She was crying the whole time.how could she do this with her dhara di? Wasn't she her idol? She has grown up wanting to be like her, she has seen her raise Dev, shiva, Krish with utmost devotion.she has seen her longing for a child after marriage.she has seen her facing the taunts of the society with a smile.and when she was finally getting her happiness, she was being the cause of her stress? .no.thats the last thing she wanted to be.
And gombi? She has not seen a pure soul like him.he has loved her like a sister even before her marriage.and she burnt the lehenga he had brought for her with such love.she wiped away her tears.
She will apologize to dhara di and gombi now.she will not be at peace till she does.
She called Krish.
" Krishi.dhara di ab kaisi hai? " Raavi asked with a low voice.
" Abhi to thk hai dhara bhabi, par doctor ne khass khayal rakhne ko kaha hai.unle pregnancy mai complications hai." Krish said
" Complications? Kaisi complications? " Raavi asked worried.
"Ab mujhe pakka to nahi pata.par itna pata hai ki unhe bedrest pe rehna hai, khaana peena sahi karna hai aur bilkul stress nahi lena" Krish said
Raavi heard a noise in a background.
"Yeh kyaa tha Krish? "
" Shayad ek plate toota.puchiye mat bhabi.maa ne maid rakhne se mana kar diya hai aur dhara bhabi ko strictly kaha hai ki woh koi kaam nahi karegi.aur aapko to pata hai Rishita bhabi kitchen Mai kitni expert hai.lagta hai kuch jal raha hai, mai aapko baad mai phone karta hu " Krish cut the call.
Raavi was worried now.she remembered how the house was in chaos when dhara had left for half a day despite her being there.she remembered how carelessly Rishita had put the fan in the kitchen.she shuddered at the thought of something bad happening.
* Abhi pandya store ke branches khulne wale hai, kitna kaam hoga wahan par.upar se Krish ke exams bhi aa rahe hai.kaki ka dhyan kaun rakhega? Dhara di ka khaana peena kaun dekhega?*
She was feeling restless.
*Flashback*
She remembered laying in dhara di's lap as she did patti of her.
10 year old raavi was burning with fever.
Dhara was caressing her head and telling her a princess story to distract her.
Maasi had scolded her for some reason and she had gone to Pandya niwas crying like she always did.
She fell ill and dhara told maasi to let her stay the night.she remembered how loved and pampered she had felt that day.even shiva did not fight with her.dev got her chocolates and Krish curiously looked on at her as gombi held her in his arms and patted her to sleep.
*Flashback ends*
That's it.she is going back.
She started packing her clothes.her maasi came in and looked at her shocked.
"Ae, yeh tu kya kar rahi hai? " She asked
" Mai wapas jaa rahi hu maasi.pandya niwas" she answered while continuing her packing.
" Tu pagal ho gayi hai? Ya itni beizzati se tera Mann nahi bhara jo aur beizzat hone jaa rahi hai? "
Her maasi screamed.
" Maasi please.agar mai aaj wahan nahi gayi to mai zindagi bhar apne aap ko maaf nahi kar Paungi " raavi pleaded.
" Mere parivaar ko meri zaroorat hai maasi " she said.
Prafulla cried listening to her.howcome this girl was so naive, so innocent, so pure? She remembered her late sister.raavi was her shadow.she was exactly like this.loving, innocent, forgiving and trusting people easily.
She brought raavi close to her and crushed her into a hug.
" Meri bacchi.tu bahut bholi hai re.dhara tujhe phir bhi maaf karde, par woh suman behen tera jeena mushkil kar degi " maasi tried to reason with her.
" Aap tension mat lo maasi.mai kaki ko sambhal lungi " she assured her.
" Ab tune soch liya hai to mai tujhe nahi rokungi.par mujhse ek vaada kar.roz shaam ko tu mujhe phone karegi taaki mujhe tasalli ho ki tu thk hai " maasi said
She nodded
****************************************************
Raavi was standing at the doorstep of pandya niwas.she felt a strange pain in her heart.she has crossed this door so many times since childhood despite shiva threatening to throw her out.but today she was scared.she took a deep breath and entered.
Everyone was at the aangan and they were shocked to see raavi.
Dhara and gombi stared at each other.
She came forward and touched suman kakis feet.
" Ab kyu ayi hai idhar? " She asked her.
" Kyu ayi hu matlab? Yeh to abhi bhi mera ghar hai na.hai na gombi? " She asked him with him.
" Bilkul raavi.aur yeh ghar hamesha tera rahega " gombi smiled patting her head
She hugged him.
" I am sorry gombi.maine shiva ka gussa aap par nikal diya " please mujhe maaf kar dijiye.
" Bacche galti karte hai to bade naraaz nahi hote.aur hamari bhi galti thi raavi.tujhe dhara ki pregnancy ki baat pehle hi bata deni chahiye thi." Gombi hugged her back.
She went to dhara and sat down.
" Dhara di...' she said
" Rewa de. Rewa de.ab yeh cute si shakal banane se koi fayda nahi " she said
" I am sorry dhara di " she said
Dhara couldn't be angry at her.could she? This is all she wanted.for raavi to be back.
She smiled and nodded.
Raavi came forward to hug her but stopped remembering how she pushed her.
Dhara noticed her hesitancy and pulled her into a hug.krish was the happiest.
" Bhabi wapas aa gayiii " he joined in the hug
Rishita was Very happy.finally she can go to office in peace.she didn't have to toil in the kitchen anymore.
Shiva looked at raavi.he was feeling a bit uneasy.why did she come back? After all that he did to push her away, she came back.each time he said hurtful things to her, he regretted it,he felt hurt.how was he supposed to maintain his stance now when she will be in front of him 24/7.
" Aacha yeh bata ki tune wapas aane ka mann kaise bana liya? " Dhara asked her.
" Maine Krish se suna.aapki complications ke baare mai.mai aise halaat Mai aapko akela kaise chod deti? " She said
Dhara's eyes filled with tears seeing this.
Shiva was taken aback.what was this girl? Every time he thought he knew her inside out, she surprised him.she will stay here, take care of his family amidst the divorce?
Suman was not convinced.she remembered how raavi had slapped his son, how Prafulla had insulted shiva in the puja.but she stayed silent as she had seen how unorganised the house had become.
Raavi settled in her room.she noticed the cupboard was empty.where were Shiva's clothes?
It was almost night time.
She settled in to sleep but shiva was nowhere to be seen.
She went out looking for him and found him asleep in the angan.
" Aapke jaane ke baad shiva yehi sota hai bhabi " Krish said.
Raavi was confused now.why?
She went to sleep in her room without giving it much thought.
***************************************************
Raavi woke up early in the morning and prepared breakfast for everyone.the house had not been cleaned for a few days.she sweeped the floor and did pocha.
She served tea and breakfast to everyone.
Krish came after getting ready for college.
" Krish, idhar aa.yeh teri shirt itni gandi kyu hai? " Raavi asked.
" Woh.." Krish said looking at dhara.
" Iske kapde mai hi dhoti hu raavi.aur kuch dino se maine dhoye nahi " dhara said
" Accha,ek kaam kar.apne saare shirts dhone ke liye rakh de." Raavi said
Krish nodded.
Shiva came to join them for breakfast.
Raavi gave him tea and breakfast.he didn't look up at her.his head was down.raavi too awakwardly backed away.he has not talked with her properly after she came into the house.
She went back to the kitchen to pack krish's lunch for college.
Rishita came into the kitchen.
" Raavi, mere liye bhi lunch pack kar do na please " she said
Raavi looked at her.she was dressed in formals.
" Tum kahaan jaa rahi ho Rishita? "
" Are hann.maine to tumhe bataya nahi.maine ek job join ki hai." Rishita said smiling.
" Tum mujhe pehle bata deti.maine to sirf Krish ke liye lunch pack kiya hai " she said.
" Please bana do na yaar.canteen ka khana bilkul bekaar hota hai " Rishita whined.
" Achaa.ek minute." She said and quickly prepared some sandwiches for her.
Shiva saw all this.he was feeling angry at her now.how easily she agreed to make lunch for Rishita? That girl woke up late and didn't even help raavi at all and now she is demanding tiffin?
Shiva came into the kitchen and kept the plate, making a sound.
Raavi was startled.
" Shivaa.kuch chahiye tujhe? " She asked
" Bahut ehsaan kar liye tune.ab aur nahi chahiye " he said and left.
What was up with this bhootnath? She just shook his head and got back to work.
Krish left for college.
Rishita left for office.
Dev and gombi had to go for some paperwork for the new store.
Shiva went to the shop.
Raavi sighed and went back to washing clothes.she washed suman and krish's clothes first.them.she noticed Shiva's shirts lying on the coat.she went and picked it up.
She caressed the shirt. She brought it close to her and smelled it.she wondered since when she craved the smell and comfort of tel masala.she came out of her thoughts and put the shirts along with the other clothes to wash.
It took her quite a time to wash everything.
"Baap re ,dhara di itna kaam kaise kar leti thi? " She said to herself as she was already tired.
She looked at the time.she had to make lunch.
She made lunch and made sure suman and dhara ate properly.
She wondered if she should take a dabba for shiva.
* Bahaar ka khana to hazam nahi hota usse.*
After much thought, she gave in.
Shiva noticed her coming with a tiffin.
" Bola tha na tera koi ehsaan nahi chahiye " he said rudely
" Mai tujhpe koi ehsaan nahi kar rahi hu.mai kaka ke liye khana layi hu. Yeh lijiye kaka.aapko jitna khana hai kha lijiye aur jo bach jaye, kisi bandar ko khila dena " she said eyeing shiva who was glaring at her.
Kaka was very happy.he blessed raavi who went back home.
Shiva sighed looking at her retreating form.
He wondered what has destiny planned for them.
***************************************************
Shiva came back home to notice his clothes cleaned, ironed and kept on the cot.his heart felt heavy.why did she have to do this? He was feeling guilty each passing second.
Rishita came back home.
" Raavi, ek cup chai dena.sar mai bahut Dard ho raha hai.mai thak gayi hu " she said and sat on the cot.
That's it.rishita bhabi was getting on his nerves now.
" Woh subah se kaam kar rahi hai bhabhi.aap ek cup chai to bana hi sakti hai.waise bhi naya naya sikha hai.practice chodne par kahin bhul na jaye." Shiva taunted her.
Raavi looked at shiva a bit surprised.did her bhootnath take her side?
" Thk hai.thk hai.ek cup chai hi maangi thi tumhari biwi se.itna sunane ki zaroorat nahi hai " Rishita went to the kitchen muttering something to herself.
Shiva and raavi share an eyelock.he breaks the eye contact and goes from there.
After serving dinner to everyone, raavi took a glass of milk for dhara.
" Pi lijiye dhara di.aapko doctor ne jo diet chart di hai woh mere paas hai.aapko yeh doodh pina padega " raavi insisted while dhara made faces.
Gombi smiled seeing all this.
Dhara drank the milk.
Raavi had come with a bowl of hot oil.
" Mai aapke pair mai laga deti hu dhara di.aram milega " raavi said.
Gombi came and took the oil from her.
" dhara ki thodi sewa karne ka mauka uske pati ko bhi to de "
He massaged dhara's feet with the oil while they bantered about the baby's name.
Raavi smiled seeing this.they were indeed somnath's perfect couple.will she ever get this kind of love in her life? She sighed as her eyes welled up.
Raavi sat there for some time chatting with gombi and dev.
Shiva saw all this and tears filled his eyes.he wished he was worthy of her.he wished he was the man of her dreams who could give her all the happiness and love she deserves.things wouldn't be so complicated then.
Raavi was doing the dishes by the well.
" Ae maamikibehenkibeti.itni raat ko kyu dho rahi Hai? Kal dho dena.jaake so jaa." He said.
" Subah tak rakhungi to dhone mai mushkil hogi." She said and continued.
Shiva came and sat by her.he took one of the dishes and began washing it.
Raavi looked at him surprised.
" Ab aise ankhein phaad ke kya dekh rahi hai? Maine khaya hai, to mai plate dho raha hu.phir tu sunayegi ki mera jhoota bartan dhona pada tujhe " he fumbled trying to make up an excuse.
Raavi didn't question further and they silently finished the chore.
Raavi was done for the day and she was exhausted.doing all the house work for a family of eight people was not easy.
She sat at the terrace with her book.she had to do an assignment for college.she had talked with the professor that she will do the distance learning course and come to college only to give exams, but she had to submit the assignment on time.
Shiva was not able to sleep.he was feeling restless.he decided to go and check on raavi once.
He went to find the room empty.he searched for her and saw her on the terrace sleeping.
He came and took the book from her hands, picked her up and made his way to the bedroom.he made her lie on the bed and covered her with the blanket.
He looked at her for sometime and went back to the angaan.
****************************************************
Raavi woke up with her back paining.she was not used to so much work.shiva was right, she was indeed a phoolkumari.
She freshened up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.she was surprised as she saw shiva and dev making tea.
Shiva gave raavi a cup.
" Aram se chai pile pehle, phir kaam karna " he said.his voice softer.
Raavi nodded and took the cup from him.
Dev went away taking tea for the others to give them some privacy.
" Tu aaj itni jaldi uth gaya? " She asked
" Hmm.woh neend nahi ayi." Shiva said.
" Tu kamre mai so sakta hai shiva." She said looking down.
" Tujhe mera kamre mai sona shayad Pasand na aye " he replied
" Talaak ke papers tune bheje the shiva.mujhe kabhi bhi tere saath kamra share karne mai problem nahi thi " she said
" Par ghar chodke to tu gayi thi na? Sign bhi kar diye itni asani se." He replied
" To mai ghar chodkar isliye gayi thi kyuki...kyuki tune mere character par sawaal uthaya tha.par iska matlab yeh to nahi ki rishta hi khatam kar do.ek baar bhi tune mujhse maafi...." She was interrupted by shiva
" Maine tujhse pehle bhi kaha hai aur ab bhi keh raha hu, mujhse maafi ki umeed mat rakh.kuch dino ki baat hai, phir..." He couldn't complete the sentence, he went away before she could see his unshed tears.
Raavi went back to her work.
Ruhi visited her house to give her some notes.
"Raavi,.tu yeh kya kar rahi hai? Tera talaak hone wala hai aur tu apne sasural walo ke liye college nahi aa rahi? Agar padhai puri nahi karegi thk se to tujhe achi job kaise milegi? Aur inki tarah tere paas apni dukaan to hai nahi.kaise hoga tera guzara? " Ruhi was frustrated with raavi.
"Ruhi, iss waqt dhara di ke bacche se zyada important kuch bhi nahi hai.main manage kar lungi.aur mai padhai chod thodi rahi hu." Raavi justified herself.
" Aise padhna na padhne ke barabar hi hai raavi.dinbhar kaam karegi. raat ko tired ho jayegi.aur upar se lectures bhi attend nahi karegi.samjhegi kaise? " Ruhi tried to reason with her.
Raavi was about to reply when she saw shiva entering.
" Tu ? Itni jaldi dukaan se aa gaya? " Raavi asked
" Woh kuch kagaz chahiye the " he said.
Ruhi glared at him before she left.
" Tu college kyu nahi ja rahi? Jan tay kar diya hai ki padhai puri karni hai to phir peeche kyu hatt rahi hai? " Shiva asked.
" Mai apna dekh lungi.tu tension mat le " she said.
" Ae gadhedi.seedhe seedhe bol na tujhe padhne ka mann nahi hai.bas dikhane ke liye college mai admission le liya " shiva said.
"Tu acche se jaanta hai mai bachpan Mai kitni sincere thi.samjha? Mai jaungi college." She said irritated
Shiva gave a small smile.
" Chal, tujhe chod deta hu " he said.
Raavi nodded.she had prepared the lunch and she informed dhara before leaving.dhara was very happy that raavi had decided to pursue her master's.she was about to inform suman but dhara told her to go as it's only for a few hours and she will manage maa.
Raavi held out the bike keys in front of him.
" Yeh bike tune jeeti hai.mujhe kyu de rahi hai? " He said.
" Maine jeeti hai to mere kaam ani chahiye na.mujhe auto mai nahi jaana aur bike chalani mujhe nahi ati.isliye tu mujhe chodega " she said
" Ab tu mujhe order degi? " He said
" Hann " she replied looking into his eyes.
" Nahi chahiye chaabi " he said and put her hands away.
" Thk hai.phir tu mujhe chodne kyu ayega? Mai khud auto mai chali jaungi " she said and turned to go when shiva stopped her
" Ruk.chaabi de " he said
" Aa gaya na line pe " raavi smiled and turned around to give him.the keys.
He glared at her and went ahead.
She sat on the bike and held his shoulders with one hand.the journey was quiet.nobody spoke a word.but they both felt at peace after ages.
Raavi's College came and shiva stopped the bike.she got down and said.
" Mai nahi chahti ki meri itni mehnat se jeeti huyi nayi chamchamati bike khade khade dhul khaye.isliye tu ise apne deliveries ke liye use kar sakta hai." She smiled and went away.
Shiva shook his head.
" Nautanki" he muttered with a smile as he watched her go away.
Shiva went to pick raavi up after her college.
After raavi returned, she finished her rest of the work and sat to study at night.shiva helped her with the dishes like the previous day.
Raavi's back was paining.she stretched to relieve the pain when she saw shiva bringing her a hot water bag.
" Woh ..jab mere peeth par dard hota tha to bhabi yeh laga deti thi.aram milega " he said.
Raavi took the hot water bag and kept it behind her and rested her back on the pillow.
" Mujhe to laga tu chattan pandya hai.tere peeth mai bhi dard hota hai? " She asked
Shiva sat down on the bed next to her.
" Ab nahi hota.jab naya naya dukaan pe kaam karna shuru kiya tha to kisi din zyadaa boriya utha dene par peeth pakad leta tha " he said.
Raavi remembered shiva working at the store since he was in his late teens.
She felt proud of him.she had seen him walk holding groceries to save rs30.what would she do with him?
" Aise ghoor kya rahi hai? Khayegi kya? " He asked
Raavi shook her head and went back to studying.
Shiva slept beside her.
She felt happy that he agreed to sleep in the room.
She too fell asleep while studying.shiva removed the book from her hands and made her sleep properly before switching off the lights.
*Maamikibehenkibeti, kitaab pakadte hi so jati hai.aise to ho gayi teri padhai*
Shiva thought.he had to so something.he set her free so that she can be happy, follow her dreams, smile and laugh like she used to.and none of that was happening now.
****************************************************
Raavi woke up hearing a commotion.
" Ab tu itna bada ho gaya hai ki ghar ke faisle khud lene laga? " Suman shouted at shiva
" Maa, ek baar uski baat..." Dhara tried to interfere.
" Ae bhagodi ki beti.tu mere aur mere bete ke beech mat pad " she shouted
" Maa.raavi ko age padhna hai.jab Rishita bhabi job kar sakti hai to raavi kyu nahi padh sakti? " Shiva said in a soft and firm tone.
Dhara looked on at shiva proudly.this is what she wanted, her children staying happily with each other, being each other's support.
" Are to padhe, beshak padhe.par ghar ke kaam karne ke baad.koi naukrani nahi ayegi iss Ghar mai.maine keh diya to bas keh diya " suman said.
" Par pura din kaam karne ke baad, college jaane ke baad woh kaise padh sakti hai? " Shiva tried to reason
" Wah beta wah.pehle woh gombi aur dev.ab tu bhi petticoat chaap ban gaya? .yeh naukrani raees log rakhte hai.paise kidhar se ayenge? Yeh mat bhul ki tere akele ki kamayi nahi hai pandya store.iss pure ghar ki kamayi hai.teri biwi ko kaam na karna pade isliye tu apni manmani se kharcha nahi kar sakta " suman warned shiva.
" Jaanta hu maa.isliye maine part time naukri dhund li hai.un paison se mai raavi ki clg fees dunga aur naukrani ke paise bhi " shiva said.
Raavi was shocked when she heard him.how did he know that she needed money for the college fees?
" Kaun si naukri? Tujhe kaun si naukri mil gayi? Zara mujhe bhi bata ki tenth paas logo ko kaun naukri de raha hai aajkal? " Suman said furiously.
Raavi had tears in her eyes.he was so insecure about himself and all she did was remind him of his failures.she remembered the time when she called him junglee, anpadh and gawar.she hung her head down in shame.this man was working in the store from childhood, taking care of his family unconditionally without asking anything in return.he even spoke up against suman for her.she had never imagined that shiva will ever take her side in front of suman kaki or dhara di.
" Maa aap yeh... " Dhara again tried to interfere.
" Mere dost ki transport company hai.hafte mai do baar raat ko taxi chalane ka kaam hai " shiva said sitting on the ground holding Suman's hands.
Suman softened on hearing this.
" Tu aisa kyu kar raha hai shiva? " She asked while caressing his head
" Taaki mai apni biwi ki zarooraton ka dhyan apne dum par rakh saku. Taki Mujhe chota mehsoos na ho.taki mujhe yeh na lage ki mere bhaiyo ke Bina Mera koi wajood nahi hai." he said to suman, his eyes welling up.
Suman hugged him.
" Mujhe maaf karde beta.woh maine gusse mai .." she hugged him.
Raavi left out a small sob.thats when they noticed her.
"Dekha raavi.mera shiva khara sona hai.ab to uski kadar karna seekh " she said
Dhara took suman inside.
Shiva wiped away the tears before raavi could see them.
" Tujhe kaise pata chala ki mujhe fees ke liye paiso ki zaroorat hai? " Raavi asked curiously.
" Woh maami hai hi itni kanjoos.isme jaanna kya hai? Tujhe phone pe maami se baat karte sun liya tha " he confessed.
" Aur tujhe kyu fark padta hai? " She asked
"Woh..tu meri zimmedari hai. Tu mere parivaar ke liye itna kuch karti hai..mai nahi chahta ki meri wajah se tere sapne adhure..." Shiva was struggling with words .he was not good at expressing himself.
Raavi hugged him overwhelmed.
Shiva was a bit surprised with her sudden reaction.but he slowly Hugged her back.
" Thank you " she whispered.
A ray of hope was visible to her and she will hold onto it.
Cricket
Tum Se Tum Tak
