Hello there, lovely people! So, I had this idea for a while now...like for a really long time. And tbh, this particular scene is pretty old when we think about how far the serial has come. But this is one thing which I always envisioned to be different, to be special, and it might have been had the makers not copied KD. But since they did...well, here we all are. Now, off with the story. I really hope you guys like it.
Jis rishte ki buniyaad hi ek zabardasti thopi hui zimmedari hai uss rishte mein kya khaas ho sakta hai!?
Sai closed her eyes as she reminisced the moments she spent not too long ago. Her fists clenched at the sheer amount of betrayal she felt at her husband's deeds. Why did he ever think that this would be a good idea? Why, when everything was going so smoothly, so perfectly, did he have to do something like this and ruin it all?
Who did he think he was? Did he think that she didn't remember? That her heart didn't start beating faster the moment the clock struck twelve? That she wasn't both anticipating and dreading this inevitable day since a month ago? She did, but she controlled herself. She controlled all the urges, all the slight anticipations, and all the unexpected bursts of happiness. Because she knew it was wrong. It was wrong to expect more than what was bargained. They already have crossed many boundaries of their relationships, lowered many walls. There was no need for anything more. But he just didn't get that.
Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she tried to make herself forget the emotional turmoil Virat had made her go through. How embarrassed she was infront of his brother and his friend when he so blatantly ripped apart the only form of defense she had.
But she wasn’t just embarrassed, was she? Nor was she just hurt. There was something else. Some other nagging feeling in her mind which she just couldn’t ignore.
Her feet stopped, and every thought wiped away from her mind as she saw the scene before her. A boy, sitting on his knees and proffering a bouquet full of red roses to the completely overwhelmed girl standing in front of him. Her mind went back to an old, cherished memory, when Virat Sir gave her that bouquet on Valentine’s Day. She didn’t want to appear anything other than indifferent, but her heart knew just how much it loved that gesture. She had never felt so special before. Even just the thought still gave her butterflies. The recent incident forgotten, her brain opened a complete different door of thoughts.
He had no idea, did he, she wondered, about how special that one moment can be for a girl? Sai had never thought about love, nor did she ever dreamt about it unlike many other girls of her age. But still there was something beautiful, something jitter-worthy about the entire thing. Her lips curled and she looked down, unable to stop the blush from spreading as she remembered the way he had given her another rose, a rose which she then gave away to Devi Tai. At that moment, it didn’t really made much of a difference, but now, suddenly, she wants to take that rose back and tuck it away some place safe.
Jumping at the sharp sound of a horn, and eventually noticing her surrounding, Sai frowned a little. Was she really just standing there, in the middle of a road, and smiling like a complete idiot? Yes. Yes, she was. And this thought made her smile even broader. She continued her walk, once again getting lost in her musings.
He gave one to Pakhi too, if she remembered correctly, but not then and not even now, did that made any difference because there was such a stark difference between the two that it felt weird to even compare. There was something different, much different about the way he conjured the flower infront of her. Maybe it was the subtle nod of his head, or the adorning smirk on his mouth, or his mischievous stance. Or maybe it was evident spark of glee in his eyes.
A spark she had so ruthlessly killed few moments ago. The smile wiped off of Sai’s face as she recalled the broken look on Virat’s face. The man, who looked so jovial in her memory, looked g
Guilt, she realised, guilt was the nagging feeling in her mind. She didn’t want to accept it before, but she was wrong today. Today, it wasn’t he who was relentless, but it was her who didn’t allow him even a single ray of light. He laid his heart out for her and she walked all over it, not even once taking regards if his feelings, of his emotions.
Sai, dekho inhe. Ye hum hai. Ye humaara safar hai.
Her heart clenched as his face once again came in front of her. The defeated look in his eyes pierced her chest. How could she? How could she do this to him? How come her tongue didn’t stammer, her voice didn’t broke when she was mercilessly striking him with her venomous words?
His eyes had begged her, pleaded for her to stop, but she didn’t. She was too far gone in her own spiral of emotions that she never once stopped to think about his.
Looking up, she closed her eyes as memories flooded her mind, an echo of their beautiful past. Their first meeting, their banters, their marriage, their first night together, their first date, their fights…and all there failed attempts at kisses. From their midnight conversations to their early morning fights for the bathroom, everything had made her life a little brighter, much happier and a lot easier to live.
A lone tear escaped her eyes as she thought of all the moments they shared where he left no tables unturned to make her feel loved, and where she left no chance to shatter his hopes. She didn’t want to, though. She didn’t want to hurt him or to make him unhappy. She just wanted to protect herself. But, unfortunately and unknowingly, she had done exactly what she was trying to avoid. In the course of giving him what she thought his heart desired, Sai had taken the one thing that made it beat, and now she had no idea how to make it better.
Wiping the tears away with the back of her hand, she turned around and started to walk back, dreading what would be waiting for her and wondering if she would ever be forgiven. That was until her eyes fell on the shop before her.
Her slumped shoulders straightened a little and a smile formed on her face as an idea popped into her mind. She didn’t know if it would be enough or if it would repair the damage she had made, but she knew that it was the least that could be done. With much more fervor than before, Sai made her way towards it.
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After searching around for half an hour, Sai finally found Virat sitting on the bench all alone. For a moment, she just stood there looking at his crestfallen figure. His back was towards her so he couldn’t see her. Guilt and compassion gnawed at her heart when she stared at his bowed head and slumped shoulders. This man is the same one who was bursting with excitement just this morning, whose eyes were lit with happiness and face glowing in joy. And now, he is just sitting there all alone as if someone drained life out of him. Not someone. Her. It was her who wiped the smile off his face and crushed his delighted heart.
All her confidence before vanished. The only thing she could feel was dread, like a stone had dropped in her stomach. Her hands shook a little at the thought of confronting him. Sai, calm down. Tumhari pati hai, tumhara murder nahi kar denge. But it wasn't enough. She knew that her mistake was huge, and she didn't know if he would forgive her or not.
Slowly making her way towards the bench, Sai sat down beside him. If he had noticed her presence, he didn’t show it. He just continued to stare down at his entwined hands.
Not knowing how to initiate the conversation, Sai just looked at him, hoping to gain his attention but failed miserably for he refused to acknowledge her. She moved her face to the front and whispered, “Hi.”
But Virat didn’t react. He continued to look down.
His behaviour crushed whatever confidence was left in her. Uncertain about how to continue, Sai spoke, softly, “Vo main aapse-” Her voice broke a little in fear, but she tried again.
“Main aapse sorry bolna chahti thi.” She quickly glanced at him, hoping to see some affect, but nothing changed. His unresponsiveness distressed Sai, for she could handle everything but not his silence. She had prepared herself for many things. She had imagined a dozen different scenarios in her mind, but this was worse than every one of them. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. If he is not going to talk to her then how will she ever repair their relationship?
“Please…I am sorry.”
“Virat Sir?” She called, but he didn’t respond.
“Virat Sir, please na. Aap mujhse baat to kariye. Aap daatiye, maariye, kuch bhi kijiye but at least baat to kariye.” She begged, with every passing moment her anxiety grew, until it became too much.
“Virat Sir…please.” Her voice wavered in the end, almost squeaking. “Please na. Dekhiye to.”
Unable to control any longer, a sob escaped her lips. She quickly covered her mouth to stop it but she couldn't.
“Please.” Crying, she went ahead and shook his forearm to gain his attention but he still didn’t move. "Virat sir, please na...please."
“Mera aapko dukhi karne ka iraada nahi tha, Virat Sir. Main bas...main darr gyi thi.” Her sobs made the words a little difficult to understand, but it succeeded in getting the reaction she was begging for for so long. He slowly turned his head and stared at her, his face betraying no emotions.
“Please, mujhe maaf kar dijiye na.”
Virat didn’t speak anything. He just watched her crying face for a moment and then turned to look forward.
Sai placed her forehead on his shoulders and wept. She tried to speak but couldn’t. She clutched his arms tightly to soothe her nerves but it didn't work. There were a thousands words that she wanted to speak to him, a thousand thoughts she wanted to share, but her body wasn't giving her any chance to voice even a single one. Getting even more desperate, her sobs increased in intensity until they wracked her body. All the stress, all the guilt, all the turmoil she had felt since morning was nothing in front of his silence. There was just one person who could console her, just one person whom she needed the most and he was the one not talking to her. She needed him, and she didn't know how to tell him that.
Suddenly, she felt the soothing touch of Virat's fingers as they encircled hers. He squeezed her hands a little to calm her down, to let her know that he was there, and it was enough. Just that one touch was enough for her to know that he still cared and that was all that was important. His touch was like a balm on her soul as her sobs slowly subsided.
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at his face. She saw his bloodshot eyes that were looking straight ahead. His body was tensed but his face was stoic. It showed no sign of any discomfort or of any pain. But she knew. She knew that he was hurt and that he was angry but he was not lost.
Staring at him, Sai spoke again, “Mujhse galti ho gayi na?” With her still timid voice, she continued, “Bahut badi galti. Lekin maine jaan booch ke nahi kiya tha, Virat sir. Main aapko hurt nahi karna chahti thi. Vo to bas…ho gya, galti se.”
Turning her face, she placed her cheeks against his shoulder.
“Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Aaj ke baad aisa kabhi nahi karungi. Pakka.Main aapko hurt nahi karna chahti thi. Pakka aaj ke baad kabhi nahi ladungi. Please bas iss baar maaf kar dijiye.”
She shook him a little, “Please na.”
Virat blinked away his tears and slowly but firmly let go of her and took his arm out of Sai’s grasp. He looked at her with hurt and unshed tears. She needed his support before and he had given her that, but now, all the care, all the love, all of it was over.
“Har cheez tumhari marzi se nahi ho sakti, Sai.” He spoke, harshly.
“Tum ye nahi expect kar sakti ho ki jab tumhara man kare tab pyaar karo aur jab mann kare tab jhatak do. Tumhari ye ek sorry kaafi nahi hai.”
Tears welled up in her eyes once again, but she kept quiet. She deserved to hear it, she deserved every dagger he threw towards her, just that he kept talking.
“Aur tumhe kya lagta hai?” He continued, “ki tum aise aaogi mere paas aur rogi aur main maan jaunga? Nahi, Sai. Tumhare aasoon ab kisi kaam ke nahi hai.Vo iss baat ko nahi badal sakte ki aaj tumne sabke saamne meri beizzati ki hai,ki tumne aaj meri saari mehnat, meri saari khwahishon ko raunda hai. Tumhe andaaza bhi hai ki tumne aaj kiya kya hai? Mohit, Sunny, inn sabke saamne tumne sirf mujhe nahi, tumne humaare rishte ko-”
His voice broke, as the carefully controlled tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Tumne humaare rishte ka mazaak banaya hai, Sai. Humare rishte ka. Uss rishte ka jisko main apne dil ke sabse kareeb rakhta hoon, jisko main apni zindagi ki sabse khoobsurat hakeekat samajhta hoo, uss rishte ko pal bhar mein thukra diya tumne. Ek baar bhi mera khayaal nahi aaya? Ki tumhare shabd mujhe kis tarah chot pahucha rahe honge, iss baat ka ek baar bhi khayaal nahi aaya tumhe? Bolo na. Ab chup kyu ho?”
Crying silently, Sai looked down. She didn’t know how to answer his questions as the words failed her.
“Bolo na, Sai.” Her eyes moved back towards his face at his softened tone. He looked at her with his pleading eyes.
“Kya tum sach bol rahi thi? Kya humare rishte ki shuruat itni buri hai ki ek saal baad bhi hum uski khushi nahi mana sakte?” He looked like a kid, begging infront of her for her to deny his greatest fears.
“Mere liye humara rishta ek thopi hui zimmedari nahi hai, Sai. Mere liye ye dikhaawati nahi hai. Main sach mein, dil se tumhe apni patni maanta hoon. Tum to badi aasaani se mere dil mein aa gayi, lekin kya main itna bura hoon ki ek saal mein tumhare dil mein apne liye zara si bhi jagah nahi bana paaya?”
Finding her voice, Sai replied, “Aisa nahi hai, Virat Sir. Aap to…aap to mera parivaar hai.”
“To phir tumne aisa kyu kaha?”
Sai didn’t know how to answer him. She didn’t know how to explain herself or her feelings. Exhausted by her inner turmoil, she gave up.
“Main…Main nahi jaanti thi ki aur kya karu. Mujhe nahi pta tha ki mainkaise react karu.” She said, “Main aur kya karti? Aur kaise samjaati ki main iske liye taiyaar nahi hu. Kaise batati ki mujhse nahi hoga?”
“Mujhse nahi ho payega ye sab. Main nahi kar paungi ye. Aapki baaton se, main darr gayi thi, Virat Sir. Iss rishte ki gehrai se, aapke jazbaaton se. Inn sabse main darr gyi thi. Main-” Unable to complete, she broke down infront of him once again. She cried, hiding her face in her palms.
Her defeated condition broke Virat’s heart. Unable to bear her subdued state, he gently pried her hands away from her face. With one hand he took out his handkerchief and wiped the moisture off her cheeks. Being as soft and as gentle as he could, he treated her with utmost care.
Sai looked at his sniffling face which was tear stained itself. She brought her hands up and wiped his tears his tears with her thumb. Surprised at her action, Virat’s eyes snapped towards hers. For a few seconds they remained like that, lost in each other’s eyes until Virat broke the contact and whispered.
"Isme darne vaali kya baat thi, main hi to tha. Ek baar bol deti, ruk jaata."
“Main tumhe apni harkaton se daraana ya ghabarwana nahi chahta tha, Sai” He looked down and continued, "Main to bas tumhe khush karna chahta tha.”
His words brought a small smile on her face. Only he, she thought, fondly, only he can make her smile even in the gravest situations. His innocence gripped her heart. Unable to stop herself, she moved forward and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek.
Looking back at his shocked face, she grinned and pinched his nose to bring him out of his stance. Wiping his face with both her hands, Sai held it between them.
“Main abhi bhi khush ho sakti hu. Agar aap mere saath humari anniversary celebrate kar le to.” Virat grinned at her but then frowned.
“Lekin kaise? Cake to maine…” His voice trailed off as he looked at her sheepishly.
“Pata hai. Lekin mere paas aapke liye ek surprise hai.” With these words, she suddenly left him, got up and ran away.
“Arey, Sai!” Virat shouted, but she went away. Shaking his head at her antics, he couldn’t help but smile.
The sound of her phone broke him out of his reverie and he picked up her purse to check it, but stopped. His eyes widened as he looked at its contents. The purse was filled with the same picture he had so lovingly picked out and so brutally destroyed. Seeing them stacked away with such care made his heart flutter.
He couldn’t control the grin that spread on his face. Hearing her footsteps, he quickly put away the purse and moved back to his previous position.
Sai came back with a box in her hands, and frowned when she saw an already grinning Virat.
“Aapko kya ho gya?”
“Kya? Mujhe kya hona hai?”
“Aise bateesi kyu phaade hue hai?”
“Main kaha bateesi dikha raha hu.” His words might have had a bit more impact had he not been still grinning like a cheshire cat.
Not paying any heed to her bemused look, Virat noticed the box in her hands and asked, “Sai, ye tumhare haath mein kya hai?” Forgetting her prior confusion, Sai excitedly sat beside him and took out the chocolate cake she had bought from the bakery.
Presenting it before him, she proudly spoke, “Ye lijiye, ab mana lenge hum apni anniversary.” Smiling at her words, he took the cake from her hands and placed it on his legs.
They cut the cake together and fed each other. Their laughter and squeals echoed in the surrounding as they fought to spread the cake on each other’s faces.
Wiping the chocolate from Sai’s nose, Virat took in her overjoyed face and her still puffed up eyes. Feeling his gaze , Sai looked at him and her heart skipped a beat at his intense stare. She knew there was something different about the way he was watching her but this time it didn’t scared her. Ignoring her pounding chest, she held his gaze, even when his face started moving towards hers. But her eyes did close, of their own accord, when his nose grazed her cheeks and he placed a soft kiss on her skin.
Moving his lips to her ears, he whispered, “Happy anniversary, Sai”
Smiling shyly, she whispered back, “Happy anniversary, Virat.”
His hands went around her waist as hers went around his shoulders. Content, they held each other against themselves and sat there for the longest time. Not caring about the future and definitely not fretting over the past. They sat there and enjoyed the present, the present where they were together, happy and complete.
Oh my god, this took so long to write. It took me weeks, you hear that? WEEKS to complete this one OS. But I sincerely hope you guys like it. If there was any mistake, please ignore that. I didn't get any time to proofread it.
There was one thing which I wanted to talk about. So, it got to my notice by a certain someone, won't tell the name of course, that sometime my words of uncertainty feel unwanted and fake. And I just wanted to tell you guys that that isn't the case. When I write something like this isn't my best piece or it didn't come out as I expected, it isn't because I am seeking for compliments or attention. Now, I get why some might think that way, it is completely natural and understandeable. But the thing is, I really do want to give my best when it comes to story writing. So, more often than not I judge my stories harsher than needed. And I just write my own opinions. It doesn't mean that I want you to correct me or tell me that my stories are great. It feels awesome when you do, though. Your opinions and your comments matter a lot to me. They make me feel much confident about my writing. But at the same time I myself more often than not doubt my own skills. And that is what I write down in the author's note, without any other intentions.
But if you felt that way, or felt that I am seeking uneccessary attention then I apologize truly from the bottom of my heart. It wasn't my intention to offend anyone or to come out as manipulative. And I don't want to make you feel obliged to compliment me. If you don't my stories, feel free to criticize. Every criticism is welcomed. Just, do comment. Because your words, as readers, mean a lot to me.
That's it. Well, thank you for reading my story and that sentimental piece after it. Hope you guys liked it (my OS that is). Please comment your review. Stay safe and healthy.
Bubyeee!
PS: I know kaafi rona dhona tha iss story mein...but I kinda like crying SaiRat soo...😃
Link to all my other stories:
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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