Chapter 13
Milind may have been a bit hasty in assuming that quitting smoking would be a easy task. He went cold turkey and as result, he was constantly moody and cranky. Prachi just glad that he was sticking to his promise, bore with him patiently. But even her patience was being tested when they were waiting at the airport, 2 weeks later. "Milind!", said Prachi, pulling at his arm and try to getting him to sit back in his seat as he stood up once again, "Pacing isn't going to make the plane any less delayed." Prachi was anxious herself. She knew how much Sukruti meant to Milind and she was hoping that they would be able to get on. As Sukruti walked through the arrivals hall, luggage in tow, Prachi felt even more nervous. Sukruti's tank top and capri jeans were in stark contrast to her own salwaar kameez. Milind engulfed Sukruti in a huge bear hug and Prachi felt herself smiling to see the happy expression on her husband's face. Prachi's fears somewhat abated when Sukruti warmly hugged her and said, "Bhaiya was right, you are much prettier in person than in the pictures, he emailed me." Prachi looked at Milind questioningly but Milind suddenly seemed very busy sorting out Sukruti's luggage.
Sukruti was as outgoing, chatty and bubbly as Prachi was quiet and reserved but they still managed to hit it off. Sukruti sleeping in the downstairs spare room and unaware about the true nature of Milind & Prachi's marriage certainly seemed convinced that they were like any other happily newly wed couple. In one of her more serious moments, she confided in Prachi that she was relieved that Milind and Ayesha had gone their seperate ways. "I like Ayesha, we all grew up together but I could never be convinced that she was right for Bhaiya. I always felt that she would hurt him. But I'm glad that didn't happen.", said Sukruti. Prachi reflected sadly that maybe it was best that Sukruti didn't know just how badly Ayesha had hurt Milind. Having Sukruti around also helped Prachi in getting Milind to spend some time away from work. Together they managed to get him to go to dinner and movies with them. One such dinner was held at Prachi's parents home.
Alaap who had been very reclutant to stay back for dinner, suddenly found himself a lot keener when he saw Milind's very attractive and very modern younger sister. Not even Milind scrowling and glowering at him, could stop Alaap from trying his utmost to impress Sukruti. Prachi under no illusions about her brother was watching him, her sister-in-law and her increasingly annoyed husband with concern. Alaap was having a tough time reading Sukruti. She wasn't detering him but niether was she encouraging him. However he definitely felt as if he had made some progress, when she agreed to have coffee with him and some of his friends the following night.
When they reached home that night, Sukruti casually mentioned her plans with Alaap for the next day and went off to bed before Milind could even say a word. Milind and Prachi were left facing each other. "I know he is your brother but I don't trust him.", said Milind with an edge in his voice. "But maybe you should trust Sukruti. She's smart, she knows what she is doing.", said Prachi. "So, that means I am just supposed to let her go off with any rich guy who thinks she is fair game?", asked Milind. "Now, you're being unfair to my brother and to your sister. It's just a cup of coffee.", said Prachi trying to be reasonable. "Yeah, I'm sure coffee is the only thing on Alaap's mind.", replied Milind sardonically. "There are going to be other people there and Sukruti leaves next week. Nothing is going to happen.", said Prachi patiently. "Because I won't let anything happen to my sister.", said Milind coolly. "Yes, but she is also old enough to make her own decisions.", said Prachi. "We'll see about that.", said Milind storming out.
Prachi was having a sleepless night. Prachi always recognised that Milind's protectiveness of Sukruti stemmed from fear. Fear that if something happened to her that he would be all alone in this world. Prachi thought it was all the more admirable that inspite of this fear, he never stood in her way and had allowed her to study in Australia. Prachi realised that because he couldn't show his concern for her when she was in Australia, he tended to be unreasonable in situations like this. Prachi made up her mind to speak to Sukruti the following morning and ask her to postpone any plans, she had with Alaap, at least until Milind was able to be a bit more reasonable. Meanwhile Milind was having just as restless a night as Prachi. Milind was convinced that he was right. He was all too aware of Alaap's reputation with girls, far more so than Prachi. But he hadn't realised just how much he would hate being at odds with Prachi about the matter.
The next morning, the tension at the breakfast table didn't escape Sukruti. "What's wrong?", asked Sukruti. "Did Alaap, say which of his friends your'll are meeting with?", asked Prachi desperately trying to figure out a way to convince her to postpone her plans while a moody Milind still sat at the table. "Someone called Saket and a few other people." replied Sukruti. Sukruti taking a good look at their strained faces, suddenly burst out into a peal of laughter, surprising both Milind and Prachi greatly. "Oh my god, you're both concerned about me going out tonight.", said Sukruti, "Do you honestly think after 3 years of dealing with Australian guys, I will not be able to take care of myself on a night out with a few Mumbai college kids?", asked Sukruti, "Bhabhi, no offense, Alaap seems nice and everything but I am hardly going to run off with him. And as much as I have liked spending every minute of the last 3 weeks with your'll, I think I need to spend some time with people my own age and you two need to spend some time alone." Having completely ground all of Milind's and Prachi's concerns and worries to dust, they both sat at the table feeling foolish while she sauntered off to make herself more toast.
Prachi was surprised to see Milind back home early that day. Sukruti had already left with Alaap and Prachi was about to start dinner. "Get dressed, we're going out.", said Milind. Prachi smiled and turned to leave but Milind held her hand. "I'm sorry, you were right.", he said simply and Prachi found that it was enough. The next week found Prachi and Milind back at the airport waving Sukruti off goodbye. Prachi noticing Milind's grim expression when Sukruti disappeared into the departing crowd, slipped her hand into his. Milind held onto her hand tightly, instantly reassured that he was not alone in the world. Prachi and Milind walked out of the airport hand in hand.
Edited by blackcurrant - 17 years ago
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
