Hello people!
PR continues to bore me! So here's the next part of PR reloaded.
PART 62
Tarun and Manav sat alone talking in Girishji's garage office. "So?" he asked slowly. "Where is Sachin now?"
"He is staying with a friend. I called all his friends yesterday and thus came to know about it. But he won't stay there for long. He is going to shift in with Sweety soon. They are going for court marriage."
Tarun slapped his head. "Sachin paagal ho gaya hai. How is everyone taking it at home?"
Manav looked morose. "Not well. Baba came back drunk again today. The kids are very unhappy. It is Rakshabandhan tomorrow and no Sachin in the house! The house has suddenly become silent and gloomy without Sachin's voice booming through the rooms. And Aai- oh gosh!- I can't even face her- I feel guilty each time I come in front of her, maybe she was right, I did not pay attention to Sachin's changing emotions, prioritized Archana and look what has happened today!"
Tarun was alarmed. His emotional friend had fallen pray to his mother's accusing words and was feeling guilty. "You don't need to be guilty at all." He told him curtly. "See, one has to balance relationships, and you tried to balance your marriage along with your family. At that time it was important for you to fight for your marriage, and you did it. It was the need of the hour, not deprioritisation of family. If your Aai or Sachin could not understand it, its their fault."
Manav still looked sad. Tarun continued, "And anyway, the insurance claim confusion happened bcos of my carelessness.."
"Leave it now." said Manav. "I guess both of us got enveloped in just two many things at the time- the court case, your personal problems with Karanjkar family, fixing your wedding with Vaishali.. there was too much to handle. We have to concentrate ahead instead of thinking about the past- my mind is right now on handling my bank payments, handling Girishji's garage, and taking care of my family and bringing Sachin back anyhow."
"I'll help you with the bank payments.."
Manav smiled. "If I need money I will ask for it from you. But right now, its okay. One of the shopkeepers in our chawl wants a place to store additional goods. I've rented him the garage. Plus thanks to Girishji's offer of Supervisor post, my salary has increased from 16,000 to 25,000. Lets see.."
Tarun patted him on the back. "Abhi time hi kharab chal raha hai. Tera bhi, mera bhi."
Manav looked up at him. "What happened to you?"
"I had told you a few days earlier na, market collapsed? It affected the business."
Manav was stunned. "I hope all is well," he murmured.
Tarun shook his head. "I will have to sack a few employees. Plus.."
"Plus..??"
"I'll have to go to New York for a few weeks." Said Tarun. "The branch over there is having serious problems. We are having to spend more than what we earn from it, and considering the time right now, I need to save finances. I'll try and sort the matter there, or I'll simply close it and come back."
Manav nodded. "When will you be leaving?"
"Soon." Said Tarun shortly. "As soon as one work gets over."
************
"Aai!" called out Vaishali as she entered the house. "Did Tarun's parents come to meet you and Baba?"
Sulochana was sitting on the dining table, chopping vegetables. She nodded. "They had come to talk about your engagement."
Vaishali felt shy, but tried to hide her emotions by speaking normally. "Why.. why so soon?"
Sulochana gave a sly smile. "You are speaking as if you do not know anything! You think you can fool your Aai?" Vaishali lowered her head. Archana came and stood by her, as her Aai told her the whole story. Tarun had to go to New York regarding some work. No one knew how long he would have to stay there- it could be two weeks, it could be two months, it could even be four months. And therefore Tarun's parents wanted the engagement to be done before he left for New York.
Vaishali's pretty cheeks looked red and her eyes were dancing with joy. However Archana seemed perturbed. "Aai, what about Varshu? She's still in London! How will she come?"
"That's why I didn't say anything to them. Plus, I felt it would be really awkward to have a ceremony in the house when one daughter's divorce proceedings are going on. People will ask questions." Archana lowered her head. Nowadays, any reminder of the fact that she was getting divorced in a few days, was painful to her.
Vaishali looked confused. "So..?"
"We're thinking over it, let's see. Problem is how to contact Varsha! That girl hasn't called ever since she called to inform she reached safely, its been more than 10 days! Once she called but it was such a short call! She hasn't even given any number. Uff- she doesn't even think how worried we must be getting about her!"
"Aai please calm down!" said Archana. "Let Varsha call again, I will myself scold her for not remaining in touch with the family properly. But she did promise me that she will call if she has any problem. She must be fine."
"She has forgotten us," said Sulochana sadly. "Archana, last time she called, she simply said that she was fine and she had taken out some money from her bank account since she had to buy some furniture or something. Simply asked how we all were and that's it. She didn't ask about you or your divorce as well. This is why I didn't want her to go far from us. She is now lost in her own life. She isn't here when her elder sister needs her, and she won't probably be present in her younger sister's sakharpuda as well. Tomorrow is Rakshabandhan, and she hasn't even sent a Rakhi for Vinod."
"Aai, please don't jump to conclusions. Varsha must be stressed trying to settle down for herself. Things will turn out right, you'll see."
********************
"Dada, tea."
"Thanks Vandu."
He lifted the cup to his lips and drank it slowly. He was still engrossed in his work, when he noticed Vandu was still standing near him. "What happened?"
Vandu hesitated. "I want to say something."
Manav lowered his head. "I know, you want to talk about Sachin. Don't worry, he will come back. He can't stay away from us for long. I know, probably you feel its me and Archana who are responsible for all this- whatever be the case- I'll bring back Sachu in the house. Trust me."
Vandu did not say anything. "Actually, it was something else."
"You want money?" Vandu shook her head.
"Well then what is it? Speak up now!"
Vandu stayed quiet for some more time. Finally she sat next to Manav. "I know I am very small, but I was just wondering.."
"What?"
"Why does Shravani Tai come in the house so often these days?"
Manav was taken aback. "What are you saying? Shravani comes here?"
"Everyday." Said Vandu slowly. "Ever since you agreed for the divorce, she comes here every afternoon while you are in the garage. She talks with Aai for long hours- Aai teaches her how to make dishes, tells her about your likes and dislikes, everything. She taught Shravani how to wear a saree also. Day before yesterday, Aai taught her how to make your favourite Basundi."
So the Basundi that he had eaten (and praised) day before yesterday had been made by Shravani, not his Aai, thought Manav. But why was Aai encouraging Shravani so much? When he had told Aai he did not like to see her face even, she had protested saying she always considered Shravani her daughter, and her ties with the house could never break. But now, it looked as if she was.. she was..
No, he thought firmly. This couldn't happen. Aai knew very well that he didn't like Shravani.
"And you know what Dada!" said Vandu suddenly. "Shravani wears sarees nowadays. Maharashtrian cotton sarees, like Aai wears, like Archana Vahini wears. I even saw her travelling in a local train on two occasions instead of her car. She talks with the chawl women as well. Its as if, as if, she's a completely different person nowadays."
Manav couldn't believe his ears. What in the world had happened to Shravani? Why was she changing herself according to his customs and his background, knowing very well that there was no hope of any future between them? He remembered how he had refused Shravani for marriage earlier, claiming that she- an abroad educated daughter of a rich father- could never fit in his modest home and atmosphere- that she wasn't 'his type'. She had always said that she would adjust to be 'his type' (vision/need) of a life partner. At that time, he hadn't known what was 'his type'. Now they both knew- 'his type' was 'Archana type'.
And now-??? This girl was travelling in trains, dressing like people in his home did, learning to cook and sew and stuff! And all this for what? For him?
Pah!
"Did I do the wrong thing by telling you?" asked Vandu innocently.
"No, you did the right thing." Said Manav gravely. "I'll have to talk to Aai myself."
***************
"Congrats little sister!" said Archana, putting her hands around Vaishali. "Your sakharpuda will be done soon. And then marriage!"
Vaishali giggled shyly. "Things seem to be moving a little fast right now." she said. "Although I'm pleased, but I can't help wondering if now is the right time to have a sakharpuda function. I mean- Varshu is not there, your divorce case is going on.."
"Its better this function happens soon only." Said Archana. "I don't want problems between me and Manav to result in problems for you and Tarun as well. You remember na, how earlier Aai-Baba were refusing to accept Tarun cos he is Manav's friend.."
"Yeah.." agreed Vaishali. "But still, maybe now wouldn't really be the right time, perhaps we should wait for a few days more, you know, Tarun too is in a lot of stress these days- first his office problems, and now Manav Jeeju's family problems that have elevated so much due to Tarun's carelessness in the Insurance matter. Seriously Tai, Tarun is always so lost these days and so busy.. I don't know whether.."
Archana wasn't listening. Her mind had stopped on to those words- Manav Jeeju's family problems. Vaishali continued blabbering, but Archana wasn't interested.
"Vaishu," she asked slowly. "What has happened with Manav?"
Vaishali seemed stunned. "What do you mean?"
Archana hesitated. Last time she had got a very discouraging response when she had spoken to her Aai. Should she confide in Vaishali??
"I mean.. uh.. you just mentioned Manav's family problems have elevated so much.. what happened?"
Vaishali's face warmed up. "Arey you don't know.. that.." but suddenly she controlled herself. "Why do you want to know?" she asked flatly.
Archana seemed taken aback at this question. She stammered for a suitable answer. "I just want to know. Tell me what has happened in that house?"
"You are getting divorced. Leaving him forever in about a week. Then why do you want to know what is going on in that family? Leave them to their own fate na?" said Vaishali and got up. Archana ran after her.
"What problem do you have in telling me?"
"I don't see any point in wasting time in telling you. It's a long and complicated story and it has nothing to do with you and doesn't affect you now."
"BUT I WANT TO KNOW!" said Archana. "I want to know.. er.. why Tarun is so stressed these days. I'm concerned about him."
Vaishali smiled a fake smile. "So sweet, but its okay. Its not that serious for him as it is for Manav Jeeju." She turned and started assembling her books.
Archana felt scared now. Manav was already surrounded by problems and now this new one? And this stupid Vaishali wasn't even telling her the whole story, and there was no way she could ask about it to Manav- as always, he would ask her to keep out of it. Ditto with Tarun, infact Tarun could even tell her not to INTERFERE in his and Manav's life. Now how was she to know what had happened? Archana wrung her hands in worry as Vaishali hummed a song.
"Stop singing!" snapped Archana. "I'm trying to think."
"I'm not singing," said Vaishali. "I'm humming."
"Well, then don't hum."
"There is no need for you to be so mean."
Archana was shocked. "Its you who is mean. Why don't you simply tell me whats wrong? You know I'm concerned about the Deshmukh family, even if I have problems with Manav, it doesn't mean that I have problems with everyone else as well. I am concerned about erm.. Vandu-Vedant."
"Vandu-Vedant are fine." Said Vaishali coolly. "Its not seriously about them. I think that should be enough for you." And she walked into the bathroom with her towel as Archana stood looking at her with a confused, worried expression.
******************
Archana listened in silence. Sh**!
Vaishali told her everything from beginning to end- about how Savita Aai and Sachin always had a problem with Manav spending savings on the court case and helping , how they had repeatedly told him that nothing would come out of it, but he had not listened and gone ahead with the case since he felt that it was the only way he could save his marriage. Again and again, in emergencies, he had rushed to help Archana, rushed to Mahabaleshwar to help Vaishali and Tarun even though Sachin had wanted him to stay back for his presentation. All this had led to resentment in Sachin's heart. The failure of the court case, garage and insurance claim blunder had led Sachin to blame Manav and Tarun more. And finally, when he had advised Sachin to not marry Sweety and even talked to her father about the same, Sachin had exploded and left the house, calling him a jealous and selfish step-brother.
Tears filled up in Archana's eyes. Vaishali noticed it.
"Why are you crying?" she said, trying to speak matter-of-factly. "These are their problems. You shouldn't worry."
Archana gulped back her tears. "Somewhere I'm also responsible. That happy family has broken indirectly bcos of me. I will never be able to forgive myself if differences between Manav and Sachin increase and he doesn't return home."
Vaishali kept quiet for a few minutes as Archana sniffed. "How are they all taking all this?"
"Fine." Said Vaishali shortly. "Manav Jeeju said he would convince Sachin in anyway and bring him back home- Savita Kaku is on a spree of giving him guilt trips. Kids are okay, Kaka has gone back to his drinks."
Archana looked sad. "Maybe I should talk to Sachin too.."
Vaishali seemed horrified. "Tai, don't do that! You will only spoil matters more for Manav Jeeju."
"But.."
"Tai, you agreed for this divorce with open eyes na? Then why don't you realize that you need to start detaching yourself from them? Today you are sitting and crying for them and thinking about their problems, how will you survive tomorrow alone if you behave in this manner. Tai, I really think you should stop thinking about them and focus on your life- now that you fully intend to get divorced, you shouldn't interfere in Manav Jeeju's life due to your 'concern' and make things more difficult for him. Learn to stay detached, else tomorrow, when the last figments of your relationship break, you will have a tough time trying to control yourself in being unaffected by his sorrows and joys. Think about this."
****************
Archana was sad the whole day. The more she thought of it, the gloomier she got. She remembered how happy the Deshmukh family had been when she had first entered the house. They were poor, imperfect folks- but together they made a perfect family. The house oscillated between Sachin's jokes, Savita and Damodar's fights, twins fuelling the fights by prompting or giggling, Sachin playing referee, Manav coming in as peacemaker.. and then all would sit on the table and have dinner. Sachin's pranks, Vedant's maturity at a young age, Vandita's adoration of elder brothers, and Manav's care and pampering of the younger ones- together it had made the house a wonderful little world.
But this world was not the same now.
And it hurt to know that this was the world against whom Manav had fought to be with her- his own family, his own blood. For the first time in life, he had gone against them- just to be with her. Obviously, it had hurt them to see Manav giving preference to someone else for a change, after getting used to him being there for them whenever he needed them. She was reminded of Fanny Ma'am's words- she had voiced it out that Manav's pampering and 'being for his family' at every moment had somehow brought them to the spot that they were used to it now- if he went against them even for justified reasons, they accused him. What had Sachin called him- a jealous selfish stepbrother- on no account did Manav deserve to be called that, especially after all he had done for his family. Her heart wrung with pain thinking about how bad Manav must have felt to hear his beloved brother- for whom he had done so much- talk to him in this manner.
She sighed. So many hurdles Manav had crossed for her sake- he was not rich, but had invested every penny he could for his court case. He had people against him- but he had tried to convince them and explained how important his marriage was to him. He had gone through humiliation, taken risks, done everything, and yet he had got nothing.
NOTHING
"Beta!" suddenly someone touched her hand lightly. It was the watchman of the nightschool. She was standing leaning against the gate, and she straightened up when she saw him near her.
"Yes, Kaka?"
"Why are you still here?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. "The school ended 15 mins back. Do you want me to get a taxi for you?"
"No Kaka.. I go by train.. actually I was waiting for.." she said, and stopped. She closed her eyes. In her absent-mindedness, she had forgotten that ever since matters had gone wrong between Manav and herself, he had stopped coming to pick her up. The last time they had gone home together was one day before the wretched court hearing. After that he had come again, but she had not talked to him and a scene had been created in front of all. And then.. divorce. :-(
She looked up. The old man was still looking at her with interest, his grey eyes softening with understanding. "I should leave now." she said quietly and adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Beta!" the old man called out. "Would you like tea?"
She was surprised. "Tea?"
He indicated the chair kept near his stool. "Till about 15-20 days ago, your husband used to come to pick you up. He used to wait at the gate. So I used to keep this chair with me, sometimes we used to have tea together if the class got extended, cos he came after working hard the whole day. You want tea?"
She had no reason to sit with him, a person whom she knew so little and who in all probability was simply taking pity on her, but somewhere she appreciated the fact that he was trying to make her feel better. She remembered how Manav used to tell her that he just needed someone who could hear him out since he used to sit alone whole day.
She nodded and came quietly near the gate and sat on the chair. The watchman ran and brought two little glasses of tea. She thanked him and they sipped in silence.
"Why do you go home alone?" he asked. "You know this area is not good."
"My people are busy. They all work. Someone cannot come everyday and my other classmates have people to pick them up or they don't use the same route as I do." She said with a small smile.
"Okay." He said. He kept quiet for a short while. "and your.. your.."
????
"Your husband? Why doesn't he come nowadays."
Archana had known this question would be coming. She drew in a deep breath, deciding to tell the truth in one go.
"We are getting divorced." She said quietly.
The old man's eyes widened at first, then he nodded. He kept quiet.
Archana looked at him, expecting more questions. "Won't you ask me who initiated it?"
"I know it," he said quietly. "You must have done it. I.. well.. I saw you and your husband quarelling outside school the other day. He was pulling your arm and asking you to listen, but you weren't willing to listen.. so.."
He fell silent again. Archana looked at him in amazement. "Don't you want to ask me questions? People have been pounding me with them ever since they came to know."
"No, I understand," he said, with a small smile. "Nowadays marriages are not what they used to be earlier. Realities of life affect relationships. And then how much can one tolerate- ultimately one needs to break free.. now I never thought your husband was a bad man.. he looked pretty decent and caring to me, not like someone who would trouble his woman.. but nowadays one cannot go on face value and sweet talks.."
"Its not like that," she said slowly. "He IS a good man, in fact, in some ways he is much better than most men out there," She remembered his kind, caring nature, his selflessness towards his family, his genuine concern for her parents and siblings, his liberal and encouraging attitude towards her, his sensitivity and..
"Then why are you leaving him?" the old watchman's voice interrupted.
Archana lowered her head. "He has made some big mistakes, which can be understood owing to his circumstances in life, but not justified. Nor can they be forgiven."
"Hmm.." he thought. "Can they be overlooked?" Archana looked at him confused. "I mean.. keeping in mind that he is essentially a good man and is honest and committed towards you, can they be erased out from memory and life started afresh?"
"I don't know." She said sadly. "Everyone tells me its not possible anymore, the matter has gone too far and even our families have got involved in the mess. Now even if we decide to come to a positive decision, we might not be able to convince our family members- we might lose them." She said, thinking about Sachin and Savita who were completely against her, since they thought she had broken their home, and Manjusha who hated Manav ever since he had hurt Ajit and tried to put him in jail. "Add to this, I don't know if I myself can forget everything that happened." She said, remembering the night at the brothel and the way Satish and her family had accused her of being a prostitute, how Varun's family had insulted her publicly, and also, Savita's constant abuse of her in front of society. "It needs immense strength to forgive and forget something that shattered your life."
"I understand." He said, nodding his head. "But sometimes, compromising a little, making difficult decisions and hoping for the best is better than a guaranteed lifetime of sorrow- will you be happy without him?"
She could not answer this question. She gazed silently into her tea.
"Can I ask something? Is it necessary for divorced people to stay separately, and never meet each other?"
Archana pondered. "Its not like that." She said. "Meeting becomes inevitable if there are common links in the family, like my husband's best friend is getting married to my sister.." she suddenly stopped.
Vaishali's engagement!!
Would Manav be invited??? Her parents and Manjusha Vahini wouldn't like it! She was getting divorced to him in a few days! But he was Tarun's best friend! How could they NOT invite him? Wouldn't Tarun and his family take offence?
"Hmm.. so that means its better to end things on a cordial note, right?" he asked. Archana nodded, half lost in her own thoughts.
"Seems more natural this way. After living with each other for long, it must be difficult to ignore each other especially if the other is in some sort of trouble. Relations don't break so easily. Anyhow, dy-vorce is a strange business. But gives you peace of mind- better to end things in one stroke and look for a more fulfilling life than compromise and struggle everyday in chains of matrimony, right?"
Archana laughed. "So far it hasn't given me any peace surprisingly. Earlier, my husband used to come here every night cos the area was not safe- he used to say he wouldn't get sleep worrying about me. He used to come even though I told him not to- he would say its his right and his responsibility and I couldn't debate on that. Today, he's in trouble, but everyone advises me to stay away saying its not my business or my responsibility. And sadly, I've lost the right to question. All bcos of this divorce."
"True." The old man said. "But concern is not limited to official documents na?"
She looked at him with sadness. Sometimes strangers understood well, even when our parents, our own people did not, maybe bcos they were not biased towards one party, but gave an objective view of the situation. She thanked him for the tea and got up. "I will escort you till the station today." He said, smiling. Archana smiled back.
*************************
Waghle street seemed just the same as it was when she had last come there. The area was same, the shops were same, the nightlights were same, everything was same. But somehow, everything seemed different.
She knew she should not be roaming on the roads in this manner, she knew that she must go home, but somewhere, she felt sick at heart and did not want to go back with her gloomy look. All the family members would question for sure.
She walked quietly down the streets, looking at Manav's chawl, remembering her nice moments there. The moments brought a smile to her face, but then she remembered how Savita Aai had snatched her mangalsutra and thrown her out of there, calling her characterless and abusing her. She suddenly looked away and started walking, intending to return home. On the way, she passed by the garage.
She stopped to look at it. Manav's garage- she thought. The garage whose inauguration pooja she had never attended, and which later never took place. It had got burnt just when the foundations had been laid, like my marriage, she thought. She analysed it from top to bottom. It looked black from soot, the aluminium shade had been burnt and there was no board.
The shutter of the garage was open. At this hour, she wondered. She knew she ought to go away from there silently, but she couldn't resist the urge to see who it was. She crept a little closer, and peered through the half open door.
The garage was dimly lit with only one bulb. A figure could be seen working. It seemed that he had cleaned the place, since it looked better than a burnt garage should look. He was removing the heavy equipment that had got charred, one by one.
He seemed to be hot, working without a fan in the uncomfortable weather. He had taken off his shirt, and Archana could see him working about, in a black vest over his low waist baggy jeans. In the dim light, his body glowed, enhancing the appeal of his large, strong, muscular arms and his bare glossy chest. The roughness was evident in his stubbled face and the mechanical labour, while the contrasting softness came in his eyes, and the innocence and patience on his face, as he worked inspite of his tiredness, keeping each waste equipment carefully and slowly instead of throwing about.
Archana stood watching quietly, enraptured, not able to move and not able to think, as her husband worked restlessly, unaware of the pair of eyes peeking greedily at him, feeling safe in the veil of darkness. She stirred uncomfortably as she felt herself simmering in a never-before manner, her gaze on that face and those soft eyes, those big protective arms and that glowing chest.. this feeling was not really new, but it was something which she thought had died out even before it could develop properly. For a moment she felt as if she was doing something unethical.. but what the heck.. she was just looking.. and anyway Manav was still her husband.. she told herself.
He stretched out on the chair a little later, drinking water from a bottle. He poured the rest of the water on his face and his head, then he shook his head, sending water droplets in every direction and put his hand in his hair to adjust them. A few drops fell on Archana and she sighed.
He suddenly became aware of someone at the door. He got up with a start. "Who's it?" he said, raising his voice. Archana got scared and tried to walk away quickly. However he was quicker than her. He flung the door open and caught her hand, ending up pulling her close in the process. Imagine his surprise when he saw that it was his own wife who was the peeping tom, who was now quivering against the same chest that she had been admiring a little while back.
"Archana?" he said, suddenly uneasy without his shirt. "Uh.. what are you doing here?" He left her hand.
She too looked uncomfortable. "I'll go." She said and turned away.
"No wait." He said. "come in."
He indicated the garage and she hesitated, not knowing if she had any hold over her feelings- she felt like a boat in a storm without an anchor. But he indicated again and she followed him in. He pulled a box close to the chair, she sat on the chair, nervously making folds of her sari pallu while he wore his shirt.
"Now tell." He said, sitting near her. "Why have you come here?"
"How do you know I've come for some work?"
"If you've come so late, it must be something important."
Oh yes, why had she come there- she wondered. She forgot every reason of wanting to meet him. Right now what was in her mind was her husband's figure working in the darkness in a black vest.
"I came to know about Sachin." She said. "I'm sorry."
His face dropped. "Who told you?"
"Vaishali."
"Hmm.. you don't need to be sorry. This has nothing to do with you."
She waited for him to say something, but when he did not say anything she herself said, "I think I should meet him once and speak to him.. ?? "
"Please stay away from this matter." He said shortly. "That will be more than enough."
"Somewhere I'm responsible.."
"You're not. You weren't even in the house when it all happened. No need to feel guilty unnecessarily."
She didn't know what to say. "Why are you working so late?"
He looked at her. "Vaishali didn't tell THAT?"
Archana shuddered a little. "Actually Vaishali didn't want to leak your family problems to me, she never does that, you can count on her truly."
He nodded. "I have rented the garage to be used as a storehouse/godown. I don't have money for new machinery right now."
Archana understood. "That reminds me.. alimony.."
He spoke in between. "I cannot give you all of it at once. I will support you financially on a monthly basis. Is that okay?"
"No, actually, I wanted to say, I don't want alimony." She said slowly. "You have spent enough on me and my family anyway- my school, Aai's heart attack.."
"That was my duty as a husband to take care of your needs." He said shortly. "That doesn't come under alimony. Alimony is a separate issue."
"But still.."
"Leave it, I will discuss these financial issues with Vinod and your lawyer.."
"But you have financial problems.."
He gave her an angry look. "No need to pity me." He said in a firm voice. "I am not so incapable. I said na, I will sort these matters myself."
She did not say anything. She got up quietly, he got up along with her. "Who escorts you from night school these days?"
She didn't answer.
"No one?"
"I can come on my own. I'm not so incapable." She said in a shaky voice.
He took a deep breath. "Come I will walk you to your home."
"No need to pity me." She said like a parrot, repeating his dialogues. 😆
"Stop being foolish." He said in a stern voice and she fell silent. "Come, lets go."
He walked out of the garage, and she followed him, waiting for him to close the shutters. Quietly they walked together, just like their night walks after marriage almost 4 and a half months ago. She looked at him time and again, trying to read his thoughts, but he was silent. She wanted to tell him that he was the sweetest hypocrite on the planet- who told HER strictly to stay detached and not do anything about his problems but HIMSELF was always ready to help her in any small or big way.
He left her at the lane near her house. She walked away quietly, knowing very well, that he must be looking at her instead of walking away, and she had a sudden urge to catch him doing so. She stopped and pretended to look into her purse for something and caught the reflection of his face in the mirror of a bike parked there. He had a lost expression, a longing look in his eyes, that made her go Aww.. there were no other words to describe that feeling. She looked at him for a while in the mirror, relishing this little hint of his affection for her, unshattered as before, until she finally controlled herself and walked away.
********XXXXXXX********
As always, waiting for your comments and feedback people! Next part will be Rakhii special, along with a separate section- 'Varsha's story'
Keep reading!
Edited by nikitagmc - 14 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
