Hey my lovelies, I have updated my FF after a long time. Please do read and drop your comments if you have the time. Happy Reading and keep smiling!
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Chapter 18
In the Mehra Mansion
Two weeks have passed. Our tender love confession by the beach under the bright moonlight and pouring rain had made me unwell the very next day. Even a mild sore throat had my budhiyas, chotte bhai and princess worried, so when I was running a high fever, I had foreseen their worry to have doubled. Only this time, I had an extra person to add to the list. Pragya. Entering my room with tears swelled up in her eyes and concern plaguing her face, I realised at that moment, in that second, she was the one. Holding my hand, her stammering words with tears streaming down her cheeks, I questioned myself, what had I done to be so fortunate? So fortunate to have this girl in my life. I had no answers, but it didn't matter. What mattered was this angel before me. Embracing her in my arms completed me. Her small frame crushed against my body, I held her tight and whispered in her ear, "I love you. Her quick breaths against my neck relaxed almost instantly and her body relaxed. I felt her tighten her arms around me and in the most loving voice, she whispered back, "I love you too, Abhishek.
And that was how we were busted. Shrieks of happy voices had filled my room. Breaking our hug, we were caught red handed by my budhiyas, chotte bhai, my princess and Bulbul. Where did this people come from? And honestly, couldn't they have chosen a more perfect timing? I frowned to myself and kept my annoyance at bay. My angel stood up and tucked her hair behind her ears, her eyes blinking uncontrollably and looking all over the room. That was how she reacted when she was nervous. I can pride myself for knowing that since I have watched this girl and admired everything about her. Before we had a chance to explain ourselves, my budhiyas had huddled my Chashmish out of the room, laughing and screaming on top of their heads saying they will be taking care of the rest. Defeated, I smiled to myself and drifted back into slumberland, my mind filled with memories of her. Pragya. My ray of light in the most darkest places. My sunshine in the most gloomy days. The love of my life. The girl whom I had hopelessly, madly and deeply fallen in love with. My girl. My Chashmish. Meri jaan. Pragya. Everytime I think of her, a warm sensation fills my chest and my heart starts beating a mile a minute. I can't control it. My feelings for her have only grown like wildfire in the past few months since I first laid eyes on her. Her mesmerizing eyes and beautiful smile have made me powerless.
"Bhai? Bhai?!, a voice snapped me back into reality.
"Huh? Hey my princess, I said looking up at my sister who was standing in the doorway.
"Daydreaming again?, she eyed me suspiciously.
"Umm, nahi, I was...I was just..., I trailed off while rubbing the back of my neck.
"Offo Bhai, I can tell when you're lying. So, don't even try!, she laughed and waltzed into the room.
"You know me so well Aaliya, I said and took her hand. She sat on the bed facing me and beamed like a five year old.
"Of course I know you. You're my Bhai, she said in a cheerful voice.
"Do you have any idea how happy I am for you? I have never seen you so lost in your own world, your eyes filled with so much of love and your smile so bright. You really love Bhabhi, don't you?, she inquisitively asked me.
"Yes. Yes my princess. I love your Bhabhi with all my heart, I replied her in a calm voice.
"There you are, came another voice. We looked up to see a familiar face staring at us.
"Purab, where were you?, Aaliya squeaked.
"I just came home after meeting some potential music producers, he said casually and came in.
"Any news?, I asked him as he came to sit beside Aaliya on the bed.
"Bhai, there is always news when you are concerned. They are interested in producing your new album, he winked at me.
"Wow!, my princess squealed in excitement.
"Well, I am working on my new album, but it won't be ready for the next two months at least, I told my chotte.
"Haan Bhai, mujhe pata hai. That's why I told them it will take time. In any case, these producers are willing to wait, he said and massaged the back of his neck.
"Bhai auf Purab. Honestly, you both need to take a break. The Sangeet is in the next two days and tumhara shaadi is like next month!, Aaliya said in a stern voice.
"Aaliya.., Purab began.
"Princess...mujhe, I started before she snapped us both shut.
"Dont give me excuses. If you keep discussing about work, I will brainwash Daadi to postpone the shaadi to next year, she smirked and raised her eyebrows.
"KYA?!, Purab and I shrieked in union like we have seen ghost.
"Kya Hua? You think I won't?, she said in a serious tone.
"Accha accha theek hain!, Purab stammered.
"We won't discuss about work anymore, sahee Purab?, I desperately looked at my bewildered brother.
"From now on till the shaadi is over, no more talks about work. Samjha?, she pointed a finger at us both.
"Offo fine fine, Purab gave in immediately and I nodded in agreement. Whatever it is, my princess was right. I could see a shadow of Daadi in her whenever she threatened us like this.
"Hmm, can't even stand the thought of being away from your lovebirds huh?, her voice echoed in my eardrums.
"Aap dono pyaar mein paagal hain!! I have never seen you like this!!, she clapped her hands and laughed in excitement.
"Thank God! I won't be around to watch aap dono being all lovey dovey and dumbstruck when Bhabhi and Bulbul come to this ghaar, she said in a flow that I almost missed what she meant.
"Won't be around?, I looked at her in confusion.
"Aaliya?, Purab caught on.
"Hain, I mean, I can't stay here forever can I? I mean, aap dono shaadi karenge aur Bhabhi and Bulbul will...will come to stay here..., she trailed off and I cut her in.
"Princess, tum kis baare mein baat kar rahe ho?, my voice was crystal clear.
"Bhai, mujhe galat mat samajho, she said in a soft voice.
"We will unless you tell us what crap you are talking about, Purab howled at her.
"Dekho, Bhabhi and Bulbul aache hain okay? But, they are coming to this ghaar to start a new life as aap dono ki biwi and Daadi's bahu. This will be their home. Even you Bhai, you and Purab will have a new beginning and family. It is not right for me to stay here. Hamhaare rishte will not be the same. Sab kuch...it will change. Priorities. Commitments. People. Everything will change, she said in such a matured voice and stood up.
"No matter where I go, I will always love you both with all my heart. But it is better for me to keep a distance. It doesn't mean, I am leaving aap dono. I just feel that when new rishtes come in, a distance should be maintained to prevent old ones from turning sour, she said looking out the window.
I was dumbfounded. My mind went blank and I stared at my sister's figure standing near the window. It dawned on me. Suddenly. I realised how absorbed I was in my own world with Pragya and everything about her, that I had completely forgotten about the one soul who would sacrifice her own life for mine in a split second. Tears filled my eyes and I looked to Purab who was silently gazing at the floor, his jaw clenched and his body tensed.
"Aaliya..., I began in a trembling voice.
"Bhai, I have always done what is best for you. Your happiness was and is my only priority. Purab is no different. I have thought long and hard. This is best for all of us., she continued in a quiet but reassuring tone.
"I will always be your behen and your best friend, and nothing will change that, she finally turned to face us.
"Get some sleep. Both of you. We have very big days ahead of us and you need to look your best!, she mustered a cheerful voice and blinked back tears. Without an ounce of hesitation, she swiftly left the room and closed the door behind her.
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My mind was racing. My heart was beating so fast that I felt breathless. I sprinted along the hallway, desperately trying to reach my room. Once I did, I locked the door and collapsed onto the cold floor. My soft cries filled the room and I brought my knees to my chest. I finally said what I had dreaded to even think about. It killed me. It shattered me into a million pieces to see Bhai and Purab that way and I struggled with all my might not to breakdown infront of them. Why did I do what I did? Why was I so cruel to them? I had no choice. My hands were tied. It was the only way I could keep them free from trouble. Yes. Trouble. It was brewing. I should have foreseen it. But I didn't expect it. My thoughts shifted to the events which happened that very morning.
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On the streets of Mumbai
"Aaliya, a familiar voice startled me as I was loading the car with shopping bags.
"Aap?, I said looking up at the face which I hated.
"I need to talk to you, Taiji said in a grumpy voice.
"There is nothing to talk about. And I do not wish to speak to you, I said flatly and closed the trunk of my car.
"You would want to if you see this, she said showing me some documents.
"What documents?, I said suspiciously.
"Property papers. Stating the properties, bank balance, assets, shares and Mehra mansion all belong to Raj and Aakash, she dropped a bomb.
"Aap kya bakvaas kar rahe ho?, I growled in anger.
"Bakvaas nahi, here, take a look, she shuffed the papers to me.
I frowned at her, wishing she would just disintegrate into dust and started reading what was written. My world started crashing as the words slowly sunk into my numb mind. The sight of Bhai's official signature gave me chills down my spine and I began trembling. I read and re-read the document, desperately hoping I was hallucinating but every time it showed the same words. Everything. Everything belonged to Raj Bhaiya and Aakash. How was it possible?
"Jhoot. Sab jhoot hain!!, I shrieked at her.
"Jhoot nahi Aaliya. It's the truth. You're staring at the proof, she said as a matter of fact.
"Nahi...you've prepared some fake documents and this signature...this signature it's...forgery!!, I raised my voice at her.
"You can say what you want. But, if I go to court with these papers, can you imagine what would happen?, she gave me a menacing look.
"Nothing would happen. You'd be thrown in jail for forgery, I scoffed back.
"Offo Aaliya! Aren't you a smart girl? Do you really think I'm dumb enough to walk into court if I thought these signatures weren't real?, she mocked me which made my blood boil with rage.
"Listen carefully, these are your Bhai's original signatures and no matter what you do, you can't prove it otherwise. If I head to court, the judgement will be in my favour and you will land up on the streets together with your beloved family, she threatened me and snatched the papers from my grasp.
"What do you want?, I asked her in a calm voice.
"Aahh smart baccha, straight to the point. I want a share, equal share in everything for both Raj and Aakash, she demanded.
"My Bhai earned everything he owns. Who gave you the right to demand for a share?!, I barked at her.
"These papers state that everything belongs to my sons. I'm not asking for everything now am I? Nahi, I'm asking for half of everything. Theek hain?, she said as if being sympathetic towards my helpless situation.
"Mein accha hoon. I'm giving you a choice. Either lose everything or lose half, she said in a business like manner.
I stared at her and my subconscious mind was working overtime. There was no way Bhai would agree to transfer even a quarter of everything. Even if he did out of goodwill, it would be over the dead bodies of Daadi and Purab. I couldn't do what she wanted. How could I? Cheating Bhai? I'd rather end my own life instead. I had to defuse this problem and quick. Bhai and Purab's shaadi was just around the corner and I couldn't risk any harm befalling them. What if Taiji ends up gate crashing the wedding with these papers? No. I cannot and will not let that happen. I have to put an end to this. Now and fast. At that moment, a solution struck my boggling mind.
"Dekho, I will make you a deal. I will you the properties in my name, I calmly told her.
"Your properties?, she asked me.
"Yes, my properties. You know I have assets and properties in my name. I will transfer everything to you, I assured her confidently.
"What I have in my name is equivalent to half of what is under Bhai or maybe even more, I tried convincing her and her next words proved my solution worked.
"Theek hain. I will agree to your deal and..., she said before I interrupted.
"But I have aconditions, I crossed my arms.
"Condition? Kya hain?, she eyed me.
"Yes. I will surrender my properties to you. In return, you will return these property papers to me. If you agree to this, we can close the deal tomorrow itself, I said firmly giving her an ultimatum.
"How can I trust you?, she smirked, waving the papers infront of my face.
"I am Aaliya Mehra. Unlike you, I have been brought up to keep my word if I made a promise, I glared at her.
It felt like making a deal with the Devil. But what choice did I have? She could swing either way. But I knew her desperation was deep. Her hunger for money was ruthless. The sooner she gets it, the better it was for me. For us. That was my only gamble. I stood there, waiting as she pondered over whether to accept my condition. Restless, I decided to tempt her.
"Theek hain. I will accept this deal of yours. Since you are willingly giving me an easier solution, I will take up on the offer, she agreed.
"Accha. As for the transfer, I cannot go through our family lawyer. I'd get another lawyer and call you tomorrow, I told her.
"You better call me. And as you gave me your word, I want this transfer done tomorrow itself. Otherwise, I'll be knocking the courtroom doors with these papers, she threatened me.
"The transfer will be done tomorrow. Wait for my call, I calmly told her.
"Good. I will see you tomorrow Aaliya Mehra, she patted my cheek and walked off, leaving me grounded to where I stood, completely numb and lifeless.
I sat in my car and thought to myself about what had transpired. I did not see this coming. There was no use asking Raj Bhaiya or Tauji. Honestly, what could they do? What have they managed to do over the past years? Nothing. No. I had to do this on my own. I had to solve this without more problems. This will be over tomorrow. I will make sure of it. But what happens after that? What if Bhai and Purab find out about what happened? They are each beginning a new phase in life. Throughout the years, their world encircled me. Now, it was time it encircled their soulmates. I couldn't deprive them of that happiness. If they knew about this, I cannot imagine what they would do. What would Bhabhi and Bulbul think? That even after marriage, Bhai aur Purab are still prioritising me over them? No. It could lead to heartaches and misunderstandings. Whatever I did to bring them together, everything would go down the drains for nothing. What can I do? What can I do to make them change their priorities? It was difficult. Bhai aur Purab are like peas in a pod, stubborn and hard headed. Convincing them was futile. Unless...unless I made the decision for them. Then, they would have no choice.
I would create a distance. Yes. That was the only way. Call me crazy, but nothing else seemed a better option. From now on, Aaliya's problems would be just Aaliya's problems. If I were to protect Daadi, Bhai, Purab, Daasi, Bhabhi and Bulbul without getting them involved, this was the solution because then they will never know the truth. Besides, something deep down kept stirring an uneasiness in my chest, warning me that this was just the beginning and there was more to come. Whatever it was, I needed to find out and put an end to it.
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