Great Expectations-Epilogue Pg 69 (14/6) - Page 7

hello!😊

Originally posted by: aritha

hello!😊

would there be an update today???

Originally posted by: Opti

Hopefully but only later in the day.

Opti

Part XXXII.1

Note: This part is broken down into three parts. The other two parts will not have a present scenario as the same theme will continue for all three parts.

Present

The Mishras, Shergills and Khans returned to Mumbai after spending twelve days in Kerala. Apart from covering the cities of Kochi and Trivandrum, the other places they visited during their stay included Thekkadi, a wild life sanctuary, Munnar, a hill station and Kumarakom, a lake resort. Kathakali dance recital and Ayurvedhic body massages were other unique features of the State they had experienced. Swati and her father accompanied them to Thekkadi and Munnar but left for Mumbai after that.

It was May 16, 2009, the day the results of the elections were to be announced. All of them stayed glued to their T.V. sets wondering what the results were going to be. The exit polls indicated a hung parliament which was not a good sign, given the present state of the economy. Political stability was crucial for any major plan to revive the economy.

The results started trickling in. The UPA which was a coalition of parties led by the Congress seemed to be on the lead. Ayesha turned to Milind and asked him, "How many days will it take for the final results to be out?"

"The results will be known today itself," Milind informed her.

"Today? That is amazing for a country as large as India" she exclaimed.

"Yes, the voting itself took nearly a month, given the vast geographical territory of the country and the need to provide security but since the voting was done using electronic machines, the counting will not take long."

"So Congress seems to be poised for a victory. Who will be the next prime minister?"

"The party has announced even before the elections that the present prime minister Dr.Manmohan Singh will be its Prime Ministerial candidate. It is a good choice. The man is able, clean and sincere."

"I know. What about Rahul Gandhi?" asked Ayesha.

"I don't know what would be his role in the new Government. I think he may want to continue to strengthen the party at the grassroot level."

"The party has had its fair share of controversies and tragedies, isn't it?"

"Yes, the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and her son, Rajiv Gandhi seven years later were huge blows to the party. But the party also had some unsavoury past. The emergency of the 1970s, the anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of the Indira Gandhi assassination, the controversy on the Bofors gun deal, to name a few. Personally, Prachi and I lived a nightmare during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984."

"I remember that horrible time. At Harvard, I received a call from Mama that Prachi was lost during the chaos and you were literally going crazy. Must have been tough for both of you. I myself was going berserk as I was so far away and not able to do anything."

Both Prachi and Milind lapsed into thoughts of those harrowing days.

Past (Prachi's flashback)

She waited eagerly at the airport for her husband's arrival. It did not help that the flight from Istanbul was delayed by more than two hours. Finally she saw him walking briskly towards the exit and ran towards him.

"Milind!" she called out to him.

He seemed surprised to see her at the airport and rushed to her with a broad smile on his face which made her feel weak in her knees.

"Prachi! You are here?! Why did you take the trouble to come all the way to the airport? I would have reached home on my own."

"I know you would, but then I would have got to see you half an hour later than I am seeing you now. For someone who has been counting her minutes and seconds for the past five days that is a lot of time wasted," she said.

"Did you miss me that much, Prachi?" he asked, pleasantly thrilled that his wife longed to see him.

She nodded her head demurely. "I missed you a lot, Milind. Didn't you?" she asked.

"More than you can imagine," he said and took her hands to his lips for a kiss.

"So were you able to sort out the problem?" she asked him.

"Do you think I would have returned without doing the job? Everything is sorted out and the sale was concluded. The merger can now take place smoothly."

"Papa would be glad to hear that," she said with contentment.

Holding her by the shoulder he led her to the parking lot. After stashing away his small suitcase in the boot, he took the wheel and drove them to their home.

As soon as they reached home and entered in, he wrapped his arms under her backside and lifting her high in the air, he twirled her around.

"I am so happy, Prachi. I feel like I am on the top of the world," he shouted out in delight.

Prachi was surprised by his sudden jubilant outburst. She thought that it was the effect of his success on the business front.

"Milind put me down, I'm feeling dizzy!" she giggled.

He finally put her down and made her sit on the sofa.

"Don't move," he said and opened his suitcase to take out a packet. She looked at it curiously. He tore open the packet to reveal one of the most exquisite pair of gold anklets she had ever seen.

Smiling at her, he knelt on one knee in front of her and lifted one of her feet. He laid her foot on his other thigh and wrapped the anklet around her delicate ankle. His gentle touch made her blush deeply. Once he tightened the clasp of the anklet, he repeated the same for the other foot. He then looked up at her and asked her with an eagerness of a five-year old, "How do you like your gift?"

"I simply love these anklets, Milind. They are beauuuuutiful," she said.

She got up and hiking her saree up a little so that he can see her feet, she paraded up and down in front of him. The jingling sound made by the anklets as she walked brought a broad smile to his face. He got up and quickly covered the few steps between them. Holding her face between his hands, he enveloped her lips in a deep kiss. She was startled by the suddenness of the act and took a couple of seconds to respond, but soon her lips became pliant and she let him invade her mouth. Nandu kaka had just come into the house from his outhouse and seeing his malik engaged in a liplock with his wife, he covered his face with the palm of his hands and was about to leave. Prachi, who was facing the door, noticed him and quickly broke the kiss, blushing a deep red. Seeing the look in her face, Milind turned around to see Nandu kaka and he too ended up blushing.

"I'm sorry. I did not see anything, for I covered my face. I'll leave right away," Nandu kaka assured the adorable young couple as he hurried to leave.

"It's OK, Nandu kaka. You can come in," Milind smiled warmly at the old man.

Turning to Prachi he said, "I need to take a shower. We'll go out for a drive after that."

Prachi nodded her head and they quickly went up to their room. Just as he came out of the bathroom, the phone rang. Prachi picked it up and heard her father on the other side. He had wanted to speak to Milind. She handed the phone to him and looked at his face expectantly.

"Yes, Papa. How are you? ....I came just a few minutes back. Yes, the problem is sorted out and the sale went through without a hitch. ...No problem.. tell me.... OK.. I'll have to leave for Delhi tomorrow? What time is the meeting? At 9.30. a.m? Then I'll have to leave by the first flight out. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. Take care of your health. That is more important," he replaced the receiver.

Prachi looked at him in confusion. "I will have to go to Delhi tomorrow morning to meet an important client regarding the first project which will be taken up by the Shah-Mishra Group of hotels after the merger. The client is leaving for the States and will not be back for the next six months. Your Papa was to attend the meeting but he has not been feeling well since this morning. He asked me if I can go in his place, for in any case I will be handling the project after the merger."

Prachi's face fell hearing that her husband will again leave her alone.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Milind lifted her chin with his forefinger and said. "I've not finished yet. I am not going alone. You are coming with me."

Her face immediately brightened up.

He continued, "Yes, I cannot bear to be separated from you even for a day. We will also visit Agra and Jaipur before returning back. What do you say?"

"I'd love to come, Milind," she said excitedly.

Milind pinched her cheeks fondly and immediately called up his travel agent to book two tickets to Delhi.

They went to bed early that night as Milind said they had to wake up by 4.00 a.m. to catch the early morning flight to Delhi. Prachi could not sleep for quite some time as she kept playing back the events of the day in her mind. Milind's actions and words left her stumped. Has her husband finally realised he loves her? He has never kissed her lips before, even on that night of their heightened but unrealised passion. So his lip-lock came as a surprise although she enjoyed the kiss thoroughly. He also said that he could not bear to be separated from her even for a day and wanted to take her to Agra and Jaipur. Could this be a mini honeymoon? She had her hopes up.

The next morning, on the flight to Delhi, Prachi gave Milind a full account of her activities during his absence. Milind patiently listened to her, smiling occassionally.

After they reached, they checked into their hotel. Apart from the meeting with his client, he also had to meet his auditors regarding the finalisation of the merger.

"Prachi, I may be busy till evening. What do you intend to do till then?
Will you be in the room?" he asked as he got ready to leave for his engagements.

"Milind, my friend Gurdeep Kaur from school days lives in East Delhi. She is in the family way. I would like to meet her and spend some time with her. I'll be back by 5 o'clock" she said.

Milind nodded his head absent-mindedly and left. Little did she expect she will not get to see him till the next night.

Thanks Opti

Originally posted by: may268

Thanks Opti

so Papa kissed mama and nadu kaka saw them...funny

i guess mama will be stuck and both of them will miss each other like hell...that must be interesting

French keyboards are freaky..I can't type properly...lol

Update soon!!

Originally posted by: Opti

I am half done but it is a tricky update where emotions are running high. So it is taking time.

Originally posted by: Opti

I am half done but it is a tricky update where emotions are running high. So it is taking time.

waiting waiting waiting OPTI dear!........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................