PART -7
As Asha and Dev came out of the house they saw Elena getting down from an auto rickshaw and running towards them.
Asha gave out a relaxed sigh..
'Elena meri bacchi.. Are you okay? Where have you been?.. Why didn't you take your calls? " as a concerned mother she hugged her.
'Where is Sonakshi?' -...
'Where is shona? ' -...
Before answering her mashi's series of questions Elena felt two figures towering over her asking the same question.
Elena couldn't help but felt a ray of jealousy seeped through her . She realized how much important role sona had -in these two men's life- but nevertheless she was happy for her sona. She deserved that place.
It's not like bijoy and Dev were selfish men. They possessed a big heart. But when matter was about sonakshi they became selfish.Before her every other relation faded. And now Their first preference was to know about her safety.
"Haan Haan sona is safe.mashi I am sorry. Sona wants to wear a saree for today. So we went to that 'Queen parlour cum tailor shop' in Indra Nagar which was run by your friend
susheela aunty . But sona's scooty got repaired in a mid way. So only we caught up" elena said looking Asha apologitically.. .
'"But why did u leave sonakshi alone? Where is she now? Is she fine?" obviously Elena's answers were not enough for Dev to put his treacherous mind at peace.
"At Our Ganesh mechanic shop? " Bijoy asked Elena..
"yes .masho.that...that shop only.. I will go with Dev and bring her and scooty .don't worry"
"No I will also come " bijoy volunteered.
"Sir I will bring her safely.pls you both relax."Dev assured but surely knew bijoy would oppose that.
To his surprise bijoy accepted his assurance without arguments.
'Elena have some water before go .You are looking tired. "Asha said.
"No she is ok.ElenA !! let me see sonakshi first. Then you can have a big fat dinner. Come fast" Dev grabbed her hand and pushed her inside the car and started it .
When the car reached the main road he asked "elena which side to turn? "
No answer..
"Right or left? "..
No answer..
Dev turned to his side to look at her and he saw a mini typhoon sitting there huffing and Puffing in anger..
" why are you asking me Mr. Devrath-'prince-with-shining- armour Dixit'.You must know where your 'damsel in Distress'is...You both are 'dil se' connected hai. Then follow your dil.Who am I to help you?"
"Elena!! ! pls yaar. I'm afraid. I'm worried for sonakshi. Sorry If I behaved rude.just I want to get sonakshi safely and this meeting with uncle and aunty to go smoothly"Dev said
"Oh..Then who asked you to send that stupid saree and note? " elena came to the point..
"Heh the saree is my gift. It's not stupid ok. What that poor saree did in all these? "
"You nearly threatened her to wear that. The blouse is sleeveless do you know.?so we went to stich the sleeves. On returning we met with an accident" Elena said exasperated..
"Accident??? " the car tyres screeched and stopped...
A smiling - glowing sonakshi jumping like a cute Kharghosh - expressing her dreams on her 'to be' love story anddd whishhh.. .. .
a four wheeler crossed...
By the next second sonakshi lying lifelessly in the pool of blood '..
'He ran to her -
Gathered her on his lap-
His shaky hands desperately trying to stop the flow of blood-
He calling her name again and again and narrating his life incidents to keep her awake.. .
All the painful moments came crashing in the memory of Dev and he shuddered...
"Ac.. acc.i..dent??? " his voice barely audible.. He felt thousand knives twisted inside his heart..
"Dev.. Dev. Listen.. Don't think too much. Sona is absolutely safe." Elena realized her mistake thinking 'what a fool I am. Already he is panicking "
"Dev start the car. Its not a major one.infact it couldnot be called as an accident.We hit a lady's car.I mean our vehicle hit a car and made a dent. That annoying lady who is the owner of the car dragged us to the police station. " elena revealed finally..
Dev ran his trembling fingers over the face trying to calm his terrified self...
Elena was not sure he heard anything she was rambling now. The 'accident ' the word itself had the power to make the macho Dev numb and mad.
He drove violating all the rules in the way elena directed..
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"Neha.these all accessories are very beautiful.But I couldn't understand how people will buy merely by seeing these photos?" Ishwari scrunching her eyes and try to get the intricate design of the' Jhumka' which Neha is showing her through her I-phone .
"Ma it's called online shopping. These days who have the time and patience to go for a long relaxed shopping ?We will provide them the item no, price, stills, details everything. Customers pay online .We will courier them .This online shopping is the current trend ma" Neha explained enthusiastically..
"Hmm.i used to think mobile is for talking with our people only.But we can buy things using this? How fast the world is changing...Anyway Are you happy with your work? "
Neha smiled at her ma's question..
"Of course ma. I am loving it. You know na how many shops I would visit to select matching - new collection of accessories for me Nikki and riya ? "
"But you are so excited in doing that mainly for your sisters. That's why they search only you for all their needs not me" proud and guilt both in ishwari's words.
Proud for her elder daughter who was more a mother to her younger siblings.
Guilty because of her inability to provide a better childhood for Neha.
"Yes ma that's the beauty.Our favorite hobby becomes our work and we could earn for ourself from that-then the satisfaction and happiness is double"
Ishwari's eyes started brimming with happy tears on seeing her daughter's content smile.
"I know my prayers won't go waste.I want to thank your friend who gave you correct guidance in the most needed time. "
"Yes ma. Ranveer was not accepting bhai's help. My mother in law admitted in the hospital. The family is in severe financial crisis. I struggled to get my basic amenities there. In all these my and ranveer's relationship started straining " Neha put her head on her ma's shoulder remembering the dark days.
"As a silver lining in the dark clouds she guided me to start my own business. She boosted my confidence. Introduced me to her friend who is already in that field. And with bhai's financial help now I am successfully running this business and helping myself and my family too"
Ishwari stroked her hair fondly and said "Ranveer has no issues in this na? "
Neha stood straight took her mother's hand in hers and said "no ma. He feels proud of me. He teaches me to create a business website and he even assists me in all these things"
"But you forgot one thing Neha. I asked you to bring that friend to our house -you haven't done that yet. I always included her in my prayer. May God save her from all the difficulties.Arey when will you bring her here. I want to thank her for making my child stand in her own leg.".
Neha who now started mailing 'Thank you' notes to all her buyers-chuckled at her ma's words.
"Ma you yourself shut the way to bring her here" said in a low tone..
"But your 'Ishwar' always fulfil your prayers. I wish your blessings save her from all the difficulties as you said.
I'm leaving ma. Ranveer is waiting for me. Take care"..
Ishwari confused by her daughter's comment." What is she saying? When did I shut her way? "
Ishwari may or may not find the answer..
But Neha is right. Her blessings - in the form of his son driving madly to save sonakshi from the difficult situation she was in now. And sure he will do that to her in all the near future too..
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Dev's white Mercedes came to an Uprupt stop before taking a "U" turn...with a huge sound making all the poor creatures nearby -run for their life and creating a tiny sand dune in front of the building which tells
"special police unit for women and children"
Malviya Nagar,
Delhi ".
(I know I am going all filmy.. Pls bear with this)
Dev left the car on the road before running out, towards the main entrance..he heard the faint voice of the guard calling out for him to stop as he couldn't go in without permission but at this point he did not give a damn..
"Mam she parked in the no parking area and moreover without giving a hand signal or indicators she suddenly started her car"sona explaining to a lady cop.
Dev after a whole torturous 40 minutes finally saw her - leapt forward and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.He moved from her for a minute -checked her from head to toe and kissed on her forehead.sonakshi Immedietly understood his anxiety -rubbing his back and helping him to come normal.
They would be in their own sweet heaven forgetting the time -place but a strong , healthy hand ruthlessly seperated Dev from his lady love interrupting their blissful moment.
"Hai hero!! Is there any shooting going on here for a romantic movie? " a middle aged lady constable standing behind him with both her hands on her hib glaring at him dangerously..
"Mam wo I...I... " Dev fishing for correct words..
"Stop your I...I... Is she your girl? " pointing out sonakshi she asked..
Dev nodded 'yes' as fast as he could..
"Then go and handle that lady.minister's wife. You wife made a dent in her imported 6crore car.. She is annoying but has people with high background.Try to resolve the dispute by talks Otherwise I couldn't help you 'love birds 'but have to file a case. That lady is throwing a fit continuously for half an hour and already making this police station as a market place" the lady cop told him with an exasperated sigh.
While Dev moved towards her sonakshi stopped him. "Dev you needn't go to her. She will curse you too. Let her file a case.i will face. Truth always triumphs.
Dev made sonakshi sit there on a wooden chair -asked her to be calm and took the mission in his hands.
Dev dealt with many kind of people in his business world. It's not easy to become a business tycoon only by your hard work . smart work also should be done.
He marched towards the corner where the minister's wife was shouting and creating a mess.
He introduced himself and silently heard what she wished to tell..
Sona , Elena and the lady PC watched the scene going on between Dev and the lady intently in mute mode as They were not in the hearing distance from them.
The lady was speaking throwing her hands in all the directions. Dev was calm. Very calm. Then after few minutes when she stopped talking he bent to her height and whispered something near her ears.
The lady gave a shocked expression turned and saw sona doubtfully. Dev again said something with a worried look and with puppy eyes. The lady smiled patted him -gave him some instructions. He nodded obediently to whatever she said and finally handed his visiting card to her.
"Wow. Oyee doctor !! your man is a charmer. " the lady PC laughed in glee.
After that, the lady constable and other two cops too surroundrd Dev.. All are having moony eyes for Dev much to sonakshi's annoyance.
"Our inspector has not come yet. So you can get your vehicle tomorrow only" one cop announced to Dev.
"Oh ok mam. Shall we leave now? "Dev gave handshake to all of them.
He returned and called "come on girls. It's getting late. "
Sona and elena dumbfounded to say anything -silently followed him..
After she was in front of his eyes and all his anxiety was over, he noticed sonakshi was wearing the saree gifted by him. she looked every inch of splendor that he had imagined her to be when he had purchased this saree for her.No much more than his imagination. A loose plait with a few tendrils of hair caressing her face, a pair of simple jhumkas and chiming glass bangels on her hands; he was bewitched!
If this was not enough, the flickering glow from the the yellow sodium vapour street light casted a soft radiance illuminating on her golden skin..,
Dev stood admiring her ignoring all her questions.
"Aaah.." Dev rubbed his arm where sonakshi pinched him and said "I named you wrongly. You are not a kharghosh. You are a wild cat"
"And you are deaf".. Sona declared..
" what?? "
"For the past 10 minutes I am asking you - what did you tell them. But you are not in this world "..
Feeling bereft of her touch Dev moved forward and wrapped his hand around her tiny waist and said in his low seductive voice "sonakshi, to tell you the truth, when I bought this saree for you, I didn't like it much ,I just purchased to tease you for your lie to mamaji , but seeing you in this saree makes me think how wrong I was. Only you can make any simple gift gorgeous"
"And the answer of your question is I asked the lady to forgive you as it is common to behave like this at this time of your health condition. She too agreed my words saying may be its because of your mood swings "... Dev continued with the huge grin on his face...
" wait... But what happened to me? " sonakshi thoroughly confused..
"Hawww.baby!! ! you forgot. You are 3months pregnant that too with my triplets" Dev said as it was their usual normal talk..
"Wwwhaaa"
Dev stifled his laughs on seeing her mouth opened wide matching with her eyes.
And a deep hue of red started at her cheek slowly spread all over her face.
Dev scanned the surrounding bent down and gave a quick - strong peck on her now 'strawberry coloured'cheek.
"Sonakshi ,let's leave." He said but she stubbornly kept lookin down fidgeting with the saree"
"Sonakshiii!!! ! "
When she again didn't respond, he tucked the lone hair strand behind her ears and picked her up in his arms and started walking towards his car, ignoring her protests and struggles.
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Will be back soon...
Anupamaa
