Ok i have never written stories before so am trying this for the first time. Please let me know what you think.
Raghav's POV
I was sitting in the bar having had a couple of glasses of drinks when Farhad walks in announcing that I am receiving an award at the Indian Gem Awards. I just looked at him blankly and he repeated it again. I turned my head and continued to drink.
"Anna kya huwa....arent you happy? You did not attend last year as you didnt have your family. This year you have Amma and Bhabhi."
I just looked at Farhad and said, "mujhe akela chod doh"
But ofcourse Farhad stubborn that he is is refused to budge and instead got himself comfortable on the bar stool.
"Pallavi nahi ayegi. Woh mere se naaraz hai aur Deshmukh house challigayi hai." I said.
Farhad looked at me and said, "Par aap unhe mana saktheho....aap Raghav Rao ho."
I shook my head. This time my mistake was huge. I did something that broke our trust in each other. Farhad sat there while I drank and then took me to my room. It was almost midnight and my room looked empty. I sat on the floor and Farhad being my loyal and stubborn friend refused to leave me alone. He sat with me and that's how our night went.
The next morning, I woke up and immediately reached over to the side and realized it was empty. All the memories came rushing back and I realized Pallavi never came home. I thought at the back of my mind that she would come home regardless of what happened. I guess I was wrong. As I got out of bed, Farhad comes up with a garment bag and lays it on the couch.
"Anna these are your clothes for tonight"
"what's tonight?" I asked
"The Business Awards party."
"Im not going...." I started to say when Amma walks in and says, "Kaiku....Mera beta award jeetah hai aur mujhe waha jaana hai. Maine tumhare koi be award function me nahi gayi toh mere liye challe, please."
Ofcourse how could I say no to that...
So that is how I am now at this point all ready wearing my black tailored pants, black shirt, bowtie and white blazer with black trim. Farhad is fixing something or the other on my suit but my mind is elsewhere.
"Anna limousine agayi...challe."
I walked out of the room looking back one more time expecting my wife to just pop out and join me but alas that wasnt going to happen.
We got in the limo and I told Farhad I needed to make a stop. He already knew where to go and gave the driver the instructions.
We reached D house and I got out and went in. It seemed like no one was around except Aai. I greeted her and asked for Pallavi. She looked at me and said, "Pallavi bahar gayi hai kissi kaam se."
I wanted to ask where but since I didn't see that bina address ke envelope anywhere in the house, I assumed she had gone with him. I turned around and walked out. Aai yelled out something but I was hurt, and heartbroken and didnt hear what she said.
I got in the car and Farhad looked at me raising an eyebrow. I shook my head.
We arrived at the awards function and found our seats. We were given sofas at the front so I seated Amma and went over to get a drink. Farhad pulled me over to meet some clients and business associates. I greeted them and went thru small talk but my heart was not in it. One of them asked me where my family was and I teared up. I pointed to the sofa where Amma sat by herself. Before he could ask anything I walked away and sat down next to Amma. She patted my thigh and smiled and nodded. She then took my face and kissed my cheek. “sabh kuch tihk hoga.” She said.
The ceremony was under way but my mind was elsewhere. My name was called out and I didn’t even hear. Amma and Farhad nudged me to get up. I got up and walked over to the stage like a zombie. I was tearing up again. I stepped up and reached to shake hands. Before I could receive the award, I felt a sudden rush of air. I turned around and looked over the audience towards the door and my heart stopped. There looking absolutely ravishing was the most beautiful woman on earth….MY WIFE! My heart started beating so fast. She stepped in and walked towards the front. I was glued to the spot and my eyes were stuck on her. She was wearing the black dress I had bought her. It looked like it was made for her. My hands were shaking, my heart was beating so loudly and my eyes would not move from her. She walked over to sit on the couch and tripped slightly over her dress. I quickly moved to catch her but Farhad had gotten to her.
She looked up and smiled. Then I noticed her moving her hand towards her mouth and her index finger stopped at the corner of her mouth. I thought I was dreaming and kept staring at her. She raised her eyebrows indicating me to follow her sign. I raised my hand and placed my index finger on my mouth as well…………just then I hear the president of the awards ceremony say, “Mr Raghav Rao, if youre done admiring your beautiful wife could we continue….I turned around and my cheeks felt hot. I realized I was in the midst of all these people and my finger was still at the corner of my mouth. I turned to make sure I wasn’t dreaming and that Pallavi was still there. Yes she was and she had the most beautiful smile on her face and her cheeks were rosy as she was blushing from what the President said.
I received the award and made a speech thanking everyone all the while just wanting to get off the stage and get to my wife.
I stepped off the stage and made my way to the sofa. Amma saw me approaching and made an excuse to get some drinks taking Farhad with her.
I sat down and turned to look at Pallavi. I still couldn’t believe she was here. I reached for her hands and started to say, “ Pallavi, I am….” Before I could continue she said, “Raghav (covering my mouth with her hand)… remember, Raat Khattam, Baat Khattam, Ardha Mainda.”
I looked at her perplexed and asked, “but maine tumhe lene ayya tha D house aur tumne Mandhar ke saath…” She didn’t let me finish and said, “Meh Deshmukh house pe nahi thi aur Mandhar ke saath tho me kahi nahi gayi.”
I looked confused. She noticed and said, “me samjhathi hoon Mr.Ghamandi Rao.”
“toh baat aisi hai ke me kal raatko hi ghar ayyi thi lekin tum room me nahi the. Maine change karke amma ke paas gayi uske sar pe balm lagane ke liye par ulta woh mujhe balm lagakar sula diya. Phir aaj subhe usne kaha ke me tumse door rahun usko kuch surprise dena tha aur usne ye plan banaya aur Aai ko bhi involve kiya. Aur mujhe pata hai tum poocho geh ke late kaise hua tho mai bathadu ke mujhe woh zip repair karni thi tho isme time lagga.”
I looked at her and realized what a lucky man I was. I have no idea what i did to deserve this angel but I would never hurt her again.
“toh Mrs Pallavi Raghav Rao, may I have this dance?”
She got up and placed her hand in mine and said, “Yes Mr Raghav Rao, I am ever ready to dance with you For Life.
Cricket
