Chandini took a deep breath as she finally stepped on the soil of her homeland. The country where she was born...the place where she had spent 14 long years of her childhood. Hailing a cab she instructed the cabbie towards her home in Valkeshwar while a small tempo carrying her precious gift followed them. She paid as per the meter and directed the 2 men to leave her gift in the personal garage they owned in the basement. Taking out her luggage and entering the lift, she pressed the button for 20th floor which housed her plush duplex apartment. Reaching the entrance of the home, she touched the name plate which read 'Chandini Niwas'. She smiled recalling 7 years back when she had bowed down to their condition to call this house by her name. The door was slightly ajar, peeping inside she saw a man in his early sixties and a woman in her late fifties indulged in their cute banter like always. "Sacche log kabhi nahi badalte" (Genuine people never change) she whispered to herself. Her eyes pooled with tears as she was seeing them after 5 long years. She missed her parents. She removed her sandals and without making any noise she tiptoed and stood right behind them. She covered their eyes with each of her hands. "Ba" she whispered in the man's ear. "Nima" she murmured in the woman's ear. She felt them going stiff and tears flowed as they both shouted in unison"Febin "
Removing the pair of hands hurriedly, they both turned back to see their daughter after 5 long years. Together they embraced her in a bone crushing hug while tears flowed endlessly from the eyes of the trio. "I missed you all so much" Chandini said between her sobs whereas the elderly couple just acknowledged her presence since they were rendered speechless. After what seemed like eternity, they finally separated. They seated on the sofa and Chandini thought to lighten up the mood.
Chandini (jokingly) - Ba..Nima you both have grown so old? What will I say to the people when they ask me that how come at such a young age I have such old parents?
Yash - I don't know about your Nima but your Ba is still fit and fine. Even today when I go for a walk in the morning, the girls drool over me (raising his invisible collar while Chandini hooted)
Mohini (shouting from the kitchen) - Correction...It is not girls who drool over you but the 50 60 70 80 year old ladies. Don't mislead my daughter
Chandini laughed heartily probably after ages while Yash just shook his head. Getting up, Chandini thought to take a tour of the house.
It was the first time she would actually stay in this house. She had been here only once when they had purchased this house some 10 years back.
Chandini (flipping the curtains) - Isn't this house beautiful Nima? It has your touch, your warmth. Oh! How my life has been lacking this soothing feeling (she whispered to herself)
Mohini - Though this is a nice house. I still feel we were better off in Delhi. It was only due to your insistence that we shifted 7 years back
Chandini - You very well know I couldn't see you living a congested life in a small house. Plus you both were ageing and hence you deserved a stress free life. I will never repent this decision of mine since you all seem to be really enjoying your retired life
Mohini prepared the lunch and coming out of the kitchen signaled Chandini to come to living room. Sitting besides Yash, Chandini side hugged him.
Mohini (caressing her cheeks) - Let me see you properly. I must say you have turned into a pretty woman from a reckless teenager. (Suddenly turning serious) Are you really ok?
Yash's hold on the remote tightened while Chandini's eyes pooled with tears. All of them knew that the conversation was heading to a crucial topic which was unavoidable
Chandini - I miss him Nima. Though I spent just 7 years with him but the memories we both created are enough to last for a lifetime. I never knew that he will become an integral part of my life so soon. He holds the same place, respect and affection like you both in my heart. I love my Abbu a lot. I love him Ba
Yash (patting her head) - Hassan was the most generous, righteous, kind hearted, compassionate, forgiving man I had ever known. He was a pure soul with no malicious intentions. Even when our relation broke, he was still no less than a son to us. He never held any grudges against us. We were grateful to have a son-in-law like him. He was a real gem... It's just that our daughter didn't deserve him...
He whispered these words but were audible to Mohini who held his hand tight to stop him from blurting further. In no case they will discuss anything about their daughter in front of Chandini because they knew how violent her reactions would be. The truth was that her mother and their daughter was dead for them from past 21 years.
Chandini (murmering) - Indeed he was, Ba. May Allah grant him heaven. Ameen. Sumameen.
Uttering a short prayer for her father's soul, the trio headed for the lunch.
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A month later...
Hotel Trident
In one of the many ballrooms of the hotel, a business party was going on in full swing which was organised by Advay Singh Raizada, one of the youngest business tycoons of India, a consecutive winner of the Best Entrepreneur from past 5 years. He was just 27 but he had experienced and seen some really dark things in the business world the moment the protective cocoon of his parents were robbed off him 5 years back. Hence, a charming, vivacious and a lively lad had now turned into a cold, ruthless and an arrogant man.
"It's time to celebrate guys as Raizada Group bags the Government of India's most prestigious project. Cheers"
Advay raised the toast when suddenly he felt an arm entangling his right hand. She roamed her fingers along the length of his hand in a seductive way. He stiffened and his hold on the glass tightened. He gave her a tight smile but felt disgusted at her touch. He closed his eyes to maintain his calm as he has been doing from past 5 years. He hated Indrani Malhotra to the core. He despised the vile woman so much so that he did not grow close to any girl thinking them to be the same. But he had to bear her till the time he gets back the remaining 40% shares of his company which she had smartly acquired from her father by cheating him. Advay knew it all but still acted ignorant about the whole matter. Once he gets back the holdings, he has already planned to teach her a lesson which she would never forget in her whole life. Also, he was angry on himself since he had been trying relentlessly from past 5 years all other alternatives which could fulfill his motive. But failed miserably, only because of that one condition which would make him bend in front of Indrani. And he would not give into it, atleast not in this lifetime.
His trance was broken as the media persons requested for their photo. He smiled politely and rested a friendly arm on her back. Grabbing a chance, she slowly rested it on her waist and kissed him on his left cheek taking him by surprise when he was busy answering his PA. 'Click' the paparazzis snapped their picture in this pose. The party was being covered live hence he couldn't stop that image from circulating on the TV screens.
"Are they more than business partners?"
"Are they just good friends?"
"Is Indrani Malhotra's marriage on rocks?"
He knew what would be the headlines on the front page of the newspapers tomorrow. He always cared less about what was written about him but he was more concerned about Indrani's reputation afterall she was a lady. Sometimes he wondered what a shameless woman she was. She was a 42 year old married woman with 2 adult daughters, any dignified woman in her place would deny all such baseless rumors of their affair but she would just smile when questioned about their relation fuelling such gossips. Advay was aware of her not so great intentions for him but was quite succeesful in ruining her plans every time.
It was 2 at night when he finally reached home totally worn out. Holding his jacket in one hand, he entered the hall only to see the lights on and the sound of the TV. He knew his grandparents would wait for him. They never slept till the time both their grandsons were present in the mansion. Reaching the couch, he could hear the volume of the news channel increasing. It repeatedly displayed his same photographs with some really distasteful headlines. He was determined to slap a defamation case against the news channel. Switching off the TV he said
Advay - The whole news is a hoax. There is absolutely no truth in it. You should stop watching such news which insult your grandson
Dharam - This is too much son. It needs to be stopped right here.
Meeta - How many mouths will you shut? You don't have any right to spoil my late son's name by roaming around with a married woman who is almost 15 years elder to you. Instead of romancing a middle aged lady, it's better if you pay more attention in finding the girl your parents selected for you and get married
No matter howmuchever his grandma's words hurt and angered him, he never back answered her. She was truly a mother to Veer and him after their mother died. And mothers do have a right to reprimand their child when they are wrong. And he knew that somewhere he was at fault. Grabbing the keys of his bike, he exited the mansion without speaking a word.
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After a lot of buttering her Nima had finally granted her the permission to ride her mehbooba at night. It took her almost a month to convince her and today her wish to ride on the lonely roads of Nariman Point would come true. She quietly listened her Nima's lectures on safety and assured that her kick boxing skills would be of great help.
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3 am in the night, when the whole world slept, a man rode his latest dual sport bike Suzuki DR650S at a speed of more than 200 on the lonely roads of Nariman Point. Speed thrilled him, always. Well, that was also a way to vent out his anger and frustration. He looked sideways as another bike zoom passed him. "Advay Singh Raizada never loses. Let the game begin" smirking he accelerated his bike and overtook the other bike in seconds giving a salute. The person riding Kawasaki KLR650 was perplexed for few seconds but when realisation dawned that the other person was in for a race. "It is not easy to defeat Febin" saying so she pressed the clutch harder and increased the speed. This time he was left behind. He was impressed would be an understatement. He loved people who were his tough competition. The cat and mouse game continued for another 15 minutes when she thought to end it. "Time to display skills of my modified bike" she chuckled and pressed the Power Commander she added recently. Advay was shocked seeing the person going so ahead of him. He abruptly put a break as the person skidded in front of him. As she removed her helmet, her hair cascaded down her shoulders reaching the waist. Putting her hands on her helmet and resting her fingers on the chin she teased him "Tsktsk..." and raised her both eyebrows.
He was flabbergasted seeing the rider's face. "A girl...a damn pretty, petite, beautiful, adventerous, challenging lady" For minutes, he was gaping her. She was fair skinned with a mixture of black and brown hair while her blue eyes complimented her face. Red cheeks with pert nose adorned with a nose ring. He moved further down but couldn't see much due to the leather jacket she wore. He had not removed his helmet, she hadn't seen his face. His reverie broke by the sound of her bike and saw her mocking him by saluting him. Just like he did. His lips curved in a smile as he muttered "Maar hi daala"
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Yeahhh!!! I finally posted the first part. I guess much of the characterisation is clear now. I would love to read your guesses in the comments. Hope you all like it. Please hit like and comment. Happy Reading.
Loads of Love,
Nazia😊
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
