Chapter 1:
Sravani walked home, depressed and frustrated that Savita Aai and Manav were both not saying anything about the fact that Archana was there at the hospital. "How could they do this to me? That Archana. She has to be the one that is removed. And I will have to take it upon myself to do so. No one else in this house seems to even respect my wishes." Her mumbling and muttering continued all the way home.
When she reached the chawl, she found Vandu crying about her Baba and all the chawl ladies consoling her. "Vandu whats wrong? Any more news about Baba?" questioned Sravani, wondering what could have possibly happened in the past 20 minutes.
"Woh. Woh Archana Vahini called and she said that Baba's condition was not good at all. The doctors are saying that he has no hope left if he doesn't wake up in the next twenty four hours. He's slipped into a coma and no one knows whats going to happen" Vandu said, in between her loud sobbing.
Sravani though, rather than looking sorrowful or worried about Baba's health, just looked annoyed. Why? Because Archana had called. She lashed out screaming "That Archana. She's always only the deliverer of bad news. With her aorund, nothing good can ever happen."
Everyone just stared at her dumbfounded, not knowing what was going on in this crazy lady's head. One of the ladies, whom Archana had previously helped, finally got up and grabbed Sravani by the shoulders. "What do you think you are saying? Archana has been the one to always help out. She's the one that does everything she can to help Manav, you, Aai, Baba, everyone. And still you sit here and blame her? She left her husband and a family that loves her, so that YOU can get married to them. Chi. What a girl" she said, turning away from Sravani and heading back to Vandita.
All the other ladies agreed. Sravani was in tears as she headed home, not understanding what was going on with everyone, why everyone was screaming at her. She went straight to her room and fell on teh bed crying, cursing Archana for ever even existing.
******************************
Back at the hospital, matters were worse than ever. The doctor had come out and told Manav, Savita Aai, and Archana that there was a very little chance that Baba would even survive. If and only if he came out of coma would the doctors have any hope that he would stay alive.
The next twenty four hours were to be a test for the Deshmukh family. Vandu had come to the hospital too, and stayed with her family. Archana had stayed also, keeping a night long vigil of Baba with Manav. Sravani however, had not even bothered to enter the hospital once, after the embarrassing situation she had faced the previous day. Instead, she had chosen to go to her father's home, and complain to him about her situation. Girish was aghast at how his daughter was slapped by the Deshmukhs. He decided he had to do something, and he would. Very soon.
At the 23rd hour of Baba's coma, the nurse in waiting saw his hand slightly shaking, and she had quickly rushed outside to inform the doctor. Archana and Manav were overcome with happiness and Savita Aai had tears streaming down her eyes.
"Aai. You're still crying?" said Archana softly, wiping Savita Aai's tears. "Baba is starting to come out of coma, and there's a chance for him. I'm sure he doesn't want to wake up to see his wife crying. Kyun?" smiled Archana softly. Savita Aai couldn't help but return the smile, as she softly placed a kiss on Archana's forehead. How wrong she had been about this girl! She had been more than a daughter-in-law to her in the past, and in the last twenty four hours, Archana had proved that she was more of a daughter to the Deshmukhs than anything else, the way she was caring for them and showing them her love.
When Savita Aai and Vandita had gone to see Baba, Manav had stayed back to talk with the doctor, asking him for any updates.
"Yes. Mr. Deshmukh. He's fine now, but we have to keep him under observation for at least one more day. You have to make sure he stops drinking though, as it is not only causing problems for his liver, but will eventually lead to heart disease. But as of now, because he's out of coma, he should be fine" said the doctor, assuring Manav that nothing has happened to Baba, that he will stay alive.
"Thank you Doctor Saab. Thank you so much" responded Manav, a huge smile on his face as the doctor turned to leave. "Did you hear that Archana? The doctor said Baba will be fine. He'll be fine!" exclaimed Manav, looking over at his ex-wife, who had a small reassuring smile on her face.
Rushing over to her, Manav pulled Archana into a tight hug, conveying to her how happy he was, and completely forgetting that she wasn't his wife anymore, only his ex-wife. Archana was shell-shocked, "M..Manav" she started saying. However, soon enough, her love for her husband had taken over her, and she raised her hands to hug him back, softly placing them around him, and settled her head comfortably on his shoulder. Oh! How I wish we could stay like this forever! Archana and Manav thought to herself. The two just tightened their embrace, having it go from just the simple friendly gesture it started out as to something more, much more, which conveyed how much they loved one another. How they longed to be together forever!
"See! This Archana! I hate her. She's out to ruin my relationship with Manav!" screamed Sravani [aka The Witch] as she dragged her father by the hand into the hospital. "Just because I'm not here, she thinks she can do whatever she wants with Manav."
Manav and Archana jumped away from each other, quickly realizing what they were doing. Savita Aai and Vandu too cam rushing out hearing Sravani screaming. Girish however, had fury raging on his face. "Manav. I have to talk to you. Now" he said, before turning away.
Manav glanced over at Archana, who had her face lowered from embarrassment and tears silently flowing down her cheeks. Then he looked over at Aai, who slowly nodded her head, and Manav, sighing, turned away and said "Han. Let's go home Girishji. We can talk there."
Savita Aai and Vandita followed Manav and Girish out of the hospital, but not before telling Archana to stay there until they returned. Sravani looked back at Archana, giving her a triumphant smile, before turned her head away arrogantly and following everyone else back to the chawl.
***************************
The house was completely silent. Girish and Sravani were sitting on the little sofa bed while Savita Aai and Vandu were standing in the background. Manav was sitting in the chair opposite Girish, twiddling his fingers. The tension in that room was so heavy, and no one knew where to start. Finally, Girish broke the silence. "Manav. I want you and Sravani married Sunday."
Everyone stared at him shocked. "Su..Sunday?" they questioned, a confused look on their faces. Sravani was the only one that was sitting, smiling. "But isn't that really soon? There's no time for any preparations" said Savita Aai.
"I don't care about preparations. I want to get married to Manav. And that's that. I don't care about having a big wedding. Manav will be my husband and my baby's father." Sravani interrupted, rather rudely.
Girish sat expressionless, boring his eyes into that of Manav's who just didn't know what to say. "Couldn't we postpone it until Baba gets better?" asked Vandu softly, looking nervously from both Girish and Sravani.
However, this pregnant lady grew maniacal. "NO! If we wait for Baba to get better, then Archana will find some way to come back into Manav's life. I'm not going to allow for this to happen" she said, as she got up and walked to Vandita. She was definitely going crazy though, and that's what everyone could tell as they looked at her. Sravani slowly walked to Vandita, held her by the shoulders, and started screaming "You're just a daughter of this house. You're married now and can't deal with your own problems. So don't come in between Manav and me."
Everyone's eyes grew wide and Vandu started crying uncontrollably as Sravani continued taunting her future sister-in-law.
"Sravani!!!" someone screamed, and turned her around to slap her across her face.
Precap: Guess who?!
*******************************************
Hi Everyone! First of all, thanks a lot to everyone who read and commented and told me to continue! I really do appreciate all your comments and I definitely had fun reading them :) This story will be very short, just a few chapters, because I'm not like the CVs who enjoy dragging everything 😆
Haha, just kidding, but mainly because this will just take place over the course of a few days and I want Manav and Archana together ASAP.
Please do read and comment :) Hope you enjoyed this part!
Thanks!
~Naina
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Bigg Boss 19
Real Estate
