Starting Over (8-13)

CHAPTER 8

Perna decided not to ruin the family's happiness until they returned home. Instead of going back to their own house, Perna asked Mr. Bajaj if they could go to Basu house. As soon as everyone settled in the main room of Basu house, Perna decided to tell everyone about Mukti and Asha. The whole family was left speechless: Anurag left the room undetected. Later Sampada found him on the swing outside lost in his own thoughts. She quietly sat next to him waiting for him to open up to her.

Anurag: You know Sam…when I found out that Perna was pregnant with my child, I hated myself for putting her through that…I had promised myself that nothing like that will happen to any girl in our family…but I failed…my own son got an innocent girl pregnant

Sam: A.B. I know that you are upset with Prem…you never wanted him to do what you did…but we also have to take into consideration that Prem did not know about Mukti's pregnancy just like you did not know about Perna…if Prem had rejected Mukti despite knowing that she was carrying his child, then you would have every right to be mad at him

Anurag: I sometimes think that god made Asha pay for Prem's sins

Sam: Maybe this was meant to be…no relationship was strong enough to change Prem…you, Perna, Mr. Bajaj, and everyone else tried to get him on the right track, but nothing seemed to work…losing his daughter, completely changed Prem…A.B. Prem needs you more than ever…you have to help him get through this

Anurag looked at things through Sam's point of view and realized that she was right.

Prem had apologized to Vicky for misbehaving with him the other day. Now Prem understood why Vicky said the he was "'the poorest man." The two worked together to find the doctor, but they weren't making any progress. A few weeks later, Vicky had to leave America for an urgent business meeting. Prem's business had slacked off while he was busy searching for the doctor. Fortunately, Perna heard about this and asked Mukti to help Prem with his current project since she's worked with him before. Mukti surprisingly agreed. The next morning, Prem reached her house to pick her up.

CHAPTER 9

This time around, Prem was easier to work with. He would maturely discuss the project and respect Mukti's decisions. The two were at the office until midnight working on the project. Eventually, Prem called it a day. Prem was driving slowly through the quiet roads while Mukti was staring out the window. For some reason, the silence between the two was killing him, so he turned on Mukti's favorite radio station in order to reduce the anxiety. Despite Prem's cautious driving, the car broke down. Hence, Prem and Mukti had to walk to the nearest garage. Prem had noticed the Mukti was shivering, so he offered his black jacket, which she kindly accepted. After twenty minutes of walking without saying a word to each other, Prem and Mukti finally reached the garage. The mechanic drove to their car while they waited at his shop. Prem noticed that a dhaba was open next door.

Prem: Um Mukti…you haven't eaten anything the whole day, and I am kind of a hungry also…I was wondering if you would like to eat at that dhaba

Mukti: Sure.

They ordered a really huge dinner, and ate quietly. Prem could no longer stand the silence, and so he started a conversation.

Prem: How's Vicky? Have you talked to him.

Mukti: He's fine. He's going to be in America longer.

Prem: Where's his family.

Mukti: His parents are no more.

Prem: Oh…I'm sorry…he's a really nice guy

Mukti: Yeah…he is…I miss him.

"Why does it bother me that she misses him?" Prem questioned. "I respect her because she is my daughter's mother, or is there more than that." These thoughts began to ponder Prem's mind, but he wouldn't let them get to him.

CHAPTER 10

For days Prem and Mukti worked together, and Prem was beginning to grow closer to Mukti by the minute. One Saturday, Mukti was at Bajaj house when they heard a doorbell ring. When Birju kaka opened the door, Vicky entered the room. Mukti instinctively ran up to him and gave him a hug, which hurt Prem. Prem angrily stormed into his room, and Mr. Bajaj had noticed this. When he entered his room, Prem threw a few pillows around and eventually sat on his bed with frustration. At that moment Mr. Bajaj walked in.

Mr. Bajaj: What's the matter Prem, why did you walk away like that?

Prem: Nothing.

Mr. Bajaj: Prem, I know that something is bothering you…is it because Vicky is back.

Prem: So what if he is back, why would I care?

Mr. Bajaj: Maybe because you are falling in love with Mukti and you don't want to lose her.

Prem had no response except to just glare at his Daddy Cool.

Mr. Bajaj: Prem, I recognize that fear in your eyes because I once experienced that fear---the fear of losing your mother to Anurag Basu. This is very natural when you really love someone. Think about it?

With that said, Mr. Bajaj left Prem with the realization that he was in love with Mukti.

After eating dinner, Vicky went back home but Perna asked Mukti to spend the night with them. That night, Prem was on his way to go out when he spotted Perna and Mukti in the main room talking. After several days, Prem saw Mukti laughing and smiling.

Perna: Mukti I wanted to ask you something?

Mukti: Sure Chotima.

Perna: Are you and Vicky…I mean…

Mukti: No Chotima (Prem gives a sigh of relief)…I know why you are asking this…but there is nothing between me and Vicky…we share a different relationship…I am really connected to him because he was there for me when no one else was…he was the first person who felt my baby kick…he was the one who went with me to every doctor's appointment…he was also the first one to see Asha's face…Vicky had offered to marry me in order to give my baby a name…but I couldn't do this injustice to him

Perna: He really cares about you.

Mukti: I know…I can trust that if I get stuck at a critical point in life, I can find Vicky by my side

Perna: I'm glad that you found a trustworthy friend like that…come on now it's getting late, we should go to sleep

After Perna and Mukti retired to their rooms, Prem stepped out from hiding and sat on the couch like a zombie. For hours, he stared at the blank wall in front of him replaying the conversation he had heard.

CHAPTER 11

For the next few days, Prem wandered around lost in his own thoughts. He would sometimes sit at the park, walk on the beach, or sit by his brother's grave. Finally, Prem called Vicky and asked to meet him. Vicky thought that Prem probably wanted to discuss about the doctor's whereabouts. He met Prem by his brother's grave.

Vicky: So Prem, why did you call me?

Prem: I wanted to ask you something.

Vicky: What is it?

Prem: Do you love Mukti?

Vicky had not expected this from Prem. He looked away from Prem's gaze.

Vicky: Why are you asking me this?

Prem: Just look at me and answer my question.

Vicky: (looking away) No.

Prem: Well if you don't love her, then why did you take care of all her needs when she was pregnant…why did you offer to marry her…why did you come with her to Mumbai? Is it just mere friendship or is it something else? Why are you trying to hide your feelings? Are you too scared to admit that you have feelings for her? Or are you ashamed of your love for her?

Vicky: JUST SHUT UP…yes I love her…and I can never be ashamed of her.

It took Vicky a few minutes to realize what he had just said while Prem with a few tears in his eyes gave a small smile at what he had just heard.

Prem: Are you still willing to marry her now?

Vicky: Yes, I am…but I know that Mukti still loves you deep down

Prem: Mukti stopped loving me that day I humiliated her in front of everyone…the only connection we share is through our daughter…however, Mukti trusts you in a way that she has never trusted anyone…she refused your proposal earlier because she thought that you were offering to marry her in order to give Asha a name…talk to her again and tell her how you truly feel

Vicky did not expect this from Prem… "maybe he is right," Vicky said to himself and walked away. After Vicky drove off, Prem placed a few flowers by Prem's grave.

Prem: I know Asha is with you in another world…take care of my daughter big brother, and tell her not to worry about her mother. I'll make sure that she gets the life that she deserves.

Prem then quietly drove. What he hadn't realized was that Anurag had overheard everything. Anurag placed his flowers next to Prem's.

Anurag: In true terms, your little brother has grown up today.

CHAPTER 12

Vicky decided to follow Prem's suggestion. He asked Mukti to meet him at a gazebo by the beach. As Mukti stepped into the gazebo, she found herself surrounded by several roses of different colors. At the other end, she saw Vicky waiting for her.

Mukti: Vicky, what's all this?

Vicky: Mukti, when you were pregnant I had asked for your hand in order to give Asha a name. However, today I am asking you that same question because I love you…I am not doing this out of sympathy for anyone else…I am doing this for me…there is only one person that I want to spend the rest of my life with and that's you…so I want you to reconsider your decision

Vicky started to walk away. About midway he turned around towards Mukti.

Vicky: Mukti, just remember one thing…no matter what your answer is we will always be friends

Mukti was shocked to hear Vicky's confession…she sat down on the stool nearby and stared at the water for some time. A few hours later, Mukti received a text message from Prem asking her to meet him by Asha's grave. Despite the time, Mukti left for Pune, and she reached Asha's grave at night. Prem had been waiting for her for a long time.

Mukti: Prem, why did you call me here this late?

Prem faced Mukti and took her hands into his.

Prem: Mukti, will you do something for me?

Mukti: Sure, what is it?

Prem: Marry Vicky.

Mukti gently let go of Prem's hands in shock.

Mukti: What are you saying?

Prem: I know that I have no right to interfere in your life…but I truly care about you…Vicky loves you dearly, and you deserve a man like him not a jerk like me…he is the only man that can give you the life you deserve…I know that wherever Asha is now, she wants you to be happy, and that's I want…please marry Vicky

If Vicky shocked Mukti, then Prem took the floor from under her feet. She couldn't believe that this was the same Prem that wanted to make her life a living hell. Prem left Mukti alone with her thoughts. She sat by her daughter's tomb trying to come to a decision.

CHAPTER 13

For several days, Mukti, Prem, and Vicky made not contact with each other. One day, Mr. Bajaj announced a party in honor a major business deal. He personally invited Basu family, Mukti, and Vicky. Vicky came becauses Mr. Bajaj had really insisted to him. He was unsure of how to behave with Mukti if she was coming. He found Prem in one corner of the room sitting with his grandmother. He greeted Mohini Basu, who left the two alone.

Prem: How are you?

Vicky: Alright…I guess…I haven't spoken to Mukti ever since I proposed to her.

Prem: Cheer up…give her some time…I know she won't refuse you this time.

Prem was trying hard to be his usual cheerful self in order to keep Vicky strong. The guests had all arrived. According to the theme, all the men were dressed in black suts, while all the girls were dressed in formal gowns. Prem was walking around looking for someone to talk to when he spotted a guy teasing a girl who flipped out at him, which reminded Prem of the Valentine's day party when Mukti had admitted her love for him. Now he regretted taking her lightly that day. Perna spotted Vicky and approached him.

Perna: Hi Vicky…what's the matter, you haven't come to our house for a long time…I hardly see Mukti also…I just saw her a few minutes ago.

Vicky: Where is she?

Perna: She's upstairs getting ready.

Just then a group of guys came to Vicky:

Guy #1: He Vicky…it's good to see you here…where have you been lately/

Guy #2: We're glad that you are…now you can sing a song…like you used to in college days.

Vicky: Oh no…I haven't sang in a long time…please no!

Prem had overhead everything, and he came forth.

Prem: Come on, Vicky…sing for us…it's a good opportunity to express what's in your heart. (Prem gives a wink)

The DJ handed Vicky the mike and his friends pulled him onto the stage.

mar jaava jaava-2

mar jaava mit jaava mar jaava - 2

ishq mein dil kya jaan bhi naam tere kar jaava

mar jaava jaava

mar jaava mit jaava mar jaava - 2

ishq mein dil kya jaan bhi naam tere kar jaava

mar jaava jaava

mar jaava mit jaava mar jaava

ho ban gaya tera main chand mulakaato mein

tu hi samaayi hain mere khayalato mein

pher nigaahein na apne deewane se

haar na maanunga main dil aajmaane se

teri mohabbat aur nasha

mainu bada tarsawa

mar jaava jaava

mar jaava mit jaava mar jaava - 2

ishq mein dil kya jaan bhi naam tere kar jaava

mar jaava jaava

mar jaava mit jaava mar jaava

mar jaava

mar jaava mit jaava...