Awakening:
Sonakshi was very tired. Saurav dada's aashirwaad ceremony with Ronita had just got over. She got into her room and sat down on the bed and thought about the evening again. She was happy for her beloved elder brother and Ronita. However, she had other reasons to feel uncomfortable... Dev... She said his name and sighed. Suhana had insisted that Dev stay with them in the Bose house till her Mama's wedding was over. She had to share a room with him and Soha after seven long years. He came over last night. He was also uncomfortable and her Baba was ensuring that he taunt him all the time. In fact Baba served him non vegetarian food last night and Sona and her mother were so embarrassed by his childish behaviour. But the damage was done and her erstwhile mother in law walked in with vegetarian food for Dev and Soha. Though they had agreed when they stayed in each others houses, no one from the family would visit them, Ishwari was the last one to bother about these things. Anyways somehow the matter was resolved.
Last night, she didn't sleep properly because she had to share a bed with him after ages. She lay awake for a major part of the night with Soha sleeping between her on one side and Dev on the other. The smell of his cologne made her think of all the nights she spent in his arms after making passionate love. When she could hear his heart beat just for her. When she traced the scars on an old surgery on his right arm. When he counted the freckles she had on her back and kissed each and every one of them... the list was endless. Feeling restless, she decided to take a shower. She sat down in front of the mirror and took off her earrings and bangles and the watch. She tied up her hair and was about to go in when Soha came running into the room and said "Mamma - Jatin uncle is taking all of us to the movies. Will you also come?" Sona said "No Soha I am tired and I have some work to do. You all go". Just then Jatin and Saurav dada came in and they asked her the same thing. She said "No you guys go ahead - I have some urgent work to take care of and then I will sleep I am having a slight headache". Jatin, Souarv, Soha, Maa and Baba all went off for the movie. Dida was sleeping in her room downstairs. Sona had a bath and came out wearing comfortable pyjamas and an old t shirt. She didn't bother drying her hair and sat down at her study table and opened her laptop and started working. After a while she wondered where Dev was and dismissed the thought from her head. After about fifteen minutes she noticed someone standing at the door of her room watching her. "Dev... you almost scared me. Where were you all this while?" Sona exclaimed. Dev didn't say anything and he sat down on the bed and asked her "Where is Soha?" Sona replied "She and the rest of the family have gone out for a movie. Would you like to have dinner?" Dev said "I had been to office - had some work to take care of. I had something to eat at office. Don't bother about dinner". Sona nodded and was about to turn back to her laptop when Dev said softly "You will catch a chill - why didn't you dry your hair?" Sona carelessly replied "Its ok.. my hair is short now ... it will dry soon". Dev didn't say anything ...but he picked up the towel lying on the bed and gave it to her and said "Please dry it". Sona was getting annoyed now and she said "No I wont ... if I catch a chill its my problem why are you bothered?" He just came up behind her and said softly "will you believe me if I tell you that the drops of water sliding down ur neck and into your t shirt behind are driving me crazy". He gently turned her around and looked at her. Sona was embarrassed and refused to look up but she could feel his eyes on her and she looked up finally and she looked into his eyes... A little dark with desire. She could always read his eyes well and they gave away his state of mind always. She couldn't look away and Dev came closer and held her arms gently. Sona got up, a little flustered from her chair. Dev also got up and held her again... her inhaled the smell of her freshly washed hair deeply... it drove him crazy last night and it was driving him crazy today... he gently turned her around and kissed the back of her nick where drops of water were slipping from her hair. Sona was shocked and her heart was racing. Dev came closer and she could feel his breath on her neck and she couldn't control herself. He kissed her again on her neck and she realised that he remembered that she always got turned on when he kissed her there.
As if her read her thoughts he said "I remember Sona...". Sona was embarrassed and she was getting turned on. When she realised that Dev had turned her around and was looking at her intently and he whispered "You know what... I always felt you were so beautiful with long hair and traditional clothes that you used to always wear. But when I see you now with short hair in western wear I think you are so much more beautiful now... really. I feel jealous when I see other men looking at you or admiring you. I know I have no rights on you but that's really how I feel. Cant stop my heart isn't it?" Sona didn't reply anything and she felt tears gathering in her eyes. She blinked hard and said "Do you want to know why I cut my hair and why I rarely wear jewellery?" Dev nodded and she continued "I didn't want any man to consider me beautiful and I didn't want to wear beautiful clothes and jewellery because I didn't want anyone admiring me. The only person whose opinion and compliments mattered to me was not in my life anymore and the rest of it didn't matter". Dev was very sad when he heard this from Sona and she continued "I know you think that I have changed Dev and the fact is I probably have changed. I was a different person before that day at the farmhouse. I had to be tough. We didn't have any money and we didn't have a roof over our heads. We stayed in Elena's parents' house for a year and we can ever forget the support they gave us at that time. When I was pregnant and I would go for checkups, I made it a point to always go alone because I didn't want my parents to be embarrassed and insulted with the questions that people had about a single divorced mother to be. When I went into labour, I was so worried as to what would happen to my child if I were to die because that time I didn't have enough money to leave for her. As my business grew, I had to be tough Dev because there are many people out there who would want to take advantage of a single woman. I tried reaching to you when Soha was six months old and you refused to meet us. So I didn't have a choice but to become like this. So now I find it difficult to let my defenses down".
Dev was very hurt and sad when he heard this and without saying a word he left the room. Sona decided not to follow him and went to bed. Soha and the rest of the family came back in an hour or so and she put Soha to sleep next to her. As she patted Soha to sleep, Dev came back. She noticed that his eyes were red. But she did not ask him anything till Soha slept. Dev, meanwhile sat down on the couch quietly. After Soha slept Sona went upto him and said "What happened? Why are you so upset?" Dev just looked at her and she could stil see the tears dancing in his eyes when he said "I used to always think that my mother had a diffcult time bringing us up but now i realise that your life in the last seven years was much tougher and I am responsible for that. I am sorry Sona I did not keep my promises that I made when we married. I know I don't deserve forgiveness for all that I have done but if you can give me one last chance I will prove to be a good life partner to you. Think about it please. If not for me at least for Soha. I will be a good father." Sona sighed and replied "Believe me I understand what you are going through. But its very early for me to decide anything Dev and I really hope you understand. Lets talk about this later ... please". Dev nodded and both Dev and Sona went to sleep - Sona on the bed and Dev on the couch.
The next day, there was yet another ceremony relating to her brother's wedding. She was about to take out a gown to wear when on a whim she decided to wear a simple pink banarasi saree ... after seven long years. She wondered about where Dev was as she had not seen him since morning and she was still thinking about their conversation last night. She wore the saree and tied her hair in a low bun at the nape of her neck and simple solitaire earrings. She wore her favourite watch and was about to leave the room when Soha came and gave her a small packet. She ran out before Sona could ask her anything. Sona looked at the brown box and opened it and found a gajra there made of jasmine flowers. There was a small note as well...
Dear Sona
I am serious about what I told you last night. I have very happy memories associated with these flowers and that's why I am sending these to you. I will be very happy if you wear these today. At least I know my journey towards redemption has begun with this one step. I promise that I will be a good husband and companion to you and will forever protect you and Soha... please give me one more chance. I also know that if u wear these flowers it would be the first step only... I want to walk the rest of the way to your heart...only if you also want me to..
Dev
Sona smiled when she took out the gajra from the box and remembered the time when Dev had googled how to wear a gajra and had put it in her hair. She thought of all the happy moments they had shared. She also knew that he was the kind who would fall in love only once in a life and she also only loved him in her life. Yet she was not sure if he would ever support her in front of his family. But his agreeing to stay in her house for a week at a time was a big step in that direction and heart of heart she knew that she wanted to give him one last chance to prove himself to be a good father and partner. She tied her hair into a small low knot and wrapped the gajra around the knot. Glancing at the mirror one last time, she realised something was missing. She opened the drawer and took out a small red bindi and wore it on her forehead. Now, somehow the look felt complete.
Sona walked down the stairs nervously and found a lot of people around. She looked around for dev but couldn't find him. Asha came to her and said "Khub bhalo lagche." Soha came running to her and said "Mamma you are wearing flowers in your hair! Its looking so nice!" Sona then noticed that Dev was right behind Soha. He was dressed in a simple off white kurta and churidar and he was looking very handsome with a slight stubble. Soha ran towards her mama and for a moment Dev and Sona were alone. He leaned towards her and whispered from behind "Thanks for giving me a chance Sona. Thanks for wearing the flowers. I hope you know how much it means to me. And by the way isn't it a crime to look prettier than the bride to be!" Sona turned around and gave him a small smile and said "Thanks" and before she could continue she was called to participate in the ongoing rituals. She left and Dev moved to back and watched his wife (to be) looking so pretty and his precious daughter and his extended family (to be) all happily participating in the ceremony going on. He was no doubt a little sad as he was always very fond of Saurav and he couldn't directly partake in his happiness. But seeing the flowers on Sona's hair and the smile on her face and his daughter's face he was sure that he had taken the steps in the right direction ... towards redemption and towards his happiness and towards finding his roots and making some for the next generation. He knew that the battle is just about to begin as the stay next week at his house would be no less than a war but this time he wouldn't repeat his mistakes as he had the two most important women in his life on his side... (well Soha - definitely) and Sona (reluctantly now but he knew that she would stand by him)...everything else including his mother's fears he knew would eventually fall in place...
<End of story>>
Udne Ki Aasha
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
