Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 27th July 2025 EDT
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 26 July 2025 EDT
CID Episode 63 - 26th July
MAA BETI MILAN 26.7
WELCOME 🏠 MAIRA27.7
Anshuman 😭😭😭😭😭 Mannnnnn
Aneet Padda and why I think she's the next big thing
Anupamaa 26 July 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
What are your thoughts on this?
Vanga : My films are losing revenue due to Adult certification
Mohabbatein: one of the best scenes
Predict the first day business of War 2
Has Kajol forgotten how to act?
Unspoken ~ KaYu SS ~ Chapter 6 on pg 1
24 years of Yaadein
Originally posted by: _Eternity_
Zoyi.. 🤗
Ranju🤗
Awesome story dear..
Fabulous start..
Part one was so so good..love readingGlad!
So adi was at malhotra house to tel what shra said to her ..Again ShraMan fight..
sumo punching shra and shra poor guy naked and biwi wearing deep cut gown and that too close..sumo thoda dur ho jayo aur kuch kapre theek karlo..I stop laughing yr.. 🤣
Sumo and her pressure and shra ki thumb theory.. 🤣
Shra on sumo and their talks..
Phhoti kismat apni show mein aisa kuch nhi mila..Chaddo, hum apni story khud bana lenge...😆
Part two..
Zoyi that was Damn senti..Haina!!
Shra's pain aww..poor baby.. 😭
Ramnath understand that shra happiness is with sumo ..good..
Sumo heard all and understand his pain..
Last part sumo saying g she won't leave him and shra sleeping on her lap..lovely..
Fabulous work zoyi.. 👏Thank you hon!!!
Love it..❤️
Sorry for being late lateef.. 🤗Koi nahi ya, der aaye durust aaye!
Thnx for pm buddy...
Originally posted by: AbhilashaM
Zoya Di!👏It was amazing.A perfect ending none can think of.Thank you chotu!!!!Shravan's anger, Suman's care and Ramnath...You did justice with every character here.Shukriya!!I wish it might have happened in the show.I am damn sure that I will be the happiest one here.I guess so😃I am waiting for next update though I know it will be updated in few minutes.😛Right away!Love.❤️
People!!! *Hugs!*
How are you guys doing?
So honestly I didn't think I would upload before weekend, I just didn't think I would get the time to write.. Lucky me, I did get an hour here and another there and so on and I could manage to put this together..
Firstly, thank you so much for all your lovely comments on the previous part. I had not expected such a tremendous response. So thank you for appreciating. Also, I noticed in the previous chapter, a lot of you were left hurt or weeping, apologies. And so here's a word of caution, sit with a box of tissues for this one. Trust me when I say, "You'll need it.."
As promised I have tried to keep drama, doom and gloom on an even keel with happiness and content. But can't really help it, got to do what I've got to do...
Rona aaye toh ro hi dena XD Ab woh khushi mai ho ya gham mai, that's your look out!😎
Did I happen to mention I'm a goner for mainstream Bollywood? You'll see :D
Also, fair warning, this is a long chapter! Like a long one! Consider this the Maha Episode we never got ;) Take your time to read it...
And at the end do let me know how many jhatkas this update gave you? I want to know what you had expected and mila kya?
Enough said, let's get on with this!
Chapter 3:
Suman sat all night with Shravan peacefully sleeping in her lap. As she admired his beautiful face, the innocence on it made her heart twist even more. Each passing moment all she though was everything she had put him through. If Papa and Nirmala Aunty were to be blamed, so was she.
She remembered it all. Her lounging around while he cleaned her room. Her sleeping while he did her homework. Him waiting all day in the sun, for delivering books that were completed for her while she conveniently forgot. She had taken him for granted way too many times. And he simply smiled and continued to care.
Her thoughts went back to the day when he had apprehensively but happily asked her to go to the library and fetch a book, he said there was a very important message for her. As always, he or any of his requests weren't her priority and she conveniently forgot. He had waited at the gate of her home, anticipating her reply when she dryly told him, "Chodd na, Monday dekh loongi.." His crestfallen face and his fear of someone else finding it there, now nagged on her insides. Back then it didn't matter. But he had kept the crossword book and the letter all these years. With all his care and so possessively... He took it along with him everywhere.. All this inspite of how she treated him that ill-fated day at school..
Shravan stirred in his sleep as though he perceived her thoughts. As though he felt the pain she did. Suman caressed his thick soft locks and he nuzzled his face closer to her stomach. His insecurities even in his sleep did nothing but hurt her heart further.
"Suman mujhe baat karni hai tum se.."
"Mujhe nahi karni, aaise kya jata raha hai jaise jaanta hai mujhe!"
"Suman Maa kahin mil nahi rahi, woh chali gayi hai kahin..."
"Toh mai kya karoon? Chali gayi toh chali gayi yaar! Har baar apni problems leke mere paas rone kyun aata hai.."
The whole school had laughed at him, when he needed her the most, she pushed him away in the worst possible way. He broke that day, she saw it. Had she comforted him then, life would have been different. She wouldn't have had to wait alone for him, he wouldn't be who he is today. And inspite of that he preserved the letter. He loved her when he should have loathed her all those years.
Suman bent down to kiss his hair. She couldn't see his face anymore, he had buried it into her midriff. It gave her some sense of peace that she could give him some comfort at least.
"School mai? Kya hua tha?"
"Maine tumhe jis tarah se.."
"Yeh sab 10 saal purani baaten hai, abhi tak wahin atki hui ho tum? Inn 10 saalon mai koi kaam nahi tha kya? Look, I've moved on, so should you."
"Move on?... Haan, actually tum theek keh rahe ho... Mujhe bhi theek se yaad nahi hai. Bas tumhe dekha toh socha ke sorry keh doon. Waise itni badi baat bhi nahi thi."
I didn't see the pain that flashed in your eyes at that very moment. I didn't see the hostility you left with. I should have known right then and there how big of a thing that was for you. And it was. I was your best friend Shravan, your only friend. And I snubbed you when you were at your lowest. "Kaise keh doon ke pyaar hai tumse jab samjh bhi na saki tum ko.." She whispered.
She remembered all the times that she had hurt him during Preeti and Pushkar's wedding. No matter her reasons, he didn't know them. How it must have hurt. And then her wedding with Aditya. "Tum itne bhi important nahi ho ke shaadi jaisa faisla tumhe hurt ya please karne ke liye loon..." Oh the pain in those expressive eyes. He may have hurt her then, he may have said things he shouldn't have, but as she saw it now, that was self-preservation. That was him trying hard to survive. She feared had he not tried to give it back to her, he would have drowned a very long time ago. Even the night of the wedding, she didn't mean a word she said, but she did say it and she saw his torment.
"No more Shravan, no more..." She said in hushed tones. "Ab agar tumko ek dard bhi aur hua, toh kya fayda mera? I will make it all okay Shravan I promise.."
The hushed hues of the morning sun made him look even more handsome his striking features were accentuated. She couldn't see all of his face, just the side, and just that evoked so much love and mirth in her. She brushed away the hair that had fallen on his forehead making him look much his age, his otherwise angry face gave him a very matured look. He was a young man, he at the least deserved to look something other than a person with the burden of the entire world on his shoulders. Shravan let out a deep sigh, one he generally did right before he woke up. He moved a bit. He scratched his forehead, as though he was ticklish of Suman's touches. He then rubbed his eyes and slowly opened them, blinking a few times.
The first thing that registered in his mind was Sumo, his beautiful wife was looking down at him, with eyes that held only love. There was certain softness in her denamour that caught him off guard. A small smile graced her lips. Her hair, just the perfect amount of messy. The mild sunlight made her hair look shades lighter than usual. Ethereal. Yes that's exactly what she looked like in that moment.
Ankhen Dekhi Toh Main Dekhta Reh Gaya
Jaam Do Aur Dono Hi Do Atesha
Ankhen Ya Makade Ke Ye Do Baab Hain
Ankhen Inn Ko Kahoon Ya Kahoon Khawab Hain
Ankhen Neechi Hui Toh Haya Baan Gayi
Ankhen Oonchi Hui Toh Dua Baan Gayi
Ankhen Uth Kar Jhukeen Toh Ada Baan Gayi
Ankhen Jhuk Kar Uthi Toh Qadaa Baan Gayi
Ankhen Jin Main Hain Kaid Asmaan O Zameen
Nargasi Nargasi Surmayi Surmayi...
Suman felt the blood rush up her cheeks. The way Shravan was looking at her right now, she could feel a million emotions at the same time. She never felt so alive in her entire life. She never felt so beautiful during her existence. There was something about those deep orbs he possessed that always managed to capture her entire being. He was a bit groggy, a bit drunk, this time on her though, and that made him look all the more gorgeous.
Jaane Kaise Baandhe Tu Ne Akhiyon Ke Dor
Mann Mera Kheencha Chala Aaya Teri Orr
Mere Chehre Ki Subh Zulfon Ki Shaam
Mera Sab Kuchh Hai Piya Ab Se Tere Naam
Nazron Ne Teri Chhuaa
Toh Hai Yeh Jaadu Hua
Hone Lagi Hoon Main Haseen
Suman's eyes brimmed at the attention she was getting in that moment. Never had she felt so loved. Shravan raised his hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "Kya hua Sumo? Tum yun achanak?" He said in the softest of voices that made Suman shudder. "Kuch nahi Shravan.."
"Mujhse chupaaogi?" He asked, his voice firm but octaves deeper.
Suman couldn't help but honestly tell him what moved her so, "Tum jab bhi mujhe dekhte ho aaise dekhte ho jaise pehli baar dekha hai. Jaise ke mujhe dekhoge nahi toh saas ruk jayegi tumhari. Jaise zindagi hi mil gayi ho tumhe. Itna pyaar hota hai tumhari aankhon mai ke mujhe lagne lagta hai jaise mai iss duniya ki sabse khoobsoorat, sabse khaas ladki hoon. I feel reborn each time Shravan.."
As easy as breathing he whispered, "Toh sach hi toh hai na yeh Sumo. Har baar jab tumhe dekhta hoon, tumse phir pyaar ho jata hai. Lagta hai jaise pehli baar dekha hai tum ko." His head still resting in her lap, he took her hand in his, and continued while playing with her fingers, "Jab tum nahi dikhti toh lagta hai saasen tham jayegi meri, pata hai itne saalon se tumhe Facebook pe stalk kar raha hoon, taaki chain se saas toh le sakoon kam se kam." He said smiling. "Zindagi toh ho na tum meri, tum nahi toh mai kuch bhi nahi. Pyaar mai tumse kitna karta hoon, yeh shayad na mai kabhi tumhe bata paaon, aur na shayad tum samjhogi kabhi.." He looked straight in her eyes and all her resolve broke, she wept freely now. Shravan got up from her lap, turned towards her, cupped her face between both his palms, "Sumo... shh... shh... Rona band kar do please. Accha I'm sorry.. shh..."
"Tum kyun sorry bol rahe ho?" She asked between hiccups. "Tum ne toh sirf apne dil ki baat kahi, rona mujhe khud hi aa gaya.."
"Kyun?" he quizzed caressing her face.
"Kyun ki tumne sirf pyaar kia Shravan, bohot sara pyaar, aur maine tumko sirf takleef di hai.."
"Kis ne keh diya yeh tum se? Sumo, tumhara hona hi sukoon hai mere liye, meri har khwaish bas sirf tum ho. Koi dard nahi diye tum ne, bas tumhare pyaar karne ka tareeka alag hai, naam hi Sumo hai na.." He winked at her.
They both smiled in unison. Suman her million watt gorgeous smile and Shravan his goofball content wide as his shoulders smile.
"Shravan?"
"Hmmm.."
"Mai tumse bohot pyaar karti hoon..."
A lone tear made its way down his face, "Bohot waqt laga diya Sumo yeh kehne mai..." his voice cracked.
"Bohot der kar di maine?"
"Nahi pagal, maine kaha waqt laga diya, der ho gayi yeh kab kaha? Mai toh saari zindagi intezaar kar leta tumhare izhaar ka.."
She threw herself at him and hugged him tight. For a moment he felt the air get knocked out of his lungs. But it felt good. With each passing moment, the embrace made his heart lighter, like he was healing. Like he had the world at his feet and nothing else he would ever need. Sumo loved him. He was sure nothing could ever go wrong now.
"Qutub Minaar?"
"Bolo..."
"Ek promise karoge mujhe?" She said slowly moving away to see his face, still holding his hands in hers.
"Tum jo bolo woh.."
"Mujhe tumhara yeh roz roz peena bilkul acha nahi lagta, aur jis wajhe se tum peete ho woh toh aur bhi buri lagti hai..."
He lowered his gaze. He was guilty and she was right. This wasn't who he was. He hated drinking and he was on his way to becoming a drunkard.
"Tum kasam khao ke dobaara kabhi sharab ko haath nahi lagaoge."
In a blink he placed his right hand on her head and spoke with assertion, "Kasam hai mujhko tumhari Sumo, never will I touch a bottle again. And you know, I keep my word."
"Thank you!" she beamed. "Tumhe koi bhi baat karni ho, kuch bhi pareshaan kar raha ho, tum mujhe batao aur mai sab theek kar doongi! Yeh mera promise." She said placing her right hand on his head.
"DEAL!" they said in unison.
A soft knock on the door broke their moment.
"Yaar!!! Yeh sabko aaise time pe hi kyun ana hota hai jab mera mood you know..." He said with that lop sided smug smile of his.
"Shravan! Besharam! Mai dekhti hoon kaun hai.."
"Mat jao..." he said with such intensity, such softness that she nearly melted. He looked so delicious that she could devour him whole like dark chocolate. But a louder knock broke her resolve.
"Shravan! Haath chodo!" She dashed to the door. Checking her clothes she opened it slowly.
"Papa? Aap itni subha? Sab theek toh hai na?"
"Sorry beta woh mujhe aaise itni early morning nahi aana chahiye tha, par mujhe kuch zaroori baat karni thi.."
"Oh aap aaiye, Shravan jaag raha hai, mai jaati hoon, aap log baat kar lo."
"Nahi beta." Spoke Ramnath walking into the room.
"Morning Papa!" Said Shravan.
Maybe this is the last time you'll call me Papa Shravan. Thought Ramnath gravely.
"Suman, Shravan, mujhe tum dono se kuch baat karni hai."
"Kaho na Papa."
"Aaise nahi, mai... woh..."
"Papa aap aj kal kaafi dramatic ho gaye ho nahi?" Shravan joked.
"Nahi woh baat nahi hai, tum dono fresh hoke mere kamre mai aa jao. Wahin baat kar lenge." Saying he started to leave. He heard both Shravan and Suman say, "Ji Papa" in unison. He knew their worlds were going to shift axis pretty soon.
------------------------------
The couple walked into Ramnath's room wondering if it was a wedding reception or a honeymoon that was being planned.
"Kahiye Papa, kya keh rahe the aap?" Asked Shravan merrily. He had just received his life, his Sumo, forever and ever, and his smile was not going to go anywhere anytime soon he thought. Maybe he thought too soon, cause the very next instant his smile turned into a full-blown scowl of confusion and pain.
"Yeh aurat yahan kya kar rahi hai?" He asked Ramnath. He then turned to his mother, "Aapko samjhaya tha na kal raat ko? Ke wapas mat ana! Aapko samjh nahi ata kya?" He was getting agitated now. Suman had understood what was about to happen and with each passing moment her heart sank further. Shravan was going to break. Why couldn't he enjoy peace? Why was his happiness always short lived? What had he done to deserve all of this.
"Maine bulaya hai tumhari Maa ko." Ramnath spoke finally.
"Aapne? Kyun Papa?"
"Beta please. Baith jao. Aur jo mai kehne ja raha hoon, bohot himmat rakh ke sunna.."
"Nahi baithna mujhe, yeh aap aaise... Aaisa bhi kya kehna hai aapko jo aap?"
"Apna sach batana hai beta, tumhari zindagi ka sabse bada sach.."
Shravan was beyond confused now. He was lost. Fear crept into his being slowly but surely. His father looked defeated. His mother looked like she was close to nirvana. And Suman, she looked like blood had been drained out of her and she had been given the worst news of her life. He decided to take a seat and hear what it was that he didn't know, but the three most important people of his life seemed to be well versed with.
Ramnath took a deep breath and mustering all the courage he ever had he spoke, his voice unsure and pained, "Shravan maine tumko bohot jhoot bole hai, some in my prejudices, some in my spite and others plainly cause I love you and I wanted to see you happy. But my judgments were wrong and I ended up doing more harm than good." He looked up at Shravan to gauge his reaction. He looked blank.
"Papa aap kuch galat kar hi nahi sakte kabhi..." He said, trying to hold on to the little amount of hope that lived in him. He heard Suman's sobs and he didn't know what to make of them.
"Beta please, pehle meri poori baat sunn lo." Requested Ramnath. Shravan nodded and the father continued. "Tumhari Maa ko maine tumse door kia hai."
Shravan darted to look at his father, but didn't interrupt. "Meri practice chal nahi rahi thi, toh ghar sambhalne ke liye Nirmala ne job le li. Over time aur der der tak office mai rehna adat ho gayi thi iski. Galti nahi thi iski, ghar chalana tha, she wanted to give you the best of life. But tum neglect ho rahe the, and I couldn't see you miss her so. Toh jab finally I started getting cases I asked her to leave her job. To which she refused. She had worked too hard to get here and she wanted to be sure that tumhari parvarish mai koi kami na rahe. Maine apne ego mai ispar bohot ilzaam lagaye, kaha ke she had an affair with her boss. Haath bhi utha diya maine, and that was the last straw. She decided to leave, but not without you. Aayi thi tumhari Maa tumko le jaane apne saath." Shravan now looked like he had been gutted alive. He felt new bouts of pain take form. He didn't know why but is world was starting to spin.
"Maine dhamki di usko, ke mai prove kar doonga ke she was infidel and that she was a terrible mom. And I would win your custody. She decided not to put you through the pain of a bitter custody battle and so decided to leave you rather than ruin your childhood. But she refused to divorce me. Because she decided that she would leave but never free me from her. She never married Ahuja. One, because he was just her boss and a good friend. And two she was married to me. She took care of his children after his death shortly after you left for London."
Shravan's face was expressionless but his eyes were a raging storm. He was waiting to explode, waiting to just make sense of all that had been dished out. His father, he couldn't accept. But his father's sins were far from over.
"Sirf itna hi nahi, tumhari zindagi ki do sabse important auraton ko maine hi door kia tum se."
"Sumo?" whispered Shravan.
"Haan Suman. Tumne zidd pakad li thi ke tum uss se hi shaadi karoge. Ke tum pyaar karte the usse, ab se nahi bachpan se. Khat bhi padha tha maine."
Shravan's eyes grew wider. He had read the letter?
"Maine tumhe toh haan keh diya, taaki tumhari nazron mai meri jagah bani rahe par Suman ko manipulate kia. Maine tumhare aur uske beech bohot galat fehmiyan khadi kar di. Berry ke land ka case, mai jaanta tha PCT wahin hai. I made sure you wouldn't know, kyun ki mujhe pata tha ki agar tumhe pata chal jata toh tum Berry ka case ladna chodd kar Berry ke against ladte. Suman ke aage kuch dikhta kahan hai tumhe?"
Suman fell to the floor crying. For she felt what he felt. She knew this break that he was receiving now, he might never get up from. Nirmala wept silently in a corner, for her "gunahgaar" was finally coming undone.
"The lowest I stooped was when I offered her a blank cheque to let go of you. I blackmailed her that if she didn't push you away, I would never let Preeti and Pushkar's wedding happen. She loved you, I knew. She told me she did, that one day her love would pull you to her and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it. She returned the cheque and promised she would never come between a father and a son because she knew what position I held in your life. So she pushed you away. She hurt you. I saw you break but I thought it was necessary for you, so that you could move on. I felt she was wrong for you beta. I saw Nirmala in her, strong headed, independent. I didn't want you to suffer the way I did. I did what I did because I loved you. But I have never been more wrong Shravan. I never have. I see what you have become, you can't be happy transparetntly cause at the back of your mind you have harboured that if your mother couldn't love you, no one would. If she could leave you, anyone would. But Suman won't beta, she loves you. Tumhe mujhe kabhi maaf nahi karna chahiye, mai jaanta hoon maine aj tumhe hamesha ke liye kho diya hai, par beta agar tum sab kuch chodd kar aage badh sako, apni Maa ko apna sako, Suman ko apna sako, khush reh sako, toh mujhe zindagi se aur kuch nahi chahiye." Ramnath confessed. He had said it all. All his sins were out in the open. He knew, he was at the verge of loosing the one person that was his world.
All three waited for Shravan to say something. But he didn't budge. His face blank, his eyes distant. As though he was here, but he wasn't. What they didn't see was behind his exterior denamor was a raging war in him. He had been defeated. He had been betrayed by the three most important people in his life. The three individuals he would lay down his life for, choose themselves or their notions above him. He couldn't think straight. He didn't know if he could even breathe anymore, it felt like he had seized to exist.
After what seemed like ages, Suman got up, approached him, gently placed her hand on his shoulder but the response she got was enough to warn them of the impeding eruption that awaited them all. Shravan harshly jerked away from her touch, "Don't!" He said, deathly calm, voice dripping with anger.
"Shravan...?" She asked alarmed.
"Don't you dare!"
"Par Shravan tum? Please shaant ho jao..."
"Shaant ho jaaon? Ab tak shaant hi toh tha mai, ab bhi kahogi ke shaant rahoon? The very people that made my life worthwhile served me lies, deception and abondamonment on a platter. And you expect me to be calm?" His voice was so low, so hurt, so irate, the intensity took them by shock. And if his eyes were anything to go by, they were to be incenerated by the wrath that was to follow.
"Shravan aaisa nahi hai" Suman tried to reason.
"Accha? Toh kaisa hai? Batao mujhe?"
Suman didn't know what to say to him. She knew he was right. He had been deceived, used, battered and abandoned. Who was she trying to defend? It was a lost battle anyway.
Shravan turned to his father, "Kyun kia?... Yeh sab.. Kya zaroorat thi? ... Aapko dikha nahi kabhi? Mera akelapan? Bolo na Papa, ab aap chup kyun ho? Could you never see what I was going through? Or it was nothing as opposed to statiating your ego...?"
"Nahi beta aaisa nahi tha, mai toh pyaar karta hoon tumse..."
"Yeh kaisa pyar hai aapka? Ke apne hi haathon se apne bete ko barbaad kar diya... inn se nafrat thi mujhse toh nahi thi na?" he asked pointed towards Nirmala and Suman.
"Nahi kabhi nahi...!"
"Toh kyun kia yeh?!?!!" His voice thundering. "Meri Maa ko mujh se alag kar diya. Zindagi bhar tadapta raha unn ke liye, aur yeh kaafi nahi tha toh Sumo ko bhi alag kar diya mujh se? You saw me destroying myself par rehem nahi aya na aapko mujh par?"
Ramnath had nothing more to say, Sharvan was right. He was the destroyer of his own son's life. What was he to do now? Nothing, absolutely nothing would help the damage that had been done. Nirmala thought now that the truth was out, her son would listen to her. She was damned wrong. Cause where he stood, everyone was responsible for his "Barbaadi".
"Shravan, beta, tumhare Papa ne jo kia, kia, jaane do. Yeh toh hamesha se hi apne ego mai choor the. Tum fiqr mat karo, ab tum, Suman aur mai ek saath rahenge, sab theek ho jayega."
Shravan laughed. To anyone that heard, it would sound like a heart wrenching plea. "Aap kya apni wakalat kar rahe ho? Just because he said he was at fault, took the blame does not make you a saint! Mai sab theek kar doongi... chalo mere saath.. BETA!" He said imitating her, "Kya lagta hai aapko? Ke mai maaf kar doonga? Bas aaise hi? Don't you see that you were wrong too! When you should have fought for me, you choose the easier way and left? Ek baar socha, woh baccha jo apni Maa ke bina ek minute nahi reh sakta tha, kya hoga uska? Socha?"
"Beta mai toh bas tumhe custody ke dard se bachana chahti thi..."
"How? By deserting me? My making me believe that if my mother couldn't love me, no one would... By making me believe ke jab Maa chodd ke jaa sakti toh koi aur saath kyun dega?"
"Shravan aaisa nahi hai, mai..."
"Chalo maan liya, ke aap mujhe protect kar rahi thi, maan lete hai. I was 17 when you left, ek saal mai I would be the legal age where no custody battle would matter, I would be entitled to choose who I wanted to be with. Chalo yeh bhi maan liya you didn't want me to go through choosing between my parents. But did you ever try to get in touch with me? You knew I was at Oxford, you could have come to see me. Chalo mann liya ke Mr. Ahuja ka business aur bacche aap ko sambhaalne the, London aaneka time nahi hoga shayad. Haina? Toh aapne kabhi call karneki koshish ki? Nanaji se touch mai thi aap haina? Aapne number liya nahi kabhi unn se? Chalo woh bhi jaane do, aapne kabhi bhi Nanaji ko poocha bhi ke mai kaisa hoon? Zinda bhi hoon ke marr gaya?"
Nirmala could all but weep. Shravan wasn't wrong, she never did try to make contact, she never did ask Tiwariji how he was. She may have thought of him, prayed for him, but never in all those years did she check on him. Heck she didn't know what he looked like.
Suman couldn't hear him talk about death so callously, it just sounded wrong. "Shravan aaisi baaten mat karo please. Tum marne ki baaten karte ho toh mujhe..."
"Kya tumhe? Bura lagta hai? Kyun?" his head was spinning by now. His hand subconsciously went to the back of his head. It hurt.
Suman was flabbergasted. "Shravan tum pooch bhi kaise sakte ho yeh? Of course mujhe farq padta hai.. tum.."
"Really? Farq padta hai tumko? Tumne subha mujhko promise kia tha ke tum mera saath kabhi nahi chodogi...?"
"Haan! I meant it..."
"Oh you did? So let me ask you a question, sach sach jawab dena ha..."
"Kal ko, mere aur apni family aur unke ehsaano mai se kisi ko chunna hua toh kisko chunogi tum?"
"Yeh kaisa sawal hua? Tumko!"
"Are you sure? Cause that's not what you did... You loved me, you saw me break, you broke me each day, but you choose Preeti over me."
"Shravan! Yeh sahi nahi hai.."
"Sach mai? Did you not choose their marriage over my happiness? Our happiness? Did you not choose your family's ehsaans over me?"
"Shravan tab mere paas choice nahi thi.."
"Choice hamesha hoti hai Suman, bas humko pata hona chahiye ke humare liye important kya hai.." he was getting increasingly light headed.
"Tum ho important, tum meri zindagi ke markaz ho..."
"Kab bann gaya mai, tumhari zindagi ka markaz? Pehle toh nahi tha, Mujh se shaadi Nanaji ke kehne pe ki, iss liye nahi ke you loved me. Toh do din mai aaisa kya badal gaya ke mai tumhari zindagi ka sabse important insaan ban gaya?"
"Shravan... Tum... mai... I'm..." She broke down.
Shravan couldn't take it anymore. He fell on his knees and clutched his head with both his hands. He yelled in pain. Ramnath, Nirmala and Suman ran to him.
"Shravan? Kya hua?"
He wasn't responding to anyone. He was now rolling whimpering on the floor. He felt his head would explode. He knew they were calling out to him. He heard their pleas but he couldn't get himself to respond. The pain was crippling him.
"Pushkar!!! Pushkar gaadi nikalo!! Shravan ko hospital le jana hai!" Yelled Ramnath.
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"We have seen his MRI reports, they don't look very promising. He has cerebral hemorrhage. He must have suffered from an injury which has caused this." Informed the doctor gravely.
Suman replied, "Yes, he was hurt. He got hit in his head with a hammer.."
"What?" The doctor exclaimed.
"He was kidnapped two days back.." Chipped Niramla.
"And what were you'll waiting for? To see him drop dead? Highly irresponsible behavior."
Pushkar was shocked at the proceedings. He now understood what had happened on the wedding day. That is why Shravan looked so harrowed.
"There is no time for all of this now. We have called in our best neurosurgeon, we will be performing a brain decompression surgery to reduce the pressure on the brain and drain the excess blood. We will try our very best to save him with as less damage as possible. It's only later that we will know what damage has taken place, let's hope there is none. Pray." Saying the doctor left.
Suman fell to the floor. Ramnath blamed Nirmala for her son was responsible for Shravan's condition. Nirmala blamed him for inciting so much hate. They were fighting even now. "BAS! Bohot hua aap dono ka!" Shouted Pushkar. "Bhayyia zindagi bhar aap dono ki wajhe se kabhi khush nahi reh sake. Aur ab, jab woh marne ke itne kareeb hai, aap dono unki salamati ki dua karne ke badle sirf ek doosre ko galat sabit karne mai lage ho! The both of you don't deserve to have a son like him!"
He sat with Suman, comforting her. Praying for his beloved brother. Ramnath and Nirmala saw reason and sat defeated hoping for the best.
"Aapki himmat kaise hui meri Maa se oonchi awaz mai baat karne ki?" Roared Aditya. He had heard the conversation for he had called his mother and the phone was on when the uproar at the hospital happened.
"Adi beta please, abhi jao.."
"Lekin Maa, yeh.."
"Beta maine kaha na jao!"
"Kya pyaar hai aapka aunty!" Quipped Suman. "Aapka khoon andar zindagi aur maut se ladh raha hai, jiski wajhe se hua usko aap itna pyaar de rahi hai, kamal hai aap!" She got up, stood square in front of Aditya, her eyes spitting anger.
"Kya hai? Aaise kya dekh rahi ho? Tumhare pati se bohot zyada pyaar karti hai meri Maa mujh se..."
The sound of a crackling whip resonated in the lobby. Suman had slapped Aditya hard across his face, so hard that he stumbled back. "Tum dua karo, mere pati ke liye nahi, apne liye. Agar usko kuch hua, toh tumhara woh hashar hoga ke tum kosoge uss din ko jiss din tum paida hue! Aur yeh mat sochna ke gayab ho jaaoge kahin, tum kahin bhi chupp jao, tumhe dhoond kar tumhe tadpa tadpa kar maarongi!"
To say everyone was shocked was an understatement. But no one said a word. For this was Sumo, Shravan's wife, the lioness to the wounded lion. She would have her way.
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It was a painstaking 5 hours and 15 minutes later that the doctor stepped out of the OT declaring the operation a success. He stated that next 24 hours were crucial and that they should continue praying for his speedy recovery.
A while later, an unconscious Shravan was reeled out and shifted to the ICU. He had an oxygen mask on his face, a very heavy bandage on his head and a number of tubes and monitors all over his arms and torso.
The remainder of the day passed hoping he would make it trough. It was midnight and he still hadn't gained consciousness. They were now truly worried for his safety. The doctors kept checking on him periodically. It was early the next morning when he had awoken. He had blinked his eyes a few times, tried to say something and passed out moments later. The doctors took this as a positive sign. Later that day Shravan had gotten fully conscious, he had been checked thouroughly and his vitals looked good. The nurse had checked his motor movements and slow they may have been, he could follow orders and that ment it was all going to be fine. The doctors had informed them that his scans were good and he may need therapy to walk normally again, but it was nothing serious.
The rest of the day he spent sleeping. He needed it. The more he rested the faster he would recover. The next day Tiwaris and the rest of the Malhotra clan had come in to visit him. Shravan had occasionally answered their questions in monsyllables and nodded when they had made any statement. Suman noticed he was very distant, barely talking, never smiling. Ramnath and Nirmala had come asking for forgiveness, he had not responded much. Jus looked at them plainly. His father had held his hand while his mother caressed his face. He didn't back off nor did he welcome it. He was stotic. Later that night Suman fed him soup, he obliged. He was following orders without any questions asked. She was worried for he was not fighting back. He was simply doing exactly as was asked of him. Shravan so jao, he slept. Shravan utho, he got up. Shravan don't do this, he wouldn't. She didn't know what to make of it.
A week had passed, with regular physio, he was walking as good as normal. He still wasn't talking much, he hadn't said a word about what had happened. Nirmala had brought Aditya along one of those days to aplogise. Shravan didn't flinch. Normally, he would have abused or beat him up, but nothing. Aditya apologized, Shravan looked through him. After he left Suman had asked him, "Tum kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho Shravan? Naraz ho toh lad lo, par kuch kaho toh, ab tumhari yeh khamoshi bardasht nahi hoti." He mouthed an apology, turned to the other side and slept.
----------------------------
It had been 23 days since the incident. Shravan was perfectly fine; he was to get discharged shortly, although he was advised rest and avoid stressful work. Everyone was happy for he was to return home. Suman still worried for he barely spoke without need. He preferred keeping it all bottled up when it came to his parents.
There was an elaborate welcome party at Malhtotra Mansion, Tiwaris, close friends, had all come to wish him. He stayed for a bit till after dinner, then excused himself stating he was tired. Suman helped him back to the room, to her surprise he spoke of his own free will, "Darwaza band kar do, baat karni hai tum se."
She was delighted. She did as asked and stood before him. "Baitho.." He said patting the sofa. She sat beside him. She was relieved. "Sumo, you are probably wondering what's gotten into me. Itne dino se baat nahi ki tumse aur aj achanak.."
"It's okay Shravan, tum ab baat kar rahe ho yeh kaafi hai mere liye." She smiled at him.
"Suman, I don't know if I can ever be "me" again, I honestly don't know who is "me" anymore. Maine kisi se 'uss' baare mai baat nahi ki, kyunki mai khaoon kya? Jab meri khud ki pehchaan ka hi mujhe pata nahi." Suman took his hands in her's and nudged him to continue.
"Mai kya karoon Sumo? Mere kuch samjh nahi aa raha..." The vulnerability in his voice made her shudder.
She caressed his hand, "Woh karo jo tumhara dil kehta hai.."
"Mera dil bohot stupid hai! After all of this, all of it, dil kehta hai ke sab ko maaf kar doon. Woh mere Maa Baap hai, kab tak naraz rahoon unn se? It's ironic, itna tootne ke baad bhi, mera dil sabko jodne ki baat kar raha hai..." He looked at her with a child like innocence. Suman was in awe of this man. Even now all he wanted to do was love. How could he forgive so easily?
"Shravan, tumhara dil bohot saaf aur bohot bada hai! Tum jaise log manufacture hona band ho gaye hai pata hai tumhe?"
He smiled after an eternity and it made her heart soar. She cupped his face, "Tum sahi ho, maaf kar do, jaane do unn baaton ko, pakad ke rakhoge toh sirf tumhe dard hoga. Let it go and duniya phir se acchi lagne lagegi.."
When he didn't say anything, she asked for forgiveness. "Itna bada dil hai tumhara. Tumhe toh pata hai mai bachpan se kitni stupid hoon, bohot hurt kia hai tumhe. Maaf kar sakoge mujhe?"
"Maaf toh tab karta jab naraz hota. Sumo mai tumse naraz nahi tha. Naraz khud se tha. And when I made peace with myself, I made peace with everyone else..." He said warily. "Sumo tum na, tum bilkul andhere mai roshni jaisi ho. Gharmi mai chao jaisi. Barish ki pehli boond. Tum jahan jaati ho, sab khush ho jaate hai. Par mai, andheron jaisa hoon. Kaali raat ki tarha. Mai tumhe bhi apne andheron mai bujha doonga. I can't ruin you Sumo. Mere saath sivay dard aur andhere ke kuch haasil nahi hoga..."
"Tum kehna kya chahte ho? Ke mai chali jaaon tumhe chodd kar.."
With a weight on his heart he nodded in the affirmative.
"Shaadi hui hai humari Shravan.."
"Toh kya uss ek wajhe se zindagi bhar mere saath, mere andheron mai rehna sahi hai?"
"Haan! Hai... Tum agar chahte ho mai marr jaaon toh alag baat hai.."
"Suman please..."
"I know, tumhe pasand nahi na. Mujhe bhi nahi pasand jab tum aaisi baaten karte ho.. Tum jitni marzi koshish kar lo, mai kahin nahi jaane wali. Lifetime ka panga le baithe ho tum mujhse.."
"Par Sumo...?"
She didn't let him complete. She had had enough of his pessimistic talk. She had to show him what life with her could be. So without any thought, she smaked her lips on his. She kissed him slowly, savouring the smoothness of his lips against hers. They were softer than she had imagined.
Shravan didn't repond for quite a few moments, he was trying to reason out with her, and the next thing he knew he was being kissed? She was kissing him. He sighed and responded with fervor. He had imagined this a million times but this was way better than all of his imaginations combined. She tasted so good. Surreal was what they both felt.
They came apart for air. Shravan looked into her eyes, smiled and placed his forehead on her's. "I could get used to this..." He said grinning.
"I could too," she said blushing.
They sat there for a bit. Before Suman did what her heart had always told her to, she peppered kisses all over his face. He felt like he was healing all over again. His insides warmed up. He spoke honestly, "If you don't stop now Sumo, I won't be able to stop myself..."
"Tumhe rokna chahta bhi kaun hai?" She whispered shyly.
Shravan was taken aback by this newfound sense of intimacy his wife felt. He knew she wouldn't deny him, but he had broken enough dreams of her's and he would rather die before any other of her dreams were crushed.
"Sumo?"
"Hmmm...?"
"Shaadi karogi mujhse"
"Humari shadi ho chuki hai buddhu!"
"Waise nahi, properly, sab rituals ke saath!"
Tears welled up in her eyes, "Haan..." She beamed. "Tum propose karne wale the toh bata dete. Mai aaisi nahi dikhti kam se kam.."
"Matlab?"
"Matlab aaisi, bilkul bai jaisi.."
"Bai?"
"Haan maid."
"Woh samjha, par bai kyun?"
"Kapde dekho, simple cotton kurta. Baal dekho, tied in a loose bun. Make up toh kia hi nahi, aur ab royi bhi. God! I must be looking terrible." She frowned.
He didn't understand what she was sayin. To him she looked like the most beautiful woman to have walked the earth. The simple yellow kurta made her features stand out. Her hair, messy but framing her face perfectly. No make up? The blush that had crept up her cheeks and the swollen kissed lips. Her nose was pink from crying, cute. She looked perfect. "Sumo, you're perfect.."
"Ab toh bologe hi na.."
"Nahi sacchi.." and he went on to tell here what she looked like to him. "Meri nazron se dekho Sumo, tumko khud ki nazar lag jayegi.."
Aisa dekha nahi khoobsoorat koi
Jism jaise ajanta ki moorat koi
Jism jaise nigaahon pe jaadu koi
Jism naghmah koi
Jism khushboo koi
Jism jaise mahakti hui chaandani
Jism jaise machalti hui raagini
Jism jaise ke khilta hua ik chaman
Jism jaise kih sooraj ki pahli kiran
Jism tarsha huwa dil-kash o dil-nisheen
Sandaleen sandaleen
Marmareen marmareen
"Sar pe chada rahe ho na?"
"Ab shadi ke bina khud pe toh chada nahi sakta, toh sar pe hi sahi..."
"Sharvan!!!"
A full-blown pillow fight broke out. Squeals were heard in the room, the clouds of pain and hurt were giving way to those of happiness. Life was to be lived, and live they would. Hiccups may arise, occasional showers of pain may be felt. But then c'est la vie. And together, it would be worth it.
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PHEW!
I did it again!
See when I imagine in my head it's not that long, but when I write somehow it goes beyond perception.
Tell me what you guys think! Which was your favourite part?
Especially tell me about the confession and proposal, I've written it so many times I've lost count and run out of ideas XD
Did this part meet your expectations? Do let me know!
The song was Afreen Afreen. For some reason I can't imagine romance without a song 😆
Also, those that like and comment will receive PMs!
Cheers!
Zoya
Cricket
