Chapter 32 – Make up your mind
Prachi had received her mother's call in the morning. PL had wanted to talk to Milind but he was in the shower. So PL decided to come over. She had requested that Milind not leave for work before she comes. Prachi had wondered what could be so urgent that her mother was visiting her this early in the morning. And she hadn't even asked how Prachi was. This would be the first time her mother was visiting her after her marriage. But now Prachi was more worried about how to get Milind to stay an extra half hour. So much for trying to avoid him, she thought. She walked over to Asha tai who was sitting in the living room, reading the morning paper.
Prachi: "Asha tai, mamma ka phone tha. Voh abhi aa rahi hain. Kuch zaroori baat karni thi unko Milind se."
Asha tai looked up at her to question why she was telling her all this.
Prachi: "Kya aap Milind ko kuch der baad jaane ke liye keh sakte hain?" Prachi asked a little reluctantly.
Asha tai looked back at her paper and said, "Tu khudh bol de. Milind tera pati hai, mera nahi." There was a sternness in her voice that made Prachi nervous.
Prachi stood there thinking how she could get Asha tai to talk to Milind.
Asha tai looked up again and got up this time seeing Prachi fidgeting with her dupatta. "Voh ..voh asha tai, aaj unka mood kuch theek nahi tha subah. Aap kahengi toh voh nahi taalenge."
Asha tai got up and sighed. "Achcha toh tu usse tab baat karegi jab uska mood achcha ho. Yeh bataa tune last kab usko achche mood mein paya tha? Us ghade ko kabhi haste hue dekha hai tumne."
Prachi wanted to laugh but she was offended at the same time. Granted that Asha tai was like family to Milind but she still didn't like Milind being called names. She wanted to say that just this morning Milind had not just been smiling but laughing out loud, but the memory brought a blush to her face. Before she could say anything, Prachi saw Milind coming down for breakfast from the corner of her eye. She wanted to dash into the kitchen as far away from Milind's presence as possible but Asha tai held her hand and they moved towards the breakfast table.
Milind noticed Prachi and Asha tai talking downstairs and tried to remain as casual as possible. He went straight to the dining table without heeding them but soon Asha tai was dragging Prachi along with her to the table. "Aaj breakfast mein kya hai, tai", Milind asked trying hard to ignore Prachi.
Asha tai: "Mujhse kyun pooch raha hai, apni biwi se pooch. Usne banaya hai." With that she left them at the table to share the uncomfortable silence.
Prachi served him breakfast and wondered how she could delay him. "Achcha hai," he said bringing her back from her thoughts. "huh?" she asked not hearing what he said. He looked at her and repeated as if biting on every word, "I said the food is good." "Thanks" she said a bit relaxed. Then finding her cue she said, "Milind can you please stay a little while longer?" Milind looked at her surprised and furrowed his brow. "Why? What is it? I have a meeting this morning." Prachi wanted to tell him that her mother was coming to see him, but what if he didn't care. What if he deemed his meeting more important. So she told him the first lie she could think of, "Could you please feed Ritwik?".
Milind: "What???" He exclaimed.
Prachi: "Well, he is refusing to eat anything. He said he'll only eat if you feed him," she explained quickly.
Milind: "When did this happen? Just the other night he was pushing me away from you and now he wants me to feed him instead of you?", Milind asked unconvinced.
Prachi:"He is a child, Milind, and they do have such whims. I can't keep him hungry all morning because of that. Besides he is getting fond of you. Didn't you see how he was this morning..." and she stopped as she herself had mentioned the one thing that both of them wanted to avoid.
"uhoohuohh" Milind coughed on the water he was drinking and quickly changed the topic. "Ok, where is he." Prachi quickly went upstairs to get Ritwik.
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Premlata and Anjali walked in through the open door of the main hall and looked around. This was the first time either of them had been inside the mansion. Soon they heard laughter and voices from the left and PL turned to see Milind and Prachi standing on the stairs. Milind was holding Ritwik in a prone position and swinging him back and forth as the boy pretended to be flying like a plane with his arms sticking out. Prachi who was standing next to Milind with a plate for Ritwik was feeding him a morsel everytime Milind would bring him closer. PL watched as she saw the happiness on her daughter's face, the smile that lit up her entire face. And Milind too was smiling. She had never seen him smile like this before. They looked so perfect PL thought, a perfect family. PL stood rooted, forgetting what she had come there for. Then she remembered and she looked at Anjali who seemed to be radiating with the same happiness. Anjali smiled at her and put a hand on her shoulder with a nod that said that she understood what PL was feeling at his time. "Maine kaha tha na maa", she said and turned her attention back to Milind, Prachi and Ritwik who had descended the stairs and were now headed towards them.
As they got close PL looked at Milind and was about to greet him when he bent down and touched her feet and PL swallowed her word as she looked at him surprised. "jeete raho beta", the words rolled out of her mouth automatically. Even Prachi looked surprised by this action of Milind's and looked at him.
Milind: "Kuch maheeno mein naya hotel kholne ka soch raha hoon. Yahaan aur Delhi mein. Ussi ke liye ek bohot zaroori meeting hai aaj aur maa ka aashirwaad hamesha kaam aata hai na." he said with a genuine smile.
Then he turned his attention to Anjali and Prachi thought she noticed his expressions changing slightly. But her attention was broken by Ritwik who also bent down and touched PL's feet and said, "Badi maa, mujhe bhi jeete raho" and everyone burst out laughing. PL pulled the chubby cheeks on him as Anjali took him in her arms and said "Jeeta rahe tu bhi." And Prachi also immediately bend down and did the same.
PL: "Are, yeh kya ho raha hai aaj. Sabko mera aashirwaad chahiye?"
Prachi: "Kyun maa, mujhe nahi dogi aashirwaad?"
PL was a bit touched and overwhelmed with joy, she put both her hands on Prachi's face and said, "Tu hamesha aise hi khush reh aur tujhe meri bhi umr lag jaaye." and kissed her daughter's forehead. Asha tai came at that time and welcomed them and took them inside.
Prachi stood with her face to the door and thought if only her mother's wish would become true. But she didn't linger on that thought and joined her family soon. Prachi addressed Anjali, "But what are you doing here? I thought only mom was coming."
Anjali: "So what…you want me to leave?" Anjali turned to the door and Prachi held her hand. "Don't be silly, Anjali" .
Milind turned to the ladies and tried to excuse himself saying that he was leaving for work.
PL: "par beta, hum toh tumse hi milne aaye the."
Milind: "Jee? Kuch kaam tha?"
PL: "Haan, voh…Anjali aaj shaam ki flight se Turkey jaa rahi hai. Kuch jaroori kaam aa gaya hai. Lekin hum kisi ko jaante hi nahi Turkey mein. Tumhaara toh business hai na vahaan. Tum rahe bhi ho itne saal vahaan. Isliye socha ki.."
Milind: "Yes Yes, ofcourse. Anjali, where in Turkey are you going?", he asked as he took out his cell phone.
Anjali: "Isparta"
Milind looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. Was it a coincidence? "Isparta mein kya kaam hai tumhe?" he heard himself asking.
Anjali looked at PL and with slightly changed tone she said, "Its work related". So she didn't want to say the real reason, Milind thought, but why did he care where she went and what she did.
Milind: "I was just asking because I know the city well. I started my business there and now the biggest hotel in the city is mine. You are welcome to stay there as long as you like."
PL and Anjali both seemed grateful for the offer. "Thanks jeeju" Anjali said jovial again as she put her arms around Prachi.
Milind: "I'll give you Kavya's number. He is my partner and handles the business now in Turkey." Then as he remembered, "Wait, you met Kavya right. At the wedding…and then the next morning…"
PL looked at Anjali and asked, "Yeh Kavya kaun hai?" Anjali quickly replied, "Jee voh jeeju ke dost hain, badi maa, Shaadi mein aaye the. Voh joote churate vakh hamaara introduction hua tha." Anjali breathed a sigh as she thanked God that PL didn't remember receiving Kavya's call and giving his number to her. She wasn't ready to tell PL why she was going to meet a stranger all the way to Turkey.
Milind, however, had noticed how Anjali got nervous when he mentioned Kavya's name. He was now sure that her trip to Turkey definitely had something to do with Kavya. But why do you care, he admonished himself. She can go see whom ever. It didn't bother him, he told himself. But somewhere deep inside he felt a resentment for inviting Kavya to his wedding. Why had he done that when the wedding was a fake. The truth was that he had wanted a few friends among the crowds of strangers. But what was done was done. He gave Anjali Kavya's number and address and assured PL that he would contact Kavya and let him know. Then he took their leave and headed to his meeting. No matter how much he tried to tell himself that he was over it, the old memories would flood him everytime he saw her. But it was good thing she was leaving. He wouldn't have to see her or think about her again, hopefully for a long long time. Then his thoughts diverted to Prachi and he almost crashed into the car in front of him as he braked suddenly. In his thoughts he didn't notice that he was approaching a traffic light. These Shah sisters are going to get me killed one day, he thought agitated. It was one or the other that always made him restless. He looked at his eyes in the rear view mirror and thought, "you are one confused guy Milind. Make up your mind man. Either you are over her or you are not. Either you hate her or you don't. Traveling with your feet on two different boats is a risky business my friend and Milind Mishra is not one to leave things to chance."
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Though PL had not intended to, she ended up spending a little more time with Prachi that morning. Anjali too had wanted to stay a little while as she was leaving that night and really didn't know exactly when her return might be and when she would see Prachi again. Prachi seemed happy in her world and that was a relief. PL and Asha tai were in the Kitchen discussing the matters of here and there when Anjali and Prachi went out to the garden with Ritwik. Ritwik was really happy to see Anjali again and was excitedly showing her all the different colored flowers in the garden.
Prachi: "Anjali, why are you suddenly going to Turkey? And don't tell me its work, I know there is something on your mind. And what's the deal with Kavya? He was with you that morning when you came to take me for pag phere. He dropped us home and left without saying anything. What is going on Anjali?"
Anjali: "You are right there is something on my mind. I guess I could tell you. I just didn't want to say anything in front of Badi maa before I know the reality of things myself. I am going to Turkey to see Kavya because…"
Anjali was interrupted by PL who came to call them in to have some freshly made juice, Asha tai special.
PL and Anjali left soon after and Anjali never got a chance to tell Prachi why she was going. Maybe it just wasn't the time yet.
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That evening Milind came home a bit earlier than usual. At the dinner table, he had looked at Sukriti who was being fed by Asha tai and wanted to give her something himself. She took the food from him but she didn't look at him. Her eyes were fixed on Prachi who was sitting with Ritwik in her lap. Milind shook his head and laughed as he saw Ritwik putting his hand into Prachi's plate and pushing away his own and Prachi scolded him saying that he needs to eat his own food.
Prachi: "Milind stop laughing. I am trying to teach him manners."
Milind: "Well you can't teach him that while he is sitting in your lap."
Prachi: "Ok fine" and she got up and took Ritwik by the hand and sat him next to Milind on the table. She put his food in front of him and went to the opposite side to see how Milind teaches him to eat his food.
Ritwik looked at his food distastefully and then took some of it in his hands and put it in Milind's plate. Prachi simply laughed and went away to the kitchen as she said, "Have fun Milind and Good luck." Milind just looked at the boy amused by the innocence he feigned as he pretended that Milind hadn't seen him do that.
After dinner Milind went to his home office as he had some pending work that he brought home. When he was done, before he walked out of the office, he once again reached for that bundle of papers carefully wrapped up and sitting in a corner of his cabinet. He read it for one last time and thought he should return it to her. It was hers and he shouldn't keep it any longer, especially since he had decided to let go of this part of his life. He even contemplated going to the airport and handing it to her but then, he didn't know which flight she was taking. She might have left already. He would give it back when ever it is that she returned.
He went up to his room and Prachi was ready to sleep on the couch.
Milind: "Prachi I need to talk to you"
Prachi didn't say anything but just looked at him.
Milind: "I wanted to…umm..apologize…for…for my behavior."
Prachi looked a bit confused.
Milind: "I meant, that day we went out for dinner, I should have knocked."
Prachi looked away blushing but Milind didn't notice and continued, "And for this morning too. I am sorry I seem to be forgetting my boundaries sometimes. It won't happen again."
Prachi: "I know it was accidental Milind. I don't hold it against you."
"Thanks", he said relieved but there was still an uncomfortableness in the room. Neither of them were looking at each other. "Good Night" they both said at the same time and smiled. Milind slid into bed and Prachi pretended to sleep until she heard his breathing become slow and regular. She turned and smiled at him and threw him a flying kiss. Milind shifted at that moment and Prachi quickly covered herself with the blanket and hoped he hadn't seen that.
Up Next: Neesha Divorce😃
[code]Translations
Prachi: "Asha tai, mamma ka phone tha. Voh abhi aa rahi hain. Kuch zaroori baat karni thi unko Milind se." Asha tai, that was my mother on the phone. She is coming over now. She has something important to say to Milind.
Prachi: "Kya aap Milind ko kuch der baad jaane ke liye keh sakte hain?" Could you ask him to go a little later.
"Tu khudh bol de. Milind tera pati hai, mera nahi." You tell him yourself. He is your husband, not mine.
"Voh ..voh asha tai, aaj unka mood kuch theek nahi tha subah. Aap kahengi toh voh nahi taalenge." Asha tai, he was not in a good mood this morning. If you tell him, he won't refuse.
"Achcha toh tu usse tab baat karegi jab uska mood achcha ho.Oh so you will talk to him only when his mood is good Yeh bataa tune last kab usko achche mood mein paya tha? Tell me when you last saw him in a good mood. Us ghade ko kabhi haste hue dekha hai tumne. Have you ever seen that "ghada" (donkey) smiling?"
"Aaj breakfast mein kya hai, tai", whats for breakfast, tai?
Asha tai: "Mujhse kyun pooch raha hai, apni biwi se pooch. Usne banaya hai." Why are you asking me, ask you wife. She made it.
"Achcha hai," Its good.
. "jeete raho beta" may you have a long life.
Milind: "Kuch maheeno mein naya hotel kholne ka soch raha hoon. Yahaan aur Delhi mein. I am planning on opening new hotels here and in Delhi. Ussi ke liye ek bohot zaroori meeting hai aaj aur maa ka aashirwaad hamesha kaam aata hai na. There is a very important meeting today regarding this matter and a mother's blessings are always helpful." he said with a genuine smile.
"Badi maa, mujhe bhi jeete raho" Badi maa, me to long live.
"Jeeta rahe tu bhi." May you also have a long life.
PL: "Are, yeh kya ho raha hai aaj. Sabko mera aashirwaad chahiye?" what is this? Does everyone want my blessings today?
Prachi: "Kyun maa, mujhe nahi dogi aashirwaad?" why mom, won't you bless me?
"Tu hamesha aise hi khush reh aur tujhe meri bhi umr lag jaaye." May you always remain happy like this and may you live my life too.
PL: "par beta, hum toh tumse hi milne aaye the." But we came to meet you.
Milind: "Jee? Kuch kaam tha?" Whats the matter?
PL: "Haan, voh…Anjali aaj shaam ki flight se Turkey jaa rahi hai. Yes, Anjali is going to Turkey this evening. Kuch jaroori kaam aa gaya hai. Something urgent has come up. Lekin hum kisi ko jaante hi nahi Turkey mein. But we don't know anyone in Turkey Tumhaara toh business hai na vahaan. But you have business there don't you. Tum rahe bhi ho itne saal vahaan. And you have lived there for so many yeats. Isliye socha ki.. so we thought…"
"Isparta mein kya kaam hai tumhe?" What business do you have in Isparta?
"Yeh Kavya kaun hai?" Who is this Kavya?
"Jee voh jeeju ke dost hain, badi maa, Shaadi mein aaye the. He is "Jeeju" (Brother-in-law) Milind's friend. He came for the wedding. Voh joote churate vakh hamaara introduction hua tha. We were introduced when the shoes were being stolen"
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Takhliya
JC
Edited by jinc118 - 17 years ago
Bigg Boss 19
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