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We returned the money to the groom's family, diffusing the problem, but it wasn't possible without Jiju's help. Purab had informed me that Di had called the police and lodged a complaint about cash being stolen in Mehra Mansion. Jiju was caught up in the chaos, albeit mistakenly. The so called foolproof plan had flopped terribly.
"Jiju?", I called out to him quietly, peeking my head inside the music studio. "Bulbul, tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?", he asked me, siting next to the glass window. "Mein aapse milna chaata tha.", I said still standing outside. "Dher ho chuki hai Bulbul.", he said returning to gaze at the sky. "Please Jiju.", I said feebly and I saw his shoulders slump when he heard my strained voice. "Accha, theek hai. Come in.", he said.
I walked in and unknowingly left the door just slightly ajar. Shuffling my sudden heavy feet, I came to stand in the middle of the room. Jiju was still siting there, gazing at the night city below and twinkling stars above. His frame and body language screamed helplessness and defeat. As much as I wanted to tell him the truth, I couldn't. Yet, it hurt me to see him, my favourite Rockstar aur my, my Jiju like this.
"Bulbul?", he turned to look at me. I met his gaze and my tears escaped. "Bulbul, arre, kya hua? Why are you crying?", he immediately came to my aid. "Jiju...", I stammered, trying to control my tears. "Bulbul, roh maat and tell me what's wrong.", Jiju held my shoulders. "Tum rohna band nahi hai, tho mein is samasiya kya hai patha nahi hota.", he said holding my cheeks in his warm hands.
"Mujhe maaf kar do Jiju.", I blurted out to him. "Bulbul, tum maafi mangne keliye kya kiya?", he asked wiping away my tears. "It was because of us you were arrested by the police. If I hadn't called you asking for the money, you wouldn't have been trapped in this mess. I am really sorry Jiju. Aisa karne keliye mein yeh matlab nahi tha.", I rambled on with my entire body shaking.
"Bulbul, araam se and please roh maat. Just calm down.", he said embracing me. "Kyu aap hamari maddad karte hai?", I cried in his chest. "Aap hamare maddad deta hai tho aap musibat ka samna!", I clutched his T-shirt. "Bulbul, come on.", he caressed my head and gently led me to the sofa where we settled down. Giving me a glass of water to drink, Jiju carefully watched me, with a little smile.
"Mein aapne parivaar keliye bhi aisa hi karenge.", Jiju said, relaxing his back on the sofa. "I have committed many mistakes which I am ashamed of. Cheating Pragya, getting Tanu pregnant, betraying your family's trust to keep Pragya happy and the list is endless.", he said with a dejected tone. My mind was bellowing that he was innocent, but framed and was being targeted by his own sister, to have him crippled to the core.
"I was surprised when you called me regarding the problem, but I was happy that I could at least make myself useful, to relieve your problems instead of piling them up.", he said with a sarcastic laugh. "You know what shocks me even more? It is you, still addressing me as Jiju.", he finished looking at me in despair. His eyes held so much pain, uncertainty and downright devastation.
Daadi, Pragya Di and myself, were the reason. How was I supposed to tell Jiju when I gave my word to Daadi? "You will always be my Jiju.", I muttered, literally shocking him. "Aap abhi bhi Di se pyaar. Mujhe yeh dekh sakta hai. No one would just stand by the sidelines when their entire hard earned wealth is snatched away. Mein aap gusse me patha kar rahe hai. But, I also know there is a small hope burning in you that maybe there is a reason for all the sudden changes in the wind.", I said.
"Mein kya ho raha hai patha nahi hai.", I lied through my teeth and cursed myself for promising Daadi. "But, I just want you to know you are not alone Jiju. Please don't feel so dejected. It is hard, I understand, however this too shall pass. Yeh khatam ho jayega. Just hang in there Jiju.", I said holding his hand. "Why are you being so supportive of me Bulbul, after everything I have done?", he asked quietly.
"Because no matter what, deep down, my Jiju is a good and kind hearted man.", I said and cursed Aaliya and Tanu for taking advantage of his love and trust. "Jiju, this will all end soon, mein vaada kaarta hoon. Just stay calm and strong na.", I pleaded as my river of tears burst its banks. "Come here.", he said with a resigned sigh, opening his arm. I hugged him.
"Jiju?", I called him. "Hmm?", he rumbled. "Promise me na, that you will stay CALM. Desperate situations may push people to take desperate measures, but it may be disastrous. So, please Jiju, promise me that you will try and think rationally, instead of acting on your anger.", I tried to relay the message as subtly as possible. I couldn't afford to have my own Jiju collapse any of our near future plans in a fit of rage.
"Jiju, aap suno na?", I looked up at him. "Haan Bulbul.", he replied. "Tho, will you promise me?", I pursed my lips. "I promise, anything for my dearest Saali.", he said planting a kiss on my head. Out of the corner of my eye as I hugged my Jiju's muscular frame, I saw a familiar face watching us with what looked like tears glistening her face. Pragya Di. How long more did we have to keep this up? I didn't know, but we needed to act fast, before it was too late.
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