine sahi faisla liya tha...I mean liya hai…😕 I mean by accepting everything…maine, (sighed) I mean Dev aur maine ; kahin maine galti toh nahi ki….

Rj—tumne thodi der pehle khushi aur meri baat sunli na (Rj & khushi had been discussing abt Dev-Pallavi) Pallavi tum…

Pallavi (interrupted)—baat khushi ki nahi hai Rj, u are forgetting even u also thot I was wrong…infact you were the first one to stop me….Khushi se bhi pehle woh sirf tum the...who were against everything ...

Rj—Maanta hoon, I was against it & I stopped u…par aaj achanak yeh sawaal kyun??

Pallavi—yeh mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi hai Rj, you are avoiding my question …

Rj—yes, I am avoiding kyunki, I dont think this question is relevant now...😡😡 itne waqt se tum aur Dev bhai saath ho…aur khush ho…isliye mujhe nahi lagta itne waqt baad is sawaal ka tum dono ke liye, tum dono ki zindagiyon ke liye is sawaal ka koi matlab banta hai….until & unless you are (after a pause) you are having second thoughts abt this relation…😡😡 .is sawaal ki koi ehmiyat nahi hai jab tak tum Dev bhai ko chodna ke baare mein soch rahi ho…😡😡😡

Pallavi (angry)—RJJJ….😡

Rj—it hurts…doesn't it???😡😡😡 Just the thot itself hurts nahi!!! 😡 Agar yeh wajah nahi hai…toh problem kya hai pallavi?? Achanak yeh sawaal, yeh confusion kyun hai?? Itni confused toh tum tab bhi nahi thi jab tumhe Dev bhai ki feelings ke baare mein nahi pata tha… infact back then you were too confident ki tum Dev bhai se pyaar karti ho….aaj achanak tumhe sahi galat ki confusion kyun ho rahi hai?? As long as you two love each other…is sawaal ki koi jagah nahi hai… 😕😕😕

Pallavi (sighed)— jagah hai Rj…kyunki ab kisi ko apni galti ka ehsaas hai….(after a pause) & that someone is Mrs. Khanna…. She wants her husband back…

Rj(shocked)—Come again ?? 😕😕

Pallavi took a deep breath & narrated everything from beginning how Maya had blackmailed Dev with the photographs, all what she had said... how she came to know truth, apologized & her meeting with Maya later in the day.

********

Back at the wedding

Dev(angry)—Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho Maya??😡😡 Why are you here Maya?? 😡😡

Dev wanted to ask this since he had seen Maya…. he had been dying to ask this…. He wanted to ask Maya there & then …. but he didn't got a chance as they got busy with meeting everyone catching up with friends ….Dev didn't got opportunity to talk with Maya alone ….& he didn't wanted to create a scene in front of everyone…After a while Sameer asked everyone to get freshen up & be ready for the engagement ceremony …Obviously Dev-Maya were given same suite being husband –wife.

Maya—Isn't it obvious Dev!! Tumhare liye…ofcourse for us!! 😊

Dev—oh… cut the crap Maya!!! 😡😡 There is no us …😡😡 yeh tum bhi achi tarah janti ho humare beech kabhi kuch nahi tha…you are just wasting your time & energy…& testing my patience..😡😡😡 . (he turned around) only if … Sameer ne mujhe pehle bataya hota toh😡😡😡 …(he was almost ready to leave the room)

Maya—toh what Dev!!! Kya kehte Sameer ko…ki uski shadi isliye attend nahi karna chahte ki tumhe mera saamna karna hoga… (almost blocking his way) ab aagaye ho toh you have no other choice….tumhe yahi rehna hoga….warna yaha sabko kya samjhaoge… (taunted) mere saath isliye nahi rehna chahte coz you want to show your loyalty to your mistress….😡😡😡

Dev (shouted)—Maya!!! 😡😡 (how he wished he cud just strangle her she was testing his patience) tumhe simple si baat kyun nahi samajh aati …why are u not getting bloody point Maya, 😡😡 that We are just married in name…its just a matter of time….4 months to be precise…(calming himself) Maya, just listen to me…(made her sit on the sofa & kneeled beside her) ek baar meri baat samajhne ki koshish karo…thande dimaag se meri baat suno...just listen out to me ... not as a husband but atleast as a friend….(took a deep breath) Maya, Why are you ruining your life aur meri bhi... yaad hai, kabhi bhi tumhe koi faisla lena hota tha, tumhe koi bhi problem hoti thi… toh tum humesha mere paas aati thi…& we used to sit down & discuss 😊😊 main tumhari har problem ka solution batata tha….i used to give u different options to solve a problem & then u used to choose the best option…(smiled as if remembering) & u being such a kanjoos, tumhari problem solve hone ke baad treat bhi mujhse hi leti thi… when it shud have been other way round… (sighed) & now also, the best solution is that you also move on…coz I have moved on in all aspects…hum ek shadi kamiyaab toh nahi bana paaye… atleast we can try our best to end it on good note rather than on a bitter one…dats the least we can do for each other….😊 ...hum puri zindagi apni shadi ko galti samjhenge...atleast lets sort it out peacefully..

Maya--Shadi …shadi hoti hai Dev…no matter what happens…I agree all along it had been my mistake… ab tak meri galti thi…aur…

Dev— Shaadi tab shaadi hoti hai jab do log usko dil se mane Maya… At first it was you who refused to do that & now its me!!! 😔 (with pain in his voice) Don't I have the right to do that?😒 ... Aur Baat galti accept karni nahi hai Maya…baat sach ko accept karne ki hai… aur tumhari problem yeh hai ki….ki jab waqt hota hai tum baat accept nahi karti…& later regret it…jab galti accept karne ka waqt tha tab tumne nahi ki….ab sach accept karne ka waqt hai toh you are not even doing that….

Maya (pleading)-- But Dev tum …tum nahi samajh rahe….

Dev—samajh tum nahi rahi Maya…. 😡😡😡 Accept this for once & for all that I love Pallavi …. agar tumhe yahi samajhna hai ki main tumhe apni zindagi mein wapis aane ka mauka isliye nahi de raha kyunki I love Pallavi…so, let it be aaj tak mujhe nahi samjhi...😔 ... toh ab bhi nahi samjhogi... ki meri zindagi mein Pallavi nahi bhi hoti, tab bhi mujhse tum ek mauka mangti toh bhi main tumhe dobara accept nahi kar pata … (sighed) so I don't care anymore tumhe jo samajhna hai you are free to think… but its better you face the truth now…. Isse zyada main tumse kuch nahi keh sakta…😔 (he turned to leave) & I know tum aaj Pallavi se mili thi…mujhe usne nahi bataya tumne usse kya kaha but I know it must not be something good…😡😡 .but make sure it doesn't happen again…& as I said don't make me end this relation on a bitter note…till now I have regretted the marriage…don't make me regret our friendship too…😡😡😡 Or you want me to forget the deal with u 😡😡😡 ... Don't make it difficult & complicated for both of us… 😡😡

Maya (taunted)-- Who are you including in that 'Both' Dev? … You and me… or you and her? 😡😡

Dev (was loosing his patience)—Tumhe jo samajhna hai…samajh lo…… its useless to talk with u in a civilized way…😡😡😡 so, just leave it….I don't want to argue with you….

He just took her bags to the other room in the suite….leaving Maya alone with her thoughts…

********

By end of of Pallavi's narration Rj was edge of his temper…

Rj—I don't believe this Pallavi…itna sab hogaya…& you hid everything from me…😡😡😡 God!!! & how dare she say all that to you….😡😡 & I don't need to guess tumne yeh sab Bhai ko nahi bataya hoga… 😡😡

Pallavi—isme batane ka kuch nahi tha Rj…unhe jitna pata hona chaiye... he knows….he knows that Maya met me…(sighed) come to think of it, Maya ne jo kuch kaha…it was not wrong anywhere…I mean…

Rj(stood up)—Not wrong???😡😡😡 (he was almost shouting) Pallavi Stop being such a emotional fool….😡😡😡 . har cheez ki ek limit hoti hai Pallavi… you don't need be the oh-so sacrificing woman…no wonder you asked me the question of right & wrong…😡😡😡 (made her look towards him) tumhe mera jawaab janna tha na…😡😡😡 toh suno, tum kahi bhi galat nahi ho, yeh rishta kahi bhi galat nahi hai….na hi kabhi hoga…& you can call me selfish, kyunki main selfish hoon Palllavi….😡😡😡 I am selfish for my brother, I am selfish for my friend, I am selfish for both of u & ur love… I am selfish for my family…. 😡😡 Main selfish hoon, kyunki tum dono ke pyaar se I got my Bhai back, I got my family back…mujhe who parivaar wapis mila jo itne saalon se kahi kho gaya tha…Hum sab saath hote hue bhi ek dusre se door the…Mujhe humesha is baat ka afsos rehta tha…ki Dev bhai humare saath nahi rehte… I always dreamt of a family together, I have always wished for his happiness…. Unhone humesha humari khushiyon ke baare mein socha…apne se pehle humare baare mein socha…I always regretted ...ki he did so much for us aur badle mein hum unke liye kuch nahi kar paye... I know he beared Maya just for us….if it was for him, who maya ko kab ka chod dete, but he knew aisa karte hi Maya hume nuksaan pahunchati…& now when I know he is happy, who apni khushi tum mein paate hai, I care a damn for all those who think your relation as wrong… 😡😡 chahe who meri patni khushi hi kyun na ho… agar Ma, bhai ya Prachi bhabhi bhi galat samajhte toh main unke khilaaf bhi jata…😡😡 (sighed) agar apne liye khushiyan expect karna selfishness hai toh yes I am selfish coz dat makes me human, har insaan selfish hota hai, …aur main tumhe pratical ya logical answer nahi de sakta… kyunki main bhagwaan nahi ban sakta... 😡😡 nahi Dev Bhai ban sakte hai…& neither you have to be…yeh rishta, yeh pyaar tumne apni marzi se accept kiya tha…from beginning you knew the consequences…& dare you !!! 😡😡 ab tumne bhai ka saath chodne ke baare mein socha bhi…kyunki tab tum apna dost humesha ke liye kho dogi…😡😡 when it comes to Dev Bhai…I am too selfish…

Pallavi now regretted sharing with Rj…she didn't knew his anger will reach such a point…but atleast she got a relief that no matter what happens Dev & her will be supported by her friend if a situation comes to fight it out for the relation…

Pallavi (tried to lighten)—ab tak mujhe lagta no one loves Dev more than me…but u proved me wrong 😛😆 (Rj turned other way) ab tumhara gussa shant karne ke liye tumhare saamne kise laun?? (Rj just glared) You are so right…tumpar Dev ka kuch zyada hi asar hai…😛😆 zara si baat par fuse ud jata hai… (smiled) Tum bhi baat ko kaha se kaha legaye Rj…😕 I had just asked u a simple question but tum…

Rj(pissed off)—humesha meri hi galti nikalna…😡

Pallavi(holding her ears)—fine, its my fault happy…meri galti hai Mr.Rj…& I apologise…(teased) ab tum mujhe drop karne chaloge ya main akele jau 😛😛 …you see aaj Mr.khanna bhi nahi hai toh 😛

Rj( gave a smile) —Chalo!! (mumbled) Humesha main kehta hoon tab toh mere saath nahi chalti… Boyfriend se fursat mile tab na… 😛😛

Pallavi (laughed)— I don't mind You can droping me everytime …😛😛 par uske baad I wonder if your bhai wud leave you… 😈😆

Rj(laughed)—knowing how possessive he is abt you …mera band baja denge… 😛

Rj dropped her at her apartment… as she settled in her apartment she checked her cell for Dev's call he had said he wud call her later but she was disappointed not to find any call …he had messaged her earlier informing his flight has reached Pune…

She decided to call herself...Joking to herself—

Airport par kya kaha tha…"I will call you after reaching" but as usual bhool gaye honge…. lagta hai aapki PA ko yaad dilana padega to call your GF …😆😆😆

She was surprised when he didn't picked up the call… she tried some more before going to sleep…

Finally giving up trying she dozed off…

*****

As much as Dev wanted to avoid Maya for the rest of the evening …. He was now literally regretting attending Sameer's wedding … Throughout the engagement function Maya stayed by his side as much as she could….They were made to pose together for photos …..both were even almost pushed to dance floor for a dance… as all the couples joined the dance floor…

Everyone who looked at then thought they were the perfect couple, but only Dev knew how much he hated to put up this act…how he wished he cud just be far away from such a situation…They were not husband and wife, not now, not ever, but he could not create a scene in front of all the people that hovered around them all the time….He cudn't wait for the ceremony to end…infact for wedding to be over… Its been almost 2 in the night when the party ended &…Dev was first to leave for his room…Maya just stood there watching his retreating back…he isn't even talking to her…

Dev just slumped on his bed and tried tosleep…inspite of being too tired for some reason he cudn't fall asleep…on a instant he picked up his cell to call Pallavi…but looking at time he dropped the idea….

But still left a SMS for her… 😊😊

*****

It was 7:30 am Pallavi didn't realized she slept so late…she rushed to get ready in a hurry…she had woken up with Rj's call asking her to when she wud be at office he has to discuss abt his project's launch party… Though she had second thots abt going to office she was planning to bunk office…but she knew if she will sit home she will only miss Dev more…😛😛

She smiled remembering what Dev had commented… "Jab main office mein nahi hota tum kaam nahi karti" … 😆😆

Pallavi was walking down the street…. A smile appeared on her face as she saw the SMS , she received a text message late at night which she missed checking in hurry of getting ready…

Sorry for not calling yday …got busy with the engagement ceremony got free at 2am … didn't want to disturb your sleep while you are dreaming of me 😉 …will call u later as soon as I get free…as Sameer has sangeet ceremony lined up 😊

Have loads to tell u….

p.s. confused whether love you more or missing you more!!! 😛

****

Pallavi just smiled to herself… before she could put down her mobile she felt herself being slammed down with a force….she fell down on her knees while her hands and arms tried to slow down her fall in vain…. She heard screeching tires before her eyes closed

**************

Hope part was OK...

Part 30

Pallavi winced as doctor pushed in the injection after treating her injuries; bandaging her wrist & stitching the wound on her forehead.
She looked up & tried to give a smile to the man standing beside her, with guilt written all over his face…

Man (apologized once again)— I'm so sorry miss…..meri wajah se u got hurt….I was trying to save a child running around on the street … & in all that I lost control of the wheel and the car hit you…. I am really sorry once again …

Pallavi (interrupted)—ah!! Please baar baar sorry mat boliye…Its really okay, Just don't feel guilty, it wasn't your fault….meri bhi galti hai,… Mujhe road par dhyan dena chaiye tha…its ok…infact mujhe aapko thanks kehna chaiye you brought me here & mere liye itna kuch kiya….Thank u…Main…. (she tried to get up when she felt a sharp pain in her knee….Instantly the man came forward to support her to prevent from falling)

Man (helping her out of doctor's cabin)—Plz mujhe aur sharminda mat kijiye… I had to do this…afterall it was because of me…& bringing u here was least I cud do for you Miss…

Pallavi (smiled)—Pallavi…

Man—Hi!! I am Aryan…come I will drop u…

Pallavi tried to refuse…but Aryan was adamant… finally she gave up…as the now the whole walk in hospital corridor to parking really made her ankle pain more…

*****

Inspite of just few hours sleep…Dev was happy & cheerful as its only 2 more days & he will be back in Mumbai….since morning he had been successful in avoiding Maya for both lunch & breakfast just to avoid her he went for drinking & clubbing with friends inspite of knowing he will get bored there… now after getting ready he was heading for the sangeet function… He greeted Sameer cheerfully praising him how good he looks & makes a good pair with his fiance Gauri .…but Sameer cut him off…

Sameer (smiled)—Thanx for the compilent but still You & Maya make a wonderful pair like always …You two really show stealer even after so many years…

Dev gave a confused look its only when he felt Maya holding his hand he looked beside him… he tried to shrug it off without Sameer noticing….Dev could only give a stiff smile to Sameer…

Few minutes later, Sameer officially introduced his fiance with the press & media gathered around…thanking his fans ; answering media's questions ….Media even asked abt his & Dev's friendship…. Dev-Sameer answered all the questions with a smile on… until he heard a voice out of the mob.

Reporter—Mr.khanna aap we heard you moved back to your own Khanna house…par yaha aap apni patni ke saath….

Another Reporter joined—We also heard you two are separating??

Dev (tried to keep his temper under control)—I guess aap log yaha Sameer-Gauri ki shadi cover karne aaye hai…not to discuss my personal life…(in a strict tone) I am not going to answer personal questions….(he turned to go back…when he felt a hand slide through his)

Maya—Its OK Dev… (Dev tried to let go but the more he tried to, the tighter her grip got…he tried to say something but Maya moved closer …smiled & in a low voice added) Not in front of all these people Dev!!! (she turned to Media) Aap logo ne shayad galat suna hai…just because my "Husband" is spending time with his family….it doesn't mean we are getting divorce ….Dev just moved out of Mathur house as his family is important for him… And they or anyone else will not come between us….(she ended with a smile)

Reporter—But Mam…

Dev (raising his hand)—dats enough I guess……No more questions!!

He just turned around and left leaving everybody behind….

*****
It was only after an hour Dev got free time…he called Pallavi as soon as he reached his room…Pallavi had just collected her pizza from the delivery boy when her landline rang...as she answered Dev smiled it was amazing how just her voice could make him smile… If only she had a remedy for his restless mind….

Pallavi was confused on not hearing any response from other side….

Pallavi—jab baat nahi karni hoti…phone nahi karna chaiye….(somewhere she guessed it was Dev) waise baat mujhe nahi karni chaiye…as you didn't called since y'day…

Dev (in a serious tone)—why u are at home??

Pallavi (teased)—ab boss office mein nahi hai toh PA office jakar kya karegi (laughed) & how did u know I am at home…don't tell me u have someone following me…

Dev—had just called Rj…(Pallavi cursed Rj for spilling it out) usne kaha tum office mein nahi ho… (added after a pause) don't know why he didn't told me the reason…

Pallavi (sighed in relief…mumbled thank god) –oh!!! So I am not first one u called…(sulked) Thank u….

Dev (threatened half heartedly)—ab tum bata rahi ho…or I am keeping the phone down…

Pallavi (smiled)—sure!!! Rakh dijiye…waise bhi mere paas time nahi hai…I am waiting for someone…

Dev—very funny …come on out with it…. (Pallavi took the Tv remote from the coffee table and turned on the tv…limped towards the sofa and accidently hit her knee with sofa arm again) now why did u shout?? Kya hua…

Pallavi just shook her head…trust Dev to get hyper on smallest of things…

Pallavi—kuch nahi hua…I just hit my knee again (she bit her tongue) I mean…

Dev—again matlab ??

Pallavi (cursed herself for spilling out)—nothing for just had a small accident in morning….nothing serious…I just hurt it again…

Dev (surprised)—what?? Toh subah se muhe phone kyun nahi kiya…what the hell u were doing till now…& now why are you running round!! Sit still!! I am coming!!...

Pallavi kept the horn at the distance… the amount he was shouting she could hear clearly enough from distance also… When she heard no sound from the other side…

Pallavi (sweetly)—hogaya!! & for your information I am not running around …I am just sitting & waiting for someone…

Dev—its not funny pallavi…

Pallavi (was enjoying this)—aww jealous are we!!! To make u happy chaliye….I will spare one or two looks to you also …only if…remember a big "IF" (teased) you wud be looking more dashing than my favourite hero …. (she cracked up)

It took a moment for Dev to understand what she said…& he just laughed along she can really a tease when she decides to pull his leg… but when he thought about the press conference his smile vanished like snow vanished in the warmth of the sun….

Dev (composing himself)—ermm … Pallavi…need to tell u something….

Pallavi (sensing something wrong)—what ?? U OK na…

Dev—yeahh I am fine ….actually who….( took a deep breath) who….Maya bhi yaha hai… since Sameer happen to be our college friend…

Dev narrated how he met Maya here he told her most of the things….he knew she would understand what happened in the press conference when she would see the telecast

Dev (sighed)—Pallavi…Maya aur Main yaha saath zaroor hai…since everybody knows here as husband wife we are surely sharing a suite… but we are in different rooms…hum dono….

Pallavi (interrupted)—Maine kuch poocha aapse??

That one question gave Dev all the assurance and strength he needed for tolerating Maya around him….since very first day he had this nagging feeling that Pallavi could misunderstand Maya's presence. He might loose her….but this one question calmed his mind and his nerves…. For the first time since he saw Maya here he could breathe freely without tension….

Meanwhile Pallavi saw the interview…. She turned off the TV after she heard Maya's answer and could not help but feel bad for herself although she understood his situation at that time…. Her thoughts broke when she heard Dev's voice again…

Dev—dekh liya…now can I know abt the accident… I want to come home to you….I think I shud come back…

Pallavi (interrupted)—Nahi…I am much better now…it was not much serious accident… its just a sprain & small cut in knee…

To assure him that she had taken care of herself she narrated how the guy Aryan helped her get to a hospital and even brought her medicine…. & dropped her back home…later Rj also had come for lunch

Dev—I' ll have to thank him when I get back …He helped you so much….

Pallavi(smiled) –Yeahh…bechara bahut guilty feel kar raha tha…(continued).aur abhi thodi der mein Massi bhi aaengi… so don't worry!!! Aap wedding attending kijiye its just 2 days more…& trust me…by the time u will come back I will be fit & fine…

Dev—are u sure!!!

Pallavi—100% sure….So, tell me hows the wedding going on…

She changed the topic….to divert his attention else he will continue pestering to come back…

*****

Next day

Pallavi was returning after her check up with doctor…when she heard someone calling from behind…she turned back to find Aryan again…

Pallavi (smiled)—Aryan!!! Right…

Aryan—Hi!!! Hope u are doing fine now…

Pallavi (nodded)—much better….guess whole day rest helped…not much pain now while walking…

He apologized once again…their discussion continued for a while…he invited Pallavi for a cup at a small coffee shop across the street….While Aryan went to get their orders, she noticed the latest issue of a well known tabloid…. It had covered Sameer-Gauri's wedding… While looking at the pictures she had a slightly sorrowful expression…few pictures there were of Jai she saw Maya standing next to Dev holding on to his hand….another one was the dance from the engagement party… After a second look Pallavi chuckled slightly….Dev had deliberately averted his face from Maya all the time. It looked like he was looking around for an opportunity to run away…..

Aryan (interrupted)—here u go!!! One cappuccino for you…

Both of them had quite a nice conversation before Rj joined them to pick Pallavi for office…

****

Dev had terrible mood for rest of two days…inspite of being a celebration mood everywhere it was only him who didn't enjoyed any of it… Maya hovered around him all the time… He could not get rid of her even if he wanted to…. No matter how hard he tried she was there…. Because they were in public most of the times Dev could not even make her understand or scream at her…..

On second day as soon as wedding ended … In a happy mood he had already packed his bags as good as he could do, because he could not wait to go to Mumbai….only if Pallavi hadn't made him promise of not to travel in night… he wud have started off for Mumbai today itself…. Dev waited for his dinner in his room…as down at the function Maya didn't even let him have his dinner in peace…. He smiled thinking of a weekend plan with Pallavi…he knew she had been busy with Rj's project launch…he will whisk her off immediately after the launch party…

His thoughts broke as he heard the door open…he turned back to see Maya at the door….

Dev (rolled his eyes)—Maya !!! how dare you… (this was the last thing he needed to spoil his mood) I think I made myself clear…not to come here!!

Maya (still entered) --I only need to talk to you Dev… we need to clear things between us…. Tum is tarah gusse mein …you cant make decisions in haste…

Dev(uninterestedly)—there is no US Maya…. Kis language mein samjhana padega tumhe…

Maya (directly came to point)—There is US Dev…coz we two are still married ...chahe naam ke liye hi sahi…hum dono pati –patni hai…& as a wife I have right to say this that you shud leave that girl! Else…

Dev (his patience was running low)—else what? ….Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha Maya…why we are having this conversation again and again….(holding her shoulders) Humare beech kuch nahin hai Maya!!! I love Pallavi and if you cant accept it then that is you problem…. And dare you threaten me….Maya…. You know me very well…. (He left her & walked toward the window in his room and stared at the street in front of the hotel)

She walked up to him and turned him around with a force…. grabbed his collar…. Tears brimmed in her eyes….

Maya—ofcourse I know you well Dev!!!...& yeh bhi janti hoon tum mujhse naraaz ho…& I agree tumhe mujhse naraaz hona bhi chaiye… par meri galti ki tum itni badi saza nahi de sakte mujhe… (Out of nothing she pushed Dev) infact why me!! Why only my fault….Yeh sab tumhaari ghalati hai…. only If you had told me about the will we could have been together…. If you had told me the truth about papa and the company we would have been together….. sirf tumhare ek jooth se hum dono ki zindagiyan aise mod par aagayi…humara rishta yaha aagaya… You wronged me Dev…You wronged me (she broke down)

Dev made her settle down on the sofa…handed her glass of water….

Dev—shayad Maya…maybe I wronged you!!!... main tumhari baat maan leta hoon…shayad meri galti hai…mujhe tumhe pehle bata dena chaiye tha…may be our married life cud have been better…. I should have told you about uncle's debts and the company…..par tab galti ki, iska matlab yeh nahi hai…ki aaj main ek aur galti karu aur teen teen zindagiyan barbaad hojaye…jaisa tumne kaha only IF I told you…tabhi hum saath hote…yeh humare rishte mein ek shart thi…aur yeh tum bhi janti ho…pyaar/rishton mein shartein nahi hoti…. Maine bata bhi diya hota tab bhi main tumse pyaar nahi kar pata coz I didn't loved you even back then…nor now… aur tum bhi mujhse pyaar nahi karti thi…Two weeks, sirf shadi ke do hafte baad you could not even stand the sight of me anymore when I asked for the first time where you were going…aur ab tum mujhse patni ke haq mangna chahti ho… Maya Haq tabhi milta hai jab hum kisi rishte ko dil se apnaye…aur haq diya nahi jata …jaha pyaar hota hai…haq apne aap mil jata hai… (sighed) Maya I have moved on …mujhe tumse kisi baat ki shikayat nahi hai…tumne mere saath acha kiya bura kiya…kuch bhi kiya…I don't care abt it… I am just waiting so I can hand you over what is yours and then I will leave….

Maya—what abt me Dev……tumne toh sab kuch plan kar liya Dev… you forgot that I am a part of those decisions!...You own me at least this much that you will give me another chance before you go….

Dev's (smile surprised her)—Tum bikul nahi badli Maya…ab bhi tumhe sirf apne baare mein chinta hai…its always abt I me & Myself…haina Maya… kisi aur ki feelings ki aaj bhi tumhe koi value nahi hai…ab bhi tum meri zindagi mein sirf isliye aana chahti ho kyunki (pointing to her) "TUM" aisa chahti ho…"tumhe" lagta hai yeh tumhara haq hai…yeh tumhari zidd hai…ki tum meri zindagi mein aana chahti ho… its not because you love me or anything…humare rishte ka mazaak tumne banaya… It was you who destroyed the relationship we shared by sleeping with other men…. trying to kill me and hurting my family… inspite of everything you have the audacity to say that I owe you things… (taunted) you are still the same selfish Maya Mathur… jo mujhe laga tha waqt ke saath badal jayegi… but I was wrong….still, agar ab bhi mujhpar hi ilzaam lagana hai… & it makes you happy…toh mujhe tumhara yeh ilzaam bhi manzoor hai… (smiled) par you know after all wrongs in my life the only right thing happened to me is Pallavi, jo bina kisi shart ke …bina kisi condition ke…only wants me by her side, nothing else. Who cared for my family even before I loved her….

Maya (with a evil smile threw an envelope in front of Dev)-- Are you sure she only wants you by her side…

Dev while browsing through the content in envelope cud only feel more & more angrier… just walked over phone asking to arrange for his trip to mumbai…

Dev walked out of the room leaving a smiling Maya behind.

****

Pallavi was woken up from her deep sleep with her cell ringing continuously…she checked the time its 3 in the morning she wondered who is calling… before she could respond with Hello…she heard...

Dev (angry)—kaha ho tum??

Pallavi (in sleepy voice)—yeh poochne ke liye u woke me up…Mr.khanna its 3 in the morning obviously I am at home…(she was abt to sleep back) Go & sleep & let me too…

Dev—ghar pe ho…then why u are not opening damn door!!!

Pallavi (confused)—huh?? Door kaunsa door??

Dev(irritated)—your apartment door damn it!! Now if don't open I will break it down!!!

It took her forever to reach the door cause of pain in her knee as it was still swollen …the sprain in ankle is much better but still she had to limp to the door...she was already dazed from the medication and such abrupt disturbance…

If she was surprised by seeing Dev at this hour…she was more scared more from deadly expressions he was giving…he looked like he would eat her up alive…he just entered without saying anything …just handed her actually pressed some photographs in her hand… She gave one confused look at the pics it were her pictures no doubt…infact it was just two days back… pictures of her and Aryan at the time of the accident while he was carrying her in his arms to the car… then few from the hospital as he dropped her back home…even one from the coffee shop even ….

Pallavi(confused)—yeh sab kya hai Mr.khanna??

Dev (turned back)—oh !!! now do I need to spell it out…jabki yeh sawaal mujhe poochna chaiye…ki yeh sab kya hai??

Sensing anger in his voice she feared the worst… She didn't knew what Dev was thinking….she silently prayed & hoped he would listen to her and would clear any misunderstanding he had….

Dev (more pissed off by her silence)—Will you answer me damn it!! Kuch poocha maine tumse… (almost yelled at her)

**************

Hope part was OK...