Chapter 4
Tejo returned to outhouse,Jasmine was waiting for Tejo to return.
" Arre wah Tejo tu aagayi itni jaldi..." Jasmine couldn't complete her sentence as her elder sister embraced her in hug.
"Tu teekh toh hai Jassu. Ye kya kaam kar rahi hai tu agar tujhe kuch hojata toh" Tejo kept saying but Jasmine released herself and said, " Tejo bas tera woh Angad ko bol Aaj se meri life mein dakhalandazi Naa kare."
"Unhone tera bhale.." Tejo was interrupted by Jasmine. "Mera bhala bura mujhe pata hai, Pehle tera Devdas woh Fateh ab ye aashiq Angad sabko yehi lagta hai ki main teri life ko bigaad ne hi Zinda hoon."
"Fateh aur tere beech kya hua hai mujhe nahi pata aur ye tum dono ki baat mujhe Jaan ne mein koi interest nhi hai, Angad mere ashiq nahi mere dost hai aur ye baat tu samajh le."
Jasmine left out a chuckle at 'dost' word and left the room and made herself comfortable in the guest room. Tejo too walked towards her room and tried to sleep but a lot of things happened today that she could not sleep. Firstly she came to know that Angad lost Riya's custody, Riya's Grandmother telling bitter words about Angad, Jasmine doing shady business for money and God knows what troubles she brought into her life. Her mobile buzzed with a message notification.
Angad : Tejoji get some beauty sleep.Dark circles aap pe suit nahi karte, Waise bhi aapki exam hogi kal function mein :P
Tejo: Haha:D jaise aapki huyi thi Moga mein?.
Angad: Waise hi kuch, agar aap Zara si uncomfortable feel Kiya na pls batiye we will cancel the plan.
Tejo: I am fine Angadji, waise aap hai saath mein so no problem :)
Tejo liked it when he prioritise her choice, his concern for her never went unnoticed by her. She felt safe around him. She slowly gave into the sleep it was a busy day after all.
While Angad was on medicines given by Dr.Pratik he couldn't get to sleep until it starts working on his nerves. He too was tired but his thoughts never leave his mind. He hated his relatives, he always felt he was surrounded by group of zombies whenever he is around them. They are the most ungrateful and selfish people in his life. They didn't even bother to support during his rough times infact ridiculed him for his bad luck. The accident and many other things happened to him flashed in his mind and when the medicine started to show its effect he slowly dozed off.
The next day:
Bubli had tough time waking him up through alarm. Tejo looked at her with pity and signalled her to stay calm.
"Bubli Mera samaan pack kardo mujhe Moga jaana hai." Tejo gave a shout.
Angad's mind startled at those words, he almost fell down the bed but he gathered himself and stood up. He looked at Tejo who was having tough time suppressing her laughter.
Tejo wore a georgette blush pink sleeveless kurti and sharara. Her wet hair was tied in a bun. She looked like a princess without tiara. He stood there speechless just looking at how gorgeous she was looking even without putting much effort. Tejo was suprised at how he was looking it her she could not help herself from blushing.
"Aye haye Angad Maan teri fake voti itni khubsurat hai toh asli waali kitni khubsurat hogi, bade kismat wala hai tu" he said.
She raised her eyebrow in disbelief, " Agar aap ready hogaye toh hum chale, kisko paata aapki real voti wahi function mein aapko miljaye" she was in her funzone.
Both laughed and Tejo left to check on Jasmine who got up early and was getting ready for first day of her work. Jasmine already left without saying a word to her. Angad came to pick her up as they were late already
At Gurdaspur Gurudwara:
Virks and Sandhus both had a great time travelling to Gurdaspur. They had packed few snacks and played games throughout the journey. For the first time in these few weeks they felt Happy.
Candy and Dilraj made teams and started to play at the cellar of the Gurudwara while the adults entered the prayerhall.
Fateh arrived at the same Gurudwara to attend his friend Sunny's sister Ruhi's wedding. He heard it was love marriage the guy was rich and dispite the disapproval of his family at first he took stand for her and now everyone has accepted her and they are getting married.
Fateh heard two ladies gossiping he ignored at first but something caught his attention.
"Angad bhi aa raha hai," woman in gaudy kurta said.
"Suna hai uske mangetar ke saath aa raha hai" the other one tried to whisper but ended up saying loud just like her makeup.
"Pata nahi kaun hai, par meri Nidhi se Sundar nahi ho sakti. Mai uski bua hoon kya mujhe nahi pata kya sahi hai uske liye" The other woman said.
Fateh tensed when he heard Tejo would be here any moment. He covered his face with mask as first step and slowly moved next to the other door so he could leave the place when no one sees him.
He saw Tejo and Angad from a distance. They looked so good together, Tejo looked happy and beautiful. He saw them both greeting the couple and he left feeling shallow inside. He cursed himself for his actions. He left the wedding hall and walked in the hallway. He saw Candy playing with kids and Candy too saw Fateh walking in the hallway.
Fateh covered Candy's mouth and requested him to stay quiet and not shout. "Tum yaha kaise aye ho Candy, mummi papa kaha hai?" He asked and hugged the child.
" Tejo aunty ke family aur humare family sab yahan aaye hai. Mummy papa bhi aaye hai," he said and pointed at Simmi and Buzo who were offering prayer.
Since it was an auspicious day Gurudwara was almost full with visitors and guests who attended wedding. Fateh could not stop himself from looking at his family. He saw his parents were not very happy especially his mother. Her eyes looked tired and he cursed himself for that. She was praying something and he too made an ardaas to God to fulfill his mother's prayer. He decided to leave but couldn't. He was lost in thoughts of how he embarassed his family for Jasmine's love.
Meanwhile upstairs Angad had tough time keeping a straight face. He was feeling anxious. His hands has slight shiver and he was sweating. Tejo observed him and whispered in his ear if he wants to leave but he denied. He hated family gatherings but he wanted to see if his relatives had changed for good or they are still same vile mess.
"Riya nahi aayi," a woman asked him.
"Suna nahi usse custody nahi mili." His aunt said with a sarcastic tone.
"Riya ki Nani se permission lekar usse mil sakta hoon" Angad replied.
"Tere saath hi aisa hota hai, I feel so bad for you. Bhagwan ne saara dukh tujhe hi likh diya," his aunt showed him fake concern.
"Tumhe maine kahi dekha hai." His maternal uncle pointed at Tejo.
"Haa Psychology padathi hoon, I have given so many guest lectures and counselling sessions at various institutions.." Tejo was interrupted.
"Tum wahi ho na Moga ki MLA ki bahu Jo news mein aayi thi two months pehle. Koi sports functions mein tumhare pati ni tumhare place mein tumhari behen ko introduce kardiya." Angad's aunt said. Angad tried stopping the discussion. He saw how uncomfortable Tejo felt.
"Affair chal raha tha na tumhara pati aur tumhari behen ka?" She asked.
"Isse accha tu meri beti Nidhi se sagayi karli hoti Angad,ye kaisi family se hai ye nahi check Kiya kya." His aunt taunted.
Angad was already fuming with anger, but these words just made him burst out with anger.
"Shut up!" He yelled at everyone surrounded him and Tejo. His maternal aunt didn't utter a word after that and so did his uncle.
"Saal beeth gaye lekin aapki kadwahat nahi, shayad isliye mai aapse kabhi koi rishta nahi jod Paya." He folded his hands and left the place along with Tejo.
Tejo didn't utter a single word, she simply followed him towards the door.
"I am sorry," he said walking down the stairs. He looked beside and saw Tejo still standing on the first step.
"Do you have PTSD?" she questioned him leaving him in speechless.
"Haa. But how do.. ok you are Psychology professor so I think you have figured it out." He said. She held his palm which was still shivering.
"Relax" she said softly.
"Please forgive me that I brought you here. Do you understand main kyu akele rehna pasand karta hoon. " He tilted his head slightly in disappointment and sighed.
"I want to ask you few questions but not here, let's leave. Gurudwara aaye hai toh maatha tekh kar jayenge." She took his hand in hers and walked down the stairs.
He felt relieved, his racing mind did slow down. He was awed by her calmness at such situations. But above all that he didn't feel alone.
Her pace slowed down as she reached the last step. She didn't move while Angad moved past her. He looked at her, Tejo's face was beaming with smile. It's then he observed Candy and Dilraj playing. She ran towards them and hugged them both. But someone else caught Angad's attention.
A tall muscular figure standing mid-way at the entrance looking inside the prayer hall. It took him few seconds to recognise Fateh. Angad placed his hand on Fateh's shoulder while Fateh was in tears looking at his family. Candy pointed at Fateh and Tejo looked at him for the first time after wedding. She walked towards Angad and Fateh.
Fateh looked terrible. His hair was messy. His clothes were not properly pressed. His eyes looked lifeless and sad. Mahi looked at all of them and made everyone of the family to look at trio who were standing at the entrance of prayer hall.
Gurpreet ran towards Fateh as her wish fulfilled. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she hugged her son. Tejo was teary eyed whilst her parents embraced her. She looked happy.
Angad who was just inches away from the family felt like an outsider. All of them looked like a happy little bundle and he felt like an odd man out at that moment.He backed out giving them space. It was then he realised how alone he was and everything he felt upstairs was just wishful thinking. Him not being alone was temporary just like Tejo's stay in his house. If there was anything constant in his life it was his loneliness. If he fails to understand that then none can help him.
He sent Tejo a message, that he has to leave for a meeting and requested her to bring her family to his manision for their stay. He left the car thinking they might need it and he left to the office in a taxi. His work was his safe haven so he rushed to his office.
It took sometime for Tejo to become normal, she missed her family so much. She felt relieved looking at Gurpreet's smile. She looked for Angad who was nowhere to be seen nearby. She checked his message that he had to leave for meeting, it didn't sit well with her.
Sandhus and Virks were overjoyed at meeting their favourite children Tejo and Fateh respectively. It was like waheguru has finally solved all their problems. Both the familes got to know that Fateh and Tejo both did fake marriage and fake engagement.
KSV's happiness has no bounds when he realised that if everything goes accordingly his daughter Tejo might finally comeback to her rightful position as Fateh's wife. Before that he wanted to thank Angad who stood by Tejo in her tough times.
Rupi was elated to see his daughter happy. He wanted to ask her to come back to Moga and live with them. He too wanted to thank Angad for the help.
"Angad kaha hai?" Her father and her Father figure both asked at the same time.
"Unhe koi urgent meeting mein jaana hua. Gaadi aur driver dono hai aap chahe tho hum unke ghar stay kar sakte hai." She said.
All of them started for Maan house. Her family enquired about her life here in Shimla. She explained how she was working with woman running MSMEs. She also made everyone aware of Riya and situations Angad had to go through recently. She also told them how they found Jasmine in police station, she saw younger generation giggle and older generation giving glances to eachother.
"Itna kush dikhta hai par itna dukh se guzar raha hai, kamaal ka aadmi hai." Nimmo said.
"Mujhe bhi yahi laga, please aap vunke samne Riya ya vunki family ki baat mat kijiye." She told to everyone.
Tejo looked at Fateh who was quite throughout the Journey. She asked him if he was fine for which he nodded in yes. They reached the mansion. Bubli served them snacks and tea.
Tejo called Angad several times. He didn't answer any of her calls. He didn't reply to any of her message leaving her angry. She was so mad at him for leaving Gurudwara without saying a single word to her. She decided to give him an earful when comes back to home also she wanted to talk about his PTSD.
Candy and Dilraj divided family into two groups and started playing cricket on the lawn in the backyard. Fateh could not gather courage to talk to Tejo. Tejo too felt awkward around him but decided to stay calm. Tejo rushed towards the door when she Heard the door bell. She startled when she saw Angad carrying Jasmine in his arms who was in an unconscious state.
"Tejoji Dr.Pratik ko call kijiye" he said and laid Jasmine on the couch. He gave a shout out for his driver to bring the medicines fastly.
"Kya hua?" Tejo started to cry.
"I don't know she collapsed in the board room during presentation. Mujhe nahi pata mere aane se pehle waha kya chala." He said.
Entire family arrived there and looked at Jasmine. While most of them cursed her that it was her karma few of them especially Satti started to cry looking at Jasmine's condition. The doctor arrived and informed them she was ok but she had mild overdose of sleeping pills. He gave her an injection and left.
Jasmine woke up and looked at her family. She hugged her mom, her dad was still upset with her but looked at her with sign of concern.
"Kya mai aapse baat kar sakti hoon" she looked at Angad. He nodded yes and took her to the guest room downstairs. Tejo followed them but Jasmine stopped her.
"Tejo please tu mat aa." Jasmine said with whatever strength left in her. Angad assured Tejo that he will let her know whatever Jasmine shares with him.
***To be continued***