I liked this friendship track and the dynamics of SaiRat and believe that transfer is not needed to confess their feelings. It will be a natural progression if they understand each other by giving each other space and time. Today's episode was so nice that it inspired me to write this though some ideas were already there in mind from before.
Premise: Sai and Virat had organized their parents' anniversary successfully. Everyone enjoyed it even though it started little awkwardly but ended gleefully. The entire family attended the auspicious event of vows ceremony in the morning in front of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati. It was Virat's idea to include this event, so his parents could recollect the vows they took on their wedding and hopefully renew them. Sai later organized a grand feast and made Aai and Baba feed each other. Then there was some fun events where all the couples danced on romantic numbers. Baba ended it on high note by playing his favorite number on his harmonium and dedicated it to his son and DIL to their surprise. Finally, after having simple dinner and changing into regular clothes everyone gathered in the backyard to play some fun games which had 'I wish I had not' game that asked the couple to tell 3 events they wished they had not done in their relationship. This game was planned by Mansi Bua after deliberating much on her brother's marriage. She herself was lonely without a husband and wished she had been more vocal about her love for him and avoided doing few things when he was alive. So she asked Ninad and Ashwini to speak out 3 things that they had wished they avoided in their marriage. This game indeed helped them to say sorry to each other. Finally, the evening ended happily and every one retired to their rooms.
Sai and Virat's room:
Sai and Virat entered their room, casually without realizing they had to go to their individual rooms. They were still bantering about the events that night and could not get enough of it...or each other! Afterall today they made vows to each other silently along with Aai and Baba. Fed each other along with them. Danced closely on a romantic number and laughed away their own insecurities in front of everyone by winning most couple games together. Both of them are excited, happy and satisfied for what they have accomplished. Their feet are on ground, but their head was giddy with some realization, especially for Sai. She found her answers. There were no questions asked though.
Hand in hand and joking about the events they entered their room as Sai fell on their bed flat on her back
"Virat Sir! I am tired but it feels so good", she said gleefully spreading her hands out on the bed.
Virat locked the door, paused for a bit and turned around to see Sai who was looking at him, but there was no question on her face. Virat did not want to remind her either about their sleeping arrangements. He didnt want to let her go today. This day turned out to be too precious to not spend any moment without her.
"Lets see pictures on the phones. I cant wait to see how they are. We need to select a few for the album too", she squealed bringing him back from reverie.
"yes! I would love that", he added sitting on one side of the bed, making a pillow support at his back.
Sai crawled to his side, so close to him that Virat supported her head by extending his arm around her, fully prepared she might reject his offer. But suprisingly Sai snuck in it and placed her head on his broad shoulder.
"Ok Virat sir! Lets start from my phone." she opened her phone enthusiastically. "Mohit bhaiyya sent some pics from his camara. I am sure they are going to be good", she said.
Like that they glanced away all the pictures over next few minutes selecting some for the album. All the while Sai clutching his right hand and squeezing it whenever she got excited at any picture.
Finally they landed up on the video that showed Aai and Baba playing 'I wish I had not' game. It felt so nice and heartwarming to see their parents truthfully accepting their mistakes that might have caused the bitterness in their relationship.
"Mansi Bua has planned a nice game right Virat Sir?", asked Sai.
"Sometimes, you have to hit the rock bottom to actually feel that you indeed fell into a pit", preached Virat. "May be bua thinks people have to confront their fears and regrets openly before it is too late", Virat said making both of them pull a little and look into each other's eyes.
"If I ask you to play the game with me Virat Sir, what would be the first thing you say?", quizzed Sai looking into his eyes and her question was answered before it was finished, when Virat cut her.
"That I wish I had not mentioned about my commitment on the day of our wedding", blurted Virat. It had the urgency added to it as if he had always prepared to say this. "never ever ", he stressed again, his eyes asking hers to see the truth in them. "You?" Virat ended asking her to take her turn.
Sai teared up at Virat's answer. In that moment, she saw him as someone so vulnerable who had no option left to prove his commitment towards her and their marraige. Their entire relationship for one year was based on that commitment statement he told on the day of their marriage. And now he says that is his biggest regret. She did not want any more clarification from him. She gently placed her hands on his cheeks caressing him, conveying that she understood him and took her turn at the game.
"I wish I had not said those words to you on our anniversary Virat Sir! I am very sorry. I was too scared", she cried "I died million deaths that day to say those words to you. I wish my fears had not spiralled into a tornado that took me away from you. I wish I had not", Sai broke down further when Virat covered her mouth with his finger.
They stayed like that for a while, their faces close to each other and eyes transfixed. Virat wiped her tears and caressed her face.
"Sshh Sai, dont cry. I understand", he assured her tucking away the unruly hair on her face behind her ears. "It was my mistake too", he told her.
"No Virat Sir, it is my mistake", she retorted. "Dont pamper me like that. I did a mistake that had hurt you and you have to accept it", she said putting her hands around his waist and lying on his chest, rubbing her watery nose on his shirt and trying to control her tears.
"Ok meri Aai, sorry Sai", virat chuckled unable to hold on his excitement from Sai's words which almost seemed like a confession to him. So to make the situation lighter, he asked her to continue the game as they have 2 more things to say.
"Ok what is your second one", said Sai raising up from the embrace and facing him. She tried to remove her hand around his waist but he stopped her, and pulled her hand up and placed on his chest instead.
"I wish I had not removed this hand on that night when you accidentally put on me in your sleep", he said softly.
Sai felt shy now looking at him. His eyes are getting darker and were eyeing her lips when she heard him tell her that it is her turn.
"I wish I had not put the pillow fort in between us after that", came the answer instantly. She was not sure why she said that, may be because the idea was revolving in her head for quite some time. She felt shy at her admission and lowered her eyes.
Virat is now too close to her, shifting to her side more and pulled her little more closer.
"And the last one?", she asked curiously half expecting what he might say.
"I wish I had not eaten the laddu from your hand that day and instead..", he moved even closer that she fell on her back and he was on her top, mimicking the position they were in the other day. He almost went to kiss her lips but fell short to ask her about her last regret, hoping that her answer would give him some indication to proceed.
Sai deliberated for a moment and said, "I wish I had not driven away that chipkali from our suite that day", she chuckled placing her hands on his cheeks giving him the much needed approval.
What started as soft kisses ended up into passionate love, where they recounted all the umpteen moments they wished they had confessed to each other.
Epilogue:
The next day, everyone woke up late. Pakhi too woke up late and by the time, she came out it was already 9AM and was surprised to see Virat's room still closed. Understanding fully for once that Virat had a busy day the previous day, she did not trouble her brain. But when she came downstairs, she heard the dreaded news. That Sai is not in her room! Ashwini was worried a little, but not too much to think that Sai has again left the house. Apparently, she called on Sai's phone but it was switched off and Virat was not lifting the calls too. Ashwini was planning to go and wake up Virat when Karishma and Pakhi also piggy backed...Karishma fully expecting to find Sai in Virat's room and Pakhi praying for the opposite.
Ashiwini being Ashwini stopped Pakhi from following her, when Pakhi said that her room is also upstairs and she was coming to call Samrat for breakfast. Not expecting any better sense from Pakhi, Ashwini let go and all the 3 women went upstairs.
Ashwini knocked on the door without any response. Karishma was eagerly waiting biting her nails away at some distance. Pakhi was moving away towards her room with her head backwards looking at Virat's door.
After 2-3 knocks, the door was slightly opened by the lady of the room herself adorned in her husband's tshirt that reached till her upper thighs and dishelved hair, covering in the blanket.
"Aai, please dont shout. I will come in 10 mins", pleaded Sai to her Mother in law, barely sounding
Ashwini was elated to see her DIL in that form and turned back immediately, silently thanking Bappa.
Karishma already fled downstairs to announce that Sai 'slept' in Virat's room to Bhavani, not sure of herself whether it is a good news or bad news.
"Patralekha!!", called Samrat when he saw Pakhi transfixed at Virat's door fuming in anger. "What happened? What are you staring at?", asked Samrat again bringing her attention back to him.
"Samrat, what is this friendship that allows Sai to sleep in Virat's room?" she asked Samrat with disbelief.
"Patralekha, they are not freinds. They are wife and husband!!", Samrat asserted gritting his teeth and evaluating his option of giving a chance to his marriage.
NOTE: For all the folks who insist on family planning for SaiRat, including me, You can assume that Virat had a stash of unopened rubbers from his failed anniversary trip safely preserved in his room. 🤣
Tum Se Tum Tak
