Part 3
One week had passed and finally Vikram had started becoming suspicious of his dear sister’s strange activities. It hadn’t skipped his notice how he found Guddan more often in his company these days, not that he objected to it. Her company was a welcome change but suspicions had to be answered nonetheless.
“Antara…” Vikram called out after his sister as he saw her following after Guddan, not sodiscreetly.
Antara jumped in her skin, startled by his voice and turned around like a criminal caught red handed. “Haan….bolo Vikram…” Antara stammered as her eyes flicked from one corner of the house to another.
Vikram gauged Antara’s reaction and could smell something fishy. “Why were you following Guddan Ji?” He inquired furrowing his brows.
“That…I j-just needed to ask s-somethin…haan…ask something!” Antara responded, her facial expressions a mix of confusion and surprise, at her own words.
“At least make it seem like you are trying!” Vikram sighed catching her lies and continued, “What is it Antara? I have been observing you for the past few days and I suspect you’ve been scheming something involving me and Guddan ji. What are you plotting?”
“H-How do you know?” Antara asked surprised.
“Well, you haven’t put many efforts in hiding your intentions and then….”
‘….the constipated expressions on Akshat Jindal’s face that he doesn’t even try to mask make it pretty easy to figure out!’ Vikram swallowed the remaining words.
“and so..what is it?” Vikram repeated his question and Antara opened up about how exactly she thought of Guddan as the perfect life partner for him.
Vikram was shocked would be an understatement. He did like Guddan because interacting with her involved no conspiracies and underlying plots just pure innocence and straight forwardness but nothing beyond that.
“I appreciate your concern sis and I do like Guddan ji and enjoy her company a lot but….” Vikram stopped midway as he glanced behind Antara to see Akshat standing with a scowl on his face.
So AJ had heard it all.His clenched fist turning white was a proof enough.
“But?” Antara asked confused.
“Nothing….I’ll try…”And with that Vikram looked up and passed a smile towards first floor as Akshat followed his eyes and looked up to see Guddan leaning over the railing of balcony, engrossed in her phone.
Akshat fumed while Antara smiled at Vikram.
~*~*~*~*~
As Vikram was exiting his room, he was intercepted by Akshat blocking the door. Vikram smiled amused at Akshat as he stepped inside.
“Can I help you with anything AJ?”
“What does ‘I’ll try’ mean?”
“Pardon?” Vikram asked perplexed.
“Don’t feign ignorance! You exactly know what I am talking about!” Akshat shoutedslamming his palm against the door frame.
Vikram let the innocent look slip from his face and started chuckling, “You have a nice expression there AJ! Though…”
Vikram stopped as his smile turned upside down, “Though I don’t see the need for you to wear it!”
“Don’t see the need?!”Akshat repeated feeling ridiculous and approached Vikram, “You freakin expect me to stay quiet while you ask my wife out?!”
Vikram stepped up to Akshat and stared right back. “You have quite the gall….shamelessly claiming your ownership upon Guddan Ji when you have Antara!”
“Guddan is my WIFE. This is the truth and you know it well. You do understand that I am helpless under certain circumstances”,Akshat retorted.
“I don’t understand.You should not expect me to either. Seedhi si baat hai AJ, head and tails both can’t be yours. What you are doing to Guddan is injustice and she deserves better. I can be that so yeah I’m gonna T.R.Y!” Vikram stressed his last words and was about to leave when Akshat caught him by his collar.
“Don’t you dare Vikram!” Akshat hissed seethingly.
“Watch me!” Vikram retorted as he pushed Akshat away and marched out.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Someone’s looking pretty!” Vikram complimented as Guddan descended the stairs looking like a regal queen in turquoise lehenga.
Guddan looked him over in response and made a thoughtfu lface, “You are looking decent too…”She trailed teasingly as he chuckled.
“Guddan Ji, you talk as if I run around the mansion half naked on usual basis!” Vikram replied,pretending to be offended, as he smoothed the wrinkles on his bandh gala.
“Who knows!?”Guddan smirked in a sing song and soon both broke into a laughter.
“What’s the occasion Antara?” Akshat repeated yet again as the duo emerged from their room colour coordinated in blue.
Guddan and Vikram stopped with their jokes as couple descended the stairs.
“Wow! Even you guys are colour coordinated!” Antara mused as Akshat and Guddan looked at each other with yearning and longing.
However Guddan broke the eye lock first and excused herself while Vikram went to meet a group of people who had recently entered the party.
“Are you going to tell me what this party is about or not?!” Akshat asked, feeling annoyed on recalling Guddan and Vikram’s matching outfits.
“Vikram’s getting engaged!” Antara whispered as Akshat whipped his head to her direction instantaneously and let out a shocked, “What?!”
“T-To whom?”Akshat asked as his eyes started searching the room for Guddan when he finally located her conversing with a girl across the room as Vikram joined the conversation.
Akshat’s heart sunk as he saw the duo laughing.
“I don’t have a clue. Vikram said that it’s a surprise”, Antara complained seemingly pissed by her brother’s secrecy.
Akshat didn’t pay her much attention. His eyes just widened in shock as he saw Vikram lean towards Guddan and whisper something into her ears as she smiled warmly at him and clasped his hands assuringly.
Vikram nodded as he took in a deep breath and approached the stage. Guddan followed after him and stopped just a few steps away.
Akshat didn’t want to believe it. This can’t be.
“First of all, my heartiest apologies to every person invited to this party for they had no clue what this celebration is about. This party is kept to celebrate love…” Vikram trailed as he looked at Guddan and she blinked her eyes urging him to go ahead.
“This party is kept to celebrate that feeling of being in love. Today you all have been invited to stand witness as I will propose the woman who stole my heart with her antiques”.
Akshat gasped violently as he saw Vikram look in Guddan’s direction with love in his eyes. That exact lovelorn look his eyes reflected when he saw Guddan. It can’t be!
“I am a very reserved person and so I’d really appreciate some help…Will you do me the honors,Guddan?” Vikram fumbled nervous as he extended his palm in his direction and she took it.
“Is it Guddan Vikram is going to propose to?” Antara whispered excited while Akshat gulped. Guddan won’t do that to him. She can’t do that. She is already married to him!
As Vikram handed an envelope to Guddan, Akshat’s breath hitched. Why can’t she do that when you don’t care?! She has full rights to seek someone who will only belong to her!She can do that!
As Guddan started to unfold the letter, Akshat felt trepidation rising. He looked around the room but his family members weren’t half averse to the idea. They were all smiling probably because Guddan deserved way better. Maybe he should let her go. And as soon as this thought entered his mind, moments spent with her flashed in front of his eyes and shaking his head in determination, he unclasped Antara’s arm looped around his and rushed towards the stage.
Guddan had just started reading the letter, “Dear Ras…..”
“This marriage cannot happen!” When Akshat’s booming announcement interrupted her as he snatched the letter away.
“What are you saying Jindal saab? Give the letter back!” Guddan retorted astounded as she tried to take the letter but he just crumpled it.
“Maine keh diya na that this marriage cannot happen! Nhi matlab nhi!”
“What are you doing with the letter? Vikram Ji worked so hard to write those lines!” Guddan shouted troubled as she tried to open his fist to take the letter back.
But Akshat went and tore apart the letter and then turned to Guddan, “Are you so eager for this marriage?!”
Before Guddan could reply, Antara cut in between. “What has happened to you Akshat? Why are you so against this alliance?!”
“Haan AJ, why are you against this alliance?” Vikram joined the fray, his lips decorated by a slight smirk.
“You are asking me why?! Meri hi aankhon ke saamne tum meri biwi ko propose karoge aur main chup rahunga!” Akshat shouted as Guddan’s eyes widened in realization and she started shaking her head in negative, “Nhi…it’s a misunderstanding..”
But her words were overshadowed by Vikram’s. “Aapki biwi?! Since when is she your wife?”Vikram spoke vaguely while Antara couldn’t make head or tail of the situation.
“Seems like you have forgotten, Vikram. Exactly 8 months and 13 days back we had gotten married and she became Mrs. Akshat Jindal!”
In the process, Guddan continued to try to bring to Akshat’s notice that he was misunderstanding but all in vain. Antara’s face had lost its palour as she looked at an angry Akshat fighting for Guddan.
“Which Mrs Akshat Jindal are you talking about?” Vikram snickered suggestively.
“I only have one wife, Mrs GUDDAN AKSHAT JINDAL!” Akshat roared as Guddan closed her eyes,Vikram smirked, Dadi and Lakshmi rejoiced while Antara fell to her knees.
“Finally, you accepted the truth!” Vikram sighed as he leaned down to pick up the pieces of his letter, “But there was no need to tear my letter apart. I was just proposing to my colleague, Rashmi Mehta”.
Akshat’s face changed colors in horror as he followed Vikram’s sight to see the woman he had seen Guddan and Vikram conversing earlier with.
“That means…”Akshat trailed shocked.
“…that I was just going to read Vikram ji’s proposal to Rashmi on his behalf since he was nervous!”Guddan completed as Akshat closed his eyes out of embarrassment. Vikram was doing those googly eyes at Rashmi who had been standing right behind Guddan! He had made a fool out of himself.Fabulous!
“W-What is the meaning of all this?” Antara mumbled absent mindedly, her perfect world crumbling around her.
Akshat went to Antara and crouched to her level, “I am sorry to hurt you but this is the truth Antara. I got married to Guddan to fulfill your last wish of seeing me move on in life. When you came back, I couldn’t tell you the truth because of your condition and I tried hard but I can’t do it. I can’t do it anymore….”
Akshat got up as Antara looked at him while he stole his gaze away, “I loved you a lot. I reallydid. My love for you was honest. But people change and so does relationships. Iwas broken when you left me and it was Guddan who healed me…” Akshat continued looking at Guddan, “You weremy first love b-but Guddan is my last. Tumhare baad vo aayi, uske baad kabhi koi nhi hoga. I am sorry but I am not your Akshat anymore. I am Guddan’s Jindal saab now. Sabse badi sachai yahi hai ki…I love Guddan…itna ki tumhare jaane ke baad jee toh liya tha, uske bina toh mar jaunga!”
Antara was in disbelief as Vikram held her by her shoulders and helped her get up. “He’s right Antara. This man is not your husband anymore. Even by Indian law, your marriage has been annulled long back. Guddan is his rightful wife now”.
As Vikram consoled Antara, Akshat approached Guddan and stood face to face with her. Her eyes were full of tears for her sacrifice has paid. Her Jindal saab had come back to his Guddan. Akshat wiped her eyes and shook his head in negative.
“Ram siya ka hi tha…”Akshat pulled out her mangalsutra that she had hid under neckline of her blouse and cupped her cheeks, “…or siya ka hi rahega!”
And with that Guddan hugged him and he reciprocated it. This was their sanctuary. This was their peace.
Tada! The End!
I hope you guys enjoyed it!😃
Sports
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Members Lounge
Cricket
