This is more like a TS now. This is now the 3rd part of a 4 part series.
1. OS: Attempt
2. OS: Respect
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Two sentences kept ringing in his ears "Hai Hai jiji ab naukaroon ke marzi se is ghar ka samman bhi aayega , "We all respect you and are proud of your work ethics. We wouldn't want to lose a good doctor like you."
Dev didn't even realize when he stopped the car in front of Sonakshi's house. Sona was a little disappointed. She thought Dev had planned something. Did the stop at the hospital cause him to change his plans? She wasn't sure. As she got down, Dev did too. As she waved out to him, Dev hesitated. Too many things needed his attention but first things first.
" Sona Coffee pilaogi.", he asked.
Sona was surprised. She thought they were headed to the nearby cafe but Dev wasn't in the mood... " Nahi Cafe wali nahi." Tum coffee nahi pilaogi". That's when it dawned to Sona. Dev wanted to come home meet her parents.
She blushed, grinned like crazy. " Ya, ya sure please come."
The door was opened by Bijoy. It suddenly didn't seem like a good idea. Dev wanted to turn back and run. But he saw the happiness on Sona's face.
The way, it was important that the two most important women in his life accept each other. He realized, it was important for Sona too that the two no three men and her mom accept each other too (how could he forget Saurav?)
"Dev Babu, aayiye na..." said Bijoy. He was amused. He also didn't know what to say and yet he didn't want to rush Dev.
" Good Evening Sir. We were getting late, so I dropped Sona. I thought it's been a while since I met you all and ...I ... well I... "
Bijoy just smiled." Dev Babu, you don't have to explain. You are always welcome here...Please come"
Sona got him his coffee. Nothing significant was discussed and yet it seemed like the most meaningful conversation Dev had. Without rushing him, without questioning him about anything, without saying anything it seemed like Sona's family had quietly accepted him into Sona's and their life. But Dev expected them to bombard him with questions, while they didn't.
As a parent Bijoy had a million things to say and ask... But he had promised Sona. He wouldn't rush Dev. Bijoy wasn't sure what the equation was between Dev's mom and Sona but he wanted to test the waters and build his own bridge with Dev.
Dev went back with a smile in his heart. As he entered the house ", Hai Hai Jiji... You have lost Dev. Dev ne kahan kaa liya....." words again hit him. This was just too much to take now.
"Nahi Khaya.. Mami...," he said in a stern voice. Radha Rani suddenly got up and rushed towards her room. She knew not to mess with Dev when he was in his mood.
"Ma bahut bhook lagi hai. Khana laga de." Ishwari's joys knew no bounds. What was she thinking? If Dev wouldn't have dinner home he would have told her. Why did she let Radha Rani influence her so much? Try as much as she did, she didn't have an answer. It seemed like Sonakshi was always around Dev and her. If only they could give her some space to accept this change at her own pace, on her turf... If only... If only there was a way for Sona to just take a step back.
" Maa I was thinking, tumhari tabiyat ab thik hai na. I don't think you need Dr. Bose around you continuously. She can mail me the chart and Bhola can always ask her if he has any doubts. I don't think Sonakshi should work here anymore. What do you think? "
Ishwari was shocked. Did Dev just read her mind? Was she being so obvious? Was he angry? But when she noticed the calm demeanor with which he spoke, her joy knew no bounds. Maybe Dev also felt she was intruding too much... She was thrilled. At least she will not have a constant reminder that she needs to share Dev with Sonakshi till she was actually ready.
She surely would miss Sona but she loved Dev more.
" Usne kuch kaha kya? Is she refusing to work here now?"
"Are... nahi Maa... Woh kya kahegi. She doesn't even know about this. I don't know how I am going to talk to her about this. But, Let me take care of it. You don't say anything to her. Main Sambhal loonga." Ishwari couldn't have asked for anything else.
But when such discussions are on, how to you keep Radha Rani away from it... She stood quietly behind a pillar and heard every single word... " So Dev wants to fire that bangalan from her job. Haan bhai, kis kaam ke itne paise leti thi, yeh ladki.Aisa kaam hi kya karti thi."
The next morning when Sona came to Ishwari Mansion Dev wasn't home. He messaged her if she left home. When she confirmed, he apologized that he had to head out for a meeting and wouldn't be able to meet her.
10 O Clock
" Bijoy, dekhna toh, there is someone at the door. Are baba.. someone open the door. Is ghar mein na, sab kaanon mein rui lagake baithte hain..."Cribbed Asha as she opened the door.
" Dev babu aap. Sona toh abhi abhi nikli. Sab thik hai na."
" Ji, mein.. wo... Can I come in?"
" Are haan haan... Dev Babu please come. " Said Bijoy.
Asha was worried what brought Dev back to their home. That too in the absence of Sona. Was everything okay?
" Dev babu aap thik hai na. Is everything alright. Is there a concern"
" Ji, I wanted to talk to Sir. "
With every minute Asha was getting more worried. " Please come in. Asha get some coffee and snacks for Dev babu. Please come in"
" Aap mujhe Dev babu kyon kehte hain. What does that mean? " Bijoy smiled. " It's respectful in Bengali. Like Mr. "
" Oh I see. Ji.. Mein.. who mein..."
"Kahiye na Dev babu baat kya hai"
" Ji.. Woh Sona... I mean Dr. Bose... matlab.. Sonakshi ne mujhe kaha ki aap... ki... "
"Ji?"
"Ji.. I wanted to tell you that.. I ... I mean.. I love Sonakshi. She told me she has already shared this news with you. But I thought maybe I should also come and talk to you. I mean..."
Bijoy smiled. " Yes Dev babu, Sona told us But do you have anything else to say to us."
Dev continued." Well I was actually wondering if you were happy about us. Do you accept us? If there is any concern please share it with me... But I really need to know if you.. have any doubts about me , about us.. then.. please "
Bijoy seemed more amused. He would have loved to tease the young man before him more. But he thought of Sona and decided to me a little lenient and let it pass this time. After all today was the first day Dev had come directly to talk to him.
"But what is making you question that?"
Dev was uneasy he didn't know where to start " Well, when I heard about Ranveer and Neha I spoke to Ranveer. I had to know if he was serious. If he had the right intentions. But, I was here last night you didn't ask me. You didn't ask me anything? Don't you see me as your daughter's... "
"Dev babu, we trust our daughter. We trust her choice and we are very happy with her choice. It has not gone unnoticed that you came here on your own accord. I am sure if you were not serious you would not have come. I know you kids need time and things will happen at its own pace and we respect that "
Asha intervened, "However Dev babu, When I found out about you and Sona this was the first concern that I had. Would your family treat her like family or like an employee? Would they respect her enough? She is around your home so much that I am worried she is losing her identity. She may not be respected as your choice."
" Ma'm, Sir , please it's Dev ... I was wondering the same thing. Now that things are different between Sona and me, if it still makes sense for Sona to still work at my place. It just seems like her career took a back seat when she had to take care of Maa. But then I was obsessed with Maa's health and Sona has worked wonders. Yesterday Sona had to stop at by the hospital. I saw the shine in her eyes as she attended the patients. The respect that she got... I ... I robbed that from her right? I know I did. Dr. Sinha was right she is immensely respected in her field. I wanted to talk to you about it . I am not too sure if I am doing the right thing now and not too sure if Sona will agree with me..."
" The current change in equation will give you time to realize where each one of you stand. Sona will be upset slightly but it is important for both of you to value each other. And Dev if we call you Dev then how can still call us Sir and Ma'm? " smiled Bijoy.
"Ji", Dev grinned.
Bijoy continued," Mutual respect is very important in any relationship. You know what it best for you. I shall let you handle it. "
Dev smiled as he got ready to leave. " Dev just don't delay it too much. We are the girls' parents eventually. We will start getting restless it the waiting period is too long."
" Yes Sir... I mean.. Mr. Bose... aa... Uncle."
It was easy getting accepted by Sona's family. But now Sona... How would she take it?
Meanwhile Sona was uneasy though the day. Ishwari was being extra sweet and Radha Rani kept giving her weird looks.
She wasn't sure what was happening but she could sense something was different. But Dr. Sinha emailed her the latest reports of the patient, the kid's parents discussed the progress and Sona continued to monitor the progress and didn't really have time to keep up with Radha Rani's antics.
By evening however she was very sure that something had changed. Was it just that she was Dev's girlfriend or was it something else?
In the evening, Dev messaged her, asking her to wait for him. He had something important to discuss.
Sona was hopeful...Dev said he had planned something. Was he going to propose? Wasn't it too soon? She hadn't even introduced him to her family properly. She was excited and happy... Radha Rani couldn't let this opportunity slide she so wanted to burst Sona's bubble but she would invoke Dev's wrath if she messed this up. She knew she could gloat later, now was the time to shut up.
Dev had a terrible day at work. Too many things needed his attention. The Gujral issue was not yet resolved. The new factory workers were threatening to go on a strike, the internal audits had a number of Non-Conformance issues that needed to be addressed right away. The only thing that kept him going was knowing Sona was waiting for him and the earlier he got though his day, the earlier he could see her.
Dev reached fairly late. Sona was still waiting.. She was annoyed. " Propose karne ke liye bhi koi itna wait karwata hai kya? Mein na maanongi hi nahi... I can also throw my weight around Mr. Obodro."
Dev walked in all tired and the minute he saw her, he felt so refreshed, he gave the biggest smile possible. Sona smiled and blushed... "World's most romantic proposal" is what Dev had promised. And going by the confession, she didn't know what to expect.
" I am too tired Sona. Let me freshen up. Can you ask Bhola to get me coffee?"
"Its too late already. Ab coffee nahi. You can have dinner na."
" Did you eat?" , " Ji, who mein... nahi.."
" Fine ask Bhola to get dinner provided you also have dinner with me. Let's talk over dinner."
Sona was taken aback... This was at least not what she expected. As they sat down for dinner. Dev asked her about her day. Again he didn't miss the shine in her eyes as she shared the progress of her patient and the details. This was so much different that the Sona he saw every day. His Sona was genuinely happy. She felt respected.
After dinner, Dev initiated the main topic that he wanted to discuss.
"Sona, I think you should not work here anymore."
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
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