TS: Of Broken Glasses and Confessions

It is said that at the height of a storm all feelings of hope vanish in the midst of chaos. However, upon rest, the storm seems like a distant image and life continues on with only a flickering memory of what seemed, at the time, like an inescapable end.

Life at the Mehra mansion could be equated to such a storm. The mms scandal that had rocked their lives mere weeks ago seemed like a distant memory. Life, albeit grudgingly and painfully, moved on.

Dadi was on her way to recovery, her ever dutiful bahu at her side nursing her to health. Raj had returned from jail, again due to the efforts of Pragya, and had all but cut ties with his wife - who only too late realized the extent of her blunder. Aaliya and Tanu made a quiet retreat to lick their wounds and regroup.

Amidst all this was one very confused and solemn rock star. Abishek Mehra, for what seemed like the first time in his life was utterly, irrevocably and unquestioningly confused.

With who?

None other than his own wife - Pragya Mehra.

Sitting on his bed, idly strumming his guitar, rock star Abhi contemplated the past few months of his life.

Pushed for marriage by Dadi. Check.

Get marriage proposal rejected by girlfriend. Check.

Find out best friend betrayed sister. Check.

Go along with sister's plan for revenge and "righteousness". Check and double check.

Marry chashmish and torture her only to realize she wasn't the one he thought she was. Check again.

Find out oddly endearing qualities about chashmish that do not coincide with his image of the gold digger he thought her to be. Check-a-roo.

And finally, along their various mishaps, develop some sort of feelings for chashmish. Super check.

Abhi gave an exasperated sigh and gently tossed his guitar beside him. Propped up against his headboard he flung an arm across his eyes and thought back to the past few weeks.

When he had seen the video the first time, something volcanic had released in him. Hot lava poured into every one of his cells and a fury he had never experienced rose from his gut and seized his heart.

Even before thinking of the consequences this would have towards Dadi, he had thought about himself to his surprise.

How dare she do this to him? To their relationship? To her self respect?

Ignorantly overlooking his own deeds in the category of infidelity, he felt what he thought at the time, justifiable betrayal.

But more so than that he felt another ugly and surprising emotion - jealousy.

That Double Battery touched chashmish. Witnessed her (so he thought) in a moment of vulnerable passion. Brought her to that moment.

And she let him! She let him take her in his arms - whereas with him she flinched at his very touch! She welcomed his proximity and intimacy whereas with him she had acted revolted and appalled at his physique. Or so he thought.

Even now, knowing that the video was staged and fake, Abhi couldn't shake the feelings of fury and jealousy remembering the close proximity of his wife and that four eyed freak of justice.

But the question was why. Why would this bother him to such an extent? Why would seeing a women he convinced himself he hated with another man send such a hot liquid fury through his veins. Looking past basic instincts of seeing her as his wife he should have not been bothered at all.

If anything he should have used the opportunity to throw her out of his life and house. But no, instead he sought out her supposed lover and beat him to a pulp. And then, when faced with the decision he gave her a chance to prove her innocence. Even when it seemed every odd was against her.

After the video fiasco was over he quietly contemplated every interaction and action of his wife since marriage. Other than the occasional bickering he realized she had been a strong, loyal and positive aspect of his life.

She took care of Dadi better than anyone he knew. She supported his family, bringing Raj out of jail, and tried to keep them together. Most importantly, she stood by and supported him - good or bad.

He was brought out of his musings by the door creaking open and he hopefully, though he would deny it, peered from underneath his arm to see if it was his wife - who had lately been avoiding him in her own quiet way.

No such luck.

Like a serpent Tanu slipped between the door, gently closing it, before walking across the threshold. She smirked wickedly and threw herself in his lap. He struggled to not throw her off him, completely unsure of his feelings towards her after finding out her involvement in the mms fiasco.

"Baby I've missed you so much!" She purred, leaning her head on his shoulder.

She didn't notice that unlike normal he didn't wrap his arms around her waist. Or that instead he darted furtive glances at the door.

"Abhi it seems like forever since we've had time to our selves, no?" She questioned, interlocking her left hand with his right.

"Hmm" he replied distractedly, straining his ears for the soft sound of a dupatta swishing.

"So I was thinking..."

She hasn't come to the room yet' he thought. Not that he was keeping track but it had been three nights now where she had slept in Dadi's room.

Anytime she did come it was either for a change of clothes or a shower, one so quick that he'd only have to turn around to find the bathroom door open and her back as she walked away.

"Abhi!"

The sharp tone broke him out of his reverie and he turned to look at Tanu, who sported an irritated look on her carefully constructed face. His eyes traced the heavily made up eyes, powdered nose and rouged cheeks of his girlfriend and fleetingly thought that chashmish's face would never look like that. Which may not necessarily be a bad thing.

"Sorry, I've just been distracted" he apologized.

"Clearly." She huffed but then smiled and linked her arms around his neck.

"I said that we should plan a little get away. Just me, you and a whole week to ourselves" she explained excitedly, "We could book a suite in Goa-"

"Tanu." He interrupted, "We can't do that."

She visibly deflated and peered at him with an annoyed pout.

"Why not?" She demanded.

He looked at his girlfriend a bit incredulously. On one hand Dadi was still recovering and on the other she wanted to go for a vacation - without even thinking about what would happen if he wasn't there with her.

A small annoying voice at the back of his head whispered that chashmish would never suggest something like that in such circumstances.

Another voice chimed in that she would never suggest something like that with him - period.

His girlfriend waited for an answer with an expectant faced and he just sighed disappointedly.

"Tanu, you know Dadi is still recovering from the mms fiasco" he explained. That you had a hand in' he added silently.

She let out an annoyed huff but then smiled tightly.

"Of course!" She sniped. She began to move off his lap and he felt a twinge of hurt for her and so reached out to grab her hand, staying her.

At that moment though, his wife entered the room and froze at the sight. His mind instantly averted from Tanu onto his wife and he took her in the way a starving man did water.

Her thick waist length waterfall of hair was pinned back with a clip and as always she was wearing one of her sensible anarkalis - this time in a deep shade of maroon. Despite spending sleepless nights by Dadi's side she showed no fatigue, except maybe the slight smudges underneath her eyes.

"What? Can't you see we're busy?" Tanu viciously snapped.

Pragya said nothing and walked to the closet pulling out her purse and walked back out. He stared after her wordlessly, thousands of thoughts jumbled on his tongue.

"Now, what were you saying baby?" Tanu crooned, settling back in his lap.

"I was thinking," he started slowly "Since we can't go away why don't we have the annual business party a bit earlier, like in two days. A party would be a nice break."

She visibly brightened. Abhi's business party was a one of the year's greatest spectacles, where the elites of the society gathered to network, gossip and partake in luxury.

From business moguls to top models to investors from Dubai, everyone would attend. The thought of the attention and glamour she'd receive that night on Abhi's arm had her giddy with excitement. She gave him a peck on the cheek and ran off - no doubt to tell Aliya and plan their outfits.

He watched after her for a moment before swinging off his bed and heading to check on Dadi.


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"That's a wonderful idea beta," the matriarch of the house told him. With his head in her lap Abhi relayed the events of the plan about to take place in two days time.

"This will be a good chance to take a breather," she explained "After all that has happened in the house we need an excuse to have some kind of fun."

He opened his mouth to agree but at that moment Pragya walked in, carrying a few bags. She hesitated at the threshold but looking at Dadi's smile she decided to not make a scene and walked in.

Her heart ached seeing her husband. On one hand he could look so innocent and vulnerable, like he did resting on his Dadi's lap. At other times he could be so cruel and vindictive she questioned what had made her fall in love with the man in the first place.

"Arrey bahu you're back so quickly?" Dadi questioned.

"Yes Dadi, I called the pharmacist to get your medicines ready," Pragya explained pulled out a stack of boxes. She went about placing the different pills in Dadi's daily organizer.

"And did you also get..." Dadi trailed off looking at her bahu expectantly.

Pragya's lips twitched in an amused smile and Abhi stated, fascinated. She pulled out a shiny gold box and Abhi instantly knew what it was by the way his Dadi's face brightened.

"No." He said firmly, pulling himself up.

The smile melted off his wife's face and he cursed himself for being so harsh. Dadi too deflated unhappily.

"She's just recovered. She needs to take care of her health and having sweets this time is not a good idea," he explained, staring intently at his wife hoping to ease the hurt he had undoubtedly inflicted.

Pragya frowned and couldn't help biting back.

"I know that," she explained tersely, setting the box on the bed and crossing her arms over her chest, "I've been the one taking care of Dadi and I think it's ok for her to have a little. I brought enough for the family and I'll make sure Dadi has only a little."

His mouth twitched at her defence and he silently agreed. But for now it seemed they were on a semi balance of their normal fighting and he wouldn't let the opportunity go.

"Dadi look how your bahu is fighting with me for you she's-" he stopped and stared. Like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar Dadi froze in the process of eating a ladoo she swiped from the box.

"Dadi!" He chided, trying to pry away the ladoo. She pouted and stubbornly held on and suddenly ladoo crumbs burst everywhere.

Pota and Dadi stared at one another before busting into peals of laughter. After a long time Abhi had seen his Dadi so carefree and happy and he knew it was because of chashmish.

Pragya laughed softly and helped Dadi up from the bed. She called Robin to clean up the mess then hurried after Dadi, who swiped the sweets box and was hurriedly making her way downstairs, away from her overprotective bahu and pota.

Abhi followed them, shaking his head and smiling.

The living room of the Mehra mansion was a more solemn affair. Taiji sat across from Mitali glaring murder towards her obviously upset bahu.

Raj sat at the table and was working on papers, pointedly ignoring his wife and the three cups of tea she had placed in front of him.

Just then Pragya swept in with a tray of tea and the sweets on plates, silently serving everyone. When she got to Raj he looked up and smiled, thanking her softly and taking both played and cup.

"Thank you Pragya," he said before taking a sip of tea and giving an appreciative sigh.

"No problem Bhaiya," she responded softly. Taiji fondly looked at Pragya and blessed her as well taking a plate and a cup of tea. She finally stopped in front of Abhi and he glanced down to find a black mug. From the aroma he knew it was his coffee, made perfectly by her.

She left the tray on the table and sat by Dadi who sweetly petted her bahu's head. He idly sipped his coffee and listened as Dadi explained the party to be held in a few days time. Everyone visibly brightened except for Pragya whose expression darkened. He could guess why.

"Dadi, if it's alright I'd like to go home for a few days." She quietly requested.

"Of course bahu but after the party," Dadi bargained.

Pragya flinched and opened her mouth to argue but another voice piped up.

"Dadi just let bhabi go," Aloya crooned. "She's obviously not comfortable by all this. Maybe it's best that she goes home."

"Aliya's right Dadi," Tanu chimed in "After all Pragya would stick out, this just isn't her type of crowd."

Before he or Dadi could even speak up against the twin duo, Taiji's voice rang out, strong and harsh.

"And who are you to decide that Tanu?" She demanded. "Pragya is this houses daughter in law. She is it's pride. And she will most certainly attend and uphold the Mehra name. She's family, and she deserves to be here unlike some people who butt in unnecessarily."

The jab served to silence Tanu and Dadi along with her Daasi sisters smirked.

"Chalo it's been decided," Dadi said. "I'll take care of the arrangements with bahu."

"I have to call Andy then!" Aliya trilled. "He has to get clothes ready for Bhai, Tanu and me."

"Make sure he gets something ready for bahu," Dadi instructed.

Aliya snorted on her way to make the call but promised nonetheless.

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The day of the party had come and the Mehra mansion was decked out to the nines. No expense was spared to make the house sparkle and shine like a kaleidoscope.

Pragya wiped her face with her dupatta and surveyed the house. Drink stations and the bar were set up. Robin and a team of waiters were already preparing their trays of drinks and appetizers to serve to milling guests. The space had been cleared save a few lounge chairs and tables, to allow ease of access so guests could flit from place to place.

She began to trudge up the stairs but stopped seeing a pair of black dress shoes. Her breath hitched as she met onyx black eyes.

Her husband looked devastatingly handsome in a fitted shiny black suit. He wore a crisp white dress shirt, left partially unbuttoned and a blood red silk vest underneath with black detailing. Hair was styled perfectly as usual and he had his usual accessories in place. The spicy musk of his cologne filled her body and she felt warm.

The feeling vanishes as Tanu descended the stairs, Aliya closely behind her. The latter wore a short black cocktail dress.

Tanu, it was evident, was dressed to match Abhi. Her long tube style dress was the same shade of red as his vest, a large slit parted the floor length gown to bare her left leg. Makeup as always was immaculate, if not a bit caked, and hair was swept to one side. She triumphantly linked her arm through Abhi's and stared down at Pragya.

"You're not ready yet?" He observed softly taking in her dishevelled appearance.

"Leave it Abhi. Even if she gets ready she'll still look like one of the help," Tanu snipped tugging his arm down the stairs as guests began to mill in.

Ignoring the hurt she felt Pragya made her way to her room, and was promptly ambushed.

"Aha!" Four voices crowed and she was pulled into her room.

She gave a small shriek as she was catapulted onto her bed. The force jarred her so much that her glasses slipped off and smacked the corner of the side table before promptly popping out a lens.

"Oops." A male voiced.

She squinted adjusting her vision and made out Dadi, the two daasi's and Andy looming over her.

"Pragya baby are you avoiding me?!" Andy wailed dramatically. "I've been waiting for you for so long! The party is about to start!"

"He's right bahu, Aliya and Tanu got ready hours ago, now hurry the party is starting!" Dadi exclaimed.

"Dadi and I have picked out the perfect outfit Pragya!" Andy exclaimed and showed off a lovely sari modeled by a mannquein.

It was a soft, slightly sheer white sari with black lace bordering on it. The neckline was a little low and would bare the shoulders a bit more than usual but she was thankful to see sheer sleeves attached to the blouse with similar black detailing on the cuffs and upper arm. She opened he mouth to express her liking of the sari when Andy spun it around on the mannequin and her mouth dropped.

"No." She uttered in shock.

"Yes!" The team of four chimed in.

The sari was virtually backless. Held together with an intricate black knot at the base of the blouse which stemmed out to black borders across the edge, it would leave the expanse of her back open. She took in the longer than usual pallu and saw it added a very dramatic effect to the outfit as a whole.

"Dadi I can"t wear that!" She sputtered squinting hard to make sure there wasn't another scandalous aspect of the outfit she had missed, like a hidden slit in the pallu.

"Oh ho bahu!" Dadi chided. "Mere liye! You're a gem and I want to show the world that!"

"Dadi I'll trip!" She desperately begged. "I'll make a fool of myself!"

"Nonsense Pragya!" Chimed one of the Daasi's. "If you can wear heavy lehengas you can wear this sari."

"B-but Dadi..." Pragya whimpered. She reached around and blindly felt for her glasses. When her finger went through a lens she despondently held up her broken glasses.

"Oh my," Pragya muttered inspecting her glasses.

"Not to worry dear!" Andy exclaimed grabbing her glasses and pushing her towards the bathroom "I came prepared with contacts! Now go! We have little time."

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