Kalma OS - Aashiyana

KALYANI was delirious. Euphoric even. Today was Pillu's six months birthday. Our Pillu has completed six months. She had become Pillu's Aai six months ago. She had given birth to Pillu six months ago. She wasn't the birth mother of Pillu, but she had given birth to him. She had nursed him back to health every time he had been sick. Even though circumstances leading to Pillu's birth were not favourable and the consequences even more so, they had to agree that the most loved member of the house was Pillu. Life had been hard these six months, but it was getting better. They were moving on from what they had suffered. Malharji was moving on from Sampada.

The proof of which was the dinner date he had planned for today evening. Out of the blue, he had announced, today, that they were going to dinner to celebrate Moksh's six months birthday. He had been the one to remember it. If she thinks about it, it was quite obvious why he remembered it. After all, Sampada had run away after giving birth to Moksh. But she did know, that he was happy, so so happy for Moksh. And done, very much done from Sampada.

Before she could go into the thoughts of Sampada and Atharva, she brought herself back to the present. She also had to decide what she was going to wear? What Pillu was going to wear? She looked at Pillu and asked him, "Haan Pillu, kya pehan na hai tumhe, waise tujhe kya, tu toh kuch bhi pehen le handsome hi dikhega. Yeh baat pe toh tu ekdam apne baba pe gaya hai. Woh chahe apni police ki uniform mein ho, chahe ghar ke kapdo mein, chahe bina kapdo ke hi kyu naa ho, ache hi lagte hai."

MALHAR had seen Kalyani in her own world. He was looking at her, and was watching her expressions. She was happy then sad and happy again. Throw in some anger and it was a perfect blend of Kalyani. She started asking Moksh what he wanted to wear for tonight's dinner. And then she began complimenting him. Him. She complemented him by saying he looks good no matter with or without clothes. He was surprised. He had never seen her look at him appreciatingly. He had always thought she hated him. Apparently the opposite was true.

He coughed to let her know he was standing behind her. She turned around and said, "Sorry Malharji, mein aapki buraai nahi kar rahi thi. Mein toh bus Pillu ko yeh Bata rahi thi ki aap kitne ache dikhte hai. Kapdo ke saath bhi aur unnnkkke biiinnnaaa bhiii." As if realising what she was saying she stumbled upon her words. He was watching her with his eyebrows raised. He could not believe she had said something like that to him. She immediately closed her eyes, her face scrunched and she turned around.

He followed her and stood directly behind her. He stopped just behind her, his chest touching her back. He leaned down and fingered the hair covering her ear back. He felt her shivering. He saw the goosebumps on her arms. He whispered with the voice of a man about to commit a sin, "Kapdo ke bina ka toh pata nahi Kalyani, par kapdo ke saath, tum bhi bahut achi dikhti ho." Her eyes opened in disbelief. She looked at him like she couldn't believe he had said something like this. He backed from her and went to the other side of the cradle. All the while, he could feel her eyes on him. He bent down, kissed Moksh, smirked at her, took her hand, pulled her down and kissed her on the cheek. Her mouth widened. She was in shock. Then he proceeded to his work. He had to make this dinner date special for Moksh and Kalyani.

A few hours later...

KALYANI had gone into shock when Malharji had kissed her. She was lost in her thoughts when Aatya had called her and burst her bubble. She hadn't known what to feel then, what to feel now, or what she would feel in the future.

What she did know was what Aatya had felt when she had told her about the dinner date. She had looked like she had bitten a lemon. Oh she had felt so jealous. It was awesome to make Aatya feel like that. Whereas, when she had told Aai, Aai had been as delirious as her. She had told her about the increasing feelings in both of them. She had encouraged them and supported them.

But now, now she had to get herself and Moksh ready. Otherwise they would be late. She readies Moksh first and then gets ready herself. Moksh was looking dapper in a Hooded Black T-Shirt, a Denim Jacket and Grey Tracks along with his Black Monkey Cap. And Kalyani was stunning in a White Crop Top, a Pair of White Pants and a Dark Blue Long Shrug, reaching her ankles, with Blue Pencil Heels. She had worn minimal make-up. They were just waiting for Malharji to get home and get ready.

MALHAR had come home, but Kalyani didn't know. She was busy getting Moksh ready. So he had stealthily gathered his clothes. He got ready just in time to see Kalyani putting on her heels. The heels which did great things for her body. She looked hot, and when she turned, his eyes fastened on her. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was open and for the first time, they were wavy instead of straight. He was flat.

However, he did notice how they were all colour coordinated. He was wearing a Black Shirt with a Pair of Black Pants and a Light Blue Suit Jacket. They were all wearing the colour Blue. They looked like a family from a Hindi Television Show, where they all wore matchy-matchy clothes. He laughed at the coincidence.

At his laugh Kalyani turned around, and when she saw him her eyes widened. She asked him, "Malharji aap, aap kab aaye? Aur aapne mujhe bataya kyun nahi ki aap aa gaye hai?" Malhar felt like having fun with her today. In an answer to her question he asked, "Mein waapas chala jaaon?" And Kalyani bumbled for an answer. He, taking mercy on her, lifted Moksh in his arms and asked her, "Ab chale." And she nodded and followed him as they went out the door.

They reached his jeep and he asked her to get on first, and handed her Moksh and went to the driving seat. They drove to the restaurant where they had to go.

KALYANI loved this sweet avatars of Malharji. When they went inside, she saw how he had arranged a table for three, with preparation for Moksh already done. She had always loved being pampered and Malharji was doing just that. They went to the table and were very comfortable with each other. They were very happy.

They were like a real family.

It was an amazing feeling for Kalyani. When she had come to Aurangabad she had lost her family. When she had married Malharji, she had lost all hopes of ever having a family. And now, now she had a beautiful family. If only she had known then, what she knows now. She would have readily married Malharji, if she had known this is where it would lead to.

She saw him order for himself and looked at her, as if waiting for her order. She realised that was exactly what he was doing. She orders for herself and Moksh, astonished that he let her order. He looked at her and said, "Itna bhi bada Jallad nahi hun mein, jo tumhe apne liye order bhi nahi karne dun." At this Kalyani laughed. He called himself a Jallad. He too laughed with her and looking at them laughing, Moksh was also smiling his toothless smile. Aww. He was overloaded with cuteness.

MALHAR wanted to say something to Kalyani, but before he could continue he heard a commotion taking place behind him he looked at Kalyani and saw her eyes widen. He immediately knew who was behind them. Before he could even turn around, Atharva roared, "Arey Sampu, dekho toh kaun aaya hai, Malhar Bhau aur meri pyaari Kallu. Dekho toh Moksh bhi aaya hai. Kyun Bhau, aap bhi celebrate kar rahe ho, aakhir aaj ke din, 6 mahine pehle, Sampada mere saath bhaag gayi thi. Aaj hi ke din toh meine Sampada ko aapse cheen liya tha."

Malhar was so irritated by them, he did not even want to talk to them. He stood up and called the Manager. He said, "Yeh aap Mr. & Mrs. Bapat, oh I'm sorry, Mr. Bapat and unki partner se please kahenge ki woh hume akela chod de. Mein apni wife aur bete ke saath quality time spend karna chahta hun." To this Atharva smirked, but the Manager cowered and said, "Sir if you don't mind, kya Mr. Bapat aapke saath apke table pe sirf thodi der ke liye baith sakte hai. Koi table khaali nahi hai, Sir just for 15 minutes. Please." But as Malhar was just about to refuse, Kalyani stopped him by grabbing his hand. She nodded sideways. He understood, but he didn't agree with her. But he did listen to her. He turned to the manager and said, "Sirf 15 minute."

He sat down and two chairs were arranged for Sampada and Atharva. And when they finally sat down, Sampada began, "Bataya nahi Malhar, kya celebrate kar rahe ho. Mera bhaag jaana, yaa fir apni zindagi barbaad hona." But Malhar was so done with them, he didn't offer any reply. Instead he took Kalyani's hand in his and held it, causing her to look up at him. What he also noticed was the amusing expressions on Atharva's face and the bitter expression on Sampada's face.

KALYANI was so irritated by Sampada and Atharva, that she has just accepted that they would always be there to ruin their happy moments. But she had stopped Malharji from bursting on that Manager. Unlike Sampada and Atharva, she did not want her private life out in the public world.

She regretted what she did as soon as they sat down. Sampada started taunting them as if she just lived to humiliate them. Even Pillu wasn't happy with their presence. His smile was gone. And moreover, Sampada did not remember that Pillu had been born the day she had ran away. She was the one to give birth to him. The negligence of this woman surprised her sometimes.

Before she could answer her, Malharji took her hand. She looked up at him. What was he doing? Who was she kidding? The real question was whether he was doing this because Sampada and Atharva were here, or he genuinely wanted to hold her hand? Before she could grab her hand back, he tightened his hold on her. She looked up at him and as if knowing what was going on in her mind, he nodded his head sideways. She trusted him. If he was saying that Sampada and Atharva were not the reasons of his actions, then she trusts him.

Moreover, he began saying, "Kalyani, mein jaanta hun ki meine tumhe bahut pareshaan kiya hai. Ki meine tumhare saath bahut kuch bura kiya hai. But aaj, mein tumhe yahaan sirf Moksh ke 6 mahine hone ke celebration ke liye nahi laaya hun. Mein tumhe yaha, tumse maafi maangne ke liye laaya hun. Mein yaha tumse kuch maangna chahta hun. Mujhe pata hai ki mujhe koi haq nahi hai, but mein tumse maangna chahta hun ki tum meri galatiyon ko maaf karo, aur mere saath aage badne ki shuruaat karo. Tumhare bina mere liye yeh 6 mahine bahut mushkil hote. Tumne joh bhi kuch mere liye kiya hai, meri wajah se saha hai, uss sab ke liye mein tumse maafi maangna chahta hun. Aur chahta hun ki aage har musibat, har mushkil, main mein bhi tumhara utna hi saath du, jitna ki tumne mera diya hai. Mein zindagi mein aage badna chahta hun, par tumhe peeche chodke nahi, tumhara haath pakad ke, tumhare saath chalke."

As he said this, tears dropped from Kalyani's eyes. She was so emotional. She had never been this emotional before. She had also never been in love before. When she had heard what Malharji had said, she had fallen in love with him a little bit more. Moments like these, happening over a period of six months, had made her fall in love with him. But tonight, after hearing him say this, had made her finally accept that she was in love with him. She nodded at him with tears of happiness and a smile so bright, that the restaurant did not need lights for the night. She was blushing so much, that she could literally feel the blood filling her cheeks. And Pillu, Pillu toh was bursting with happiness. His smile was toothless, but his eyes were shining. It was a total 'Aww' moment.

SAMPADA had been ecstatic when she had realised Atharva was taking her to dinner. She was delirious when she saw an opportunity to mess with Malhar and Kalyani. She was bitter when Malhar didn't respond to her. She was angry when he started talking to Kalyani like they weren't here. She was guilty when she realised that she had missed Moksh's six months birthday. She was infuriated when she saw Kalyani accept his apologies and proposals. She had gone mad when she realised that Kalyani was in love with Malhar. Because that was a face a woman got when she was in love.

She felt so jealous, she had thought Malhar would fight with Atharva for her, she had thought he would try and win her back. What she hadn't factored into her plan was that he would marry Kalyani to punish her, for a deed she didn't do, for a deed Sampada had accused her of and then he would fall in love with her. Malhar had never been like this with her. Maybe he had, but she had never noticed. So when the Manager came and announced that a table was ready for them, she was thankful. But Kalyani as usual, wanting to have the last word said, "Guess what Sampada, hum yaha tumhare bhaagne ki hi celebration ke liye aaye hai. Naa tum bhaaghti, aur naahi aisa kuch kabhi bhi hota. So thanks Sampada!" Sampada, fuming, stood up immediately and followed the Manager. Not looking if Atharva was following.

ATHARVA had been surprised by the public display of affection between Kalyani and Malhar. He didn't know what to feel of the words Malhar had said to Kalyani. He didn't know if he should be angry, or amused. He didn't know, whether it was an act, or a real play. Only time would tell. For now, he followed his Sampu, who had looked like she would herself kill the chickens, he wanted to eat. But he had to say something, "Waah Bhau, kya bola hai, sach hai ki nahi, woh toh time hi batayegi." And Kalyani who had been just silenced Sampada, looked up at him and said, "Atharva, don't you know jab do bade baat kar rahe ho toh choton ko beech mein nahi bolna chahiye. Jaao, tumhara table ready hai, aur tumhari partner tumhara wait kar rahi hai." Atharva fumed. He too left the table and went to his own.

MALHAR felt relieved when he saw her nod. He had been worried when he saw she was crying. But when she had smiled, he had known he was forgiven. He knew she had never blamed him, but he had blamed himself. And if she can forgive him, then he can definitely forgive himself.

Rest of the dinner went perfectly well. The three had fun. It was a prime time. Then the cake came. They both held Moksh's hands and helped him cut the cake. They even engaged in a little eyelock over Moksh's head. Everyone was happy. Celebrations were happy.

Amidst all the celebration only two people weren't happy, Sampada and Atharva. Today they had been defeated. Like they always had. It was a never changing occurrence. They would do something vicious. They would fail. Every time. He had noticed them, eyeing them, if they were planning again to do something untoward with them. But they had stayed where they had sat. He even noticed some arguements. But he had avoided them, because they didn't matter to him anymore. Because the ones that matters to him were in front of him.

He heard the song that started playing in the restaurant. "Aashiyana" from Barfi. He saw the look in Kalyani's eyes when the song played. He saw her looking at him, asking for permission, which he didnt need to grant. He saw her take Moksh and go to the dance floor. He saw them dance together. He saw the pure joy on their faces.

He got up, he got up and headed for his family. He went there and stood there. Waiting for Kalyani to notice him. She didn't, but Moksh did, and when he directed his eyes to him, Kalyani saw him. Her eyes widened and she stopped. He took a hold of her waist and held Moksh's hand in his own. Kalyani looked to him in a way that said she was grateful of him. And the three of them began dancing together.

He was smiling at their antics, Moksh was smiling at them, giggling with happiness. And Kalyani, Kalyani looked out of the world. She was so joyous.

He had found his family in both of them.

He had found his home in both of them.

He was on a journey to fall in love with Kalyani.

This was his Aashiyana.