PR reloaded-FF-Pt 66 Pg 148, 27/4/11 - Page 92

nikitagmc thank u for conveying it. as I was really getting MAD at everything, and seeing MANAV in such a poor state...

@abhilasha: I completely agree with you on this one. The one major grouse that I have against PR- the serial is that all the wrong doers (Ajit, Manju, Rasika) did not get any good punishment. Even Savita, after initial introspection, went back to being selfish and never thought of Manav Archana's happiness. The whole concept of Manav's family being a highly dysfunctional and highly undesirable one was an important aspect when PR was introduced, but it somehow got lost in the whole Shravani pregnancy story. Damodar Baba's alcoholism, Savita's nature, Sachin's irresponsible attitude- nothing were handled. Here in this FF, each of the persons will be shown the mirror. The only problem is that things cannot be rushed.

@Sid:

PART 55

Archana put her hand out of the window to feel the rain drops. They felt so cool and pure. The rain drops jumped in from the window, easing her tired soul. It felt so good.

She looked at the divorce papers in her hand. They had come yesterday from the lawyer's house- an old friend of her Dada. He had gone through the case, and had assured them that it wouldn't be difficult to get the separation done. Yes, he had called it a 'separation', not a 'divorce'. By definition, a marriage was considered a null marriage unless consummation took place, he had quoted. And so, legal formalities would be a cakewalk. 'Separation' would be easy.

Archana smiled sarcastically to herself. Yeah, that was everyone always assumed - that if the marriage was non-consummated then things could still be taken back on track. If it was not, moving on became difficult. If there were kids in the equation, matters took a turn for the worst. Other than that nothing really mattered. Memories or emotions were not really so important- emotions changed with time, or so everyone assumed, and so moving on was considered easy.

As such, it was becoming difficult for her to refuse signing the divorce papers. After all what reason could she give to her parents for not divorcing Manav?

The right answer, which ideally formed the BASE of relationships, somehow turned to be the WEAKEST REASON in this case.- Emotional Attachment. Each and every moment of how he used to bring her back safely from night school, how he always helped her when she grew emotionally weak, how he held her hand whenever she needed support- flashed before her eyes again and again, and made her go weak in the knees. She didn't know if it had been genuine, or was only done to emotionally convince her to return to him- but she somehow could not forget his soft comforting words, his gentle touch, his understanding eyes. Add to that the fact that she respected and loved his family.

And so the Karanjkars, with her Aai taking the lead, had to sit down to explain to her that she would have to get over the emotional baggage of her failed marriage. The divorce was in her best interests- the marriage had been a most unhappy one, full of lies, deceives, and abuse right from the beginning when she had gone to the Deshmukhs, from having all her jewellery taken away, harassed for dowry, taunted at when Manav paid extra attention, slogging all day long, to the events after she had come back to her parents home- abuses by Savita Aai on multiple occasion, false hopes by Manav, physically and legally hurting her relatives (Ajit), and finally, ensuing trouble in the family, and stress to all- several times Manjusha had wanted to separate from the family owing to the tussles between Manav and Ajit, and her arguments with Vaishali on the same.

Hesitantly Archana had tried to point out that Manav had been good in some ways- after all, he had wanted to educate her, and even helped her get a job. But Manjusha had been quick to point out that it could very well have been an attempt to look good in everyone's eyes and gain total trust- a dangling carrot- since Varsha had been suspicious of Manav's motives even before they had been married. What's more- she had voiced her doubts very openly. All this could have been done to look good in the Karanjkars eyes especially cos his Aai had made matters difficult by demanding dowry.

The ultimate blow however had been her Aai's tears- she only wanted a secure future for her child, and Manav was an obstruction in that. She wanted his black shadow out of her daughter's life. And she did not want any more troubles in her family due to him- they had suffered a lot already.

And that was a fact Archana could not refuse. But still, for some reason, she felt very disturbed and sad as she held the papers, thinking whether it was really the right decision for her future. She knew very well that once she signed the papers, she would be expected to keep out of Manav's life and break all bonds with him- not even see his face.

Would she able to bear it? She did not know, and what confused her more was that inspite of her anger at being cheated, she still remembered the 15 day marriage with longing, not spite or hatred. He was wrong, no doubt, and maybe even detrimental to her and her family's future, but he had made her feel happy and contented in those 15 days, even in the midst of all the problems, even when he had been cheating her. He was like the Forbidden Fruit in the legendary tales. And it was not just him, she missed the whole family very badly. Except Savita Aai, everyone had been very good to her. Even today, she remembered every moment in the house..

***flashback***

"I like this!" said Vandita, keeping aside the gift wrapping on the box, as she held the crystal flower vase for everyone to see. It was Archana's third day in the house- and with all the marriage rituals and festivities complete, they had all gone back to their daily life. Today, post dinner, they were all sitting together, opening up the gifts that the couple had got at the wedding.

Savita made a face. "Why do people gift all this useless stuff?" she grumbled. "Now where shall I keep it? It will only gather dust which I shall have to clean. Vandu, pack it back in the SAME box with the SAME wrapping paper.. don't mess with the paper now! Pack it back carefully and keep it in the cupboard- we shall gift it to someone else."

Sachin slapped his Aai on the back. "That's my Aai." Vedant- Vandita laughed. Manav looked sheepish, but felt relaxed when Archana smiled back at him, amused.

"How come we didn't get any envelopes full of money, Aai?" asked Vedant, peering around, as he handed Archana a box of Kangans. "I can't see any envelopes."

Damodar's ears perked up. "I'll tell," he said, drawing his chair closer to the group sitting on the floor. "Your Aai must have kept them away separately somewhere, hai na? Pehle hi din alag kar liya sara paisa!!!"

Savita looked embarrassed while the children shook their heads in understanding. "Haan toh what happened?" she said defensively. "Envelopes would have got lost, erm.. maybe blown away with the wind, so I separated them beforehand. In any case, lots has gone into the wedding, we need money now."

Archana felt uncomfortable. Manav at once spoke up. "Arey Aai, don't worry! I am there na.. I will handle everything.. I will take out some money from the bank tomorrow..I had saved up in advance.."

Archana looked at Manav fondly. It seemed that 'I'm there na.. I'll handle it.. you don't worry' was his favourite line. He had said it to her 4 times in the past three days, and 2 times to other members in front of her. He was always jumping around to take responsibility. 😆

"There speaks the hero." Laughed Sachin. Savita held up a box of chocolates. "Who gifts chocolates in a wedding?" She grumbled.

"Probably someone intelligent." Said Sachin. "Someone who wanted to enjoy the delicious wedding food and not spend a lot on the gift. Must be someone like you Aai."

The children started laughing, hiding their faces. Savita fumed. "Yes, yes, in front of the new DIL, all of you are harassing me. I will see you all!! Karela in lunch tomorrow!!!"

Everyone groaned. Savita's mind was still on chocolates. "Childish gift!!"

"Then give it to the children!" and Damodar handed the box to Vedant. Sachin and Vandita pounced on it too, and passed it around the room. By the time, the box reached Savita again, it was empty.

"Sorry Aai! Wow, these seem like imported chocolates!" said Sachin, trying to sound apologetic.

Savita looked like a displeased child. "Ha ha eat!" she said, pouting. "Ignore your Aai and eat sweets. Anyways, there is Karela for lunch tomorrow. Eat sweets today."

Archana sprang up immediately, offering her own chocolate to Aai. Savita Aai accepted it immediately. "Such a nice DIL" she said, caressing her hair. "And such useless children- off to bed all of you!! Archana, sweep the floor before going to sleep, and keep the gifts in your almirah- there is no room in mine. In any case, they are YOUR gifts."

Damodar shook his head. "Ab yaad aa raha hai." He went away outside quickly. Manav frowned. He knew Baba had gone out for a drink. This meant he would wake up everyone in the middle of the night when he returned.

"What happened?" asked Archana, sweeping the floor.

"Huh?- nothing."

"Don't worry.. I'll wake up when he comes and I'll open the door for him."

"no no.." said Manav horrified. "You wake me up, I will lead him to his room. You.. just stay away."

"Its okay," she said, smiling. "You work way too much. You should have an undisturbed sleep."

Manav smiled. "Speak about yourself." He said. She came and sat down next to him near the diwan as he assembled the gifts. "Archanaji.. umm.. do you want that crystal vase? I know you liked it, I saw your expression."

Archana hesitated at first, then nodded slowly. "Every small gift is precious. That vase has been gifted by a childhood friend. And I want to keep such things around me which keep on reminding us of the wedding day.. what do you think?"

"Very good thought. But why didn't you say in front of Aai that you wanted to keep it- not give it away to someone else?"

Archana kept mum. "Actually.. Aai said so.. and my reason is very frivolous- silly emotions and nothing else."

"My Aai is not so horrid- even though she looks so. If you had said, she wouldn't have refused. She just felt it would be lying around in the house. Archanaji, it is not wrong to speak up when you want something, is it? Especially when it belongs to you? Especially when you know the other person is not concerned- but you have a reason for wanting it? And by the way, I don't think that the reason is frivolous."

"It's a small matter.."

"But you are always like this. How will you stay happy if you keep curbing your little wishes for what everyone thinks?"

Archana nodded. "Hmm.. you are right. I will talk to Aai and keep it with me." She looked shyly into his eyes, smiling with love, very pleased at how he watched out for every little wish of hers. Manav smiled a little and looked away, as if he couldn't bear it- so much admiration.😆

"And what do you want?"

"Huh?"

"You said na- it is not wrong to speak up when you want something? Do you also have any little wish like me?"

Manav felt nervous. Of course- he had lots of wishes, but as of now, he just wanted one thing- give her a nice cosy hug and kiss her on her slender neck. He looked at her beautiful face.

"What?" she asked nervously, looking away from him.

"Um- uh.. Can you do something about the bitter gourd that Aai will be making in lunch tomorrow?" he blurted out.

Archana seemed shocked. She didn't know what to say. "Um.. yeah.. okay.. I'll try and speak to Aai."

Manav felt diffused. "Thanks." He said. Great! He had lost such a good opportunity.. s***.

**********flashback ends***********

She walked to her cupboard to get a pen. As she fumbled about for one, her eyes fell on the jewellery cases kept in one shelf. She reached out for the bottom most one- the case of which was old and of a different type than the other.

She opened it slowly. It was Manav's deceased Aai's necklace. When Manav's Atya had come to return her all her jewellery, she had returned her this as well. Archana had noticed it later only, and felt awkward that even though they were living separately, the Deshmukh family heritage was lying in her room.

She remembered the story behind the necklace that Damodar Baba had told her when she had come to that house- the necklace had been sold by Manav's Aai due to poverty, and later she had passed away. But the fire in Manav to get back his Aai's necklace had only grown stronger. Repeatedly he used to go to the shop to request the owner not to sell it, saved whatever he could (which was very little owing to family needs), and after 22 years, succeeded in buying the necklace back. 22 years he had waited patiently to get back a single ornament!!! She remembered Damodar Baba's words- "This necklace is an essay of Manav's character- his commitment, his selflessness, his love and his feelings. They are unshakeable."

Archana sighed. Despite what the lawyer said, she knew that the divorce case wouldn't be an open and shut one.

Not when Manav Deshmukh was the one fighting from the other side.

************************

Manav barged into the big bleak office at iVolunteer NGO. "Archana!" he said agitatedly as she stood up in shock. "I want to talk to you!"

Archana felt scared and nervous. "Not here Manav, please!" she said, looking around.

Manav tried his best to keep his expressions normal. "Archana what is this?" he said, shaking the divorce papers in front of her, speaking in a worried, low tone. "You even signed them? Do you want to get separated so badly?"

Archana looked down. "Yes."

"You're lying!!!" he said, and then smiled at someone to show that things were okay. "Please come outside, I need to talk."

"Please go Manav!" said Archana worriedly.

"Are things okay people?" Pony said in a small voice, peering from the side. "Everybody is looking at you."

Manav and Archana looked around. People were pretending to be busy in work, but actually staring at them from the corner of their eyes. "You are making things difficult for me Manav!" she said, her face having a painful expression now.

"If she doesn't want to talk, why are you insisting?" came a quiet voice. It was Shravani, with a file in her hand.

Manav lost his temper on seeing her. "You're a good one to talk." he snapped, his tone going louder than he had intended. "You know very well that all this is happening cos of you only!!!"

The office staff were stunned by this revelation. They looked at Shravani, who looked extremely embarassed, going pink. "Mr. Manav Deshmukh, you are destroying the working atmosphere of this office! Please get out before I force the watchman to throw you out. And Archana, I suppose you didn't understand what I meant when I told you on multiple occasions not to bring your personal woes to work."

Archana stood with her head low, deeply embarassed. Manav grunted angrily. Pony came by Archana's side. "Manav please leave." she said quietly. "I'll get her outside, then you can talk to her. Don't create a tamasha here."

"Pakka?"

"Yes."

A few minutes later, Pony brought Archana outside at the back of the NGO building. A garbage fire was burning, and the smoke was enough to make one feel extremely uncomfortable. In all that smoke, she could see Manav pacing about anxiously, coughing. He immediately rushed forward to talk to Archana. "Archana, this is all very fast. Arey, why not sit down and settle this matter?"

"There can be no 'settling' of the matter now." said Archana firmly. "It is better we get it over and done with."

"Are you mad?" he said angrily. "You are acting so cool now, but tomorrow when you come to know about the truth from Varsha once she returns, you will get the shock of your life. Then what will you do? Divorce will ruin everything Archana, it is not a joke- once we get divorced a permanent blot will come up on our relationship even if we unite after that."

Archana gave him a cynical look. "You still have hopes of union?" she said bluntly, shaking a little. Pony held her tightly by the shoulders.

"Yes!! Cos I know Varsha will be back- even if I can't contact her now- and she will side by my story! Shravani is lying Archana, truly. She loved me since a long time, but I never responded. I thought she had moved on, but clearly she hadn't. I have no relations with her. I have never even thought about her in the way that she claims. Archana, at first it was only my Aai, then Sachin who turned against you. Stop your foolishness before my whole family starts HATING you. You have no idea how humiliating this divorce business can turn out for everyone."

Pony, meanwhile, listened to all this with a grave expression.

Archana looked at him fixatedly. "Done? Can I go now?"

Manav straightened his face. "Okay. But about this.." he tore the papers and threw them into the fire. "I'll see you in court." He strode off from there. Archana looked at him walking off with determined steps. She felt sad to see the bandage around his head. She then looked at the papers burning away in the fire, suddenly remembering the holy fire during their marriage. The thought made her insides churn and somehow made her feel guilty. Tears came out of her eyes.

Pony wiped her tears and hugged her. Archana put her head on Pony's plump shoulders and cried some more. "Shh..." said Pony, trying to quieten her down. "Archu, tell me, Shravani came between the two of you na? Tell me the truth!!!"

Archana kept crying. "I don't know who came in between whom." she said. "I first got married to the wrong guy, and now I just can't get away from him. I had wanted at least the divorce to go along peacefully, but I doubt that is going to happen now. Why does it happen with me all the time?"

"Na mera baccha.. na.." said Pony, kissing Archu's hair. "Listen, take an off for today. Go home to your family. Anyways people must be gossiping about the three of you right now. You need to get away from this atmosphere for a while."

Archana quietened down a little. "I can't face Shravani right now..."

Pony was irked. "Let her go to hell!!! Archu, you don't need to go and take permission right now. Straightaway go home. I'll inform her that you went. If she doesn't like it- too bad."

Archana looked into the fire, which had turned the papers black now. "I shouldn't have come back here to work, knowing Shravani was here too. But what to do.. I was getting mad and depressed at home; being here keeps me occupied at least, plus I have my friends.."

"I understand sweety, I love you too," said Pony, putting an arm around her to support her. "Don't pay attention to Manav or Shravani or anyone else. If you want to work here, you will. They can both go to hell. Now come on, wash you face, take your purse and go home. Hey wait, you don't want to go home right? Okay, lets do one thing, lets go out today- just you and me."

Archana gave a tired look. "I don't want to..."

"You might not want it, but you need it. You need to be out of this whole business right now dear, else you'll end up in depression. I'll tell you what- don't go home, don't go back to the office, lets go somewhere else, some place where we can relax a bit. Come na Archu, please." Archana protested weakly. "I'm not saying we go and get mad and crazy, just lets get out of here somewhere where we can sit and talk at least. Is that okay?" Archana nodded. "Thanks Pony." Pony pulled her cheeks. "No worries Archiekins.. come lets get going now, we'll forget the world for a while today."

She helped Archana get to the water filter. While Archana washed her face, Pony went in and got Archana's sling bag and her own purse(so that archu wouldn't have to face the stares of the office folk).

She was about to go when the office girls stopped her. "Hey what's happening there?"

Pony appeared tight lipped. "I don't wanna talk about it." she said, trying to sound very serious. "Sensitive matter. Look I know I'm the biggest gossip monger and the most besharam person here, but please don't gossip about all this yaar. Not this time please."

The office girls got even more interested. "How serious? Divorce?" Pony did not answer. "Oh my God! Whose fault was it? Manav? Archu? It was quite apparent that they were fighting!" Pony kept mum. "Come on Pony, she's our friend too!"

Pony finally opened her mouth. "I'll just say something to all you married women here- ask your husbands never to come to this office for anything. We have a husband stealer here, who first gives job to the love of the man she has the hots for, so that he can come here occasionally, then flirts around with him, inviting him for coffee when he comes to meet his wife, and then finally, breaking the marriage by hook or crook."

The girls were left wide-eyed. "Shravani did all this? The b****!!!!" they said angrily.

Pony nodded. "I don't know who is correct- Manav or Archu- but it is certain that Shravani has a role in all this. Maybe she has said some lies to Archu about herself and Manav, or maybe Manav really was involved with her. Both the ways round, she has done something inethical."

The girls nodded. "Is that why she changed Archu's area of work- she had been appointed her husband's chawl as her work area when she joined, right? Shravani suddenly changed it one day."

Pony pondered. "I hadn't thought about that one. Well whatever may be the case, cover up for me today. I'm taking Archu out." she sped off.

The girls went back to their seats. The other office folk asked them what had happened. "Private matter." they said. "Archu-Manav will handle it. But yeah, that boss of ours needs to be whipped. Home breaker!!"

"I hope she never gets married!!"

"I hope Manav dumps her!!"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" boomed Shravani, as she stood at the office doorway with her father, who was looking very horrified. "Get to work, or I'll complain to the senior authorities about your useless gossip. Chaliye Papa."

The girls got back to their seats. "That's all she can do." one girl hissed. "First she tells tales to Archu, now tell tales to the officials. Messing up everyone's lives. Did you see the look in Manav's eyes? I thought he would kill her. Witch!!!"

She did not know that her words ebbed away in the heart of an elderly father, who had made up his mind to speak to his daughter.

*******************

"Thanks for bringing me out Pony. I really thought I would go mad."

They were sitting in a coffee shop, drinking coffee quietly. Pony held her hand. "Don't worry. Just be firm for a little more time, things will get better. Last time your adversities made you step out of your home, become stronger, independent, right? Maybe all this will make you more strong as a person. If you wish to talk to me about the matter in detail, call me anytime, okay?" Archana nodded.

They got out from the coffee shop. There was a Marathi theatre nearby. "Archana what say..?"

"Please Pony, not now.."

"Oh okay, I'll not force you. But I have to buy tickets for the rest of the group and myself, would you mind..??"

"Oh by all means." said Archana. She waited under a tree while Pony ran to get tickets for the play.

"Come inside and sit. " a voice said. She turned. It was Damodar Baba. He came closer to her. "This is a nice play. Are you going?"

She shook her head. "My friend is going. I'm waiting for her." she said in a small voice. "You seem unwell. Have you been drinking a lot?"

Baba sighed. "What to do beta. Alcohol is my only escape from the unwanted realities of life. My children are suffering so much and I cannot do anything."

Archana felt sad. "This means you must be angry with me."

"I'm not angry, but yes, I just want you to listen to me once, if you have ever respected me in the past."

Archana nodded. Baba started from the beginning and told her about how Manav had been attacked, brought to hospital, seen Varsha, and how he had saved her, but ended up destroying things for herself.

Archana looked skeptical. "Sounds quite filmy and quite complicated, doesn't it? Surprising that nothing came about the 'drug scam' in the papers at all."

Baba sighed. "Archana beta you don't trust me?"

"Baba, I respect you, but I know of your affection for your son, and that it is not difficult for parents to do wrong things for childrens sake. I won't blame you for trying to save his marriage. But where does it leave me?"

"Alright Beta. I won't force you. The situations and web of lies have been ingrained into your conscious and sub-conscious mind so much now that it is difficult to convince you. Just help me in one manner- give me Varsha's contact no."

"I don't have it." said Archana. "She hasn't got a mobile yet. She is not allowed to take personal calls at her workplace. She said she will have to call us from outside. She only called once till now. I hope she will call again soon. Aai gets really worried."

"Hmmm...... then next time when she calls, talk to her in private. Goodbye Archna."

************************

"I'm not liking all this." said Tarun angrily. "Vahini really has crossed limits now."

"She crossed limits a long time ago. She hasn't left any stone unturned in trying to trouble my boy. No one tolerates such insult of the boy's side. Divorce- Bappa Bappa!" mumbled Savita, putting a cup of tea for Tarun. "I wonder how this boy is still patient and in love with her."

"Me too." grumbled Tarun. "Me three." said Sachin who was reading the newspaper.

"Great!" said Manav. "The Karanjkars were already against me, now you people too.."

Tarun made a face. "Please don't compare us with the Karanjkars. They irritate me big time. Manav, we are ganging up against you bcos we feel the matter is going a little too much now. Do you know what happens in a divorce court?"

"no" said Manav. "Tell me." he said with interest.

Tarun looked fed up. "I'm not joking." Manav gave him a smile. "Even I'm not. Tell me what happens in a divorce court. What happens when one person does not sign the papers?"

"Then the other person has to bring up the reason in court as to why he or she wants the divorce. And if the reason is justified, the court grants divorce. That is why I'm warning you- IT CAN GET REALLY DIRTY, MANAV. The can of worms will open up in public now."

"I know." said Manav. "I just want to buy time by prolonging the court hearings, that's it. Till then, maybe I can think of some way to contact Varsha or get the evidence back."

"For that, you need a good strong divorce lawyer. Do you know anyone? Do you have the money?"

Manav shook his head.

"I'll give you one name. And take the money from me."

Manav jumped up. "No more loans." he said. "I'm not taking any more loans till I clear off my existing ones."

"But Manav.."

"Tarun please.. don't worry, I have made arrangements in advance. I know from where the money will come. Don't worry."

"Family savings again?" mumbled Sachin. Manav gave him an angry look. "No, I wont use the family savings now. I have some source of my own."

Tarun tried to ease the matter. "What are you reading with so much interest Sachin?"

"Share market news." he said. "I am in talks with an investor. Lets see what happens."

"Which proposal?"

"Same as last one- which I had presented when both of you left me alone with the investor and ran away to Mahabaleshwar."

"I hope you have made changes to it then." said Manav. "The investor hadn't liked it much last time."

Sachin gave him an angry look. "Last time I failed cos you and Tarun Dada- the one with contacts- did not come, stop finding faults in my proposal to cover up the fact that you had prioritised Archana Vahini then also. You ruined my business, and now I don't know what you are doing with yours."

Manav tried to control his temper. "All is fine where the garage is concerned." he said. "You don't worry. I have been looking into it as well." Sachin gave him an oh- really look. "Tarun Dada, this time, things are going to be very comfortable for me. Within a week, I shall give you the good news."

Such confidence?- Manav and Tarun wondered. Tarun looked at Manav. "You have been working on the garage?"

Manav looked sheepish. "Sort of." He looked down. "I talked to the insurance company. They have finalized the amount- Rs. 2.5 lakh."

"What!!" Tarun almost spat out his tea. Manav put a finger to his lips. "How can you cover damages worth Rs. 8 lakh in just Rs. 2.5 lakh?"

"I know, I can't start the whole garage at one go. I will have to start out with the basics first, and buy more intricate and expensive machines later. Will save money on labour too by clearing the mess myself. I'm also looking for other sources to take money. But the garage must start soon now. I have already started working on it. And I will talk to the bank to give me some more time before I start paying the instalments."

"You should have protested!!"

Manav looked thoughtful. "I did protest, but they gave a lot of arguments about the market, that the garage had just been insured when it burnt down, and pata nahin kya kya. I couldn't understand it all."

"Ha, the market has fallen." Said Tarun thoughtfully. "Same at my company also."

"You're having problems?"

"Not right now. But I may have problems in the coming weeks. Plus I may have to fire some people. That's a bad thing." He caught Manav looking at him. "You've been spending too much time on my personal problems."

"There's nothing like that." Said Tarun casually. "And besides, the same applies to you. Manav, at such a time when you need to focus on your garage, you are getting diverted to this divorce case. I'm really not surprised that Sachin and Aai want you to end the matter by signing the papers. Give Archana an ultimatum, and if she doesn't listen then let her go to hell!"

"My giving her an ultimatum will only ruin things for me."

"How do you tolerate all these people Manav? Sachin, Savita Aai and now Archana? They treat you so shabbily nowadays."

"Tarun, they are family. Problems and differences of opinion keep on cropping up in every family at times. Aai is angry with Archana cos she loves all 4 of us, and feels Archana has hurt us all. It's a mother's anger. And you know Sachin well. He has always been my faithful shadow- its just NOW that he is behaving in this manner- don't know what made him think suddenly that I don't think of family anymore. Regarding Archana, Tarun, she is making a mistake now, but is she completely at fault? Is she doing all this very willingly? No yaar. She has been trapped very badly. I need to help her right now. After all, she is sad and depressed and will be in a much more horrible state if she finds out the truth after divorce. Tarun, if I raise a question of self-respect and all that right now, then I will lose my family. Everyone's happiness is linked here. That's why I'm being a bit patient right now. People may call my family dysfunctional, but at the end of the day, they are all good people. Tomorrow, they will themselves understand where they were wrong."

"And you will wait for that 'tomorrow'?"

"Yup!"

"Well, I hope for your sake that all these people don't end up disappointing you." Manav nodded.

Awesome part ..
Looks like we are going to see girish knock some sense into his daughter .... never got to see it on the show ...

@lunza: Hopefully, but you know how obstinate Madam Shravani is. 🤢

hi mikitagmic u write very nicely.. I really appreciate ur writing..

@abhilasha: Thanks for your frank opinion dear. Actually this is what I myself have been feeling- that most readers must be feeling that the track is dragging, and I just wanted to confirm it, so I asked everyone to give their honest opinions. Even I'm bored of writing the same stuff now, but just wanted to clarify Archana and Manav's point of view- that if Archana is unable to make a decision, WHY she is unable to make it, and if Manav is still tolerating everyone's nonsense, then WHAT is his thought process behind it. I don't want to make any compromises where the introspection is concerned.

Nikki maate. Tussi great go m in class reading and typing an update on my phone. Just need to get home and upload

Awwwsome updt.