Hey!
Thank you again for all your lovely and kind comments regarding this story. I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting for the next part and many apologies on the time it's taken to update . Now unfortunately I have some bad news... This next part is half of a chapter again as you well now I get a bit carried away when I write. On Sunday I dropped my phone in a pint of water thus murdering my precious IPhone. Thank fully the first part of this chapter was saved on another devise but I'm having to re write the end to this part so apologies ... There is going to be a delay... But I thought I would post this bit anyways... Let me know what you think :)
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Chapter 5
Dadi was surprised and shocked to say the least. looking at her grand daughter in law she could see the usual sparkle in her eyes absent. Dadi was scared.
"Kya hua beta, bata do na, mujhe bohat daar lagne hua hai"
(What's the matter child, tell me I'm
Getting scared)
Pragya steadies herself reaches out her hand and takes dadis in hers. She looks down as if not being able to face her face.
"Dadi app jante ho na ke me apse, aur is parivaar ko bohat pyaar karti hoon aur izat bhi"
(Dadi you know that Iove and respect both you and this family a lot)
She pauses and breathes, slowly lifting her head she sees Dadi nodding in agreement. Pragya begins to well up. How on earth was she supposed to tell dadi she wanted to leave. She didn't have it in her to break this woman's heart. She had so many hopes for her grandson.
"Bol na beta Kya baat hai?"
(Tell me child, what is the matter?)
Dadi was restless she could see how upset Pragya was, something was definitely bothering her and if it was this hard to say, dadi couldn't even imagine the horror it would bring.
"Dadi me..."
(Dadi I...)
The words kept catching in her throat. She took a deep breath and composed herself she looked back at dadi and willed herself to be strong.
"Me bohat dino se kuch baat leke pareshaan thi, aur yaha apse yeh baat kehne ki bohat himmat dundi hui hoon."
(I have been troubled by something for some days now, and I've haven't had the courage to come here and tell you)
Dadi was really fearful now. She wasn't a weak woman, but Ill health restricted her capacity to take bad news. But still, her daughter in law was here, clearly distraught by something, and as the one that brought her into this house, dadi had vowed to treat and protect Pragya as the Lakshmi of her home.
Pragya could see on dadis face she was confused and scared. Pragya wanted to reassure her that everything would be okay, but once she left that wouldn't be her responsibility.
" It would be Tanu's" she thought.
"Yeh baat me apse kehna chaati hoon mujhe bohat mushkil ho rahe hai apse kehne me, aur please ap hamesha yaad rakhna me apki bohat bohat izat aur pyaar karti hoon, aur hamesha karti rahungi"
(I'm struggling to tell you what the matter is, but please remember that I love and respect you a lot and will always do so)
Pragya was desperately trying not to break down as she said what she was saying. She needed to get it all out before she did. Her glasses had started to steam, eyes bleary, she continued
" Lekin mujhe yaha se jana hoga dadi, kyu ki vo mujhse pyaar nahi Karte"
(But I have to leave, because he doesn't love me)
Dadi looked at her for a moment, and felt confused and relieved. Oh Pragya she thought, what had her idiot grandson done now to upset her.
"Yeh app Kya kehe rahe hai bahu" she cupped her face again chuckling slightly and started getting off the bed
"Me ja kar usko bolati hoon, Kya kiya usne ke tum itne so udaas ho, meri to jan hi nikal Gayi"
(What are you saying bahu? I'll go and get him now, what had he done to make you this upset, you frightened me for a moment there)
What? She was confused for a second and then it hit her. Dadi thought she had had a trivial fight with Abhi. She quickly grabbed dadi and silently nodded no. She managed to compose herself slightly.
Dadi stopped and looked at her. Her heart sank. She saw in Pragyas face this was serious. She settled back down quickly and stayed quiet.
"Dadi esa kuch nahi hai,"
(Dadi it's nothing like that)
She looked back up at the old woman's face which was etched with worry and fear now. It would never be her intention to hurt her, so she chose her words carefully.
" Dekhiye, jab ap hamare ghar mera rishta leke ayi thi, tab se mujhe laga ke me aur Abhi Ek dusre ki liye sahi nahi hai, Lekin ma ki tabiyaat itne kharab thi, aur mere itne sare rishta toote hui the. Mene faisle kar liya ke me unse shaadi kar loon gi"
(When you came to my house with a propsal, I thought maybe me and Abhi were not right for each other, but my mums health was so bad and so many of my proposals had broken, so I decided I would marry him)
Dadi was watching her face intently. Her eyes looked away and she continued.
" apne mujhe iss ghar me laya hai, pyaar diya hai, meri itni dekh bal rakhi hai. Lekin dadi vo tab mujhse pyaar nahi Karte the aur Abhi bi nahi... Ap ne shaadi ki baat pe bohat zid kiye the unke saath, aur dadi vo apse itna pyaar Karte hai, vo apka dil khabhi bhi nahi dukhana chaata tha"
(You brought me into this house and gave me so much love and respect, but dadi he didn't love me then and he doesn't love me now. You had pressured him regarding marriage and he loves you so much he never wanted to break your heart)
Dadis world was spinning. She thought everything was flourishing beautifully between them, she had seen the love in her grandsons eyes for Pragya. After everything they had gone through together how could she be saying this. Pragya continued on though
"Vo apki bohat izat Karte hai, aur unho ne mujhe shaadi Karne ki liye ha kardi, Lekin vo mujse pyaar nahi Karte thi... Kissi aur tha"
(He respects you a lot and he agreed to marry me but he didn't love me, he loves someone else)
She said the last part in an almost whisper regretting that it had slipped out. Dadis face showed what she said had been heard. She quickly back tracked and tried to steer the issue away.
"Dekho dadi, hamare beej me bohat kuch hua hai, gallat femi, roz roz ki mussibat, Lekin khatam me hum ache dost ban chuke hai. Vo mera bohat izat Karte hai, aur me unki. pyaar bhi karta hoon me unse ab"
(Look dadi, a lot has happened between us. Misunderstandings, everyday problems but in the end we have become really good friends. He respects me a lot and I love him a lot as well)
Finally. Dadi had confirmation that
Pragya also loved Abhi. She listened to her words carefully. Not wanting to throw her off,
"Pyaar Karte ho beta to phir chode ke kyu chale jana chaati ho?"
(If you love him then why do you want to leave him?)
"Me nahi jana chaati hoon dadi, Lekin me Bina pyaar ka rishta me kaise rehe sakti hoon. Hum dono ne bohat koshish kiye hai, unki koi galati nahi hai."
(I don't want to go dadi, but how can I stay in a relationship without love? We have both really tried and it's not his fault)
Dadi wasn't sure why but she wasn't getting the full story here with Pragya. This didn't make sense to her, why would he marry Pragya when he could have married anyone. Afterall this was Abhis first agreement. There would have been no need to drag Pragya into this.
"Vo kissi aur se pyaar Karte Te to unse pehle kyu nahi shaadi kiye"
(If he loved someone else why didn't he marry her then)
Pragya froze. She knew her story had holes. Dadi didn't need to be further tormented by Aliyah's and Abhis actions towards her in the beginning of her marriage. She was not covering for Abhi in anyway, but it was not Pragyas responsibility to bring that before dadi. For that reason she deliberately left out the torture, mental abuse and horror.
"Vo me nahi janti dadi, unki bi vajhe hogi"
(I don't know dadi, there must have been a reason for that)
If wasn't her place to tell dadi about Tanu either. She wouldn't make it completely easy for him, she may step aside so that he may live his life freely, but she certainly wouldn't be laying any ground work for Tanu.
"Me sirf ye janti hoon, ke me unki raste me kante nahi hoon gi, me
Chali jaoon gi"
(All I know is I won't be a thorn in his path, I will leave)
Dadi shook her head in tears. Her grandson was shameful. Love was about sacrifice and here In front of her stood a girl that not only understood it but was willing to do it. Dadi cried more.
"Tujhe jaisi bahu kaha se bar bar mil ti hai beta, tum chale jayegi to mera Kya?"
(Where will I find a daughter in law like you? If you go what will become
Of me?)
"Dadi app mere liye kush rehe ne hoga, app udaas hone gi to me kaise ji paungi, me apko Milne se bi aaunga, aur vo apse kitna pyaar Karte ho apka dekh bal Karte rehenge"
(Dadi you have to stay happy for me, if you are sad how will I survive. I will come and visit you and he loves you, he will take care of you)
Both of them were crying now. She couldn't imagine how much Pragya must have been hurting, and she knew it was taking her all of her courage and might to tell dadi this, but she was right. If Abhi didn't love her how would she stay in the marriage? Dadi couldn't understand
It though, she could swear she saw love in Abhis eyes. Not just respect.
Her grandson mindlessly ogles at Pragya every opportunity and she keeps him on his toes. They were perfect for one another. No something was a miss. In the back of dadis mind she knew this had something more to it. She needed to talk to Abhi, but right now all she felt was anger towards him. So much so she felt an ache in her chest. Pragya wiped dadis tears as she wiped her own
"Dadi me janti hoon, vo apka ache se khyal rakhe ga, aur jo bahu vo apki liye choone gi, bohat soch samach kar karengi"
(Dadi I know he will always take the best care of you and who ever chooses as your daughter in law, he will do so with careful consideration)
She felt guilty saying it, she knew Tanu wouldn't look after her and it killed her to even think it. she would ask dadi though for one more thing.
"Dadi muje apse kuch mang na hai?"
(Dadi I want to ask you for something)
"Kya chaiye beta"
(What do you want child)
The old woman spoke through sobs. She was having such a mixed response to this. On one hand she knew Abhi. She could read him like an open book, he loved Pragya, but who was this other love? Whoever she was she was shameless. Dadi wouldn't have it. She was raging and she needed to calm down. She looked at her bahus face as she made her request
"Ap vada Karte ho ke app muje
De dongi"
(And will you promise you will give it to me)
She nodded heavy heartedly in agreement. Pragya spoke slowly.
""App please dadi unse kuch bhi mat bol na, aur unki saath naraz mat ho na, unki galti nahi hai yeh Sab, aur vo apse itna pyaar Karte hai ke vo Khud apko ye baat nahi bata sakte, apko dekh se toot jayege aur vo apki liye yeh shaadi me rehene bhi tayaar hai, Lekin me unke saath esa nahi kar sakti, iss liye app unse zyda waqt naraz mat hona"
(Please dadi don't say anything to him. And don't stay mad at him. It's not his fault. He loves you so much he could never tell you this himself, it would break him to see you hurt. He would be ready to stay in the marriage for you, but I could never do that to him. Please don't stay mad at him for too long.)
Pragya pleaded with her. Dadi shook
Her head in disagreement and cried even more.
"Yeh ab tum mujse Kya pooch rahe ho, kaise nahi Naraz hoon."
(What are you asking of me? How can I not stay angry)
She pulled her hands back from Pragya shaking her head and cried even more.
" Meri ghar ki Lakshmi chale jani hai, aur vo apse nahi rok paye"
(The Lakshmi of my house is going to leave and he won't stop you)
"Please dadi..." She took her hand and placed it top of her head, with the tears that had been flowing freely for sometime now she continued
"Apko meri kasam..."
(Swear on me...)
Dadi couldn't control herself, she pulled Pragya into a tight hug and both ladies sat there and cried in each other's arms.
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Abhi had been sat downstairs when he saw Pragya walk upstairs to his dadis room. He sat there still, taking in the calm of room. Why had he told her he didn't know? In fact what was that response. He thought back over the conversation again and again and all he could do was grow more angrier at himself. This whole time all
he had done was make excuses and tell her he didn't mean it in that way. Well which way did he mean it? He was annoyed at himself for not being able to see things clearly. What did he actually want? Should he and Pragya split up? Afterall he had caused her great misery and she deserved to be happy, and he was scared in a way that he wouldn't be good enough for her. But on the other hand he wanted to be selfish and see where this new found feeling would lead to. Still unnerved by Pragyas reaction, or lack of one that matter, he stood up from his place and walked up the stairs in her directions. He ascended up and as if in a trance walked towards his room. Along the way he passed his dadis room. The door was slightly ajar. In the next moment he heard voices and sobbing. He redirected his path so that he walked towards dadis room instead, with slight confusion over what he was hearing wave over him. His heart had started to drum wildly in his chest. Deep down He knew what was happening but somehow his mind and eyes were struggling to believe him. Abhis mouth had started to salivate in the same way it would when one was likely to vomit. He quietly extended his shaky sweaty palm and reached out for the door handle and pushed it slightly further open.
""App please dadi unse kuch bhi mat bol na, aur unki saath naraz mat ho na, unki galti nahi hai yeh Sab, aur vo apse itna pyaar Karte hai ke vo Khud apko ye baat nahi bata sakte, apko dekh se toot jayege aur vo apki liye yeh shaadi me rehene bhi tayaar hai, Lekin me unke saath esa nahi kar sakti, iss liye app unse zyda waqt naraz mat hona"
Abhis world stood still.
"Yeh ab tum mujse Kya pooch rahe ho, kaise nahi Naraz hoon. Meri ghar ki Lakshmi chale jani hai aur vo nahi rok paye"
His wife had just told his dadi that he didn't love her. She was doing this for him because this is what she thought he wanted. He couldn't believe she had told dadi,but not only had she done so, she had made her swear on her life that she wouldn't stay angry at him. His heart swelled in size for her. He continued to observe their exchange all the while not being able to hold back his tears. He watched on quietly sobbing.
He could see both his wife and grandmother locked together in a tight hug crying onto each other's shoulders. Words would be inadequate to describe how he was feeling. He felt like the smallest person in the world. She made sure that his relationship with the most important person in the world would stay safe even after she left. After everything he had done to her and after all she was still going through. How could she be so selfless? He had no control of what was happening what so ever. He didn't want anything to change. He knew things couldn't stay the way they were forever but he felt as though things were moving quicker than he had chance to think over them. Tanu was pressuring him. Pragya was taking all of these steps. But why? He thought he loved her if this was so why was she so keen to move away and leave him? He knew exactly why. Tanu.
Pragya pulled away from dadi and wiped her tears.
"Dekhiye dadi, app please roye mat, Sab kuch theek honge, me janti hoon ap ki liye mushkil hoga is liye me apse kehti hoon ap aj rat ki liye unke saath naraz rehe sakte ho, Lekin kal se ap please unke saath normal ho jaye"
(Look dadi please don't cry. Everything will be okay. I know this is hard for you that's why I say you should stay mad for tonight but then tomorrow please be normal with him)
Dadi wiped her eyes. Her tears had slowed down now. The poor old woman didn't know what to do. Old and set in her ways she maybe, but she loved this girl in front of her and she loved her grandson too.
"Theek hai beta... Me nahi naraz hongi unke sat...Lekin mere maan me tuhi is ghar ki bahu rehenge,ja kuch bhi hojaye."
(Okay dear I won't be mad at him. But in my mind you will always be the bahu of this house, come what may)
Pragya started welling up at these words again. And hugged dadi once more.
Dadi on the other hand had controlled her emotions. Her body and mind may not have been as sharp as they were 30 years ago say, but that didn't mean she had lost all her intuitions. Something was not right. She vowed that she would not let Pragya leave so easily. It seemed her grandson needed to learn an important lesson and she would teach him one.
At this point Abhi could not take it any longer. He quietly backed away from the door and went to his room. As soon as he entered his body took him to the first source of comfort he could find. Alcohol. He walked over to his make shift mini bar and made himself a strong drink. He went to the balcony, sat down again and started to swig the liquid in his glass. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity. Until he heard a door gently open.
Pragya came into the room after giving dadi the rest of her tablets and an extra one. She gave dadi a small dose of Valium with her evening medicines so that she would not stay awake the whole night crying and worrying. As far as Pragya was concerned dadi would be okay, she had understood her and hadn't made it difficult and for that Pragya was grateful. She finally left dadi after she saw her drifting into sleep. She tucked her in and headed back to her room.
When she entered her room she felt different. Lighter almost and void of some tension. She noticed the balcony doors were open and glided over towards them. There she saw her husband sat with his back to her, drink in hand and head bowed. The atmosphere in the room was almost eerie, she walked up besides him and sat down next to him all the while not looking in his direction. They sat there for several minutes. She slowly turned her head to look at him. A little bit of her died when she saw his face. His eyes were swollen puffy and his face still wore fresh tear marks on them. He sniffled occasionally indicating that he was still quietly crying. Pragya didn't know what to do. Every tear he shed was like a tiny little knife wielding in her heart. She really did love him and she never ever wanted to cause him any heartache. Her own eyes stared to well up again. She cautiously reached out one of her hands and placed it on his.
Abhi looked up at her. She had slowly turned her face to meet his. It was then she saw how red his eyes were and she gasped slightly.
"App theek to hai na?"
(You are okay aren't you)
She knew without him saying a word. He looked at her with love apologies and shame all at the same time. She continued on in barely a whisper
" Me ne dadi se baat ki hai, app please pareshaan mat ho ye, hamari shaadi kiss halat me hui hai, me ne yeh Sab dadi ko nahi bataaya, thode din apse naraz honge, Lekin vo samaj sakhti hai"
(I have spoken to dadi. Please
Don't be worried, the way in which we married, I have not told dadi any of this. She will be mad at you for a few days but then she will understand.)
She spoke with poise and grace. She held his hand in hers, still offering him comfort. He wiped his eyes and spoke
" me apke samne kitna Chota admi hoon Fuggy. Mujhe please maf ki jiye"
(I'm such a small person in front of you Fuggy. Please forgive me)
He took his hand from hers, put down his glass that was in the other and joined them together as if begging for forgiveness from her.
"Yeh app Kya kar rahe?" She grabbed both of his hands and held them in hers crying.
(What are you doing)
"Apko maafi mang ni se koy zaroorat nahi hai, app bohat ache insaan hai, iss me apki koy galti sach me nahi hai. aur yeh Sab hamari liye jald se jald theek ho jayenge. App please roye mat chalo andar chalte hai"
(There is no need to ask for forgiveness, you are a good person and this really wasn't your fault. And this will all be okay for us soon. Please don't cry, let's go inside)
The sight of him distressed her deeply. She had never seen him
Look so sad and defeated. She wondered for a split moment whether she had done the right thing, but then she remembered he had told he didn't know if he could love her. Yes she thought, she had done the right thing. Very soon his life would go back to normal and he could forget any obligation he felt towards her and finally get on with his life.
Abhi was too emotional. He did whatever she told him too. She guided him up and back into their room. She led him to his bed and made him get in and sat on the edge of it. He lay there looking up at her. She smiled weakly at him still crying softly. He sat back up again and took her hands in his. As he did he couldn't help but start to cry again. Abhi couldn't speak. But seeing her cry like that ate him up from the inside. Without thinking he pulled her into a hug. He pulled her in from the nape of her neck and guided her head to rest on his chest under his chin. He wound both of his arms around her neck and back and held her there. She cried Into his chest. Fighting it at first but not being able to resist for long, she quietly sobbed into his chest slowly reaching her arms around him to complete the hug. Abhi closed his eyes and moved further back, so that his back was resting on the head board. He pulled Pragya back on to the bed fully as he did this. Both sat there like that in each other's embrace. After a while, Pragya got up and wiped her tears. She told Abhi that for the remaining time that they were to live together she wanted them to be normal around each other. She had also explained to Abhi that she needed time to get over him and what would help her to do this, was him maintaining a reasonable distance from her and not sending her any mixed signals through flirting and touching her.
Abhi listened intently. The more she was telling him to keep his distance and not touch her, all he could think about doing was just that. She was so soft and every time he went near her he experienced a tingling all over his body. It was like chasing a high and all off a sudden running out of the drug needed to cause it. It would be fair to say that Abhi couldn't really understand the heartache and confusion she must feel when he was close to her. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable so agreed to her wishes.
After some time the tension seemed to ease in their room and they were back to their usual bickering. They were both sat up right in bed watching a talent show on the TV arguing about who could sing and could could not. Which contestants were cool and which ones where stupid. Abhi and Pragya sat there laughing and enjoying each other's company. He had accepted that she had told dadi about their wedding and also the fact that he should give her some space in order for her to sort through her feelings. What he had trouble dealing with was her leaving. He knew she would have to at some point but he was scared to even think when. He decided that after the wedding he would talk to her properly about what would happen but decided for tonight he just wanted to get back to normal and enjoy spending time with his wife without the rest of the world and it's problems.
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The next morning was a mad frenzy. Pragya had arisen bright and early. She woke up to see abhi still sleeping. She decided to go as shower and wake him after she was done, so to let him sleep a bit more. She thought back to last night as she creeped out of bed and went towards the bathroom. She had felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She had spoken to dadi, which had been far more successful than she had imagined. To finish off the evening her and Abhi had managed miraculously get back to how they were before she had admitted how she felt. They both laughed and joked with each other, something she hadn't realised she had missed. She had made peace with the fact that she was happy to have him as a friend than to have no relation with him at all, and this gave her great comfort. She quickly got out of bed and showered mindful that she needed to hurry. Today was Bulbuls wedding. Finally her little sister would be married! Her mother had insisted that the actual wedding take place at their marriage hall. Last night Abhi had finalised all the arrangements and help, so that Sarla ma would not be stressing over things. She made her way out of the shower room and into the closet she draped herself in a luxurious white bathrobe and made her way out to the room towards her dressing table. She applied her makeup and wove her hair into a pretty French bun. Looking at herself in the mirror, she finished off her look by applying some lipstick. She stood up and turned towards Abhi. She knew she had to wake him but realised she was sat in a bathrobe with her legs on show. Pragya felt bashful. She stood to the side of the bed farthest away from Abhi, so that the bed covered her legs.
"Suniye..."
Abhi stirred slightly.
"Sone do na chashmish, bohat sube hai,
(Let me sleep chashmish, it's really early)
Pragya smiled. He was incredibly cute when he was asleep. Like a child almost. Any other day she would have left him to it but it was the wedding and he needed to get up! She shouted louder this time.
"Suniye, oothiye na, ap kaise dost hai, aj Purab ki shaadi hai aur ap yaha lete rehen ge Kya?"
(Listen! Wake up! What kind of friend are you, today is Purab's wedding will you just stay led here?)
Abhi woke up with a start.
"Ofo Fuggy tum bhi na, kaise teacher ki jaise lecture karti rehe ti ho"
(Oh fuggy, why are you lecturing me like a teacher)
He was sat up right now rubbing his eyes. Pragya quickly retreated, while he was still half asleep,into the closet so that he didn't notice how she was dressed. She poked her head around the door
"Teacher hoon, to teacher ki Tare lecture doon gi na"
(I am a teacher, so naturally I will
Lecture like a teacher)
With that she threw a towel at him from one of the shelves in the closet, laughed and shut the door.
Abhi was hit in the face with it. He chuckled at her ways. He was too tired to fight with her, give it a couple of hours and he would give as good as he got. But last night after all that had happened he and Pragya had slept late. Teamed with all the crying he had done it was safe to say Abhi wasn't feeling his best. He also knew he had to face dadi at some point today but he was very grateful for the fact that today the out shining event would be the wedding which would provide Abhi with some time to come up with a reasonable explanation for him grandma. Abhi got up from the bed and went for a shower.
In the same instance Pragya came out of the closet. What a sight she was too. She was wearing a beautiful pale peach saree. The material was fluid like and shimmering. The border was encrusted with small jewels and glittering beads. Concentrated at the bottom around the hem, the pattern dispersed up the saree. Pragya loved it. She had to hand it to Andy, he had really outdone himself here She looked at the time, it was nearly 6:30 In the morning. Once Abhi was ready she would go down and make breakfast for the family. She stood by her Mandir and said her morning prayers. Today she asked for courage to face her final
Problems, strength and hope for dadi and protection for her husband. She heard Abhi come out of the washroom. There he stood with a towel wrapped around his hips, and torso bare sprinkled with water from
His shower. Pragya turned to face him but looked away instantly. Seeing him like that also did unspeakable things to her. She shielded her eyes using her hand.
"Ap... Ap kapde nahi pehen sakte hai Kya?"
(Can you put some clothes on)
Abhi chuckled at her. He also noticed how stunning she looked in that light ensemble. He noticed the peachy colour highlighted her creamy complexion. She looked breath taking. Abhi shook himself
Slightly. He wanted to walk up to her and just...just touch her,hug her. He always felt an absence whenever they finished hugging, but now she had made it clear she would not
Tolerate him near her in that way. This thought frustrated Abhi no end. She moved across the room and headed straight for the door, disappearing seconds later.
Before she went downstairs she went across to dadis room to check on how she was. She opened the door slightly and saw dadi was awake, she knocked on the door and let herself in.
"Dadi..."
"Aja beta..."
Pragya was nervous. She knew dadi had been upset last night and she had made her promise not to be angry at Abhi. She knew that today would be a struggle for her and Pragyas main priority was to make sure that the she was okay.
"Kaisi hai app dadi, me ja kar apki chai Le atti hoon"
(How are you dadi, I will go and get your tea )
"Rehe ne do beta. Yaha betho tum"
(Leave that dear and sit here)
Dadi gestured for Pragya to sit down on her bed.
"Tum kaise ho beta?"
Pragya looked at dadi and smiled. Even though she was dying inside she kept on her mask of falsities and replied
"Me theek hu dadi, me sirf apko Dekhne ayi thi, me janti hu ap par Kya gusar hoga, aur muje is bat se pareshaani hai"
(I am fine dadi, I just came to see you, I know this must be difficult and I'm worried about you)
Dadi took her hand and cupped her cheek.
"Beti me theek hoon. Me itni bhi kamzur nahi hoon, tum ja aur nashta tayar ki jiye, me aati hoon"
(I'm fine darling, I'm not that weak you know. You go and make the breakfast I will be down shortly)
Pragya smiled silently at dadi and stood up to take her leave. As she did dadi watched her go.
"Tum Kya janti ho beta, tum tumahara suhaag ki liye itna kuch kar sakti ho, to me bhi apki dadi hoon. Dekhne na tum"
(What do you think beti? You can do all this for your husband, then I too am your dadi, you just watch)
The rest of the morning passed in a bit of a blur. After making breakfast for all Pragya had left with the driver to go to the marriage hall. She arrived at her mothers to find them in more of a tiz than the Mehra household. Everywhere she looked there were people moving baskets of flowers,chairs and various other tid bits needed for the wedding. Pragya quickly got out of the car and went into her house.
"Bulbul, ooothna, Kya karti hai vo ladki, aj us ki shaadi hai aur..."
(Get up bulbul, what is that girl doing it's her wedding today)
"Pragya beta tum kab ayi, chal tu meri saath
(Pragya beta when did you arrive, come with me)
Sarla was beyond manic. She would have given herself another heart attack had it not been such a happy occasion. She was stood in her kitchen stirring various pots and shouting. As soon as she had seen Pragya she went over to greet her daughter. No sooner was the greeting over she had assigned Pragya with the task of overseeing the decoration of the hall. She made her way over to the marriage hall across the road from her house. As she ascended the stair the hall came into full view. It had been decorated with purple and golden decor. Flowers, streamers and large golden candelabras. It looked beautiful. She started to instruct the help on what to do, while setting up the wedding mandap herself.
Meanwhile in the Mehra household everyone was getting ready to go to the Aroras. Dadi and Daasi were waiting downstairs for the family.
"Kya hua didi...? Tum aj khoyi si lag rehe hoi, Kya hua?
(What's up sister? You look lost, what's happened?)
Before dadi could answer, the rest of the family had come downstairs to meet them. Amongst them was Abhi. All morning Abhi knew he would have to face his dadi at some point. He had never been so nervous in his life. Dadi was one of the few people on this earth that Abhi truly cared about. Her opinion stood against no ones in his life and right now it felt as though he was really about to disappoint her. He sheepishly looked over at his grandma, whose expression seemed to be very indifferent. Abhi knew that Pragya had made dadi promise not to be mad at him. Still that didn't stop him feeling as though he was about to be told off. But to his utter surprise dadi was being extremely normal.
"Sab tayar hai na? Chalo chalo vaha bohat kam hai na, nikal na zaroori hai"
(Is everyone ready, come come there's a lot of work to be done, we need to leave)
Everyone shuffled about making their way outside to the cArs. Abhi hung back for a second so that he could speak to his grandma
"Dadi..."
"Abhi nahi beta, vaha jana zaroori hai, bad me bat kar lenge"
(Not now beta, it's neceSsary to go there, we will speak later)
She smiled as she said this and walked away from Abhi, towards the front door not giving him chance to say anything further. His dadi was
Also being extremely zen about this, but that had to be down to Pragya he thought. Without dwelling on it too much he followed his grandma out of the house.
The Mehra's all arrived at the venue. They quickly dispersed making themselves useful. Akashi and Tauji had gone to help in the hall with lighting and fixtures. Dadi and dasi went to find rockstar dadi and mingle with the elderly generation of guests. Mitalli Bhabhi and taiji weren't quite as enthusiastic, instead they went into the marriage hall and sat down as the guests would.
Abhi had dropped off the family at the Aroras, and headed to Purab's. Abhi considered Purab as his brother and would always stand beside him. Today that meant being Purab's guest at the wedding, even though his wife would be on the brides side. He made his way there fully intent on helping his friend and getting him ready for his up coming nuptials. He arrived at his apartment to find him still in bed. Purab's chachi had let him in and surprisingly the Khanna household was less frantic than the Mehra or Arora.
"Namaste aunty"
"Namaste beta, acha ho tum agaye ho, vo Abhi bi Kamre me soye hue hai, ja tu ja kar usko ootha do"
(Namaste son, it's a good thing you have arrived, he's still in his room asleep, go and wake him up)
Abhi went into Purab's room. It was dark, the curtains were still drawn and his friend was fast asleep with his head under his pillow. Abhi laughed to himself. He and Purab had come along way in life, he was the one single friend throughout that looked out for him. After all the heartache he had caused his friend he was so happy that finally he would be with the one he loved. True to his playful nature, Abhi slowly creeped up towards Purab's bed. On the side he saw a red dupatta. He assumed this was Bulbuls and grabbed it. Slowly and playfully he started to tickle Purab's feet that were hanging of the end of the bed. Abhi put on his best feminine voice
"Oh Jannu..."
(Oh love...)
Purab stirred a little kicking his legs As the red fabric teased the soulss of his feet. Abhi laughed again
"Oh Jannu... Ootho na"
He continued to irritate his friend. Purab was not ready to wake up. He hid his head further into his pillow
"Bulbul sone do na..."
(Bulbul let me sleep...)
Abhi was having a blast. It felt so nice to be carefree with his friend. He had forgotten what it was like to be the rockstars that never took life seriously. He and Purab had always shared a very serious but close relationship. Mainly because he was Abhis manager, but in rare times like this it was nice for him to act with Purab like the child at heart he was. Abhi shouted in his own voice this time. He had taken to jumping on top of Purab on the bed to fully ensure that he was awake this time. As he did so he shouted,
"Arre besharam, hone wali biwi ka sapna dekh rehe ho, Arre oothiye na varna kissi aur se shaadi kar lengi" he laughed heartily.
(Oh you shameful one, having dreams about your future wife? You better wake up or she might marry someone else)
Purab was definitely awake now. He can't say he was best pleased to be awoken by his best friend jumping on his bed trying to wake him up. He sat up on his bed and Abhi sat down fully to join him.
"Abhi tum bi na, ye kaise mazzak hai, sone do na"
(Abhi, what kind of joke is this, let me sleep)
Abhi who was still laughing at Purab straightened his face best he could.
"Sorry yaar, I couldn't resist, aj tumhari shaadi hai na! Aj ki baad tum
Siddhe siddhe jail me jaunge"
(Sorry mate I couldn't resist, today is you wedding! After today you will
Go straight to jail)
Purab threw a pillow in Abhis direction.
"Abhi tum mazzak mat ki jiye, aj meri shaadi hai... Aj meri shaadi hai?
(Abhi stop joking today is my wedding... Today is my wedding?)
All of a sudden Purab felt slightly nauseous. He was getting married today! It was as if it had only just hit him! Today he would be with bulbul and it signified the start of the rest of their lives together.
"Abhi I can't believe it, aje meri shaadi hue gi"
(I can't believe it today I will get married)
"Arre ha yaar, yeh hi baat me tum ko kab se kehe ne Aya hoon"
(Off course mate, that's what I've been trying to tell you)
Abhi slapped Purab's arm in a friendly way. Purab on the other hand darted into the bathroom to overcome his nerves and nausea. Abhi laughed again seeing his friends state.
Back in the Mehra household there was one person that wasn't quite ready to get into the festivities. Aliyah. She had spent the entire night trying to close in on the corporator. She didn't have a plan as such but she knew she needed to find him before her brother. The problem was Aliyah had no leads. After Abhi and Pragya had come back home there was no sign of where the corporator was. She had tried every underhanded criminal she could think of to track his whereabouts she had even resorted to a private investigator. But to her dismay she was having no luck. She sat in her room looking through her phone. What should she do? Her time was running out fast and she needed to do something. She decided it was getting late and she needed to get ready and make her way to the venue. The wedding. Another thorn in Aliyah's side, she needed to think of a way to stop this wedding too, but right now she was consumed in thoughts of the corporator. She didn't quite know what she would do, she imagined she would pay him off and make him use purvi as his scape goat but she needed to find him first. She painfully put her priority aside and got ready to join the rest of the family. Little did she know today at least one of her prayers may be answered...
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
36