Dhara was about to turn the corner when she stopped in her tracks. Her brows furrowed as she took in the sight before her. Dhara didn’t know if she was supposed to feel happy, scared or just plain confused.
“Shiva, darwaaza khol. Dekh tere liye teri favorite aloo gobi ki sabzi banayi hain. Aur woh bhi bahut mehnat se. Khol na, please.”
Dhara looked at the figure steps away from here and then at the door. Thoroughly confused, she turned around and went back to her room, the dinner plate since in her hand.
When she entered her room, Gaumbi looked up. His eyes lit up as soon as they noticed the plate. “Dhara, kya baat hain. Yeh mere liye hain.”
Dhara narrowed her eyes. “Abhi toh dinner kiya.”
“Toh kya hua. Tere haath ka tasty khaana toh kabhi bhi khaa sakhta hoon.” He took the plate from her hands like an excited child while Dhara shook her head, smiling at his enthusiasm.
“Mujhe maskaa lagane ki koi zaroorat nahin.”
After a few minutes of silence where Gaumbi ate and fed her a few bites, Dhara spoke up. “Yeh khaana Shiva ke liye tha.”
Gaumbi paused and looked at her, confusion written across his face. “Kya? Toh usse diya kyun nahin?”
“Kyunki mujhse pehle Rishita wahaan thi. She was asking Shiva to open the door.”
“Hmm, interesting so that means I won the bet.” Dhara narrowed her eyes in mock anger as Gaumbi chuckled. His eyes shone with mirth.
“Not yet. This proves nothing.” Dhara pouted while Gaumbi fed her another bite.
“Oh but it does. Okay how about we meet halfway? Ek chota sa trailer?” Gaumbi winked with a naughty smile.
Rishita stood in front of the door. Life can be so strange at times. Sometimes she wondered what would have happened had she not made the decision to run away and marry Dev. For better or for worse, she was now Dev’s wife. Rishita would be lying if she said it was a smooth sailing. Her heart clenched at she thought about the insults hurled during their initials fights. He would always remind her that she left her family and that she was nothing compared to Dhara. Initially she hated Dhara. There is no other way to put it. But over time Rishita realized that hating Dhara wouldn’t solve any of the issues between herself and Dev. Despite two years of dating, she knew absolutely nothing about him. Sometimes he felt like a complete stranger and at other times she felt like an alien.
And that feeling was just plain awful. A month or so into their wedding, she had started to feel as if the walls of the haveli were closing in on her. She felt so alone. The kind of loneliness that can drive one insane. So she did what her basic human instincts told her to do. Make friends amongst enemies (or so she thought).
After the entire batwara fiasco, Dhara Bhabhi suddenly stepped back from commenting on anything, unless absolutely necessary. It was so out of character and what was even more strange was the weird looks she would share with Gaumbi.
Interestingly enough, the first person she made friends with was Gaumbi. After a particularly nasty fight with Dev, Rishita felt a despair she had never felt before. It was then Gaumbi sat next to her, with her favorite smoothie and offered her some solid words of advice. It was that day Rishita realized how important communication is. She didn’t show it but she would often observe Gaumbi & Dhara in awe of how much they communicated to one another.
A few nights later, Rishita sat down with Dev and for the first time in 2 plus years, they had a real conversation. And she was so happy that it was the first of many. That night changed so many things for the two of them.
The next person to reach out was Raavi. Without Dhara’s guidance, the two often found themselves having to do similar tasks. It was then Raavi started to slowly share her tips and tricks. Rishita didn’t want them at first but somehow Raavi won her over. In fact, these days Raavi was almost at the top of her speed dial. They spoke about each other’s childhood, college and once they reached that comfort level, they even spoke about Dev. Rishita didn’t react at the time, but she was surprised at how little Dev’s name appeared in Raavi’s childhood tales while Shiva was the central character in every story. It didn’t take long for her to realize how misplaced her insecurities were. Raavi was indeed a gem who spread nothing but joy to those around her, including Rishita herself (though she wouldn’t say this to her face).
In these past several weeks, she also made a frenemy. He was so difficult to deal with but she had to admit, he was a wonderful human being. One who has so much more depth in him than one would think at first sight. Rishita sighed shifting her weight to her other leg. Tired of carrying the tray for so long, she knocked harder this time. She heard an irritated grunt and the door creaked as it opened.
Rishita instinctively took a step back as she took in the sight before her. Her brother in law looked like a mess. Eyes haunted by sleepless nights, hair sticking up in every single direction and lips pasted into a permanent scowl.
“Kya hai Rishita Bhabhi.”
Taking a deep breath, she prepared to enter a mad man’s cave. Pushing past him, she began distracting herself from his anger.
“Saara din itni mehnaat karke tera favorite khaana banaya. Maine kal hi itna accha manicure karwaya, phir bhi maine haar nahin mani.” She put down the tray and held up her hands. “See how it looks now. Itna sab kiya aur phir bhi tu mujhse aise baat karta hain.
Shiva rolled his eyes and tried to usher her out.
“Shiva look at yourself. Kya halaat banaya khud ka!”
Shiva curled his fists. Rishita reached out and took his hands.
He relectuantly uncurled them and sighed.
Rishita gave his bed a weird look but daintily sat down. Shiva shook his head as a chuckle escaped his lips. It sounded so foreign even to his own ears. She gestured for him to sit next to her. He sat on the floor next to the bed, waiting for her reaction. And there it was. The horror on Rishita’s face that somehow became the highlight of his day.
“Uski yaad aa rahi hain na tujhe?” Rishita’s features softened as she looked at him curiously.
“Nahin.” Only a fool would believe him. And these days he knew Rishita Bhabhi was smarter than she looks.
“Jhooth. Phone kar usse. Kaisi halat ho chuki teri. Woh toh tujhe bhootnath bulati hain. Tu toh sachme bhootnath dikh raha hain.” Giggling at her own joke and then stopping herself when he didn’t react, she took out her phone.
Shiva held his breath as it rang. He looked up and signaled no but as usual she didn’t listen.
The call was just about to reach the recipient’s voicemail when she picked up.
“Hello Rishita. Tum iss waqt? Sab theek hain na wahaan.”
Shiva felt a few pesky tears stream down his face at her voice. But he didn’t dare make a noise. Instead he turned his face away to avoid them being seen.
“Nahin Raavi. Kuch theek nahin.”
Shiva panicked and nodded his head. No don’t say anything to her, he begged with his eyes. “Matlab, hum sab tumhein miss karte hain yaar. It’s not the same without you.”
He heard silence on the other hand and bowed his head as he felt her pain.
“Main bhi aap sab ko bahut miss karti hoon.” Her choked voice broke his heart further. He curled his fists trying to hold himself back. She loved his family so much and it was all because of him that she couldn’t stay.
“Toh ghar aa jao.”
“Nahin, Rishita woh ab mera ghar nahin.”
“Lekin... Shiva.”
“Main iss baare mein baat nahin karna chahti. Anyway Anita Di wait kar rahi hain. Mujhe jaana hain. Tum apna aur sab ka khayal rakhna. Bye Rishita.”
“Bye Raavi.” Shiva stormed out of the room before Rishita could say anything. Hearing her voice evoked emotions he tried so hard to suppress. He wanted nothing more than to go to Somnath and wrap his arms around her. Tell her how special she is to everyone and to him. Nothing feels the same without her. He didn’t stop her that day because it was her choice to leave. But it was so damn difficult to ignore that fact that he misses his Chipkali so much!
Shiva walked straight out of the haveli to the area by the water. Rishita followed him, almost running to keep up. He could hear her footsteps rushing behind him.
“Ruko.” He stopped and took a deep breath. There was no avoiding this.
“I’m fine Rishita Bhabhi. Bas thodi der kamzoor padh gaya tha.” His voice didn’t have the strength he hoped it would.
Rishita crossed her arms. “Dekh Shiva, main Dhara Di toh nahin ho. Na main unki tarah ban sakti. Na banna chahti hoon. Toh main seedhi baat karungi. Pichle kuch hafton mein maine bahut kuch seekha. Iss family ke baare mein... actually family ke barre mein. Sirf pyaar se kuch nahin hota. Communication bhi bahut important hain. You can’t expect her to just understand. You have to tell her how you feel and listen to her as well. Dev and I learned this after many arguments and fights.”
“Woh meri baat nahin nahin sunna chahti.”
“Kyunki tum usse baat nahin karna chahti ho.”
“Woh khud chali gayi!”
“Kya tumne usse roka?” Shiva knew she was right. But he had his reasons. His Chipkali deserved better than all this. Better than him.
“You know Dev mujhe kal ek theory bata raha tha and now I’m positive he’s right. Tum usse bachpan se pasand karte ho, haina?”
Shiva looked at the vast water in front of him. He didn’t respond but the answer the clear to both of them.
Rishita touched his arm softly. “Then maybe you should start from there. Show her you care and have done so for years. She deserves to know how special she is for you. And then, let her decide what she wants. That’s the least you can do, right?” Shiva looked up at her and gave her a small smile.
“You’re welcome.” Rishita smirked and started to walk back to haveli.
As Rishita walked away, she felt good. Only an idiot wouldn’t realize how much these two love each other. And the key to all this lies in their childhood. Now about that husband of hers. If only he would be able to resolve his pesky issue..
Raavi sat by the window, unable to focus on anything, not even her diary. “Aye MaamiKiBehenKiBeti.” She turned expecting to see him lounging on her bed. Instead she saw Krish who was smirking. She tossed him a pillow.
“Kya Bhabhi, lagta hain kisi aur ko expect kar rahe thhe.”
“Tu yahaan? Tum sab toh kuch der aur rukhne wale thhe na haveli mein
“Haan lekin maa ko Somnath mein wapas aana tha aur maine bhi socha ke yahaan ki ladkiyon ko aur satana sahi nahin hoga. I mean how did they survived without me? They must feel like fish without water.”
Raavi narrowed her eyes and stalked up to her brother in law. She looked at his adorable expression and couldn’t help but smile.
Krish suddenly pulled her into a bear hug. “We miss you Bhabhi.” Raavi felt her eyes fill up with tears. She missed all of them so much!
Raavi looked at Krish. “Krish no matter what, tu hamesha mera dost rahega. Chahein kuch bhi ho jaaye, yeh fact nahin badlega.”
Raavi sat on her bed and gestured Krish to sit beside her. Instead, he sat on the floor and she giggled. Some things never change. “Lekin haan, main bhi sabko bahut miss karti hoon. Main Dhara Di ki cooking, Gaumbi ke chocolates, Rishita ki gossip... sab bahut miss karti hoon!”
“Aur Shiva?” Raavi stilled.
“Tu kuch khayega? Anita Di ne Chinese banaya woh bhi khud. It was superb!”
Krish could sense her unease so he agreed and she went to get the food. As Raavi walked downstairs she thought about all that happened recently. Seeing Krish made her think about the family she left behind. It was times like this that she wondered what fate has in store for her.
What if she had never wanted to marry Dev? What if she had walked away from the wedding that day? Raavi always believed what happened did so for the best. Then why did things end up like this.
She loaded up the plate for Krish. Her heart clenched at she thought about someone else who loves to eat. She promised herself she wouldn’t think about him. Why should she! He didn’t care. He simply didn’t. If he did, he would have called. He would have said something the day she left. Raavi knew Shiva had given his best to live up to his promise to his Bhabhi. But what about her? What about them? He made it clear that he doesn’t love or even like her. How long would they stay together to please the family. Raavi knew Shiva would never do anything to hurt his family. She admired him for this quality but not enough for her to throw her own feelings away.
As Raavi walked back to her room, she thought about all the moments they spent together. She would be the biggest liar of Somnath if she said that she doesn’t miss him. That Bhootnath even makes his way into her dreams! But alas, reality has something else in store for them. Wiping away her tears, she smiled as she handed Krish the plate. She could see his face light up, just like Shiva’s at the sight of food.
As Raavi watched Krish eat and chatted with him, she couldn’t help but wonder what Shiva was up to. Did he miss their fights as much as she did? Raavi had no idea how to face him once everyone returns to Somnath. Would he ignore her or taunt her?
When Rishita called earlier, a part of her wanted to ask how Shiva was. But she didn’t think it was fair when she herself walked away. He probably didn’t spare her a second thought.
“Woh aapko miss karta hain.”
“Kya?” She suddenly looked at Krish, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she took in his words.
“Kehta toh nahin par karta hain. Don’t tell him I told you. Zinda gar dega mujhe aur uske baad Somnath ki saari ladkiyaan aapse nafrat karegi.” Raavi rolled her eyes.
“Woh Bhootnath ke seene mein dil nahin pathar hain.” Raavi quashed the hopeful voice inside her that encouraged her to fish for more details.”
“Iss liye aapki diye huye har gift abhi tak sambhale ke rakhe hain?” Raavi jumped up and climbed the bed.”
“What?!!” Krish looked a bit scared as he put aside his completely clean plate and drank some water.
“Haan. Mujhe laga aapko pata hoga? Aaj ghar mein safaai chal rahin thi tho Shiva ka ek purana bag mila. Uss mein tha.”
Raavi felt her heartbeats quicken. He kept all those gifts! Raavi had always thought he threw them away or worse burned them!
“Woh mera diya hua kuch bhi kyun rakhega?”
“Because everything revolves around you, when it comes to him. Shiva ne aaj tak aap ke siva kisi aur ki baat ki?” Krish went on as if stating the obvious.
“Literally all he would talk about is you! Subah uth kar aap ka naam, store mein bhi aap ka naam aur raat ko bhi aap ka naam,” Krish winked and Raavi threw a pillow at him again. Of course she missed.
“Pagal hain tu?”
“Arre main toh hamesha saach kehta hoon. Bhale woh sab gusse mein tha, lekin Shiva ne aap ke alava kabhi kisi ke bareme socha hi nahin. Abhi bhi same situation hain.”
Raavi was shocked. Rishita had once told her that her entire childhood was all about Shiva. She had laughed it off calling her silly but was she onto something?
Once Krish left, Raavi stayed up the entire night replaying her entire childhood. She was a bit horrified to realize that Bhootnath was indeed the main lead in her life. He was the Arjun to her Aisha. Except a much more annoying one. One that gave up so easily. Sighing she tried to avoid sleep to avoid dreaming about that insufferable husband of hers. But when did things work out her way.
Dev was walking through the haveli when he heard the strangest noise coming from Gaumbi & Dhara’s room.
Upon walking closer, his eyes became as big as saucers. This was rare because he wasn’t a very expressive human being. Dev heard something that made his ears bleed. Embarrassed and horrified, he started to walk briskly to his room. Maybe this exercise would finally get rid of his issues. He was tired of spending all his waking hours on the throne.
Babuji Dheere Chalna, Pyaar Mein Zaara Sambhalna.
Dhara danced as Gaumbi watched. She set a no touch only watch rule that was driving her adorably sexy husband absolutely mad. Dhara ran her fingers across her stomach, her pallu flying behind her. Gaumbi looked positively ready to break each and every rule. He almost growled... almost which nearly made Dhara lose focus. Was she corrupting her cutie pie of a pati? But she kept going, swaying her hips to the beat. This was getting too interesting to stop now. If this was how bets ended, she’ll be placing a lot more of them.
Two days later, Shiva finally mustered the courage to dial her number. Fingers shaking, he held the phone to his ear. Fearing she wont pick up, he tried to focus on anything but the ringing. But she did pick up, almost right away. Neither spoke the first few seconds yet so much was said.
“Aye MaamiKiBehenKiBeti, apni kirki kolegi ya main Maami ko uthao?” He could literally hear her smile which was enough to fill his entire being with pure unadulterated happiness!
The End
A completely random piece made up of multiple unfinished OS’ 😆 And definitely not edited for grammar or sense 😆 Hopefully someone can make sense of it 🤣
Lots of love,
Esha ❤️❤️
Cricket
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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