New SS : Pathjad Saawan S2 - Part 2 Pg 6, 9th MAY - Page 5

Arohi finished all her routine chores before leaving for work. Picking up the lunch her mom-in-law had packed, bidding good bye to all she left. All the while her mind was free of Arjun's thoughts, she entered her office started to work, all the while she was focused on work. Even lunch was fine. Just when she was about to leave, her heart started beating erratically. Her body became stiff with anticipation. She lost control over her mind. "Hello" she heard him say, knowing the source for this sudden change in her state. "Hi" she said turning towards conscious of her warm cheeks. "Can you please come to my office, I would like to share some views about this upcoming project" he said in a very casual tone. She could only nod and he left. Her team mates were eager to know what when why where. "Arohi, please share the details of the project discussion with us" one of them said, so that they won't be left out. "Sure" she said walking towards his office. "She just joined yesterday" one of them mumbled to other and rolled eyes.

"Please take a seat" he said. All the while he asked about how she thought her previous experience might help in planning for the upcoming project, what he thought would be better to do, her input on that thought etc etc. Instead of wondering why he chose her to discuss this and that too not in a group meeting, she was trying to not stare at him in awe. Something changed the moment she had felt his presence, she had gone back to the teenage girl she was. "So what do you think" was his last sentence. "I think it will work, we can share the idea with the team," "Sure" he said with a glint in his eyes, wondering if she had not yet recognized him. When she was about to leave he called out "Ye Chashmish" , startled she turned around, "where are the glasses" he asked " I .. I don't" , He motioned with eyes asking her to sit. Now she stared at him. "Vidyaniketan, 2003 section B , Arohi right" he said then added "You used to wear glasses I remember, didn't I give you the nickname chashmish", She could not hide her happiness that he had recognized her "Oh my god, you recognized me, I thought you would have forgotten" "Wait! what , so you knew it was me? 'The Awesome Arjun'" he put both his hands on the table leaning forward. "Ofcourse I did, I would recognize you anytime" she said. "hmm good to know, then why did you not say something yesterday itself. Ah wait I know the answer, the ever hesitant Arohi, right" he said smiling. She gave a light laugh "I have changed". "I know you have. I did not recognize you immediately. You have grown taller stouter" he said. She raised her brow making him laugh, "all right this I remember" he said. "So how have you been" he asked her. "I am doing good, and you?" "I have been better, as you can see I have taken up more than I can handle" you can handle more than this, you are the Arjun Singhania, she thought, "so what's new with you, family is here? married? kids?" he asked casually, her face fell for a second but she composed "I live with my in-laws here, mom and dad are in Mumbai" "good good. It is so nice to see you Arohi after all these years. we should catch up sometime. I have lost touch with almost all our friends" "Me as well except for Shefali, she said to convey her Hi if I talk to you" "Shefali? Shefaliii... oh that panauti, now I remember her, how is she doing" "she is fine" remembering even that nickname was given by Arjun, then she asked "how about you?" "hmm?" "How about you? wife? kids?, how are uncle, aunty, your sister Raashi, your daadi" she asked. Surprised that she remembered everyone "Raashi is fine, comes now and then to torture me instead of her husband. Daadi is the boss, mom and dad are no more" "oh, sorry to hear about your parents" she said. "and no wife, no kids" he finished leaning back in his chair. Why did her heart just soar knowing he had no wife. There definitely must be a girlfriend. She was lost in her thoughts, unaware that she was staring at him. "Arohi" he moved his hand in front of her, she batted her eyes, "where are you lost?" "oh nothing. I should probably go back to work" she said "sure. Let me know if you need anything, absolutely anything. you can treat this as your own company, got it chashmish?", she nodded smiling, "see you later".

That night Arohi, did not feel the guilt she had felt yesterday. But she did caress her husband's face in the potrait, wishing him good night, before going to bed.

It had been about three months now, Arjun and Arohi were having friendly exchanges. He had always been decent. Shefali had come to meet him. She declared Arjun had not changed even a bit. Why that gave immense satisfaction to Arohi, she herself cannot say. Her heart still raced erratically even if he was somewhere near her, recognizing his presence even before he came near her, her cheeks still became warm whenever she realized she was staring at him, her guilt level went up and down whenever she went back to the solace of her room, she thought she was feeling something she was not supposed to feel.

As for Arjun, he was completely immersed in work. His vision was same. To him Arohi was an old friend who now worked in his office. The friendly conversations were casual to him. He appreciated her efforts and work ethics. That was about it. Plus in his mind she was married.

"No this goes well with this saree" Shefali picked up a set, maroon and black crystals set in black metal findings. Arohi put it on and looked in the mirror. Black saree with maroon streaks, black and maroon set, matching bracelet, hair held with a black center clip, she was looking very pretty. She was about to put on a black bindi like always, Shefali stopped her. She chose a maroon one. She marveled at the transformation that one small bindi brought to Arohi's face. She knew Arohi had given up on many things that made her look pretty, after Vivek's death. But seeing her now all decked up, she had a glint of tears in her eyes. She applied a faint mark of kajal behind Arohi's ear, "kisika nazar na lage" "dadiamma" Arohi said lovingly. Shefali kissed Aru's cheeks, "you are looking so beautiful". Arohi looked herself up one more time, adjusting her pallu over her high neck and high back blouse, tucked it properly in the sides, covering up the slightly visible waist. "now who is dadiamma" Shefali said irritated "why are you covering up like that, loosen up a bit, you are looking so pretty, nothing wrong if you flaunt a little" "shut up. let us go, we are already late" "is it my cousin's engagement or yours?" Shefali mumbled following her. "ma we will be back by 10" , her mother in law looked up hearing Arohi's voice. As she took in Arohi's appearance, she felt a pang in her heart, if only her son was alive Arohi would have looked this lively everyday.

They reached the venue in Shefali's car. The garden was lit up, fragrance of flowers spread, well dressed men, elaborately dressed women, festive atmosphere all around.

The would be bride and groom were looking radiant. Shefali's cousin Suhas was getting engaged, finally to his lady love. Shefali had heard about his love story many times, and now after a lot of twists and turns, he had finally gotten a yes from his fiance. Arohi was known to him. He had particularly asked her to attend the function. It was the first time Arohi saw his fiance, a pretty looking tall girl, she noticed that the girl's eyes never left Suhas, they twinkled whenever he said something, they walked arm in arm. Suhas leaned and whispered into her ears time to time. They look adorable, Arohi thought, it was very evident that they were very much in love. Suddenly she remembered her own engagement. They too, her and Vivek, were happy, but they stood a feet apart from each other, hardly spoke, they were polite to each other, after the ceremony all the family members had sat down for a chat, then he had left with his family smiling and wishing her goodnight. Yes she was definitely happy. She thought. But no, her heart had not fluttered like it is racing now, cheeks had not warmed up like she was feeling now, she raised her fingers to her cheek, why this sudden change, she looked to her side only to find Shefali talking to one of her cousins, she turned to the other side, and there he was afar, walking in. As expected his hands were fiddling with the phone, one hand in the jacket pocket, that familiar gait. She was lost, when she heard a mild cough. Startled she found Shefali looking at her quizzically. Arohi changed her expression to a casual one, but it was too late, Shefali had seen the look on her face, when she was totally lost in him.

Arjun was surprised to see them there. He greeted them both, looking at Arohi just a second more taking in her appearance, just a second and Arohi had to excuse herself to hide the severe blush that had crept up, as his eyes met hers. Without him asking, Shefali herself chimed in "Suhas is my cousin". He nodded. Not the one to stay silent she asked him, "how do you know my brother" "Who? Suhas? no I don't, I am here on behalf of Gauri" "my bhabhi" she said lovingly, "and my ex-wife" he said picking up a call, leaving a shocked Shefali behind. Arohi came back with a glass of water, taking a sip she asked Shefali "what happened to you" "you want to know what I just found out" Arohi nodded sipping, "my bhabhi, as in the center of focus for Suhas, as in the very girl who said yes after lot of twist and turns, as in..." "Shefu" Arohi interrupted her irritated, "Guari is Arjun's Ex-Wife" Shefali blurted out and Arohi spit out the water coughing.