Hello, everyone. I think this is the last update in the kayamath forum before it gets moved to the fanfic forum. I have posted a topic for names of all those who wants me to pm you when I update. Please do let me know. Cheers 😃
Neev looked at Prachi slowly walk up the stairs towards her room. She hadn't spoken a word in the car and even after reaching home, she had ignored her mother's questions and without even looking at Neev, she had walked towards her room. Plastering a convincing smile on his face, Neev has assured Premlatha that Prachi was only tired and they are completely stuffed with food and won't be able to eat anymore. Thankfully, Premlatha had let him off and he had walked out quickly. Driving back home, the cold wind on his face made him relax. The look on Prachi's face haunted him and he shook his head as if to clear his mind. Her face was as white as a sheet and her eyes had such pain, that Neev's heart constricted. He took a deep breathe and composed himself. He was doing it for her good and he was sure that she would come out of it soon. And Prachi and her parents were coming to his place for lunch tomorrow. He smiled happily and sped the car towards his home.
Prachi walked into the balcony adjacent to her room. The December chill hit her and she gripped the cold rails welcoming the chill creeping into her body. She closed her eyes breathing in deeply and her mind was immediately transferred to another cold day where she had stood in the chill wind. It was dark then too but dawn had been breaking in. She could feel the warmth of the arms that had engulfed her then and she automatically leaned back. Not finding the rock wall chest that she was expecting to, her eyes flew open and her mind painfully acknowledged the fact that she was all alone. A sob broke out from her and crumbled down on the floor, her face buried in her hands, her body shuddering under her muffled sobs. "Mi………lind", the sound on her lips echoed the pain and longing in her. "Why is this happening now?", her mind struggled to find an answer. Sally……again. All the past insecurities came flooding in her mind. Finding phots of her hugging and kissing Milind in the charity function, the party that he had attended and the way he said they danced and Milind calling her "stunning" and on top of all knowing that she was the first girl in Milind's life, whom he had first kissed and ….her mind fought a battle of its own and her hands were clentched into fists, her nails digging into the soft skin of her palms. The physical pain was almost soothing and she opened her eyes slowly. Was that girl in the magazine, Sally? Her face had not been clear. When was that photo taken? Her mind in riot, she slowly got up and walked in. Was she doubting him? As soon as the question popped out, her mind vehemantly denied it. No…..No……..how could she doubt him? She trusts him more than she trusts herself. She let out a sigh, her tension easing up a bit.
But then, why is she so bothered? She frowned to herself. Its not the picture but Neev's words that bothered her. Whatever relief she had just felt was washed away as she remember his mocking words. Sitting on her bed, she held the cushion close to her chest trying to draw some comfort. How did Neev knew about Sally? He told her that Milind told him about her that she keeps him awake………, nausea rose in her and she shut her eyes shut trying to block her mind against those horrific words. Could Milind have……..? No…….her mind screamed. Never. He would never do that. He loves her and respects her far too much to hurt her and suddenly her mind was crystal clear. He would have never said such a thing to Neev and neither would Vicky have. She knew that for sure. Whatever secrets they had, it had always between the two brothers. Milind is not a person who would boast about something like that even if it was true. He respected his friends too much and no matter how she felt, she knew that Sally was his friend and he would never have spoken about her like that, especially to Neev. She remembered his words as if he had just uttered them.. .....And about Sally, there is nothing between us. Yes, I did go out with her and that was a long time ago. But I was never in love with her. I am not a saint, Prachi. But after you came into my life, there had been no one else and there will never be. I promise you that. You are the first girl, I fell in love with and you will be the only one. Please trust me…………He had told her that when he had taken her to the beach house. She had trusted him then and she trusts him now. There would never be another girl in his life apart from her and he was hers and only hers. She closed her eyes as hot tears trailed down her cheeks. For a minute, doubt had crept into her and she felt ashamed of herself. How could she even think that? How hurt will Milind be if he knew? "I am sorry, Milind. Please forgive me", she whispered softly. Her eyes fell on her mobile phone and how she wished that he would call her. She wanted to hear his voice, hear his familiar drawl, hear him call her Cherry. Oh how she missed him. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and she hugged the pillow even closer. All she wanted was him to be here, take her in his arms. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was for even letting such thoughts creep in. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him and missed him.
She laid down on her bed, keeping her phone close to her hoping that it would ring anytime. She was still trying to figure out how Neev knew about Sally. He must have overheard something from Milind or Vicky and either have misunderstood or…….misconstructed. Prachi frowned. Why would Neev do that? May be he genuinely misunderstood. But his words were full of venom and so much hatred behind those mocking words. Prachi's eyes hardened with anger. She knew that he didn't like Milind very much, but would he go this extent of talking pure venom, that too to her? Didn't he realise how hurt she was? Didn't he know what Milind was to her? Her anger rose even more as she remembered him calling Milind Characterless. How dare he? And what did she do? Instead of challenging him then and there, she had begged him to take her home. She had silently let him put Milind down so low. Disgusted with herself, her fingers curled against the sheet. "What have I done?", I am sorry Milind. I am really sorry", sobbing into her pillow, she fell asleep almost in the early hours of morning with her fingers curled around the phone that never rang.
"Prachiii………", called Premlatha wondering what is taking her daughter so long. She and Inder were waiting for her to come down and they were all going to Neev's house for lunch. "Coming mama……", Prachi ran down the stairs adjusting her dupatta. "Chalo beta, its getting late", Inder said slightly frowning at his daughter's puffy eyes. Prachi had convinced Premlatha that she had a severe headache last night and that she didn't sleep very well. Her mother had bought the story straightaway but Inder kept looking at her with a thoughtful look on his face. She had avoided looking at her father even at the breakfast table. She had dragged herself out of the bed with a heavy heart. He hadn't phoned her at all. She was ready to burst into tears anytime and with utmost effort, she had gotten ready for the lunch. Seeing Neev was the last thing she wanted to do, but she didn't want to waste this chance to challenge Neev and tell him off so badly that he would think twice before even uttering Milind's name. With a satisfied nod at her own thoughts, she looked out of the car's window watching the busy city go by.
They were welcomed warmly, much too warmly for Prachi's comfort, by Pranay and Nihaarika. Prachi's eyes widened watching a very warm and smiling Nihaarika fuss over her. This was something very new. She had understood long ago that she can never be close to Neev's mother as Neev is with her mother. Unable to stand her fussing, she moved away from her to her mother's side and looked at her incredulously. Premlatha warned her to keep quiet but she herself felt that Nihaarika was going a bit overboard. Lunch had been a fun and jovial affair but Prachi had tried to keep away from Neev. Apart from a courtesy greeting, she hadn't uttered even a word to him. It was almost 6 pm when Prachi nudged that mother indicating that they should go. She was completely bored sitting with them and getting pulled into conversation by Neev.
When Premlatha suggested that they should be leaving now, Nihaarika jumped out protesting, "What are you saying, Premlatha? Kitne dino ke baad Prachi ko dekh rahi hoon. Itni bhi jaldi kya hai jaane ki. Dinner bhi yehi karke jaana. Neev aur Prachi ko thoda bahar ghoom aane dethe hai. Bahut bore ho gayein honge yeh dono. Uske baath dinner karke chale jaana, kyun?", she said so very sweetly and both Inder and Premlatha couldn't refuse.
With a grimace, Prachi got up to go out with Neev when Nihaarika stopped her. "Prachi beta, zara pooja room mein ek diya jaalake phir jaana", she said to a confused looking Prachi and touched her head. "Tu toh meri ghar ki lakshmi hai. Kyun, bhaisaab?", she turned to a smiling Inder. "Is ghar mein beti ki khami ko Prachi hi toh poori karegi", she smiled at a even more confused looking Prachi.
"Haan, Niharika. Chalo Prachi, jaldi se diya jala de aur bahar jaake jaldi waapas aajana. Humhe jaldi nikalna hai", Premlatha ushered her daughter towards the pooja room. Feeling very uncomfortable now, Prachi did as she was told and quickly walked out with Neev.
Neev looked at a silent Prachi as he stopped the car near the beach. He was very happy today especially with his mother. Now he knew that they would be discussing their wedding. Prachi still hadn't spoken anything and he reached out to hold her hand in his. "Come on, Prachi. Don't keep thinking about it still. Its better that Milind had gone away. You just don't keep any contacts with him. Anyway, you are going to be very busy now and you won't have time for him. We are decent and straight forward people, Prachi and he can't fit in with us as our friends. He is such a ……….", Neev stopped talking on seeing the rage in Prachi's eyes.
"Shut up, Neev. Don't say even a word about Milind. He is way better than any of us and especially he doesn't talk about anyone else behind his back, like you do", she spit out vehemantly.
Startled, Neev stared at her. What's wrong with her? After last night, how could she defend him. "Prachi….", Prachi held up her hand and stopped him before he could continue.
"Neev, let me make onething very clear. I don't want to hear you taking rubbish about Milind. And I don't believe such gossip columns in those cheap magazines. They make a moutain out of a molehill. I know Milind too well and trust him more than you could ever imagine. Nothing you say would change my opinion of him and the respect I have for him" she said in a very clear voice.
Angry now, Neev shouted, "Prachi, you are stupid to not trust these articles. How can you just rubbish them? And what about Sally?", smirking, he challenged her.
"What do you know about Sally, Neev?", she asked him softly.
"I know much more that I told you, Prachi", he said mockingly. "I even know how many luggages she carried when she moved to States and how Milind stayed up all night to help her and all that", he smiled at her triumphantly.
Prachi's eyes brightened. So, that was it. Neev has obviously heard some conversation between Milind and Vicky and made up his own story. Prachi gave him a hard smile, "Then you must also know that Sally moved to the States eight years ago and they were all in school then" and watched the stunned look on Neev's face.
"What, eight years ago?", Neev croaked.
"Yes, Neev. I know everything about Sally too. Much more than you do. Why, Neev? Why are you doing this? What would you achieve by hurting me so much with these false stories?", Prachi's voice choked with pain.
Neev stared at her. Hurting her!! How about him? How can she not see how desperate he has become? He leaned back in his seat and looked at her, "Did Milind give you a very convicing explanation last night, Prachi?", he asked her.
Prachi stared back, "No Neev. If you must know, I haven't spoken to him for four days now. I don't need any explanations, Neev. I trust him unconditionally. And if you don't mind, I need to go home. I don't want to miss Milind's call tonight. He will definitely call me", with a toss of her head, she clicked her seat belt in place.
Angry and helpless, Neev gunned the engine and drove towards home.
Milind walked towards the window and looked outside. The setting sun had turned the snow filled slopes into a wonderland. The orangish yellow sun rays glistened on the fresh snow and he smiled happily. The last few days were full of activity and so much fun. In the mornings, Vicky and him and these fathers had raced down the slopes competing with each other and the evenings always ended in a nice cosy dinner among the two families. The only thing he missed was Prachi. He wasn't able to speak to her for almost four days now. He had tried so many times and the reception was so poor here that they were cut off so many times. Frustrated, he had given up. He knew that Prachi would be worrying too much. He had a small accident in the morning and there was a big gash on his leg. He had gotten it stitched up quickly and hadn't told his parents. He knew Vicky wouldn't open his mouth thought he kept telling him to take it easy from then on. He was going to another caf down the slopes, a bit later in the evening and he would surely get some better signal to phone Prachi. Smiling, he took another gulp from his beer can. Feeling someone joining him, he turned to look at his father nursing another beer can. Smiling at each other, they took a gulp.
"Missing Prachi?", Anand asked him.
Surprised, Milind smiled, "Yes, dad".
"Your mother told me that she is really sweet and you too make a very good pair. I think a trip to India would be inevitable and will have to be done very soon too, right?", Anand smiled at his surprised looking son.
"Did Vicky tell you, Dad?", Milind asked feeling sligtly uncomfortable.
Laughing, Anand slapped his shoulder, "Come on son, I am your Dad. So, give me some credit for that. I should know what's going on in my son's mind".
Milind grinned, "Dad, Did I tell you what a wonderful dad I have got?".
Anand grinned back, "Yes, you have. But I don't mind hearing it again" and laughing Milind hugged him, "You are the best, Dad" and Anand hugged him back.
"What are the two most handsome men in my life doing without me?", complained a voice behind them and they both turned to look at a smiling Shweta.
Laughing they both pulled her into a hug. "Mom, let me the truth. Am I not more handsome than Dad?", whispered Milind.
"Hmm, there is something called loyalty towards your husband and all that, Milind", Shweta whispered back making him chuckle loudly while Anand looked at them with narrowed eyes.
"Have you met Prachi's parents, Milind? What are they like?", Anand asked suddenly.
Milind nodded, "I have met her mom briefly, Dad and she is very sweet. But her parents don't know about us yet and I am going to meet them when I get back to India", he said.
"Oh, they will be bowled over, Anand", said Shweta. "How can anyone resist my son's charm. They won't be able to find a better person for their daughter", said Shweta proudly and both men smiled at her. She smacked his head fondly, "Its better that we get you engaged to Prachi soon. You are filling in too many gossip colulmns" she said sternly still angry about what she read about her son in the tabloid column yesterday.
"Don't worry, Mom. I will behave", said Milind grinning cheekily.
"We can get you both engaged, may be but the wedding will have to wait. You are very young still", said Anand.
Milind looked at him in shock, "Dad, I will be 25 within two months and you are calling me young. You were married at 24, right? I am already not happy with the fact that we will have to wait till Prachi finishes her studies".
His parents looked at each other, "Really Milind. Is it not in the same place last year, that you had different ideas about Marriage and love?", asked Shweta with a a smile.
"Come on, mom. That was then. I didn't know that life could get this beautiful, you know. I hadn't met Prachi then" , Milind winked at her and after hugging his laughing parents, he walked away to the caf down the slopes.
Anand put his arm around Shweta's shoulders and she leaned against him and they looked at their son waking away, "I just want to see him this happy always, Anand", Shweta said with tears brimming in her eyes.
Anand bent down to kiss his wife's head, "He will be Shweta. We will make sure of it, won't we?" and hugged her closer.
Premlatha looked at her husband angrily, "What's happened to you, Inder? You said that we will discuss this with Prachi in detail and now you have given your consent to Pranay bhaisaab and Niharika for an early wedding and that too within three months. Shouldn't you have atleast asked me first?" she said. She still couldn't believe that he had done it.
Inder turned to her, "I know what I am doing, Premlatha and its only for the welfare of my daughter", he said softly.
Premlatha glared at him, "She is my daughter too, Inder. Moreover, its her life. You can't take such a big decision for her. What if she wants to finish her studies first?", she asked.
"She can continue her studies after the wedding. Neev and Prachi will live with us in Chennai. Are you not happy to have our daughter that close to us even after her wedding? I can't even think of sending her away from me, Premlatha. That's why, Neev is the perfect choice", Inder said and Premlatha touched his shoulder, "I agree, Inder. But still we should ask her first".
Inder sighed, "Okay, You and Prachi are leaving for Chennai tomorrow and I will be back in a few days. After that, I will tell her" he said with a finalty.
Premlatha looked at him thoughtfully before walking out of the room.
Prachi was in deep sleep when her phone rang. Her hands automatically reached for the phone, "Hello", she said sleeply and jerked up on hearing Milind's voice.
"Is this the way you answer the phone call from your boyfriend after four days, Cherry? I think I should be back soon to rekindle the romance", he drawled.
"Mi………lind", Prachi gasped, her sleep all forgotten, "Oh god, Mili……….nd", she squealed in delight and Milind laughed.
"That's better. That sounds more like a welcome. How is my baby doing?" he drawled huskily.
"I am fine here. Just missing you soooooo much. Things are all good here. Milind, why didn't you phone me ealier? Do you know how much I waited for your phone call yesterday? I wanted to speak to you so badly. How are you? How is everything there? Are you keeping safe?", she fired questions rapidly and Milind laughed.
"Easy honey. I miss you too. All is well. Apart from a minor accident this morning, I am fit and fine", he went on and realising what he has said, he cursed himself softly.
Like expected, she shrieked, "What? What accident? Are you alright, Milind? Were you hurt? Why are you doing all this? Did I not tell you to be careful?", Prachi choked on her tears feeling miserable.
"Aw, baby. I am fine. Nothing to worry about. It has been taken care of", he assured her. His voice dropped low, "Prachi, I want to tell you something. My parents were asking about you today".
Prachi held her breathe and listening to her silence, Milind grinned, "No, I am not going to tell you now. I will tell you everything when I see you".
He sounds so happy, thought Prachi and her eyes filled up. She felt very ashamed of her thoughts when he had been talking to his parens about her. Her lips wobbled dangerously, "Milind, I am sorry".
But Milind continued talking without even listening to her, "You know, I got into big trouble with my mom yesterday. There was a gossip column about me and Sally and unfortunately she read it at the resort. I had such a dressing down from her, Prachi. She was more worried about how you would react when you read all this. And I told her that you trust me too much to believe such trash. Right, darling?".
Prachi choked on her words. He trusts her so much and she……. "Milind………..I…..I am sorry", she sobbed and worried, Milind asked her concernedly, "What is it, sweetheart?".
"Milind….Neev showed me the article and he……..I……… I", she stammerred and Milind went absolutely quiet on the other side.
"And you, what Prachi?" he asked slowly.
"I am sorry, Milind. I wasn't thinking straight……..I", before she could finish, he cut in, "Thanks Prachi. Don't let me keep you up. Good night", he put the phone down before she could even protest.
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