Chapter 34: Trusting the Unexpected
July 13th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 6:00 p.m.
Purvi's Mehndi
Archana: Arre! Purvi! Tum kahan kho gayi ho?
Purvi: Nowhere… aai.
Archana: Oh, Purvi? What's wrong? You seem lost.
Purvi: I don't know. I guess it's just that everything's happening so fast, and I'll be leaving here the day after tomorrow—
Archana: Oh, Purvi. I know that you're feeling skeptical, but honey, this day was going to come.
Purvi: I know it was. But Aai, leaving India altogether—
Archana: Purvi, you'll get to go to London! And the even better thing is, when Kunjal goes back, you won't have to go far to see her!
Purvi: Aai, that wasn't my point. I don't think I'm ready for all of this.
Archana: Purvi… what do you mean?
Purvi: Aai, I know you've known Ranvir's family your whole life, but don't you think that leaving the country right after marriage is a bit too much?
Archana: I guess.
Purvi: Well, I've asked Ranvir to reconsider that. If not a couple months, then a couple weeks. I don't want to have to feel so rushed.
Archana: If it helps, I'll talk to his parents?
Purvi: No, Aai. I'm fine. Just promise me that after I leave you'll take care of yourself?
Archana: *trying not to cry* Don't start this now. Not yet anyways. Let's focus on something else—like your mehndi! Watch, I bet you it will be super dark! It'll last for weeks! Hain na?
Purvi: Right.
Archana: Come on! Try and be happy na!
Purvi: I am happy! Just, can I have a little time alone? Everything's too hectic around here with all the wedding preparations.
Archana: Of course, Purvi. Anything for you. *walks out of the room*
______
-Arjun: I like how no one noticed that I was standing there watching everything. Purvi, you're not fine. Especially after what… uh happened last night, I definitely know you're not fine. With everything going on at once—the whole Soham/Seher fiasco, your unclear marriage to Ranvir—you can't keep hiding. No one else seems to notice the horror on your face. They all think you're happy. But you're not.
I just want to help.
I don't have much time either.
_____
*half an hour later*
Arjun: Purvi, all I want is to help you. Why won't you understand—
Purvi: Arjun, you very well know that it's risky! Not just for me, but for you and for Kunjal and Seher too!
Arjun: Purvi, I'm so close, yet so far! If you would just tell me what happened, I could—
Purvi: I don't need you risking yourself to get me out of this mess Arjun!
Arjun: Purvi, try and understand. I'm doing this because I want to. I'm doing this for you.
Purvi: But why!? Why can't you just—
Arjun: Purvi, I'm willing to risk all of this just to make sure that you're okay. After everything you've told ma and everything I've figured out—
Purvi: Figured out?
Arjun: I'm the one who found Seher, remember?
Purvi: Right. Arjun, listen—
Arjun: I don't care anymore, Purvi. I don't. This is the last opportunity I have to help you and I'm not leaving until you take advantage of things.
Purvi: I don't have the courage like you! Arjun, you very well know that I'm not fit to do this! *starts silently crying*
Arjun: Purvi, *takes deep breath* that's why I'm here to help.
*long silence*
Purvi: *still silently crying* What do you need?
Arjun: For you to tell me.
Purvi: Fine. Where do you want me to start?
Arjun: The beginning.
____
Arjun: Purvi, that's all I needed. Now, I just need you to stop crying. Everything will be fine. You—you pulled through for me, and now I'll pull through for you.
Purvi: Arjun, but be careful! And please—swear to God—that you won't tell anyone.
Arjun: I swear on you that I won't tell anyone. Is that good?
Purvi: Mhm.
Arjun: For God's sake Purvi! Stop crying!
Purvi: I can't! I'm so worried and confused and tomorrow's the wedding—
Arjun: No! Tomorrow, there won't be any wedding remember?
Purvi: But what if something happens? What if something happens to you? What if—
Arjun: Enough what if's. The wedding won't happen.
Purvi: A—Arjun. What about his parents?
Arjun: What about his parents?
Purvi: Their threats to me?
Arjun: Don't worry about them. I'll find a way to deal with them tomorrow. Just go out there, and look as if nothing happened. Leave everything to me. *gets up to leave*
Purvi: Wait! *grabs Arjun's wrist, then slowly lets go* You'll be careful, na?
Arjun: Haan Purvi. Stop crying and stop worrying. Please.
Purvi: It's just—
Arjun: Nothing, Purvi. It's nothing. You trust me, na?
-Purvi: It never felt so good before to agree to something. Even if I wasn't sure if it was true. After everything that's happened in my life, after everyone I've tried to trust, would this be easy?
Purvi: Haan. I do.
*******
July 14th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 7:30 p.m.
Sangeet Ceremony
-Arjun: Oh how I love my advantages over everyone else. Really, it is rather amazing. I mean now that I know everything, I can try.
No, I'm not just trying. I'm doing this.
This wedding won't happen.
I 'll be sure of that.
Arjun:*walking up to Ranvir* You must be having loads of fun, huh?
Ranvir: Don't act like you know everything.
Arjun: Hmmm. What do you mean everything?
Ranvir: Don't play stupid.
Arjun: I'm not. But anyways, you seem a bit ticked off. Shouldn't you be excited? You're getting married to Purvi tomorrow evening. And even right now, it's your sangeet ceremony. Where's the happiness? The excitement?
Ranvir: Just shut up.
Arjun: Alright, I will. You enjoy your sangeet, okay Mr. Rawat? Be sure and keep tabs for me. I have some important work to do. Bye now. *sly smile then walks away*
-Arjun: Don't worry Mr. Rawat. I'll be making sure that you have fun. Now where's my phone….?
______
Soham goes up to Purvi and tells her congrats on marriage. Purvi hugs Soham *finally!*
Kunjal: *walking up to Soham* Arre yaar! Enough of this nonsense! You've been moping over Purvi not talking to you for what? 4 months?
Soham: *sigh*
Kunjal: This isn't like you! Look. You're younger sister is getting married, so you should—
Soham: So!
Kunjal: Hey, sorry, but don't snap at me. I'll admit that Purvi ignoring you is a little childish, but now she's leaving for good and you're sitting like a bump on a log?
Soham: Look, leave me alone. Don't play Ms. Psychiatrist with me.
Kunjal: Look, if you want to see something that was once your sister, you have to take the upper hand. Soham, be her big brother and go talk to her.
Soham: What exactly am I supposed to say, huh? *starts mumbling*
Kunjal: Hey! Look, I want you to get up, march over there, and tell Purvi what's on your heart. Not your mind, but your heart.
Soham: And if this doesn't work?
Kunjal: Well then you can go back to moping.
Soham: And if it does?
Kunjal: Then I—uh I mean Tej and I expect to see the annoying you again. Now go! *smiles*
Soham: *sarcastically* Thanks. *looks at Kunjal, then gets up to go*
_____
Some Random Guest: Congrats, Purvi!
Purvi: Uhm, thank you Mrs. Deshpande.
Another Random Guest: It's been so long that I've known you and now you're leaving!
Purvi: Thanks—
Soham: Excuse me? When you uh—have the time, Purvi.
Purvi: *puts a hand to his face* Thanks, uhm….
Random Guest: Ms. Kavya. You can talk to your brother now honey. Chalo na, Mrs. Deshpande.
Guest: Of course.
Purvi: *slowly turns towards Soham*
Soham: Uhm, I don't know how to start, but uh—well… I'm going to miss you.
Purvi: *looks up suddenly*
Soham: I mean, to think, you were my little sister, and then everything happened and then you don't talk to me for 4 months no matter how hard I try and now… well you've grown up and you're leaving me.
Purvi: *shaky voice* D—da—dada—
Soham: Purvi, this isn't the time to uh… start crying. I'm uh—terrible with words anyways and—
Purvi: *laughing through her tears* It's not me who's crying it's you!
Soham: Oops. *laughs back*
Purvi: *hugs Soham* I'll miss you too, Dada.
Soham: Purvi, I'm sorry.
Purvi: It's okay….
Soham: Mmm.
Purvi: *breaks away from the hug slowly* Okay. We should stop this crying nonsense now, huh?
Soham: Well, I only have one more night with my little sister. I might as well spend it the right way. *laughs as he walks off with Purvi*
******
July 15th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 10:00 a.m.
Morning of the Wedding
Arjun's Thoughts:
No one saw anything.
Really, no one heard anything.
No one will believe anything.
Everyone thought a wedding was happening this evening. But what they don't know is—well I'll save that for later.
But the only thing in the way now? The treats. The parents.
It took hours.
But it also took months.
It took determination.
But it also took strength.
As a friend, I had two choices.
And I wasn't that kind of friend that was ready to give up.
It took hours of thinking in the solid confinements of that room. And it also took a phone call to my dad.
But I've made my decision.
I wasn't letting my "friend" down.
*****
No Precap!
Things to Think About:
-What is going on!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?????????? 😲
Is Purvi going to get married or not? 😭
What happened with Ranvir in the past that is causing him to be this way right now?
What did Arjun mean?
What did Purvi mean? 😵
What does this all mean!? 🤪
Well, I PROMISE you guys that I'll be telling you guys everything behind this whole Purvi-Ranvir-Kunjal-Seher-Arjun thing in the NEXT update! ⭐️
THE BIG CHAPTER COUNTDOWN: THE NEXT ONE'S IT! 😃🥳
Love,
Esha 🤗
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
