Part 2:
Thank you guys for sticking around and for your comments and concerns. I am doing better now. Here's the story, more to come soon.
Sanam was grateful that Khushi and her family were around to keep her spirits up. She couldn't get the thought of Bari Ammi out of her head and it depressed her to no small level. Poor Bari Ammi could not use one side of her body since the stroke. She had called Sanam just an hour ago in utter panic, saying she had to leave this house. Sanam could not reveal the marriage, but she promised to visit soon and put her at ease.
Anjali took the chips and dip into the living room.
Sanam watched in awe as Anjali's husband got up again to help her.
Khushi noticed Sanam's impressed look: Yes, cute, aren't they?
Sanam nodded: He always does that?
Khushi: Everytime she enters the room. Without fail.
Sanam was impressed: What a man...
Khushi: I set them up, you know. She was so upset with what happened with Shyam. She and the baby were all alone suddenly. Di worried so much about the child. Of course she had us, but it's not the same. Then, we met Imad. He was immediately taken with her, but she just would not give him a chance! Once bitten and all that, you know. I had to fight Arnav to throw them in each other's path. Laad Governor is overprotective when it comes to Di.
Sanam caught Khushi looking adoringly at her husband, who was incidentally with the Jallad Jihn, also watching the game.
Sanam watched Aahil from back here. Well, he had nice, thick eyelashes, didn't he? Not half-bad when he wasn't in the mood to create a huge issue out of nothing or light something on fire, for example. Actually, he was quite pleasant all evening, no tantrums, no fuss...
He was playing with Imad and Anjali's baby.
Jallad Jihn likes babies? Who knew!?
NK popped in: May I join you ladies for the pajama party? Football is boring.
Khushi: Sure. Nanheji is great fun, Sanam, is it okay if he joins us girls?
Sanam said she had no issues with their cousin joining. He did seem great fun, if a little clumsy and utterly hopeless in Hindi.
The women and NK eventually took their jalebis upstairs while the men enjoyed the game. From the Lucknowi family there was Anjali, Khushi and NK and from the Bhopali family, Sanam herself, Lateef, and Asma. They rest of the party weary folks were fast asleep, having begged their excuses. Sanam wondered why Aahil's sisters weren't as social. They were always keeping to themselves.
The Pajama Party put on a movie Khushi recommended called, Pride and Prejudice and went about gossiping. Khushi told Arnav and her love-hate story and eventually her match-making success story with her sister-in-law.
Sanam smiled and laughed, forgetting her own worldly worries for a little while.
Sanam: It is really sweet to think this kind of love story exists in real life.
Khushi: Of course, it does. And you should know, you landed our notorious bachelor!!! How did that happen? You must tell us!
Sanam was taken aback now: No, it was nothing like that.
Lateef: As if, she and Aahil baba could be world staring contest masters by now. Don't let her fool you. One of them is always looking around the room for the other one.
Sanam: It is nothing like that! We just kind of ended up married due to...extenuating circumstances.
Sanam worried about what to say, as frank and lovely as it was to share with the girls, she was still aware that these were Aahil's cousins. She couldn't bad-mouth him, could she?
Khushi: Hmmm...extenuating circumstances! That's cute! I wonder what that means...(she bit into a juicy jalebi).
NK: I know, Khushiji! Seduction, passion, an elopement! Oh, the drama!
Sanam blushed beet red: No, you have got this all wrong. We hated each other. And I had good reasons to. We, we weren't...
Asma supplied helpfully: In a relationship?
Sanam sighed in relief: Yes, that's right. Here, have some more treats.
She wanted the focus diverted from her. NOW!
Anjali laughed: The only treat here is how you blush at the mention of his name, Sanamji. Aaahil.
Everyone cackled.
Sanam was mortified as she grew warmer, knowing full well that she must be getting more and more red still. Little did they know that the word seduction had sent her in a spin. Suddenly, she couldn't stop thinking of herself and Aahil in the most x-rated of images. Hai Allah, she had a dirty mind! She shouldn't have said "extenuating circumstances." She could never see those words the same way again.
Anjali stopped when Sanam's distress became apparent: Oh everyone, enough teasing poor Sanamji. She's a new bride. It is okay to be shy. But Sanamji, know this, for all of Aahil's bravado, he's a complete mush inside. I have known him from his college days when he and Arnav became friends. (She smiled warmly at Sanam) You are a very lucky girl. No doubt, he is equally blessed.
Sanam swallowed her protest and smiled forcefully.
Aahil sighed heavily: It's...it's just very complicated!
Imad shrugged as he walked around the living room, patting her tiny daughter to sleep: It is not that complicated mate, you love her.
Arnav nodded seriously: The smartest strategy for you now is to admit it to her. You need to lock her in the deal.
Imad smirked: What he said, only in less business terms.
Arnav glared at Imad: Not all of us are naturally charming, brother.
Imad: Yes, tell me about it. (He mimicked Arnav's voice) "Khushi, why would anyone want to have a candlelight dinner by the sea? The breeze will knock out that candle in no time."
Arnav: Well, it is true! Besides, dressing to the nines to sit near wet sand makes no sense.
Imad rolled his eyes.
Aahil anxiously: Will you two stop it? I am freaking out here and all you two can do it make light of the situation.
Arnav put a reassuring hand on Aahil's back: You need to tell her, as soon as possible, no matter what your brain says. I put it off and you know how well that turned out for me. Put her before your ego and don't be afraid of rejection or else you will turn out like Shlok.
Aahil wondered about their poor friend. His wife had just disappeared on him without a trace.
Aahil panicked. He didn't want Sanam to disappear on him!
Aahil: But, what if it is not the right time? I mean, we barely get along. She might not like Rehan, but Rehan still does and he would never forgive me if I moved so fast.
Imad: It is never a right time, Aahil. There is always something out there to hold you back. Sure, Rehan is like a brother to you, but you met her long before he did and she doesn't love him. What harm could it do?
Aahil: For one, she can't stand me. I am 101% sure she will laugh in my face or think I was up to some evil game.
Arnav: I agree with Imad. You must try, Aahil. If she is the one and you are already married to her, half the business is done. If you love her, tell her. I mean, under duress or not, she still married you. How lowly could she think of you?
Aahil groaned and burried his face in his hands: If you knew the things I did to irritate her, you wouldn't say that.
Imad deadpanned: Well, I am sure you didn't drop her from the second floor of an office building.
Arnav snapped: I knew there was cushion below!
Aahil explained: I lit her restaurant on fire. Made her work in this house without pay to pay off her Bari Ammi's medical bills and almost succeeded in making her beg for my mercy on the ground. Made her go into the swimming pool to retrieve my watch when she couldn't swim. And...(he grunted), I might have asked her to make 100 kgs of laddoos from scratch overnight.
A shell-shocked Imad looked from Aahil to Arnav: No wonder you two are friends.
Part 3: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/111629237
Edited by Marybarton - 11 years ago
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
