OS - Baat Ek Raati Ki... Part 5 Page 109 Nov 24 - Page 81

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Suvika. thumbnail
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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: Vidishaa

baat raat ki...raat ki baat...

May Tirupathi Timappa reform She devil and remove the L in Devil🤣



Life is all about balance Vidi...

Tirumala Timappa firmly believes there are way too many Devis in this world. So he says the L should remain in order to restore the balance. 😉😆
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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: moushu

Suvika

Have come to the forum after a long time. It was a delight to read this story, when i began it felt like what more can you add to that incident, but i have to say it was real surprise to read it. I love the way both of you collaborated on this OS. Congrats to both of you.
ishani



Hi Ishani...🤗

Thank you so much...Was wondering where you were!! Glad you caught up with the OS. I never enjoyed co-writing so much. So all thanks to Aarti. 😃
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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: mudraswathi



you mean, after reformation shoud she write, baat din ki... ek din ki baat???😳

zara socho vidi ... what you are asking for...😉🤣



🤣 Wohi toh..
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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: Anjani9

Love the conversation of AshNi on the bench...when you are angry on a person and it that person gives you chance to shout fully on him...your anger will disappear and you can start the relation fresh...

Yes. And that conversation was written by both of us. Hers by me and his by Aarti. Thoughts by both of us. 😃
I think that is what happened here...not just this conversation but all the conversations between Baba and Nidhi, Baba and CV, CV and Ashutosh, though the conversation not covered here...

That conversation I think my readers can envision. In my training, i am sure your imagination skills have improved by leaps and bounds. 😉😆
That is the best they can do and once all the anger is out and they are slowly coming to the normal mode..😊
Ashu trying best with his messages, caring for her, observing her dress, complimenting her...am trying to assume what he will do next and what will her friends do next...😛

What are your assumptions?? You should have shared them too 😆
So Armaan is again of help to Ashu by giving tips how to get that smile back on Nidhi...
Now they are going to meet outside campus? or the relation will continue on phone?

You will know the answer in a few minutes.
CV and DB are aware of Ashu being in the same campus...are you planning visit of CV and DB to campus? or Anji?

No
so no one from Lucknow is around to give their story and enough feed for her friends now...👏

Yes 😆
Ashu does not take class for Nidhi's batch? not related topics? love to see a scene of Ashu taking class for Nidhi's batch and her friends commenting on Ashu...

No. Psychiatry and Neurosurgery... subjects generally don't overlap unless it is a special case and even then both the doctors consult and decide. Like in the second chapter of this OS. I checked. No chance of him teaching her. 😛

Good Girl Anjani... and thank you. 😆

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: babita68

Loved the update Suvi di 😃 Ashu got Nidhi's anger and faced her like he never thought of. He has spoken his feelings for her, his guilt and Mallika. I liked him being sorry and asking for her as lover and wife in his life. He knows this is not easy and has explained her doubts for Mallika. This was for the stunned Nidhi. She is scared? why ? For him thinking of she giving him divorce??

No Babita... she is scared of trusting him again. Of going back into his life again. She already got hurt once. So giving a second chance is not easy.

Wow! So Ashu is wooing Nidhi, love never stops trying it's best. 😉❤️
The whatsapp messages have done wonder not only for Nidhi but for Ashu too. I just loved them chatting. Cute emoticons. Now the talks have become more casual -- have they again fallen for each other?? Hoping so 😳😉

Well yeah... they are still falling for each other. Poora fallen stage will come in part 5. 😉😆

Cutest thing is " from now onwards" Nidhi will be calling him Ashutosh!!! Beautiful and full of love.❤️
Now as the news is given to her by Ashu and the results are out, I hope they both will meet near the notice board. In no minute. 😃

For what?? 😛😆

And the juicy news is -- student and Prof. in love, or the couple meeting after a long time. will be waiting to see the reactions of Shobha di, Mudra di, and Vidi 😆

They are the Terrific Trio. Their active minds will not let them rest 😆

I loved the add ons from the forum. I'm a witness to such things for the first time. 😳😃
Carry on di, loving the OS 👍🏼

Thank you so much Babita. 🤗

sorry i'm late, had exams tough time. 🤓 bt before the next part. 😃

No apology please. Just read and enjoy. Thats it. The rest all can wait.

🤗

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: Vidishaa

Vidishaa...please understand...what will happen if L is removed is my Question...😛


L chala jayega toh devil "Devi" bann jayegi.. hume bahut saare OS FF degi..woh bhi with frequent updates and zero nautanki😉


High hopes Vidi..😆

Devi also means super soft and super cute updates with no bumpy rides or disclaimers with a perfect Devta like Ashu and Devi like Nidhi.

You sure you want something like that from me?? 😈
Suvika. thumbnail
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Posted: 10 years ago
OK... looks like Aarti is held up on the home front. Posting the chapter in two minutes.

But before that I would like to add something.


We (Aarti and I) would like to thank all our readers, silent and verbal, for their support and encouragement of this OS through their like clicks and comments. Means a lot to us. This OS was meant to be a single part but glad it got extended to Five parts. We got a chance to co-write. An opportunity that both of us enjoyed thoroughly. And in the process, hope we entertained you too.

So a big heartfelt thanks from both of us to all of you.

Veni-Vidi-Vici thumbnail
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Posted: 10 years ago
Donno why i am getting a sense of foreboding😭
Veni-Vidi-Vici thumbnail
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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: Suvika.



Life is all about balance Vidi...

Tirumala Timappa firmly believes there are way too many Devis in this world. So he says the L should remain in order to restore the balance. 😉😆


True...

waise main bhi devi nahi banna chahati...I want to remain the mawaali of the forum...or as Uma put it- "outlaw"😆
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Posted: 10 years ago


Part Five

Nidhi searched the corridors of the first and second floors. They were between classes and that was usually the time when she crossed paths with Ashutosh. Finally spotting him coming out of the PG first year class, she waved and started calling, "Ash.." before biting her tongue hastily and switching to, "Sir! One second please!"

She dodged the students streaming out of the classrooms and made a beeline for Ashutosh who had stopped in his tracks the second he heard her Ash..sir. He turned and smiled as he saw her bounding towards him, face alight with joy. "Saw your result I see. Congratulations."

"Thank you," and she scowled. "You scared me with that remark about schizophrenia paper. I thought I flunked."

"I would've reassured you but you never gave me the chance."

"Yeah..guess so." She bit her lip not knowing what else to say.

Ashutosh inhaled deeply and plunged. "Good scores deserve a treat, don't you think?"

"Huh?" Her startled eyes looked into his hopeful ones. "Treat?" He nodded. "Yeah, sure."

His obvious joy sent excitement spiralling down her spine. Had he been like this while they had been staying together as husband and wife? No. So what was different now? He had taken her for granted then, she realized with sudden clarity. And he must know it now. Past can't be undone no matter how much either of them wished. But he was trying his level best to show that he has changed. Warmth seeped through her veins, hope lighting its path.

"Where do you want the treat and when?"

Ashutosh didn't have to think hard. "Today is December 31st. Will you..will you welcome the New year with me Nidhi?" Try as he might, he couldn't suppress the quiver in his voice.

"Where?" her question popped out before she gave herself time to think.

"Anywhere. You choose." His words stumbled over each other in his haste to get them out. "I'm pretty much new to the city so..uh..your choice."

"OK. Juhu. Tonight. 8?"

He wanted to whoop and thump his fists in the air. "I'll pick you up?"

"No. I'll meet you there. Will message you the landmark."

With a small wave, both of them parted ways. Neither noticed Dr Sharma who was standing on the other side of the door with a faintly disapproving expression on his face or the loitering students exchanging knowing looks. The message from the group had been right on the mark.

****

"Amma, I was thinking..why not invite Nidhi for dinner? It's New Years and she is in the hostel.." Armaan said taking out his phone.

"No."

"But amma.."

"I know what you will do. You will invite Ashutosh too and Nidhi will end up feeling cornered. She will think we're forcing them back together."

"Oh come on now, she is talking to him. It's not as if.."

"Then let her talk and decide on her own. I'm not an idiot. I've spoken to her last week and I understood that she hasn't come to any conclusion. And until then we will NOT interfere. You get that Armaan?"

Armaan sighed and relented. Maybe his mom was right. Just then his phone pinged with Ashutosh's message. He quickly read and grinned. "Lage raho meri jaan! Lage raho!"

****

Ashutosh and Nidhi met at the entrance of one of the restaurants that faced the beach. It being a New Year's Eve had the place packed, noisy and crowded. But neither seemed to mind as they made their way to their table where they thoroughly enjoyed the tasty buffet dinner before going towards the beach. They experimented on various dishes and found a mutual liking for Mexican food and Swiss ice cream. After the dinner, they took a long walk on the beach, delighting at the way the waves kissed their feet. And with the gentle cool breeze ruffling their hair and lightening their hearts, they talked. Hours flew by as the conversation flowed. He shared the memories of his childhood with her, the days prior to when baba had found him, his school days, his friendship with Armaan, how Hiraman Kaka had initially joined as a cook and ended up staying with them like a member of the family. Nidhi never could have guessed he could talk so much for so long. And she ruefully acknowledged that with a voice like that she could sit mesmerized hearing to him for hours. Really? Where did that thought come from? She knew he was trying to woo her, Anji had said as much on the very first day but with sudden clarity she realized that she was letting herself get wooed, all over again! She didn't know how and when it happened but she was positive that in the last two months he had carefully gotten under her skin and behind her defenses, so much that she couldn't imagine a single day without messaging him atleast 100 times. And she knew she liked it, enjoyed it too. It was not just him either. She talked too. About Anji, the new friends she had made after coming to Mumbai, the faculty at the college and hospital..

"Isn't this the first time you moved away from your family? Did you miss them a lot in those initial months? How did you manage?" Did you ever think of seeing me again Nidhi?

The question caught her unawares. "Yes... yes, I missed all my family.. a lot... Baba, DB, Anji, CS, Aunty, and..." She stopped when she saw a strange glint in his eyes. What was he hoping to hear from her? "Anyway, that was all long back. I am fine now..."

Their conversation stopped when they heard a large group doing the countdown for the New Year. 10, 9, 8, 7, Familiar excitement gripped her as she forgot everything and added her voice to the loud chorus. 6, 5, 4, Ashutosh didn't count. His starved senses were too busy absorbing his wife's joy as she jumped and clapped, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nidhi whooped and turned towards Ashutosh, trying and failing to control her exhilaration. She strived for a normal tone but could do nothing about the huge wide grin adorning her face. "Happy new year Ashutosh."

His fingers fisted as he fought and resisted the urge to pull her into his arms. He would've given his life for that. For Nidhi to jump into his embrace, looping her arms around his neck like she loved to. He used to feel awkward whenever she did that before and now he craved the same demonstration of affection from her. But he refused to feel sad. The moment was too precious. "Happy new year Nidhi."

****

"Nidhi, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Nidhi stopped. Gesturing the rest of the group to go to the canteen and that she would follow soon, she turned towards Ashutosh, "Ji?"

"Baba is not feeling well. I'm going to Lucknow for a couple of days."

Worry creased her forehead. "Why? What happened?"

He shook his head with a smile. "Nothing to worry. Just a viral. He had gone to Jeevan Sandhya to meet his friends and fainted there."

"Oh God! Where is he now? Who brought him back? What are you doing here chatting with me? Go na."

"Calm down. He is doing fine now. His friends didn't know whom to call so baba gave them your baba's number. Right now baba is staying at your house. Dr Dubey, who is the current acting dean at KGH and my mentor, checked him out and put him on antibiotics." Before he could talk himself out of it, "You can even say hello to him if you want to." Barely a second after he got Nidhi's unhesitant nod, he called his baba.

Ashutosh couldn't hold back the widening smile. In the one month after the New Year celebration, they had indeed come a long way. They went out together on most Saturday evenings, mostly to the beach, but sometimes to lunch or dinner. They had even visited the Borivali National Park once. Though she never asked where exactly he lived or how he managed his food. Never showed any inclination or curiosity. Living in a hostel herself not that she could have done anything about his situation. But did she at least think about it, think about him when she was alone? He hoped so. The old Nidhi had done that! But... was it too much to expect too soon? Maybe. He didn't know if she was thinking about their future or what kind of conclusion she was coming to. He only knew that with every day that passed, he fell a little more in love with her love with her and she smiled a little bit more. Did it mean she forgave him and was starting to love him again? He hoped so. But if after all this, she decided to part ways, he wouldn't be able to survive. "Hello! Ashu... beta?"

Shaking himself out of his cogitations, he said, "Baba? How are you doing now?".. "Ji, I'll be there by tonight." .. "Nidhi is right here with me. She wants to talk to you." If he sensed a moment's pause on the other end, he ignored it. The next second gauging from Baba's enthusiastic response he could guess what questions he would be asked when he visited.

Nidhi took the phone, concern and fear wiping away all trepidations. "Baba? What happened? How are you feeling now?" She was very conscious that her Baba and DB were there. What was their reaction to her proximity to Ashutosh? Now was not the time to think about that and going by the silence at the other end she felt they were giving her time and space to work this out herself and was thankful for that. She knew Ashutosh had met her Baba before he came and had his tacit approval. That reassured her to a large extent.

"Nidhi, meri bachchi. I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine. My son-in-law is taking care of me." A huge bout of cough racked up, contradicting his statement.

She looked up at Ashutosh. "Chest congestion ab bhi hain." He nodded. "Baba, you don't talk. Take rest. OK? Ashutosh will be there soon."

"Nidhi..can I ask you something beta?"

"Ji kahiye."

"Don't call me baba. I want to be your grandfather from now on beta. Call me nana." He paused before asking, "Can you?"

"Ji nanaji. Now take rest and get well soon." It was a toss up whose smile was wider. Nidhi's or Ashutosh's or Baba's.

****

The group of friends sipping their tea in the canteen looked at the tableau. Mudra sipped her tea and pondered. "See, this is why I love puzzles. Combination of low predictability and high impact."

"This is definitely not related to psychiatry. This is related to anatomy. " Mudra sent Shobha an approving look, proud at such good grasping power. Shobha glowed. She was already reaching for her phone.

Vidisha drained the last of her tea and got up. "I think he has an open marriage and that was his wife giving them their blessing."

****

Ashutosh opened his whatsapp and grinned.

Nidhi: So many roses!

Ashutosh: You don't like?

Nidhi: Thank you.

Ashutosh: Happy Valentine's Day once again!

Nidhi: Happy Valentine's Day to you too.

Ashutosh: Dinner?

Nidhi: Yes.

Ashutosh: Mexican?

Nidhi: Slurp slurp slurping.

Laughing at that comment, he quickly messaged the place and time before making his way to the next class. He knew he had stunned her last night by calling her at 12 midnight. It was evident by the few seconds of silence that greeted him, then her stilted reply as if she was overwhelmed. But this was something he had learnt that from her, the joy a small gesture like that brought to the other person and now he wanted to reciprocate. And her unbidden joy was all that he needed.

Nidhi kissed her phone before putting it back in her backpack. For being an impatient and short-tempered man he had so far shown great endurance. And it did not seem forced or an act put on to win her. No! He had been like this for so many months as if... as if just seeing her, being in her company was enough. For now! And she wasn't fairing any better either. If her day went well, he was the first to know. If it was bad he was there to console her, encourage her. And if she was being honest, his approval and happiness kept her going, pushed her to achieve more. Since when had he begun to matter so much to her again?

Every time they met it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold herself back. She wanted to touch him, be in his arms, feel his strong arms hold her. This desire was something she felt in his gaze too. Yet he never pushed her. Because he genuinely loved her and wanted her to decide on her own. He had promised he would not stop her if she wanted a divorce. So what did she want? To walk away? She didn't think so! If there had been days when she had felt the proverb marry in haste, repent in leisure suited her to a T, the last few months proved otherwise. She had fallen in love again! With Dr. Ashutosh Mathur! Her husband!

There was no turning back from here. Honestly leaving him was truly not an option she had anymore. So what was she waiting for? Should she talk to him today? He had been only honest, however painful, since the very first day. Was it time to return that honesty? Did she want to deny them both the joy of being together by remaining quiet? Was it fair to either of them? Nidhi was so lost in her thoughts she did not notice someone looking at her with a sneer.

"Is he really that interesting?"

Frowning she turned towards that voice. The guy was her classmate who was famous for playing musical chairs with women. "Excuse me?"

His stroll was almost negligent as were his words. "I asked if he really is that interesting. From the way you have been all these months, I assumed you were not interested in the male species. Only now I find that your tastes lean towards older men. You get a kick out of sleeping with married older men?" Nidhi huffed in disgust and tried to pass him by only to have him block her path. They were in the corridor, in between class shifts and attracting quite a bit of attention. "Answer me and I'll let you go."

"None of your damn business."

"How long has it been going on? Both of you are from Lucknow only, right? Was that why we've got the great Dr Ashutosh Mathur as our faculty all of a sudden?" He smirked and winked at his friends. "He couldn't stay away from his young lover looks like."

Nidhi didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. She had been stupid to think people wouldn't know or wouldn't talk. And lately she hadn't even been trying to be secretive. And the roses had been a dead giveaway that morning even though he had only signed it A. She looked at the gathering crowd and opened her mouth to give a blistering reply when Dr Sharma walked up to them. Neither noticed Ashutosh coming from the other side of the corridor towards the gathering crowd.

"What is going on here? This is a college so everyone mind your language and behave yourselves." His gaze fell on Nidhi. "Nidhi, what you do with your personal time is no one's business but your own. I would hate to see one of my best students ruining her life in anyway."

"But sir.."

Dr Sharma stalled her. "As I said, it is none of my business." He sighed. "In our days the relationship between a teacher and a student was like.."

"Dr Ashutosh Mathur is my husband sir." Nidhi's loud and clear voice stopped everyone in their tracks. Dr Sharma looked as if he hadn't heard her or probably misheard what she had said. She hadn't wanted to disclose it that way nor had creating a scene was something she liked. But there was a difference between a notorious flirt throwing nasty comments at her and her HOD, the elderly teacher she had always respected drawing conclusions about her and Ashutosh. She took a deep breath and repeated in a firm voice. "Dr Ashutosh is my husband. I didn't reveal it until now because I didn't see the necessity. We have been married for almost two years now. I wrote my PG entrance a few months after my marriage and came here." She turned towards her classmate as she delivered her last line. "And yes, he is here because he couldn't stay away from me. His wife."

"Nidhi?" Ashutosh walked up to her but with a faintly menacing expression directed towards the gathering crowd who hastily averted their eyes and beat a hasty retreat. All except Dr Sharma, who still seemed to be electrified to the spot, complete with mouth hanging open.

Nidhi turned, only then noticing the presence of her husband and the fact that he had heard and seen everything. "Ji?"

"Everything OK?" Concern replaced the furious scowl as he turned towards her.

"Yes. I was just..clearing up some doubts that's all." She smiled into his eyes in reassurance.

He nodded. "When is your next class?"

"I'm leaving actually. I'll see you in the evening."

"OK. Take care. See you in the evening."

****

"Baba.. hello! How are you? And DB?"

"We are all fine beta. How are you? And how is Dr Ashutosh?" A perceptible silence ensued. Neither pretended to be surprised at the mention of his name.

"Baba.. actually I wanted to.. er.."

"Nidhi, I told you at the start whatever your decision I will not judge you. So, you have decided to stay in this marriage, give it another chance." He heard a gasp and chuckled. "Why are you surprised Nidhi? You think I don't know my daughter is a one-man woman. It's him or no one for you. I think your DB has also begun to realize that. All that we had ever wanted was for you to be happy. And beta, you forget I saw Ashutosh when he visited your Nana. He looked very different from when he came for Anji's engagement. There can be only one reason for that! So have you talked to him?"

"Not yet Baba. Woh main aaj unse... but I wanted to tell you."

CV smiled at that. "After 2 years I'm hearing this excitement in your voice. And if he is the cause then I'm very happy for both of you. Nidhi, it's never easy to accept our mistakes and even more difficult to change ourselves to correct it. Remember this always."

It was time to go to the Dargah. "Ji Baba, I will... thank you. You are the best!" With swift movements she got ready. She was both nervous and excited. If everything went well... she smiled to herself and rushed out.

****

"Dr Ashutosh Mathur is my husband."

Those words kept ringing in his ears all day long. Why did she say that? Did she mean them? Or did she say them because she couldn't find another way to save her reputation? He didn't know. And he wanted to know. Hope was pulsing through him despite him trying to inject some caution. This wait before he could meet her, talk to her was killing him. Just when he had been about to message her the dinner details, he got one message from her asking him to meet her at the Haji Ali dargah at five in the evening. Now here he was, standing at the entrance of the path that would lead him to the dargah. A fine bead of sweat formed on his forehead despite the evening's cool breeze and the cold water from the waves lapping his feet. With every minute that passed, hope surged a little more. The significance of the dargah was something he couldn't ignore. His phone pinged. It was Armaan.

"Is she there yet?"

"No. Waiting."

"OK. Let me know. Amma scolded me..again..for jumping to conclusions but I seriously think she will say yes."

"Hope so Armaan."

Sighing, he stuffed the phone back. And then he saw her. Walking towards him. Dressed in a cobalt blue coloured sari with a silver zari border. Blouse a midnight blue with the same silver zari design spread in a more elaborate and intricate pattern. Gold ear studs peeked a little from the long black hair ruffling and flowing around her, a couple of bangles on one hand and a wrist watch on the other, a dark grey and black handbag slung over one shoulder. Even in that crowd she stood out. Or maybe he couldn't see anyone else.

Her smile widened as she came closer and her eyes took in his dark grey striped shirt with rolled up sleeves and black corduroy pants. "Hi. Wow! You look..different."

Despite the anticipation and nervousness, he grinned. "Was I that bad before?"

She shook her head. "You were never bad. Your dress sense is always excellent. It's just that I never saw you dressed so informally until now."

"I wore jeans and t-shirt on our honeymoon," he reminded her. He was mildly surprised, it was the first time since he came back into her life she had openly commented on his personal choice.

Her lips formed a small pout. "Because I forced them on you." Then just as quickly, a shy smile adorned her face. "Shall we go?"

He nodded and both of them walked the path and into the dargah in silence. Nidhi covered her head with her pallu as they entered while he quickly tied a hanky to cover his. After paying their respects in the main prayer room, they made their way to the area where everyone could tie the red and yellow coloured paakh dhaaga. Standing on either side of the partition, both of them tied the dhaaga with their eyes closed, their prayer heartfelt. Now they were both sitting in one rarely found quiet corner outside the dargah. Both turned to look at each other.

"Why did you say that Nidhi? In front of so many people?" He had intended to open up the topic slowly, not alarm her, but need got the better of his senses. This question was eating him up and he had to know.

Nidhi took a deep breath. She had her answer and there was no more wavering on her part. "You know, for a very long time I had this..anger in me. The despair, the hurt, the disappointment, the pain, they were like huge balls around my neck..dragging me down." She looked away towards the open sea, her eyes were lost in the waves as she said that.

"Nidhi.."

"Please let me talk. I wanted to scream and hit you for everything. I wanted to hit myself for falling in love in the first place. For the longest time, it felt as if I was bleeding on the inside." Unbelievably she smiled, it belied the pain in her words taking the edge out of them. "Then you found me and came back. Only for me! Slowly the rawness faded and the wound started to heal. I began to feel something other than pain. I began to have hope, trust, joy. Love. I fell in love again."

His heart stopped. It literally stopped. Fell in love? Again? With whom? Then she turned to look at him and he had his answer. Life flooded his body as his heart went into overdrive. But still he waited.

"I fell in love with you all over again Ashutosh. The past can't be erased. Neither can it be forgotten. All we can do is accept it for what it is, leave it where it belongs to and move on. And I want to move on." She opened her closed fist. "With you."

Ashutosh looked at the mangalsutra resting in the centre of her palm. "You.." He cleared his closed up throat and tried again. "You trust me..again?" He made no move to take the mangalsutra."

Nidhi nodded. "Yes. I trust you..again. I know it's not going to be easy to rebuild what we've lost. I don't think we can even rebuild it. But we can try to build something new. Something better." The last part came out more like a question.

Ashutosh hastily looked away to hide the moisture in his eyes. He had no words. All he could do was wrap his arm around her shoulders and pull her into a one-armed tight hug as his body was wracked with deep shudders giving her all the response she was seeking. She sighed too. Resting her head on his shoulder, she extended her palm towards him. "Will you marry me again Ashutosh?"

This time he lost his battle with his self-control. The moisture leaked out of his eyes at those words but the joy in his eyes was unparalleled. As was the tremulous smile that formed his lips. He nodded, laughed and hugged her again. Finally with fingers trembling slightly, he took the mangalsutra from her palm. In many ways that moment seemed more profound that the first time he had tied the same string of black beads around her neck during their wedding.

Eyes locked with her deep ones, he fastened the chain around her neck and made his promise. "I won't mess up Nidhi. Not again. Never again. I promise on everything that I hold holy that I will never ever hurt you again. You're my partner in everything. In every smile, every tear, every curve that life throws at us. Maut kare toh kare lekin mein phir kabhi bhi apne se tumko alag nahi hone doonga. Yeh..mera wada hain tumse."

Nidhi placed her palms on his cheeks and wiped away the moisture, smiling through her tears. "Aap rote hue bilkul ache nahin lagte. I now know my life, future is with you. If there is one thing I understood in the last few months it's that I had never moved on. Somewhere my heart was still waiting for you..."

Neither noticed the darkened skies until the dargah lit up with bright lights, bringing them out of their personal cocoon of love. Nidhi got up and extended her hand to him. "Ghar chale?"

He took the hand and closing his eyes, placed it on his beard roughened cheek before turning his face and kissing it. "Ghar?"

She glided her fingers through his greying temples. "I never saw where you live..where we're going to live for the next one year. Toh, chale?"

He also got up. "Haan... but only after we have our VDay dinner date!" But the temptation to take her home and order in was already making its presence known. And her rosy cheeks told him that she read his thoughts just as clearly as if he had said them out loud.

He grinned cheekily. "I don't want to be told that I'm kanjoos."

Their laughter rang in the air. Hands and hearts entwined, they walked into the future.

------x------

And there it is!! Another happy wala ending for this AshNi. Hope you all LIKED it. Awaiting your comments.

Loads of love,

Aarti and Suvika.

Edited by Suvika. - 10 years ago

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