Vignettes - 23. Mera Beta ( English Translation updated)

The cruel smirk on the angelic face as he ruthlessly tried to snuff the life out of his prospective father-in-law...

The gasps for breath as he tried to fight for his life, only to be pushed under again...

The vague memories of his wife's, his daughters', his sister's and even his attacker's faces as he slipped in and out of consciousness over the days...

The inexplicable sensation of peace and strength wafting off of Khushi the day after she had run out sobbing from his room... which he now knew was just because of Arnav's silent presence by her side during those terrible times...

The days, weeks, months, that he was trapped helplessly in a wheelchair while his family went through hell, his beloved younger daughter went through hellfire, tortured emotionally by the love of her life, accused for crimes that she had never even dreamt of...

And all the while, he could see that Arnav was dying inside from what he was doing to his wife, from what he believed his wife had done, the constant war happening between his brain and heart, his experience and his gut instinct making him turn further away from the girl he loved above all else...

And then, somehow, everything started coming together, his daughter's innocence proven, the unshakable love and faith in eachother that got Arnav and Khushi over every obstacle that was thrown at them, right from Arnav kidnapping to Anjali's accident and Arnav's Dadi's machinations against Garima and Khushi...

With Shyam thrown out of Shantivan and life settling down to a peaceful glow after all the storms they had weathered, Arnav had come home to meet him one day... to have a talk with his parents-in-law, without even informing his wife... the day that had started the three of them on a new journey...

Seeing the white SUV coming to a stop outside the house, Garima called out, "Jiji, dekho naah, Arnav Bitwa aur Khusi aayi hui hain", before running out to receive her children.

Lying on his bed, Shashi could hear the conversation from the living room.

"Aao bitwa... Arre, Khusi kahaan reh gayi?"

"Namaste, Aunty. Nahi, Khushi nahi hai, bus main hi hoon."

"Hai re Nandkisore! Kaa hua Parmeshwari ko? Tabeeyat theek nahi hai kaa?"

"Arre, nahi, nahi Buaji! Bus mujhe Uncle aur Aunty se kuch baat karna tha, akele mein. Toh Khushi ko bataaye bina hi chala aaya. She doen't know that I'm here, aur please aap bbhi usse kuch mat kahiyeega."

"Theek hai, Nandkisore. Tum Saas, Sasur aur Daamad hi baatcheeth kar liyo. Hum toh bazaar ja rahe hain. Arre, Garima, iyaan kaa kar rahi ho? Bitwa ke liye kuch khane-peene ko le aao! Daamad hai, humra!"

After his Didi left and hearing Arnav vehemently denying his wife's offer of refreshments, the precise clicking of Arnav's shoes could be heard as he walked across to his room. Coming inside, he nodded in respect and said, "I hope aapki tabeeyat theek hai, Uncle."

At his nod, Arnav went on, "Mujhe aapse kuch baat karna tha...", and went ahead to explain how he had been on the search for appropriate treatments for his condition ever since the doctors in Delhi and Mumbai, to whom Arnav had taken them as soon as the events at his house had settled down, had refused to confirm his recovery. Apparently, he had now found someone in Singapore who specialised in a mix of Eastern wisdom and Western medicine to treat paralysis and upon sending Shashi's case files, had agreed to come down on a special consultancy visit. Arnav had further made them promise not to divulge any of this to Khushi as he plainly said that he couldn't take it if he had to see his wife crumpling under grief once again as she had after the Mumbai consultation.

The next few days passed in a blur of tests and re-tests and consultations before the Doctor gave a verdict that brought the biggest of smiles on his son-in-law's face and made his gentle wife collapse in a heap, weeping with joy, while his sister hugged him tight. Shashi could only stare in gratitude at the young man standing by him, the young man, who was slowly but surely taking the place of the elder son of the house. So what if they still were 'Uncle' and 'Aunty', the emotions and affections were all there...

The very next day brought bright sunshine and happy tears all over again as Arnav updated the news to Khushi, Payal and Akash when he brought them over for a quick visit. With his two daughters hugging him tight, Shashi watched Arnav holding Garima close as she succumbed to tears of joy and gratitude all over again. Thinking back to how Arnav had defended his mother-in-law against his Dadi's accusations, and had stood by Garima and Khushi with unflinching faith and love, Shashi too could only silently weep with thanks to the higher power which had brought this damaged, severe, undemonstrative, yet gentle young man who held an ocean of love in his heart into their lives.

The treatment starting the following week, there came a stage where water therapy was needed as well was use of a deep pool for the physiotherapy sessions and without a second thought, Arnav had ordered the Guptas to shift to his farmhouse where the quiet ambience and unpolluted air had done wonders in hastening his progress. With a band of dedicated servants and medical professionals appointed to assist in the treatments, there really had been no need for Arnav or Akash to take the effort. But it was with pride and joy and boundless gratitude that he let them take his two arms as they helped him take his first steps in the water, their firm grips letting him know that they wouldn't let him falter.

It took close to six months, but the steady progress kept him heartened and one morning, as his wife and daughter kept up their usual verbal exchange at the breakfast table while serving Shashi and Arnav, he noted that they had missed to serve the young man his tea. The table lapsed into stunned silence as the first faltering words sounded, "Arnav Bitwa ko bhi..."

The rejoicing and tearful laughs that followed all fell short of overwhelmed expression that dawned on Arnav's face on hearing those words. In a rare display of emotion, he bent down to touch Shashi's feet and straightened, wiping away the one silent tear that had threatened to spill down his cheek. Looking over at his sobbing wife, held in a bear-hug in her mother's arms, he said with a heart-breakingly glorious smile, "Dekha Khushi, maine kaha tha naah, Babuji ko main theek karrake tumhare saame khada kar doonga?"

And it was the first time that Arnav, without even realising it, had called him 'Babuji', and caught up in the moment, neither he, nor Garima had realised it. Shashi's joy on hearing it was no match for the tearful smile that lit up Khushi's face. Squirming out of her mother's arms, she had run to her husband, her arms coming around him in a grip so tight, it looked as if she wanted to melt into him. Given how close Arnav was standing next to him, their whispered exchange didnot escape Shashi's ears.

"Tum khush ho?"

"*sniffle*..Ji"

"Tumhein promise kiya tha naah?"

"Humein bharosa tha... Arnavji, hum aapse..."

"Jaanta hoon... main bhi..."

Over the next few weeks, the recovery went on faster and soon, the physiotherapy sessions slowed down to daily exercises and the focus shifted to a controlled diet. During one of their daily visits, Akash told Garima, "Amma, agar aapko yeh sab prepare karne mein madad chaahiye toh hum kisi trained chef ko laayein?", only to have his elder brother respond, "Nope, not going to happen, Akash. Tum nahi jaante maine ab tak kitni baar Amma se yeh keh chuka hai ki we'll get a dietician or medical food practitioner, but no, inko Babuji ka khaana khud apne haathon se banana hai."

And just like that, 'Aunty' became 'Amma'. If Arnav noticed his slip, or whether he saw the beatific smile on both Akash and Garima's faces, it was anybody's guess. Knowing how he detested anyone giving him special attention or making a big deal over something he said, everyone proceeded quietly with the conversation. It was only Khushi's gentle squeeze on his arm and his responding smile that clued Shashi in on the fact that it hadn't been a slip. Shashi and Garima had become 'Babuji' and 'Amma' to Arnav Singh Raizada.

A few weeks after he got back on his feet and his speech steadily improving, he had updated his wife on how he had lost mobility in the first place and her shock, grief and anger not going unnoticed by her children, the story of Shyam's doings had reached the Raizada's swiftly. It was an emotion-filled visit indeed when Arnav and Anjali came over to meet him to apologize for the deeds of someone who had snatched much more from their lives. But the truth finally coming out in the open at given them all the closure that they needed, with the knowledge that Shaym was paying the price for his misdeeds with attempted murder added to his charge-sheet while he languished in jail, awaiting a chance for appeal.

It had been a month later, when Shashi mentioned his desire to go back to Lucknow and start his mithaayi business once again that Arnav noticed how his wife's face fell at the thought of her parents moving so far away from her, and suggested that he help in expanding the business. Taking monetary help from his damad going against his principles, Shashi had protested, which Arnav, now in total ASR-mode had over-ridden with the argument that it was Khushi's money that would be invested and in return, Khushi may be made into a partner. At which, Khushi being Khushi, had insisted a five-way partnership between Shashi, Garima, Madhumati, Payal and Khushi, which was welcomed and approved by the family conclave.

With Payal suggesting that a branch be opened in Delhi under Buaji's guidance, so that Shashi and Garima would be forced to spend a better part of their time in Delhi with them, it was decided to open up two branches, one in Lucknow and one at lakshmi Nagar. The business had taken off beyond their wildest dreams, and the AR connection ensuring bulk orders and repeat business as well as providing excellent references, it had been their genuineness, warmth, and honesty that had propelled their growth. The growth had been such that Shashi and Garima had resorted to taking turns in spending atleast a week a month in Delhi, with the other three holding fort during their absence. And thus this trip Delhi...

This is one of my personal favourites and I hope you find it the same...

As Maya and stg1 said in their wonderful comments, I do put in a lot of love and care in my writing... and this one takes the cake when it comes to my recent OSs...

So please, please do let me know your thoughts... a hundred comments would be a good thing to see :-D

P.S: Aruni, I hope I confused you this time too... did the beginning make you think that the young couple are Arnav and Khushi? :-P

P. P. S : To those who're waiting for the English Translations, please hang on a little longer, I'll get around to it shortly...

The cruel smirk on the angelic face as he ruthlessly tried to snuff the life out of his prospective father-in-law...

The gasps for breath as he tried to fight for his life, only to be pushed under again...

The vague memories of his wife's, his daughters', his sister's and even his attacker's faces as he slipped in and out of consciousness over the days...

The inexplicable sensation of peace and strength wafting off of Khushi the day after she had run out sobbing from his room... which he now knew was just because of Arnav's silent presence by her side during those terrible times...

The days, weeks, months, that he was trapped helplessly in a wheelchair while his family went through hell, his beloved younger daughter went through hellfire, tortured emotionally by the love of her life, accused for crimes that she had never even dreamt of...

And all the while, he could see that Arnav was dying inside from what he was doing to his wife, from what he believed his wife had done, the constant war happening between his brain and heart, his experience and his gut instinct making him turn further away from the girl he loved above all else...

And then, somehow, everything started coming together, his daughter's innocence proven, the unshakable love and faith in eachother that got Arnav and Khushi over every obstacle that was thrown at them, right from Arnav kidnapping to Anjali's accident and Arnav's Dadi's machinations against Garima and Khushi...

With Shyam thrown out of Shantivan and life settling down to a peaceful glow after all the storms they had weathered, Arnav had come home to meet him one day... to have a talk with his parents-in-law, without even informing his wife... the day that had started the three of them on a new journey...

Seeing the white SUV coming to a stop outside the house, Garima called out, "Jiji, Arnav Bitwa and Khusi have come", before running out to receive her children.

Lying on his bed, Shashi could hear the conversation from the living room.

"Come inside, bitwa... Arre, where's Khusi?"

"Namaste, Aunty. Nahi, Khushi hasn't come, its just me this time."

"Hai re Nandkisore! What happened to my Parmeshwari? Is she unwell?"

"Arre, no, no, Buaji! I just needed to speak with Uncle and Aunty privately. So I came without informing even Khushi. She doesn't know that I'm here, and please don't mention my visit to her."

"Okay then, Nandkisore. You three in-laws go ahead with your secret meeting, I'm off to the bazaar. Arre, Garima, what are you doing here? Get your son-in-law something to eat and drink!"

After his Didi left and hearing Arnav vehemently denying his wife's offer of refreshments, the precise clicking of Arnav's shoes could be heard as he walked across to his room. Coming inside, he nodded in respect and said, "I hope you're doing good, Uncle."

At his nod, Arnav went on, "I want to talk to you both...", and went ahead to explain how he had been on the search for appropriate treatments for his condition ever since the doctors in Delhi and Mumbai, to whom Arnav had taken them as soon as the events at his house had settled down, had refused to confirm his recovery. Apparently, he had now found someone in Singapore who specialised in a mix of Eastern wisdom and Western medicine to treat paralysis and upon sending Shashi's case files, had agreed to come down on a special consultancy visit. Arnav had further made them promise not to divulge any of this to Khushi as he plainly said that he couldn't take it if he had to see his wife crumpling under grief once again as she had after the Mumbai consultation.

The next few days passed in a blur of tests and re-tests and consultations before the Doctor gave a verdict that brought the biggest of smiles on his son-in-law's face and made his gentle wife collapse in a heap, weeping with joy, while his sister hugged him tight. Shashi could only stare in gratitude at the young man standing by him, the young man, who was slowly but surely taking the place of the elder son of the house. So what if they still were 'Uncle' and 'Aunty', the emotions and affections were all there...

The very next day brought bright sunshine and happy tears all over again as Arnav updated the news to Khushi, Payal and Akash when he brought them over for a quick visit. With his two daughters hugging him tight, Shashi watched Arnav holding Garima close as she succumbed to tears of joy and gratitude all over again. Thinking back to how Arnav had defended his mother-in-law against his Dadi's accusations, and had stood by Garima and Khushi with unflinching faith and love, Shashi too could only silently weep with thanks to the higher power which had brought this damaged, severe, undemonstrative, yet gentle young man who held an ocean of love in his heart into their lives.

The treatment starting the following week, there came a stage where water therapy was needed as well was use of a deep pool for the physiotherapy sessions and without a second thought, Arnav had ordered the Guptas to shift to his farmhouse where the quiet ambience and unpolluted air had done wonders in hastening his progress. With a band of dedicated servants and medical professionals appointed to assist in the treatments, there really had been no need for Arnav or Akash to take the effort. But it was with pride and joy and boundless gratitude that he let them take his two arms as they helped him take his first steps in the water, their firm grips letting him know that they wouldn't let him falter.

It took close to six months, but the steady progress kept him heartened and one morning, as his wife and daughter kept up their usual verbal exchange at the breakfast table while serving Shashi and Arnav, he noted that they had missed to serve the young man his tea. The table lapsed into stunned silence as the first faltering words sounded, "Arnav Bitwa needs..."

The rejoicing and tearful laughs that followed all fell short of overwhelmed expression that dawned on Arnav's face on hearing those words. In a rare display of emotion, he bent down to touch Shashi's feet and straightened, wiping away the one silent tear that had threatened to spill down his cheek. Looking over at his sobbing wife, held in a bear-hug in her mother's arms, he said with a heart-breakingly glorious smile, "See Khushi, didn't I promise you that I'll get Babuji back on his own two feet?"

And it was the first time that Arnav, without even realising it, had called him 'Babuji', and caught up in the moment, neither he, nor Garima had realised it. Shashi's joy on hearing it was no match for the tearful smile that lit up Khushi's face. Squirming out of her mother's arms, she had run to her husband, her arms coming around him in a grip so tight, it looked as if she wanted to melt into him. Given how close Arnav was standing next to him, their whispered exchange didnot escape Shashi's ears.

"You happy?"

"*sniffle*..Yes"

"Hadn't I promised you this?"

"I knew you would do it... Arnavji, I love you..."

"I know... me too..."

Over the next few weeks, the recovery went on faster and soon, the physiotherapy sessions slowed down to daily exercises and the focus shifted to a controlled diet. During one of their daily visits, Akash told Garima, "Amma, if you're finding it hard to manage on your own, shall we arrange for a trained chef?", only to have his elder brother respond, "Nope, not going to happen, Akash. You don't know how many times I tried to persuade Amma to agree to getting a dietician or medical food practitioner, but no, she wants to do everything for Babuji with her own two hands."

And just like that, 'Aunty' became 'Amma'. If Arnav noticed his slip, or whether he saw the beatific smile on both Akash and Garima's faces, it was anybody's guess. Knowing how he detested anyone giving him special attention or making a big deal over something he said, everyone proceeded quietly with the conversation. It was only Khushi's gentle squeeze on his arm and his responding smile that clued Shashi in on the fact that it hadn't been a slip. Shashi and Garima had become 'Babuji' and 'Amma' to Arnav Singh Raizada.

A few weeks after he got back on his feet and his speech steadily improving, he had updated his wife on how he had lost mobility in the first place and her shock, grief and anger not going unnoticed by her children, the story of Shyam's doings had reached the Raizada's swiftly. It was an emotion-filled visit indeed when Arnav and Anjali came over to meet him to apologize for the deeds of someone who had snatched much more from their lives. But the truth finally coming out in the open at given them all the closure that they needed, with the knowledge that Shaym was paying the price for his misdeeds with attempted murder added to his charge-sheet while he languished in jail, awaiting a chance for appeal.

It had been a month later, when Shashi mentioned his desire to go back to Lucknow and start his mithaayi business once again that Arnav noticed how his wife's face fell at the thought of her parents moving so far away from her, and suggested that he help in expanding the business. Taking monetary help from his damad going against his principles, Shashi had protested, which Arnav, now in total ASR-mode had over-ridden with the argument that it was Khushi's money that would be invested and in return, Khushi may be made into a partner. At which, Khushi being Khushi, had insisted a five-way partnership between Shashi, Garima, Madhumati, Payal and Khushi, which was welcomed and approved by the family conclave.

With Payal suggesting that a branch be opened in Delhi under Buaji's guidance, so that Shashi and Garima would be forced to spend a better part of their time in Delhi with them, it was decided to open up two branches, one in Lucknow and one at lakshmi Nagar. The business had taken off beyond their wildest dreams, and the AR connection ensuring bulk orders and repeat business as well as providing excellent references, it had been their genuineness, warmth, and honesty that had propelled their growth. The growth had been such that Shashi and Garima had resorted to taking turns in spending atleast a week a month in Delhi, with the other three holding fort during their absence. And thus this trip Delhi...

This is one of my personal favourites and I hope you find it the same...

As Maya and stg1 said in their wonderful comments, I do put in a lot of love and care in my writing... and this one takes the cake when it comes to my recent OSs...

So please, please do let me know your thoughts... a hundred comments would be a good thing to see :-D

P.S: Aruni, I hope I confused you this time too... did the beginning make you think that the young couple are Arnav and Khushi? :-P

P. P. S : To those who're waiting for the English Translations, please hang on a little longer, I'll get around to it shortly...