In Love - Complete FF- Page 189 - Page 135

Originally posted by: AKANargis

Wow...Shubs...great ending to a really well written FF. Thanks. Nice to see that Prachi has come clean with all of the elders about the aphonia. Nice to see MICHI so happy together...and with 2 little MICHITOS too!! Thanks for a wonderful read...loved it!!!

Thank you very much, Nargis. Yes, Prachi had to come clean for her own self to be guilt free. THe girl was no born liar anyway.

let me start from part 25 and carry on...part 25 was an emotional update..just lovd how youve expressed prachi's feelings...the whole update was interesting to read...if am her i'll be crying buckets bfore telling him about the plan too..this is so touching..prachi trying to hold back her tears and telling him about the plan...she took a gud decision to stay away from him to give him time..this was needed...althou some part of it was a lie it was for their own gud i think..now both knows how much each other desires one another...

wow the epi was excellent! they talked again on messenger!

Sorry, ignore one more time please!

Please ignore for the last time. Thanks.

Part 1

SLAP!!!!!!

The whole party turned around in the direction of the swift blow that Prachi's hand gave on Ranveer's cheek.

"Prachi!" Ranveer had muttered placing his hand on his cheek.

"Get the hell out of here" Prachi had shrieked and ran upstairs to her room.

Ranveer had stared at Neev angrily and satirically and started walking out of the Shah mansion. Neev, who was dancing with his girlfriend Ayesha had walked behind Ranveer trying to stop him while Ayesha went upstairs to make sure Prachi was alright.

"Ranveer, stop, what's the matter?" said Neev trying to stop Ranveer.

"Do you expect me to stay here even after what you saw? Is she a girl or a devil? For the past one week she kept on taking me for granted. And today, she slaps me in front of the whole party. Keeping in mind that she is a woman, I kept quiet. If she were to be a man, I would have buried her six feet under." Ranveer said walking towards his car.

"Listen" Neev still tried to stop Ranveer.

"Hell with that best friend of yours" squealed Ranveer before driving his car away.

"Prachi, open the door" Ayesha repeatedly thumped Prachi's room door. Soumya too joined Ayesha trying to probe the matter and to get Prachi open the door. Neev had asked the rest of the people in the party to carry on as they all were stunned to witness Prachi slapping Ranveer. As most of the people tried to behave things were normal, Neev ran upstairs too to demand from Prachi the reason for her behaviour. By the time Neev reached by Prachi's room, she had opened the door and was burning with rage.

"What was that Prachi? Why did you slap him?" shouted Neev.

"I should actually have killed him. He was lucky that I finished with a slap" said Prachi running her fingers through her hair and it looked as if she was pulling them.

"What happened dear?" Ayesha made her sit on the bed and sat on the ground in front of her.

"That bas**** tried to... damn!" Prachi said gritting her teeth hitting the bed with her fist.

"What did he do Prachi?" Soumya sat by Prachi and put her arm around Prachi's shoulder.

"That idiot tried to kiss me, he even pinched my...." Prachi had said still seething in anger.

"And you slapped him in front of everyone" Neev hadn't let Prachi finish her sentence.

"It's all because of you Neev. You were the one who wanted me to see him. I didn't like him from the day one. But you were like, he is this REAL nice guy, the perfect one for me. Dare you try hooking me up with someone like that again. It wasn't like I had told him I loved him or something. I only know him for a week. And he had this audacity to.." Prachi had punched the bed again.

"Calm down Prachi. Neev, you go out of the room. I will talk to you later" Ayesha had tried to ease the situation. Neev had walked out of the room.

"Prachi, Neev knows Ranveer from childhood. That's why he is speaking for him. But if you don't like Ranveer it's fine. You don't have to date him. It's actually my fault. I had been telling Neev to introduce you to Ranveer. I am sorry. You please take it easy" Ayesha had explained.

"Ranveer is a jerk. You don't have to apologize for him Ayesha. I understand Neev too. I know you guys have been trying to find a guy for me for so long. Sometimes I feel I will never fall in love. I never felt it for any guy. I appreciate your efforts. But let me go with my fate. Stop trying find a guy for me." Prachi had said taking a deep breath as she finally cooled down.

"Okay my dear friends, chill now. Prachi, all my good looking cousins will be attending my wedding next month. You can choose one on your own. I hope one of them will be lucky enough to impress my darling friend." Soumya hugged Prachi.

"Ayesha, come here" Prachi had called Ayesha too and the three friends had hugged each other.

Prachi was the only daughter late Inder Shah, a rich hotelier of his times. She had lost both of her parents in a plane crash at the age of 10. Her maternal uncle, Raj Patel had been her guardian after that. Raj Patel had never married and was against the idea of settling down. However, he had taken the responsibility of his only sister Premlatha and his business partner and brother in law, Inder's daughter when she was orphaned. Raj had made sure Prachi got good education and all that she wanted throughout her teenage while he also took over Inder's business. Raj had taken the business to international level with his undying ambition to make Shah group of hotels, the best hotel chain in the world. He would often stay abroad being extremely occupied with his business ventures. On the other hand, Prachi lived in her own dream world. All that mattered to her during her college days and later was her friends. Ayesha, Soumya and Neev were the dearest people to her and she would be ready to do anything for them. Ayesha and Neev were dating for two years now and Soumya was engaged to an engineer chosen by her family. The three girls had just finished their masters in visual communication while Neev had finished his degrees in journalism and started working for a private TV channel.

At the same time and same day, on the other side of Mumbai, Milind had moved into his own apartment he had recently bought, along with his father Dayanand Mishra.


Part 2

Ayesha and Soumya had brought Prachi back to the party after a while. Prachi had apologized to the rest of the guests, who were mostly her former classmates. The party had moved on and later, by midnight, people started leaving one by one. Soumya was one of the firsts to leave, as her fianc was waiting to talk to her over the phone, a routine she had got into since her engagement. After everyone left, Ayesha and Neev too had taken Prachi's leave. Prachi had wanted to ask either Ayesha or Soumya to stay with her for the night, for she still felt terrible after what had happened in the party. But since she knew Neev was to take Ayesha to his village to get her meet his parents the next morning, she decided against asking Ayesha to stay.

"Don't you think Prachi overreacted? Ranveer isn't a bad guy. From what he was telling me yesterday, it seemed like he really liked Prachi and was looking forward to a long term relationship" Neev had commented as he drove towards Ayesha's little house to drop her there.

"I don't think she was interested in Ranveer at all. She only agreed to go out with him for our sake. But don't you know our Prachi? I am not surprised at her impulsive behaviour. This is not the first time she has done something like this. But let's get over it. I know it would be difficult for you to face Ranveer. But I am sure Prachi herself will apologize to him after a while." Ayesha spoke about her friend with confidence.

"Anyways, I really wonder if any man can impress this girl." Neev had sighed.

"Don't worry Neev. Everyone has someone specially made for him or her. It's just a matter of time, before you meet that person", Ayesha said smiling.

"Okay, darling. See you tomorrow at 6 am. Wear a nice saree for tomorrow. My parents are orthodox you see." said Neev stopping the car in front of Ayesha's place. Agreeing to what he said, Ayesha got ready to get out of the car, but Neev had stopped her by pulling her hand and smiled naughtily at her. Knowing what was in her boyfriend's mind, Ayesha had kissed him quickly on his cheek ran out of the car blushing.

Meanwhile, Ramu Kaaka, the house helper of the Shah mansion had started cleaning the living room where the party had taken place. Seeing the old man clearing things, Prachi had joined him too while he politely refused her help. However, Prachi insisted and collected the glasses and took them to the kitchen. Ramu Kaama had commented she would never change no matter how tall she grew. Prachi had smiled in agreement. Retiring to her bed that night, Prachi had found herself vulnerable and scared. She had shivered at the thought that this could be one of those dreadful sleepless nights she often went through. She thought of calling her Maamaji, but since he was in the US on a business trip, she knew it would be afternoon for him and he would be busy in one of his meetings. She opened her laptop and played some music, browsed websites randomly, but nothing got her interested. Giving up all activities, she went to the bed and curled inside her comforter. She had closed her eyes in the hope of some sleep, but her undefined feeling of loneliness was waking her up, as much as she wanted to run away from it. It was only by the early morning, she was able to sleep.

The same night in his new house, Milind had noticed his father, whom he lovingly called Baaba, unpacking his suitcase in his room. In order to help his father out, he started taking the clothes out and arranging them in the wardrobe. His sight fell on a photo frame that was amidst of the clothes, while his father tried to take it in his hand and hide it. Milind didn't need to see the photograph to realize what that might have been. He knew his father enough to understand that he was trying to hide from him his photograph with his sister Sukruti. Not wanting to resurface the old wounds, Milind enacted as if he didn't see the photograph at all and carried on with emptying the suitcase. Baaba had quickly put the photo frame in the drawer, knowing it would upset his son. Familiarizing his father with the air-conditioning, the shower and the lights in the room, Milind left to his own room.

Milind couldn't help recollecting the past and lamenting over it though he tried not to. His father, his sister and him were a happy family though his mother had died when he was a little boy. His Baaba had played the role of the mother too while he earned bread for them working as a clerk in a government office in Delhi. He had made sure his children got good education and even sold his property to pay their fees.

Milind and Sukruti had studied in the same college. Milind was 2 years senior to Sukruti in studies and also by age. Milind was a born leader and it had showed in his college life too where he was the president of the student society. With his sharp wits and his intolerance to injustice, he had earned a lot of followers in the college but a few enemies too, who didn't want to accept his popularity. One of them was Aalaap Mehta, who spent more time in showing off his machismo and money, than studying. The contradiction was that Milind's own sister Sukruti was fatally attracted to Aalaap, who was also her classmate, though she would be scared to take his name in front of her brother. Though Aalaap also had an immense liking for Milind's beautiful sister, he had taken pride that his enemy's sister was attracted to him.

Milind had once caught Aalaap trading narcotic drugs in the campus and wanted to get him suspended from the college. Aalaap had tried to use his influences and money, to make Milind not let the higher authorities in the college know of the drug business. But Milind wasn't the one to fall prey to Aalaap's tactics. Milind had gone a step ahead and exposed the whole drug supply gang in the college. This has led to Aalaap's suspension from the college, but with his father's influence he had gotten back after a few months. However, with the whole fiasco, he had lost his parents' faith and support for him. Sukruti had gotten closer to him as she was there for him during his bad times. But she had taken great care to hide it all from her brother who would have never allowed her to be friends with someone like Aalaap. Back in the college, Aalaap had kept away from Milind. With Sukruti's persistent pleadings, and his own conscience bothering him, he had slowly got out of his old gang, which had drawn him into drug dealing business.

After Milind left the college and joined a company as a web designer, Sukruti and Aalaap's love saga had taken off crossing all boundaries. After Sukruti finished her studies and started looking for a job, Raman Sharma, an old friend of her father, had brought a marriage proposal for her with his son Saket Sharma. Milind and Baaba were very happy with the proposal and had consulted Sukruti in the same matter. Sukruti had tried to adjourn the marriage giving the reasons of her wanting to find a job or studying further, but the since she was assured that she could do all that she wants to being the daughter in law of the Sharma family too, she was left with no reasons to deny this marriage proposal. She had gone through an emotional battle not able to decide what she should be doing, but one day her father had confided in her how contended he would be if he could see her as the Sharma daughter in law. That moment she had agreed to marry Saket and all the wedding preparations had been done with Milind taking charge. Sukruti had convinced Aalaap that she would never be able to marry him for she prefers sacrificing her love for her brother and her father. Aalaap had felt heartbroken for the first time in life, but he couldn't change Sukruti's decision.

But the day before her wedding, Sukruti had found out she was pregnant with Aalaap's child and hell had broken for her. She soon had called Aalaap and when he came to know about the news, he suggested that they should get married and raise their kid. Sukruti could never imagine killing her baby, when she wanted to consider an abortion, and the night before the wedding, she had eloped with Aalaap. They had married in the registrar's office the very next day. At the same time Milind and Baaba had found out that Sukruti had run away from home to marry Aalaap, as she had left a letter behind.

The shock and the shame had given Baaba a heart attack. Though the doctors had saved him from death, his health had suddenly deteriorated. Sukruti and Aalaap had taken refuge in Nagpur in one of Aalaap's friends' house. Sukruti had called her home after a few days and informed Milind that she was married now, but Milind had refused to speak to her and asked her to never call back. Sukruti had thought once her child is born, her father and brother would be fine, but to her misfortune in the third month of her pregnancy, she had a miscarriage. She had become depressed after that and Aalaap had taken her to Dubai, where he had found a job. Aalaap's parents had accepted his marriage to Sukruti though they were upset initially. Living in Dubai, Sukruti had made attempts to contact her brother but Milind had still been not able to come to terms that his darling sister not only had married Aalaap but also brought shame to him and his father, by running away the night before her arranged wedding.

Milind had taken his father to Mumbai to get him away from the snooping neighbours. Initially he had taken a job in Mumbai, but soon decided to start his own advertising agency. In about two years time, his company had grown into a position where he headed a team of 15 people. He had good profits, which allowed him to buy a new apartment of his own, to which he had moved with his father. It was his dream to present his father a house of his own, ever since he knew his father had sold their ancestral house, to pay for his and his sister's fees.

Dragging himself out of the memory lane, Milind had wondered if Sukruti was doing fine. He hated the prick he felt in his heart whenever he thought about his sister. If only things had been different, had wondered Milind, before he granted his tired body some sleep.


Part 3

"Hey, Soumi. What's up, babes?" Prachi answered her mobile using the earphones.

"Prachi, where are you now?" asked Soumya from the other side of the call.

"I am driving home. I was dropping Maamaji to the airport as he was flying to Japan this morning. What's the matter?" wondered Prachi as Soumya sounded a bit anxious.

"I missed my bus yaar. I had told you about my interview at MM ad agency, right? The final round is at 9, this morning. And here I am waiting for the next bus. And today is this stupid taxi strike. Would you be able to drive me there, Prachi?" Soumya requested.

"By all means. Are you at the bus-stop near your house? I will be there in.. say.. 15 minutes." Prachi said calculating in her mind the time it would take for her to reach by Soumya's house. As Soumya told her where exactly she was, Prachi drove up to there. Hoping that they would reach in time, Soumya got into the car. Prachi had taken a U-turn and took the shortest route possible to the destination. Soumya had told Prachi that Proteek Dasgupta, who was their nerdy classmate was also in the competition for the job. She had also told Prachi that she was desperate to get this job since her future co-sister suggested her it's better she has a job before marrying or else the orthodox in laws wouldn't let her apply for jobs.

"I am sure you will do better than that PROteek. By the way, how do you know he is selected for the final interviews too? Are you in touch with him?" Prachi asked in curiosity as Proteek though boring was intangible too.

"My cousin Arnav works in the same company. He gives me all this inside information. It seems the boss is quite strong headed too" Soumya detailed.

"Don't worry darling. You will get the job" assured Prachi.

Soon, Prachi's mobile beeped with a SMS. Prachi indicated to Soumya to check it and the message was from Ranveer ,which read: Before you make it a hot news around the world against me, let me tell you I had no ill intentions. So, I hope you bury the matter as it is. I was carried over by your beautiful face, but only realized later that your mind isn't anywhere as beautiful.

Prachi got furious to hear the message that Soumya read it out for her. She had asked her to reply back as: Don't act as if you were innocent. How beautiful your mind would have been to pinch my ass.

Ranveer had immediately replied as: WTH? I pinched your ass!!? I even apologized to you when my watch pricked your a** while dancing, let alone me pinching, DAMN!!

It suddenly crossed Prachi's mind that there was a possibility that Ranveer wasn't lying. She thought over it for a moment, while Soumya too had thought Ranveer might be telling the truth. Prachi recollected those moments with Ranveer in the party though she hated them. Somehow she could now feel it would have been a prick that she mistook as a pinch. She had asked Soumya to reply as: It's possible that I would have mistaken the prick for a pinch. BUT (Prachi had asked Soumya to put "but" in caps), you did try to pull me into a kiss, though I tried to pull back so much. I would never want to be kissed by those pink lips of yours.

Ranveer had again replied quickly: Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad? (How would a monkey know the taste of ginger?) My ex-girlfriend loved me for my pink lips. I thought you and I were dating. Yes, I was carried over by your beauty. If only I knew I was in front of a.... leave it, all I want from you is that you keep shut your twisted brain in my matters.

Ranveer's message did make Prachi feel she had made a mountain out of a molehill but also annoyed her that he compared her to a monkey. Nevertheless, she had no regrets over ending the relation with him that she had found suffocating. She finally asked Soumya to reply as: It's not in my nature to go bitching around about people. I do apologize for mistaking the prick for a pinch and for slapping you in front of everyone. But I am not apologetic about terminating this relationship, as I am pretty sure you would have never clicked as my boyfriend. Wish you the best of luck in future.

Ranveer's instant reply read: Thanks for terminating. It was sooner the better. I too wouldn't want a menacing girlfriend like you. Best of luck to you, more to those men, who are to cross path with you.

The matter took a backseat, as Soumya seemed worried that she was late for her interview. Prachi tried to go over other vehicles, and drove as fast as she could and finally when they reached the MM ad agency it was 9 15 am. Prachi had wished Soumya the best for the interview and told her that she would wait for her in the reception and then they would go and meet Ayesha afterwards. Once Soumya entered inside the head of the company's room, Prachi had called Neev and briefed him about her SMS conversations with Ranveer. Talking to Neev made her feel a lot better as Neev had understood her stand this time and asked her to forget the matter and get over it. He had also apologized to her for hooking her up with Ranveer without thinking whether they would get along or not. Prachi had taken a deep breath and tried to look around to avert her mind. She noticed that the receptionist of the office was a middle-aged lady on a wheel chair and seemed to have an artificial leg. Prachi soon got into a conversation with her who had described to her how strict was her boss when it came to work for whom she sometimes also worked as a secretary.

As Prachi sat going through the messages in her mobile, deleting them, particularly the ones from Ranveer, she heard the firm foot steps of a person. The very rhythm of the steps caught her attention and she had raised her head in an inquisitiveness to visualize the owner of the foot steps. As soon as she saw the man walking towards the receptionist, Prachi couldn't take her eyes off of him. Tall, dark, handsome, with fiery eyes and a determined appearance, the man had made Prachi wonder if this was the image of her dream man. She had almost felt like whistling, watching her favourite movie star making an entry as a hero. Prachi's lips had widened in a grin and she covered her mouth with her hand to stop giving away any sound and hoped that the man doesn't notice what she was doing. The man hadn't even noticed her existence there and he had walked to the receptionist to say "Mrs. Kundra, send the appointment letters to Mr. Proteek Dasgupta. I don't want to employ the girl, got a feel that she is another Mallika in the making. I will be back in an hour, have a meeting with our rival company". Saying so, the man had smirked. Putting his shades on, the man had walked out running his fingers through his slightly long curly locks, while Prachi's breath stopped for a few seconds.

A moment later, Prachi saw Soumya walking towards her with a lacklustre face. Prachi estimated in her brain that Soumya hadn't got the job while Proteek who was walking behind her with a broad beam on his face had succeeded. "Hello, Prachi" had said Proteek getting back to the dumb expression he would generally have on his face. Prachi had passed a small smile towards him as a gesture.

"I knew he would do something like that. Don't feel bad Soumi. The man is rude and I think he is a bigot, sexist. Of the 15 people we have in this office, all are men, except for the handicapped Mrs. Kundra. I think he hates women. You know we had another girl called Mallika in the same job, and he fired her without any justification and even accused her of eying on him. I think he is tolerating Mrs. Kundra just because she is old and doesn't have a leg. Or else he would have fired her too" Arnav had consoled his cousin, who had failed to secure the job, as he sat in the nearby caf with her and Prachi. Arnav had been attracted to Mallika and was quite upset with his boss that because of him Mallika no more was seen in the office.

"Oh, is it the man who walked out when you were coming back from your interview? He was actually telling the receptionist to give the job to Proteek and not the girl since he saw a hint of Mallika in this girl. I think he was referring to you, Soumya. But how dare he think like that about you?" Prachi spoke with rage.

"Proteek and I were the only candidates. I am sure he was talking about me." Soumya cringed.

"Don't worry hun. You will find a better job than this. Why do you want to work for a chauvinist?" Prachi said putting her arm over her friend.

"Even I am thinking of changing my job, you see. I am tired of following this Milind Mishra's orders. He makes me work like a donkey giving me deadlines over deadlines" Arnav added.

Prachi had dropped Soumya to her house and their plan to meet Ayesha was cancelled as Soumya was not in a mood. Driving back to her home, Prachi kept on thinking about the man she had seen today by the name of Milind Mishra. She couldn't help lament why such a good looking man needed to be such an arrogant bigot. It also somehow bothered her that the man hadn't even noticed her while talking to the receptionist though her eyes were fixed on him.

'Why on earth, has he occupied my thoughts?' wondered Prachi as she went to the bed that night. She had been constantly thinking about him for the whole day, with his image flashing in the screen of her mind without her control. 'It's probably because he has been unfair to my dear friend Soumya' Prachi had contemplated and wished there was a way she defeated him in some way. As much as she tried to distract herself, his figure roamed free in her feelings and she had gone to sleep with his thoughts manipulating her thinking process.

"Please don't leave me, Prachi. I want you so much. I can't live without you" Milind had begged. Prachi woke up with a start covering her mouth with both her hands looking around. Though she felt relieved that it was a dream, she just couldn't believe her own dream. She had dreamt that Milind was begging her on his knees not to leave him. Suddenly grinning like a fool at herself for the dream she saw, Prachi went to sleep still thinking about nothing but him.


Part 4

Angel Prachi: He is magical.

Demon Prachi: Not all that glitters is gold.

Angel Prachi: He is the incarnation of my dream man.

Demon Prachi: The best love affairs exist only in dreams. This is a mere Infatuation!

Angel Prachi: No, it's Love.

Demon Prachi: Love- in one sight?

Angel Prachi: Not one, but three sights, I must admit. When I had been to the area where his office is, I sighted him. I even ended up driving my car behind his, and probably I saw his abode too. I know every page in his company's website, by heart now.

Demon Prachi: This is utter rubbish and foolish. This is also reading too much into this infatuation. I have had infatuations before- from Leonardo DiCaprio to Aamir Khan. And this guy isn't even a hero.

Angel Prachi: They were not like this. I didn't think about them 24 hours a day. And I knew I would never ever meet them in real life.

Demon Prachi: I think so much about this guy, because I hate him. I have always hated sexists. He is a big fat male chauvinist.

Angel Prachi: But demons would never utter good.

Demon Prachi: Known demons are better than unknown angels who appear out of nowhere. And the truth is always bitter.

"Grrrrr!!!" Prachi had pulled her hair as one corner of her brain contradicted another.

'The truth is that I have allowed him deep inside my being, good or bad. I have got to kick him out from there. Yes, his looks took me over, but what defines a man is his thinking, where he surely doesn't earn any brownie points. I have got to get him out of MY thoughts' determined Prachi as she went to take a shower to get ready for Soumya's wedding.

Soumya's wedding was a vibrant event though not lavish. There were a couple of hundreds of guests. Soumya and her groom Vivek looked a made for each other couple. The rituals were over in the morning and in the evening was the reception. Prachi, Ayesha and Neev had sat with the bride and the groom for the dinner, accompanied by some of Soumya's and Vivek's relatives. Ayesha had shared with Prachi that Neev and her were planning to marry without the consent of Neev's parents as they had refused to accept her because she was an orphan with no family background. Prachi had told her she would be there for them whenever they need her.

Prachi had noticed Arnav sitting with a girl right in front of them. As Arnav too noticed Prachi, he introduced to her the girl with him as Mallika. Prachi had quickly remembered the context she had heard her name.

"How are you Arnav? How is work? And how is your boss?" asked Prachi wanting to hear more about the boss than Arnav himself.

"I quit that company Prachi. I was totally pissed that Milind Mishra. One day I said good bye to his audacity and joined the same company in Pune, where Mallika works. Life is happier now." Arnav said smiling at Mallika.

"I was so happy the day you left that company dear. I still passionately hate Mr. Mishra for what he did to me." Mallika said biting her teeth in anger.

"You know what Prachi, that Bengali classmate of yours and Soumi, also quit his job, even before I did so. He is California now. Now the poor Mishra is handling so many things on his own." Arnav had laughed.

"Oh really?" Prachi asked curious and continued looking at Soumya "But did he not offer the job to Soumya who was the next candidate in line?" Soumya seemed busy in her own world stealing glances with the man of her life.

"No, Soumi didn't tell me anything like that. She is moving to London with Jiju. Who wants Mr. Mishra's job now?" commented Arnav loudly. Soumya had heard Arnav taking her name and guessed the matter.

"Oh, yes, Prachi. I desperately wanted the job at that point. Now even if I were offered, I wouldn't be going for it. I will find a job in London" said Soumya, who was happy that she was moving to London with her husband rather than staying with her orthodox in laws with whom her co-sister seemed to suffer.

Prachi had sighed ingesting all that she had heard. That night when she went home, the first thing she did was to check Milind's company website to see if the job was advertised. Not noticing any updates in the jobs page, she thought as Arnav said, Milind probably was handling everything on his own. Immediately an idea flashed in her brain that what if she applied for the job. Hearing from Soumya about the job description and going through Milind's company website more than 100 times, she had a fair idea of what exactly the work would be. Having done a communication masters degree herself, she knew she would be a good candidate for the position too. Her brain turned overactive on planning how she could secure this job, work with Milind and teach the arrogant man what a woman is capable of.

Having heard how Mallika got thrown out and how Soumya didn't secure the job, Prachi knew she had to prove she is super extra ordinary in order to get into his company. She used all her knowledge she had gained through her degrees and prepared two advertising projects with her own creative ideas working on them over a week, day and night. However she held on from applying since Ayesha and Neev were getting married in a court and she was the organizer. Soumya too had attended the wedding before she left with her husband to London. After marrying, Ayesha had gone with Neev to Sri Lanka where he was going to report the plight of Tsunami victims. Though Prachi was suddenly separated from three of her best buddies, her mega application to Milind's company had made her keep busy. Finally the day came, where she added another major point into her game plan as much as it sounded out of the world to her. She had attached her CV, wrote a covering letter and added that one sentence in the end, which was going change her life in the coming days. She had pressed the send button in her mail box, and the email had reached Milind Mishra's official mail box the very next moment. At the same time, Prachi's whole body shivered as she felt horribly tense.

At the same time in the Mishra house, Milind was eating his dinner with his father. "Baaba, how do you like the new house?" asked Milind.

"It's wonderful my son. I am proud of you that you are capable of buying such a huge house now. But son, there is something we still need to fill with house with" replied Baaba.

"I have ordered the pots, Baaba. Rose plants, cactus and some other flower plants. They will be here tomorrow. Is there anything else that needs to be bought?" Milind wondered.

"Beta, it's not something you can buy in a store. What I meant was, no home is complete without a woman. What I want to see is my daughter in law, sitting besides you in that chair and later a couple of little kids too demanding stories from me, sitting on these chairs by my side." Baaba had finally brought the matter in front of his son, which he had been thinking for a while now.

"But Baaba'." Milind had tried to say something. But before he finished Baaba had interrupted. "Milind, you have established yourself now and doing well in your business. It's your time to move on to the next step in life. Having said that, I will not make the mistake of not knowing your heart and forcing my decision on you, like what I did with your sister. I will wait for the day, you come with a girl and introduce me to her as her future father in law." Baaba had left for his room not allowing his son to come up with ifs and buts.

Though all Milind wanted at that point in his life was his company and his work, he knew what his father wished. He was also disturbed that his father was blaming himself for what he believed was mostly Sukruti's fault. Trying to avert his mind, as he felt helpless in the matter, Milind opened his laptop, which was on sleep mode. Pressing the enter key on the laptop, Milind checked his outlook express which had a new email from Prachi Shah, which he realized was a job application. The first thing he did was to open the attachments Prachi had sent, which were the advertisement projects she had designed. Going through them, Milind was absolutely impressed with the novelty and creativity Prachi had brought in those projects. Pleased with the projects, Milind read the content of her email, and the last line had Milind weirdly shocked and he had read it again to make sure what he read was true.


Part 5

'Aphonia! Inability to speak! Oh No!' Milind had said to himself. It came as a disappointment to him since he had greatly appreciated Prachi's application, and in his mind had almost decided to offer her the job. But he still wondered if there were ways to communicate with her even though she is voiceless. He had replied back to her instantly that he was quite impressed with her application but he is concerned about the means of communication. Prachi had replied back saying he could always communicate with her via writing and her disability shouldn't be coming in the way of her work, which is to come up with novel ideas to sell products. Her email had an undertone of request to give her a chance as well as a determination and confidence that though she was disabled, she was not going to let it win her.

Milind had thought of replying to her the next day. Shutting his laptop down, he went to bed, but he kept on thinking about the projects Prachi had designed. He was even more impressed as he happened to further understand the message in them, when he gave them a second thought. He had immediately thought of Mrs. Kundra, who was the most loyal employee in his office, who also did her job well though she was physically challenged. Somehow he didn't want to let this applicant by the name of Prachi Shah go just because she was aphonic. He quickly got out of the bed, emailed her back asking her if she could come to work from the next Monday. He had also mentioned he would employ her temporarily and if it works out he would offer her a longer contract.

Reading his reply, Prachi couldn't conceal her excitement. She had literally jumped and went out of her room. She had shared her joy with Ramu Kaaka, that she had got a job. Though Raamu Kaaka didn't understand everything about her excitement, he had truly felt happy to see her in merry. Prachi had then called Ayesha detailed her all that she had done in the name of this man called Milind Mishra. She had stressed how she thought pretending to be disable would get her the job in his company. Ayesha was knocked out of her wits to hear Prachi and she had said "I thought you were crazy, Prachi. But this is unbelievable. How on earth you are going to pretend to be mute when you can't keep quite for a minute otherwise. But even before saying that let me ask you, are you in your senses to lie like this and what is the need for you to join a small company like that when you have Maamaji who has been insisting on you joining hands with him? And more than that, why are you doing all this just because one person didn't offer this one job to Soumya, when she herself doesn't want this job anymore?"

"Ayesha, I know this is madness, but I am taking it as a challenge and I am super-excited. Let me do it for the sake of it. I have to prove to that man what a woman can do for the grater cause of womanhood. He is hiring me for two months now and I will work as hard as I can to do my best. If he still fires me, then I will open my mouth and blast on him in front of everyone and that should teach him a lesson. You know at the end of the day, it's a job in an advertising business, something I always wanted to do rather than joining my uncle's hotel business. Moreover, if I so don't like it there, I can quit the job any day."

Ayesha tried to talk sense to Prachi by saying "But Prachi, remember that we are not college students anymore and you can't be playing pranks. I still think you shouldn't be doing it, but I also know no one can stop you when you are charged up. But Prachi, isn't Proteek working there? How will you act in front of him?"

"PROteek, nope. He is in the US now. He quit the job. Soumi's cousin Arnav also left. Don't you remember we talking about it in Soumi's reception dinner? Oh damn, wait a minute.. Oh that handicapped lady in the office.. she has seen me and I have even talked to her. Oh No!!" Prachi had suddenly remembered Mrs. Kundra.

"Then you better give up this plan" said Ayesha who would have been only happy if Prachi stepped back from this venture.

"I think there is a way around it. When that lady saw me, I was in my hippie outlook. I don't think she would recognize me if I change my looks. After all, she only saw me for a few minutes", said Prachi.

Neev was back from his work then and had knocked the door of the temporary accommodation where Ayesha and him stayed in a small town of Sri Lanka.

"Prachi, I think Neev is back. I have to open the door for him. Wait a minute" said Ayesha.

"Hey, wait, I don't want to disturb the newly weds. I will call you later. Give my wishes to Neev. But please don't tell him anything about what I told you. He will give me a huge lecture." Prachi had requested Ayesha.

"Okay I won't tell him. But be careful and don't put yourself into trouble." Ayesha said as she wished Prachi a bye and a good night.


Prachi had waited with bated breath for the Monday morning. She had decided to go for a simple, no make up look for her work. She also decided to go with her spectacles instead of the contact lenses she normally used. She was relieved that when she had met Mrs. Kundra she had worn green contact lenses, which gave her a different look. She had neatly tied her hair unlike the way she would normally let it free. She had bought some pale coloured kurtas, salwar kameezes and sarees, which she chose, as her work attire. She had practised her look a few times over the weekend.

As he had got a confirmation reply from Prachi that she would be coming to work from the Monday morning at 10 am, Milind had informed about her to Mrs. Kundra when he reached the office at 9 am. When a girl dressed in a simple beige salwar kameez entered the office and looked around, Mrs. Kundra had wondered if this was the mute girl Milind was talking about. Prachi had walked towards Mrs. Kundra praying every moment that she doesn't recognize her. Mrs. Kundra had given a close look to Prachi and it seemed to her that she had seen the girl somewhere. However, she had thought her memory was really going downhill with her age, as she couldn't remember the occasion she had met her. Prachi had smiled a tiny smile at her and handed over the print out of the email Milind had sent her regarding the job.

Soon, Mrs. Kundra had called Milind and informed him about Prachi. He had come out of his cabin and walked towards Prachi with a smile that showed in his face though his lips hadn't moved. Prachi had watched him and her legs had started shaking while her heart was beating in double speed.

"Hello Ms. Prachi Shah. Welcome to my company" said Milind extending his hands for a shake hand. Prachi had nervously met her hand and his touch had made her all the more nervous. Milind then had guided her to his cabin and asked her to take a seat.

"Your hearing is fine, right?" Milind asked as he sat in his chair right in front of her. Prachi nodded her head for a yes.

"Good" said Milind and gave her a brief account of his company on how it started, what were the goals and policies. Prachi had known all this as much as him for she had collected information about his company as much as she could. Her nervousness had come down as her mind got involved in the company matters. Milind had then briefed her about her work, introduced her to his staff and also had told them about her speaking inability in a dignified way. Finally he had taken her to her desk and gave her some projects to read through and asked her to give him her opinions by the evening. Prachi had nodded her head for a yes, again.

"Ufff" Prachi had taken the deepest breath she ever took once he was left her on her own. Some part of her brain was cursing her for doing this to herself. She needed to be ever so conscious not to utter a word when she was being introduced to the other staff members. She had relaxed for a few minutes and then started reading the projects. The other employees walking around had given glances towards their new silent colleague but Prachi had avoided much eye contact worried about opening her mouth by chance and she kept her eyes immersed in reading the projects.

By lunch time, she had finished analyzing the projects and also wrote a short summary on them. She had sent an email to Milind with her report. Milind was surprised that the girl had finished her job in half the time he had given her and her report was critical and crisp. She also had suggested some improvisation, most of which Milind thought were worth, while he had his doubts on the last point. He had emailed her back describing her why he didn't agree with that point. Prachi had sent him another email in reply and in 15 minutes they had exchanged 10 emails in total and Milind had come out tired of trying to convince Prachi and wanted to speak it out in front of her. She had got up as she saw him near her desk; he had given her a heated lecture on why he thought her last suggestion wouldn't be worth going ahead.

Though initially Prachi got intimidated at the way Milind was criticizing her last point and so tempted to give him back, her mute act had her keep quiet. That also had made her listen to him carefully and finally she had agreed in her mind half mindedly, that he had a point. When she finally nodded her head in agreement, Milind had sighed and said "Having said all this, your other remarks were precious. I will use them when I edit these projects. Good job." said Milind. Prachi had suddenly felt better as well as confused.

Milind had walked back to his cabin while Prachi sat in her seat. She had looked around and found the other seats empty. Milind had come out again and was going out of the office but came back towards Prachi.

"Did you have your lunch?" asked Milind. Prachi nodded her head in negative.

"1-2 is lunch break. You will not find anyone in the office in this hour except Mrs. Kundra. She brings her food from home. Have you got your food too?" asked Milind and got a negative sign from Prachi.

"Do you want to go with me to the restaurant nearby? We all eat there", said Milind.

Prachi had picked her bag and walked behind him. Milind had ordered his usual thali and asked her what did she want. Prachi had put her finger on the sandwich indicating she would go for that.

"Would that fill your stomach?" remarked Milind asking the waiter to get a sandwich. Prachi had smiled at his question. Soon a colleague had joined their table and Milind got busy conversing with him over another project. While eating her sandwich, Prachi had watched Milind eating superfast and finishing his plate in five minutes while she hadn't even finished two bites. But she had quickly engulfed the rest of her sandwich after that. Before Prachi took out her purse to pay the bill, Milind had paid it already and Prachi didn't know how to stop him remembering her mute status.

Prachi had spent the rest of the day in reading a few other projects handled by the company previously. Milind had left early that day, as he needed to meet with a client in another part of the city. Finishing her work at 5 in the evening, Prachi had walked towards the nearby parking lot, where she had parked her Benz, wondering what would her colleagues think if they see that she drives such an expensive car. She decided to use public transport from the next day.

"Oh My God!" Prachi had screamed as she got inside her car. It had been a torture that she had put herself mute for about 7 hours. But soon, her brain got into analyzing the man because of whom she had taken all this trouble.

'He is not that bad', she had thought. 'But this is only the first day, let me see how it goes in the future. It could be that he has sympathy for my aphonia. But then, he really argued too over that last point. Let me see what happens tomorrow' Prachi had kept herself busy in recalling the events of the day as she drove home. That night when she went to bed, she couldn't help replaying Milind walking towards her, shaking hands with her and him heatedly speaking about the last point and him eating.

In the Mishra house, while having dinner Milind had told his father about the girl he had employed that morning and how he thought she was fit for the job though she was mute. Mishraji had listened calmly while Milind described Prachi excitedly.


Part 6

"Milind beta, don't you have another disabled person in your company? Though I am happy that you are helping disabled people, sometimes I wonder if it is really good for your company!" Mishraji had asked Milind after he finished.

"Baaba, it's not like I am on a mission to hire disabled people. Mrs. Kundra is the most loyal employee I ever had. This new girl Prachi seems very smart. I don't think their disabilities come in the way of their work", explained Milind.

"But how do you communicate with this new girl?" Baaba wondered.

"She can hear normal, Baaba. She had mentioned in her job application that she lost her voice when she was a little girl. It's just that she can't speak, or else she is normal", Milind had defended Prachi.

"As long as they can do their job, it's fine, beta" said Baaba before retiring to his room. Milind had agreed with his father.

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It had been a week since Prachi started working for Milind. Prachi would be on her toes always making sure she kept her mouth sealed. She would be so prompted into involving in conversations with her colleagues, particularly Milind, though all usually communicated with her via emails. Milind hadn't come across anywhere as a sexist Prachi was imagining him to be, though he was not an easy to please boss. However, Prachi had done a fairly good job in her first week and Milind had developed a lot of respect for her. On the other hand, Prachi's heart had got used to the nervousness she would feel whenever he was in her close proximity.

Angel Prachi: Nice, he is really nice.

Demon Prachi: It has only been a week. He might show his true colours when it's time.

Angel Prachi: He has been an encouraging boss.

Demon Prachi: He is a dictating boss. He always has his way.

Angel Prachi: Yes, but my heart says he is a sweetheart.

Demon Prachi: My heart says I am being fooled.

"I am confused!!!" Prachi had screamed in front of her bathroom mirror. Splashing some cold water on her face, she had washed it. Pat drying her face with the towel, she applied some moisturizer. Feeling like talking to someone, she had thought about her three buddies and even her Maamaji. But since it didn't feel the right time to talk to any of them, she ended up opening her laptop. She noticed that there was an unread email from Milind. She had eagerly read it. Milind had asked her a couple of questions regarding the progress of the new project he had put her on. Prachi had replied quickly and within a couple of minutes Milind had replied back with more questions. They ended up exchanging several emails yet again but still the discussion seemed to be ongoing. In the next email Prachi sent Milind, she had asked him they could rather chat on gtalk than clicking on compose/send every time as she was so tempted to solve the issue by talking. Since Milind had a gmail id, he attempted chatting with her on it, but the messenger didn't work well for them. Prachi had asked him to give his yahoo id so that they could chat on yahoo messenger.

"I have no yahoo messenger on my laptop or an id for yahoo" had written Milind in an email. "Make a new id and download the messenger!" Prachi had replied quickly sending him the link to download. Milind had downloaded the messenger, and tried putting his name to make an id. Irritated after 10 ids he tried weren't available, he off mindedly wrote, 'MyNameIsMilind', and the id was accepted. Once he got his messenger open with his new id, he had sent it to Prachi.

'Gosh, that's such a dumb id, but it's cute of him to have picked it' Prachi had smiled looking at his id. She had added him to her yahoo messenger list. When she noticed that he had added her, she sent him a message in the chat window.

Girl_interrupted: Hi Boss!!!

MyNameIsMilind: Hi Prachi, you can call me Milind.

Girl_interrupted: Okies Milind. 😊

MyNameIsMilind: Apologies for bothering you at non-office hours.

Girl_interrupted: No Problem Boss, oops, Milind. So what were you saying in the emails?

Prachi had got them back to the work matters. Milind had chatted with her for about 15 minutes and they had come to a decision about how to go ahead with the project.

MyNameIsMilind: Thanks Prachi.

Girl_interrupted: No problem. No thanks-sorry in Boss-Employee relationship. :D

MyNameIsMilind: What is :D?

Girl_interrupted: Do you not know :D? This is code for the emoticon for showing your teeth. 😃

MyNameIsMilind: What?

Girl_interrupted: Come on Milind, don't you know about the emoticons?

MyNameIsMilind: No, I don't.

Girl_interrupted: 😆 Employee is teaching the boss something!! Look at the bottom right corner of your chat box, you will find all the emoticons there.

MyNameIsMilind: Oh Okay. ☺️

Girl_interrupted: What are you doing?

MyNameIsMilind: I was trying out the emoticons.

Girl_interrupted: The blushing one too. 😆

MyNameIsMilind: Blushing one?

Girl_interrupted: This one. ☺️

MyNameIsMilind: You have a lot of knowledge on these.

Girl_interrupted: Yes, I am a very chatty person (realizing what she had just said), I mean I chat a lot with friends on messengers.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay. Is there an emoticon for feeling sleepy too?

Girl_interrupted: Yes, 🥱

MyNameIsMilind: Hahaa, 🥱

Girl_interrupted: So, are you sleepy? BTW, you can use 😆 for laughing rather than writing Hahaha.

MyNameIsMilind: A bit sleepy. But I haven't had my food yet. So, I have to eat and then sleep. I am waiting for my father to finish his meditation.

Girl_interrupted: Who all are there in your house?

MyNameIsMilind: My father and me. And what about yours?

Girl_interrupted: I live alone. (Prachi had replied after thinking about the answer for a while).

MyNameIsMilind: Did you have your dinner?

Girl_interrupted: Yes.

MyNameIsMilind: Good, my father is done with his meditation. I have got to go for dinner.


Girl_interrupted: Okay, bye. Good night Milind. 😃

MyNameIsMilind: Good night Prachi. See you tomorrow. (Milind had logged off as he realized his father was waiting).

Prachi had seen that Milind went offline. She had wished he chatted with her for a little more. But she also wanted him to eat his dinner. Smiling again at the id he had created, Prachi whispered 'My name is Milind' before pulling the comforter over her planking her laptop aside.


Part 7

Both Milind and Prachi had found yahoo messenger the easiest way to communicate. The messenger ended up being open in Prachi's computer all the time and most of the time on Milind's. Prachi had worked hard on the new project that Milind put her on, as she wanted to do her best. Though she thought she was doing it to prove something to Milind, it was in her to give her the best to anything she did in her life. Being busy with her work also had greatly helped her to keep her mouth shut all the time. Her colleagues had got an impression that she is a serious and workaholic kind of person. There would be some or the other email that is exchanged between Prachi and Milind's mail boxes after office hours too, which would prompt them to chat with each other on messenger. As more days passed, it became a habit that before going to bed, they would chat with each other. Sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously, they had started sharing with each other their likes and dislikes.

There was a day when Milind couldn't get home in time due to a party at his friend Ali's place. Prachi had missed him so badly that she had cried and her mind wasn't in a position to think why she was crying. Milind too had remembered Prachi every other moment as their usual chatting time neared but he couldn't leave the party early, as his presence was important there. It had been 2 am by the time he returned home. He had switched his laptop on to check if Prachi had left him any message. There was an "Are you there?" and "I am off to bed, good night". The former message was sent at 9 pm while the latter was sent at 1 50 am. Milind had felt guilty somewhere in his heart that Prachi had waited for him so long and he was late. He hadn't even told her that he was going to the party as he had totally forgotten about it and he was reminded by a reminder in his phone when he drove home. Since he didn't see her online, he assumed she would have slept.

The next morning when Milind saw Prachi at work, he had looked at her with an apologetic expression. Prachi had given him a serious look for she still couldn't come to terms with the fact that he hadn't chatted with her the previous night. Milind had sent her an apology email saying he was in a party and couldn't chat with her. The day was hectic for Milind, as he had to do his part of the job for the new project along with handling three other clients who were visiting him at different times during the day. He needed to go for lunch with one of the clients, who wanted to collaborate with him and he also made sure he let Prachi know he couldn't eat with her that day in the email he sent earlier. Prachi was disappointed and had eaten with her other colleagues. She had a party to attend that evening and that made her even sadder as she might not be able to chat with Milind that night too.

When Milind was back in his office and had finished all the meetings for that day, it was over 5 pm. He had opened his inbox to check for any emails and one of the emails was from Prachi. She had written "Mr. MyNameIsMilind, I too am going to a friend's birthday party tonight and won't be able to chat with you. I am too polite to take revenge and go without telling you. Catch up with you later. BTW, I will be finishing the new project before I leave today."

Milind had smiled reading Prachi's email. He couldn't resist chatting with her right then. He had got out of his cabin and made sure Prachi hadn't yet left and came back to his chair. He logged in to the messenger and found her online. Quickly he sent her an instant message.

MyNameIsMilind: Hello, Miss. Polite!

Girl_interrupted: Okay here comes Mr. Impolite!!😡

MyNameIsMilind: I did apologize.

Girl_interrupted: Okay, let me forgive you.😊

MyNameIsMilind: Thanks Madame. I only remembered about the party when I was driving home. My friend Ali had a son recently. He threw a party for it last night.

Girl_interrupted: Oh Okay. How was your party? BTW, Are you married? (All of a sudden Prachi wanted to know if he was married as she had never thought of knowing it.)

MyNameIsMilind: Party was fun. But why this question suddenly if I am married? Have I not told you before I live with my father?

Girl_interrupted: I was just wondering. You could have been divorced too! (Prachi had left out a sigh of relief as she had suddenly become tense wondering if Milind was married.)

MyNameIsMilind: First I have to marry once to go through a divorce.

Girl_interrupted: That's true.🤣

MyNameIsMilind: Are you married?

Girl_interrupted: Do I look like a married woman? 😕

MyNameIsMilind: You look like a grandmother. 🤣

Girl_interrupted: 😡

MyNameIsMilind: Just kidding!

Girl_interrupted: But I am not married and I am just turning 24 in October.

MyNameIsMilind: I am 28.

Girl_interrupted: You are the real grandpa. Almost nearing 30. Anyways, Mr. Impolite, I have to get back to work. And I have this party too!!

MyNameIsMilind: Okay. I am leaving now. I have to take my father to the clinic. Don't over work Prachi. You can finish the project tomorrow.

Girl_interrupted: No, I WILL finish it this evening. I am almost there. What happened to your father?

MyNameIsMilind: He has blood pressure problems. This is just a regular check up, nothing serious.

Girl_interrupted: I hope his BP levels will be normal in this check up.😊

MyNameIsMilind: Thanks. Enjoy the party. See you tomorrow.

Girl_interrupted: Okay, See you tomorrow. 😊

Milind had packed his bag and got ready to leave. Before leaving he had come by Prachi's desk and said with a naughty smile "Prachi, you don't have to do overtime. I am not paying you extra anyway". Prachi had smiled back. "Bye, have fun in the party" said Milind. Prachi had waved her hand in reply. Milind walked out of the office, got into his car and started driving. After 10 mintues, his father had called him and reminded him to bring his previous medical reports which were with his office, as he had got them to show to a friend. The friend was a doctor and he was visiting him at his work, a month ago. Milind remembered that he forgot to pick the reports and took a U-turn to get back to the office to bring the reports.

By that time, Prachi had finished with her work, burnt the project into a CD and left it in the envelope box on Milind's cabin's door. Looking at the watch she realized it was already 6 pm and wondered if it was a good idea to go home or leave for the party straight from the office. Her home was in the opposite direction to the venue of the party, which was one of her friends' homes, whose birthday party she was attending. It was important for Prachi to attend this party since she needed to represent her gang which consisted of Soumya, Neev and Ayesha, who were all out of the country. She decided to go directly from work but however wanted to look better.

'You call me a grandma. Poor you! You have only seen me in this boring attire. I have got to tell you someday, I was the Miss. Beautiful in my college, though not Miss. Polite' Prachi had smiled inside herself as she went to the restroom. She had removed her spectacles, washed her face and wore the emergency pair of contact lenses she always kept in her bag. Taking the little make up kit out of her bag, she had applied some make up. She had specially worked on her big, deep eyes, rimming them with eye liner and an eye shadow that contrasted her dress. Finishing finally with some lipgloss, Prachi took the pins off of her dupatta, and got the long cloth horizotally together and wore it across her neck. She was thanking herself for wearing today one of the less boring churidars out of her office wardrobe. Giving herself a bright smile in the mirror and feeling confident that she looked good, Prachi walked out of the restroom to exit the office. As she walked a few steps, she suddenly stopped with a shocked expression to find Milind right in front of her. For a few seconds, Milind's eyes were set on her while she lowered her gaze feeling awkward and tense.

"Is that you Prachi? I couldn't recognize you" Milind had said looking at the woman in front of him who was so different from what he had seen of her all these days.

Prachi had looked up, tried to bring out a small smile that wasn't coming out of her lips.

"Oh, you are going to the party. I forgot my father's medical documents in my office. So, had to come back. Do you want me to drop you somewhere?" asked Milind. Prachi had nodded her head in negative, waved her hand and started walking out of the office, still feeling embarassed. Milind had quickly walked into the office, got the required documents and came out. He had seen Prachi trying to wave at taxis to stop outside the office. Wanting to help her, he had ran to where she stood and even caught hold of a taxi. Prachi had taken out the little note pad from her bag to write the address of the party venue as she realized she won't be able to tell the taxi driver the address with Milind being there. As Prachi got into the taxi and gave the address to the driver, Milind had felt slightly anxious to let Prachi go with a fat, ruffian looking driver. He had told the driver to drop Prachi safely to the venue and asked Prachi to text him if required.

"Don't worry, Saheb" said the taxi driver as the concern Milind showed for Prachi had put a smile on his otherwise unhappy face. As the taxi slowly moved to take a U-turn, Prachi had taken her face out of the window and gave a bright smile to Milind, waving her hand. Milind's heart had filled with that smile. He too had flashed a smile at her and suddenly he registered the number of the taxi in his brain which he thought would be useful in case any problem occured.

Getting back to his car, Milind kept remembering the bright smiling face of Prachi that had just registered in his mind. On the other hand, sitting in the taxi, Prachi had felt great relief that her secret didn't get disclosed. As she relaxed, she had recollected how Milind had told her to text him if she was in any problem.


Part 8

"Mr. Mishra, your father's blood pressure is 130/85, nearly normal. However, I advice he continues with the medication and come for regular check ups" the doctor had told Milind.

"Thank you very much, doctor" Milind had shook hands with the doctor and left the clinic with his father.

"Baaba, I am so happy today that your BP was nearly normal." said Milind getting into the driver's seat of his car.

"Beta, I know how anxiously you look at the reports every time I have my tests. Your prayers were listened today" said Baaba looking at his son.

"She was hoping too Baaba" Milind had remembered the chat with Prachi.

"Who?" asked Baaba.

"Prachi, the new employee in my office. I was chatting with her in the evening on the computer. When I told her I was taking you to the clinic for a BP check up, she had hoped the BP will be normal this time" detailed Milind though the very next moment he had wondered why he was talking so much about her with Baaba.

"You should thank her too, Beta. Hopes and prayers have miraculous powers." Baaba said putting his seat belt on.

"I will thank her. I should also thank my doctor friend Rakesh who referred us to this doctor" said Milind as he drove.

Reaching home, Milind and Baaba had finished their dinner that Baaba had cooked in the afternoon. Milind had first called his friend Rakesh and informed about the improvement in his father's health. After a long conversation, Milind had also brought up Prachi's condition wondering if Rakesh knew any specialist. Rakesh had suggested a couple of specialists he knew of. Later Milind had sent a text to Prachi asking if she had reached fine.

"Madam, tell your husband I got you here safe" said the taxi driver as Prachi paid him the money. It had struck in Prachi's brain that it was Milind the driver was referring to after a couple of seconds. The thought that the driver thought Milind was her husband had brought out varied emotions in her where she wanted to tell the driver she wasn't Milind's wife, but also didn't like to clear the driver's assumption. "Thank you" had said Prachi and walked into her friend's house. As soon as she reached there, she was surrounded by her college mates whom she was meeting after a long time. Prachi had talked, talked and talked with all of them as if to compensate her silence in office hours for the past couple of weeks.

Milind had sent Prachi two more texts but he hadn't gotten any reply. Prachi had put her mobile in silent mode not wanting to get caught talking in the office as she feared she might instinctively answer the phone if someone called her while she is in the office. She had forgotten to put it back to general mode. Her friends had kept her busy and she hadn't checked her mobile. By the time, it was 10 pm, one of the friends who had a baby was going to leave and she lived near where Prachi's house was. Though Prachi had planned to stay late in the party, the thought of going home had tempted her to chat with Milind and she had asked her friend to take her with her in her car, if she could. The friend had agreed and Prachi had excused herself saying she wasn't feeling well and left for home. Soon after reaching home, she had changed into a nightwear, switched on her laptop and opened the messenger, and sent an instant message to Milind, but didn't get a reply.

Disappointed, Prachi had took her mobile out and was surprised to see 3 unread messages in it. All happened to be from Milind who had enquired her safety. Overwhelmed with his concern, Prachi had suddenly called him back and was about to talk to him but his 'hello' from the other side made her realize she was not supposed to be talking. She just had kept quiet and Milind had asked her if she was home. Prachi had felt helpless not being able to reply him, but Milind himself had said he will get online on the computer. In a couple of minutes another of their chatting session began.

MyNameIsMilind: Hey Prachi. Sorry, I was trying to sleep and wasn't online.

Girl_interrupted: It's okay. I am sorry, I didn't read your SMSs before. I just came home.

MyNameIsMilind: How was the party?

Girl_interrupted: Very good. I met a lot of my college mates.

MyNameIsMilind: Nice. Do you have a lot of friends?

Girl_interrupted: Yes I do. But only 3 best friends. All of them are out of the country. One is in London for good. The other two are honeymooning in Sri Lanka.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay.

Girl_interrupted: How was your dad's check up?

MyNameIsMilind: Oh, I so wanted to share this news with you. His BP was normal. Thank you for wishing it to be normal. This is the first time it has gotten normal in the last two years.

Girl_interrupted: I am so happy for your dad.

MyNameIsMilind: He asked me to thank you.

Girl_interrupted: Tell him my 'Namastey'. 😊

MyNameIsMilind: Sure.

Girl_interrupted: BTW, do you know what the taxi driver said?

MyNameIsMilind: What?

Girl_interrupted: He asked me to tell 'MY' husband that he drove me safely.

MyNameIsMilind: Husband?

Girl_interrupted: Yes!!!😆 He was referring to you for your concern. Do you have a thing against taxi drivers?

MyNameIsMilind: Well... My sister had a problem. Once a taxi driver robbed her bag. I get paranoid at times thinking about it. Once bitten, twice shy! I just wanted you to be safe. I am glad you were.

Girl_interrupted: Thanks for the concern. So, you have a sister too. But where does she live?

MyNameIsMilind: In Dubai.

Girl_interrupted: Is she older than you or younger? Is she married or working there?

MyNameIsMilind: She is two years younger than me. She is married.

Girl_interrupted: Okay. But you know what, you don't have to worry about me. I am a black belt in Karate.😛

MyNameIsMilind: Really? Me too!

Girl_interrupted: Oh, great. But you won't be able to beat me. I am pretty good.

MyNameIsMilind: Let's see some day. But good to know that you can defend yourself. I appreciate that.

Girl_interrupted: Thanks. Were you thinking that I am a fragile doll?

MyNameIsMilind: You do look like one.

Girl_interrupted: Looks can be deceptive. 😉

MyNameIsMilind: Well, you did shock me when I met you in the evening.

Girl_interrupted: Shocked? Did I look horrible?

MyNameIsMilind: No, you looked beautiful.

Girl_interrupted: (Prachi had blushed, clicked on the blush emoticon but deleted it) Thanks.

MyNameIsMilind: Why don't you dress up like that to work? Do you always have to wear specs?

Girl_interrupted: I am myopic. Sometimes I wear contact lenses. I keep it simple at work.😃

MyNameIsMilind: But you look better without specs. You have beautiful eyes.

Girl_interrupted: Thanks. 😊

MyNameIsMilind: 😃

Girl_interrupted: 😛

MyNameIsMilind: 😆

Girl_interrupted: ☺️

MyNameIsMilind: 😉

Girl_interrupted: 😲

MyNameIsMilind: ❓

Girl_interrupted: How dare you wink at me?

MyNameIsMilind: Hahaa, That's because you blushed.

Girl_interrupted: I am your employee and you are my boss. I will sue you.

MyNameIsMilind: For winking?

Girl_interrupted: Yes!!

MyNameIsMilind: Oh before I forget, I have a friend who is a doctor. He suggested me a couple of specialists when I spoke to him about your condition. I will email you their names and contacts. You should consult them.

Girl_interrupted: About my aphonia?

MyNameIsMilind: Yes.

Girl_interrupted: It can't be cured. (Prachi didn't even want Milind to go any further with the matter). I have consulted many doctors including the best ones.

MyNameIsMilind: You should still give another try.

Girl_interrupted: No use.

MyNameIsMilind: How did it happen?

Girl_interrupted: You mean- how I lost my voice?

MyNameIsMilind: Yes.

Girl_interrupted: It happened when I was a little girl. When my parents.. (Prachi was taking time to make up a story).

MyNameIsMilind: Was that when you lost your parents?

Girl_interrupted: Yes. (Prachi had broken into tears suddenly remembering her parents and also the fact that she had used her parents too in her lie had her feel extremely guilty).

MyNameIsMilind: Hey, are you there? (Prachi hadn't answered for a couple of minutes as she was crying).

MyNameIsMilind: BUZZ!

Girl_interrupted: Yes.

MyNameIsMilind: Are you there? Are you crying?

MyNameIsMilind: Hey, switch on your webcam. Do it now, this is your BOSS ordering you.

Girl_interrupted: No, I won't.

MyNameIsMilind: Please, it's a request.

Girl_interrupted: (wiping her tears, she switched on the camera, but tried to look away) Here I am.

MyNameIsMilind: I am sorry, I made you cry. (Milind noticed her tear filled eyes).

Girl_interrupted: It's not your fault.

MyNameIsMilind: I am sorry again. Now please smile.

MyNameIsMilind: Please Miss. Polite, please!!

Girl_interrupted: (smiles) 😊.

MyNameIsMilind: Good girl. 😃

Girl_interrupted: 😃😃😃 (Prachi sighs and Milind notices her heaving chest exposed by her noodle strapped nightdress with one of the straps fallen off of her shoulder. He looks away feeling his awakened senses and switches off her webcam image streaming on his computer screen).

MyNameIsMilind: BTW, I am going to Pune tomorrow. I forgot to tell you that my meeting with the Mr. Kaushik was fruitful. I am visiting his company tomorrow.

Girl_interrupted: They make advertisements for beauty products, right?

MyNameIsMilind: Yes.

Girl_interrupted: Why don't you take beauty products' contracts? I would be so excited to work on them.

MyNameIsMilind: My colloboration will be on health care products which is the their other specilisation. Are you interested in beauty product ads? Do you want to join me tomorrow to Pune?

Girl_interrupted: Yes!!!

MyNameIsMilind: Okay, I will pick you tomorrow morning around 7 am. Give me your home address.

Girl_interrupted: (Prachi didn't want to invite him to her house as he would know who she is) Well, I can come to the office in the morning.

MyNameIsMilind: Why do you want to come all the way to the office?

Girl_interrupted: Okay, pick me from VT. I live near it. The thing is you won't be able to find my house as it's in a weird street.

MyNameIsMilind: Alright. See you tomorrow at 7. It's late now. Go to bed.

Girl_interrupted: Yep! See you tomorrow. Thanks for taking me to Pune. 😃

MyNameIsMilind: No problem. I will text you before I leave from home. Good night.

Girl_interrupted: Sweet dreams. Have a great sleep.😛

MyNameIsMilind: You too. Bye.

Girl_interrupted: Bye. 🤗

MyNameIsMilind: 🤗


Prachi and Milind had logged off from their messengers. Prachi went to bed recollecting Milind's concern for her whether it was regarding the taxi driver or her aphonia. She had hugged the pillow, closing her eyes filling him in. Milind too had felt conscious of Prachi like never before and thinking about her, he went to a deep slumber.

Part 9

Prachi woke up at 4 am in the morning not to be even a single minute late to reach the Victoria Terminus. Finishing her morning chores, she got ready in a pale blue saree with elegant embroidery work. Milind saying in the chat last night that he thought she had beautiful eyes kept coming to her mind and that made her go for contact lenses. When she finished getting ready it was only 5 30 am and it would only take her about half an hour to reach the Victoria Terminus. With an hour to spend Prachi had sat in the sofa in her room thinking about what she was crazily doing for the past couple of weeks. 'She had joined Milind's company to prove to him what a woman was capable of. But it didn't seem like she needed to prove anything after she interacted with the man. She had rather developed a warm relationship with him, where he had come across genuine. If he wasn't the arrogant chauvinist male she was assuming him to be, why was she even acting making it suffocating for herself? What would happen if she told him the truth? It had come to the point where she had to build up lie over lie to keep her one big lie intact. She surely wasn't enjoying doing it. But what she was loving though was his company. Would she lose it all if she reveals the truth?' Thinking in circles Prachi felt like developing a headache. As the clock showed 6 am, she had got a text from Milind that he was leaving from his house. Prachi had a cup of coffee and left in her car. Parking the car in the Victoria Terminus, she had reached the front of the station 15 minutes early.

Milind had noticed Prachi standing as soon as he drove into the front side of the Terminus. Seeing Milind, Prachi had felt a current run through her system which had electrified her already bright smile she flashed for him while getting into his car. Milind had wished her a good morning returning her smile. As he drove on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, Milind couldn't resist stealing glances at Prachi as he became more and more aware of the beautiful girl sat in his car. To avert his mind, he kept on talking about Mr. Kaushik's company and his hopes for collaboration with him. Prachi had to bite her tongue to stop herself from responding for she was so tempted to speak something. After an hour's drive, they had breakfast on a roadside restaurant and continued their journey. The rest of the journey went in silence from Milind's side too since Prachi had found some CDs in the car and played them one by one. She too was equally aware of Milind by her and she had shut her eyes to avoid him but only to see him with closed eyes too.

As they reached Pune, they were welcomed by Mr. Kaushik who took them inside his company. Mr. Kaushik had introduced Milind and Prachi to his chief men and Milind had told them before hand that Prachi had a disability in speaking in order to make it comfortable for Prachi. Prachi had appreciated his act but it also made her feel guilty about her own lie. Mr. Kaushik and his managers along with Milind and Prachi had sat in a 2 hour meeting finalizing collaborations between the two companies. Mr. Kaushik seemed to have high regards for the success Milind had achieved in spite of being new in the industry and only a small staff to support him. Milind was excited about the whole deal as it was going to be a milestone in his career. Prachi had been a silent spectator to all this much to her discomfort though she felt like she learned a bunch of new things.

Mr. Kaushik had taken Milind and Prachi to a restaurant for lunch. As she sat in her seat, Prachi had noticed Mallika and Arnav in the same restaurant. Prachi's hearbeat suddenly hit a high in fear of her truth coming out. She had bent her head trying to give no chance to Mallika and Arnav to notice her. As she saw that Mallika and Arnav were finished with their food and about to leave, Prachi had went to the restroom as she calculated high chances of getting noticed when they would walk out of the restaurant passing the table in which she sat. Mallika did notice Milind when she was leaving and she couldn't help mockingly talk to him and tell him she had found a better job in Pune though it wasn't the case. Arnav hadn't wanted to face Milind for he knew it was his own fault that he ended up leaving Milind's company and had walked out of the restaurant as soon as he saw Milind.

Making sure that Mallika and Arnav had left, Prachi had made it back to the table. By then, Milind and Kaushik had finished their lunch and Prachi too had signed the waitress to take her plate. She was too nervous to ingest some food in peace. Milind had noticed she didn't eat well but before he could ask her, Kaushik had brought up another issue.

After lunch, Milind and Prachi started their journey back to Mumbai. Milind had told Prachi that he met with two of his ex-employees in the restaurant when she had gone to the restroom. He also mentioned that one of them, Mallika was in the same post in which Prachi is working. Prachi had wanted to further inquire about Mallika but had kept quiet to respect her 'shut mouth' determination.

As they passed Lonavala, the car made weird noises and wasn't picking up speed. Milind pulled the car over in a side road and examined the engine. Prachi too had looked over to see if she could help in anyway but both couldn't figure out the problem. It was a new Honda city that Milind had bought 6 months ago. He had called his mechanic to try explaining to him the condition. The mechanic couldn't figure out the problem over the phone. Milind had then called the dealer he had bought the car from, who were supposed to cover guarantee and insurance for one year. The dealer had suggested them to leave the car in a nearby petrol pump if it could be driven up to there and he promised to send a car to bring them back to Mumbai in 2-3 hours. Milind thought it was better for them to catch a bus rather than waiting for the replacement car. He had asked Prachi if she was okay to go by bus and she had agreed nodding her head. Milind had driven the car to the nearest petrol pump as suggested by the dealer in 5 kms/hr speed. The car wasn't picking up any higher speed than that.

The petrol pump serviceman had told Milind they could catch a bus from the nearby town which was a mile away. Milind had asked if Prachi could walk. Knowing that there was no other alternative, Prachi had agreed and started taking steps with him towards the town. Milind had walked in his normal speed while Prachi with her heels had found it impossible to match his speed. Milind realized after moving at least 30 steps in front of Prachi that she was left behind. He had looked back and waited for Prachi to reach him. He could see that she wasn't able to walk fast and she seemed exhausted too. After she reached him, they walked slowly about a quarter mile further and Prachi felt fatigued and sat on a rock by the side. Milind prompted her to walk telling her it was only a few more steps as if she is a baby. Prachi had laughed at his effort and as he extended his hand to her, she held it and they started walking again. Prachi had circled his arm with her hands and walked almost leaning to him which made it easy for her while their proximity had taken the fatigue out of both of them. Walking like that they had reached the town and to their good fortune, a bus was about to leave to Mumbai.

Prachi had sat by the window with Milind besides her in the bus. As the bus moved and picked up speed, Prachi felt giddy and the intensity of her headache had increased. With the bus taking turns in the sharp curves, Prachi felt nauseating and Milind could easily see that she was very uncomfortable. Seeing her hit her head to the window trying to lean to it to get some sleep, Milind had moved her head to his shoulder hoping that she gets some sleep. Prachi was finding it impossible to sit and she had suddenly placed her head in Milind's lap not able to withstand her dizziness. Milind had held her by her arm so that she didn't hit the seat in front of them and lovingly patted her head. It had made her feel a lot better and slowly she was drifting into sleep.

"Beta, give this to your wife. It will make her feel better" an elderly woman in the other row of seats had offered Milind a lemon candy. Milind had taken the candy from her and was about to explain Prachi wasn't his wife but the woman had continued "I too can't stand these buses, that's why I keep the lemon candies with me all the time". Milind then didn't feel the need to prove that Prachi wasn't his wife. He had tried to pat Prachi's cheek to get her awake. When Prachi opened her eyes and looked at him, he had put the candy in her mouth telling her it would make her feel better. Prachi had chewed the candy with her head still on Milind's lap and slowly she had gone to a light sleep.

'Wife? Prachi and wife?' Milind had thought about the possibility of Prachi as his wife. 'Why not? It feels just right. But would she want to be his wife? But then, how would he manage to communicate with her for life? Yahoo messenger?' Milind had also remembered Prachi telling him that the taxi driver had referred to him as her husband. Wondering if they actually looked like a married couple together, Milind had ran his forefinger on Prachi's cheek hardly touching it. For the next one hour, Milind had engrossed in thinking mostly about Prachi, as the bus reached Mumbai. As the bus finally stopped in the bus stand, Prachi had got out of her sleep feeling much better. As she sat up, realizing she actually had slept on Milind's lap, had her profusely blush. However, Milind had made it not so awkward for her as he hardly made an eye contact with her immediately.

Once they were in Mumbai, Milind insisted that he would drop her home first in a taxi and then go home. Though Prachi kept on signing that she would manage on her own as she felt much better then, Milind wasn't going to let her go alone when her health wasn't good. He had asked her for the address of her house and Prachi had gone blank for a few seconds as she remembered she had lied him that her house was near the Victoria Terminus. To her rescue her memory reminded her that Ayesha's house was near the Victoria Terminus and she had typed Ayesha's address in her mobile and showed him that. Milind had asked the taxi driver to take them there. Once they reached Ayesha's place, Prachi had quickly got out of the taxi, waved her hand to Milind smiling. Milind had asked her to take care of her health before leaving. After Milind left, Prachi had taken another taxi and got back to her car to drive home. 'Oh God, what am I doing? I can't do this anymore' saying it aloud Prachi had sped up honking at a car that was ahead of her.

Demon Prachi: I shouldn't give up in between. Did I not see Mallika's reaction to Milind? Milind must have been unfair to her and to Arnav.

Angel Prachi: He is such a caring soul. I can't agree that he can be anything otherwise.

Demon Prachi: He refused the job to Soumya. Soumya is my friend, I know her caliber.

Angel Prachi: There must have been some misunderstanding.

Demon Prachi: He is nice to me just because I am pretending to be aphonic.

Angel Prachi: Tell the truth and see. He will understand.

Demon Prachi: No

Angel Prachi: Yes

Demon Prachi: No!!

Angel Prachi: Yes!!

Demon Prachi: NOOOOO

"Stop!!!!!" Prachi had screamed while taking shower closing her ears. She couldn't keep it to herself anymore. She wanted help. The one person she thought could help her was Ayesha. She decided to tell Ayesha everything and ask her suggestion. She tried calling her, but Ayesha had been in a remote beach side village in Sri Lanka spending some lovely time with her husband as he had finished with his work. Her mobile had been out of money and she hadn't bothered to get it recharged as she was going to be back in India in a few days. She thought of emailing Ayesha everything in detail, but before she started on it, she had seen Milind's email asking her if she was alright now. She couldn't help logging into the messenger to chat with him.

Girl_interrupted: Hello, Milind.

MyNameIsMilind: Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you online. Are you feeling better now?

Girl_interrupted: I am much much better now. How are you?

MyNameIsMilind: I am fine. I just had my dinner. Did you have yours?

Girl_interrupted: Yes I did. Hey Milind, I have to tell you something. (Prachi had pondered if she should tell him the truth).

MyNameIsMilind: I also wanted to tell you something.

Girl_interrupted: You go ahead.

MyNameIsMilind: Ladies first.

Girl_interrupted: Not today, you tell first.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay, you know what? Mr. Kaushik just emailed me. He actually wants to merge his Mumbai branch with my company!! Now, this is a great honour. Before the merger we have to finish with all our pending assignments. The merger will bring loads of work for us.

Girl_interrupted: Wow, congratulations! I am so happy for you.

MyNameIsMilind: Now I have to employ a few more people positively.

Girl_interrupted: Yes.

MyNameIsMilind: Unfortunately, I had employed a few wrong people in the past. But I am glad all of them have left now.

Girl_interrupted: Who were they?

MyNameIsMilind: The two I met today in the restaurant. Mallika and Arnav. There was another guy called Proteek.

Girl_interrupted: What was the problem?

MyNameIsMilind: Weird problems. I sacked Mallika because she slacked. She would come late everyday, lie through her nose, make excuses, and guess what she did when I asked her to not come to work anymore.

Girl_interrupted: What did she do?

MyNameIsMilind: She started saying she is in love with me. She tried to do 'emtional atyachar' on me that I am hurting her heart etc.

Girl_interrupted: Oh No!

MyNameIsMilind: Arnav was a slacker from the beginning. But he seemed more annoyed with me after I didn't want Mallika in my company. Today I saw him too with Mallika, but didn't talk to me. He kind of escaped.😕

Girl_interrupted: Hmm..And PROteek?

MyNameIsMilind: Why are you PRO-teek? Kidding.😆

Girl_interrupted: Just like that. (Prachi realizes she highlighted the PRO of Proteek).

MyNameIsMilind: Proteek was hired to replace Mallika. But he was too nerdy for my company and he always spoke of Silicon valley.

Girl_interrupted: (Prachi bursts out into laughter thinking even Milind understood how nerdy Proteek was) Oh Okay.

MyNameIsMilind: When he joined he spoke as if he considered himself fortunate to join my company, I got suspicious. But then, my only other option was this girl (Soumya Mahajan) and she was late for the interview itself. I worried if she was another Mallika in the making.

Girl_interrupted: So you didn't hire Soumya because she was late for the interview.

MyNameIsMilind: Well she also tried to make excuses rather than acknowledging she was late. I told ya, once bitten, twice shy! She totally reminded me of Mallika who used to have nothing but excuses.

Girl_interrupted: Then came me. Why did you hire me in spite of me being aphonic?

MyNameIsMilind: Because of the two projects you had sent. I was impressed.

Girl_interrupted: So, would you extend my contract?

MyNameIsMilind: Of course I would. Why would I want to lose a hardworking and talented employee like you? And I hope unlike your predecessors you will stick with me.

Girl_interrupted: (feeling tense) Yes, I will.

MyNameIsMilind: That's what I expected from you. BTW, what is it you wanted to tell me?

Girl_interrupted: (thinking for a minute) Wanted to ask you a question.

MyNameIsMilind: ❓

Girl_interrupted: What's the capital of Turkey? Now, be honest and don't google!!

MyNameIsMilind: If I get it correct what will I get?

Girl_interrupted: I will take you out for a dinner.

MyNameIsMilind: If I don't get it, do I have to take you out?

Girl_interrupted: Ideally Yes.

MyNameIsMilind: (though he knew the answer as Ankara) I know it, it's easy- Istanbul.

Girl_interrupted: Wrong!😆 It's Ankara!!!! Istanbul is the biggest city in Turkey, but Ankara is the capital. You lose.👎🏼

MyNameIsMilind: Defeat accepted. Where do you want to go for dinner?

Girl_interrupted: Let me think! I want to eat sushi.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay. I know this Japanese place in Bandra. Very nice.

Girl_interrupted: Okies, but when?

MyNameIsMilind: Tomorrow? 7 pm?

Girl_interrupted: Sure!😃 Thanks. Pick me from VT at 7.

MyNameIsMilind: The pleasure is mine! Now you go to bed. You must be tired and you should take rest.

Girl_interrupted: You too.

MyNameIsMilind: Good night.

Girl_interrupted: Good night, thanks for everything and I am sorry.

MyNameIsMilind: Sorry for what?

Girl_interrupted: For all the trouble I am causing to you.

MyNameIsMilind: Shut up and go to bed.

Girl_interrupted: 😊 Good night. 🤗

MyNameIsMilind: Good night. 🤗

Milind and Prachi logged off and went to sleep with a range of intense emotions flowing in their hearts.


Part 10

Angel Prachi: He is nothing like I had imagined him to be.

Demon Prachi: Well, may be. But still this is his side of the story.

Angel Prachi: I knew that Soumya was late for the interview and I also know how she tries to make excuses when she is at fault. Do I not know how PROteek thinks only about himself?

Demon Prachi: What about Mallika and Arnav?

Angel Prachi: I think they were at fault.

Demon Prachi: So, what next?

Angel Prachi: I feel disgusted about myself. I have to tell him the truth.

Demon Prachi: He will throw me out of his company and his sight.

Angel Prachi: I don't want that to happen.

Demon Prachi: Keep the mute act going.

Angel Prachi: I can't keep on doing it.

Demon Prachi: He will hate me if he knows the truth.

Angel Prachi: But what I am doing is plain cheating.

Demon Prachi: I am scared to tell him and lose him for good.

Angel Prachi: But, truth alone triumphs.


Prachi had imagined several situations that might arise with her revealing the truth about her aphonia to Milind. The very thought that in all scenarios Milind would not only sack her from the job but also will ask her to never show her face again had her heart sink. However, she decided she will tell him the truth and wondered if she could give herself an opportunity for it, during the dinner Milind was going to take her to that evening.

It was a saturday evening and a general holiday too. Prachi had dressed up in a baby pink sleeveless kurta churidar with a netted dupatta. Like the previous day, that day also she had reached the Victoria Terminus looked around for Milind. Milind had waved his hand at her, as he stood leaned to his new car the dealer had replaced his broken one with. As soon as she saw him, she had ran towards him smiling, and he had opened the car's door for her. They had brought sheer excitement to each other's hearts and the drive to the Japanese restaurant had been a silent one.

The waiter had taken Milind and Prachi to the table and Prachi had looked around as the restaurant seemed to be decorated specially. It was the 25th anniversary of the restaurant that day and the owner had specially invited Japanese artists to perform for the celebrations. Seated right in front of each other, Milind and Prachi couldn't help meeting their eyes every now and then. Milind had asked Prachi to let him know what she wanted to order and she had pointed her fingers to the dishes in the menu. Milind had ordered tempura, sushi and some noodles and drinks for both of them.

"Thanks for coming. And you are looking beautiful." Milind had said stalling his eyes on Prachi as they waited for the food to arrive. Prachi had looked up at him and smiled but lowered her gaze the next moment. Milind still kept looking at her following every tiny movement of her face. Prachi had met his eyes again and his sheer gaze at her had her lips tremble. With his eyes falling on her pink lips, he couldn't help wishing to hear his name from them.

The waiter had brought the food and Prachi had taken the chopsticks in her hand to start eating. Milind was never comfortable to eat with chopsticks and he had used his fork to start eating tempuras. Noticing him, Prachi had showed her chopsticks and pointed towards his. "I can't struggle with those sticks" said Milind. Prachi had hit the table with her fist slightly to grab his attention and signed him to eat with the sticks again. "Prachi, I don't know how to eat with them" had said Milind and she had taken his sticks in her hand and asked him to give her his hand. Placing the sticks in between his fingers, Prachi had eaten a tempura with her sticks, showing him how to move the two sticks using fingers.

Milind had tried to balance a tempura in his chopsticks with great difficulty. Prachi had watched him struggling and couldn't help smiling at him. Finally when Milind got hold of a piece, he had moved it to his mouth but before it went in, it had fallen back in the plate. "Arghhh" said Milind annoyed and he had used his fork to eat the rest of his tempuras. Prachi had pouted her lips not happy that Milind gave up his efforts but he had assured her he would eat sushis with the sticks. After they finished eating the noodles, Milind had again tried to eat sushis with the sticks and finally managed to grab one and eat it too. But with the second piece of sushi he had struggled for minutes. Prachi couldn't help laughing at him and she had put forward her hand to reach his plate, pick a sushi and eat it as if to prove to him that the task was so easy. Milind had tried again and again and failed while Prachi's laughter at him had intensified. When Prachi picked another piece from his plate showing him the movement of the sticks in her hands, Milind had caught her wrist and prompted her to feed him the piece she had picked. Prachi had felt a shiver ran through her body and had tried to release her hand from his grip. Milind had tightened the grip while Prachi had struggled further. Finally when he let her hand go after her continued efforts, Prachi had met his eyes and couldn't stand his piercing gaze at her. She had looked around and as she noticed Japanese dancers moving beautifully to the melodious music, she had got up from her seat and walked upto them to join them.

As Prachi followed the doll like dancers matching their movements, Milind had stretched in his chair and watched her. His heart couldn't help smiling at the child like exuberance Prachi had in her. After a while, many couples in the restaurant had joined the stage swinging to the soulful folk music. Prachi had come back to the table in between and had pulled Milind for the dance too though he resisted. Once in the stage like all other couples, Milind too had encircled Prachi's waist with one hand and ran his other hand down her elbow to reach out for her fingers. Prachi had closed her eyes with sensations filling her body and mind. Milind had prompted her to sway to the music, and as they did so, Prachi had opened her eyes to meet his. There were innumerable words and emotions that he seemed to be communicating to her in the way he was looking at her and she had acknowledged it. As a few minutes passed, Milind had lost himself in her deep black eyes while she had surrendered her senses to his commands.

As people applauded at the end of another performance by the dancers, Prachi and Milind broke away from the spell that had caught them. Milind had walked back to the table while she followed him. Paying the bill, he had asked her if they could leave and Prachi had nodded in agreement. Prachi had wondered if she could tell him her truth about her when they drive back.

"I have a confession to make, Prachi" said Milind as she sat in his car. "I did know that the capital of Turkey was Ankara. But I wanted to take you for dinner myself. It would have been the same if you had took me out, but still, I wanted to. So I gave the wrong answer. I am telling you this because it was bugging me from yesterday that I lied, that too to you. I am sorry Prachi" Milind had said as he drove the car. There had come a big blow to Prachi's determination to make her confession. Though she had smiled at Milind acknowledging his confession, she was going through a turmoil in her mind.

Milind had dropped Prachi to Ayesha's place which he had thought was her home. "We could chat in the night. I will be home in about half an hour. Don't sleep. Wait for me" instructed Milind as he drove off. Prachi had cried aloud covering her face with her hands. But soon, she had got into her car, which she had parked near Ayesha's place this time and had driven home. As soon as she opened her laptop and logged into the messenger, she saw that Milind had already sent her a message.

MyNameIsMilind: Hey Prachi. I am home.

MyNameIsMilind: Are you there?

Girl_interrupted: Yes.

MyNameIsMilind: Hope you are not upset with me!

Girl_interrupted: For what?

MyNameIsMilind: For my lie to take you out for dinner.😳

Girl_interrupted: No, it's okay. Do you hate lies?

MyNameIsMilind: I can't stand them at all. You know, when I was 15, I had gone to a movie with friends telling my father I was going to the library. But when I came back home, I confessed it to him.

Girl_interrupted: Was he mad at you?

MyNameIsMilind: For a bit. But he was also proud of me that I confessed.😊

Girl_interrupted: You must be close to your father.

MyNameIsMilind: Yes. And when you are close to someone, lying is impossible.

Girl_interrupted: Hmm (Prachi had felt terrible and she had sighed). You must be close to your sister too.

MyNameIsMilind: (sighs) I thought I was. But I was wrong.

Girl_interrupted: What do you mean?

MyNameIsMilind: May be I should share this with you. My sister eloped while my father and I had arranged her wedding with another guy, with her consent. She had never shared with us that she was in love with that guy. After that, my father's health had gone down bad and we still have these relatives who keep torturing him with questions about my sister. If not me, she should have thought about our father.

Girl_interrupted: I am sorry to hear that.

MyNameIsMilind: It's okay. It's an old wound. It has been two years now. My father and I moved to Mumbai and things are better here. My father's health has also improved.

Girl_interrupted: That's good.

MyNameIsMilind: Did you like the dinner?

Girl_interrupted: Yes, it was great.

MyNameIsMilind: You looked amazing dancing with those dancers.

Girl_interrupted: Thank you.

MyNameIsMilind: Are you tired? Why are you talking so less today?

Girl_interrupted: I think I am sleepy. (Prachi didn't know what to talk to him as tears flew from her eyes).

MyNameIsMilind: Okay go to sleep then. See you on Monday. I will be spending the Sunday with my father.

Girl_interrupted: Okies.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay bye then. Good night.

Girl_interrupted: Good night.

MyNameIsMilind: 🤗

Girl_interrupted: 🤗




Part 11

'I can't bear with this' Prachi had screamed standing in the terrace of her huge bungalow. Her guilt had multiplied in geometric proportions.

It had been 4 days since she had gone to the Japanese restaurant with Milind; her mind was in chaos ever since. She had been trying to tell him the truth about her aphonia, but one or the other thing had stopped her, though she had no choice but blaming herself for losing the chances. She had written him an email about her faking aphonia, but before she sent it, she had received another email from him where he had said how he was looking forward for her support to wind up the current projects before the big merger with Mr. Kaushik's company. Prachi had deleted the email she had written for she thought she needed to fulfill her responsibilities and meet up Milind's expectations at least as his employee. She knew if she revealed the truth right then, he would fire her and that would affect the projects too. She had decided to work for him until her temporary contract ended and quit his company giving him some valid reason. The very decision had pained her heart like hell, but she thought that was the best she could do.

In order to successfully work on her decision, Prachi had avoided Milind as much as she could other than in work matters. She had sincerely worked for the completion of the projects but had almost stopped chatting with him on yahoo messenger and had made one or the other excuse whenever he tried to communicate with her, on matters other than work. She thought that was good for both of them rather than nourishing the budding feelings between them, which she was sure would only be disastrous when reality comes out.

On the other hand, ever since Milind held Prachi in his arms in the restaurant, he had seen the reflection of his own feelings in her eyes. He didn't need any further assurance than that to understand what had bound them together. His heart had filled with elation at the realization that it was love he had for her and she had for him.

However, it hadn't taken long for MIlind to notice how Prachi had tried to distance herself from him from after the dinner. She had been working much harder in the office, but the warmth, the cheer was missing. She had responded to all his emails but the personal touch was completely gone. Though she hid her eyes behind the spectacles, Milind could still see a deep prayer of love for him, in them, in her very expression. The only conclusion he could come to with her changed behaviour was that, as soon as she realized where their relationship was heading to, she was trying to cut it off, perhaps because she didn't want to burden him with her inability to speak for life. He decided to get her to talk to him that night and get the truth out of her mouth.

Calming herself down, Prachi had got down from the terrace and Ramu Kaaka had persuaded her to eat something, when she told her she wasn't hungry. The loyal house helper had noticed that the girl hadn't been eating well for the past few days. Though he didn't think it was in his right to ask her about her personal matters, he had prayed silently for her happiness.

Once Prachi was back in her room, she had opened her laptop expecting to see Milind's emails. There was an email from him where he asked her an important question about the project she was currently working on. She had sent an email back answering and all she could do after that was to refresh her email page several times until she got a reply back from him. He had asked her to come to the yahoo messenger to discuss the project. Though Prachi was afraid of chatting with him, she coudln't stop herself anymore.

Girl_interrupted: Hi, I am sorry I was busy.

MyNameIsMilind: Glad to see you on messenger after so long.

Girl_interrupted: I am glad to see you too.

MyNameIsMilind: If that's the case why are you running away from me?

Girl_interrupted: What do you mean?

MyNameIsMilind: Now, don't come up with another excuse. Both you and I know, I had to get you on messenger making an excuse about work.

Girl_interrupted: Milind, what are you saying?

MyNameIsMilind: Don't you know it? Why beating around the bush, let me say it straight. You are avoiding me ever since our dinner in the Japanese restaurant. Is it because I lied to you about Turkey's capital?

Girl_interrupted: No, Milind. (Prachi had pressed the enter button this time without knowing what to write).

MyNameIsMilind: Then, what it is Prachi? Why do you have to do this to me?

Girl_interrupted: Because, I don't deserve you.

MyNameIsMilind: Just because you can't speak!?

Girl_interrupted: Milind, it's not like that.

MyNameIsMilind: Prachi, listen to me, you are the most beautiful thing to ever happen to me in life. Why do you want to snatch yourself from me?

Girl_interrupted: No Milind, I am not worthy of you.

MyNameIsMilind: Prachi I don't know what makes one worthy of another, but I know that I need you in my life. I haven't felt what I have felt for you for anyone else in my life. It's for you I have learnt using messenger and tried to eat with chopsticks.

Girl_interrupted: Oh Milind, you don't understand. Let me explain.

MyNameIsMilind: I don't want any explanations. I don't want any excuses. All I know is I need you. I am saying all this because I know very well, my emotions aren't one sided. I see in your eyes what I feel in my heart.

MyNameIsMilind: Prachi, I have to go for dinner now. Baaba is back from his friend's place. I will talk to you later.

Girl_interrupted: Okay Milind. Bye.

MyNameIsMilind: Where are my hugs? 🤗

Girl_interrupted: Milind I might not be online later. Don't wait for me. (getting emotional) 🤗

MyNameIsMilind: Alright. But think about what I told you.

Girl_interrupted: I will. 🤗🤗🤗

MyNameIsMilind: Good night sweet heart.


Prachi knew she would break Milind's heart by telling him the truth. She also knew she has been breaking his heart, without his knowledge, with her lies. She couldn't think of a way out. But telling him the truth seemed to be the better of two evils. With her heart filled with him and pain, she spent a sleepless night.

'Stupid girl! She thinks she can stay away from me, while she sends me not one but three hugs in the end' smiled Milind as he went to sleep that night.

The next day was busy for both Milind and Prachi at work. Milind had been out for most of the day, busy with meetings. As Prachi noticed that he was back in his cabin by evening, she waited for an opportunity to talk to him in private. After all the employees left, Prachi saw that Milind was still in his cabin. She had knocked his door and he had asked her to come in.

As she framed sentences in her mind to open her mouth, Milind had got up from his seat and walked towards her. She took a couple of steps back and hit the door that she had closed a minute before. Milind had moved close to her making her feel sheer nervousness. He had taken her spectacles off and put it aside on a book shelf. Prachi had shivered and parted her lips to say something but she felt as if she was mute for real and she couldn't utter a word.

"You have cried through the night, haven't you?" said Milind, placing his hand on her cheek. "Prachi, stop fighting with yourself. Don't deny yourself and me what we have found in each other. When our hearts have communicated with each other, why are you hesistant?" Milind had cupped her face with his palms and looked at her lovingly.

Prachi had felt dizzy with the overflow of emotions. As she closed her eyes, Milind pulled her into a tight embrace. Hugging her tightly with one hand, he had caressed her head and back with the other. He could feel Prachi's heart racing abnormally against him and he had tightened the hug further kissing her head. Holding her like that, he had felt she was the most precious thing in his life.

It was absolute bliss for Prachi. She hadn't ever felt so secure, so comfortable. She had closed her eyes and cherished the feeling.

They didn't know how long they stood like that. A silence occupied their hearts, their bodies, their surroundings.

Much later, Milind had released her from his arms slowly and gazed her face intently. Prachi opened her eyes, looking into his eyes she wanted to take his name. Her trembling lips parted, but before any sound left her mouth, his mouth reached hers. "I love you, Prachi" he had whispered against her lips.

Part 12 (dedicated to gudiya😳)

Lips met lips and got locked. Their eyes got closed, arms got wrapped around each other.

Feeling the tremble of Prachi's lips against his, Milind had pressed in further. Her sweetness had prompted him to make his way into her mouth and she had let him roam free, with his proximity taking her to a trance. His arms moved down her lips, lifting her up, bringing her to his height as the kiss continued. She had united her hands behind his neck. The place, the situation and the time were forgotten. When it got suffocating, they broke apart, but the very next moment, he had claimed her mouth again in a deeper kiss, finding the act irresistible. Breaking free from her mouth, he bent down, burying his head by her neck, kissing her shoulder, her ear lobe and behind her ear. When the passion seemed to lose control, he withdrew, but pulled her into a hug yet again, calming down the fire. Their breathing came to normal, as they stood in an embrace lost into another world in unison.

"Prachi, I would want to hold you in my arms like this, till eternity. Life feels perfect with you; there would be nothing more to ask for, with you in it." Milind said running his hand on her back. Hearing his words, Prachi had felt her most beautiful dream coming true. Milind had loosened his grip around her, kissed her forehead, then moved to her ears. Placing a small kiss on her earlobe he had whispered "Will you marry me, Prachi?". Prachi had choked with the overflow of emotions, with her eyes filling up and lips attempting to take his name again. Milind had cupped her face in his palms, waiting for her answer. As she looked into his eyes with love and desperation with tear drops falling out of her eyes, she couldn't say a letter, how much ever she tried. Milind could sense her intense despair to speak up with her lips shivering. "Prachi" he had said amorously. The next moment, she had crashed her head into his broad chest, enveloping him with her arms tightly, sobbing profusely.

Milind had got his answer, with the girl he loved in his arms, hugging him as if she never wanted to let him go. A film of tears formed in his eyes with his heart not able to hide its joy. Soon his mobile left on his table rang giving him and Prachi the touch of reality. They had released each other from their arms. Milind had wiped the drop of tear from his eyes, wiped her tears too and kissed her forehead before attending the call. Prachi leaned to the back of the door getting her mind together as her brain started analyzing what had just passed.

"Baaba, ask Shastriji to take a left turn from there, I will be waiting outside" MIlind had said over the phone. "Prachi, Baaba is coming here. I will get him inside" said Milind lifting from the floor Prachi's dupatta that had fallen off when he kissed her. "Set your hair, it's all over your face" he said laying the dupatta on her body.

As Milind walked out of his cabin, to bring his father in, Prachi had covered her face with her palms and assimilated the happenings. After a couple of minutes, hearing the footsteps, she had set her hair and wore her spectacles, wiping her tears away.

"Baaba, this is Prachi. Prachi, this is my father" Milind had introduced his beloved father to the girl he loved. Prachi had touched Baaba's feet to take his blessings. Baaba had hugged her lovingly to say "So, you are Prachi. Have heard a lot about you, beti". Prachi had smiled.

"Milind, Shastriji's wife cooked dinner and packed it for us. And his daughter gave me all these flowers." Baaba has explained the huge bag he had got from his friend Shastri's house.

"What did Shastri Aunty cook Baaba?" wondered Milind.

"Some kadi and chawl. She knows it's your favourite". said Baaba.

"It's Prachi's favourite too." said Milind remembering one of his chat conversations with her where they had shared their likes and dislikes regarding food.

"Then Prachi beta, you should join us for dinner tonight. Mrs. Shastri is a great cook." Baaba invited Prachi. Prachi had tried to nod her head in negative, but Milind had coaxed her to join them as he had other plans too. He had told her that they could have an early dinner and then he would drop her home. As much as Prachi tried to avoid going with them, Baaba and Milind had pulled her along.

Baaba had asked Milind to switch the radio on in the car, curious to know what had happened to the India-Australia cricket match that day. Milnd had told him Australia had won and disappointed Baaba asked him to play some music instead. Flipping though the radio stations, they heard some soulful flute playing and Baaba asked his son to let it play. It was a recent song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali khan. The song had spread love and peace around while Milind for the first time had thought a song had described his mental status perfectly. He looked back at Prachi a few times, who had sat in the backseat, as if to look for cars in other lanes. Prachi had acknowledged his gaze with a tiny smile that she brought on herself with great effort.

(Jiya dhadak dhadak song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSuwqmR9rs

Tujhe dekh dekh sona, Tujhe dekh kar hain jagna
Seeing you I shall go to sleep, Seeing you I have got to wake up
Maine yeh zindagani sang tere bitaani
I want to spend this life with you
Tujh mein basi hain meri jaan haaye
In you, my life is dwelling
Jiya dhadak dhadak jaayen
My heart goes on beating

Kabse hai dil mein mere armaan kai ankahe
From when, in my heart, there are unsaid desires
Inko tu sunle aaja chaahat ke rang chadha jaa
Today you hear them and decorate them with the colors of love
Kehna kabhi to mera maan haaye
At least sometimes you should listen to what I say
Jiya dhadak dhadak jaayen
My heart goes on beating


Lagta hain yeh kyu mujhe sadiyon se chaahu tujhe
Why do I feel this, that I have loved you for centuries
Merey sapno mein aake, apna mujhko banake
Coming in my dreams, by making me yours
Mujhpe tu kar ehsaan haaye
Do a favour to me
Jiya dhadak dhadak jaayen
My heart goes on beating

They had reached home in about half an hour with the traffic being not too bad for a change. Baaba had welcomed Prachi inside the house while Milind watched her footsteps that she put to enter the house. Asking Prachi to take a seat, Baaba took out the flowers from the bag and tried to arrange them in the flower vases for the living room. Noticing him struggling to get the arrangement right, Prachi had walked up to him and took the flowers from his hand. She had arranged lilies in one flower vase and had put the rest of zarbaras and gladiolus in another vase that she found empty in the corner of the room. Baaba had watched the girl's craft intently and as she finished doing the beautiful arrangement, he had said "Milind, look how beautiful Prachi has made this room look. This is what is missing in our house".

Prachi had then joined Baaba to empty kadi and chawl from the tiffin boxes and serve it on the plates. Milind had watched how Baaba and her were co-ordinating what they were doing, and he couldn't help feeling a great feel of satisfaction. Prachi sat by Baaba's side for the dinner. As they all started eating, Milind started telling Baaba clearing his throat, what he had planned to say all this while. "Baaba, I wanted to tell you something. I think today is the right time. I was thinking, how would you like it if Prachi occupied this seat?" said Milind pointing towards the chair besides him.

Prachi had looked at Milind with a question mark while Baaba had smiled to say "I knew it, beta" and had turned towards Prachi. "Beti, ever since you have joined his office, this fella is talking about you and only you. I also know he even keeps talking to you on computer every night. I am glad he brought up this issue or else I was going to bring it up myself". Milind couldn't help appreciating his father in his heart, who had unconditionally accepted his choice for a wife.

As Prachi tried to figure out what the two Mishra men were talking about in her head, Milind had excused himself to the bathroom as he was feeling slight abdominal pain and it seemed to worsen after eating. "Prachi, looks like after meeting you, Milind has become Milind again. I hadn't seen him so happy for a day in the past two years, ever since Sukruti... " Baaba had sighed and Prachi could read the pain in his face.

When Milind came back from the bathroom, Baaba had asked Milind if his health was alright and told him he would drive Prachi home if he wanted to rest. Milind had said, he was fine and asked Baaba to join him when he drove Prachi home. As Milind drove Prachi and Baaba towards Prachi's supposed home, Baaba had kept telling Prachi Milind's childhood antics which brought a smile onto her face. When Milind stopped in front of Ayesha's place, Baaba had said "so, you know her house already" teasing his son.

"Prachi, it felt like I saw Sukruti in you today" Baaba said as Prachi touched his feet again before a good bye. Milind who had stood leaned to the car had watched Prachi and his father filling the sight to his eyes. Later, he had opened the door for his father and walked around the car, towards Prachi, who was standing in a side. Holding her hand and pressing it without his father's notice, Milind had smiled at her naughtily. He had waved at Prachi as he sat inside the car and drove back to his home.

Part 13

The next morning, when Prachi woke up, the time was 9 am. She had come to her home from Ayesha's place feeling dazed. Milind's lips on hers, his whispers in her ears, Baaba's loving hand on her head when he blessed her, the dinner she had with Milind and Baaba; the images had bombarded her mind one by one. She didn't know when she felt giddy and fell on her bed.

On the other hand, Milind had spent a sleepless night. His abdominal pain had severed. He had to wake up his father unable to bear with the pain asking him to call the doctor. Baaba had called the doctor who diagnosed that Milind's pain was because of appendicitis which needed to be removed immediately. Seeing Baaba panic, Milind had called Ali in the middle of the night so that Baaba had some support. He had asked Baaba not to inform Prachi as he didn't want to make her anxious. The doctor had called for an ambulance and Milind was taken to the hospital in the middle of the night. He was operated in the early hours of morning to remove his infected appendix. The surgeon had suggested Milind stay in the hospital for 3 days and he then needed to rest for a couple of weeks.

The next morning, Prachi had reached the office late as she overslept and had seen that Milind's cabin was locked. Thinking he might have gone for a meeting or so, she had started with her work. Milind had informed Mrs. Kundra that he would be off for a few days due to ill health, which she had announced to the employees before Prachi arrived. When Prachi opened her mailbox after sometime, she got tense to read Milind's email where he had said he was in the hospital for a minor surgery and he would stay online on yahoo for her to chat with him. Prachi had logged into the messenger in anxiety.

Girl_interrupted: Milind, why are you in the hospital? What happened?

MyNameIsMilind: Nothing much. First of all, if you already have an anxious face, please calm down, relax and smile.😃

Girl_interrupted: But tell me what has happened?

MyNameIsMilind: Listen, do you know about appendicitis?

Girl_interrupted: Yes. (Prachi felt tense).

MyNameIsMilind: My appendix got infected. It needed to be removed surgically. You might know, it is a vestigial organ. So it's better that it is removed. I have to stay in the hospital for a few days and then rest at home.

Girl_interrupted: Which hospital are you in?

MyNameIsMilind: St. John's. Ali and Neelam are here with me. Baaba was also around, but I sent him home to rest as his blood pressure got high with the whole fiasco in the middle of the night yesterday.

Girl_interrupted: Why didn't you inform me last night?

MyNameIsMilind: Because it wasn't a serious problem, Prachi. I didn't want to get you worried.

Girl_interrupted: I want to see you. I will come there right now.

MyNameIsMilind: Wait, a minute. Listen to me carefully.

Girl_interrupted: Tell me.

MyNameIsMilind: Before coming to see me, you have to do some important things for me. There are a couple of projects to be submitted today. They are on my table in my cabin. Go through them and edit them. Then give them to my Mr. Singh. He will take care of them. I am in touch with him and a couple of others so that we can finish everything in time before the merger. I hope we will be able to do it with the support of you and my other employees. I wish I didn't have to go through this surgery in this crucial moment for our company. But..

Girl_interrupted: Don't worry Milind. We will get everything done in time. I will try doing my best.

MyNameIsMilind: That's why I am not worried.😊 I have total faith in your abilities.

Girl_interrupted: Thanks Milind.

MyNameIsMilind: After you finish the work, come straight here. I am dying to see you. I am in the 5th floor, room 7.

Girl_interrupted: I want to see you as soon as possible too. I hope you are not in too much pain.

MyNameIsMilind: No, I am alright. See I am good enough to chat with you on my laptop. I had asked Ali to get my laptop this morning.

Girl_interrupted: Is Baaba alright now?

MyNameIsMilind: I believe he is. I don't want his health doesn't go down with me in the hospital.

Girl_interrupted: Don't worry Milind. Nothing like that will happen.

MyNameIsMilind: Again, when I have you by me, why do I worry?

Girl_interrupted: (feeling guilty) Milind.

MyNameIsMilind: Now, get back to work sweetheart. I can't wait to see you.

Girl_interrupted: Yes. See you soon. Take care. 🤗🤗🤗🤗 Keep me updated. I will be online.

MyNameIsMilind: Sure, my Prachi. Love you. 🤗🤗🤗

Girl_interrupted: I love you very much, Milind.

Prachi had wiped her tears and determined to stretch herself beyond her limits at least on the work front. The only time she would feel guilt free was when she involved herself in work. She had finished all that she had to do as soon as she could, and by evening, she reached St. John's hospital. When she reached there, it was visitor's time and along with Ali and Neelam, there were Baaba, Mrs. and Mr. Shastri. Milind's surgical wound was being dressed and all had waited in the waiting room. Mrs. Shastri was feeling bad that her kadi-chawl caused Milind stomach pain, but Baaba had assured her it had nothing to do with the food as he and Prachi too ate it.

Prachi was relieved to see Milind smiling at them when they all got to see him. The doctor had assured there was nothing to worry and it was just a matter of the wound getting healed. Prachi had silently watched when Milind shared his experience of the last night with the Shastris. As the nurse informed them that the visiting time was over and only one person could stay with the patient, everyone left except Prachi. Ali had taken the responsibility of staying with Milind in the hospital, but he had asked Prachi to stay until he dropped Baaba and his wife home and came back.

Prachi sat by Milind watching him with love. Milind had taken her hand in his and put it on his chest. The medication had him drowsy and he had said he felt sleepy. Prachi had kissed him on his forehead and prayed in her heart for his speedy recovery. Milind soon had gone to sleep still holding her hand while she had sat watching him, stroking gently his forehead. After an hour, Ali had come back to relieve Prachi from the hospital. Prachi had left for home afterwards.

The next few days in the hospital were spent in a similar manner. Prachi would come to meet him in the morning and the evening. Mr. Singh and a couple of other employees also would visit Milind to get his instructions and signatures. Prachi had worked hard along with other employees making sure Milind's absence didn't affect the company's routine. After 3 days, Milind was back in home. Though he could walk, he needed to rest for a couple of weeks. Prachi used to visit him in the evenings, so was Mr. Singh, who would give Milind an account of what was happening in the company.

Meanwhile, Baaba had discussed about Milind and Prachi with Shastriji who was also an astrologer. After Baaba had taken Prachi's birth date and time through Milind, Shastriji had looked over their match carefully. He had said though Milind and Prachi made an ideal couple, there could be an ill effect due to the solar eclipse that was to happen after two days. They needed to marry before that as they shouldn't be marrying for at least a year after that. He had also stressed it was the best to marry before the eclipse. Baaba wanted to see them married as soon as possible and decided to bring up the issue with his son.

When Baaba briefed Milind about the matter, Milind had wondered how could he possibly marry in two days and how they would invite people and make wedding preparations in 48 hours. He also thought that even for Prachi this would be a shocker. Baaba had discussed the matter with Ali too and asked him to take him to Prachi so that he could talk to her the matter. Ali and Baaba went to meet Prachi at work place where Baaba had described the situation to Prachi and requested her to marry his son that night, in a small ceremony completing the few important rituals. When Prachi's face got absolutely apprehensive, Ali had taken her out in private and had narrated how Sukruti's wedding had broken and how it had affected Baaba and Milind. He had begged her not to break Baaba's heart this time as it was his biggest dream to see Milind married as soon as possible.

"But, Ali, I am in a mess" Prachi had spoken leaving Ali bewildered who was under the impression that she couldn't speak.


Part 14

"Am I dreaming? Pinch me, Prachi" said Ali without blinking his eyes after Prachi sincerely narrated him the turnout of events starting from the day she saw Milind. Prachi had taken Ali's words literally and pinched him hard on his hand. Ali retrieved his hand with a shriek. Prachi had apologized for pinching him.

"So, what next?" asked Ali.

"If I knew what next, I wouldn't have narrated you the whole story. I am caught in this tangle. I don't know how to get out. My three best friends are in their own world enjoying. My Maamaji is in the US. I couldn't even share this with anyone so far. I don't know you well, but since I know you are Milind's friend, I am completely trusting you" Prachi had cried like a baby.

"I am glad you are trusting me. I won't break it. Now stop crying and think straight. Tell me, what do you want, ideally?" questioned Ali.

"I want to get married to Milind and live a happily ever after life. More than that, I want Milind to be happy." Prachi said as clear as crystal.

"And I am sure Milind wants the same too. He is head over heels in love with you. Except that your, what did you say, aphonia- I had never heard of that thing- anyways, your aphonia secret is in between. You know what, Baaba wants the same too. He wants you two to marry and live happily ever after. I want the same, I am sure your folks want the same too" Ali had calculated and continued "And the aphonia secret needs to be revealed. But if it is revealed now, I can assure you, this marriage won't happen. No one can talk it to Milind when he blasts. Knowing Milind for years, I know that when he is angry, not even his father can handle him. If the marriage doesn't happen, Baaba will be heartbroken. Baaba was telling me that even though Milind is apprehensive about this urgent wedding, he is sure that Prachi would listen to him. That's one kind of emotional blackmail these parents do. But, since Baaba is elderly and his health is of concern, his wishes should be given the first priority. Then there is this question of Milind's company. If your secret is revealed, Milind would be extremely upset and nothing positive will happen for a while."

"As I told you, there is a lot to be done in the next few days before the big merger with Mr. Kaushik's company. I don't want Milind's company to suffer losses at this crucial time. He has given me a lot of responsibilities keeping faith in me. I want Milind to know that at least I was a sincerely employee if not a sincere lover" Prachi had added.

Ali had thought deeply for a few minutes and said conclusively "Prachi, you have got to marry him, tomorrow. You know there is a proverb in my state's language which translates as, to tie a knot, you can say 1000 lies. People get married saying their eyes are fine, but they will have -7 myopia. Here the case is different, you are marrying saying you can't speak but actually you can. So, no one would be really sad to know a girl whom they thought was disabled is not. You described yourself as chatty. I am sure Baaba would love a chatty bahu. The problem would be Milind, the groom. But I assure you, if we can tell him the truth convincingly, he will accept it in a positive way. I am sure he too would have at some point dreamt how nice it would have been if Prachi had a voice. Would he not want to hear his name from your mouth? Okay, let's do this. You guys get married. Keep your numb act going until the projects are finished, which is just a matter of few more days. Afterwards, we will tell him the truth slowly. May be we will write him a letter explaining how your misunderstandings made you do what you did, or create a situation where he understands how you got caught in your own lie. What's say Prachi?"

"I am really scared, Ali. My legs tremble all the time I think about Milind and believe me, I only think about him all the time" said Prachi holding in her hands, her aching head.

"Prachi, don't worry. I am with you. Neelam, my wife will be with you too. The only reason that makes me support you is my gut feeling. It says you truly love him and he loves you. When he told me about you, I was so happy for him as I had never seen him that happy before. And above all, everything is fair in love and war, you see! I can understand how you did all this in love. The same love will make him come around too." Ali had assured Prachi.

By then, they had heard Baaba taking their names as it had been a while, them talking. Telling Prachi to act on what he planned, Ali had walked up to Baaba and told him everything will go according to his wishes and the wedding would be conducted the next evening. Baaba couldn't hide his happiness from his face and he had hugged his daughter in law with love. Ali had told Prachi he would contact her later and took her mobile number. He had then driven Baaba back to the Mishra house discussing the wedding arrangements on the way.

Milind was surprised to learn that Prachi agreed to get married so suddenly. He wanted to see her and also make sure she was alright with the decision. Though he was more than happy about marrying the girl he loved and also happy that his father's wish was coming true, he had hoped that the sudden developments are fine with Prachi too. After Ali left, he had tried to call Prachi but her mobile was busy. She wasn't online on yahoo messenger either. Milind decided he would go to her house and meet up with her, but right then, he had got a call from Ali saying Prachi was going to be in their house that night and Neelam was helping her buy the wedding dress.

Ali had indeed made Prachi stay in his house that night after telling his wife the story as he drove to Prachi's house with her in order to pick her. Neelam was equally shocked but she was ever so enthusiastic to help Milind and Prachi marry. She herself had married Ali under weird circumstances since she and Ali belonged to different religions. Prachi had told Ramu Kaaka that she was going to stay in her friend's place for a few days but had touched his feet to take his blessings before leaving her house.

Neelam and Prachi had hit it off instantly as friends and Prachi had again narrated her whole story to Neelam as she stayed in her house with her. Baaba had informed Ali that the wedding was going to be in the evening in the Mishra house. He had also said that he only invited a few near and dear ones for this instant wedding and he would arrange a big party a while later. Milind had called Ali's house and wanted to talk to Prachi on internet, but Ali had teased him that it was only a day more he needed to wait.

The next morning, Neelam and Prachi had shopped for wedding lehenga and accessories. Prachi had chosen a blue lehenga unlike the traditional shades of red. When Neelam wondered about it, Prachi had told her Milind's favorite colour was blue. "So, you don't want to leave any chance to seduce your man on your wedding night" Neelam couldn't help teasing Prachi who had turned beetroot red.

Neelam's cheerful company had made Prachi relax and this was the first time she had some peace in her mind after weeks of mental turmoil. Before leaving to the Mishra house with Ali and Neelam, for her own wedding, Prachi had suddenly gotten emotional thinking she was not informing any of her friends or Maamaji about her wedding. She had shared the matter with Neelam who had assured her she could tell everyone the reality once matters are settled with Milind, reminding her that it was only a matter of few days.

"Sometimes I feel I should do something to myself so that I lose my voice for good" Prachi had said with tears filling in her eyes. "Stupid girl, don't say such things. You should feel yourself blessed to have born with no disabilities. Only disabled people know how life is for them" Neelam had said raising her voice at the same time wiping Prachi's tears off.

Ali drove Neelam, Prachi and his baby to the Mishra house. Neelam had taken Prachi to the guest room to get her ready. She had did her best to make an already beautiful Prachi look breathtakingly gorgeous. The wedding guests had arrived which included Shastri, Kundra and Singh families. Not all the employees from Milind's company were invited as Baaba had decided they would have a big reception in the coming days and invite everyone.

Milind hadn't been allowed to meet Prachi at all until the wedding rituals were to start. Baaba and Shastriji had shopped a heavy sherwani for him which he found too tedious to wear. Though he had insisted he would go shopping with them, the two old men had asked him to take rest in spite of him already recovered completely from the surgery. Respecting the elders, Milind had worn his attire with no complaint.

The priest had begun the rituals with Sanskirt sacred utterances. Milind was first seated in the mantap and Prachi was called in much later. As Neelam brought Prachi to the mantap, Milind couldn't help filling in his eyes the image of his beautiful bride dressed in blue, looking nothing less than an angel. Mr. and Mrs. Shastri had performed the kanyadan part, considering the fact that Prachi didn't have parents. The sad shadow that occupied Prachi's face with her parents' memories didn't go unnoticed by Milind. He had took her hand in his, when the priest wasn't paying them attention in order to assure her he was there for her, forever.

The wedding was completed with Milind tying the mangalsutra around Prachi's neck followed by the 7 pheres. Prachi was guilty more than happy while Milind was truly happy and excited. When the mangalsutra was being tied, Prachi had felt like stopping the wedding and running away but she could feel the presence of Baaba just besides her which didn't allow her to do what she thought. The next moment she had looked at Ali, who had reassured her with his eyes.

The caterers had served the dinner and the small gathering had eaten together. All the guests had left except for Ali and his family. Neelam had taken Prachi to Milind's room which she had modestly decorated. "Don't worry, just keep numb. Everything will be alright" Neelam had assured her before she left the room and told Ali to send Milind in. Standing by the window, looking out, Prachi had faced her internal conflicts which only needed an excuse to occupy her mind.

Angel Prachi: I am a cheater. I married with a big lie.

Demon Prachi: I had no choice. If I had told the truth it would have been disastrous.

Angel Prachi: But marriage is a sacred union. I am disrespecting it.

Demon Prachi: I love him and I am helpless. I will tell the truth someday. He will understand it.

Before Prachi made peace with the angels and demons of her mind, a hand had surrounded her waist.

Milind had entered the room, closed the door and had stood behind her. When she seemed lost in her own world, he had slid his arm around her waist. Shivering at his touch, Prachi had turned around to face him. Milind had cutely smiled at her.

Looking into her eyes he had captivated her gaze. It was magic. His other hand had raised to trace her eye brows, ran down her cheek and rested on her shoulder. "Prachi" he had whispered as she still had her eyes fixed on his. The whisper of her name took her back to her internal conflict, her face suddenly bore an expression of anxiety.

"I know this wedding happened all of a sudden. But Prachi, we both wanted it at some point, didn't we? Let's start our life together from today. Let's be there for each other through good and bad, understand each other, guide and forgive each other when one falters. Let's live for the love that has blossomed between us, and nourish it for life" Milind said placing tiny kisses on her forehead.

'Forgive, love, understand'- the words registered in Prachi's brain. A ray of hope had shined promising her that things will be alright. A smile left her lips before she realized.

Milind had traced the lips that had smiled at him. "I know you are dressed in blue just for me, though you hate the colour. You look beautiful tonight. I couldn't wait to kiss you" saying so, Milind had slowly bent his head bringing it near her face. Suddenly, guilt took over Prachi and she had put her hand against his mouth stopping him from kissing her. "Do you really want to stop me tonight, Prachi?" Milind had moved his hands around her back, generating currents in her spine. Prachi had shivered as she took her hands to his cheeks running her fingers through his slightly longer stubble, while tears filled her eyes automatically.

"Why are you crying?" Milind had kissed her eyes and pulled her into a hug. As they stood in the hug for a while, they could feel the heat generating in each other's beings. Breaking free from the hug, Milind had looked intently at Prachi, with desire, desperation and hunger in his eyes. Appreciating what she read in his eyes, Prachi had closed her eyes in total submission. Nothing was left in Milind's control then, with passion taking over his senses, and there he had bent down to meet her lips with his, kissing her madly. Prachi had parted her lips and had welcomed his fervour, opening all the gates to her heart.

A few minutes later, Milind had scooped her in his arms and took her to the bed. Seeing the blush that had occupied Prachi's face, Milind's desires intensified further. He had laid himself besides her with his hand caressing her stomach and his mouth nibbling her neck. Unable to bear with the sensations, Prachi had turned away breathing heavily. He had kissed the bare skin of her back between the strings of her blouse and started untying the knots. The assault of his lips continued on her back and she had turned back instinctively, to face him. Closing the little gaps of air between them she had hugged him tight. As he continued kissing her, she had relished the touch of his perfectly masculine form while he brought out in her the deepest desires of femininity.

Nothing could have stopped their union then, as both had given into the spell that their youth, passion and love cast on them. They had bared their bodies and the desires of their beings in front of each other. Milind had kissed every part of her skin and their yearning for each other had reached its peak. The seething passion had tempted Milind to make Prachi his and he had entered her as she left out a gasp. Opening her fingers to interlace them in his, Milind had lead her to a new world of euphoria. Breathing hard in his ecstacy, Milind had hidden his face in the groove of her neck and shoulder, kissing the lone jhumka on her ear, which was the only company to her bare body. "I love you, Prachi" he had whispered in her ear overwhelmed with the pleasure he had found with her. "I love you too, Milind" a voice had left Prachi's throat from the deepest of her being, with her hands tightening around his sweated back. Milind had suddenly lifted his head and watched her face in shock as she had smiled in gratification with her eyes closed.

Part 15

Milind had looked at Prachi without blinking his eyes, surprised and shocked. Feeling his hard breathing hitting her face, Prachi had slowly opened her eyes. Suddenly, the realization that she had spoken in front of him came to her and her expression had turned from gratification to fear and grimace.

"Did you just say something, Prachi? Or was I dreaming?" Milind had said as he still couldn't believe Prachi had spoken.

"Milind" Prachi burst out into tears. "I have been a liar. I never had any aphonia. I am really sorry. I am so guilty that I can't even beg your forgiveness."

"What? Does that mean you pretended to be mute?" said Milind moving away from the top of her with a frown forming on his face.

"Yes, I did" said Prachi turning aside burying her head into the pillow sobbing.

"Why?" Milind questioned firmly.

"Tell me why!" Milind had shook her as she didn't say anything for a while.

"Milind, I will never be able to convince you why I did it" Prachi sat up on the bed, folding her legs. She had buried her face on her knee caps and she kept on weeping.

"Prachi, what is this drama? You have to tell me what it is" Milind too sat up on the bed feeling terribly agitated. Prachi hadn't answered him.

"You have got to bloody tell me." Milind had shouted suddenly and the voice had made Prachi shiver. She had looked at him and started speaking. "Milind, I had come to your office with Soumya when she had her interview. You hadn't given her the job but instead gave it to Proteek. Soumya is one of my best friends and Proteek was my classmate too. The same day I heard from Arnav, who is Soumya's cousin that you were a sexist and you had fired Mallika for the same reason. I wanted to prove to you that women are no less than men and teach you a lesson. That's why I joined your company." Prachi elaborated hiccuping with her head still bent down.

"You assumed things about me, not even meeting me once. And you knew Proteek, Arnav and all? And where did your aphonia come from?"

"I had thought you wouldn't employ a woman unless she had a disability. I had known that Mrs. Kundra was the only female employee who survived in your office and she was disabled. I wanted to have some disability too so that you would employ me. I pretended to be aphonic."

"You fooled me all this while, Prachi?"

"Milind, very soon after I started working for you, I had realized you weren't what I had thought you to be. But.." Prachi had stopped her sentence.

"But.. What?" Milind said with complete annoyance.

"I had fallen in love with you by then. I couldn't break the truth and break your heart and lose you. Many times, I thought of telling you the truth. But one of the other thing stopped me. Then this sudden wedding happened. And now I ended up telling you the truth though I hadn't intended to tonight."

"Love! You better don't utter that word from your mouth. So, you had intended to keep on fooling me further"

"No, Milind. I always wanted to tell you the truth. But I couldn't. The day I came prepared to tell you the truth, you had proposed to me and even introduced me to Baaba."

"I was confessing my love to you and introducing you to my father. But you still kept numb and continued with your drama? You made fun of my love, Prachi. You even lied to my father"

"I did try to tell you the truth when you confessed. But I couldn't at that moment. I couldn't even say a word. And even Baaba had assumed I was dumb. I didn't know how to break that assumption."

"You even agreed to marry. And now that we also have shared a bed, you are telling the truth. Prachi is this all a joke for you?"

"No, Milind. I have been feeling terribly guilty all this while. Trust me"

"Trust? And you? Prachi how can I trust you, who was lying to me every moment? By the way, is your name Prachi? Is that a lie too? Who are you? And what about your parents, family?"

"Milind, though I had lied about my aphonia, I have shared with you many truths. I am still Prachi Shah. My parents Inder Shah and Premlatha Shah died in a plane crash when I was 10 years old. My Maamaji has been my guardian. He is always abroad and I have lived alone most of my life. The one other person in my home is our house helper Raamu Kaaka. I have three best friends, Ayesha, Soumya and Neev."

"If what you are now saying is true, do these people know that you are married and doing all this drama?"

"No, they don't. I was going to tell them all after the projects I am working for are finished. I was going to confess everything to you as well."

"So it's not just me and my father. You have fooled many others. Do you care about relationships at all Prachi? And yes, you worked for me too. I have got to admit you were a great actress. I was indeed convinced there too and had believed you were my best employee so far."

"I have worked sincerely, Milind. Though I joined your company with a lie, I had taken my job seriously and fulfilled my responsibilities. Milind, I told you, I can never convince you why I did all this. I have never been able to convince myself either. I don't know what made me crazily come up with this idea of lying. Today I am here with no ground under my foot. But Milind, please trust me as an employee at least. I have worked day and night and have done my best."

"I don't want a liar for an employee. In fact the reason I had fired Mallika was just that she would come up with lies to explain her slacking. You don't need to work for me anymore. My company can run without you."

"Milind, let me finish with the projects I have been working on. There is a lot to be done before the merger. Or else.."

"Why do you even care what will happen to the merger or the projects when you didn't care about my love or the very relationship I thought we were in"

"Milind, I didn't want any obstacle before the merger. That's one of the reasons I didn't tell you the truth before wedding. Please, Milind, at least on work front, give me a chance."

"No ways. You are not working for me anymore. You don't need to show your face in my office from tomorrow"

"Milind, please. You can't fire me like that. I was given the contract for 2 months. I will fulfill my responsibilities until then."

"Now you are going to tell me that I am married to you and bear the responsibility as your husband, right? Oh, Yes I have slept with you too, bloody hell" Milind had thrown the pillow by him away in anger.

"Milind I don't demand anything from you on personal front. You are free to do whatever you want and I will agree to your decisions."

"Prachi, did you ever not feel I truly had loved you? I had dreamt of a life long relationship with you. Here you shattered it all for me, the very first day." Milind sounded emotional.

"Milind" said Prachi looking at him.

"My father has accepted you as his daughter in law wholeheartedly. Why did you not think about him at least?" Milind had wiped his eyes as a film of tears formed in them.

"Please forgive me, Milind" Prachi had moved closer to him and took her hand towards his cheek.

"Don't touch me" screamed Milind as he quickly threw her hand away before she touched him.

Milind got up from the bed and looked around for his clothes. Noticing what he was doing, Prachi had took in her hand his pyjama that was lying on the bed. As she extended her hand with the pyjama towards him, Milind had looked at her satirically and opened his wardrobe. He took out the first clothes that got into his hand and wore it hurriedly. He then grabbed his car key from the key hanger and wore his slippers.

"Milind where are you going in the middle of the night?" Prachi had asked as she saw him getting ready. Milind made sure to make her feel he didn't even hear her. As he walked towards the door and opened it, Prachi had jumped out of the bed to stop him asking again where he was going in the middle of the night.

"Wear some clothes first" Milind had said looking back, before he walked out slamming the door behind.

Part 16

After Milind walked out asking her to wear clothes, Prachi had pulled the bed sheet to cover her body and crashed to the floor crying hysterically. She had curled into a ball hugging her folded knees with her arms. She had cried until her whole body seemed dried out with constant flow of tears. Her world had crashed, her biggest fear had become a reality. Her brain couldn't think sense as nothing but grief occupied her whole existence.

When even her tears left her company, Prachi had felt she was rejected from the entire world. She was lying on the floor without movements except for the air that moved in and out of her lungs. She had stayed like that for hours.

Milind had walked out of the house, drove his car directionless. He didn't know which road he had taken, how many signals he ran through and how many times he honked. When it seemed like he was uncontrollably overwhelmed with killing emotions, he had suddenly applied the break and got out of the car. He was on the beach side then; he ran towards the calm night sea hoping for some peace of mind.

'Bloody love and relationships, nothing but heartbreak and betrayal' Milind's heart cried as he sat on a rock hitting his clenched fist on it. His body, mind and soul ached, the same way, it had ached when his sister left him and his father without clue the day before her wedding, perhaps even more deeper. He hadn't attempted to stop the flow of tears from his eyes as he was sure it would be futile to do so. He had cried aloud.

Prachi had suddenly got up, hastily wore her clothes lying hapazhardly over the bed and the floor. She had walked out of the room, into the kitchen. Switching on the light, she looked for a knife. She brought the knife onto her wrist. Closing her eyes, she was about to cut through her veins but suddenly some images flowed through her mind. Walking on the beach holding her parents' hands, sharing light hearted moments with Ayesha and Soumya, teasing Neev, her graduation ceremony, seeing Milind the first time in his office, sleeping on his lap, being in his arms and those beautiful moments that night just before the hell broke- the images had pulled Prachi's mind out of the suicidal thoughts. One hint of Milind at that moment was enough to make life more alluring than death for her. She didn't want to die anymore but she didn't know how to ease the situation either. She walked out of the kitchen and saw an idol of Radha-Krishna in the pooja room that was by the kitchen. She sat on the floor sobbing.


"Ali beta, that means my bahu will be able to speak someday. And her disease is curable" said Baaba entering the house with Ali. He had been to an early morning walk with Ali where they had talked about Prachi, and Ali had tried to build some prelude into the possibility that Prachi might be able to speak one day.

"Yes Baaba. She is on medication. She might just speak up one day surprising all of us" Ali had said feeling awkward about what he was saying.

"Please forgive me, Milind. please forgive me, God. Please show a ray of hope, please take me out of this darkness. Please, God" Prachi had literally begged the supreme powers. Ali and Baaba had heard a female voice and walked in the direction of it.

"Prachi, is that you there?" Baaba had walked towards the pooja room. Prachi had turned back and got up suddenly. "Beta, didn't I hear you saying something? You could speak! God is ever so kind. He listened to our prayers so soon" Baaba had folded his hands uniting palms in front of God. Ali and Prachi had looked at each other in an expression of shock. Ali soon recovered from it and said "Prachi, I was just telling Baaba that you were on medication for aphonia and you would be cured any day. Thank God, the day came so soon".

Ali had signed to Prachi with his hand to manage the situation. Prachi had stood numb for a while as Baaba was immersed in thanking the deities.

"Baaba" Prachi had touched her father in law's feet sobbing with her heart begging his forgiveness. "Prachi, beta, this is a happy news, why are you crying my dear?" Baaba had hugged her patting her head.

As Milind saw the rays of sunshine decorating the earth, sitting by the beach, he had thought of his father and the whole events of the last night. He suddenly felt more worried than being in pain and he knew he needed to solve the matter before it broke more hearts. He couldn't have left his father suffer no matter what. Trying to figure out a solution, he drove back to home. As he walked into the house, he saw his father hugging Prachi while Ali watched both of them.

"Milind, this is the happiest day for us. Do you know Prachi has got her voice back?" said Baaba looking at his son, who walked in, in his tracksuit. As Milind was about to say something Ali had suddenly said in order to avoid Milind speaking, "Morning Milind, so you went running today too?". Prachi had looked at Milind with fear. When Milind attempted to say something again but Baaba had said "we should go to Siddhi Vinayak temple today. I will go take a bath. You guys also get ready. Ali beta, we will also go to Haji Ali today." said Baaba and went inside his room, patting his son's shoulder.

"What have you done now, Prachi?" Milind had questioned shaking Prachi's arms as she stood like a statue. "Shhh, come here" Ali had dragged Milind and signed Prachi to follow them. He had taken them inside the guest room where he had stayed with his baby and wife that night. Neelam had just finished feeding her son, Salil, who had gone to sleep. As she saw Ali walking inside the room along with Milind and Prachi she rubbed her eyes to feel completely awake. Prachi walked straight to Neelam and hugged her tight. "What happened?" Neelam had whispered.

"What the hell is happening? What more drama this girl is playing now? Ali, do you even know what this girl has been..." shouted Milind.

"Shh, Salil is sleeping. Speak low" instructed Ali, while his motive was to calm Milind down. He had gathered that Milind must have known about Prachi's secret.

"Milind, sit down and calmly listen to me" Ali made Milind sit on the sofa while Neelam watched in confusion.

"Milind, Neelam and I knew that Prachi can speak before the wedding. We still let the wedding happen because.." before Ali finished, Milind got up and held his collar. "You knew and you didn't tell me beforehand!" Milind had yelled. Neelam had shouted "Milind" in shock as she was appalled to see him holding her husband's collar. Meeting his eyes with Neelam, Milind said "sorry, Bhabhi" as he let go of Ali's collar.

Ali had again made Milind sit down and narrated him how he got to know Prachi could speak and that he and Neelam had planned along with Prachi to tell him the truth after a few days. He also told him how Baaba heard Prachi speaking to God and thought her voice had come back.

"I can't believe you knew everything and let this cheater marry me" said Milind running his fingers through his hair and continued, "I want to throw this girl out of this house. But I think about Baaba and....so even he got fooled by this..." Milind had clenched his fist and smacked the arm of the chair.

"Milind, Prachi agreed to marry you without telling he truth as Baaba thought even though his son is apprehensive about this sudden wedding, his would be daughter in law wouldn't say no to him. She was in a fix. We were worried if she broke the truth before the wedding and the wedding got stopped, Baaba's health might get affected" Ali had tried to defend Prachi.

"Woah, people who lie through their nose are worrying about other's health. Will he not be sad if he knows his lovely daughter in law is a liar?" Milind had said mockingly.

"But Milind, thank God, he got to know about the truth in a good way now" Ali tried to explain.

"Milind, I am really really sorry." Prachi had said as Neelam held her hand.

"You better keep your mouth shut. I don't want to hear your voice or see your face. I wish I could throw you out of the house right now, but my poor father has never been this happy before. But I don't want a woman like you to be in this house. You bloody nautanki" Milind had yelled at Prachi.

"Milind, mind your tongue, she is your wife" said Neelam.

"Bhabhi, is there anything to feel good about, after knowing your wife lied to you from the day you have known her and even married you with that lie?" Milind said enraged.

"Milind, everyone falters. Prachi was caught in her own lie. She has suffered enough all this long. She loves you and you love her. Love will allow you to forgive her and build your relationship again" said Neelam.

"Love, huh. I thought being truthful is one of the prerequisites of being in love." Milind had looked away.

"Milind, get over the matter. Think of a solution now. Baaba now knows Prachi can speak. You know it now. Look at Prachi beyond this one lie of hers. Eventually, everything will be fine. The only reason I am standing by Prachi at this point, though I have been your friend is because I feel you both love each other truly. It's once in a life time that you find true love and you shouldn't let it go. If you do, you would regret all your life. You are not in your senses to think straight now. Let the matter cool down for a few days, talk to Prachi, solve the matter and make up" advised Ali.

"There is nothing to make up now. I would rather think how I can break this up without hurting Baaba" said Milind looking at Prachi satirically while another burst of tears left Prachi's eyes.

"Okay, until you come up with a plan to carefully break up, let Prachi be in the house and let Baaba be happy to see his son and daughter in law. I bet if you guys sit and talk, you both will see things in a different light and give a chance to this relationship. Is that okay with you Prachi?" said Ali looking at her.

"That will never happen" Milind said as he walked out of the room.

"So, Prachi, did you tell Milind you can speak? Had we not planned to reveal it later? How did you end up telling him now itself?" asked Neelam as Prachi sat on the bed, weeping further.

"Neelu, calm down. Things will be fine. It's actually good that Milind knows the truth, as well as Baaba" said Ali. "Prachi, please stop crying. Milind loves you. He will come back to you. Don't keep saying sorry to him or trying to please him. Just be yourself and take it easy. Things will work out" Ali had further said assuringly.

Part 17

Ali had gone to take a shower leaving Prachi and Neelam in the room. Tears still flowed from Prachi's eyes and Neelam had tried her best to calm her down.

"Cheer up, girl. Get over what happened and think about the future. Milind is angry right now. Once he calms down, he will come around. Having known him for years now, I can assure you he is a sensible and caring guy. Give him some time", said Neelam putting Prachi's hair together in a hair band.

"Hey, is this a love bite?" asked Neelam as she noticed teethmarks on Prachi's neck, pointing them to Prachi in the mirror that was in front of them. Prachi had touched that part of her neck with her fingers and said, "this is how I ended up telling him the truth."

"You mean you guys.." Neelam had said coyly.

"I had lost all my senses when I was in his arms and ended up saying I love you Milind" Prachi said as if to finish Neelam's sentence. Neelam had smiled at Prachi and sat in front of her.

"If 'I love you Milind' were the first words you spoke, that too in a state where your senses were under his control, that itself must be assuring him how much you love him. Prachi, now I am not even a bit worried about you guys" Neelam said confidently.

"Do you really think he will forgive me, Neelam?" Prachi asked in anxiety.

"Yes dear. But listen, if he comes across rude or sarcastic just ignore him for a while. Just take it all easy and be yourself. I bet things will improve" said Neelam applying some cream on Prachi's hickey. Prachi had closed her eyes and prayed for Neelam's words to come true.

By the time Milind went out of Ali and Neelam's room, Baaba had finished his bath. Seeing his son, he had asked him to get ready so that they could go to the temples. Though it was not something Milind wanted to do, he had obeyed his father's order and went to take a shower. Standing under the lukewarm stream of water, all that came to Milind's mind was Prachi, the beautiful feeling he had felt for her followed by the pain that overwhelmed him from the last night. Hoping to escape the unbeatable uneasiness he was feeling, he had finished his shower quickly. As he came out of the shower and dressed himself in a fresh pair of clothes, he saw Prachi entering the room. When his eyes met with hers, he had pierced her gaze with fury.

"Milind" Prachi had said making a brave attempt to speak to him. Milind hadn't answered, neither looked at her but got busy in wearing his shoes.

"The price tag is still on your shirt" said Prachi as she had noticed the price tag of his new shirt that was hanging out at the back of his neck.

Not wanting to act on her suggestion, Milind had continued with tying his lace. Prachi stood looking at him leaning to the wall hoping that he says something. Finishing wearing his shoes, Milind had walked pass her, out of the room. Prachi had watched him, holding her breath. As he walked to the living room, Mlind had pulled the price tag off of his shirt and threw it away in the bin.

Knowing that she needed to get ready to go to the temple, Prachi had taken out a saree from her suitcase and went to take shower. Since she hadn't gotten her soaps or shower gels from her home, she had looked for shower gels in Milind's bathroom. All the shower gels she found were the male ones and since she had already wet her body with water, she decided to use one of them. Applying the lime scented gel on her body, she could feel Milind by her. Somehow the thought had got Prachi out of her gloominess and brought a shine of cheer making her smile inside her heart.

Before Prachi finished her shower, everyone was ready at the breakfast table waiting to eat. Baaba had noticed his daughter in law was not yet ready and asked Neelam to bring her to the dining table. "Milind, I have to clean Salil's milk bottle. Could you please call Prachi?" Neelam had excused herself from Baaba's order wanting to get Milind to call his wife. Though he didn't want to, Milind had walked back to his room and as soon as he reached the door, Prachi had opened it and had bumped into him.

"I am sorry" Prachi had apologized. Relieved that he didn't need to talk to her, Milind had made way for her to get out of the room and soon followed her. As they walked towards the living room, everyone including baby Salil had watched the newly wed couple who looked nothing but made for each other.

Prachi had poured some orange juice in Baaba, Ali and Neelam's glasses and when she extended her hand to pour it into Milind's glass too, he had stopped her from doing so by moving his glass away. "Milind likes to do all his work himself" Baaba had commented about his son's gesture while Ali and Neelam had looked at each other. Milind had said he didn't feel like drinking juice and had poured water instead, in his glass.

After the breakfast, everyone was set to leave. "Baaba, you come here" Milind had opened the passenger seat door of his car, for his father. "Prachi beta, you come here" Baaba had called Prachi. "Baaba, I will sit in the back. You sit in front" Prachi told Baaba and got into the back seat knowing Milind would surely not want her to sit by him. Ali had driven his son and wife in his car.

First the two families had visited Haji Ali followed by the Siddhi Vinayak temple. Milind stayed with Baaba most of the time. Neelam was with Prachi and Ali was busy taking care of his cranky son for the whole time. Baaba had asked the preist in the temple to do special poojas in the name of his son Milind Mishra and his daughter in law Prachi Mishra which only had triggered a range of emotions in both Milind and Prachi that they shared a husband-wife relationship. The lunch was done in a restaurant after which Ali had left for his home with his family wishing the newly wed couple the best, especially Prachi.

Once the Mishras reached home, Baaba had taken rest in his room while Milind went out telling his father he was going to office for a bit. Prachi had spent time watching television and unpacking her suitcase. Later the father in law-daughter in law duo had cooked some food where they enjoyed working together. Baaba had narrated her the main events of his life while Prachi had shared the two decades she had spent in her life.

Milind had gone to work after many days and he was surprised to find that the progress on the projects was much more than he had expected. Prachi along with Mr. Singh had not only finished various pending projects but also had submitted them to the clients. Though Milind appreciated that Prachi had got so much done, he couldn't let the thought seep in with a pinch of salt about Prachi's intentions. He had wondered if he should just withdraw or abandon all the projects Prachi was involved in. At the very next moment, he had also known it would be unfair to other employees who had taken care of other aspects of the projects. He had spent most of the time in his office with thoughts that ran from one pole to another like a pendulum leaving him feel indecisive at the end of the day.

Milind was back in the home by 9 pm and he had joined Prachi and Baaba in the dining table who had waited for him with dinner ready to be served. "Beta Milind, why don't you take off from work for a couple of more weeks and take Prachi out somewhere?" suggested Baaba. "Baaba, it's a hectic time at work. I have a merger with Mr. Kaushik's company coming up and a lot needs to be done before that" Milind wanted to avoid any remote possibilty of a honeymoon while he wasn't lying either about the workload. "Yes Baaba, there is a lot to be done at work. I will be going to work too from tomorrow" said Prachi. Milind had looked at her as hadn't wanted her to work for him anymore.
"You don't need to.." Milind had tried to make his point, but Baaba had cut his sentence to say "that's a good idea, beti. You can help him finish his work as soon as possible and then you both can take some time off". Milind had left out the breath he had held, feeling restless.

Later that night, Baaba sat with Prachi showing her some old photographs of Sukruti and Milind as well as his late wife. By then, Milind had left for his bed room. Changing into his nightwear, Milind had walked towards the bed and he had felt a pricking sensation under his foot. As he bent down to examine what had pricked him, he had found Prachi's jhumka and he took it in his hand. As he sat on the bed watching the jhumka, he had remembered how he had taken it off of her ear with his teeth the last night. With emotions of passion, anger, hurt and disgust filling his heart at the same time, he had thrown the jhumka away and right then Prachi had entered the bedroom. The jhumka had fallen right in front of her.

"Milind" said Prachi with tears filling her eyes instantly as she took the jhumka in her hand. Milind had looked away.

"So you are using my father now to achieve your motives" said Milind after Prachi closed the room door and sat on the bed. Prachi had wiped the tears and asked "What are your motives, Milind? Please let me know, what is it you want. I will do everything I can to achieve that."

"You can never give me what I want. You have shattered my emotions and you have put me in a situation where there is no escape for me. I will have to live with you for the sake of my father."

"I apologize from the bottom of my heart for what I have done. Could I request you to give me a chance to build the world I have shattered?" Prachi had hid her face in her palms crying profusely.

"I don't think it can ever be rebuilt, Prachi."

"Could you not give me one single chance Milind?"

"Prachi, there is nothing in my hand to give you. I will not be able to convince myself to love you again the same way I used to before. Having said that, I also know that I am in a situation where I can't even ask you to walk out of this house for my own helplessness and selfishness in the name of my father."

"Milind, I am equally responsible for Baaba. It's my duty to care for his happiness. If you are allowing me to stay in this house, I consider that itself as my golden chance to set things straight"

"Prachi, I am not ready for another drama and another heartbreak. This one pain is enough for life."

"Milind, I am disgusted with myself too for all the lies I had to come up with, for all the excuses I had to give myself to hide the truth. I know I have no right to ask you to trust me, but I swear I will never do anything that might remotely hurt you or your father in the future."

"I don't really know what you want Prachi. But if you can think of a way to sort this matter out without hurting my father, I would be grateful to you. As far as our relationship goes, I don't know what you want to work on, as I feel there is nothing left to be worked upon. I don't want to give you any false hopes."

"Milind, I appreciate your honesty. That itself is enough of a hope for me to survive. Thank you very much for that. Now it's very late, you go to sleep. You haven't slept last night too. Good night Milind" Prachi had wiped her tears and got into the other corner of the bed. She had felt a lot better with Milind finally talking to her after almost 24 hours.

"Good night" said Milind as he turned his back to Prachi and closed his eyes wanting to get away from the sight of the painful world only to find it pained even more inside his heart.

Part 18

The next morning, Milind and Prachi had got out of their sleeps pretty much at the same time. Prachi had stretched herself on the bed while Milind had opened his eyes to see her as the first thing in the morning, since he had turned towards her in his sleep. As he realized she was about to turn to his side, Milind had closed his eyes pretending to be asleep, not wanting to meet his eyes with hers.

Prachi had turned towards Milind and she had a small smile playing on her lips to see him sleeping. She had rubbed her eyes to get a better sight of him and had moved her face close to his in a temptation to kiss his cheek. But before she closed the last centimeter between his and her faces, she had withdrawn as a hint of sadness occupied her that she had lost the right to kiss him. She got out of the bed, pulled the comforter on him that was unused by both of them and occupied the bathroom. Milind had got up too feeling unexplainable emotions after he heard the bathroom door shutting.

Prachi had come out of the bathroom wearing Milnid's bathrobe, since she had forgotten to take her clothes and ended up taking a shower too. As she noticed Milind sitting on the bed, reading the newspaper, she had said "Milind, I am sorry I am using your things. I forgot to take my clothes and..". Before Prachi finished Milind had said "It's all right" giving her a feel that he hadn't noticed her though it was registered in his brain, that she was wearing his bathrobe.

"There is one more thing, Milind. I have been using your shower gel too. It's nice, but too strong for my skin" explained Prachi.

"There is a supermarket in the parallel street" said Milind still reading his news paper.

"I don't need to buy. I have loads of shampoos and shower gels at home. I can get them from my house" said Prachi taking her clothes out from her suitcase.

"Okay" said Milind still not making an eye contact.

Prachi had gone back to the bathroom to get dressed up. Milind had looked at the clock as he had been waiting for almost an hour to use the bathroom. Suddenly he had remembered Sukruti who also used to spend hours in the only bathroom they had in their old house in Delhi. He got out of the room and had used another bathroom in the house. By the time Prachi came out ready, she was surprised to see Milind too ready in his office clothes. She had gone to the kitchen wondering what breakfast she should prepare only to notice that Baaba was ready to prepare parathas. She had joined hands with him chatting about different kinds of parathas.

"Baaba, I will be going to my house after work. I have to get my shampoos, soaps etc." Prachi had told Baaba eating her breakfast with him and her husband.

"Do you have any other plans for the evening?" asked Baaba.

"No, Baaba" answered Milind.

"Shastriji wanted to invite all of us for dinner. I was going to their house anyway in the evening. You both can come straight from Prachi's house. I told them Prachi got her voice back and they can't wait to talk to her" Baaba had elaborated his plan.

As he had already told Baaba, he didn't have any plans for the evening, Milind had agreed to go for the dinner as much as he didn't want to.

After the breaskfast, Milind had left for the office and Prachi had followed him hesitantly thinking that Milind might not want to drive her to work. Baaba too had come out of the house to see them off and Milind ended up opening the door for Prachi to keep his father's heart.

"You know that I don't want you to work for me" said Milind breaking the silence after a few minutes of drive.

"Milind, I will finish the projects I am involved in and will quit myself. I will work until the end of this month which is the end of my contract" replied Prachi.

"Your termination letter would be ready. You can collect it anytime you want" Milind had said without any emotions while Prachi felt a cut in her heart. The rest of the drive was silent, but Milind had wondered if Prachi was going to talk to the employees or keep her mute act going there.

As soon as Prachi and Milind entered the office, they were surprised to see the whole staff at the door with flowers in their hands. "Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Mishra" the staff had said in unison handing over the flowers to the newly wed couple. It was Mrs. Kundra who had planned a warm welcome to her boss and his bride.

"Thank you very much everyone" Prachi had spoken creating pin drop silence for a minute as everyone looked at her in surprise.

"Yes, I can speak. I had lost my voice because of some reason I can't share with you. But I am very happy to share with you all that I got it back on my wedding day. Now come on people, will you not congratulate me for that?" said Prachi suddenly shocking everyone including Milind. As the employees surrounded Prachi congratulating her, Milind had excused himself and walked into his cabin not able to get his head around Prachi's behaviour. Mrs. Kundra had strained her brain to remember something that was slipping her mind. "Mrs. Kundra, I had spoken to you once in this office before I joined as an employee. I had my voice then. I had come here with a friend" Prachi herself had reminded Mrs. Kundra of her meeting with her leaving the old lady even more confused.

Prachi had asked everyone to get back to work reminding them that the merger was coming up and it was busy time for them. Milind had gotten very busy with work since he was back to office after a break and had loads of things to attend to. He had gone out during lunch time to meet with a client without informing Prachi. Prachi had sent him an email though she knew he wouldn't reply to her, asking him if he wanted to go for lunch with her. When he hadn't replied, she had checked his cabin to find out he wasn't in there. Mr. Singh had informed her he was out for a meeting. Disappointed, Prachi had decided to skip lunch for that day and got herself involved in work.

Milind had got late struck in the traffic, to get back to his office in the evening. Everyone had left and Prachi had waited for him though she had finished her work. As he entered the office, he had seen Prachi sitting on her chair. As he had remembered he promised his father to go for the dinner at Shastri's house, he had walked up to Prachi and stood in front of her. Not wanting to say anything to her he had put his bag on her desk to get her attention.

"Oh Milind, you are back. Were you struck in the traffic? Tell me one thing, which area is Shastriji's house?" asked Prachi.

"Bandra, near Palli hill" Miind gave a crisp reply. He had remembered that he was supposed to take her to her house to get her things, but didn't want to bring up the issue himself.

"Okay, let's go" said Prachi packing her bag, preparing herself to tell him another truth.

As he drove into the area of Bandra, Prachi had asked him to take a right turn at the next signal. Milind had done so without saying anything though he had wondered what was the reason.

As he drove a block along the road, Prachi asked him to stop the car in front of a huge bungalow that had its name as 'Shah mansion'. Raamu Kaaka who was watering the plants in the garden had opened the gate seeing Prachi getting out of the car. Milind too had got out of the car wondering what was happening.

"Raamu Kaaka, this is Milind. He is the son in law of this house" said Prachi introducing Milind to Raamu Kaaka. "Milind this is my dear Raamu Kaaka- the one who has taken care of me like his own daughter after my parents died."

"Namastey Saheb" Raamu Kaaka had humbly folded his hands in front of Milind, bending down. Milind was overwhelmed at the respect the middle aged man paid for him. He too had said 'namastey' to him. Raamu Kaaka had welcomed him inside the house.

Walking inside the house, Prachi had asked Raamu Kaaka if Maamaji called, to which he had replied in negative.

"Milind, please sit inside. I will pack my things and explain everything later" Prachi had run inside her room. With Raamu Kaaka asking him to sit in the most polite way, Milind had walked inside the huge house passing the Benz that was parked outside. Asking Milind to be seated on the sofa, Raamu Kaaka had walked inside the kitchen and brought him some drinks. Milind sat wondering trying to understand the girl whom he had married. As he sat on the sofa, thinking what and all was to be revealed to him now, he had heard Prachi calling out his name.

"Will you please come inside my room, Milind?" Prachi had said standing by the door to her room. Since he felt it wasn't appropriate to say No to Prachi in front of Raamu Kaaka, Milind had walked towards her room. As he got inside the lavish room, Prachi had closed the door.

"So, one more lie" said Milind looking around the room.

"Now that my biggest lie is out, I have nothing to hide" Prachi had said looking down.

"Why the hell are you playing with me Prachi? Who are you and what game are you still playing?" Milind had said turning to Prachi, holding her arms tightly.

"Milind, there is no more game or drama. This is my house. This is the place where I grew up. This is the room where I have spent 1000s of nights alone. The day we came back from Pune, you wanted to drop me to my house in the taxi. I thought if I showed you this house, you would wonder if I belong to such a rich family, why would I want to work for you. I also had told you that my house is near VT. So, I ended up showing you my friend Ayesha's house which is near VT. Milind I got fatally caught in my one big lie. I had to come up with so many lies to hold my one lie valid. But this is it. I don't think I had told any more lies. This is my house. My parents are late Inder Shah and Premlatha Shah who died when I was 10. My uncle has been my guardian. But I have grown up in this house alone, with only Raamu Kaaka, our house helper being there for me to take care of me." Prachi had said in shaking words and her whole body was trembling. Milind could feel the fear and anxiety in her body and in her eyes which worked against the anger and disgust that was boiling in his mind.

"You and your bloody lies. Honestly I don't know what to believe and what not to. I don't know why I have to tolerate all this" Milind had pushed her aside. Right then, Milind's mobile rang. He had ignored it but it rang again. When Milind picked the phone, it was Baaba on the other side of the phone who was already in Shastriji's place and was wondering if Milind and Prachi were going to be late. Telling his father they will be there in 10 minutes, Milind had walked towards Prachi.

"Look, Ms. Prachi Shah, I can't take this forever. Every day I am learning new things about you. I don't know what more is in store. Actually I don't even want to know. I have to find a way to get out of this mess" Milind had said clenching his fist.

"Milind there is nothing more I have hidden from you. Now you know everything about me and my world" Prachi had said and Milind's phone rang again. It was Baaba again who had asked him to get some ice cream on his way since Shastriji's daughter was demanding it.

"Let's go" said Milind walking out of Prachi's room. Prachi had taken her suitcase she had packed and followed him. Telling Raamu Kaaka that she needed to go now and she will come back and tell him everything about how she ended up marrying Milind, Prachi had walked out of the house following her husband.

Part 19

The drive to the Shastris' place from the Shah mansion was just a few minutes. Milind was seething with anger while Prachi didn't make an attempt to say anything further as she gauged that would only blow him up. Shastris had given a warm welcome to the newly weds. They had expressed their happiness to know Prachi had gotten her speaking ability back, which had prompted Milind to give her an enraged look followed by a sardonic smile.

The Shastris had introduced Prachi to their daughter Madhuri and a little boy, Bunty, who was Mrs. Shastri's younger sister's son. His paternal grandfather was ill and his parents had gone to the village to attend him. The boy seemed very shy and had hidden behind Madhuri when he was being introduced. Prachi had bent over to get a glance of him while the boy had hidden himself further. Since it was already time for dinner, Mrs. Shastri had suggested they eat first and then sit chatting. Everyone except Bunty, who had been fed already, had sat for dinner. Bunty sat on a sofa busy with his video game as the elders ate the delicious dinner.

"Where do you people eat in the afternoon? Do you take food from home or eat outisde?" Mrs. Shastri had questioned Milind and Prachi.

"There is a restaurant by the office" replied Milind.

"I always used to tell Milind to take lunch from home. But he never likes to take a box with him. I don't know what kind of food you get in the restaurant" said Baaba.

"Baaba, it's pretty good there. You get all sorts of food there, north south, Chinese and even sandwiches" replied Milind.

"So, what did you both eat today?" questioned Baaba.

"I was meeting a client during lunch time. I ended up eating in a Chinese place with him" Milind had spoken for himself and Baaba had looked at Prachi for her answer.

"Baaba, I.." Prachi couldn't get her answer to her mind as she had skipped her meal. Not wanting to tell them she didn't eat at all, she had come up with an answer, "I ate kadi chawal".

Having eaten in the restaurant by his office for two years, Milind knew they never had kadi chawl in the menu. He felt like the emotion of his burning anger was suddenly replaced by something else. He had thought Prachi might have skipped her meal and somehow he had felt guilty that he had eaten and she hadn't. However he was happy that she was eating her dinner, at least.

After the dinner, Madhuri had picked up a conversation with Milind regarding reputed colleges in Delhi, a city where Milind had studied. Baaba was chatting with the Shastris in the patio while Prachi had sat by Bunty trying to get him to talk to her. "Prachi didi, you will have to stay with him for a week if you want to hear one word from him. He takes his own long time to get used to new people" warned Madhuri as she noticed Prachi's attempt to make friends with Bunty. Prachi had smiled at Madhuri and continued with her efforts to please the little boy.

"Is Bunty your nickname or real name?" Prachi asked the Bunty poking gently his chubby cheeks. Bunty had concentrated on his video game. Prachi had asked him a few more questions and the boy didn't seem to respond.

"You know when I was a child, I had a huge teddy bear in my room, it was much bigger than you" Prachi had said stretching her hand to show Bunty the girth of her teddy she was talking about.

"Which colour?" Bunty had asked suddenly turning at her in his sweet voice, imagining the huge teddy. Madhuri had turned at Prachi and Bunty surprised to hear Bunty talking. Milind too couldn't help stealing a glance. Bunty and Prachi had bonded instantly talking about toys and it turned out that Bunty started getting his toys out one by one from the room, to show them to Prachi.

Madhuri decided to take some photographs, particularly of Prachi and Bunty. After taking a picture of Prachi with Bunty she had asked Prachi to sit on the sofa with Bunty on which Milind was sitting already, so that she could a photograph of the three of them. Prachi had picked Bunty in her arms and walked towards the sofa and had sat with Bunty on her lap smiling to the camera. Milind had kept a serious expression that had almost become permanent on his face for the last 40 hours or so.

Madhuri had said she will bring in elders to take a group photograph and went to the patio to call them. "I will show you my newest toy" Bunty had told Prachi and escaped from her arms. Within a minute, the boy was back with a plastic cockroach in his palm and showed it to Prachi. As soon as she recognized it was a cockroach Prachi had squalled closing her ears with her palms. "This is plastic, don't be scared, see it won't do anything" Bunty had brought the cockroach further close to Prachi, ignoring her pleas to keep it away from her. Prachi had tried to move away and moved towards Milind. "This won't bite" said the little boy placing the cockroach on Prachi's lap switching it to the crawling mode. The cockroach had crawled on Prachi's thigh and she had shrieked helplessly, "Milind, please take that thing off of me".

Though Milind was annoyed with Prachi's screams, he could see that she had goosebumps all over on her hand that she had wrapped around his neck in her attempt to escape the cockroach. Bunty had run inside to bring another of his toys to show to Prachi. Milind had caught the cockroach on Prachi's lap and switched the crawling mode off and chucked it away. "It's gone" Milind had said grumpily and Prachi had taken her face out slowly, that she had hidden in her husband's shoulder. Realizing she had clung on to Milind tightly, Prachi had taken her hands off of him and moved away but while doing so, her eyes had met with his, making their hearts beat high. The next moment, they had heard the elders coming in and Prachi had moved further away and sat on the other corner of the sofa with her cheeks flushing.

After a few more photographs were taken, the Mishras had left for their home. Bunty seemed to be upset that Prachi was leaving but Madhuri had taken him inside bribing him some ice cream. In the drive back to Mishra house, Prachi and Baaba had talked about random things while Milind's mind was occupied thinking about Prachi, the new revelations he learnt about her and what he saw of her at the Shastris.

Later that night, Milind had sat in the living room browsing his computer immersed in his own world. Prachi too decided to send emails to her friends and Maamaji regarding Milind and her marriage. Switching on her laptop she had got from her home, she had asked for the password of the wireless network. Milind hadn't answered her while Baaba who was reading a book on philosophy had told her he didn't know the password. This time she had asked Milind in particular for the password while he had closed his eyes and sighed. "Milind, why don't tell her the password?" Baaba too had urged his son.

"Girl interruped" said Milind bluntly and Prachi couldn't stop her lips widening in a big smile. It had so happened that, one of the days Milind chatted with Prachi, he had felt someone was using his network and he had decided to change the password. Since he was chatting with and thinking about Prachi, she was all over his mind and her yahoo id ended up being his new password. "What kind of password is that?" Baaba had asked.

"Baaba, Girl, interrupted is a movie based on a novel with the same name. It's about a girl with a personality disorder. I have watched the movie 5 times and I simply love it" saying so Prachi had given Baaba an account of the movie.

'You surely are one girl interrupted with a personality disorder, rather you are the girl who has interrupted my heart like hell' thought Milind in himself, about Prachi, hearing her description of the movie.

Prachi had then gone to Milind's room, changed into a night gown. Sitting on the bed, she had typed a long email about how she ended up marrying Milind and had sent it to Ayesha, Neev and Soumya. Later she had modified the contents of the same email and also sent it to her Maamaji, Raj Patel.
Milind had still not come to the room and Prachi had switched her laptop off. Feeling sleepy, Prachi had lain on the bed, thinking about how she had clung onto Milind, afraid of the plastic cockroach. 'Girl, interrupted' Prachi had whispered as the fact that Milind had her yahoo id as his wireless password made her ever so happy. Day dreaming about the man she adored, Prachi had slowly drifted to sleep.

Milind had come to his room after an hour, browsing the internet randomly until he started yawning repeatedly. When he entered his room, the lights were still on and he had noticed Prachi was asleep on her stomach. As his eyes ran through her sleeping form, they had fallen on her leg that was exposed with her night gown moving up her knees in her sleep. Without any effort, his mind had recollected his own hands roving on her silky smooth legs on their wedding night. His heart had skipped beats as he felt himself desiring her. However, with his brain warning him against his covet, he had pulled the comforter over his wife's beautiful body, to avoid the temptation. Still not able to calm his overwhelming emotions, he had gone to the bathroom and stood under the cold shower.


Part 20

"Mr. Singh, this is the best possible advertising project our company has ever come up with. It is absolutely novel and appealing to all classes. You deserve a round of applauds" Milind had started clapping his hands in the monthly general meeting of his company.

"One minute, Sir. Though I designed the layout of this project, it was Prachi who put in those novel and appealing ideas. She didn't want to be acknowledged for it but I would feel guilty if I claim this is solely my work" Mr. Singh had said looking at Prachi with appreciation.

"Oh, Mr. Singh, I was just.." Prachi had wanted to shy away from accepting the recognition for her contribution. But her voice got lost in the applauds.

"Good job, Prachi" said Milind once the clapping was over. Prachi had smiled meekly.

"Okay people, with this we have finished all our pending projects. Now let's concentrate on the merger with Mr. Kaushik's company. We have to do our initial homework and we will be flooded with assignments soon after. With the workload, also comes a salary hike of 15% for everyone" Milind had made an announcement before concluding the meeting. Prachi had left a sigh of relief that everything was smooth and progressing for her husband and his company and emotions had filled her eyes up. She had excused herself not wanting to show the world her tears and that hadn't gone unnoticed by Milind.

It had been a week since Milind and Prachi's marriage, and after the showdown on their wedding night, their wedlock hadn't progressed anywhere. Prachi had done her best to keep her hopes and spirits high, but Milind's cold behaviour towards her had only gotten colder with time. Though both had craved for each other, their hesitation had overcome the craving, where Milind still couldn't come to terms with the fact that he was cheated in love while Prachi lived with the killing feel of having lost his love. However, Prachi had bonded with Baaba closely. Ali and Neelam too had called Prachi often to keep her hopes up. Soumya, Ayesha and Neev were surprised at Prachi's sudden wedding but not shocked as they had expected a news like this from her some day. Maamaji hadn't written back to Prachi but his automated reply had said he was holidaying in Hawaii and he would get back later.

"Prachi, will you do me a favour? Please copy the project into boss's laptop. He had asked me to do so since he wanted to take a read at home today before he submitted it. I have to leave early today as I have guests at home" Mr. Singh had requested Prachi as she stood sobbing lonely in a corner. "Yes, sure" Prachi had replied turning around. "My contact lenses are irritating. I will remove them and wear my spectacles" she had given a reason for her tears before Mr. Singh could question her.

Taking Mr. Singh's memory stick, Prachi had walked into Milind's cabin. Not seeing Milind there, she decided to copy it to his laptop. When she finished with it and was about to remove the memory drive safely, she had noticed Milind's yahoo messenger was on. Milind had it set in his laptop to automatically open the messenger whenever he switched the computer on and his messenger would stay on most of the time unless he remembered to log himself out. Prachi had terribly missed her chatting routines with him and had gone back to her desk reminiscing the chats.

After finishing her work that day, Prachi had logged into her messenger and still found Milind online. Contemplating for 10 minutes over whether to message him or not, finally she had decided to send him an instant message.

Girl_interrupted: Hello, Mr. Mishra!!!!😊

Milind was about to close his laptop when he saw a window popping up with Prachi's message. He was about to close it without answering her, but something stopped him from doing so. He relaxed on his seat and took a couple of minutes and finally started typing.

MyNameIsMilind: Hi

Girl_interrupted: (elated) Thank you so much for replying.

MyNameIsMilind: What's the matter?

Girl_interrupted: Don't know! But couldn't help myself from messaging you after seeing you online.

MyNameIsMilind: I get automatically logged in.

Girl_interrupted: Okay.

MyNameIsMilind: Your ideas for Mr. Singh's project were priceless. Thanks for taking interest in it.

Girl_interrupted: Thank you very much.

MyNameIsMilind: You have done a commendable job with the other projects too. I appreciate it.

Girl_interrupted: I am glad you think so. I love my work passionately.

MyNameIsMilind: You will get your bonus at the end of your contract.

Girl_interrupted: Can I ask you something?

MyNameIsMilind: Yes.

Girl_interrupted: Do you still want to terminate my job at the end of my temporary contract?

MyNameIsMilind: I think, Yes. It's good for both of us. Prachi, you can work for some other company. You will have a bright future. I will give you the best recommendation I can. I have no doubts in your capabilities at work front.

Girl_interrupted: Okay Milind, as you wish. But, will I not get any bonus at home front for my performance at work?

MyNameIsMilind: With a lot of difficulty I have learnt to keep home away from work. Please don't dig into it. You know the ground reality.

Girl_interrupted: Sorry, I just wondered. Anyways, can I ask another thing?

MyNameIsMilind: Now what?

Girl_interrupted: Can I exchange my bonus money for something else?

MyNameIsMilind: What do you mean?

Girl_interrupted: It just means I don't want money. I want something else instead.

MyNameIsMilind: Now don't say you want to make up instead of bonus. That's impossible. You know it.

Girl_interrupted: I am not asking for a make up. If it is something else which is not a "make up", will you agree?

MyNameIsMilind: First tell me, what it is!

Girl_interrupted: I will tell you only if you agree. I promise there is no lie or anything like that in it.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay agreed. Tell me, what it is.

Girl_interrupted: Will you come for a party with me?

MyNameIsMilind: Party???

Girl_interrupted: Yes, tonight I have our college reunion party. Ayesha and Neev are back from Sri Lanka too. If you come with me, I would be grateful and happy. 😊

MyNameIsMilind: (not able to refuse though he wanted to) Okay.

Girl_interrupted: 😃

MyNameIsMilind: (couldn't stop his lips from playing a tiny smile) What time is the party?

Girl_interrupted: At 8. Are you done with work? I am done.

MyNameIsMilind: Okay, let's go home and I will have to change.

Girl_interrupted: Me too!!!! Can't go in this cotton saree I am wearing.

MyNameIsMilind: (wondering if it was cotton Prachi wore that day, since he had thought it was silk) Alright. I will pack up.

Girl_interrupted: Okies. I will pack up too. 🤗🤗🤗

Milind had logged off without replying to the hugs. He packed his bag and walked out of his cabin where he found Prachi waiting for him by the door. "Thank you for agreeing to come with me" said Prachi smiling with a shine in her eyes. Milind too had smiled moving his lips the minimum extent, enough to be categorized as a smile.

The drive to home had Prachi telling Milind about the party and he was a silent listener. She had told him she wasn't planning to go to the party alone but now that he was coming with her, she is super excited. She had given a brief summary of who and who were attending the party and her strong opinions about some of them. She also had mentioned Proteek Dasgupta was not going to show up and people were only happy not to see him. Milind couldn't help feel amused at the details she was giving and her non-stop enthusiasm of little things he wouldn't even notice.

After taking a quick bath, Milind had taken out a black evening suit for the party from his wardrobe. Prachi had come to the room after she talked to Baaba detailing him too regarding the party. "I will wear black too to match with you" said Prachi taking out a drape neck black evening gown and went inside the bathroom. Milind had got ready and went to the living room talking to his father and also took a look at the project that Prachi had copied into his laptop. Half an hour later, Prachi had come out of the room dressed in her gown with her hair left free. After getting a glance of her, Milind's eyes had followed her without his knowledge. He was absolutely mesmerized at her sheer elegance and beauty that were enhanced in her radiant smile.

As Milind drove Prachi in the car, the intricate beads and strings of her long ear ring got struck in her gown by her shoulder. While she still talked to Milind guiding him the direction to the party venue, she kept on trying to release her earring from her dress without pulling the threads off. When they reached the venue, Prachi had her head bent down to her right still trying to get her earring out. Milind, who had noticed her efforts from a long time had ended up offering to help her. He had bent over, and deftly released the ear ring from her gown watching the blush that formed on her cheeks. He had sighed to keep himself in control as she got out of the car.

Ayesha and Neev were already in the party and Prachi had introduced them as well as many of her other friends to Milind. Ayesha and Prachi ended up in a long conversation regarding Prachi's wedding and Neev had tried to keep Milind's company then. Later, Milind had noticed that everyone in the party seemed to be fond of Prachi as people had gathered around her and had hundreds of things to share with her. With Prachi getting busy with many of her other friends, Ayesha and Neev kept Milind's company telling him that it was unbelievable the way Prachi ended up putting a mute act but only Prachi could do that.

Milind had sat with Prachi, Ayesha and Neev for dinner. Though Milind wasn't someone who drank a lot of alcohol, that day he had gulped a few glasses, as if it was a way out to the agitation he was constantly feeling these days. With alcohol slightly intoxicating him, Prachi had dominated his thoughts and senses.

"Prachi, will you dance with me tonight?" Oscar, one of Prachi's friends, had asked Prachi after the dinner. While Prachi had smiled and had wondered if she should be dancing with him or not, Oscar had introduced himself to Milind and said "Milind, can I dance with your wife? She and I used to be dance partners in college and no one could ever beat us in salsa". Prachi had looked at Milind as if to ask him for his permission while Oscar had prompted her again to join him for a dance. "Why don't you dance with him, Prachi?" said Milind understanding the situation. Prachi had gone to the center of the party with Oscar and people had stopped chatting to get nostalgic watching the famous dancing couple, dance again.

One of Prachi's friends who had anticipated some salsa dancing, had also come with the CDs ready and she had played a piece of music which had Prachi and Oscar's best performance during college. It didn't seem like neither Oscar nor Prachi had forgotten any step and they had started off to applauds from the spectators. Milind had watched Prachi, nothing but her with a glass of alcohol in his hand, as she turned around, swung and danced with her hands in Oscar's. When Oscar put his hand around Prachi's waist to lift her up, Milind had felt a streak of anger mixed with jealousy in his heart. As Oscar further twirled Prachi around, she had suddenly caught up with Milind's eyes gazing her piercingly and she kept on looking at him while she still danced in tune with Oscar. With Oscar having Prachi bend backwards supported on his arm, for the last pose, Milind had got up from his seat and walked towards her with his gaze still in line with hers. Seeing Milind approaching them, Oscar had felt awkward and let Prachi go from his hold, Milind had grabbed her by her waist and brutally captured her lips in his.


Part 21

The kiss was possessive and passionate. The kiss was painful and hurting. The kiss had essayed complaints and punishments.

The party stood spellbound. Eyebrows were raised, lips got widened, cheeks had flushed.

When it became impossible to breathe, Milind let Prachi's lips go off of his. Prachi slowly had opened her eyes out of her entrance to find Milind's stare penetrating her. She had looked at him with awe.

"That's the spirit of newly weds" Neev had whistled winking at Ayesha and the whole party started cheering. Pep music was played and people started dancing.

"You are mine, just mine" Milind had said pulling Prachi into his arms.

"I am yours, Milind, just yours" Prachi had whispered trying to free herself from his arms becoming aware of the people around. Milind had held her tightly with one hand and ran his other hand along her arm down to hold her hand still whispering she was his. Prachi had realized her husband was out of his senses under the influence of alcohol.

"Let's go home, Milnid" said Prachi finally freeing herself from his clutch. "Go home, yes, go home" said Milind and Prachi had held his hand in hers to walk in the direction of the exit. "Guys, we are going home" said Prachi seeing Neev and Ayesha. "We are going home, bye Neev, bye Ayesha" screamed Milind as Prachi dragged him along. "Crazy Prachi has got a crazy husband" Neev had said in Ayesha's ears after walking Milind and Prachi to the door.

Guiding Milind to his car, Prachi had searched for car keys in his pockets and found them. Feeling tickled Milind had asked "What are you doing, Prachi? My Prachi". Prachi had smiled and pulled him holding his hand, took him to the passenger seat door. "Milind, get in, let's go home" instructed Prachi. Milind had tried to open the door but had struggled. Prachi had opened it for him and helped him get inside. As he sat smiling, Prachi got into the driver's seat and keyed the ignition on. "Milind, wear your seat belt" said Prachi wearing hers. "I will not" Milind said like a baby.

Thinking that Milind was really not in his senses, Prachi had bent over him pulling his seat belt. Milind had caught her arm and put his other hand around her waist, trying to hug her to him.
"Prachi, I love you a lot. I really really love you a lot. But Prachi" he had inserted his fingers in her hair bringing her face near his, as he saw her face in moonlight. "You are beautiful" saying so, he had brought her lips near his joining them together. Prachi had tried to escape him but he had caught her tightly in his hold. When he gave her a break again, Prachi had jerked back and quickly fastened his seat belt.

"Ey, Prachi" Milind had tried to hold her hand again. "I have to tell you something. I want to talk to you" he muttered. "Milind, let's go home and talk" Prachi had started the car wanting to take her inebriated husband home as soon as possible. Milind kept on muttering "let's go home" and tried to hold Prachi's hands and was smiling at her every now and then. Prachi was feeling tensed to drive, with Milind bothering her every other minute. However, keeping her cool, she had made it home.

Once home, Prachi had taken Milind inside holding his arm. Baaba had slept already and Prachi had directly taken Milind to his room. "Prachi, I want to talk to you" Milind kept on saying. Prachi had told him he should take his shoes off first and change into nightclothes.

"Yes" Milind had said taking out his shoes and socks out. He had removed his jacket too and threw it on the floor. In the mean time Prachi had removed her contact lenses and accessories and opened Milind's wardrobe to find a night dress for him. As she looked back, she found Milind struggling to open the buttons of his shirt. "Wait, I will do it for you" said Prachi walking up to him. Planking the clothes in her hand on the bed, she had opened the buttons of his shirt one by one while Milind kept looking at her face, that was inches close to him. Once she finished undoing the buttons, she had removed the shirt helped by Milind himself. As she bent to take Milind's nightwear in her hands, he had caught hold of both of her hands and pinned her to the wall. Grazing her cheeks with his lips, Milind had held her face in his palm, causing Prachi to gasp in sensation. "Prachi, why did you do this? Why did you spoil it all for me?" Milind had said in her ears.

"Milind" Prachi had said moving his face away with her hand looking into his eyes.

"You know, I love you from the bottom of my heart. The dreams I built for us are still green in my heart. And you broke it all with your lies." Milind had said holding her face tightly in his palms.

"Milind, I am sorry" Prachi had said with tears filling up in her eyes.

"No, don't cry. I can't see you crying. It hurts here when you cry" Milind put his fingers on his heart and wiped her tears. Prachi had buried her face in his chest and he had hugged her into him.

A minute later, Milind had released Prachi from his hold, and had traced her eye brows, cheeks and then her lips with his finger. "I want to love you" he had said meeting her lips with his. Prachi had put her hands on his bare chest with her senses assaulted and her mind confused. Kissing her deeply, Milind had moved her to the bed, laying her down and laying himself on her. Placing another kiss on her lips, Milind had trailed kisses on her neck and moved down. "Milind" Prachi had gasped, burying her fingers in his curly locks.

"Prachi" Milind's voice had suddenly turned grim with a film of tears filling his eyes.

"I am very sorry, Milind. Please forgive me" Prachi had pleaded.

"Prachi, you know what Sukku did? She broke my heart. She broke my Baaba's heart. She ran away with a guy while I was dressing myself up to give my shoulder to her paalki. You too did the same, Prachi. You married without telling your Maamaji, who raised you."

"But, Milind my Maamaji.." Prachi had tried to interrupt.

"Shhh, let me talk to you. I told you, I want to talk. You lied to me, Prachi. You didn't tell me the truth, when I confessed that I loved you. You didn't tell me the truth when we became one in front of the fire. You lied to my Baaba too"

Prachi had hiccuped crying profusely.

"Prachi, I have dreams enough to fill the whole world for us. I want to love you more than any man ever loved his wife. But I can't. I feel cheated. I feel betrayed. I feel you mocked my love. You, my love, mocked my love. What an irony, Prachi? I will never be able to love you the way I want to love you. I know that every morning you come this close to kiss me, but you don't. I know why. You have lost that right, and I can never give you back that right. But Prachi, you are the only one whom I gave that right, but you lost it. I will never give that right to anyone else" Milind's tears had fallen on Prachi's face.

"Milind, I don't know why I made up that lie. I can never forgive myself for it" Prachi had hiccuped.

"But Prachi, I can never make peace with that lie, how much ever I try. I desire you Prachi, I find you beautiful, but I don't want to touch you. I love you, but I don't want to love you. I fear I will let myself down. I also fear I will never be able to love you again. I am caught. It kills you to have your love in front of you, but not able to love it. You took my love away from me, and it tortures me to witness every day and night what I have lost"

"Milind, I am so sorry" Prachi didn't know what to say as she cried all along.

"Don't cry, Prachi. I will always love you in my heart though I can't really love you again" Milind had wiped her tears again and kissed her eyes. He had nibbled her cheeks and pressed his lips and stayed like that for minutes. Slowly he had parted her lips with his tongue, invading it and moving his hands on the contours of her body. When he let her lips free, Prachi had quickly turned her face away saying "Milind don't do this, you are drunk. You will regret it tomorrow."

"But Prachi, I want you. I want to kiss you. I want to love you. You know I want to sleep like this with hiding my face in you every night. You are my Prachi, my love. My Prachi" Milind had rested his head on Prachi's bosom whispering her name again and again.

"Milind" Prachi had wrapped her arms around him.

The alcohol in Milind's blood had dragged him into sleep quickly after that. He had slept with his head on Prachi's chest, his leg possessively wrapped over her thighs and his hands holding her tight.

Prachi had gently stroked his head, helping him to enter a sound sleep. Seconds, minutes and hours passed, Prachi still had her eyes open, looking into the ceiling, with tears flowing uninterrupted from her eyes. She had thought, thought and thought over a solution to ease it for Milind, beyond her abilities. His weight was heavy on her, but she hadn't moved a bit, not to disturb his sleep. Her tears were silent, as silent as the night. Her turmoil of thoughts had killed her time through the night, and as the first ray of sun lit the night away, her paining eyes closed, into something that could be hardly termed as sleep.


Part 22

Milind had woken up at 8 am in the morning to a slight headache. With difficulty he opened his eyes to find himself sleeping holding Prachi and his head rested by her neck. He had slowly got up and had looked around to make sense of things. The first thing he realized was that he was in a state of half undress and he probably had literally slept on Prachi through the night. He had strained his brain to remember the events of the last night.

Milind could vaguely recollect meeting with Ayesha, Neev and many others in the party, eating with them, Prachi dancing with Oscar, and himself pulling Prachi into a kiss. He could also remember Prachi driving the car, her helping him remove his shirt, him kissing her again. What he could remember more clearly though was Prachi's tears and the prick he felt in his heart as a consequence of it. He had tried to recollect more clearly what had actually happened the last night, but couldn't remember further details. His eyes then fell on Prachi's face that seemed to bear a tint of pain though she seemed asleep and her kohl spread down the sides of her eyes had marked the path of her tears. There was a stain of blood on her lower lip representing a small cut dried, making Milind feel guilty and low for two reasons, one that he got close to Prachi against his will and second that he probably forced himself on her.

Just then, Milind's mobile rang and that woke up Prachi too. While Milind found his mobile from the pocket of his coat, that was lying on the floor, Prachi sat up with the feel of a heavy headache. Milind had cut the call thinking that he was not in a position to answer it sensibly. He had looked back to find Prachi trying to gather herself and he had sat on the bed close to her.

"I am sorry, Prachi. I don't exactly remember all that happened last night. I normally don't get drunk. Don't know how I ended up doing so yesterday" Milind said not facing Prachi.

"Milind, nothing happened yesterday for which you have to be sorry. I am the one who should be sorry as the situation put a mirror in front of me" Prachi said rubbing her eyes.

"What exactly happened yesterday?" questioned Milind turning towards Prachi.

"You got drunk and I drove you home" Prachi stopped there abruptly.

"What happened at home? Did I force myself on you?" Milind wanted to know more.

"Of course not, Milind. We didn't make love. Don't worry about it at all. Actually, last night I realized that there is no point in me passively repenting for all the pain I have caused. I bear the responsibility to ease it though I know I can never undo it. I have thought about a solution though, Milind. I will tell you about it, if things work out the way I have planned. I know you might fear what more hurting is in store for you, but I request you believe that I will do my best to not let my decision affect anyone negatively. Milind, I was never a liar in my life. In fact, I used to be this person in my peer group whom everyone trusted" Prachi had explained which didn't seem a lie to Milind, having witnessed her with her friends in the party last night, himself.

"What do yo want to do, Prachi?" questioned Milind.

"I told you, I will tell you if it works out. I will not go ahead with it, if you don't think it's appropriate" Prachi sighed.

Before Milind tried to say something his mobile rang again. Since it was Mr. Singh calling him for the second time, he had received the call. Mr. Singh had noticed a minor mistake in the project that Milind was supposed to submit and wanted to have it corrected before the submission. Milind had told him he hadn't yet submitted it and was going to take care of the mistake.

Baaba had knocked the room door by then since he found it unusual that Milind and Prachi were asleep even after 8 am on a working day. He wanted to make sure everything was fine as he hadn't met them last night after the party. Milind had worn a t shirt and Prachi had gone inside the bathroom. He opened the door for Baaba and explained to him that they were late to come back from the party and they overslept. Baaba had asked them to come down for breakfast.

Prachi had taken a shower hoping the warm water would help her pounding headache. However, the lack of sleep and profuse crying had taken a toll on her and when she wore her contact lens, she felt a burning sensation in her eyes. Getting ready, she had gone down to the dining table for breakfast wearing her spectacles, also to hide her still swollen eyes. Milind was ready too by then and was working on the correction that Mr. Singh had mentioned.

"Milind, I would like to take a day off today. I have a bad headache" Prachi had informed Milind as they all ate breakfast. Baaba had looked at his daughter in law concerned.

"That's no problem. If you want any medicine or a balm, it's in the first drawer of my study table" said Milind.

As Baaba was about to ask what had happened to Prachi, she herself had answered "Baaba, we were late to come back from the party last night. It was past my sleeping time and I didn't get sleep at all. If I don't sleep well, I end up getting bad headaches. I will try sleeping after the breakfast and I am sure that would help me".

"Take care, beti" said Baaba finishing his breakfast.

Milind had left for work right after and he had several appointments for the day. He was feeling out of place in his own mind with emotions draining him, with a feeling of not able to think straight. However, the reminder of the workloads and meetings occupied his brain and he got busy with his work once he reached the office.

After the breakfast, Prachi had felt a little better with her headache. Her mind was feeling strangely calm as she had made a decision in her mind which she thought was the only solution to the problem she herself had created. Through the night, her mind was soaked in pain because of the pain she had caused to a gem she had for a lover cum husband. She couldn't curse herself enough to have broken his dreams and to have lost him. However, the very thing that he loved her so deeply had made her feel on the top of the world too. She had felt like her deepest wound of years was cured with that one realization, with the same realization being enough to spend the rest of her life with no complaints. Determined about the decision she had made, Prachi had opened her laptop to dig an old email. Reading through it, she had replied to the email, also giving her new address of the Mishra house, taking it from Baaba. She had explained to Baaba the real reason she needed the address for.

After finishing with her mission, Prachi had tried to get some sleep but had failed. Baaba had involved himself in gardening and she had heard the home phone ringing. She had gone down to pick the phone and when she said 'hello' the caller had apologized that she had dialed a wrong number and cut the call.

The phone rang again, and it was the same caller. This time the caller had confirmed the address and the phone number of the house. "My brother and father must have moved out of the house" the caller had said as she hadn't expected a female voice in the house.

"Sukruti?" Prachi had asked as it suddenly flashed in her mind that it must be Milind's sister calling.

"How do you know my name? May I know whom I am speaking to?" Sukruti had asked in surprise.

"My name is Prachi. Wait a minute, I will give the phone to your father" said Prachi as she saw Baaba coming inside the house.

Prachi had given the phone to Baaba saying it was Sukruti on the line. Baaba had ran to pick the call and it was an emotional conversation between the father and the daughter about each other's welfare. Sukruti had asked him who Prachi was, who had received her phone call. Baaba had happily told her that she was his daughter in law. Feeling happy that her brother had got married, Sukruti asked her father to pass the phone to Prachi.

"Hello, Bhabhi, I am very happy that my brother got married. I am sorry, I wasn't there in the wedding" said Sukruti as Prachi got on the phone.

"Oh Sukruti, I should be sorry, as there was no time to invite anyone to the wedding. It all happened so sudden. I wish you were there in it" said Prachi.

"I don't think Bhaiyya would have liked it Bhabhi. Nevertheless, congratulations to both of you. I can't wait to meet you, though I wonder if it is possible at all." sighed Sukruti.

"I so want to meet you too. Are you still in Dubai? How is your husband?" enquired Prachi.

"Bhaiyya might have told you about me. I am still in Dubai, Bhabhi. But we are leaving for Mumbai tomorrow. Aalaap, my husband, has got a nice job in Mumbai and we are shifting to India. I am not sure if I should tell this to Baaba or not, since he would want to meet me and Bhaiyya might not like it at all. Please don't tell this to Bhaiyya or Baaba yet, I want to talk to my husband too and may be come visit you guys myself and try my luck since I keep hoping I will be forgiven some day." Sukruti sounded emotional.

Prachi had walked inside her room to speak privately with Sukruti and said "Hey, don't cry Sukku. Your Bhaiyya misses you and not to mention Baaba. I too hope things will be sorted out. By the way, what time is your flight? Or give me your address here, let's meet, at least both of us, as soon as possible".

Sukruti was elated and had given her address in Mumbai to Prachi. Prachi had told her she would meet her as soon as possible and gave her mobile number too. After finishing speaking with Sukruti, Prachi had looked for her mobile and didn't find it anywhere. She remembered leaving it on the dining table in the party last night. She had tried calling the number but the mobile seemed switched off. Wondering if it would be with any of her friends, she had called Ayesha remembering her number. Ayesha had told her the mobile was indeed with her and there was no charge in it and she was going to email her about it since she didn't know her home number. Relieved that her mobile wasn't lost, Prachi tried to get some sleep again but her thoughts had shifted to Sukruti. She had hoped that the daughter of the house gets reunited into it.

At the same time, Milind too had received a phone call on his office number and the call had him feel uncomfortable.

Part 23

It was Prachi's uncle, Raj Patel who had called Milind. He had returned to India after his Hawaii trip and tried to reach Prachi as soon as he read her email regarding her marriage. He couldn't connect to her mobile phone. He had read her email more carefully then and noticed the name of the person she had married and the company he owned. Milind's name sounded familiar and digging his memory, Raj had remembered one of his old business associates, Mr. Kaushik, talking about this new man in business by the name of Milind Mishra. He had phoned Mr. Kaushik right then to confirm that this was the same Milind Mishra he was talking about and also took Milind's contacts from him. Meanwhile, Ramu Kaaka had informed him that Prachi lived in her husband's house now and she had visited Shah mansion a couple of times in the last few days. Raj had then dialed Milind's number and introduced himself as Prachi's uncle when he got connected. Milind had rememberd Prachi mentioning about her uncle and had felt absolutely awkward having married without informing him. "Mr. Mishra, I know that Prachi is impulsive and carefree. But at least you could have thought of informing her elders before tying the knot. I know that you both are adults and have a right to take a decision for yourself, but still, this was not expected from an upcoming businessman like you about whom people have good things to say."

A wave of fury had passed through Milind thinking how Prachi had got him in this fix where he also had become a part of her lie. Though he felt like revealing the truth to Prachi's uncle over the phone itself, somehow he kept his cool imagining the worst consequences the revelation may bring about. "I am sorry the wedding happened in a haste due to unavoidable circumstances" Milind had apologized.

"Where is Prachi? She had mentioned she works for you. Her mobile isn't working" asked Raj.

"She is at home today. She has taken off. May be her mobile is switched off. I will try calling her" Milind explained.

"Don't bother calling her. I will drop in at your house in the evening. Yes, I can figure out your address too if I have traced your number. I want to meet both of you and settle the matters" Raj had said authoritatively and cut the call.

Before Milind could decide what actions and precautions he was to take with this uncle's matter, Mr. Singh had knocked his cabin door as it was time for his meeting with a client from Europe about which Mrs. Kundra had reminded him just before Raj Patel's phone call. What followed then was a 2 hour long meeting where Milind succeeded to get an international project in his hands.

Meanwhile at home, Prachi had slept for about an hour and felt much better. Baaba had said he was going out to bring some coloured serial bulbs for the decoration of the pooja room. Prachi had told him she will join him as she wanted to buy a couple of things for herself. The father in law and daughter in law duo had taken a taxi and left for the city area. After the shopping was done, they went to a juice bar as they felt thirsty in the hot sun.

"Baaba, can you believe I haven't watched Sholay?" Prachi commented as she saw the poster for the old movie out of the glass window of the juice bar.

"You should watch it beti. It's a glorius movie. When it was released, I had watched it 5 times. You won't believe I even had visited the place it was shot in Karnataka. I think it was Ramanagara near Bangalore. Amitabh, Dharam Paji, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri and the beautiful Hema Malini...." Baaba had reminisced how he was crazy over the movie, once upon a time.

"Are you a fan of Hema Malini?" Prachi had asked playfully. Baaba had blushed and said "but your mother in law used to be more beautiful than her". Prachi had curiously asked how he met her mother in law. Baaba had gone down the memory lane to tell Prachi that he had met his wife in one of his trips to Himachal on work related matter. He also had told her how they had lied about his salary being higher than it actually was, in order to get her parents to agree to have their daughter married to him. This was due to her parents having fixed her wedding with a guy who earned more and the very reason they were interested in that guy was the 4 figure salary he had. He added that he ended up telling them the truth at some point but he was instantly forgiven as the in-laws had come to love him by then and his salary had reached four figures too.

"Your mother in law was very fond of movies. I used to take her to a movie every month. Sukruti had inherited her trait and she used to demand going to the movies. She used to get Milind to go with her too though he hated these run of the mill type movies. She wouldn't spare me either" Baaba had sighed thinking of the good times and Prachi could see the pain grow on his face.

"Baaba, why not invite Sukruti over here to stay with us for sometime?" questioned Prachi.

"Don't you know my son, Prachi? He still hasn't forgiven Sukruti. She often makes phone calls, but he doesn't even say a 'hello' to her" said Baaba.

"What if she suddenly shows up in our house one day?" asked Prachi.

"I don't know how Milind would react beti. He might ask her not to step in. Often I feel like strictly telling him to take me to Dubai. If I order him, he would do it for me. But I know he just wouldn't like it. I keep quiet not wanting to hurt him. I don't know if I ever will see my daughter again" said Baaba, with his eyes filled up with emotions. Prachi thought of discussing with Sukruti the matter in detail.

"Don't worry, Baaba. You will meet your daughter soon and Milind will also forgive her. After all, she is his loving sister" Prachi had said hoping that his father in law would feel better. She had then continued to say "Baaba, can I ask you for something?". Baaba had told her to ask whatever she wanted. "Will you take me to see Sholay?". Baaba had laughed suddenly at his daughter in law's question and had nodded his head asking her to check with theater the movie was being played.

Prachi and Baaba had then gone to Gemini theater and watched the biggest hit in the history of Bollywood, enjoying it to the fullest. Baaba had never felt such light hearted moments in a long while. He felt that Prachi had truly replaced Sukruti in his life.

In the meantime, Milind had tried calling Prachi's mobile, the home phone and his father's mobile several times to inform Prachi about her uncle's expected visit. But Baaba had switched his mobile off and since Prachi and him were in the movie, Milind couldn't contact them at all. Wondering where Prachi and Baaba were, he decided to leave for home as soon as possible before Prachi's uncle made it there.

As he drove to the house and neared it, Milind had noticed a car following him and when he stopped in front of his apartment, the car had stopped behind him too. As he got out of the car, a middle aged man got out of of the other car, dressed in a short, T shirt and a hat, wearing shades. Milind had looked back inquisitively wondering if the man was Prachi's uncle. Soon he had seen Prachi and Baaba towards the apartment from a distance, both immersed in a conversation. Milind had gotten nervous wondering what was to follow.

"Maamaji" saying aloud so, Prachi had instinctively run up to the man Milind was imagining to be her uncle. "How are you, Prachi?" Raj had inquired as he hugged Prachi. "I am fine Maamaji, hope you are doing great" said Prachi.

"Milind, Baaba, this is my Maamaji, Raj Patel. Maamaji, this is my father in law, Dayanand Mishra and this is my husband, Milind Mishra" Prachi had introduced the people who were meeting each other for the first time. Milind had looked at Prachi with anxiety as well as fury, wondering if Maamaji was going to say something that would affect his father. Prachi had almost ignored Milind though she noticed his expressions and took Maamaji inside the house. She had written in her email to Maamaji concisely that she had started working for Milind, fell in love and married him in consideration of the only auspicious days available and her father in law's health issues. She was confident that her uncle wouldn't be messing up things for her.

"I am sorry Milind, for speaking like that over the phone. I just wanted to give a surprise and may be make you tense. I am pathetic at giving surprises though" said Raj as he was taken inside the house.

"Mr. Mishra, Prachi had written to me how the wedding happened suddenly because of the solar eclipse matter. I was away holidaying in Hawaii and couldn't be contacted at that time. As soon as I got to know about the news, I couldn't wait to meet you all. Here I am" said Raj looking at Baaba.

"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Patel. We are lucky to have Prachi as the daughter in law of this house. She is not only my daughter in law but my daughter and a friend too. You guys sit and talk, you are meeting after so long. I will make some tea for you all" Baaba excused himself.

"Maamaji, I am really sorry. I ended up marrying without telling you. I know you are nice to me but I am sure I have angered you like anything." Prachi had said holding her uncle's hand.

"Prachi, let me tell you something. When I was holidaying in Hawaii, I was with this friend of mine, you know him I think, Mr. Kapoor. Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor couldn't have babies and Dhanya is their adopted daughter. I think you have never met her as they moved to the US when she was a little baby. She is 17 years old now and you won't believe, she looks and behaves so much like you. One day when I was with Mr. Kapoor having a drink, he wondered if it was the same for me raising you, dealing with teenage tantrums, handling the ups and downs of young emotions. He said it was so important for a parent to be with the child emotionally as children go through a lot of turmoils during growing up. I suddenly thought about you, Prachi. When Inder and didi died in the crash, you were hardly 10 years old. Though I took your responsibility, I questioned at that moment, if I really fulfilled it. I did take care of all your financial needs, but then, your dad had left so much money for you that it wouldn't have mattered. I was always busy with expanding my business, visiting India only once in a month or so, sometimes even less than that. I don't think I ever asked you if you had good friends, if you had any problems or pains. I think Ramu Kaaka knows much better about you than me. After seeing the Kapoors, I went through a self interrogation and realized I never really lived up to my duties as a parent. May be, it was because I myself avoided a marriage, never realized the importance of a family. This sudden thought is the reason I cut my Hawaii trip off and came to see you. But then, I found out you were married. I didn't think I had the right to be upset with you over that. I then found out that Milind was this upcoming entrepreneur who seems to be an able guy. The only complaint I have is that Prachi, I would have wished to celebrate your wedding in a big way. But that we can still do. We can have a huge party or a reception type of thing" said Raj.

"Oh Milind, if you are wondering how I found out your number, address etc. Let me clear it to you at least now. Mr. Kaushik, with whom you are collaborating has worked with me and he is an old friend" Raj said turning towards Milind. Prachi had rememberd Mr. Kaushik too and thought she had never known that he knew Maamaji. Milind was still digesting all that he heard as it sounded unbelievable to him. Prachi had hugged her uncle and kissed him on his cheek. By then, Baaba had got tea and biscuits in a tray and all had taken a cup in their hand.

"Mr. Mishra, these days kids are smart enough to choose the right partner for themselves. We elders should appreciate that and bless them wholeheartedly, isn't it?" said Raj drinking his tea.

"Yes, Mr. Patel. We should bless them. I have no complaints over Milind choosing Prachi. God was kind on us and he even cured Prachi's illness" Baaba had said referring to Prachi's aphonia.

"Maamaji, I will show you around the house, particularly the pooja room. Baaba has decorated it so nicely" Prachi had pulled her uncle with her, without letting him finish his tea.

"Were you ill with something?" asked Raj as Prachi took him away.

"Well, Maamaji, It was nothing serious though. I am perfectly fine now. I will detail you about it some other time. Now look at this pooja room. I know you are not into Gods and all, but see there is no deity missing from this collection" Prachi had changed the topic.

Milind had understood Prachi took her uncle away to avoid the aphonia topic. He had looked at Baaba who seemed to have got immersed in the news paper. Milind felt so agitiated inside himself that he gritted his teeth and ran his fingers through his hair desperately.

Part 24

Raj had stayed for dinner with the Mishras that day. Baaba and Prachi cooked the dinner while Raj got Milind involved in a business related conversation. He had told Milind that Prachi and him were welcome to claim the shares he had kept in Prachi's name anytime. He had also shared his career progress, which Milind found outstanding and inspiring. After a delicious dinner, Raj had asked the Mishras which would be the perfect time for him to organize a grand party for the newly weds. Prachi had told him since things were too tight at Milind's company at this point, the party could be arranged later when the workload eases.

Prachi and Milind had walked Raj to his car. When Raj was about to get into the car, he saw the small gift box that he had kept on the passenger seat. "Oh, I am getting old. I totally forgot about this gift I brought for you guys" Raj said taking the box in his hand. He had signed Milind to come aside and said handing over the box to him, "Milind, this is my wedding gift for both of you. Do take Prachi to this place soon. She would be really happy". Prachi had stood wondering what his uncle was telling her husband.

When Prachi and Milind came back inside the house, Baaba had commented that Raj was just like Prachi, cheerful and chirpy. Prachi had joined Baaba trying to understand what he was doing with the serial bubls he had got from the market. Milind had swtiched the TV on and flipped through the channels aimlessly.

"Hema Malini" Prachi had screamed as she had seen the beautiful actress on some channel as Milind quickly went through the channels. Hearing her loud scream Milind had wondered why she was so excited about Hema Malini. Prachi had come to him asking for the remote. Milind had totally ignored her and kept on flipping the channels. Prachi had asked for the remote again, but Milind didn't even acknowledge hearing her voice. Prachi had suddenly snatched the remote from his hand leaving him in awe and ran to sit besides her father in law. "Give me the remote back, Prachi" said Milind controlling his fury.

"Wait, I want to show Hema Malini to Baaba" said Prachi searching for the channel in which she had seen the actress. Finding her in a show called Dancing Queen hosted by Shabbir Ahluwalia, Prachi had said excitedly "Baaba, there is your Hema Malini. Aww, she is still beautiful even in this age". Baaba had looked at the TV and laughed watching Hema dancing with Jitendra and said "Jitendra and Hema Malini, this makes me feel young". Amused that his father too had joined Prachi in watching Hema Malini, Milind had left for his bedroom. It was the first time in ages, Milind had seen his father taking interest in TV this way. As he tried to get some sleep, Milind couldn't help filling his mind with the memories of his childhood where his mother would tune into the Sunday movies played on Doordarshan, the only channel they had at that time. He would also end up watching the movie with his ever enthusiastic sister, having no other choice.

"Milind, I am so happy today" said Prachi as she entered the bedroom and sat on the bed. Milind had not said anything in return.

"Are you still angry with me about the remote? Actually, Baaba is a huge fan of Hema Malini. I just wanted to.."

"It's alright" said Milind grumpily.

"Then, why have you been a grumpy baby from the evening? Were you annoyed that Maamaji played a trick on you? Please don't mind him, he is like that."

"Is everyone as crazy as you in your family? I am surprised your uncle came to accept you marrying without telling him, so coolly."

"I am sure he must have felt bad. I think he was keeping my heart."

"So, was this your plan you were talking about this morning?"

"What plan?"

"You said, you were going to come up with some solution. But I don't see any solution here."

"I had told you that I will consult you before executing the plan. I will need a few days to know if I can work it out. But Maamaji arrived on his own. I didn't even know he was going to come."

"I was trying to inform you for the whole day. You avoided my calls."

"Milind, please stop looking at me with suspicion on everything I do. My mobile wasn't with me. I had left it in the party last night. It's with Ayesha. Please don't think everything I am doing is fake."

"I don't know what is fake and what is real. Even your Maamaji came accross so unreal not even questioning you once for what you did."

"I too was expecting him to be harsher than this. I am glad he wasn't"

"Hmm, he was too easy on you"

"Is it a bad thing to forgive your own people when they falter?"

"It's not about forgiving. When your near and dear ones cut your heart, the bleeding never stops"

"But isn't the same near and dear ones who would heal the wounds too?"

"Do you think you can heal the wounds?"

"I am not talking about myself. I might not even be in that near dear circle"

"Huh. Then?"

"I am talking about Sukruti."

"Sukruti?"

"Yes, she had called today."

"She keeps calling."

"And you never talk to her. Well, she is moving back to India."

"Okay"

"Milind, why don't you forgive her and forget about the past."

"Who am I to forgive her? She didn't even think of giving Baaba and me one explanation before she did what she wanted."

"But how long would you keep this grudge? Wouldn't it be nice if you let it go and accept her back in the family? I am sure this is what she wants."

"I don't care about what she wants."

"You do care about what Baaba wants, what you, yourself want, don't you?"

"What makes you think Baaba and I want her back?"

"You both dearly miss her."

"I don't."

"Baaba surely does. He might be hiding his wish from you thinking you would be hurt. My Maamaji forgave me even though I am not his daughter. Baaba would have forgiven his daughter long time back."

Milind had kept silent.

"Milind, I know it's not in my right to give my opinions about your matters. But let me tell you one thing. Having grown up alone most of my life, I have wished a 1000 times that I could get my parents back, and that I had a sibling. But it must be even worse to have a sibling, but still not having him or her. The worst is when a daughter and a father can't meet each other though they are dying to. Well, anyways, I think I spoke too much. Sorry for that. I am a chatter box. By the way, what is in the gift box that Maamaji gave?"

"I don't know, it must be some tickets to travel somewhere."

"Let me check"

Prachi opened the gift box to find a key bunch and a small note in it. The note read 'Dear Prachi and Milind, here are the keys for my farmhouse in Khandala. It's yours from today. Inder and didi used to stay here during Prachi's summer holidays. After their death, whenever I asked Prachi to come and stay with me abroad during her summer vacation, she would ask me to rather take her to the Khandala house. I never wanted to go back there as it would bring back the memories of Inder and didi. I never took Prachi there again. But I still maintained the house as I was somehow attached to it. I think Prachi would love to go back there and reminisce her childhood memories with you, Milind. Do invite me there when you have a kid and I will refresh my memories of seeing my sister's family.
Have a great life together. Happy married life! Lots of love and blessings- Raj'.

Prachi had burst into instant tears and sobbed hiding her head in her palms. Milind was disturbed to see her crying like this and had wondered what she read in the letter. Asking her not to cry, he had read the letter himself. By then, Prachi had grabbed the keys in her hand and fell on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. "Prachi, don't cry" Milind had tried consoling her, running his fingers through her hair. "I am alright. Don't worry, I am not crying. Good night, Milind" said Prachi pulling the comforter on her covering her head inside it.

Milind had laid himself besides Prachi, pulling the other comforter on himself, alternatively thinking about her, Sukruti and Baaba.