Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 28 July 2025 EDT
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki: Episode Discussion Thread - 23
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai July 29, 2025 Episode Discussion Thread
MAIRA IS SAD 😞28.7
BALH Naya Season EDT Week #7: July 28-Aug 1
YRKKH to take a generation leap!!!
Gen 5 Storyline
CRYING FAMILY 29.7
Maa esi nahi hoti…
In the ruins....I found you ❤️-A Prashiv ss
If you had the power of vanishing one nepo kid?
Anupamaa 29 July 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Will Dhadak 2 surpass Saiyaara? 😎
Kajol screams like Anjali (in K3G) for Nysa’s graduation
Will WAR 2 Surpass Saiyaara
19 years of Omkara
Official Trailer - Andaaz 2
Anupama back to Shah house , at Baa's feet !
Chapter 4
Aaliya was feeling accomplished. Finally she got the justice she wanted. Her bhai had thrown the "behenji" out of their house. There was no one daadi will now be hovering over. Her bhai will not be irritable always. Moreover, her childhood best friend Tanu will soon move into her house as her bhabi! And the best bit, that ungrateful Purab! He will never get to marry Bulbul. She was sure, the sense of guilt in Bulbul will be so high that she will never go back to him. As for Purab, serves him right, thought Aaliya. He will be a loner for life without his lady love, best friend and with a guilt of spoiling Pragya's life. This was justice - finally he will understand the value of rejecting Aaliya. The beloved sister of rockstar Abhi. As the car screeched into a halt, before her house, Aaliya stepped out to greet her perfect life. Now she can peacefully leave the entire episode behind her and move on in life happily. Justice - she muttered to herself as she walked inside.
Tanu saw Aaliya enter her room and screamed in delight. She had come over early and was waiting for Aaliya in her room. Gosh! She missed her best friend so much! She missed her clever advice and her sharp brain more. With Aaliya around, Tanu always felt safe. She ran to hug a pleasantly surprised Aaliya.
T - aaahhh!! Aaliya kitna miss kiya tumko maine! It good to see you back! (they hug tight)
A - Mujhe miss kiya ya mere dimag ko? (Grins)
Hearing that, Tanu is reminded of her problem. She starts sulking and becomes quiet. Aaliya notices this and stops talking mid-way in her sentence. Tanu doesn't notice that. Clearly she is very upset thought Aaliya. She went and sat next to Tanu and placed her hand on her shoulder and gently asked her what was wrong.
Tanu broke into a sad smile and told Aaliya about her and Abhi's growing distance in the last two months. She told her that Abhi has turned very moody and has forgotten to have fun. He just finishes work and spends the rest of his time either with daadi or in solitude. She insisted that he wasn't like this initially but slowly he is changing. She expressed her fear of losing Abhi once again.
Aaliya, being the perceptive woman she was, could see through this to a certain extent. She cursed Pragya mentally for still having such a lingering hold on her bhai. Even though she didn't understand how, but she realized it was not solitude that was changing him, but spending so much time with daadi was. And clearly diverting him from spending time with daadi wasn't easy. Tanu has landed in a greater mess then she was before in, thought Aaliya to herself. But she refrained from telling her this. I will sort this thought Aaliya.
In the meanwhile Tanu went on blabbering about how Abhi didn't even notice that she had a new hairdo and did not comment ----- how everything fell back in place naturally and the "behenji" left without much difficulty but still -----To this statement Aaliya turned around, her evil grin back on her face.
A - Tumhe sach mein lagta hain who behenji bohaut easily gayi yahan se Tanu? Aur woh bhi apne aap? You really have no idea about what's going on do you?
While Tanu looked up at Aaliya in blind incomprehension, Aaliya proudly narrated her plot - the perfect plan - to Tanu. She told her in pride, how she ganged up with that corporator and convinced Pragya into believing that her Abhi was getting extortion calls...and finally how bhai came to her running and asked her where chashmish was and she told him off by saying she left with Bulbul. She beamed in pride at her flawless plan and turned around to absorb Tanu's bewildered expression. Tanu looked like she will explode in awed disbelieve and her friends cunningness. But suddenly Aaliya's eyes shifted from Tanu and fell on the entrance door to her room behind Tanu.
Now it was Aaliya's turn to gasp. Abhi was standing there with the expression of utmost shock and disbelieve on his face. Time seemed to slow down for Aaliya suddenly as she watched Abhi slowly walking up to her like a menacing tiger that has just been wounded. Her lungs seemed to have exhaled too much air out, she couldn't breathe. Reflexively she took a step back and felt too tongue-tied to utter anything.
But Abhi stopped before reaching Aaliya and turned to a Tanu paralysed in fear. He didn't remove his gaze from Aaliya for a second as he turned to Tanu. He roared at Tanu.
A - Tanu yahan se chali jao.
Tanu didn't need to be told twice. She jumped like someone uprooted her from the ground. She turned around and left without another word.
Now Abhi faced Aaliya. She didn't know what to say, she just muttered Bhai' hopelessly a few times. Strangely even in such a situation, she was getting a clear flashback of how she had cornered Pragya a few months back and she was helplessly muttering "phone...chodi..". Today she was the prey.
Abhi didn't know what all emotions passed through him as he faced his beloved sister right now. There was anger, deceit, sadness, pain and most blindly there was an outrage in him. His Aaliya has done this to him? His little Aaliya for whom he had married a girl and tortured her beyond measure - just to make sure she didn't damper Aaliya's happiness? His Aaliya for whom he didn't let his best friend and brother win the love of his life? This was the same sister for whom he had lied so profusely to daadi for so many months now? And yes, this was the same Aaliya because of whom he and daadi were weeping blood for the last two months. This is his sister Aaliya. It was never so clear before. In pain, anguish and outrage Abhi raised his hand high up to slap the life out of his sister. But before the slap landed on her cheek, a man caught his hand. He resisted and Abhi had no idea who this was and why he was coming in between him and Aaliya today. Irritated he turned around and froze. Purab was standing there next to him and resisting him from slapping Aaliya.
Purab - Bhai please. Matt mariye isse. Yeh aise nahin sudhregi. Balki aur bigad jaegi. Chod do isse aur aap mere saath chalo yahan se abhi. Aaliya tum please hatt jao bhai ke samne se abhi. Please.
Purab? Was it Purab who helped her out right now? For once Aaliya's super calculative brain wasn't functioning. Tear stricken she stared at Purab for a second and left.
She had to be out of here for a bit. She has to, Aaliya thought to herself. Why did Purab help him? Didn't she do everything possible to make life miserable for him? Why did he help him? Was it pity? She was Aaliya, she didn't need anybody's pity. But she couldn't help feel that it wasn't pity. In those brief seconds she stared into his eyes, she saw - care. Yes, care. She realized she has never really looked deeply into his eyes. She noticed what she always saw there, but never realized. She saw care in his eyes for Aaliya. Not love, not passion but true care of a childhood friend. Aaliya stopped mid-way in the track. How did she miss it all along? Purab never loved her, but agreed to marry her just because he cared too much. He didn't want to dishonour their childhood bond. He didn't want to hurt her and Abhi. All those memories came back to her from her childhood where Purab supported her, including that ill-fated Diwali evening when their wedding was fixed. Even that day Purab had saved her from one of her abusive friends. But what she thought he did out of love back then, was truly out of friendship. Aaliya found the right perspective at last. With this realization as she shut her eyes, two big tears rolled down - they were not tears of hatred or vengeance, they were tears of repentance.
That night she was awake all through as the horror of her past actions hit her in full swing. The clouds of self-pride had finally left her. Now her vision was clear but she was late. Both her childhood friend Purab and her bhai was very far from her.
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Abhi found himself being pulled away by Purab to his room. Guilt didn't let him raise his eyes before Purab as he slowly stopped struggling finally finding calm. There was too much data to process. He was mind boggled. His chashmish was innocent all along! She never wronged anyone! She was wronged. More than anybody else, he had wronged her. And now he didn't know where she was...
Purab - Bhai shaant ho jao
Hearing Purab's reassuring voice, Abhi came back to the present. Where did Purab come from? He looked around questioningly at him. Purab read his expression and whispered in a guilty voice with a lowered head, that a very tensed and panic stricken Bulbul had informed him and requested him to come here and find out where Pragya di is. She said, you left in such a daze after hearing her, that whatever she asked, you never heard. He shamefully informed him that they (Rabul) are not at all in touch but, this was something she couldn't share with anyone and out of sheer desperation ---Abhi stopped him. Purab had to stop thought Abhi; After what he - Abhi did, Purab owed him no explanation. Abhi looked at Purab and saw a calm but slightly perplexed Purab looking back. Abhi had to tell him now - He told Purab how guilty he was and how unknowingly everyone was falling prey to Aaliya's whims. Abhi said he, himself was at greatest fault since initially he knowingly agreed to be a part of Aaliya's plan. He told Purab that he (Purab) owes no explanation to him(Abhi) and he shouldn't he ashamed of talking to Bulbul. He apologized for all his wrong doings and before he could continue, Purab hugged him tight. For Purab his happiness knew no bound. His best friend was back, and with Abhi's support, soon Bulbul will be back too. As for Abhi, a new realization dawned. He was a failure as a husband and a grandson so far. Now he was a failure as a brother and a friend too. Rockstar Abhi was a failure in every relationship.
Purab - Pragya di kahan hain?
Abhi - Mujhe nahin pata
P - Kya hua tha?
Abhi narrated the entire incident to him rather factually. Purab realized, Abhi couldn't bear to talk about this episode in any other way
P - Bhai aap tension matt lo..hum Pragya di ko dhoond lenge.
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Bulbul had to act normal in front of her family, but acting normal never seemed more difficult. Her di in all probability is traceless right now, how could she act normal? Without this knowledge her family was leading their daily lives. True her mother has been considerably subdued ever since that fateful night. But after two whole months have passed, there was rhythmic regularity in their household too. Purvi was studying for her final exams this evening and daadi was helping her mother with some accounts of their marriage hall. She couldn't sit calmly in the hall with them, so she came to the kitchen to make some snacks for herself and buy sometime for herself without having to act. As she absentmindedly chopped through vegetables, the doorbell rang. She thought it must be Janki coming back from grocery shopping. But she was wrong. It was Aaliya who entered her house in a bit. Bulbul only realized when she heard Aaliya greeting her mother. She hurriedly came out. She was sure Aaliya had come to spill the beans about her di's absence to her mother. She didn't know how to stop her, her thinking failed as stared in horror at Aaliya.
Sarla ma and Dadi seemed to be equally surprised at her visit. But they welcomed her all the same. Aaliya, to Bulbul's utmost surprise said she had come here to talk to Bulbul, and this was regarding Purab. Confusion rang in the household when Sarla ma turned to look at Bulbul questioningly. BB automatically started saying something like she has nothing to do with Purab and surely Aaliya have had a misunderstanding. But Aaliya smiled and said she knows BB has nothing to do with Purab, it's she (Aaliya) who wanted to tell her something in private. A bewildered BB beckoned Aaliya to her bedroom and shut the door behind them. Slowly she turned to face Aaliya and saw her already seated on her bed. Aaliya looked friendly; she smiled at her and complimented the dcor of her bedroom. An unsure BB stammered a thank-you. Aaliya then got up from the bed and faced BB.
A - Kya tum ab bhi Purab se pyaar karte ho?
BB - (shifts uncomfortably) mera Purab ke saath koi contact nahin tha, bhas jab di ke barein mein pata chala, mujhe kuch nahin sujha. Main samaj nahin pa rahin thi kisko bheju aapke wahan toh -
A - Yeh mera sawal nahin tha, kya tum ab bhi Purab se pyaar karte ho?
BB stayed quiet. She remembered the number of times on his face she told him she doesn't love him. But today when someone else was asking, she somehow couldn't lie.
A - Kya itna pay karte ho ki itna sab kuch hone ke baad bhi usse apna loge?
BB stared at Aaliya in disbelief. Wait! She must have missed a part of it. The confusion on her face was so evident that Aaliya broke into a smile.
A - Jao BB, apna lo Purab ko. Woh tumse bahaut pyaar karta hai. Aur iss bar main aur bhai tum dono ke against nahin jaenge. Tum dono ke saath hain.
Aaliya held BBs hand and shook in greetings and tears silently poured out of BB's eyes. Aaliya then walked towards the door and before leaving turned around and said that she can count on her as a friend from now on. And she also asked her not to be worried, Pragya will soon be found. A shocked BB followed Aaliya out of her bedroom to their living room where the situation was still tensed.
Aaliya went to Sarla and said that she had come to tell BB that they should forget the past, she has understood Purab was not meant for her and now she and her brother Abhi will have no problems if Purab and BB choose to be together. Then she was about to leave, but she stopped and turned to an utterly bewildered Sarla again.
A - Main jaanti hu aap pochoge nahin, par aap janna chahte ho. Aapki Pragya theek hain. Bhas usdin ke liye daadi naraz hain unse aur unko bola hain ki woh ek saal tak apne saare parivaar walo se door Delhi mein rahegi, daadi ki ek cousin ke paas. Yahin uski sazza hain. Ek saal baad jab woh laut aye, tabh woh apke paas zaroor ayegi.
Then she left the house. BB followed her outside and enquired why she said that. Aaliya said that she noticed Sarlas expression. She looked likely to change her mind bout Pragya. If that happened she would in no time come to Mehra mansion searching for her, and would know the truth. This was to ensure she never came until Pragya was traced. BB smiled in understanding and then she left.
BB just stood there, guilty to be so happy when her sister couldn't be found. But now she had hope. With Purab by her side, they will manage to find Pragya.
And Aaliya left with a slight bit of peace in her heart. At least she had successfully taken one step to repair the damage that she did.
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Six months had passed. How much ever they tried, Pragya was not to be found. Abhi, Purab, BB and Aaliya all tried but in vain. But on the good note, Aaliya was befriended by Purab after she helped and BB came back to his life. Abhi was still upset with Aaliya and wouldn't talk to him. No one in Abhi's family knew what Aaliya did. Abhi never told anyone - but he bottled the pain inside him and avoided her. Aaliya vowed to find Pragya and regain her brother's love back. On the other hand, Abhi had happily accepted Purab and BB's relationship and even convinced daadi for it. Rachna had given birth to Akash's child. It was a healthy baby boy named Rishi. Shortly after that, to daadi's delight, Akash and Rachna decided to let go of the past for Rishi's sake and got married. Everyone was settled and happy. Abhi had shifted his entire frustration of not finding Pragya into his work and was releasing hits after hits. As for Tanu, shortly after that day's outburst, he had met Tanu to call off their relationship. He already had too many emotional burdens on him; he didn't need the burden of another dead relationship.
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Far from all this mess, in the beautiful landscape of Dehra Doon, there was a doon school of well repute. There were many children who went to these boarding schools. Some parents sent their children there because of the amazing quality of education imparted there and some parents sent them for the former reason and also because they want to keep their children away from the truth of their broken marriages. So all these children learn to live in a boarding school and soon their friends and residential teachers become their family away from home. One such student was 8 years old Aman. He was a very mischievous boy and was adored by all. But he just adored one person - his ma'am. Pragya ma'am. It was so much fun being around Pragya ma'am, she could make the gloomy homework look fun. She would tell him stories when he was sad, and would teach him not to be mean to the other boys. She would help her with her studies, and sometimes even bring an ice-cream for him from outside. Though she used to teach much older students and was never formally his tutor, but within Smeltings Boys School, she was Pragya ma'am for him and he was her favourite "bachcha".
Even now in the evenings, when she is done with the daily corrections and her "badmaash" Aman has left her early, she would sit quietly by her window. Smeltings High School was a little away from the valley, built on the slopes around. And her window overlooked the valley. In the evening the tiny sparkling lights coming from the numerous homes in the valley under the purple spread sky made her feel lonely, but peaceful at the same time. She would sit there with her cup of tea and her mind would wander into many distant incidents. In her childhood Sarla ma would make pakodas for all the three children and BB would always finish hers fast and then coax her for one of hers. Purvi's mischiefs, daadi cough syrup, Sarla ma's tension on the smallest things, Abhi's daadi's affectionate words, Suresh, Rachna...she recently heard from Suresh that Rachna has a son..Rishi..and she has agreed to accept Akash. Pragya was happy for them. Akash was a nice man, unlike his other cousins.
Once in a while her mind would wander to that dark night when she left "his" house. In all these eight month, she never took his name, not even mentally. She never remembered him, for her, he didn't exist. The closest thing to him that existed was the famous rockstar Abhi - and she hated his compositions. It gave her a headache.
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That night, the way Pragya felt, she thought no words could describe that. It was like drowning in deep dark water. How much ever you move your limbs there is just water above you and water below you, there is no sense of direction, no sense of time and you don't know how deep you have sunk.
She didn't know where to go, but her feet brought her to the familiar lanes of her maiden home. She was brushed by a fresh wave of grief. She knew she was but a stranger to her mother now. But none the less she went near the house, she saw BBs bedroom window open and started walking towards the light automatically. The curtains were drawn but she could hear her. BB was talking to Purvi..no she was weeping. She kept on saying she trusted her di and no one in the world can change that, she kept promising herself that next morning she will convince Sarla ma into accepting her and then she will go and collect Pragya herself. Else she herself will leave the house, collect her di and they will stay somewhere else.
Pragya was grieved beyond measure, but her tired brain worked faster, as if it was in a hurry to finish working so that it can log off. She knew her mother will not see through the plan so fast, so trying was futile. Hence, if BB tried, eventually she will need to leave the house as per her plan. She wouldn't let that happen she decided to herself. Her mother was unwell, someone needed to be there for her support. To take care of the situation, when Sarla ma can't. BB can't leave. While she was standing agitated outside the window, a man's hand held her shoulder and whispered her name. She jumped in fear and turned around. It was Suresh.
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Chapter 4 (ii)
Suresh had come home late that night. He had gone to drop Rachna home in their village to her mother, for her final months before delivery. He was returning today. The train was late and he had reached late. On his arrival, he heard a lot of screaming inside the Arora house. Once he thought he will go in to enquire, but he remembered, they may not appreciate the gesture. So he went home, freshened up and was about to go to bed. So much time has passed, yet his habit of peering through his window to wish his best friend Pragya a goodnight, hasn't gone. He goes and peeps at the window every night. Not that he expects Pragya there at her window, but it was a habit he was used to. Today when he glanced at the window he was surprised. Although the loud noises he heard a few hours back had died down, but it was still a strange sight. Pragya was standing on the road outside that very window and weeping silently. He knew it, there was something wrong. He will ask her. He wasn't worried about how she will react. Pragya was still a friend and he was still comfortable around her.
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Suresh - Pragya, tum yahan par?
Pragya - shhh...Suresh dheere bolo..sab sun lenge
S - Acha chalo yahan se phir
He holds Pragya's elbow and pulls her across the street. He notices that she is extremely tired and may need to sit, otherwise she may collapse. He didn't ask her for permission, he took charge; he guided Pragya to his room. She sat down but by looking at her one could tell she had no clue about her whereabouts, and if even if she did, right now she didn't care. He offered her water. She silently took it and drank. She was sitting on a comfortable bed, there was warmth, for this one night she didn't have to think where to go and she was past caring for where she was, she just lay down on the bed and before Suresh could keep the glass back on the sink and come, exhaustion had taken over and she was fast asleep. Suresh once thought he will at least pull her to a more comfortable posture on the bed. He was about to..but he stopped, she was not just his friend and colleague Pragya anymore, she was someone's wife. He just put a blanket around her and went to another corner of the room and settled on the floor.
Next morning Pragya woke up late, her body felt stiff for lying down for so long in such a bad posture. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she started slowly taking in her surroundings. She knows this place. She has been here before, many times. She quickly turned to the kitchen slab and found Suresh making cinnamon tea - her favourite. She couldn't help smiling because of the gratitude she felt towards him right now for remembering such a small thing about her. She needed that tea right now - the most. Slowly as she sipped her tea, the last night's thoughts started creeping in, but she blocked them - no, not yet, she thought. She wanted to spend a little more time in this oblivion before reality consumed her peace. They both were drinking tea now, neither talking. She thought to herself, what would her story be if she had not rejected Suresh finally and married him? She would wake up just like this and this - her temporary oblivion would be her reality. Did she regret not marrying Suresh? She wasn't sure. But when were any of the things that happened to her after that, her choice? Did she choose to marry A-- - him, no. She just had to. Suddenly a lot of her and Abhi's memories together flashed across her eyes, she thought to herself, maybe she didn't regret rejecting Suresh after all. But then flashed Aaliya's evil grin while cornering her the night before. The perfect plan. How could she forget that? She didn't know if she regretted rejecting Suresh or not, but she definitely regretted accepting to marry A-, no "him".
It is only when Suresh unnecessarily cleared his throat to inform how good cinnamon tea was for health (she found this oddly funny, he was always so socially awkward) that she came back to the present and found tears in her eyes. There, reality had ultimately caught up with her peace. She sighed.
Sitting there she realized the strength of her and Suresh's friendship. When she came here last night, she- in her sleep deprived state didn't show any resistance to coming here, she let him bring her here. After all Suresh was engaged to her earlier..but there was no discomfort - she had that faith in him. Even today morning when she woke up, there was no discomfort because she trusted him. Perhaps she will not be able to trust anyone as much, ever again. Suresh was her friend - her best friend. Similarly, when Suresh supported her home last night, he never even expected her to resist, because even he knew she had that faith in him. Strange was their bond. Strange, but comforting. It is then Pragya decided that she will share her trouble with him.
After hearing what had happened, Suresh was outraged, a number of thoughts came to his mind. How to punish that Abhi for hurting his friend so bad. How to ensure they suffer, but knowing Pragya he knew that won't help her. Pragya was not vindictive. He focused on how to help her out and thought to himself that helping her move on was the nobler deed.
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Since then, there was no looking back. Suresh had an offer for an open position in teaching in a doon school. But he had to decline, because he couldn't leave his mother and pregnant sister and go so far away. But he thought of calling the school and enquiring if the position was still open. If it was he knew for sure Pragya would get it. It was even suitable for her, they appointed residential teachers, hence her accommodation and security will be looked after and the pay was very good. Besides all this, Suresh genuinely felt, Pragya needed to be away from the city for a while. It would do her good. In the meantime the Arora's will also get time to think.
While he was about to leave to make the call, Pragya had called him and requested for one last favour. Hence he waited in their lane for a very long time to catch hold of Bulbul, He guessed she was not coming out because she was busy convincing her mother to accept her di. Finally she did come out - her expression said that she wasn't successful yet, but she hadn't given up. Suresh walked up to her.
BB - Suresh tum?
S - Bulbul mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai
BB - Abhi nahin, dekho mujhe waise bhi bahaut tension hai, toh please baad mein
S - Pragya ne ek msg bheja hain
BB turned around in the speed of lightening. Suresh told her that Pragya had sent a message through one of his college colleague (her former colleague) that - she is fine and will be staying at Abhi's house. She asked Bulbul to not worry about her. She will manage herself. She also wanted Bulbul to promise that she will stay with her mother and abide by her decision and take care of the family and not contact her (Pragya) till she contacted BB - Bulbul stared. There has to be more to the message. She asked him again - then? But there was no more. BB was utterly confused. Why did she not mention when she is going to contact her? And why does she not want her to contact her di? BB stared as Suresh left and she realized, she couldn't do anything but wait. She trusted her di's sense of judgement, but still, she wished they could talk one last time...
Ever since then Pragya was a residential teacher at Smeltings High School and had been living in Dehradun. There she met her little devil friend Aman. With him hours flew in seconds. He was her only family there. And Suresh was her only correspondent. Through Suresh she knew if her mother and sister were well, if they needed anything and how their life was. She was distant and at peace. Occasionally when she would miss her family, she would call up Suresh and talk for some time, or sit by the window and look down at the valley reminiscing her happy childhood. But she found bliss in solitude. She was free to discover herself - in fact she had recently published a book under a pen-name. Maybe fate didn't have happiness written for her, but she had peace.
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Aaliya was noticing for a long time that her bhai was leading a mechanical life. He produced hits after hits, attended all social events, hardly stayed at home and whenever he did, he would lock himself in his room and compose his songs. With every passing month, the hope of tracing Pragya was diminishing in his heart. And he was steadily becoming more stoic. Once Aaliya caught him staring at Pragya's bookshelf for a very long time and doing nothing. He didn't even look like he was thinking. Just absentmindedly staring, another time she caught him forming the letter P' in a piece of paper while composing music and then suddenly scratching it out. What Aaliya didn't quite understand was the magnitude of Abhi's desperation. He had secretly even called hospitals to enquire about patients/accidents cases admitted that night. But still nothing.
There was no progress in the Pragya matter. They wished if only they could involve the media, it would be so much easier to search. But they couldn't do that. Not without making Sarla aware of the missing status of her daughter. Aaliya felt desperate to help her bhai. She needed to divert his attention into something that may hold his interest. Something...anything..and it struck her then. The only thing that can make her brother at least attempt to feel happy would be when his close ones are celebrating their happiness. Unfortunately, she was not one of them, not anymore. But Purab was close to him. If only Purab found a cause to celebrate, in his happiness her bhai will definitely try to be happy, if not for himself, at least for Purab. And it didn't take time to find a cause.
When Aaliya proposed the idea to Purab and Bulbul, they both were scandalized. BB's immediate reaction was No' she couldn't imagine doing this without her di. But after Aaliya's repeated pleas of understanding the situation, they thought about it. Then they finally decided, even though they wouldn't marry without having found out about Pragya, but they could get engaged for sure.
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A lavish engagement celebration was being arranged. Abhi was very happy for Purab and Aaliya, he wanted to look happy for them even if he didn't feel the happiness from within. That is exactly what Aaliya wanted, that Abhi at least put in some effort to be happy.
Sarla ma never expressed it though, but she wished her Pragya was here too. She wished BB had waited for the year end, such that Pragya could return to them and attend the ceremony too. She knew her Pragya would never want to miss her little sister BB's wedding. She half hoped daadi would allow her to come down just for this one day from Delhi. But she remembered telling daadi on that night that she would respect whatever action she took against her, she will respect it. She played the scene again and again in her head, of the day Pragya would come to meet her and ask an apology. Would she be able to stand firm? She will be seeing her after one whole year. A part of her and now steadily that was becoming the more dominant part, told her to forgive her daughter when she came. It was high-time. On the other hand, the day of engagement was fixed, all invites were sent. One invitation even reached Suresh.
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When Pragya heard about their engagement, she was very surprised and happy. She realized with time both Purab and her sister BB must have convinced everybody. However happy she felt, she carefully masked it when Suresh informed this to her. She knew Suresh's feelings for Bulbul, and she couldn't imagine hurting him. But Suresh sounded very casual about the news, and his invitation. In fact he even intended to go for the engagement.
Pragya was deeply pained because she wouldn't be a part this happy day in her sister's life. She knew BB would miss her a lot. She knew even her mother would, but she wouldn't say it out loud. The thought of not being with her family on such a special day made her voice crack in grief. Suresh sensed this and tried to cheer her up saying when he would go to the engagement, he would describe everything going on there in such details that she will feel like she was present there herself. Pragya laughed a little at Suresh's childish attempt to cheer her up. But seeing that Suresh was over BB, Pragya felt truly happy for Suresh.
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Finally the day of engagement arrived. Everyone was busy decorating the Kumkum Bhagya Marriage Hall. BB insisted, that the engagement should take place there; she thought she would feel closer to her di in this hall than anywhere else on her day of engagement.
As Abhi hurried down the steps with Purab, all ready to leave for his engagement, Purab asked for the fifth time, if Abhi had his engagement ring. An exasperated Abhi took the ring out of his pocket and showed it to Purab to calm him. Purab made an embarrassed nod to which Abhi smiled. It felt strange to smile thought Abhi. Then he realized it didn't feel strange to smile, because he was always smiling before the cameras. What felt strange was smiling genuinely from the heart due to content - he hadn't done that in ages. But today in Purab' s happiness, he found his momentary contentment after a very long time.
Abhi reached the venue and his insides did a jolt. He realized ever since that night he came here to save the hall, he hadn't been here. His head instinctively turned towards their house and he walked inside, only to bump into her rockstar dadi who was coming out from there. Abhi gently greeted her, and she gently smiled at him and hugged him. Then she asked him the most dreaded question, she asked how her Pragya was doing.
A lump had slowly formed in his throat that choked him and he couldn't speak. He found himself muttering that he wanted some water and turned to escape to their kitchen..but Sarla ma was standing there with a glass of water and intently looking at him for his answer. Before he could manage a suitable reply, Bulbul came from behind and told her dadi that just sometime back Aaliya had made her talk to Pragya and her di was very happy for her and congratulated her whole heartedly. While saying this tears leaked her eyes and dadi went ahead to console her - she told her not to worry since her di will definitely be there during her wedding. Suddenly Sarla ma came to Abhi and patted him gently on his hand, she still looked apologetic for her daughter's misdeed, then she hurriedly left the room so that no one caught her tears. But Abhi was too sharp for her, he realized and all this convoluted Abhi from inside, he couldn't stand these lies around his chashmish anymore. All these people smiling and pretending chashmish is in Delhi and they just spoke over the phone, discussing how she will be there during BB's wedding for sure - his head was pounding. His chashmish is missing for the past 10 months for heaven's sake, it wasn't a joke! Did no one even care? He knew he was hyperventilating, everyone cared, it was just to keep Pragya's family in the dark. But he needed to be alone for a bit. He knew he couldn't leave the venue, he was Purab's best man and he had his ring. He didn't want to disappoint Purab today - his special day..BB noticed Abhi's state and came up to him. She talked dadi into going to the hall and before leaving herself she went to him and told him to relax a little bit all alone over there, and then come to the hall. Abhi was grateful. Now in the empty house he looked around, there were many photos framed and Abhi noticed his chashmish smiling shyly from some of them. He couldn't bear it, he walked to Bulbul's bedroom to escape, but only to find a giant poster sized photo of both sisters. Chashmish was laughing at him, at his state. The old subdued pain came back, there were tears in his eyes. He ran out again and dashed to Sarla ma's bedroom. This was better, there was no picture of hers. He sat on the bed trying to calm down. This was better..yes much better..he looked around the room and to his horror he realized, he was in the same room where he was last close to his chashmish - that silly childish fight, before the wretched corporator came in. This was the last time he touched her..they were on this very bed, and without warning, the entire incident of that night played in his head and he gave in to crying like a child sitting on that bed. He was close to wailing. He wanted his chashmish back. Anyhow, somehow..he had terribly wronged her, he wanted to change that, he wanted her to know that...to know that..but thoughts failed him...he knew he wanted her to know something, but what? He didn't know that..
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At the hall the engagement rings were exchanged between Purab and Bulbul, the couple looked so happy. Abhi's eyes fell on Aaliya, she was clapping for them, she was cheering loudly, but only Abhi could make out the silent tears that were forming inside her. Whether Purab was Aaliya's love for her obsession - whichever he was, she had lost him today. Abhi felt a little soft towards his sister today. Thanks to her, even he knows how it feels to lose people one cares about.
Bulbul was sitting with Purab, their eyes locked, silently promising each other their love and support till the end. It was happiness beyond what BB ever thought she was capable of feeling. Purab was with him, no one was posing a threat to their relationship, she slowly turned to see her jiju standing in a corner talking to Akash, she smiled. Even jiju had finally fallen in love with her di. Only if she knew where di was...Purab followed her gaze and understood. He silently whispered in her ears.
Purab - Don't worry BB, tumahri Pragya di bhi jald hi mil jayegi.
Abhi was feeling claustrophobic inside, he went out for a bit of fresh air. That is when he heard it, and his heart missed a beat.
Suresh was talking on the phone and describing to someone the engagement with every minor detail. Too much details he thought initially. Why would anybody bother? And then he heard it - the name and his heart skipped a beat..could it be? All this while this double battery knew? Suresh hurried to end the conversation when he saw Abhi was watching keenly, but it didn't matter anymore, Abhi had already heard it.
Suresh - Acha Pragya, main baki details ghar ja kar deta hoon, yahan bahaut log hain.
Suresh hung up the call looked at Abhi awkwardly and was about to leave, but Abhi stopped him and held his hand. He looked at him enquiringly and pulled him outside.
Abhi - Tum kisse baat kar rahe the?
Suresh - Tumse matlab?
(Suresh tries breaking free and leaving but Abhi holds on to him)
A - (extremely irritated) mujhse matlab? Meri biwi se baat kar rahe the aur mera matlab puch rahe ho? Phone do abhi muhje.
S - Dekho mujhe nahin pata tum kya bol rahe ho. Main Rachna se baat kar raha tha, Rishi ka tabyat kharab hone ke wajah se woh nahin aya nah
A - Bakwaas bandh kar apna aur phone de
Aaliya hearing Abhi's voice had come out to enquire. Abhi told her his doubt. Aaliya had snatched the phone from Suresh and checked it, indeed the last call was to Rachna. Aaliya conveyed the message to Abhi and he left in disbelieve. Suresh didn't enter the hall, he left sighing in relief that thankfully he noticed Abhi right time and disconnected Pragyas call, deleted her from the log and then gone towards him. Rachna's number was therefore his last call. Aaliya had then gone inside and told Purab and BB what happened. Purab went and tried consoling Abhi, but he was too irritated, citing that all the ceremonies were over and he was tired, he had left for home, still convinced he heard her name. BB however wasn't convinced. She suddenly remembered, all those months back, it was Suresh who had given her, her di's message. Was there a possibility? Could he know? Well she will soon find out.
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Later that night Abhi passed by Aaliya's room and he heard a sniff. He came back and looked. The room was dark and she was on her bed, crying her eyes out. For the second time today and after months he felt protective towards her. Before realizing he walked in and before he could walk out, Aaliya saw him. Bhai..she called out and before he could respond, she ran to him and hugged him hard and soon Aaliya was crying terribly. Abhi reflexively held her and she cried harder, Abhi saw his anger and oath of ignoring Aaliya was crumpling at an alarming rate at that moment. He consoled her, he could relate to Aaliya's sense of loss today. Aaliya loved Purab in her own way, may be not as much as Bulbul did, but she did. And she was not as lucky as Bulbul to have her love reciprocated. Right then hugging her tight the wall between them collapsed. Aaliya cried for her lost love and her guilt and Abhi realized, in spite of all that she did, Aaliya was the better person, because once she realized her mistake, she left no stones unturned to fix her wrong doings. Also she was lucky; she at least got a chance to redeem her mistakes.
Aaliya promised her brother for the first time verbally before him, that she will do whatever it takes, but she will bring "Pragya Bhabi" back to her bhai's life.
Daadi, standing at the door of Aaliya's room silently saw this. She understood everything clearly today. And she smiled. Her grandchildren had finally learnt to understand the importance of relations, to love unconditionally, to let go off their ego and to value her Pragya. Today she was happy. She quietly went to her room and turned to face her mandir, she folded her hands before God and for the first time in these 10 months prayed that her Pragya retuned back here. Today the Mehra Mansion was worthy of becoming her home.
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Bulbul stayed up till late night weighing Suresh's chances of knowing her di's whereabouts. She didn't want to discuss it with Purab or Aaliya because, if they intervened, the chances of Suresh accepting that he knows (assuming he does) will be lesser. She didn't see the point of informing her jiju so early because if this was a false trail, then whatever little he cheered up due to the engagement that would go too. In morning when she woke up, a plan was already formed in her head. It felt like her sleeping brain was also working towards forming a plan before morning. She decided she will go to Suresh and meet him alone and coax him into telling, if needed she will make use of the fact that he once liked her. She knew this was wrong, but let her be damned; at least her di would be back.
When she knocked his door, he came out and looked at her as if he was expecting her. There was no element of surprise in his face. BB wondered why was she expected, did he really know something? Her heart begun to thump faster and finally she asked. He seemed shaken by the directness of the question and mumbled a little before he answered he didn't know anything about her. Had it been any other person in his place, the mumbling would make BB sure he knew something. But this was Suresh, he used to get agitated very fast, hence there was no telling. BB tried coaxing for a very long time and he kept saying he didn't know very firmly. BB thought, he was a bit too firm, almost like he practised it beforehand. BB hated it, but for her di she had to take this last chance, she had to try her best. She turned to face Suresh.
BB - Suresh, tum mujhe kabhi pyaar karte theh nah? Ussi pyaar ki kasam tum mujhe bata do mere di kahan hain agar tumhe pata hain. Please Suresh
Tears rolled down her eyes, and Suresh stood there stumped. Their eyes locked for a while and suddenly Suresh jerked away. No he couldn't face her this way and neither could he lie to this question. He agitatedly moved near the window. He remembered his promise to Pragya, but BB just brought his feelings for her to test. Truth was, Suresh still loved BB. Only with time he learnt to live with the fact that she was not meant for him. But he couldn't lie to her. He was at a loss and BB was standing in the other corner crying silently.
When Bulbul looked up Suresh was coming towards her, with a smile on his lips. BB could feel her heart thumping against her ribs, threatening to crack them. What was Suresh holding? Did he know? Was he telling her? As she stood there numb with her body washing in excitement, Suresh came before her and halted. He slowly produced a book before her. He held it out to her; she took it, unsure of what it was. She flipped to the first page, it was a collection of short stories written by some author called "Jnapti". BB was curious, slowly he looked up at Suresh and asked what it was, and Suresh just smiled and said he couldn't give her his gift for her engagement the night before, this was his gift. He thought he could give it to her today. Before BB could say any further, Suresh went away and opened his main door for her. A distraught and terribly irritated BB walked out.
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Little did BB know that Suresh had done justice to both his relations. She had honoured his feelings for BB by giving her the book and at the same time, kept his promise to Pragya of not telling on her. What Suresh had truly gifted BB on her engagement was her Pragya di. "Jnapti" which in English means wise, is a synonym to the hindi word "Pragya".
BB went home frustrated and tossed Pragya's book aside on her bed and fumed at her so called failure.
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Dhaga dhaga preet ka yeh(The thread of love) The credit for the edits goes to the unknown real editors. Monisha who is obsessed with RV set the...
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