A Parud FF: After the storm ( Final chapter posted) - Page 5

Originally posted by: rithureuben

I'm still working on the next update to be posted tomorrow. If I give you a sneak peek at the next part, can you chase away the angry face?

Originally posted by: KhushiParo

Thanks for the update so fast.😊

How can Paro call him when he only told leave him alone and don't want to see her again😕

Rudra can't he even talk to her for a minute? Khadoos 😡 If he talks then he'll understand what she' s thinking, but no this is Rudra.. The khadoos moonchiya.😆

You are So nicely maintaining the characters, liking it. There is a Nice flow to the story.

Hope Paro will be independent and Rudra comes around in future.

Originally posted by: YellowBoots

Nice. Rudra is as usual being thickheaded 😆

Originally posted by: anisa79

Great update, hope the misunderstanding clears up soon! Continue soon!

Chapter 12

A few months passed bringing a lot of changes in Paro's life as she adapted to life with the general and his wife. They treated her like family and she was expected to call them Maasiji and Maasaji. Their 14 year old son was away at boarding school and they loved to have her around to alleivate their own loneliness. He was a nice boy and she speaks to him on the phone once a week.

Geethanjali took her to the NGO where she worked and Paro loved it instantly. She made a lot of friends who laughed and played and made pretty things to sell. They were all women who had their own tragic pasts, pasts that were never discussed. But often she would spot one of them with longing their eyes and she would tell them that Bholenath will give them peace once more. That's the reassurance they needed to look forward and forget their struggles. There were little children around who loved to play with her and listen to her stories. Sometimes the little girls brought their dolls for her to dress up and the boys would come over with bruised knees to be fussed about. They all knew of her fascination for imli and believed the best tasting ones were on the highest branch.

One day she returned home to see her aunt excited about something. "What's going on Maasiji?" she asked Geethanjali, who replied that she planning to have a party for VK Singh's birthday. She gives her a royal blue saree and tells her its from Vicky. Paro was suprised then she was told its a gift for Raksha bandan. Paro remembered her last conversation with him, when he had asked her favorite color. "Maasiji, when he have time to pick it up during his exams?" she asked. Geethanjali confessed that he had told her to get something in blue. But when she saw this saree in the shop window with lovely zardosi work she couldn't resist. Paro knew of Geethanjali's great love for sarees. She loved collecting them, and used any excuse to buy a new one. She had a modest collection now for her own use which she wore when she went to work.

Paro drapped the saree along her shoulder and looked into the closest mirror. She saw a different face staring back at her. A pale woman wearing an oversized kurta of the same color belonging to a man with broad shoulders which always stood between her and danger and long arms which always grabbed her by the wrist. "Another new saree?" VK Singh as he came home from work. "Yes Maasaji. Its a gift from Vicky", Paro replied. The general was pleased to see her smile. She rarely smiles and was always seemed to be waiting patiently, but for what she never told. The only time she seemed happy was when Aman visited bringing news of the Ranavats and treats from her jija. She listened so feverently as if what he said was of crucial importance but her eyes were always tinged with disappointment as if he didn't have enough to say. He knew she had some strange pull towards the haveli in Chandangarh and asked often if wanted to visit. But she always said no and he left to wonder what happened during her stay there.

Paro brought tea for the general when his phone rang. She knew from the look on his face who the caller was and she immediately grasped his rudraksh. He was far away and fighting new enemies by himself. The general and his wife had told her about his former acts of heroism where he never cared about anything other than how well he can serve his country. What if something happens to him? How will bapusa cope? Who will support jija in adopting the baby, Shanti especially when Samrat bhaisa never opposes his mother? Who will keep her safe? Who will be her shield when Tejawat strikes again? Who will be her knight in shinning armour? She had to return his rudraksh back somehow. It would protect him from danger just like her own kept her nightmares away.

Meanwhile at the Ranavat haveli, Samrat comes home earlier than before, his wife rushes to greet him. "Did you go to the police station today? Did they find Shanti's parents?" she asks worried that this may the last day for the baby to sleep in her arms. He said, "No, we must wait for some more time." Everyone was relieved, as Sumer came taking the child piggy back with his sister chased her with a new anklets. Shanti didn't like to wear them though all the women in the house loved to hear the jingle as she kicked her feet. Sumer never wanted his little princess to be burdened by such heavy jewellery. Dilsher and his brother laughed at the antics constantly surrounding the child. Even Mohini and his own son kept their temper at check when she is around. She had brought peace to the home.

Samrat knew the entire family loved the child. Even his mother who didn't like newcomers didn't complain much. He wanted to come home to her for the rest of his life. He loved it when she tried to say bapusa but ended with bapa. His wife always had a glow on her face since she entered their lives. His family was complete. But he knew that hoping to keep something that didn't belong to him was wrong. He knew the pain, he and Maithili were for not having an offspring to call their own. The pain of loosing a child that you begot and raised for awhile would be much worse. He didn't wish that on Shanti's parents. Ever since she was found, he went to the police station every week to see if they had any news. But the police were giving up, they were going to wait another week before surrendering the child to an orphanage. They asked if he wanted to adopt the child. He wanted to say yes but what if his mother says no.

Mohini saw the effect Shanti had on the entire household. This is why she wanted Samrat to have a child of his own. But her son loved his wife so much he would never blame her for her only shortcoming. Will it be so bad for him to adopt Shanti? She brushed the thought aside as he would have spoken about this especially since Maithili loved her so much.

Her thoughts turned to her other son, her favorite. He seemed more responsible, more mature as he handled the baby. He started to pay attention to work more. He went out with his useless friends less. He stopped worrying her with his Jaipur dreams. Maybe she should start searching for his bride. He was the same age as her nephew who almost got married. He was tall, handsome and such a charmer. The rich men of the neighbouring villagers would love to marry off their daughters to him. She can have a wonderful wedding and get a hefty dowry too.

Seeing the glint in Mohini's eyes, her husband looked over curiously. But she shrugged it off. She needed to know who were the eligible girls available before discussing this with him. She knew her husband will be on board. Even Dilsher will support her as he loved her kids as much as he loved his own son. They had settled in quite well. Both men rarely interfered in her running of the house. As long as she is kind to her daughter-in-law, she got along well with Dilsher. Maybe he was never the problem, it was her sister who always wanted to lord over everything. His only fault was marrying that girl over her who thought she was too delicate to do an honest day's work and wanted to be treated like a queen always. And his loosing his leg soon after marriage was punishment enough for him. He too believed her to be reason for his change in fortunes and turned away from her. She agreed with him on this. After all a woman brings fortune to man's life. No matter, she was gone for good. As long as Rudra doesn't marry an ambitious girl, she will be the mistress of the haveli forever. She wondered if she should look for a girl for him next, someone like Maithili who will always bow down to her elders' will, maybe she has a sister. Her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by Dilsher's roaring voice, "Maithili, can you make some kheer for dinner. Rudradev returns tonight victorious from his mission." Maithili and Sunheri rush about to welcome the tired warrior as Mohini feels a twinge of jealousy and wonders when one of her children will make her so proud.