Hi! So here you go! The second chapter is here! 😛
Your response to the story is just mindblowing! I have replied to each of you in the above posts!😳
And although I know I may sound so repetitive, I have got to say! Thank you again for all the wonderful comments and for liking my work! It is really exciting to see what you guys think of the story... So I am looking forward to read your views on this chapter too!❤️
Okay then...Off you go!
Happy reading!👍🏼
The Turning Point
Chapter 02
"Di!"
Bulbul's concerned voice calling her name brought Pragya back to her senses. She saw Bulbul running towards her across the hall as she stood in the threshold of her home.
Bulbul tightly hugged her and whispered in her ear,
"Di! Are you okay? I am sorry I could not even give you a call... Actually now only I got home and then only I got to know Ma has gone to your place after reading the letter... I am so sorry Di! I hope everything is okay... You okay na Di? Di kuch toh bolo!"
As soon as Bulbul let go off her, Pragya could see all her family members standing nearby, concern and worry written all over their faces. But aise kyun? Why? What has happened? She felt someone leading her to the house and making her sit. Someone was touching her hair soothingly. Another was holding onto her shivering hand while someone put a glass of water in her other hand.
As Bulbul held her Di's hand, she knew from the shivering she felt that truth is finally out. If she needed any further proof than this her Ma's murderous stance since she let go of Di's hand, was more than enough to solidify her suspicions. Now what? Bulbul finds herself wondering as she began to draw soothing circles on Di's shivering hand. They have been allies in this mission! And this had been "Their struggle" which they together faced and handled. Day and night fretting over what would happen if Ma gets to know the truth... Countless hits and misses... Countless lies... Countless secrets... Countless wounds that would never heal... Countless sacrifices that ripped the very core of their souls...
All will be well now! Really Bulbul... all will be well? Nothing will be well. Ever! Her Di's marriage is broken. Her love is tarnished forever. And after many months of struggle today they sit in their home both defeated! Both heartbroken! And the future seems so dark that she even fears of thinking of a tomorrow!
As Daadi ran her fingers lovingly over Pragya's hair, she suddenly feels very old and tired. Flashbacks of a scene, oh so similar, two decades ago to be exact, filled her mind. Only difference she mused, is today it is the daughter. And the pain, hurt she struggled to hide in the deep corners of her heart everyday with the support of her cough syrup, seemed to have gained strength today from her new distress. The painful past wounds open up and unleash a fresh attack on her very being. Memories flash in front of her eyes... Memories of a dutiful Bahu, her Bahu holding onto her heartbroken while her granddaughters hugged each other and sobbed for their runaway father... The feeling of helplessness she felt at not being able to rectify her son's mistakes and assure her betiyaan that all would be well... If she thought she felt helpless 20 years ago it was nothing compared to how she felt now. Not only she felt helpless today she also felt useless!
Pragya was never her favourite! Bulbul had always been her favourite. After all she has taken after her for sure while Pragya has taken after her father who simply refused to enjoy the good things in life. But unlike her father, Daadi always knew Pragya was the last one anyone could even think of calling selfish... Array selfish toh dur ki batt hai! She has practically lived her life for others! Whatever complaining she did about Pragya being boring could not deny the fact that she has the best heart in the world! Aur uski saath hi yeh sab hona tha! Aur me aaj bi kuch nahi kar sakthi... Her heart shattered into pieces seeing Pragya so lost in a world unknown to any of them... All alone... She cannot let her get tangled and lost there!
"Pragya beta... have some water..."
Pragya looked into her Daadi's eyes blankly without really registering what she says. She saw her picking up the glass that was in her hand and bringing it near her lips. Pragya automatically opened her mouth and started to sip the water offered by her Daadi's hand. As soon as the water began to go down her throat she recalled the last time someone has offered her water in such a manner. It was just few weeks ago, right after Aaliyah's mehendi ceremony when Abhishek...
God! Abhishek! Pragya stopped drinking as the last image of Abhi's face, etched in an unfamiliar emotion of surprise, fear and loss came in front of her eyes. He looked so much in pain! But why? He must be happy that his Chashmish finally left him! But he didn't look happy... Rather he looked... He looked as if he is heartbroken to see me leaving? Why? What was going on in his brain? Is he happy now? Is he celebrating my going away with Tannu now? Will he even miss me a little? Will I ever get to see him again? God! Will I ever get to see him one last time? Maybe to say a goodbye... After all the time spent together...
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"Bhai!"
Aaliyah mumbled to herself as she saw Abhi sitting on the stairs with a lost look. What happened to Bhai! Why is he looking so lost!
Just as she advanced towards her brother Aaliyah noticed Daadi standing few feet away from Abhi holding onto a chair looking grief stricken. Daadi! Oh dear god! So this means finally that Behenji has left their house! Gosh, I missed it! And I can't believe this! But it has to be! Otherwise Daadi would not be so sad! So Behenji ki chapter closed! God! I feel so happy! I just wish I could just run to Bhai and give him a tight hug! But no Aaliyah control! You just stay here and see his acting! If you go there and do something stupid don't know how Daadi will react! Bhai is handling it very well...
Huh! So, finally I showed that Behenji her real aukat! Bloody gold digger! Only if I could have just killed off her sister my plan would have been perfect! Arrey Aaliah! What are you saying? This could be even better! Now that Bulbul will see her sister suffering from a broken marriage day and night! She will never be able to live happy with Purab knowing that she is the reason for her dear Di's sufferings!
Well done Aaliyah! You have done a great job! Haan of course it would not have been possible if not for her Bhai! Her Bhai! The best Bhai in the world! Her partner in crime! This was her battle and he fought it for her! Don't worry Bhai you just have to do this bechara act for couple of days more to convince Daadi and then I promise you all will be well!
I just know it Bhai! Ab kuch galat nahi hoga! All will be well! I will get you married to your love! Haan... It would have been better if I could have got my Purab back... But Bhai it's your time now! I will make it just like it was before that Behenji entered your life! I promise you Bhai from tomorrow everyday would be good! It would just be as if nothing happened! Haan Bhai... This is Aaliyah's promise to her rockstar Bhai!
"Abhi! Mera bachcha!" The longer she looked at her Abhi it became harder for Daadi to stick to her decision and to stay away from Abhi till she finds out what went wrong. He was sitting there all alone on the stair holding onto the banister staring into space for nearly an hour now.
He is her jigar ka tukda! He is her favourite! He might be "Abhi the rockstar" to the whole world but for her he would always be her naughty child. Haan... Definitely naughty... Even impulsive and reckless at times... But she knew beneath all that Abhi had a heart of gold.
Maybe this impulsiveness and recklessness could be the cause... Pondered Daadi as her feet unconsciously led her to Abhi... Surely there is some truth to what Sarala told otherwise Abhi and Pragya would at least have reacted in some way... Neither of them even tried to deny what Sarala said... And Aaliyah! I am sure she knows everything! And maybe... Haan maybe it could be even her problem...uski toh purani adath hai... If something is not going according to her way she would always manipulate my Abhi! And Bechara would go out of his way to pacify that spoilt brat...maybe this time also it could be the case... But what would make Sarala so angry that she took Pragya home? Haye bhagawan! I just hope this is not something related to Purab! Even on the wedding day Aaliyah was accusing Pragya of being responsible for Purab running away... And even Abhi started to believe her... And if I had not intervened it would have gone out of hand... But then that issue got solved right there right? I mean Abhi said sorry in front of my eyes!
But then Aaliyah! I should have known! Even if Abhi forgave her it won't count till she does! I am sure that is what happened around this time too... Haye mera bachcha! Don't know what he has gone and done this time... I just hope... I just hope that whatever he did is redeemable. God, please let it be forgivable! Please give him a chance to rectify whatever he has done wrong!
Arrey Abhi! He is sitting all alone here and I just can't take it anymore... Just this once I would give in but then later I will talk to him... Haan... Jaldi... Daadi sat next to Abhi and closely observed his face... She felt her heart breaking into thousand pieces as she recalled the same face staring just like that 25 years ago when his parents passed away... It was their turning point! They were left with nothing back then... Except each other... And after 25years, today they have everything... Yet Daadi felt the situation could actually be worse than it was then... Life has brought in another Turning point for them... But she would not collapse and she would not let Abhi fail either... She would make sure this time too they had each other!
Daadi softly caressed Abhi's head. It took him awhile to register her presence but once he did, without a word he kept his head on her lap and clutched her other hand as it was his only lifeline, just as he did 25 years ago.
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