Last Part
Raavi wiped the fresh tears that betrayed her red puffy eyes as she clutched the railway ticket tightly within her palms.
She closed her eyes and sighed, feeling betrayed all over again. How could her Masi do this to her? The Woman whom she treated just like a mother was too keen to throw her away in any man's arms?
Earlier she used to do it for Anita, and then too, she tried to stop her, trying to make her understand the absurdity of her behavior. But she didn't know that she was next on her Maasi's list to bear the same fate.
She remembered the incident which had happened just an hour back....
----
A distraught Raavi pulled the heavy trolly as if she was pulling her heartstrings, which were tightly wound against Shiva's heart.
Shiva's heart? A heart that was a fire blaze. The moment you try to grasp it in your hold, your hands burn, and you cry from the pain. Wasn't she feeling the same? She had so desperately tried to wrap the thin strings of her heart and grasp his heart with all her might. But what was the use?
Dread settled in the pit of her stomach as she just realized, just what would have happened if this forceful marriage had happened. Shiva, even though was a pure soul, but in a fit of rage, he would have cursed her so badly, claiming that she had, for the second time, ruined his life.
Because he didn't love her...
Because he had feelings for Disha...
Her subconscious mind whined at the thought, just how he had the ability to destroy her, how his words would have crushed her heart so badly that she could have never recovered from it.
She knew no one would understand the intensity with which she loved the man, whom she fondly called her 'Bandar', because she thought they had a special connection, right from childhood. Whenever he called her those harsh names, she would just grin at him and happily accept all the insults, because, in all these harsh words, she sensed a sense of belongingness. This belongingness was lost the moment he started calling her 'Mami ki Behen ki beti', because whenever he called her that, she knew he was accusing her of something she didn't even know.
But the sense of belongingness started returning when she felt her heart skip a beat as she trembled in his vicinity, as he tied the Mangalsutra around her heaving neck. She had been crying at the turn of events, but unknown to her, her heart was blooming in joy as she was finally being tied to her soulmate.
She had realized this just a few days back when she realized the passion with which she felt for him. Dev never made her tremble under his gaze, but one mockery glance, that was mixed with mischieve was enough to make her squirm in nervousness. The wheels in the back of her mind would activate, curious to know what was the man up to now.
She started seeing the man in a new light when he had saved her in the haveli, and also when he had protected her from the goons. Her heart swelled in joy as she started feeling giddy in his presence. His hard body pressed against hers started making her feel something that she had never felt before.
Her curiosity about the man, who was her husband, never deteriorated, even after the diary incident. Their relation took a U-Turn, and all the soft and nervous glances which Shiva used to give her was all gone, at once!
And from that moment, till the moment she realized her feelings for him, it was a long journey, which could have been shortened, had Shiva not taken upon himself to push her away from him, claiming that he was not meant for her and that she deserved 'better'.
She didn't even know what 'You deserve better than me' ever meant. Who was he to decide that? Did she give him any signs that proved to him that he was not meant for her? And if he thought that her friends were the problem, she knew she was at fault. But she was still coming under the phase of 'falling for Shiva'. If not, she would have made sure they knew their place, talking ill about Shiva like that.
But now, that she had confessed about her feelings, he didn't even flinch in excitement, instead he kept numb, just like he does, when there are important confessions that are thrown his way. This was the main reason she felt hurt as he never took a stand for her when Suman Kaki praised Disha and always compared her with Raavi.
The Universe had been giving her signs all along, But she was the fool who thought that maybe, one day he will realize how wrong he had been when he didn't stand up for her.
But who was she curse him, when she knew that somethings never change. Shiva will never change. He will be celebrating right now, rejoicing that the 'musibat' was finally out of his life.
She was about to knock at the door when she stopped as she heard Prafulla's voice...
"Are Panditji, aap Raavi ki chinta mat karo. Ab jab uska talaq ho gaya hai na, to ab woh to aankh band karke bhi is ladke see shaadi karegi. Ab uski marzi ki ek nahi sunungi mein. Ab mein meri beti ke liye Somnath ka sabse ameer aur susheel ladka dhund ke laungi aur uski shaadi karwaungi meri Raavi se. Aap bas Raavi ki kundli unko bhej do. Baaki baat mein kar lungi..."
Her heart leaped inside her chest as he stumbled on her steps, heartbroken that her Maasi was also hell bound on getting rid of her. She wanted her to get married to the richest guy in Somnath. What about her likes and dislikes? What about her heart? Did she not feel even one ounce of sympathy for her when she had gone through such a terrible divorce, which was all her doing. And instead of showing support to her, she was ready to get her married to anyone, just so that she can get rid of her?
She knew this was another sign from God, which she knew she had to adhere to, or else, people here will ruin her completely.
-----
She wiped the final tears as she checked the ticket for the umpteenth time. She was going to Mumbai, where her Bua lived with her son and daughter-in-law. Only a few days back she had called Raavi, exchanging pleasantries. She had also suggested that Raavi visit her in Mumbai, but guess this was God's way of showing her a new path, a fresh start in her life.
"Bahut ro liya Raavi. Ab bas, aur nahi. Inn logon ko tu bojh lagti hai na, To bojh hi sahi. Mein apne aap ke liye bojh nahi hun. Apni Bua ke paas jaa rahi hun. Apne pairon per khada hoke dikhaungi duniya ko. Duniya Raavi ko ab alag nazeriye se dekhegi. Mar gayi woh Raavi jo sabki khushiyon ke liye jeeti thi. Itna ulajh gayi sabki khushiyon mein ki apni khushiyon ko mehsoos karna to durr, unhe dekhna bhi mere naseeb mein nahi tha. Par ab aur nahi. Koi bhi ladka meri khushiyon ke liye ab zimmedar nahi hoga. Abse sirf apne liye jiyungi."
She sent a silent prayer to God, pleading to be with her and give her strength in taking such a big decision. Even though her parents died in a railway accident, she had to overcome her fear, just for the sake of her happiness.
Smiling slightly, she clutched her trolley tightly and was about to walk in to board the train when someone grabbed her from behind and harshly pulled her, resulting in her crashing against her chest. Her eyes were closed but she knew just by the scent who it was.
She furiously opened her eyes, pushed him away and grabbed her trolley, and tried resuming her path to board the train but Shiva quickly blocked her path.
"Kahan jaa rahi hai Chipkali? Itni si baat ke liye Somnath chod ke jaa rahi hai? Pagal ho gayi hai kya?" he rushed out, trying to catch his breath.
His eyes were puffy too, but she didn't care. Not anymore.
She tried to avoid him and continue on her path but he grabbed her forearms and stopped her abruptly yet again.
"Chipkali, please mujhse baat kar. Mein jaanta hun ki Maine there saath bahut galat bartav kiya hai, par ek mauka dede mujhe apni baat samjhane ka. Woh Disha....Tune jo bhi dekha woh sab galat tha. Please, sirf ek mauka..Please...sirf ek..."
"Tune diya tha?", were the only words she uttered as she looked at him, her eyes empty of any emotions.
-----
Shiva gasped as she heard the 3 words, which increased the crack in his heart. True to her words, did he give her a chance? Even though he claimed that whatever she did with his family was absolutely wrong and unacceptable. But silently, deep down in his heart, he always wanted her to prove her innocence. But as usual, his heart and his mouth never co-ordinated, and his mind had full control with his mouth, throwing away all the rational thoughts which his heart felt for Raavi.
"Itni si baat? Itni si baat hai meri feelings tere liye? Haan, yeh sahi hai. Tujhe yeh itni si baat hi lagegi kyunki tujhe pata hi nahi ki mere dil ki kya halat ho rahi hai. Aur kya hua? Disha baby ne tujhe itni jaldi chod diya? Tujhse chipki nahi rahi?
"Problem bahut pehle se shuru ho gayi thi, par mein hi bewakoof hun jo unhe jaan bujh ke nazarandaaz karti rahi. Humesha yahi sochti thi ki koi bhi problem itni badi nahi hai ki jise suljhaya na jaa sake. Per tujhe kya hi samajh aayega yeh sab. Tujhe thodi na mein kuch bol sakti hun, ya fir kisike liye bhi bol sakti hun, kya pata, Jaise tune Anita Dii pe apna raudra roop dikhayega, mere saath tu pata nahi kya hi karega."
"Tu aise kyun bol rahi hai Raavi. Mein itni bhi jaanwar nahi hun ki tujhe kuch karun. Tu meri Biwi.."
"Teri Biwi hun nahi, thi. Jiss aadmi se Maine pyaar kiya tha na Shiva, woh bhale kaisa bhi tha, mujhe kadwi baatein sunata tha, meri side nahi leta tha, par at least mujhe usske paas rehne mein satisfaction milta tha. Par tu woh aadmi nahi hai. Tujhe sirf apne pariwar ki padi hai, Raavi jiye ya mare, tujhe usse koi farak nahi padta. Aur mujhse chutkara pana hi tha to kyun woh sab nautanki ki mujhe bachane ki? Marne deta na mujhe! Jitni bhi baar mein kidnap hui hun, tu koi maseeha ki tarah bachane ke liye aaya hai, par kyun? Tu toh mujhse nafrat karta hai na? Saabit kya karna chahta tha woh sab karke? Ki Raavi kitni bechaari hai, khudka khyaal bhi nahi rakh sakti, chalo iss pe reham karke isse bacha leta hun. Raavi pyaar ki bhuki thodi hai. Woh to daya ki bhuki hun. Haina?", she accused as she glared hard in his eyes.
Shiva averted her eyes as he couldn't help but feel helpless with all the accusations. What wrong was she saying? Every time she was in some danger, he had rescued her, but after that, he never empathized with her, just how a husband normally should do. He always ridiculed her advances and told her to not think his 'daya' as his love for her.
"Aur mein Dobi, Daya ko pyaar samajh baithi. Isiliye itni dino se tere taane sunne ke baad bhi uss ghar mein reh rahi thi. Maine socha ki mera pyaar dekhke tera gussa pighal jayega, teri naarazgi zaroor durr ho jayegi. Par pathar kabhi pighla nahi karte. Are mera pyaar itna bhi khokla nahi hai ki aise insaan pe lutati rahun jise uss pyaar ki ratti bhar bhi kadar na ho. Aur mein tujhe blame nahi kar rahi hun. Tujhe kadar isiliye nahi hai kyunki mein hun kaun tere liye jo tu meri kadar karega? Tere gale bandhi hui zabardasti ki Biwi, jiski shakal tak tujhe pasand nahi hai. Nahi tu use jhelna chahta, nahi tu usse pyaar karta hai. To tujhe sunne ka koi fayda nahi hai. "
"Nahi Raavi, aisa mat bol. Please mujhe maaf kar de, please ek baar meri baat sun le, please..." he tried to explain but he knew she had had enough.
"Yeh sab bolne ka ab koi fayda nahi hai Shiva. Maine tujhe iss zabardasti ke rishte se azaad kar diya hai. Ab jaa, aur Disha jaisi kisi ladki se shaadi kar le, jo chupchaap teri haan mein haan, aur naa mein naa milayegi, teri Maa ki naukrani bani rahegi. Mujhe to tujhe thankyou bolna chahiye. Ek bahut badi galti karne se tune mujhe bacha liya.."
By the time she finished her speech, all the family members had gathered, along with Prafulla and Anita and her Mausapa.
"Maine tujhse shaadi karke jo galti ki thi na, usko sudharne ka mauka mil raha hai. Ab mujhe tujh jaise jhute aadmi ke saath rehne ki zaroorat nahi padegi. Tere pyaar ke liye mein tadpi hun. Ab tu meri maafi ke liye tadap. Zindagi bhar.." With this she turned to her Maasi. "Aap pe bojh thi na mein? Khush ho jao, mein jaa rahi hun apni Bua ke paas. At least unhone aapki tarah choti soch wali baat nahi ki hai. Apne pairon pe khade hone ka rast dikhya hai. Ab jo bhi karungi, sirf apne liye karungi. Apne khushyon ke liye zinda rahungi aur apne pairon pe khadi houngi, " and she glanced at Shiva from the corner of her eyes, "Aur ek aise aadmi se shaadi karungi, jo meri pasand ka hoga, jo sirf mujhse pyaar karega, aur meri galtiyon ko maaf karke mujhe humesha mauka dega. Mujhe motivate karega, aur humare bacchon ko bhi pyaar karega..." She knew all of this was a lie. Truth was, she had no energy to deal with another heartbreak, and she was going to stay single, all her life.
But he didn't have to know. He can be happy if he wants to marry anyone like Disha, she didn't care anymore. Although the thought was bruising her heart, she had to accept it, one way or the other. So she gave a last glance at all the family members.
She glanced at Suman blankly, feeling no resentment for her Mother-in-law who always taunted her for her shortcomings. She was not worthy of her attention at all as she must be happy that finally her son is getting rid of her. But her gaze softened as she glanced at GauRa, DevTa, and Krish, who had been very supportive in her nonsensical planning to marry Shiva forcefully. They waved at him sadly and next she knew, she was sitting in the train, never glancing at Shiva, who kept looking at her longingly, tears flowing from his eyes.
Her own eyes were filled with tears, but she dared not shred them until the train started moving. Once she saw the train had left the station, she broke down into tears, crying bitterly, already missing all of them.
But this was what fate had wanted. And this was the best for all of them.
The End...
I know all of you were waiting for this part, so here it is...😭
Sad ending, but this was required...Or maybe😛
I guess someone had suggested this type of ending, and I have finally fulfilled it🤣
Loads of love Everyone🤗
Anupamaa
