Bonded by Fate- AkshAn FF (Part 48 Pg 117) (UPDATED-2 Jan) - Page 4

Part 19 - The Winner

The weekend had passed and it was back to business for everyone. As Akshat wore his overcoat, a knock on the door diverted his attention from his attire.

Lakshmi stood at the doorstep with a sombre look on her usual comical face.

"Kya main andar aa sakti hu?! She asked to which AJ nodded and started combing his hair.

"Guddan is in the bath...abhi aati hi hogi He told Lakshmi guessing that she was here for Guddan.

"Par mujhe aapse baat karni hai PAPA! Lakshmi spoke hastily seeing that AJ was about to leave.

AJ stopped dead in his tracks.

Papa?!

Shocked, he turned around to face Lakshmi with a million questions in his eyes. What was she upto now?! What more was left to be done?!

"Mujhe pata hai ki aapko shock laga mere muh se Papa sunkar par sach hi toh hai...aap sasur se badhkar hain..mere liye, hum sabke liye.. Lakshmi trailed with downcast eyes.

AJ tried to gauge her motives. Why the sweet talk?! He was confused because he could only see truth and hear sincerity in her voice.

Guddan was done with her bath and as she stepped out drying her hair, her eyes fell on the bahu-sasur duo who were standing in an awkward silence.

"Kya hua? She enquired, puzzled as she stood by Akshat's side.

"Kuch nhi...I'm getting late for restaurant, main chalta hoon, AJ told Guddan and turned to go when Lakshmi stopped him with just one single word.

"Sorry!

Guddan looked baffled at Lakshmi as Akshat's back stiffened. He had no clue what she was apologising about or maybe he does?

"I am sorry for being a thankless fool. Main kabhi samajh hi nhi paai aapko...nhi, maine kabhi koshish hi nhi ki. Main apne aap mein itna kho gayi thi ki bhul gayi thi ki aap log bhi hain meri duniya mein...

Guddan smiled as Lakshmi started speaking. AJ still had his back to Lakshmi but he was listening. His fisted palms were a proof enough.

"Pata nhi kyu, maine aapko ek akdu insaan samjha jiske liye emotions ki koi value nhi hai, I went so far as to hook you up with a woman who already had someone in her life and I didn't feel even an iota of regret! Now when I think about it, I want to puke at my shamelessness! Mujhe sirf pese aur Vardaan dikhe, ye dikha ki aapke kaaran hum samay nhi bita paae, ye dikha ki aap 24 ghante humara khoon chooste hain par ye nhi dikha ki aap hain toh sab kuch hain, aapke bina kuch bhi nhi... Lakshmi's voice started to crackle as a tear drop trickled down her eyes. She was reminiscing her conversation with Vardaan.

Flashback

"It was a nice day today, let's sleep now...kal important meeting hai, Vardaan spoke as he changed into pajama.

"Kal bhi meeting!? Ek din meeting chod doge toh kya ho jaega!? she whined.

"Kaam zaroori hai baby! Papa ne mujhe itni badi responsibility di hai, He tried to explain.

"AJ bhi na!! Aapko kaam de dekar jeena haram kar rakha hai aur khud maze karte hain apni nayi jawan biwi ke saath! She retorted annoyed.

"Enough!! He is my Father so mind your tongue! Vardaan shouted raising his finger.

"Mujhpar kyu gussa kar rahe hain aap! Maine sach hi bola hai!! She asked timidly, scratching her forehead.

Vardaan sighed and breathed in deep.

"Toh kya buraai hai agar papa ko aaj kal ghar par rehne ki vajah milti hai! Kya burai hai agar vo apne restaurant aur maa ki tasveer ke alawa, Guddan maa ki company prefer karte hain. He is just a human being Lakshmi. Just because papa dikhate nhi hain doesn't mean ki unme emotions nhi hain. Maa ke jaane ke baad ghut ghutkar jee rahe thhe par jabse Guddan maa aai hai, Papa badalne lage hain Vardaan explained.

"Toh maine kab kuch kaha! Par babyboo, aapko itna kaam kyu dete hain!? She asked totally glossing over what he had explained.

"You should be happy about that! It just goes on to show the amount of trust papa has in my capabilities. Tum samajhti ho na Lakshmi ki vo restaurant kitna important hai and he allows me to handle it all. Arre, hum toh sage bhi nhi hai fir bhi beton se badhkar kiya hai unhone hamare liye. Jab dad ki death ho gyi thi, hum sab anath hi nhi, bankrupt bhi ho gaye thhe. Mom had no clue about how to handle business and we three were hardly 10-12. During that time, papa came in our lives and helped us. Mom ko sirf ek life partner hi nhi, humein ek sahara mila tha. Bahot mushkil hota hai, kisi aur ke bacchon ko apna banana par unhone kia. He spent his entire youth trying to give us a better life...unhone toh apne bacche bhi nhi kiye just so that he don't get diverted from us! Aaj main jo bhi hu, papa ki vajah se hu. Ye ghar, ye daulat, ye izzat...sab papa ki vajah se hai. Unhone kabhi kuch nhi maanga return mein but mujhe afsos hota hai ki kaash maine apne childhood days mein unhe hate naa kiya hota, dad ki place lene. Lakshmi, he has done a lot for us. I just ask of you to respect him and appreciate his efforts. Papa ki teekhi zabaan ka bura mat mana karo, he is just lonely or vese bhi naarazgi apnon se hi hoti hai! So just give it a thought...Ok.. Vardaan finished with a smile on his face and laid down on the bed leaving Lakshmi deep in thoughts.

She spent the entire night thinking about why she has become so horrible. Why was she spiteful towards AJ? Why?

"Pata nhi kese main itni gir gayi ki aapko dhokha dene chali thi! Pata nhi itni khudgarzi kese aa gyi thi mujhmein! I am sorry about it all. Main sharminda hu apni uss soch ke liye jo Jindal khandaan ke sanskar nhi hai! I am really sorry! Shaayad aap mujhe maaf naa kar paye par main koshish karti rahungi, aapne papa hone ka farz nibha diya...ab main beti hone ka farz nibhane se peeche nhi hatungi!

Lakshmi started sobbing in the end as Guddan smiled with unshed tears in her eyes.

As Lakshmi's head was weighed down by a palm, her teary eyes opened surprised and she looked up to see an equally teary eyed AJ looking away, possibly trying to scare the tears away from his cheeks.

"Bache galti karte hain aur maa-baap maaf kar dete hain, mujhe aapse koi shikayat nhi hai.. He spoke as he looked at her and patting her head twice, turned around to leave when his eyes met with Guddan.

As she smiled at him, he smiled back a grateful smile and left for his restaurant.

Content, Guddan turned to Lakshmi and wiped her tears off. "Humein toh pata hi tha ki aapka dil bahot accha hai!

"Nhi, aapka dil bahot bada hai saasu maa! Meri badtameezi ke bawajood aapka behaviour meri taraf itna sa bhi nhi badla...Kar kesi leti hain aap ye sab?! Lakshmi asked.

"Arre, aap toh family hain Lakshmi bahu! Aur vese bhi Guddan doosro se nafrat karke apna mood kharaab nhi karti! Guddan spoke boastfully, at which Lakshmi chuckled.

"Aapse bhi mujhe maafi maangni hai, I am so sor... But before Lakshmi could complete her apology, Guddan stuffed her ears with her forefingers and started to shout gibberish, effectively dulling Lakshmi's voice.

"Ye aap kya kar rahi hai!? Lakshmi asked puzzled.

"Agar aap humse sorry wali bakwas karengi toh hum bhi aise hi bakwas karenge na! Guddan remarked and Lakshmi nodded her head in negative.

What was she missing in her ego? Loving hand of a man akin to a father and a mother-in-law that could give run for money to every beautiful person alive.

"Vese kuch din pehle aapne mujhe dost kaha tha...vo post abhi bhi vacant hai toh aur agar aap chahe toh... Lakshmi trailed unsure.

She wanted this friendship where their will be no pretensions, just legit care and concern.

"Ye bhi koi puchne ki baat hai, hum dost hain aaj se! Guddan chirped as she forwarded her hand and shook it with Lakshmi.

Lakshmi smiled too. Guddan's smile really was contagious. She felt very liberated.

Guddan ne apna wada nibhaane ki shuruaat kar di hai Uncle!' Guddan raised her brows in appreciation at herself.

"Haan Guddan, aaj tumhari wajah se mere dil ka ek bahot bada bojh utar gaya.. Akshat smiled warmly to no one, leaning back in his chair. Pulling Antara's photo close to his chest, he closed his eyes and Guddan's smiling eyes filled with tears flashed in his mind.

I know it was quite lacking on AJ and Guddan but couldn't help it😊 My story is not just about AkshAn but also about all the obstacles they will have to overcome in their twisted journey. And so first obstacle Lakshmi Jindal has transformed from a pebble to a flower. Who's next? Agla kaanta konsa niklega?!😉 Janne ke liye bane rahiye mere saath😛

Part 42 – Denial

He closed his eyes yet again out of sheer desperation but the result was the same. The more he tried to remember Antara, the more vivid Guddan’s image sparkled.

Realization hit home and blinking his eyes open, Akshat stumbled back a step. With eyes as wide as saucers, he looked at Guddan who was now clutching that balloon closer to her chest out of embarrassment. His heart thudded painfully.

This can’t be! This cannot be! This can never be! How can that be? How can he l-love Gud….but then he…Antara….

The painful expressions flashing across his face didn’t go unnoticed by his wife who shed the reservations she had been harboring and took a concerning step in his direction.

Akshat looked at her as she approached him with a worried look on her face. He clutched his chest. An unknown burning sensation was gripping his heart.

“Jindal saab…aap theek hai?” Guddan asked as she forwarded her hand to console him but he flinched away, like a touch-me-not.

He could see the look of hurt paint her features as she pulled her fingers back, hesitantly.

‘Nhi Guddan…’ Akshat internally rebuked his gesture and tried to reach out to her but failed. He wanted to…but he couldn’t.

“Acha theek hai, aap humein bataiye kya hua?” She asked with as much consideration as possible.

But he remained unmoving.

‘Tumhare hote hue mujhe kaise kuch ho sakta hai’ This was what he wanted to say and yet his lips didn’t bother to part in response.

He could see her. He could hear her but what about Antara? How can he fall in love with another when he had Antara.

But Guddan wasn’t another, she was so much more. But then, what about Antara?

Akshat snapped out of his monologue and looked around himself, startled. His surroundings had shifted. Everything was so dark and so bleak.

‘Akshat!’

Confusion dissipated as his ears picked up a familiar voice and he turned around to see Antara smiling at him. He smiled almost surprised and took a step in her direction when someone stopped him and he turned around to see Guddan smiling at him.

‘I love you’, She confessed with her signature smile and caressed his cheeks as he leaned into her touch,forgetting everything.

‘Akshat!’

He turned to Antara’s direction apologetic that he had forgotten her and was shocked to see her tear stained face as she grew farther and farther. He broke into a run in her direction and managed to catch her hand, at the last moment. Letting out a sigh of relief, he looked up and was shocked to see Guddan smiling at him.

Akshat stumbled back, and crushed something under his foot. Pulling his feet away, he looked down aghast to see Antara’s portrait broken. Hastily, he knelt down and started picking the shards when one pricked his finger and he flinched in pain. But the very next moment slender fingers enveloped his palm as a familiar woman fussed over his wound and blabbered nonstop about his carelessness. He found himself a lost cause as she scolded him and kissed his bleeding finger.

And then suddenly her form disappeared behind the smoke rising from his feet. He looked down to see Antara’s photo on a blaze and had almost slammed his hand on it to put out the fire when holy chants reached his ears and he looked up to see himself and Guddan taking the rounds around the holy fire and commit 7 promises to each other.

“Jindal saab!”

Akshat eyes snapped open to see Guddan shaking him urgently. She was troubled because for the past five minutes, he had been stiff staring into space with blank look in his eyes. And currently as he looked at her, she couldn’t fathom his expressions.

‘He was in love with Guddan. How could he do that to Antara, the Antara who made him what he is, the Antara who taught him love, how he could just forget her and move on?! He had promised Antara to be her’s forever so how could he have envisioned himself sharing the same promises with Guddan!’ Akshat’s thoughts were threatening to consume him whole.

“Jindal saab!”

How could he allow his heart to be swayed, in the wrong direction? His conscience asked.

‘Kyuki anjani raahon sehaseen kuch nhi’ His heart sang.

How could he cheat Antara? His conscience accused.

‘You never cheated her.There is nothing wrong in investing your feelings in a living person, than a ghost’ His heart consoled.

Antara ke alawa kisi aur se pyaar?! His conscience trailed troubled.

‘Kyun nhi kar sakte! Everyone deserves a second chance, a chance to live, a chance to laugh and a chance to love’ His heart explained.

“Akshat ji!”

This time Guddan’s voice reached Akshat and as soon as his eyes met hers, fear dawned in his eyes and he shoved her away.

“Stay away!” He shouted taking a defensive stance.

Guddan balanced herself and shocked, looked at him. His eyes were swimming with misery and fear.

She had made him like this! How easily he was able to justify his infidelity towards Antara?!

At that very moment, Guddan took another step in his direction and he took a step back. “D-door raho muhjse!” He stammered uncharacteristically.

It was then Guddan realized what it was. He was facing a tumultuous internal conflict, a conflict that had followed her brazen confession. That fear in his eyes, he was afraid of her…he was afraid of the things he was feeling. He was afraid that he was wronging his beloved late wife. He was in denial. She couldn’t blame him. After all this was the man who had spent the last 10 years loving his dead wife, he was the man who had spent his youth looking after someone else’s children, he was the man who had married against his wishes to fulfil his late wife’s wish.

She had to reach out to him and make him understand that he wasn’t wrong. That he could love her and still be faithful to Antara. She had to reach out to him before he went out of her reach.

“Jindal sahab!”

He looked up, vulnerable as she took a careful step in his direction.

“Dekhiye,y-you don’t have to feel burdened by my confession. I wasn’t expecting any sort of response in return. You can take your time and even if you don’t feel the same way…” At this word Guddan’s heart pricked.

She was almost sure that he felt the same way but then what she was dead sure about was the truth that he was rejecting his feelings for her, because his feelings for Antara were still way more important.

Her words managed to reach his jilted self as his eyes softened. How could he feel burdened by her feelings?! Her love had set his caged heart free!

“…..and if you don’t feel the same way, then it’s fine. Maine aapse pyaar karne se pehle koi shart thodi rakhi thi ki aap bhi mujhe chahenge…..”

She cupped his face as his eyes got teary. He had started to calm down.

“Akshat ji, my love is not some compulsion that you’ll have to accept against your will. You need time. I am willing to wait my entire life so there is no rush. I know that Antara ji has a place in your heart…”

Of course! She had always respected his sentiments. And even today she was willing to sacrifice her feelings for his peace of mind. How could he not love her….

“….and I will never try to take it”.

At this Akshat’s eyes widened in disbelief. He recalled how exactly she had managed to take Antara’s place and wipe her love out of his heart. She hasn’t tried and yet he had given her that spot, willingly!

“Main Antara ji ki jagah lene ki koshish kabhi nhi karungi aur na hi….”

“…..na hi tum meri Antara ki jagah le sakti ho!” With that he swatted her palms away from his cheeks.

Akshat clenched his fist as tear pricked her eyes. He had hurt her. It wasn’t her fault that he was starting to forget Antara and yet he couldn’t help but blame her after all her love had changed him. It had made him selfish and want things for himself. She had made him want to move on. She made him want to love only her. She made him miserable.He was no more Antara’s Akshat but Guddan’s Jindal saab! And this was the truth that Akshat could not stomach.He could not accept that she made him way more happy than Antara. He could not help but think that he was hurting Antara by feeling like this. Denial seemed like the best way out.

“H-Humein pata hai….” She trailed, pretending not to be hurt when in reality his words were like a thousand needles dissecting her heart.

“Nhi,you don’t know a thing! You just went and got ahead of yourself. You’ll give me time to think about your confession! Funny, let me make one thing clear! I’ve loved only one woman in my entire life and that is Antara Akshat Jindal. She was, is and will be the only one in my heart! GET THAT!”

And with that announced, Akshat marched out of the house leaving in his wake a broken Guddan.

Continuous stream of tears escaped her eyes as she saw his retreating form. Hah! He felt the same way! How could she even harbour such a big misunderstanding?! He wasn’t confused between her and Antara ji, he just couldn’t cope with the shock that she had dared to think that he will ever reciprocate her feelings. This was what it was!

Aimlessly, Guddan started to walk out of house when Durga caught her wrist, “Where are you going?!”

Durga could see just how broken Guddan was and that’s why didn’t want to let her go alone.

Guddan smiled through her misty eyes, “I just needed some time alone. But don’t you worry, I’ll inform you..”

“Toh main chalti hu aapke saath, saasu maa” Lakshmi interjected.

“Nhi…hum akele jayenge aur ye aapki saas ka aadesh hai” And with that she walked out of the Jindal mansion.

SO HOW WAS IT?!😃

Part 43 - The Missing Mrs

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150481227?tid=5034085

Part 46 - Lights! Camera! Action!

Entering his room, Viraj closed the door behind himself and let his body grace the floor with a thud.

He finally knew why he was turned down.

Taking in a deep sigh, he let his head fall back onto the bed and closed his eyes.

Flashback

Two months had passed since they started shooting and he found himself looking at her more often. Her chirpiness and smile kept everyone engaged in a pleasant way. For the first time in life, he was craving someone’s company so much.

“So what did you want to tell me, Viraj?” Guddan tapped his shoulder, breaking his reverie.

Turning to face her, Viraj smiled. He could already envision them going on dates and doing silly things.

“The thing is Guddan….I like you! Don’t ask me why or how because I don’t know myself but when I am with you, I feel comfortable being myself…I don’t have to try hard to pretend who I am not. You know it’s like….”Trailing with his ramblings, Viraj who had his head down till now out of embarrassment looked up at the unusually silent Guddan, only to find her face painted with shock.

Viraj stopped, his earlier shy smile disappearing into dread. “Guddan….” He trailed worried.He had never seen her making such expression.

In response, she turned her face away and clutched her left arm with her right.

“I am sorry Viraj but I don’t feel the same…” She mumbled under her breath.

Viraj’s eyes widened and soon a cackle escaped out of his lips, “You don’t have to make such a face! Geez!”

Guddan looked at him confused as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. “You were making an expression as if your rejection will tear me apart or something like that!”

Unknown to him, at this sentence Guddan flinched as she recalled something unpleasant.

“Look, you not feeling the same doesn’t mean you are incapable of feeling it. Give me a chance, let’s get to know each other, hang out and even then if your thoughts don’t change, I won’t ever bug you again. What say?!” Viraj proposed.

“I am sorry but I can’t…” Guddan replied, unnerving him finally.

“But, why?” Viraj asked, taking a step close, “Am I that unlikeable?!”

Guddan nodded her head in negative but chose to keep her mouth shut. It wasn’t about him, it was about her and….

“Atleast tell me a re….”

“Guddan!” Viraj was interrupted as a voice called out to her and Karan stepped into their view.

“Karan!” Guddan smiled slightly as Karan approachedher and took a thorough look at her face.

“Are you free now? Why don’t we go out for lunch and catch up?” Karan asked as Guddan nodded thankful for his intervention.

However as they started leaving, Viraj stopped Guddan by catching her wrist. “You can’t go like this! At least tell me…”

Viraj hissed suddenly as his hand was pushed off Guddan’s as Karan glared his way, “Back off Mr. Kapoor or consequences will be dire!”.

And with that Karan took Guddan away, leaving Viraj with a stinging wrist.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“I came off too strong yesterday…I should apologise..” Viraj murmured to himself as he pushed open the door to Guddan’s room.

“Kese ho aap bhabhi?”

Viraj paused at the door as he heard something troublesome and peaked inside the room to see Guddan seated on a video call.

“I am fine Angad ji. How are you?”

“I am missing you a lot, Bhabhi. In fact everyone is!” Angad spoke up on the other side of phone as realization hit Viraj cruelly.

Guddan is married! He was shocked because to everyone on the set, she was Ms. Guddan Gupta and then she was barely 22 to top it off.

“Mujhe bhi aap sabki bahot yaad aa rahi hai. How is dadi and…”

“Saasu maa!”

Guddan’s face split into a smile as Lakshmi jumped up into her view, in front of screen. Guddan chuckled and asked, “Where are my other two bahus?”

And soon Durga and Saru joined the call too.

“I hope that you are taking care of yourself, Durga bahu”, Guddan asked as Durga nodded.

As their conversation proceeded, Viraj stepped away from the room and into his own. He could finally interpret those painful expressions on her face, yesterday.

She wasn’t just married but she was married to an old disgusting fart with three married sons! Ridiculous! No wonder, she looked so scared and broken. What sort of scum were her parents to marry off their daughter to a geezer?! Disgusting.

“And so like a self-righteous fool, I decided to help Guddan get rid of this problem!” Viraj chuckled as he recalled their exchange on that night.

“I am sorry for my behaviour yesterday”, he apologised and went on to continue, “I know that you turned me down because you are married”.

Guddan was astounded as his words hit her. The secret none in her academy knew was out to him, where her contract explicitly stated that she couldn’t get /be married during the duration of her show.

“I won’t tell anyone, I promise”, Viraj assured her, “I just want us to be friends nonetheless. Can we?”

“You don’t have to force yourself Viraj. I know how much it hurts. I’d rather you not harbour any expectations or hopes out of me for I find myself unable to bear such burden neither I have the strength to compromise to keep others happy, anymore”, Guddan replied.

“I won’t burden you with my feelings ever again. I swear on that”

Yes. That was right. He came to Indore with the sole intention of exposing Guddan’s dirt bag in-laws family and have them sent to jail, on account of harassment that he thought she was going through. But reality was a far cry from the pathetic story his sorry head and rejected heart had concocted to soothe themselves. Guddan had a very supportive family.And it wasn’t a façade, it was the truth.Not only that, her husband wasn’t some grandpa in his 60’s but one of the most eligible man of Indore, famed restaurateur Akshat Jindal.

He had no clue why Mr. Jindal hadn’t watched her show but he was sure that it wasn’t because he was nonchalant. The look in that man’s eyes spoke volumes of the affection and respect he held for his wife.

Still he had managed to console himself when he had noticed Guddan sleeping separately from him but that was just another figment of his delusions.

He hadn’t missed the look Guddan had given Akshat Jindal today morning nor was he able to forget the flush on her face as her husband had complimented her about her show. He had heard it all and finally gotten his facts straight.

She wasn’t just married. She was in love with her husband. There were circumstances keeping them apart that he was blissfully unaware of but otherwise They were together. And he had no part in their story to portray.

~*~*~*~*~*~

As Priyanshi’s leg slipped and she fell into Arnav’s arms, the director shouted ‘CUT’ and the duo moved away from each other as hair stylist reached out to Viraj while Guddan corrected her fading lipstick.

And Akshat barely hid his frustration, along with hiding his huge ass frame behind a prop on the set. He had followed Guddan here because he wanted to see her in action but he didn’t like it all that much. She had already fallen 7 times into Viraj’s arms! What did that Director even want? His teeth bashed in or his nose flattened into a circle!

Either way, dissipating his annoyance via deep breathing, he peaked from behind the curtains to see Guddan chatting with her stylist while Viraj staring at her!

Akshat narrowed his eyes as Guddan turned to Viraj and snapping her fingers in front of his face bought him back into reality. As she chided him about something, he apologised profusely but nonetheless she left from the scene, miffed. And viraj continued to stare after her retreating frame, before scratching his head in a boyish manner!

The furrow between Akshat’s brows deepened as he realized the meaning behind that buffoon-ish action of head scratching. He did it a lot when Guddan would catch him staring at her!

As he heard someone approaching, he raced into the lobby and slipped inside a room and under the bed. The door to the room creaked open and to his disbelief, Guddan stepped inside as she plopped into her chair in front of mirror.

“Pata nhi kab…kab hamari life se tensions kam hongi!”She spoke to herself as Akshat listened curiously, “Jindal saab kya kam thhe jo Viraj tapak gaye! Kitni..kitni baar kahein hum Viraj ko unka humein iss tarah se dekhna humein bechain karta hai!Unki aankhon ki vo umeed ki ek din hum bhi unse…ho hi nhi sakta! Kyunki hum toh apne hisse ka sara pyaar already Jindal saab ko….” Guddan paused as she threw her hair open.

On the other hand, Akshat rejoiced as he heard her. So as he had suspected, her co-star had sprouted some feelings for her but the best part was that she didn’t give a flying fig!

However as he was doing a mental bhangra, something fell in his hindsight and he turned to see a black tie. Peaking from below the bed,his eyes popped out as her fingers unhooked her shirt’s button one after the another. Instantaneously he clapped his palms over his eyes and mentally rebuked her for not checking the room properly before stripping.

“Aur Jindal saab toh humein pagal hi kar denge. Ek toh kal raat ko vo itni ajeeb ajeeb baatein karke chale gaye ki humein…vese dekhkar….unhe…aghhh!”

Akshat chuckled as Guddan groaned frustrated and let her shirt fall on the floor. However as she leaned down to pick her shirt, Akshat crossed his fingers so as not to get caught otherwise hell was bound to open up on him. Thankfully, she didn’t see him, busy in her own musings.

“And what was it about this morning! Hum koi bacche hai ki ‘I amsorry’ ‘I love you’ ke heart shaped balloons poore room mein chipka diye! Tedhe hain ekdum, kabhi sweet kabhi spicy!”

And with that she shuffled out of her pants as Akshat realized that she was practically naked at this point. God save his sanity!

*Knock* *Knock*

“Who is this?” Guddan shouted as she tied her hair with a clutcher.

“Madam…safai karni thi..”

“Five minutes, bhaiya!” Guddan replied back as she retrieved her change from the hangar behind the door, and pulled a shirt over her head.

“Shit! I need to leave right now otherwise I’ll get caught!” Akshat whispered as he looked around and found a switch at his arm’s length. Praying to kanha for it to be a light switch, he pressed it down as the entire room was enveloped in darkness.

“Now what happened to light!” As Guddan moved around the bed, Akshat slipped out from the other side and stood up to leave when Guddan who had been leaning in front of the switch went still.

“Jindal saab!” Guddan whispered as she pressed down on the switch and whipped her head around to find the room empty!

Her eyes went to the door as she found the knob unlocked and quickly threw open the door, to find the lobby empty too. There was no one! But how come? Not only had she felt his signature wet earth scent, but the knob was open too!

Whereas Akshat only came to a halt, in front of his car and quickly slipped inside.

“Aaj toh baal baal bach gaye!” And with that he sped off.

WOOOH! JINDAL SAAB BARELY SURVIVED! OTHERWISE WASHING POWDER DHULAI HO JATI! ;)

I HOPE YOU LIKED THE UPDATE. DO SHARE YOUR VIEWS!

Part 47- Thoda Drama Thoda Hungama

“Lakshmi bahu, are you sure that Vardaan ji forgot his file here last night?” Guddan asked as she entered Akshat’s room.

“Yes saasu maa, I’m sure!” Lakshmi nodded her head frantically as Guddan started searching the table below TV for files.

“T-That red one saasu maa…yes!” Lakshmi pointed as Guddan unearthed a file from the drawer.

“You sure?” Guddan repeated, narrowing her brows at the file that looked as if a relic from ancient times.

“H-Haan!” Lakshmi scratched the back of her neck confused as she snatched the file from Guddan and quickly hurried out of the room.

“Lakshmi bahu is such an oddball! She could have retrieved that file by herself. Well anyway…” As Guddan was about to exit the room, a familiar voice called out to her.

“Guddan? Is it you?!” His heavy voice resonated in the room,echoing behind bath’s door.

“Ji…” Guddan replied meekly.

“Aah…will you pass me the towel, I forgot it on the bed”,Akshat requested as Guddan whipped her head towards the bed to see towel sprawled on it.

“You can take it yourself after I step out!” Guddanretorted, ready to leave.

“Wait, don’t! What if someone enters! What if maa enters and see me like that?! I’d be so embarrassed!” Akshat pleaded as Guddan grumbled a “Fine!” and clenching the towel between her fingers approached the door.

“Ye lijiye”, she forwarded the towel towards door and turned her face away.

Pushing the door slightly open, Akshat peaked out and looked at Guddan who had her face turned away. He smirked. Caught you!

And before Guddan realised, she was pulled in, along with the towel.

“What in the world!” Guddan let out shocked as she was pulled inside in a flash and soon found herself pinned against the bathroom wall, with her wrists securely locked over her head in his hand.

“What nonsense is this?” Guddan struggled annoyed.

Akshat chuckled. He looked down at her as she glared at him. She could see shadow of mischief floating in his eyes as he looked at her. That solo strand of hair grazing his forehead compared to the rest of wet locks that were slicked back, made him appear like a devil. A devilish temptation. That slight smirk on his full lips, complementing his jawline was serving as a distraction as her eyes trailed along his long neck where his muscles stood taut. The drops of water fresh from his shower traced his collar bone in a sultry manner whilst certain audacious ones went onto saunter over his adam’s apple and disappear between the valley of his puffed up, smooth looking chest only to disappear at the other end and glide over his granite cut abs glistening like a diamond. And then there were a few drops that disappeared under the…towel!

Guddan tore her eyes away as realization dawned and soon the entire bathroom reverberated with his hearty chuckle.

“Liked what you see?” He whispered huskily against her ear as she turned her face to the other side, her face red hot with embarrassment.

“You don’t have to feel shy.See to your heart’s content. This….” He trailed as he took her one hand and made it rest against his chest, “…..is a private show”, he ended as she snatched her hand away as if he was on fire.

As Akshat let go of her other hand, she brought it down only to steeple her fingers together and admire the tiles on the floor.

‘Damn! Damn all to hell!” Guddan cursed within her brain, her eyes loitering towards the towel covering his lower half and wondering if his thighs were as taut as his neck.

She realized that once again her senses had shut down and clenched her eyes out of sheer disbelief. Clapping her palms over her eyes to give her gutter orbs a grip, she breathed in deeply.

Akshat on the other hand was amusing himself by her weird actions.

Guddan blinked her eyes open and determined to take him by surprise, she ducked down to move from below his arm. Unknown to her, Akshat was just as prepared, as his hand slipped lower and he blocked her escape. She looked up into his eyes to see him nodding his head in negative.

“Kya chahiye aapko?” She asked gathering her resolve.

“Tum…” He replied honestly as he raised his hand to cup her cheek.

“D-Dekhiye aap h-humein…ja-aane dijiye!” Guddan stammered trying to push his hand away, in a rather half-hearted attempt.

He only smiled in response as his other palm tucked her hairs behind her ear and turned her face up, “No can do. Do you recall what you said a few days back?”

Guddan continued to look at him in trance as he continued, “You said that you’ve now become aware of your responsibilities towards me and that, as my wife it is your responsibility to respect my thoughts and choices…”

Guddan nodded recalling their confrontation on the first night of her return.

“I think one of the responsibilities of a wife is to love her husband. Isn’t that right?” Guddan’s eyes widened as the weight behind his words dawned.

“So, what I want is….” Akshat trailed as he dipped his head down,“…is for you to love me!” Their eyes met as his lips inched closer to hers.

“Vese bhi, this is the place where our marital life officially kick started!”

Her eyes which had closed in sheer resignation, threw open as his characteristic fragrance invaded her senses and she pushed him back.

Caught by surprise, Akshat stumbled a step back as he looked at Guddan flabbergasted.

“W-what the…”

“What were you doing on the sets yesterday?” Guddan counter questioned cutting his bafflement short.

The colour drained from Akshat’s face real quick as Guddan scrutinized him.

“Y-Ye tum kya…” He stammered stealing his gaze away.

Guddan took a step towards him as he took one back, “When did you sneak in?” She asked as Akshat bit his lips.

‘Shit! Shit! She knows!!’ He panicked on the inside.

“What are you talking about? Why would I sneak into your room?” Akshat looked back into her eyes.

“When did I ever say about sneaking into my room?” Guddan narrowed her eyes at him and took a step closer.

Akshat gulped and took a step back, ‘She trapped him!’.

“How much did you see?” She took another step closer as Akshat backed one away.

“G-Guddan look…you cannot blame me! I was in restaurant the entire day!” Akshat spoke in his defense.

“Why do you even try when you can’t lie?!” Guddan made afed up face and continued, “I felt your scent in my room”. She accused.

“I am not the only one who wears it…” Akshat replied.

“Do you mean to insinuate that it could have been someone else?” Guddan raised her right brow quizzically.

“Probably…” Akshat squeaked taking another step back.

“And you are not the least bit bothered by it?! By the fact that someone, probably a man could’ve seen your wife who you love so much, stark naked! And then you want me to believe that you love me!!”Guddan took a step back shaking her head in disappointment.

“I do love you damnit! I would’ve killed anyone who dared to look at you the wrong way but no one did!” Akshat shouted exasperated.

“So you admit it was you?” Guddan got back into her stance and took a step towards him.

“Aah…that…” Akshat licked his lips unsure.

“It wasn’t just your scent!” Guddan sighed as Akshat found his back pressed against the wall, “You dropped your astrology ruby ring too”.

As soon as Guddan remarked this, his eyes went to his middle finger on left hand and realized that he had indeed dropped it below her bed. Game over!

The mayhem he was expecting however did not come as Guddan simply turned to leave. Nonetheless, her CBI enquiry had totally destroyed that romantic tempo he had worked so hard to set. What a party pooper!!

“And yes…” Guddan turned back as she leaned towards him with a dreamy smile pasted on her beautiful lips.

“I do recall that our first encounter after marriage occurred here and….”

“And?” Akshat repeated, hopefully.

“And jaise mujhe vo din yaad hai, aap aaj ka din kabhi nhi bhool payenge!”

“Matlab?” He asked innocently as she beamed brightly at him before the palm that was resting on the tap tightened its hold and…pulled it apart.

As soon as the tap came in Guddan’s hand, she backed off and water jumped out at full force to hit Akshat, straight on his face.

“W-h..aat…” He gurgled as the water continued its assault while the smile disappeared from her lips and picking up a shampoo bottle, she aimed it straight at his nose.

“Aapki himmat kese hui humein..vese…dekhne ki! You Peeping Pervert!!” Guddan shouted as Akshat clapped a palm over his throbbing nose and Guddan stomped out of the bathroom.

“Why is Papa shouting?” Lakshmi came running as Guddan stepped out of the room.

Guddan smiled in response, “Kuch nhi Lakshmi bahu, he is just enjoying himself! You should not disturb him. Your ‘Papa’ will handle it all”.

Lakshmi scratched the back of her neck in response as the duo descended the stairs.

‘Jaisi Karni, vaisi bharni, Jindal saab!’

Alright! Phew!! So this one started with the hopes of some steamy romance and ended up at being Jindal saab going poof in cold water😆 So thoda romance ka drama hua aur thoda Guddan ka hungama. I added the last bit simply because the last response I garnered hinted at the viewers thinking 'What would have happened if he got caught?"

I hope you enjoyed! Do share your views and tell me how you liked the part!

Sorry for the late update folks!😛

Part 17 - Never Ever Have I Ever

As AJ entered his room tired, after his back to back meetings, his ears were greeted with music.

(Jhanak jhanak jhan...

Khanak khanak khan...)

AJ looked up to see Guddan tapping her feet, unknown of his presence, while she flexed her neck left to right.

(Mera jhumka uthake laya yaar ve,

Jo gira tha Bareilly ke bazaar mein..)

Can you shut this noise off?'

This was what AJ was going to say, when he saw the smile on Guddan's face as she enacted the dance while tickling her earring.

(Main toh thumka lagake sharmaa gayi

Bole ghungar bandhadenge, main aa gyi..)

AJ looked on stumped, as Guddan fluidly moved her body while her eyes shone with a dazzling brilliance.

(Mujhko nachake nach leee...

Aaja nachle, nachle..meri yaar tu nach lee...

Jhanak, jhanak...jhankaaar...)-2

She looked different. She looked mature. The way her eyebrows were dancing and a multitude of expressions were playing on her, otherwise stupid face, was enchanting him. He kept mum and continued to look on as Guddan swayed to the music, like tree flowing in the wind. She felt so natural. She looked so serene.

And long before, AJ lost track of himself as he ventured into the room, utterly mesmerized by her graceful movements.

(Nachle nachle, zara nachle nachle chaat pe.. bulaake nach le..

Nachle nachle, zara nachle nachle jhat se...uthake nachle...)-2

Guddan, who was twirling at the tune, lost her balance on seeing AJ and stumbled into him, landing in his arms, breaking the trance he was in.

This time AJ looked at her, but willingly. Guddan who was staring right back into his dark pools, gasping for breath, suddenly felt every ounce of oxygen leave her body as AJ tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, that had apparently stuck itself on her face owing to the sweat. Her heart beat picked up. AJ was done, with tuck-hair-behind-ear work but his palms still leisurely rested over her ear in a manner of absolute affection.

"Saasu maa main vo aapse... As Siddhi's voice reached them, Guddan and AJ jumped away from each other like deer caught in headlights.

Immediately Siddhi blushed and turned to other side. "Sorry! Sorry! Vo maine dekha nhi...matlb knock nhi kiya...matlb darwaaza khula tha..., Siddhi fumbled, highly embarrassed.

AJ looked at Guddan and immediately entered his closet while Guddan looked up to Siddhi. "Boliye na Siddhi ji..kya kaam tha...

Finally Siddhi looked up, tearing her gaze away from the un-interesting floor pattern and replied, "Vo..dadi aapko bula rahi thi..

Guddan nodded and followed after Siddhi, hoping that Siddhi was unable to hear the pounding of her heart in her chest, slamming against her rib cage. Because she could very well feel the pounding in her ears and heat too.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Once everyone retreated to their rooms following dinner, Guddan entered the Kitchen and started with her quest of learning to cook'. Though she was upset, she had hoped against hope that Lakshmi bahu will come one of these days and start teaching her again but forget about teaching, Lakshmi bahu was blatantly ignoring her and this pained Guddan. She enjoyed teasing Lakshmi as she would stumble and fumble. She had enjoyed their interactions.

"Kya humein unse maafi maangni chahiye? Hum zyada hi rude ho gaye the uss din.. Guddan whispered to herself feeling bad and decided to apologise.

She had almost stepped out of the kitchen when Lakshmi's hateful words reverberated in her ears and she stopped. "Par...agar aaj hum peeche hatt gaye toh vo sahi saabit ho jaaengi, unki nafrat jeet jaegi aur hum nafrat ko unhe jeetne nhi denge! Determined, Guddan switched on the stove and poured oil in the pan. She will succeed today. Usse ho payega. Vo Lakshmi ke andar ke gusse ko zaroor kaategi.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

It was half past 12 as AJ descended the stairs in a bid to check what his wife was upto. Usually she would be in bed by half past 11 but today she was late.

"Arree...arrre...

As Guddan's panicked voice reached him, AJ quickly covered the next few steps and rushed to hold the container of wheat flour that was about to fall down. He prevented the fall of container but was not quick enough. The container's lid had rolled off somewhere and flour spilled out as the container was tilted.

Guddan looked at Akshat as he glared at her with a deadpan face, as his one hand held the container, albeit in a position where he was being painted white with flour and the other supported itself against the cabinet, effectively caging her.

And Guddan snorted, as some more flour fell on him. She tried to suppress her smile but failed, this was proved by the shut-up-or-else glare sent her way.

As AJ straightened the container, Guddan laughed at him openly. "Uncle! Ek na nayi movie aa rhi hai, usmein bhoot ka role is up for grabs, agar aap interested ho toh audition fix kar du?! Guddan snickered, as Akshat dusted the flour off his clothes.

"Was that a joke?! Because mujhe hasi nhi aayi! Aj retorted annoyed, trying to dust himself off.

"Aaegi bhi kese? Budhape mein daant gir vir gaye honge na... Guddan trailed in an innocent tone, underlined with mischief.

This girl!! Kitna Buddha samajhti hai mujhe!! Main isse bokhla lagta hu!!' Akshat thought annoyed.

Guddan bit her lips. She was having fun at the expense of his constipated face. It was fun to rile him up!

As Guddan turned to pick a jar, she was pulled back by her arm and collided into a black vest coated granite hard surface. Guddan looked up to meet AJ's smirking face and raised her brows in query.

"Pehli baat! Logic wali baatein kiya karo, agar mere daant nhi hote toh main itna fluently nhi bol pata aur doosri baat, I don't take jokes nicely! And before Guddan could decipher his warning, AJ leaned his head to her level and started shaking his head madly dusting off the entire flour in his hair, on her. Guddan tried to push him away but failed, as AJ caught her hands behind her back and continued dusting her white.

"Choddiyyee!! Guddan whined while AJ ignored her and continued with his ministration.

Guddan struggled hard trying to escape his grip as AJ backed her up near the cabinet. As he dusted the flour in his hair using his fingers, her hands got free and she tried to push him off. This threw his balance off the mark and his palms flew to the cabinet and caught the open container for support, which ended with spilling of entire container, on both of them.

Guddan and AJ looked at each other shocked. They. Were. Looking. Awfully. Hilarious.

Guddan tried but could not keep it in. A cackle escaped her lips which was soon followed by hysteric laughter. Her eyes watered, as she wiped hers eyes from the corners, AJ's serious face met her and the laughter threatening to erupt out, died a poor death in her throat as she choked and coughed on it. Feeling helpless, she pouted and made a puppy face.However, grim line of AJ's lips perked up in response and he started chortling too as Guddan smiled happily and joined him. As they shared their first heartfelt laughter, their faces were decked up by the beautiful pearls.

He hadn't laughed this openly in years. It felt really amazing, sharing smile with someone whose smile is enough to light up the darkness in him.

She had never seen him laugh like that. The smile certainly suits his face more than scowls. He looks young and innocent.

Parv slammed his fist against the wall, enraged by the public display of affection between the duo. He wanted her but AJ had her! Gritting his teeth, Parv glared at the duo too lost in laughing. "Jo chahiye mujhe, vo main zaroor haasil karoonga!

With this announcement, he stormed towards his room while Durga appeared from the shadows, confused. Why was Parv here? Why were his expressions...so off?

As Durga turned towards the kitchen, she could see AJ and Guddan dusting each other off, while sharing smiles. She had never seen AJ laughing, that too at the expense of food and messing of his beloved Kitchen! "Aise hi chalta raha toh, chehron ko muskurahatein aur dil mil jaenge, kuch toh karna padega!

So How was it? I was kinda low on ideas for this one 😆

Also why have i named this part 'Never Ever Have I Ever'!? Any views😉

Part 32 And Everything was torn apart

The first tear that was about to fall off Durga's chin was caught by Guddan as she wiped it off, "Mat roiye Durga ji! Kishore ji will come around and till then I will be here for you! Hum, Guddan Akshat Jindal, apni bahu ka pura khayaal rakhenge! Aap bilkul tension hi mat lijiye!

And Guddan was keeping her word well. Every second of the watch, she was around Durga keeping a tab on her. Saru was still very miffed due to the uncalled humiliation her brother had to endure owing to Durga's malpractices but otherwise, Dadi and Lakshmi were doing their best to keep Durga happy too.

"Arrreee, Durga Ji!! Guddan shouted sprinting down the stairs as she saw Durga making her way across the hall.

Durga stilled and turned around like a culprit caught red handed.

"What are you doing out of your room?! Didn't I tell you to take?! Guddan chided her as Durga nodded like an obedient kid.

Quite a few things had changed over the past few days and one of those changes included Durga's behaviour towards Guddan. She was melting because she had seen Guddan fighting with Kishore to let go of the past incidents and move on. She had seen Guddan toil day and night to keep Durga company. Durga had started to believe in Guddan.

"Nhi...main wo bas...paani...haan, paani peene aayi thi! Durga stammered uncharacteristically as Guddan narrowed her eyes suspiciously before shouting her vocal cords out, "Raju bhaiyaaa!!

A butler came rushing and stood with his head hung down, "Yes, Ma'am?

"Don't ma'am me! There is no water in Durga ji's room! Didn't I order you to keep closeby in case she needs something?! Guddan scolded the man.

"But mam, I kept the water just a few minutes ago... The man replied as Guddan turned away from him confused.

"I-I must not have noticed it... Durga whispered and started to leave hurriedly when pieces of tamarind dropped down on the floor, from the folds of her saree.

Guddan's eyes widened in amusement while Durga looked away, embarrassed.

"What is this Durga ji!? Tamarind! Again?!! When will you eat lunch if you'll continue to stuff yourself with imli and I am warning you, don't end making the baby sour by continuing to eat sour foods!

Durga looked at Guddan with a deadpan face as Lakshmi who had arrived on the scene a second ago, started chuckling at her saasu maa's childish insinuations.

"What I mean is that you should eats sweets so that my grandchild will be born sweet too, just like me! Guddan smiled in a manner of self gloating.

"Your level of sweetness is just too dangerous, Diabetes is after all...quite deadly! Akshat appeared from behind cutting Guddan's gloating short.

"If left to your discretion, you'd end up making the child a bittergourd like youself! Guddan retorted pouting.

"But Karela is quite healthy unlike... Akshat trailed meaningfully while looking at her and hurried out of the house not without bidding her a bye through his eyes.

Guddan blinked back and smiled softly. Love made everything sweet. Insults included!!

"Forget all this! Let's get you to your room, it's time for your medicines, Guddan addressed Durga as she nodded and let Guddan lead her towards her room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Cough* *Cough*

Durga woke up midnight and started coughing severely.

*Cough*

Kishore woke up due to her incessant coughingand handed her a glass of water and tried to ease her but to no avail.

*Cough* *Cough*

Durga's eyes widened horriefied as she withdrew her palms away from her mouth to see them covered in blood.

"Guddannn!! Durga shouted troubled as lights lit up across the house and everyone hurried out of their rooms.

"Kya hua Durga ji?! Guddan enquired as she kneeled by Durga's side.

As Durga coughed yet again, she showed her bloody sputum as Guddan looked at her worried and recalled that in his absence, she had to keep everyone safe. Determined she picked up the landline and quickly dialled the doctor that Akshat had asked her to refer to in case of any emergency.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"I have taken her blood sample and you'll get the reports by tomorrow evening and we'll get to know the cause of this. And make sure to feed her this medicine every 3 hours... Guddan nodded as Doctor started packing his bag.

"Is the baby fine? Guddan enquired brimming with desperation as Doctor nodded and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"The reports are here and to my shock, a lethal dosage of polonium has been found in your blood. It's a slow acting poison which affects the circulatory system of body. It's a miracle that you are alive if we take into consideration the fact that your blood had quite a high amount of it. As a fact it seems like the reason you live is solely because the poison might have been given to you in minute quantitites on a regular basis and that's why your immune system must have succeeded in fighting the small doses off, enough to keep you going for days. Because if you would have ingested a lethal dosage of polonium in one go, then it would have been an instant death...

Durga sunk into the sofa shocked as she realized that she had been a hair breadth's away from breathing her last.

"But you are safe now; the medications I have prescribed you will flush out the toxins from your body in a matter of few weeks so it's nothing short of a miracle that you all were able to act on the symptom because another dosage would have spelled trouble...

Saru's eyes widened shocked as her hands started trembling.

Guddan patted Durga's shoulder in consolation as doctor started leaving.

"Ah...one more thing, Mrs Durga Jindal! The vitamin supplements you handed me yesterday along with your blood sample were indeed poisoned with polonium...

As the doctor left, Guddan looked on shocked as she heard that vitamin supplements were poisoned! But they were...

*Clap* *Clap*

Guddan turned to Durga shocked as she jerked her consoling hand away and passed her a look dripping with disgust. "What a player you are, Guddan! Kitni safai se tumne mujhe maarne ki koshish ki and my god! What a brilliant execution of plan it was! AJ was damn right in his saying that too much sweetness is dangerous! Bade hi pyaar se tum har roz mujhe thoda thoda zehar pila rahi thi aur main...pi bhi rahi thi!

"Nhi, Durga ji! Hum aisa karne ki soch bhi nhi sakte! Guddan defended as Kishore came to her defence too."Haan Durga, Guddan maa kabhi tumhe ya hamare honewale bacche ko nuksaan nhi pahunchaengi

"Aapko ab bhi main hi galat lag rahi hu, Kishore! Durga asked incredulously as she pointed a venomous forefinger at Guddan, "Even I had started to trust on her goodness, my thought process had started to change but I was proved wrong yet again! Is it just a coincidence that poison was detected in those vitamin supplements that this Guddan bought by arguing with the doctor!!

Guddan started shaking her head vehemently to deny her accusations but what proof she had of her innocence.

"Chaliye, ye bhi chodiye, ye bataiye ki mujhe dawaiyaan kon deta hai har roz?! Guddan!! Either those supplements were poisoned beforehand which is not very likely considering that the medical shop owner wouldn't be harbouring any personal grudges against me or someone other than her within this house poisoned the supplements, which doe not seem like a likely case either because Guddan was the one who took responsibility of my medicines and other members don't really have a reason to harm me unlike her! SHE HAD EVERY REASON TO HARM ME! SHE WANTED TO TAKE REVENGE FOR THE HUMILIATION I PUT HER THROUGH!! Durga started shouting in the end as Dadi came to Guddan's rescue.

"Durga bahu!! Do you even know who you are accusing? She is the reason why you were forgiven against the backdrop of the heinous act you commited! Dadi raised her voice as she turned to Guddan and started wiping her tears.

"Sahi hai Dadi! Durga started chuckling, "Sahi hai! You still support her, you still think that she is right! Aap sabko iske aansoo, iski sacchai aur iski acchai dikh rahi hai par meri takleef nhi! Why don't you all just go ahead and accuse me that I poisoned myself so that I could shame her in front of you all! After all that's all that's left to be done! This is what I am worth afterall iske raham par jo pal rahi hu main!

"Durgaa!! Kishore shouted enraged as he almost raised his hand but Saru came in between, "What are you doing Kishore bhaiya!?

"Chaliye Durga di, let's go back to your room... Saru offered as Durga nodded and both moved across the hall.

Guddan turned to Dadi who consoled her, "Mujhe pata hai ki tune ye sab nhi kiya, beta! Durga abhi sadme mein hai but she will come around..

Guddan only nodded as she closed her eyes and remembered his calm eyes and words. If only he was here! If only she had his support!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I should check on Durga ji in case she needs anything, Guddan murmured to herself as she started descending the stairs, "She is very angry with me but it's my responsibility to look after her...

As Guddan pushed open the door to Durga's room, she found it empty.

"Where did Durga ji go?! Guddan wondered as she closed the door and decided to check in Saru's room afterall they were last seen together. But it was empty too.

Confused, as Guddan was about to withdraw, a ringtone started blaring up and she decided to check it in case if it was serious.

As she picked up Saru's phone, Parv's name flashed on screen and unpleasant memories resurfaced in the back of her mind. Deciding not to take the call, she was about to turn away when she realized that whatever he had done, he was still Saru's brother and Saru is her bahu. She needed to check if her bahu's brother had something urgent to share.

As she swiped the screen towards the green icon and pressed the phone against her ears, his happy voice greeted her.

"Behna! Bahot hi khushi ki khabar sunai tumne! I read your message and am so glad to know that our plan is on right track. That Durga deserved it, you did well behna!

Earth cracked under Guddan's feet as the weight behind his words settled in. Did Saru bahuu...??!!

"It's ok behna, this plan must have failed but the next one won't. I have it all planned out, you just have to make sure to bring Durga to the shiva temple on the kaali road and rest I will handle...

The phone slipped from Guddan's hand as she realized that both Saru and Durga were missing and there was a high probability that Durga's life was in danger.

Without thinking for another second, Guddan bolted out of the room with only but one thought. "Koi anarth naa ho jaaye!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Aapne dara hi diya bhaiya!! Saru shrieked as a silhouette pulled her into the shadows and revealed his face.

"Pehle aap ye bataiye ki aapne toh kaha tha ki wo dawai sirf honewale bache ko nuksa...

"Ye sab baadmein behna! Parv cut her off as he peered from the alleyway to see Durga looking around for Saru.

"Just do one thing, ask her to go to the temple and that you will come after buying the thaal.

Saru nodded and stepping out of the alley tapped Durga on her shoulders.

"Kahan chali gayi thi tum?! Durga enquired as Saru just shrugged her off. "Kuch nhi di, aap mandir chaliye, main thaal khareedkar aati hu Saru smiled as Durga nodded and turned around to cross the road.

As she started to cross the road, Saru turned to alley to see her brother signalling thumbs up towards the far right and her eyes widened to see a loaded trolley approaching Durga in full speed.

Shocked, she turned around and shouted, "Durga diii!!

Caught offguard, Durga paused in the middle of the road to see Saru who was signalling her to back off. As her eyes followed Saru's eyesight, she located a trolley speeding towards her and froze in shock. Her eyes clenched shut as she awaited her impending doom when her name was called. "Durga jiii!!

As Durga was pushed on the other side of road, she looked back aghast to see the truck ram straight into a familiar figure as she was thrown a considerable distance away. But before the situation could be grasped, the truck mowed down the figure lying on the road and as it passed, it left in its wake a bloody body.

Parv looked on numbly as a large group of people gathered around the figure. With trembling steps, as he inched past the crowd, a tear trickled down his right eye as he dropped down to his knees adjacent to a body lying in a pool of blood. With shaky hands, as he moved the blood soaked hairs off her face, his hands fell limp and it struck.

"GUDDANNN!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Pack this one, this one and yes..that one too, Akshat pointed towards the array of toys kept in the shelves as the shopkeeper nodded.

Finally, he was back in Indore after his business trip to Delhi. His flight had just landed and even though he was carrying a suitcase full of all sorts of toys and baby dresses he could get his hands on, he couldn't hold off his urge to buy more.

After all he was going to become a grandfather! And he was excited!

As his eyes fell on a beautiful white dupatta with mirror work hanging off the nail, he immediately envisioned her in it and knew that he needed to buy it for her. Or she would eat his ears off for not buying any souveneir for her. Better safe than sorry!!

Taking the dupatta into his hands, as he was inspecting it, his phone vibrated in the pocket and taking it out, he picked it up. "Haan Durga bahu!

The initial serene expressions on his face transmogrified into a darker shade of despair as the dupatta slipped off from his hands.

As the line went silent, torturously slowly his hands retreated away from his face as he continued to look into emptiness.

"Gu-Guddan.. He trailed confused as his conscience snapped out of its daze and he sprinted out of the shop while the dupatta was stomped over by his shoes, tattered and abandoned...

Hope you all will like it!😃

The thing is I kinda lacked motivation for this update in the starting 😕but when it came to the accident part, my fingers found their rythym😆 and I penned the last part on a satisfactory level. Rest will depend on your views and opinion.😃

Part 41 - Beginning of the End

Durga, Lakshmi and Saru smiled as Guddan appeared out of the closet dressed in an emerald green satin saree.

Durga smiled yet again. This was the sixth saree that Guddan had tried, just for AJ.

“How is this one?” Guddan enquired, shining brightly.

“Bahot achi, the moment AJ will see you today, baaki sab kuch unhe dhundhla lagega!” Lakshmi teased.

“Why so!?”Guddan quipped back, genuinely confused.

Lakshmi and Saru looked at each other in disbelief and broke into laughter. How innocent and naïve their Guddan is!

Durga couldn’t help but chuckle as Saru and Lakshmi went on to tease Guddan, only to have their teasings deflected by her thick headedness. There was a time when they didn’t like her because of their misconceptions. But kanha ji had truly blessed the Jindal family by giving them a girl, whose heart didn’t know what malice was!

“Enough of your mischief, let me check the preparations once more”,Guddan chided them and was about to go, when she turned to Durga.

“Is the cake really according to his taste?” Guddan asked sceptically.

Durga shook her head. It was already the 11th time she was asked this exact question in that exact apprehensive tone.

“No, this cake is going to promote AJ’s taste buds to another level of bliss”,Durga complimented, making Guddan feel content and left from there.

“Jiji, It has been a year since then”, Saru reminded.

“Hmm,the first time AJ and Guddan met!”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Akshat leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, when a flash of someone’s face forced his eyes open.Feeling tired, as he massaged his eyes between his forefingers, his eyes found the ring in his ring finger and the memory of his engagement resurfaced.Exasperated, he left the chair and started roaming around the cabin, disturbed.However his mini-walk was interrupted when a chirpy woman materialised out of nowhere, into his path. He continued to look at her mesmerised, as a chuckle escaped his lips seeing her stick her tongue out and roll her eyes in comical ways. He found himself moving closer to her when a knock on the door interrupted him and he turned around brimming with annoyance.

“What is it?” He barked at the butler.

“Sir….there’s a call for you from…”, the butler stammered when AJ waved his palms dismissively at him signalling him to get lost.

As AJ turned around, there was only thin air to stare at. Confused, he looked around the room, under the table but to no avail. Feeling perplexed, he picked up the phone that butler left on table and picked it up.

“Chandukechachanechandukichachikochandniraatmeinchaandikichamachsechatnichatai” and a beautiful laughter echoed from the other end.

Smiling at her antiques, he leaned against the table and heard her go on about how no one can beat her at tongue twisters.

“Chandukechachanechandukichachikochandniraatmeinchaandikichamachsechatnichatai”, Akshat copied and smirked as a cute whining voice grazed his ears. He could already picture her slamming her legs against the floor in frustration, like a cute kid she is.

“How was that?” He asked triumphantly.

“I didn’t get a word of what you were saying Mr. Akshat!” A man shouted on the other end of phone, startling AJ.

Shocked, AJ pulled the phone away from his ears and rolled his eyes from left to right while biting his lips. Furrowing his brows, he pressed the phone against his ears once again.

“Mr. AJ, are you there!? Hello! Mr. AJ!”

Akshat’s eyes widened and perplexed, he enquired “Who is this?”

“I’ve been screaming my head off for the past 15 minutes and you are asking who I am?! I never took you for the kind of person to engage in silly pranks!” the man spoke disappointed.

AJ bit his tongue on recognising the voice. Mr. Ahuja!

“I’ve had enough for today!” And before AJ could let out another word, the call was cut.

What was happening with him? Why did he feel so lost?

AJ looked at Antara’s photo on his desk for answers but his eyes found reflection of someone else,overshadowing Antara. The small smile that had been playing on his lips ever since was wiped off as he turned around to come face to face with the huge photo that his mother had forced him to hung.

The photo was taken a few months back when the entire family had gone for to their holiday house in the valley . It was the best time of his life. His family had felt complete, with a genuine smile playing on his son’s and DIL’s lips, that too, in his company.His eyes went to the center of photo, where he glared at her whilst she stuck her tongue out on being caught, making horns with her fingers, behind his head.

And he couldn’t tear his gaze away, he didn’t want to. She looked every bit the angel she is, in that pom-pom cap over her head, as her hair cascaded down like waves of water,dancing gracefully to the tune of nature. Enchanted, he raised his left hand and lightly skimmed his fingers over her, in the photo whilst a forlorn smile danced on his lips.

The moment was interrupted when a gust of wind flew past the slight opening in windows and knocked something down. AJ turned around, snapping out of his day dreaming to see Antara’s photo lying face down on the floor. Quickly, he leaned down and overturned the photo only to see that the glass had developed cracks.

“Now from where did this gust of wind come from?” he questioned to no one and keeping Antara’s photo face down on the table, moved towards the windows to close them.

But the instant he stepped closer to the windows, few drops of rain splashed across his face, forcing his eyes shut.

“Kar di na buzurgon wali baat, baarish ki chaar bundon se mujhe zukaam nhi hoga!” she taunted and twirled in the rain like a seamstress.

AJ opened his eyes and smiled for the nth time. “And for the next 4 days you were sneezing your head off!”

~*~*~*~*~*

Akshat entered through the main iron gates, dripping wet. He didn’t like soaking in the rains but today he just felt like it. And it was one of the best experiences of his life. She was right.

“Baarish mein na kabhi bike par baithkar,baahein failakar baarish ki boondon ko apni jeeb par taste karna, mazaa aa jayega”.

AJ chuckled. He didn’t own a bike and to spread his arms, he needed not to drive one. He did feel a little foolish though, sticking out his tongue like that to taste rain drops! She was definitely going to be impressed by this feat of his.

~*~*~*~*~

“Papa will die from overdose of happiness!” Lakshmi stated, seeing the preparations.

“Aur nhi toh kya, you should have looked at his face in the morning when Guddan had pretended not to remember his birthday, he was sulking!”, Saru giggled.

Flashback:

“Good morning”, Akshat greeted stepping into the hall, where everyone was seated forbreakfast.

“Good morning!” Everyone chimed back and started to get their plates stuffed with food. Surprised, Akshat joined them on the table and looked at everyone. They were certainly immersed in stuffing their mouths!

“What will you have?” Guddan asked turning to him.

“Haa…vo..papad..” Akshat stammered caught off guard. She looked….stunning! This was the exact same thought he was encountering for the past few days, every time they would face off!

Guddan looked at him weirdly. However when the sons started coughing mockingly, AJ set them straight with a glare.

As they started eating, AJ coughed again and yet again. Guddan got up quickly and pushed glass of water closer to his lips, while thumping his back and neck to ease his cough. Akshat rotated his eyeballs in her direction to see her worried face and mock coughed extra hard yet again. Panicking, Guddan rapidly massaged his neck while the family members looked on, suppressing a chuckle.

“I didn’t know that food was awfully spicy, I didn’t taste it. Saru bahu, you know na, he has allergy and can’t stomach spices too well, inka paachan tantra kamzor hai!” Guddan informed in a serious voice, making AJ splutter the water in his mouth, out. He looked over the table to see, Kishore choking on his food, Vardaan trying too hard to suppress his chuckle while everyone was almost laughing at him.

Hopelessly, he stared at Guddan. Kar di na Guddan wali baat!

“Are you fine now?” she enquired in her innocent voice, diffusing his embarrassment.

In reponse, he nodded and signalled her to sit back.

He waited and waited but no one, mind you, no one said a word that he wanted to hear!

“Guddan,what’s the date today?” He asked.

“27 september” Guddan shrugged and got back to watching dance sessions on you tube.

Akshat coughed yet again. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” He asked forcing a smile across his stiff face.

“Hmmm….” Guddan looked up with a thoughtful face and then her face brightened, “Is it Karan’s birthday today?!!”

At that very moment, Karan shuddered as a malevolent aura threatened to strangle him!

“Nhi, his birthday is nextweek though!” Guddan shrugged nonchalantly.

Akshat has had enough! She freakin remembered that Karan’s birthday but not his! Her Husband’s! How infuriating?! Fine then! He didn’t care if no one wished! He didn’t give a flying fig!

And with his brows furrowed and waves of anger emanating from his eyes, sliding the chair back, he marched out of the house, not before pouting like a bratty kid in Guddan’s direction!

~*~*~*~*~

‘Jindal saab was looking so cute with that pout on his lips!’

Guddan chuckled as she took in a deep breath and took a look at her watch. It is time. To confess.

As the main doors were pushed open and a silhouette of 6’3” stepped inside, the lights were switched on as confetti was popped on his head and shouts of ‘Happy Birthday’ rang all across the room.

Akshat smiled, seeing his dear ones wishing him. He should have known! They loved him more than he’d credit them for. Instinctively, his eyes went for his wife, who was standing on the stairs draped in a magnificent green, whilst hiding her face behind a heart shaped balloon. So much had changed in the span of past one year. He wasn't alone anymore. He was happy. This birthday seemed like a birthday! She had changed his life for the better.

Unconsciously, he took steps in her direction and stopped at the foot of stairs. Standing two stairs away, she peeked from behind the balloon and mouthed, ‘Happy birthday, My Love’

His heart thudded as she blushed. My love! And then his pulse skyrocketed as she turned the balloon and flashed three very important words, “I LOVE YOU”

His lips lifted in a sweet smile of acceptance and he had just taken a step in her direction, when he looked up behind her to see Antara backing away step by step. His eyes widened as his eyes darted back and forth between Guddan and Antara and then his office bag slipped from his hands. He closed his eyes in desperation as only one face flashed in front, the one with the craziest antiques and sweetest tendencies.

HE IS IN LOVE WITH GUDDAN!

But Antara was disappearing! Those moments with her were being overwritten by the ones he had with Guddan.

Akshat opened his eyes shocked as he looked behind Guddan to see Antara disappear into thin air.

This can’t be! This can not be!

Part 42 - Denial https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150401154?tid=5034085

HOW WAS IT?

APOLOGIES FOR THE LATE UPDATE FOLKS! BUT MY PAPERS ARE DONE FOR GOOD! YIPEE!!

WITH this chapter, we are starting the journey towards the end! Iss safar ki manzil ab zyada door nhi hai!

Be prepared folks, because I'll be wrapping up this FF real soon.

And have your seatbelt on, as we embark on a roller coaster journey from here onwards. Because haven't we heard...

Pyaar karne se LOVE STORY banti hai but,

Pyaar nibhaane se FAIRY TALES banti hai.

Guddan aur Akshat ne pyaar kar toh liya but ab usse nibhaane ki baari hai! Will they pass or fail!?😃

Recap - Parv's feelings regarding Guddan are exposed as Revati leaves Guddan's birthday party heartbroken and Guddan follows after her. AJ follows after Guddan.

Part 28 - Outburst

Guddan broke into a run as she saw Chutki disappear into their house. She was worried sick and just wanted to be by her sister's side.

"Arre, tu aa gyi beta! Kesi rahi party? Kaushalya enquired from her seat on the sofa as she saw revati enter but she paid no heed and headed straight to her room before bolting it shut.

"Chutki!? Kaushalya shouted as she tried to pry the door open but it won't budge.

"Chutkiii!! Kaushalya started banging the door as hushed sobs of her daughter reached her ears.

"Chutki bahar aa jaa! Kaushaslya turned her neck to see Guddan trying to break open the door.

"Kya kar diya tumne meri Revati ke saath! Kaushalya asked turning to Guddan.

"Mummy vo sab baad mein! Pehle ye zaroori hai ki hum ye darwaza khole! And with this minimal explaination Guddan started banging the door and Kaushalya followed.

As Kaushalya's phone vibrated in her palm, she picked it up to see Parv's name flashing on the screen and quickly pressed the phone to her ears.

"Chutki ko kya hua!? She asked worried.

"I just called you to say that I am leaving Indore. Toh aap apni beti sambhal lijiyega aur haan, ho sake toh use kahiyega ki mujhe maaf kar de! His sombre voice echoed from the other side. For the first time in life, it had occurred to Parv that breaking someone's heart and toying with their feelings wasn't a pleasant emotion. His mistaked had managed to harm Guddan indirectly and he just couldn't live with that.

"Ye sab tum kya... Kaushalya trailed puzzled as Parv completed, "Usse kahiyega ki main sharminda hu, ki mujhe uske pyaar se dhokha nhi karna chahiye tha, ki mujhe uska istemaal nhi karna chahiye tha Guddan tak pahunchne ke liye. I am sorry

The phone slipped from Kaushalya's hands as the line went beep and his words echoed in her ears. Kaushalya could see her dream of marrying her daughter into a rich house breaking. Intolerable! All because of that galtiyon ki dukaan, Guddan!

Brimming with anger, Kaushalya approached Guddan and turning her around, slapped her hard. Shocked, Guddan looked at Kaushalya while caressing the cheek that had been imprinted with her fingers.

"Mummy, ye aapne... Guddan trailed shaken as Kaushalya caught her wrist and started pulling her away.

"Kya hua mummy?! Humein chod dijiye! Chutki akeli hai! Guddan pleaded trying to pull her hand away but Kaushalya refused to budge and pulled her outside into the main hall.

"Mummy aap...

"Main teri mummy nhi hu! Kaushalya roared as Guddan looked up shocked. "Meri bas ek beti hai, Revati! Tu toh dhabba hai aulaad ke naam par! Kya kar diya tune meri Revati ke saath? Kar lee na apni man marzi aur daraar daal di uske aur Parv ke beech mein!

"Par Parv toh...

"Arre bhed ki shakl mein bhediya hai tu! Behan behan karke tune behan ki zindagi hi ujaad di. Arre kya nhi kiya tere liye. Bachpan se tere jesi panauti ko sambhala hai. Hui thi na teri shaadi Akshat Jindal se? Itne khatre uthakar teri shaadi uss Akshat Jindal se karai thi, ye sochkar ki bade khandaan ki samdhan banoongi par mila kya mujhe? Kaushalya jerked Guddan by her elbow.

Guddan looked at Kaushalya in disbelief as the weight of he words dawned."A-Aapne hamari sha-adi U-Uncle se... Guddan stammered remeiniscing the humiliation and disrespect she had to deal with while fighting to prove that she was forced to marry Akshat.

"Haan! Maine Parv ke saath milkar chutki ke apharan ka natak kia tha taaki tu uss shweta ki jagah mandap mein le!

Guddan's heart dropped into her stomach at the revelation as her legs started feeling wobbly and head heavy with betrayal. Her knees gave up as she dropped to the floor and looked at it lifelessly. Betrayed by your own mother!?

"Par kyu?! Guddan whispered blankly.

"Kyu? Arre thak gyi thi teri galtiyon ka bojh uthate uthate toh socha ki ek teer se do nishane maar doon, tujhse chutkara bhi mile aur pesa bhi! Par mujhe kya pata tha ki tera saya hamara peecha nhi chodega!

Tears traced Guddan's cheekbones as she recalled the hatred of the bahus and Durga's jabs regarding her being a gold digger. She remembered how Durga's hatred for her had reached a point where it was perfectly ok to malign her honor. It happened because she married him. It happened because her very own mother forced her to marry him.

"Kyu padi hai meri chutki ke peeche?! Uss crorepati ko fasakar chain nhi mila toh Parv ko fasa liya! Kyu? Kyuki tumhari jawani ko toh aag lage jar hi thi na! Kaushalya screeched as caught Guddan's chin and brought down her hand to slap her yet again.

"HOW DARE YOU!? A dangerous voice seeped in as Kaushalya's hand was caught midway and her eyes met Akshat Jindal's. Bloodshot. Bloodthirsty.

Kaushalya hissed as AJ pressed her hand in his hold and increased the pressure. She tried to pull her hand away but he was adamant.

"Himmat kese hui aapki meri patni par haath uthani ki! Himmat kese hui aapki meri Guddan se itni ghatiya baatein karne ki! Akshat shouted as he pushed Kaushlaya on the sofa and turned to Guddan.

She sat still like a rag doll as Akshat helped her stand up and turned her face to see finger marks imprinted on her face. His blood boiled as he caressed those marks on her cheek. How dare that woman slap her? Jiske aansoon dekhkar vo duniya ke saare ajeeb kaam kar deta hai, how dare that woman touch even a hair on her body? How dare she?!

Kaushalya slipped back on the sofa as Akshat plopped on the table in front of her and leaned forward dangerously. "Looks like you don't know who I am. I can make or break people! I can have you sent to jail for mentally harassing your step daughter over the years by discriminating against her. I can press charges of abuse against you! Aapki himmat kese ho gyi ki aapne Guddan Akshat Jindal par haath utha diya!? Aapko yeh galatfehmi kese hui ki Guddan akeli hai! She has her husband; she has me standing right by her side. She is the mistress of Jindal house. How dare you bully my wife?

Kaushalya gulped as AJ slammed his head against the sofa and looked her straight in the eyes. "Ek baat apne dimaag mein bitha lijiye, agar aapko Guddan ki maa nhi banna toh mat baniye, par meri biwi se door rahiye! Stay the f*** away from my wife or...

"Damad ji? Akshat turned around to see Bhushan standing at the doorway. As Akshat's eyes moved to the place where Guddan was, he found it empty and jumped off the table.

"Guddan kahan gayi? He murmured troubled.

"Usse toh humne abhi bahar jate dekha. Hummne use rokne ki koshish ki par usne suna nhi. Kuch hua hai kya? Bhushan asked as he saw the flushed look on Kaushalya's face.

Akshat started leaving in absolute haste but stopped near Bhushan and turned around to face Kaushalya. "Papa, aap inse pooch lijiyega ki kya hua! Aur keh dijiyega inse agar Guddan ko pyaar nhi de sakti toh uske dil mein zehar na ghole! Inse kahiyega ki meri patni ke aas paas bhi nazar naa aayein or else I will end up doing things that I won't even regret

With his killer warning aimed at Kaushalya, Akshat headed out of the house as Bhushan turned to Kaushalya, getting the gist of what his son-in-law had meant.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Muhje tujhse ye umeed nhi thi Durga bahu! Ek aurat hokar aurat ki izzat ke saath khilvad! Aur tujhe apni galti ka pachtawa bhi nhi hai! Dadi spoke as she raised her hand upfront to stop Durga from spouting any sort of illogical morally compromised excuses.

"Didi aap apni nafrat mein andhi hi ho gayi! I don't think I can ever forgive you for doing this with saasu maa Lakshmi stepped back as Durga turned in her direction helplessly.

"Theek nhi kiya aapne mere pyaar ka Mazak udakar! Main jaa toh raha hu par sambhal ke rahiyega! Parv hissed dangerously in Durga's ears as he passed by her side dragging his trolley bag.

Saraswati cried helplessly as Parv patted her head affectionately, "Dhyaan rakhna behna, apna, siddhi ji ka aur Guddan ji ka. Main divorce papers bhijwa dunga, siddhi ji ke signature karvake unki iss rishte se aazad hone mein madad karna...

And with that he disappeared out of the door.

😃How was it?

This was kind off on the filler side but I have finally crossed a major milestone of exposing Parv and Kaushalya. And Durga has been dealt with too😃

So the coming part is going to be really beautiful and emotional, and the oncoming parts will be sweet too. 😉

Till then

Have fun reading!😃

Recap: Guddan is refused entry into dance class owing to her toe-shattering dance skills.

Part 23 Something-Something

"Is this the way your teachers behave with their students?! A voice echoed from behind, interrupting the commotion around Guddan.

Guddan stilled and her eyes went exceptionally large on realizing the familiar undertone of authority and disdain. Shocked, she turned around to see AJ standing with his usual overpowering aura, his hands tucked in his pockets.

"How disappointing! AJ completed, stepping forward.

And Guddan gulped, as his eyes flicked into her direction and a look passed in his eyes. A look that spelled her doom!

"Tu toh gayi Guddan! Aaj toh Late Guddan hona confirm hai!!! Guddan murmured to herself as he took another step closer, in her direction.

But how can he do this!!! This is against what we talked about. We both mutually decided that I won't use his name in the college. I'll be just some Guddan Gupta, with whatsoever no relation to The Akshat Jindal! Agar inhone kuch bhi bola toh mera bhanda fut jaega!! Vese hi sab mujhe pasand nhi karte, sach saamne aane par toh...'

Guddan's train of worries was interrupted as the Dean of Institute, Mr. Parimal stepped forward. "What is happening here, Rajat sir! We have a strict policy against discrimination and favouritism, and you are assisting the students in ganging up against someone!

"But sir... Teacher Rajat tried to speak up, but one look from Dean shut him up.

"This man here is Mr. Akshat Jindal, he is interested in funding the college The dean introduced, trying to floss over the situation but AJ was quick and cut him off, "...was interested! I don't think I can find it in my heart to support your finances after seeing such display of insincerity..

"Nhi, Mr. Jindal, it's nothing like that! Dean pleaded desperately, in response to which Akshat nodded and raised his brows amusingly.

"Is that so, Mr. Parimal!? Then why not give the lady here a chance to show her prowess... Akshat trailed pointing towards Guddan.

As everyone turned to Guddan, her breath got stuck in her throat and she let out a silent scream. Gayi bhains paani mein!

Few minutes later, Akshat found it real hard to keep his patience intact. The others were in the same boat, as another man came limping on his right leg. It was already the 3^rd guy and his idiot wife has sent him packing too! Just great!!

Guddan clicked her tongue in apology, as AJ looked in her direction with an impatient scowl making its way onto his already stuck up face.

"Dekha sir aapne, I wasn't discriminating, she is a walking disaster! Teacher Rajat had just slapped his forehead exasperated, as the sound of screeching of chair struck his ears and he looked up to see AJ leaving his seat and moving towards Guddan.

Guddan gulped as AJ stopped a centimeter away from her but his next action took her breath away, as he leaned closer and her eyes literally popped out. She clutched the edges of her kurta tightly when his breath grazed against her ears, "Don't worry...Main hoon.

Her heart hammered at his sincere confession and she looked by her side to see AJ leaning over her right shoulder, and press the button of audio player. As he withdrew to come face to face with her, she nodded her head in negative but he shushed her by keeping a finger against his lips.

As the music started playing, Guddan continued to make a helpless face but AJ wouldn't listen.

(Main wahan, jahan pe tu hai, Mera ishq toh junoon hai

O jaana...aaa O jaana...aaa...aaa)

As AJ forwarded his hand, Guddan refused and so he caught her right palm and pulled her closer by her waist. As Guddan collided into him, she looked up into his determined eyes but was very scared.

"Humse nhi ho payega! She murmured, clutching tightly onto his coat.

"Ek aur lafz nhi, tumse ho payega, I believe in you! AJ assured, calmly.

"Par humein nahin hai! Aapne dekha nhi...kaise humne baaki ladkon ke saath... She stammered, trying hard to control her emotions.

"You'll have to do it today, Guddan. Baaki kisi ke liye nhi toh apne liye sahi. Apne liye nhi toh mere liye karo! Believe in the belief I have in you! Do it for me! Tumse ho payega! AJ motivated her, as they started rotating in a slow circle around each other.

Guddan was startled. He asked for something! From Her!! For the first Time! Ab toh I'll have to do it! As Guddan looked into his calm eyes with her determined ones, he nodded and both decided to trust each other.

(Main wahan, jahan pe tu hai, Mera ishq toh junoon hai

O jaana...aaa

Har waqt tu hi tu hai, Har zidd tu hi tu hai

O jaana...aa...aaa)

They both placed their palms against each other and positioning their elbows at 90 degrees, started moving one step back and forth, back and forth.

Students from other classes started to gather and bunch up around the commotion but Guddan and AJ were absolutely immersed in each other.

As AJ twirled Guddan over and over, he encircled her and then catching hold of her palms, pulled her towards him, her back to his chest. And Guddan's breath hitched as his essence invaded her senses and goosebumps rose all over. What the hell is happening?!

(Tu saath mere har dam, chahe kahin bhi ho

O jaana...aaa...aaa

Main wahan jahan pe tu hai, mera ishq toh junoon hai

O jaana...aaa..aaa)

Guddan encircled around him, holding his outstretched hand all the while.

(Din raat sochta hu, tujhe itna pyaar main du

Jo kabhi utar naa paye, tujhe vo khumaar main du

Mujhe aise tu kuch mila hai, jaise ki koi dua hai

Tujhpe koi aanch aaye, toh main khud ko bhi jala lu)

The classmates of Guddan looked on amazed as the girl who has stomped on everyone's foot, danced her way on the floor, naturally and in sync with her partner. Their movements were graceful and their motion was fluid. Their eyes were absolutely transfixed on each other as AJ whirled Guddan between his outstretched left and right hands.

(Har din mujhi mein tu hai, har shabd mujhi mein tu hai *2

O jaana...aaa..aaa

Main wahan jahan pe tu hai, mera ishq toh junoon hai

O jaana...aaa..aaa O jaana...aaa...aaa)

As AJ lifted Guddan into the air and twirled her around, his eyes couldn't let go of the smile that was making its way on her face. What is this feeling?

And before long the music died, followed by an overwhelming uproar of applause from all around AJ and Guddan. As AJ put Guddan back on ground, she smiled at him. The smile that reached his eyes. Content, Akshat nodded getting the unsaid Thank you and started making his way out of the crowd.

"She danced well! Didn't she?! AJ asked Rajat, while smoothing the creases on his coat.

Rajat nodded, impressed and made his way to Guddan. "Well done! You proved us all wrong! You were fabulous...But...

"But... Guddan repeated, looking in Akshat's direction troubled.

"All the students have already paired up, who will you dance with?! Teacher Rajat asked.

"With me!

Akshat, Guddan and Teacher Rajat turned around to see a man make his way out of the crowd. He was about 6 feet tall with a fair complexion, deep dimples in his cheeks and a sincerity in his hazel eyes.

"I am Karan Aggarwal and I specialize in waltz and tango but unfortunately uptil now, I couldn't find myself the right kind of girl to pair up with. But your dance blew me away so if you will give me a chance at being your partner, I'd love to explore the genre of Bollywood dancing too, Karan smiled, forwarding his hand.

Hesistant, Guddan turned to Akshat who signalled her to go ahead and bubbling with happiness, she caught Karan's hand and smiled. "I am Guddan Aks...

*Ahmm* *Ahmm*

As Akshat's throat clearing tone reached her ears, Guddan realized her folly and corrected herself, "...Guddan Gu..Gupta, hum poori koshish karenge ki aapke saath kadam se kadam mila sake.

"Likewise, Karan replied back, smiling.

While Akshat looked at the duo, as the crowd cleared up Guddan moved closer to Karan and keeping a hand on his shoulder, intertwined the other with his left, and Karan tried to relieve her anxiety by his pep talk.

A wave of unpleasantness washed over Akshat as he turned his face away from the scene and left, unaware of the gaze that was stuck on his retreating form.

Guddan was with Karan, physically. Otherwise, her few beats had escaped with her husband. This bimari is a serious one! Ab toh pata lagana padega ki uncle ke aas paas itna funny kyun behave karti hain meri heart beats!

I apologise if you didn't enjoy the update, It's just that I don't have any clue regarding How exactly should I write about a dance sequence😆 so you all are free to imagine the best dance you want. And regarding Karan, feel free to imagine him as the next-door-neighbour kind of guy who is going to play cupid in this budding love story.😉

And regarding late updates, I can't really help it. Pressure and studyload really is something else.🤢

So I'll be updating this story once a week.😛

Vese this story has stretched quite long!🥱 No wonder, you all have started to get bored. I don't usually write such long stories since most of the times, I end up getting fed up of the serial and leave the story in between😆 but this time I have actually come a long way owing to the cooperation you all wonderful and patient people have shown with me😃, so I want to write this story to the end, and the end is still quite far.

This may seem like I am dragging it but I have a mountain of interesting scenes and situations and plots cooked up in my mind that I can't just put them up in a go, and also I am trying to write a subtly developing love story so I guess time has to be spared.😃

So, I can just hope that you all will continue to support me.😃

Part 25 It's Official!

"Do you even know what you are talking about! Durga shouted shocked at the revelation made by Saru. Saru had told Durga the first hand account of what she had seen- the compromising state Akshat and Guddan had been in and what would have happened, had she not stopped them.

"As a fact, di! Mujhe lagta hai it isn't too far fetched to think ki saasu maa aur AJ ke beeck khichdi pak chuki hai, I mean shaadi ke 5 mahine hone ko hai aur ab le dekar AJ hain toh ek aadmi hi, aur mardon ki kamzori hoti hai saasu maa jesi khoobsurat, jawan ladki. Saru concluded.

"If you think like that, then you don't know AJ, Durga smirked at Saru but immediately her smirk flipped into a frown, "But if what you are saying is true, then we should not wait anymore. My plan is ready. Main waar karungi aur sab kuch bikhar jaega!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is just too much' Guddan thought troubled as she plopped into the sofa seat in front of Akshat's study table. They had almost Kissed! And no matter how hard she was trying to berate herself, the only regret her heart was recoiling from was the fact that why was there an almost' between the kissed' and they' part! Damn!

"I have gone insane! Matlab, jo scene series mein itna dirty lag raha tha vahi hum dono...oh god! I'll have to find the answers! She announced with determination and flipped open the laptop lying on the table

On the other hand, Akshat was dealing with a dilemma of his own. Something would have happened back in the room, if Saru would not have walked in. And he was not sure, if that something would have been too bad. Akshat could not deny the fact that he was in his senses when he had dipped his head down to swoop her lips in his. His mind was clear and he was definitely not drunk, and neither was he having any regrets about his move.

"I need to think this through, Akshat whispered to the walls and closing his eyes, leaned back in his chair.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"This can't be... Guddan uttered in disbelief as she slammed her laptop shut and pressed her eyes between her thumb and forefinger.

But her symptoms matched to the last point. It was all making sense now. She was just too dense to notice. This perfectly explained why her heart would start running in his vicinity and why her body would feel electrocuted at the slightest touch of his.

"So...it's true! Muhje Akshat Ji se...Seriously! Guddan left her seat, almost annoyed and stood glaring at Akshat's photo.

"This is so not done, Uncle! I am not supposed to feel this way and for you, no less! I mean you are so obnoxious and arrogant and so...so...so..boring...ugh!! Guddan struggled for the reasons to deny why she should not be feeling what she was, but alas!

No wonder, every mistaken proximity would send a pleasurable tingle down her spine in the most unexplainable way. No wonder, his simple black eyes felt like orbs of darkness sucking her and drowning her in! No wonder, she never recoiled from his touch, in fact found herself at home and felt comfortable.

"Haa toh theek hai! Pati hai wo mere, koi aera gera thodi hi hai. It's perfectly fine to feel that way about your own husband, and vese bhi he is the first man jinke main itna kareeb aayi toh ye toh...this was bound to happen! Guddan argued, trying to placate herself.

But still!! Guddan groaned yet again. This is so not done!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Haa...this should not be happening! Akshat's eyes flew open as realization dawned and he looked at Antara's portrait, staring right back.

"Mujhe Guddan se...and...and...I can't even deny it Antara because it just fits! Akshat explained as if Antara was demanding any.

This was the reason why he wasn't exactly averse to the idea of his personal space getting breached every now and then, quite the opposite infact, his body readily welcomed all such accidents that were naturally triggered in his firebrand wife's presence.

"Shoud I fight it?! Should I not? It feels so right and justifiable too. I mean you have been gone for far too long and during all those years I was away from all these things, not that I craved for them. But Guddan incites all those raw emotions in me and make me feel so alive; make me feel desire that I never knew existed. Today, when I was this close to claiming her lips, my entire being was on fire and my heart... Akshat trailed, clenching his chest tightly, "it was threatening to burst and my hands were just itching to...

Stopping in between, Akshat inhaled deeply and turned away from Antara's painting.

"There's no denying it. What I and Guddan have between us is something far more dangerous than some primal instinct of lust or want, it's pure unadulterated need! I had tried to avoid it and run away but this was bound to happen. Because she's not just some woman, she's my wife...which gives my restricted self the freedom to pursue her, that too, within the bounds of morality. I accept it. What we have between us is outright lethal! Akshat breathed huskily as he reveled in the feeling of her slender fingers against his cheeks.

"It's ATTRACTION! Mrs Guddan Akshat Jindal, I'm attracted to you. Every moment spent with you makes me crave for some more Akshat confessed, clenching his fingers into fist. Par mere dil mein sirf tum ho Antara' and he gritted his teeth in frustration.

"It's ATTRACTION! Uncle AJ, the emotion that shall never have been addressed has found a name. I am attracted to you, it's scary but true, you are the flame and I am the moth.. Guddan confessed, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

Both felt at peace by naming that irresistible pull between them.Or they tried to believe so. Aware deep down, that this peace was a farce. Unaware, that this wasn't acceptance. This was denial. Fool yourself so that you don't feel guilty about yourself. Lie to yourself so that you don't end up losing sight of what you continue to want to be. Console yourself that you are fine and you have not become what you were trying to escape.

She was forced to avert her gaze at the last moment. He was forced to show his back to Antara at the last moment. Their eyes were far from the usual hues of peace, they were reflecting the conflict brewing deep within. Why? Why was this peace so unpleasant?

Because. Lies hardly bestow peace.

Hola peeps! I have updated yet again😆 and it's the 25th episode and It's official!😆

What though🥱!? No clue!!😉

Saru ko lagta hai ki khichdi pakk gayi hai but Durga has plans😲 What is that evil witch plotting?!😕

Guddan and AJ ko ho gaya hai ek dusre se pya...

Wait!! Hold on!😕

ATTRACTION!🥱

Ye kya naya jhamela hai!😆

If this is what you all are thinking, then I am gllad😆

Hope you all will have a happy time reading it and don't forget to share your much needed views😛