Chapter 22b: The Truth about Love
April 25th, 2012: Karanjkar Chawl, 10:35 p.m.
Purvi: Aai! I'm home!
Archana: Haan Purvi. Kahan thi tum?
Purvi: Hold on, Aai. First tell me where Soham Dada and Kunjal are.
Archana: Oh, I forgot to tell you. See, Kunjal had gotten sick apparently and they came home. Soham told me to tell you that they left and then he fell asleep too. I'm sorry. How'd you get home though beta?
Purvi: Woh, Aai... long story short, Sir dropped me off.
Archana: Your boss? But you were out eating na?
Purvi: Haan. He was there too... bohot ajeeb sitauation tha. Oh well.
Archana: Uh huh... Wait, didn't you say earlier that he was at the market too?
Purvi: Mhm.
Archana: Hmmm...
I went to my room to freshen up. Indeed there was Kunjal, sleeping, wrapped in a thousand blankets. I walked back outside. I didn't feel very sleepy. I sat next to Aai on the couch, and saw that the whole time she had been going through an old album. I've seen the pictures in it a thousand times; Aai probably has seen it even more than that. It didn't bother me. In fact, Purvi this is a great time. Let's get the show on the road.
Purvi: Aai?
Archana: Hmmm?
Purvi: Tujhko Baba ki yaad aa rahi hain?
Archana: Mujko in ka yaar har din aati hain. I just felt like looking at pictures again. You remember this one-
Purvi: Haan, Aai. That's Soham Dada's 3rd birthday, where he got cake all over Baba. *smiles*
Archana: Sorry.
Purvi: No! Its okay! Actually, Aai, I've always been so curious. That day was terrible.
Archana: Except for when I found you after that.
Purvi: Haan, Aai. *smiles* Did you ever have trouble looking at these pictures? Or are you just used to it after 21 years?
Archana: I'm still not used to it. I just have learned that tears aren't doing to bring your Baba back.
Purvi: Aai, after everything, you still think he'll come back?
Archana: Yes. I do. I want him to come back, and realize that it wasn't my fault. That those decisions I made then were stupid, and it's not all his fault, but not all mine either.
Purvi: Of course it wasn't, but Aai, it's been 21 years-
Archana: If God wills, then he'll come back.
Purvi: *smiles* That's what I wanted to hear.
Archana: *whispers* Purvi, you wish that you could meet him? Have him in your life too?
Purvi: Haan Aai. But see, in my case, I've already been blessed with a mom. Now I'll be lucky if I get a dad. And honestly, I think that if it happens, it should be for you.
Archana: *closes album* Thank you. A lot Purvi.
Purvi: Aai, why are you thanking me. I'm just telling you what I think.
Archana: *smiles* Now, are you going to stay awake with me, or are you going to go to sleep- preferably in Seher's room so you don't fall sick...
Purvi: What do you think the answer to that question is Aai? *smiles*
Archana: Wanna make chai? I'll go get blankets! *smiles* We can watch old movies...
Purvi: *smiles* Okay!
And it was then that my heart soared. Aai still believed that Baba should come back. She wanted him back. And now, we were even a step closer. Step closer for my Aai's happiness. Oh, let's nit mention that I get to watch my old favorite movies now. This day was pretty... amazing.
****
April 25th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 11:30 p.m.
Manav: Arjun? Tum yahan? Inte raat ko?
Arjun: Uncle, there was nothing going on at home. I got bored.
Manav: Haan... Sachin's showering. He'll be out soon...
Arjun: Okay... actually, Uncle... I came to see you.
Manav: Me?
Arjun: Haan. Kye hain na, I'm still wondering on about the whole market incident. Woh kaun thi?
Manav: *sudden change in mood* No one.
Arjun: Uncle... please. I know you know, otherwise you wouldn't hide things from me.
Manav: Bohot smart ho tum. Getting answer out of everyone. Just like your dad.
Arjun: Mein uske hi beta hoon na? *smiles*
Manav: *smiles* Arjun, I wouldn't be able to tell the kids this. Most probably because they're my kids...
Arjun: Go on...
Manav: That woman... I'm almost 100% sure that it was her.
Arjun: Her... who?
Manav: Your... uh... um... Aunty.
Arjun: Oh. For sure though?
Manav: Haan- wait. Why are you asking me all this?
Arjun: Because, uncle. I worry about you, you know? You seemed lost... worried... shocked... happy... sad... broken... all at the same time back there. I was wondering why. I mean now I know that you're positive it was Aunty, but still. Why? I mean... you know.
Manav: You know a lot has happened.
Arjun: *sits up straight* Y- yeah...
Manav: Well, first off it was a weird place to meet her. Second off, it's like I stopped functioning. I didn't kniw what to say, what to do. I couldn't move. If that keeps happening every time I see her-
Arjun: *shocked* You've seen her before that?
Manav: Twice. Both on coincidence like today. If it keeps happening, I don't ever think I'll be able to work up the courage to say anything to her.
Arjun: But... you want to... right? Talk to her?
Manav: Yes. I at least want to let her know that I was wrong. I'll never forgive myself if I never do.
Arjun: Don't do that. I guess uncle, I'll wait for Sach-
Manav: Oh ho. Not so fast... You played 20 questions with me. Now it's my turn.
Arjun: What did I do?
Manav: Nothing much... but who was that girl you were with at the market, huh?
Arjun: What do you mean?
Manav: Market mein kitne ladki ke saath ghoom te ho?
Arjun: I wasn't with anyone! At least not in that way!
Manav: It sure didn't seem like it...
Arjun: *embarrassed* Uncle! No! It's not like that at all!
Manav: So what? Do you hate her?
Arjun: I mean, I have nothing against her but I don't... like her... in that way- Uncle she's my secretary!
Manav: Clam down! I was just pulling your leg. You can go now.
Arjun: *breathes out and walks away*
Manav: Liar. *walks off*
Arjun: *stops* What!?
****
April 26th, 2012: Kirloskar 8:30 a.m.
Riya: Nikhil? Have you seen Arjun?
Nikhil: No why?
Riya: Well, he wasn't here when we got home last night, and I never heard him cone in either.
Nikhil: Uhm... I think he came in around 1. That's when I called, so...
Riya: One? What was he doing out til one?
Nikhil: I don't know. He seemed fine when he got back... happy rather.
Riya: He's been acting weird lately.
Nikhil: *looks up* What do you mean?
Riya: I mean, ever since we got back from the conference... well he's been acting weird. And it got even weirder recently.
Nikhil: He seems fine to me. You might just be overthinking things, Riya. Why don't you eat breakfast and then go off to work?
Riya: Okay... But, Nikhil. I seriously think he's hiding something.
Nikhil: *drops spoon, scared* What do you mean?
Riya: I- nevernind. Just... nevermind. *gets up*
Nikhil: Hey! Breakfast to khalo! Well, I guess there's more for me. *takes her food*
****
Sorry for the rather short update... but it is part 2. :)
Now, that Arvi know more information about what exactly Arman want, they're a step closer to finding ways to get them together. In the process... what's gonna happen?
Riya has been seriously suspecting Arjun lately? Why do you think so?
Precap: Arvi, Kunjal and Nikhil's game plan; someone outside the Karanjkar home; Sid looking for Purbi at another law office.
Thanks guys!
-Esha
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