Part 5 - 'Ankahee'
Sai wakes up early, unable to sleep late since she is back at Chavan Niwas. She ventures to the balcony without disturbing Karishma.
There, she remembers the last good memory with Virat for a green tea date in this balcony.
(Yes, that was a date and a beautiful evening with Virat Sir)
Unsure whether she should move to the kitchen and help the ladies of the house, Sai just sits contemplating her past and her future and the people in it.
Pakhi knows Sai's habit of waking early and has brought tea for her. She comes and sits with Sai on the balcony.
"Ye lo Sai.. chai"
"Thank you Pakhi didi.. par aapne kyun takleef ki.. main niche aane hi wali thi"
"It's okay, you enjoy"
Elsewhere, Virat has also woken up and is exercising in the lawn when he sees Sai and Pakhi sitting on the balcony. Suddenly worried that Pakhi might offend Sai again, Virat comes to the balcony. He hears them talking about something but cannot understand as their voices are low. Nevertheless, he notices that the conversation seems cordial. He decides to intervene and loudly clears his throat, making both of them look in his direction.
“Sai, tum uth gai? Neend aai na thik se?”
“Haan Virat Sir… acchhe se.. Abhi Pakhi didi chai bhi leke aai hai”
“Thank you, Pakhi Vahini… vaise Sai mujhe bhi hospital jaana hai main ready hoke aata hun” and goes to his room to change after ensuring that nothing untoward has happened between Sai and Pakhi.
As soon as he goes away… Sai looks at Pakhi questioningly and asks “Pakhi Vahini?”
Pakhi just smiles and says “Maine bataya tha na ab hamara rishta badal gaya hai… wo aaj kal bas itna hi interaction rakhta hai mere se… aur isi tarah pukarta hai”
Sai wonders if there is a tinge of regret in Pakhi’s voice but her heart is too happy with the realization that Virat has finally accepted a formal relation with Pakhi, signalling to her that Pakhi no longer holds any special place in his life.
On the ride back to the hospital with Virat, she keeps stealing glances at him through the mirror and Virat notices this. He asks her finally,
“Kya hua? Normal handsome lag raha hun ya celebrity handsome?”
A blush rises in Sai’s cheeks as she realizes he has caught her staring at him but just brushes it away and says… “Aisa kuch nahi hai… bas kuch soch rahi thi”
Virat chuckles and slightly bending towards her whispers “I hope mere baare main”
Sai is too stunned to reply but thankfully they have arrived at the hospital and she jumps out of the car to avoid answering him.
In the hospital, when the rescued girl is still unable to tell anything, Sai ventures into her room and gestures to Virat to go out. She manages to talk to the girl and patiently asks her the details of her ordeal. Virat feels his heart bursting with pride for Sai at how she has handled the difficult situation. However, he makes a mental note to talk to Sai about this later.
Late at night in her home, even though Sai had put up a brave front for the girl and had managed to coerce information from her, this has brought back the painful memories of Jagtap and his antics. Her heart feels heavy and Sai is unaware that her eyes are shedding silent tears. Her phone rings and it's Virat on a video call. Without realizing that she was crying Sai picks up the call.
Virat is immediately worried seeing her red eyes and blotchy face and hurriedly asks her if she is alright. Sai nods and they talk for a short while before wishing each other goodnight and ending the call.
Sai is still disturbed from those memories and although she has revealed herself to Virat at her weakest moment, a part of her is craving for more time with him. It is then that her doorbell rings and she wonders who would have come at this hour, only to find Virat standing at the other side of the door with worry written across his face. Unable to control her feelings on seeing him, Sai just throws herself in his arms and starts sobbing loudly.
Virat holds her tenderly and brings her to the couch. They sit together for a long time with Virat caressing her head that she is resting on his chest, his shirt wet from her tears. After sometime, Sai has finally managed to drift off to sleep, when Virat gently puts her head in his lap and leans back on the same couch contemplating the troubles this naïve and innocent girl has faced.
Kya kabhi savera..
Laata hai andhera..
Sookhi siyahi
Deti hai gawaahi
Sadiyon puraani
Aisi ik kahaani
Reh gayi, reh gayi
Ankahee..
From the balcony, sounds of ‘Ankahee’ are wafting in, making Virat reflect on all that Sai has faced at the hands of Jagtap and later his family members and his behaviour towards her in the initial days of their marriage. Finally sometime later, fatigue takes over and Virat is lulled to sleep.
-----
Note: The text in grey are thoughts.
Song for this part is Ankahee from Lootera. There's a sadness and regret in this song that I love and so while it may not fit the story exactly, I imagined this song playing when Virat was thinking about all those things.
Edited by Moor278 - 3 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
70