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Part 25
"Prachi, I forgot to tell you, there was a courier delivery in your name this afternoon. I have kept it on the tea table" Baaba told Prachi as she was trying her hands at cooking sushis.
"Baaba, it must be the letter from the US regarding the course I was telling you about. Would you please open it for me? My hands are not clean with this sticky rice sticking so bad" replied Prachi from the kitchen.
"Prachi, you have got not only the admission but also scholarships that would cover all your expenses" Baaba told Prachi after reading the letters in the courier. "Oh my God, really, Baaba? I was not expecting to get the scholarships. I can't believe I got it." Prachi said sounding elated.
"Congratulations, beti. I am proud of you. Now, it looks like you will have to leave to the US soon, if you are going to join this course. Though I would miss you, I think you should go and take up this course. It's a matter of a year." said Baaba.
"Yes, Baaba. It's only a year. And you can come and stay with me too. I haven't yet asked Milind if he is fine with this. Let me ask him" said Prachi washing her hands. "I am sure, he would be fine with it, beti" said Baaba showing her the letter as she came out of the kitchen.
"I will go and talk to Milind, right now. Sushi is ready. Since it's not even 8 pm now, we will eat it later, may be at 9" saying so, Prachi had walked to Milind's room, taking the letters, dictating herself not to get emotional and shed tears.
"Milind here is my plan", said Prachi sitting on the couch facing Milind, who was reading a business magazine. She had showed the letters to him.
"What plan?" Milind had said reading through the letters.
"Milind, now please listen to me carefully." Prachi had paused and Milind looked at her raising his eyebrows.
"I have got admissions at the Los Angeles film school, that too with scholarships to cover my fees and other expenses. It's a 12 month diploma that deals with the technical side of film making and also provides some hands on experience. While this is a golden opportunity for my career prospects, I think it will also be the best possible way to clear the mess I have created in our relationship. As far as Baaba goes, I have been telling him about this course for a few days now and he himself was just saying that I shouldn't let this opportunity go. Now coming to you and me, Milind, I would be dishonest, if I say I am happy to go away from you. But I don't want to force myself on you by staying here in this house and put you in a dilemma where you can neither abandon me, nor live with me happily. That's why I came up with this plan. My going away like this will relieve you of your burden and give us both a year's time. In this one year, if you ever feel you want me in your life, rememeber that I will be waiting for you. If you can't make peace within yourself about me even after one year, I can then take up a job in the US, settle down there or come up with some other reason to stay separate. May be, we could convince Baaba that I don't want to come back to India. Milind, if you find some other girl in the mean time, who deserves you, please go ahead and start your life with her. I won't come in your way in any way. As far as my future goes, the very realization that you love me so deep is enough for me to spend my whole life. However, I promise you that if I find someone in my life, who can bear with me, I will also move on, if you have moved on. So, tell me, if my plan is sounds good or not." Prachi had almost choked with emotions but had tried her best to hide them and pretended to be serious.
Milind had taken a deep breath hearing Prachi and assimilating all that he heard. He felt a deep cut in his heart and he didn't know why. Prachi had broken the silence again to say "Milind, there is no point in living together and be unhappy. I know you had dreamt of a beautiful future for us. But with my lie which has hurt you to the core, even if you try to fulfil those dreams, it's never going to be that beautiful. It's a compromise for you now, and even it would be a compromise for me too. Let's make it easier for both of us and separate this way."
Milind hadn't said anything. He was feeling terribly uneasy. His heart thumped, his brain was lost in thoughts. Prachi had clenched the pillow on the couch tightly with her fingers anticipating his answer. All they could hear was each other's breathing, that was getting erratic.
"Okay, do as you wish" said Milind after 15 minutes of silence and walked out of the room. Prachi couldn't suppress her tears anymore and the dam in her eyes collapsed.
Half an hour later, Prachi had gathered herself and came out of the room. She had promised herself not to cry, not to feel weak for she needed to go through this painful separation, for her Milind's sake, for his love's sake.
"Baaba, Milind is fine with me studying in the US. I am so happy" Prachi had said with emotions filled in her eyes, as they all sat eating sushis. Milind had looked at her sharply for a second and looked away. Prachi left out a long gasp.
"Milind, send me to the US for a few months. I will also see America with my daughter in law" said Baaba.
"Okay, Baaba, as you wish" said Milind and got up form the dining table. Baaba had looked at Milind questioningly as he hadn't finished his plate. "I don't like sushi" said Milind before he walked off.
"He is a bit angry too that I am going" said Prachi to explain her husband's behaviour.
The next couple of days, Milind had got himself busy at work not letting his mind get occupied with any other thoughts than work. There was a huge workload due to the upcoming merger. He knew he didn't feel good at all, but he didn't want to analyze why, nor he wanted to feel better. On the other hand, Prachi had buried all her anguish, pain in some corner of her heart and tried to remain as cheerful as she could. She had applied for her student visa and she had been told that she would get it within the next couple of days. She had slowly started packing her clothes, informed her friends and Maamaji about her US venture who were all taken by surprise. But then, they also knew that the surprise was coming for Prachi who normally came up with nothing but surprises. Raj had the headquarters of his company's US branch in San Francisco, California, and was happy that Prachi would be closeby, in Los Angeles.
Milind had avoided talking to Prachi unless it was absolutely necessary. He would come home late, much after Prachi left the office, giving excuses of the workload. Prachi too hadn't tried to get him to talk to her as she seemed to be already rehesarsing the separation. She would be asleep or rather pretend to be asleep at least, by the time he came to the bedroom for sleep. Baaba had got a feel of the discomfort between his son and daughter in law but had rubbished his own thoughts thinking that Milind might be upset that Prachi is leaving though he himself would also want her to cash on a great opportunity she has got.
Amidst all this, Sukruti had called Prachi once and had informed her she would pay a surprise visit to the Mishra house soon.
Then came a Sunday and Baaba had made Milind stay at home saying Prachi would be gone before the next Sunday. The coming Friday was the merger of Milind's company with Mr. Kaushik's and the same day was Prachi's flight to London and then to Los Angeles. Baaba had got some mangoes from the market and had prepared mango lassi that evening. "Milind and Sukruti used to fight for mango lassi" said Baaba remembering how both of his children were fond of the drink. "I love mango lassi too, Baaba" said Prachi taking her glass from the tray.
"Baaba, very nice" said Milind as he drank his favourite drink. "Take more, beta" said Baaba going inside the kitchen to bring some more lassi for his son. Prachi had looked at Milind and seeing the film of lassi that had remained on his moustache, she couldn't hide a small giggle. Milind had looked at her questioningly but she had looked away still smiling. Baaba had got Milind another glass and Milind had drank it in one go. Prachi had watched him as he drank and as soon as he put the glass down, she had studied his moustache on which the layer of lassi had gotten thicker. Not being able to hide it anymore Prachi had burst into laughter whispering in her father in law's ear to have a look at Milind's moustache. Baaba had closely looked at Milind and he too had joined his daughter in law in laughing.
Milind had looked at both of them in confusion wondering what made them behave like that. "What's the matter? Why are you both looking at me like this and laughing?" he had asked with an anger that almost looked fake. Right then, the doorbell had rung. "Beta, clean your mouth. You have grown taller than me, but still haven't learnt how to drink lassi without leaving the marks behind. Now your wife is laughing at you, tomorrow it will be your kids" said Baaba as he got up to open the door. Prachi had handed over a napkin to Milind, but as she met with his eyes, she couldn't bear his gaze for too long, for it was so intent. Prachi had blinked her eyes, looked away, met with his eyes again but his gaze was stalled on her, piercing and unwavering. Still holding on to his gaze, Milind had wiped the film of lassi taking the napkin from his wife's hand. Prachi had blushed and felt nervous and her gaze automatically got fixed in line with his, the next moment that was beyond her or the present situation.
"Sukruti" Milind and Prachi had heard Baaba's shaky voice and their eye lock had broken as they both turned back to find Sukruti at the door.
"Prachi, I forgot to tell you, there was a courier delivery in your name this afternoon. I have kept it on the tea table" Baaba told Prachi as she was trying her hands at cooking sushis.
"Baaba, it must be the letter from the US regarding the course I was telling you about. Would you please open it for me? My hands are not clean with this sticky rice sticking so bad" replied Prachi from the kitchen.
"Prachi, you have got not only the admission but also scholarships that would cover all your expenses" Baaba told Prachi after reading the letters in the courier. "Oh my God, really, Baaba? I was not expecting to get the scholarships. I can't believe I got it." Prachi said sounding elated.
"Congratulations, beti. I am proud of you. Now, it looks like you will have to leave to the US soon, if you are going to join this course. Though I would miss you, I think you should go and take up this course. It's a matter of a year." said Baaba.
"Yes, Baaba. It's only a year. And you can come and stay with me too. I haven't yet asked Milind if he is fine with this. Let me ask him" said Prachi washing her hands. "I am sure, he would be fine with it, beti" said Baaba showing her the letter as she came out of the kitchen.
"I will go and talk to Milind, right now. Sushi is ready. Since it's not even 8 pm now, we will eat it later, may be at 9" saying so, Prachi had walked to Milind's room, taking the letters, dictating herself not to get emotional and shed tears.
"Milind here is my plan", said Prachi sitting on the couch facing Milind, who was reading a business magazine. She had showed the letters to him.
"What plan?" Milind had said reading through the letters.
"Milind, now please listen to me carefully." Prachi had paused and Milind looked at her raising his eyebrows.
"I have got admissions at the Los Angeles film school, that too with scholarships to cover my fees and other expenses. It's a 12 month diploma that deals with the technical side of film making and also provides some hands on experience. While this is a golden opportunity for my career prospects, I think it will also be the best possible way to clear the mess I have created in our relationship. As far as Baaba goes, I have been telling him about this course for a few days now and he himself was just saying that I shouldn't let this opportunity go. Now coming to you and me, Milind, I would be dishonest, if I say I am happy to go away from you. But I don't want to force myself on you by staying here in this house and put you in a dilemma where you can neither abandon me, nor live with me happily. That's why I came up with this plan. My going away like this will relieve you of your burden and give us both a year's time. In this one year, if you ever feel you want me in your life, rememeber that I will be waiting for you. If you can't make peace within yourself about me even after one year, I can then take up a job in the US, settle down there or come up with some other reason to stay separate. May be, we could convince Baaba that I don't want to come back to India. Milind, if you find some other girl in the mean time, who deserves you, please go ahead and start your life with her. I won't come in your way in any way. As far as my future goes, the very realization that you love me so deep is enough for me to spend my whole life. However, I promise you that if I find someone in my life, who can bear with me, I will also move on, if you have moved on. So, tell me, if my plan is sounds good or not." Prachi had almost choked with emotions but had tried her best to hide them and pretended to be serious.
Milind had taken a deep breath hearing Prachi and assimilating all that he heard. He felt a deep cut in his heart and he didn't know why. Prachi had broken the silence again to say "Milind, there is no point in living together and be unhappy. I know you had dreamt of a beautiful future for us. But with my lie which has hurt you to the core, even if you try to fulfil those dreams, it's never going to be that beautiful. It's a compromise for you now, and even it would be a compromise for me too. Let's make it easier for both of us and separate this way."
Milind hadn't said anything. He was feeling terribly uneasy. His heart thumped, his brain was lost in thoughts. Prachi had clenched the pillow on the couch tightly with her fingers anticipating his answer. All they could hear was each other's breathing, that was getting erratic.
"Okay, do as you wish" said Milind after 15 minutes of silence and walked out of the room. Prachi couldn't suppress her tears anymore and the dam in her eyes collapsed.
Half an hour later, Prachi had gathered herself and came out of the room. She had promised herself not to cry, not to feel weak for she needed to go through this painful separation, for her Milind's sake, for his love's sake.
"Baaba, Milind is fine with me studying in the US. I am so happy" Prachi had said with emotions filled in her eyes, as they all sat eating sushis. Milind had looked at her sharply for a second and looked away. Prachi left out a long gasp.
"Milind, send me to the US for a few months. I will also see America with my daughter in law" said Baaba.
"Okay, Baaba, as you wish" said Milind and got up form the dining table. Baaba had looked at Milind questioningly as he hadn't finished his plate. "I don't like sushi" said Milind before he walked off.
"He is a bit angry too that I am going" said Prachi to explain her husband's behaviour.
The next couple of days, Milind had got himself busy at work not letting his mind get occupied with any other thoughts than work. There was a huge workload due to the upcoming merger. He knew he didn't feel good at all, but he didn't want to analyze why, nor he wanted to feel better. On the other hand, Prachi had buried all her anguish, pain in some corner of her heart and tried to remain as cheerful as she could. She had applied for her student visa and she had been told that she would get it within the next couple of days. She had slowly started packing her clothes, informed her friends and Maamaji about her US venture who were all taken by surprise. But then, they also knew that the surprise was coming for Prachi who normally came up with nothing but surprises. Raj had the headquarters of his company's US branch in San Francisco, California, and was happy that Prachi would be closeby, in Los Angeles.
Milind had avoided talking to Prachi unless it was absolutely necessary. He would come home late, much after Prachi left the office, giving excuses of the workload. Prachi too hadn't tried to get him to talk to her as she seemed to be already rehesarsing the separation. She would be asleep or rather pretend to be asleep at least, by the time he came to the bedroom for sleep. Baaba had got a feel of the discomfort between his son and daughter in law but had rubbished his own thoughts thinking that Milind might be upset that Prachi is leaving though he himself would also want her to cash on a great opportunity she has got.
Amidst all this, Sukruti had called Prachi once and had informed her she would pay a surprise visit to the Mishra house soon.
Then came a Sunday and Baaba had made Milind stay at home saying Prachi would be gone before the next Sunday. The coming Friday was the merger of Milind's company with Mr. Kaushik's and the same day was Prachi's flight to London and then to Los Angeles. Baaba had got some mangoes from the market and had prepared mango lassi that evening. "Milind and Sukruti used to fight for mango lassi" said Baaba remembering how both of his children were fond of the drink. "I love mango lassi too, Baaba" said Prachi taking her glass from the tray.
"Baaba, very nice" said Milind as he drank his favourite drink. "Take more, beta" said Baaba going inside the kitchen to bring some more lassi for his son. Prachi had looked at Milind and seeing the film of lassi that had remained on his moustache, she couldn't hide a small giggle. Milind had looked at her questioningly but she had looked away still smiling. Baaba had got Milind another glass and Milind had drank it in one go. Prachi had watched him as he drank and as soon as he put the glass down, she had studied his moustache on which the layer of lassi had gotten thicker. Not being able to hide it anymore Prachi had burst into laughter whispering in her father in law's ear to have a look at Milind's moustache. Baaba had closely looked at Milind and he too had joined his daughter in law in laughing.
Milind had looked at both of them in confusion wondering what made them behave like that. "What's the matter? Why are you both looking at me like this and laughing?" he had asked with an anger that almost looked fake. Right then, the doorbell had rung. "Beta, clean your mouth. You have grown taller than me, but still haven't learnt how to drink lassi without leaving the marks behind. Now your wife is laughing at you, tomorrow it will be your kids" said Baaba as he got up to open the door. Prachi had handed over a napkin to Milind, but as she met with his eyes, she couldn't bear his gaze for too long, for it was so intent. Prachi had blinked her eyes, looked away, met with his eyes again but his gaze was stalled on her, piercing and unwavering. Still holding on to his gaze, Milind had wiped the film of lassi taking the napkin from his wife's hand. Prachi had blushed and felt nervous and her gaze automatically got fixed in line with his, the next moment that was beyond her or the present situation.
"Sukruti" Milind and Prachi had heard Baaba's shaky voice and their eye lock had broken as they both turned back to find Sukruti at the door.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
