Arylie FF: Full circle, Chapter 21, note updated on Pg 94 - Page 54

M turning me into an emotional mess with these chapters 🤧

I just hope Malini gets the right person to talk about those spiritual things 🥺

M these series are addictive!!

I am writing this comment while reading coz itne saari cheeeze hoti hai ki yaad nahi rehta baad me kya kya likhna hai!!

Chalo...shuru krte hai!☺️

"He had finally found love again...in his son" ahhh...this was amazing!!😍❤️

Neel under Aru's deskk!!!wao...i presume this is a parallel huh?(imlie under adi's desk)👏

Arpi...suchan angel!...the way she told him that its okay to cry! Reffering Aryan...brilliant!!❤️

The dimple in your cheeks! Wao yaar!

Tbh...i really really miss their sisterly bonding...!! But I have you!! You portray it a gazillion times better than in the show!👏

Yaar the way Aryan cut her off when she told him that they had to talk to Neel about Malini......its so like him...bohot mast likha hai yehh...i loved this one!😃❤️❤️

The precapp:yoohooo Aruneeel!!!!!! Cant wait!🎉🎉🎉✨💞💞

Thanks M! 🙏🏻😇

Tell me when you reach those hugs...!🤗✌🏻😉

Bye!

Originally posted by: mltr16

You write the best reviews, Lisa. As requested the next update is posted 🤗 The next few chapters get more complicated as you can imagine. I am going to have to pick and choose what to present and what not to. I am still going to try and post twice a week. In the meanwhile, my muse (I call her the monkey on my back) has gotten me to writing the first few chapters of a new SS that will start after Full Circle wraps up. Quite different from this one 😃

Honestly M, it even breaks my heart to hear that this SS would be wrapped up because it's just become some different entity of sorts and so very personal to me but glad that you have another SS coming up man, no matter how different it would be, I am sure it would be well loved AND GOOD because I now know the way you write. Ouff, also your muse sounds very interesting, I say good for her to encourage you 🤗 Thank you for the tag and posting the next update. Good luck on your new SS !

Your depiction of Aryan and Imlie's story is so beautiful and realistic. The ITV drama is constrained by so many factors (like budget, cast, time pressure, TRP) that a lot of times they loose touch from reality. I really like how in your story all the characters are growing and supporting each other. I have a feeling that the "full circle" in your story could be Aditya falling in love with Arpita.

Now coming to Malini, she did a lot of bad things but I still don't like her dying like this.

I really liked Malini's character in the beginning of the show. But then the maker completely ruined her to justify Aditya and Imlie's relationship. The makers keep showing extreme negativty to keep the drama quotient alive. This is one reason I loose interest in ITV shows after sometime.

Originally posted by: free_willy

Your depiction of Aryan and Imlie's story is so beautiful and realistic. The ITV drama is constrained by so many factors (like budget, cast, time pressure, TRP) that a lot of times they loose touch from reality. I really like how in your story all the characters are growing and supporting each other. I have a feeling that the "full circle" in your story could be Aditya falling in love with Arpita.

Now coming to Malini, she did a lot of bad things but I still don't like her dying like this.

I really liked Malini's character in the beginning of the show. But then the maker completely ruined her to justify Aditya and Imlie's relationship. The makers keep showing extreme negativty to keep the drama quotient alive. This is one reason I loose interest in ITV shows after sometime.

I am so, so glad you wrote this, because I feel even more driven now to give her that dignity and grace that she lost along the way. Malini will unfortunately meet her fate soon, but she can always do so with poise.

Everyone can find it, no matter what they have done, and so will she. I just have to find a way to put it in words. Like you, I had initially felt she was a good soul but lost. Now they are taking her to a point beyond redemption......aise nahi hota in real life which is what I am trying to depict in this story. I agree Aryan is from an alien planet, but everyone else is portrayed realistically.

That's the next chapter, the evolution in her thought process with the help of a counsellor. At the end of life, this is the hardest hurdle to cross, the emotion-psychological-spiritual angst is real. And I am going to take my time write Malu's journey on that path. I only hope, people will find it in their heart to walk that path with her. No one can truly know what these people go through when confronted with death until they themselves are there. ❤️❤️

When I was a fellow, my mentor made me do this morbid exercise three times through the fellowship. Imagine you have a devastating terminal illness. Now you have 3 months left to live. Close your eyes, visualize it. What are your thoughts, questions, fears, values? How do you want your death to be?

Tell me, how many people are forced to think about it? But everyone should at least once ever 5 years. Goals change as life moves on, but this is a good way to remember, that life is momentary and precious. Use it well. 😃 I thank you once again for your thoughtful comment. -- Love, M

Originally posted by: mltr16

I am so, so glad you wrote this, because I feel even more driven now to give her that dignity and grace that she lost along the way. Malini will unfortunately meet her fate soon, but she can always do so with poise.

Everyone can find it, no matter what they have done, and so will she. I just have to find a way to put it in words. Like you, I had initially felt she was a good soul but lost. Now they are taking her to a point beyond redemption......aise nahi hota in real life which is what I am trying to depict in this story. I agree Aryan is from an alien planet, but everyone else is portrayed realistically.

That's the next chapter, the evolution in her thought process with the help of a counsellor. At the end of life, this is the hardest hurdle to cross, the emotion-psychological-spiritual angst is real. And I am going to take my time write Malu's journey on that path. I only hope, people will find it in their heart to walk that path with her. No one can truly know what these people go through when confronted with death until they themselves are there. ❤️❤️

When I was a fellow, my mentor made me do this morbid exercise three times through the fellowship. Imagine you have a devastating terminal illness. Now you have 3 months left to live. Close your eyes, visualize it. What are your thoughts, questions, fears, values? How do you want your death to be?

Tell me, how many people are forced to think about it? But everyone should at least once ever 5 years. Goals change as life moves on, but this is a good way to remember, that life is momentary and precious. Use it well. 😃 I thank you once again for your thoughtful comment. -- Love, M

I really loved your thoughts and I am so glad you are going to show the redemption and realization track for Mailini. Death is really a mirror of our life. We often forget about it when everything is fine but when it hits us( in the form of illness or losing a loved one), that is the time when the deeper questions about our existence confront us and we begin to analyze what it means to truly live a life.

Thanks for sharing the insights and experiences from your fellowship. This made me see the medical profession from a different perspective. It also made me respect and admire all the doctors and medical staff even more than I did before.

One more point about your story I missed to mention earlier : it's the message of love and hope. It's how Aditya found his way and reason to live and got himself back on the right track for his child, and how Aryan forgot about his revenge, and did the right thing for Aditya and his family. Justifying the title of your story, you are giving closure to all the characters in this story 🙂. In the end, everyone is growing and supporting each other🤗

Originally posted by: free_willy

Thanks for sharing the insights and experiences from your fellowship. This made me see the medical profession from a different perspective. It also made me respect and admire all the doctors and medical staff even more than I did before.

One more point about your story I missed to mention earlier : it's the message of love and hope. It's how Aditya found his way and reason to live and got himself back on the right track for his child, and how Aryan forgot about his revenge, and did the right thing for Aditya and his family. Justifying the title of your story, you are giving closure to all the characters in this story 🙂. In the end, everyone is growing and supporting each other🤗

Ah but the road to recovery can be a long winded one, littered with potholes. Now, he has people around him that are committed to supporting him. Not just cajoling him but actually helping him lift himself up. I am looking forward to my Aditya's journey to peace and harmony, even though it maybe a bumpy ride.

Good morning/evening! Another installment of Full Circle for your reading pleasure. As I have responded to people in the past, the story will get more complex from here forward, I hope you all are up for the ride. As always, I will try to break it up but some chapters that is just going to be plain tough because of what is going on. I hope you like it, please do comment and let me know what you think of the progression in the story.

Love, M

Previously,

"Malini didi! She wants us to talk to Neel about her ....her....impending death."

Aryan sighed. God, he did not look forward to this at all. How do you explain to a five year old that his mother was dying? That one day, she would cease to exist in the world. That she would exist only in his memories.

In the last few days, he had essentially been navigating foreign territory. Neel's entry into their lives had set off a cascade of events, forced him to confront and let go of his bitter feelings towards Neel's parents. It had made him rethink his apprehensions about parenthood.

He had had to pray for grace every single moment this past week. and so tonight, he prayed again. Help us find the right words, Lord, so we can try to explain to this little fledgling that his mother was going to fly the nest, never to return again, not in this lifetime.

With that heartfelt prayer, Aryan closed his eyes, wiping the tears that slid out the corners. Imlie stirred and he linked his hand in hers, pulling it close to his heart. Sleep was going to be elusive tonight, despite his exhaustion.

Chapter 16

Aryan observed his nephew silently as he slid into bed beside him, leaning against the headboard as Neel stared at the book on his lap.

He had been uncharacteristically subdued since this morning since learning that Imlie had left this morning to cover a news story. It was their fault that they had not told him ahead of time. But everything had happened so quickly last evening, that neither Aryan nor Imlie had had the chance to talk to Neel.

An Indian woman had been accused of adultery in a foreign country and was going to stand trial this week. The country was known for its swift and merciless judicial system. Imlie had been invited to join a hand picked group of reporters accompanying the Indian Foreign Minister, Mrs. Mukherjee, on her mission to bring the woman back home. Imlie had learned early on in her career, that as a reporter you had to be ready to drop everything and leave if needed. It hadn’t taken her long to pack her bags and leave well before dawn this morning,

The entire country was watching and Imlie was excited at the invitation to be right where the action was happening. No surprises there. He just hoped she came home in one piece. Knowing well that when his wife made up her mind there was no swaying her, he had only put up a small protest. Given the laws of the country, he just prayed she did not get into any trouble.

"Alright! What are we reading today, bud?" Aryan asked his nephew as he put an arm around Neel, trying to focus on the task at hand. Bedtime ritual.

"Dinosaurs." Neel said softly.

He sighed and took the book away from Neel as he asked him, "Do you want to tell me why you are on silent mode today?"

Neel pouted and looked away.

"I am not going to talk to her when she comes back you know?"

"Really?" Aryan knew Neel was talking about Imlie.

"Yes, really." He looked at Aryan with a frown.

"But what did she do?"

"I didn't even get a hug before she left and now I am not going to see her forever!!"

"Okay first, she will be back by the end of the week. Second, the flight was really early in the morning and the pilot told her he was not going to wait for her to fly the plane, so she had better show up on time. And third, she did kiss you goodbye, you were sleeping soundly.” Aryan tried to pacify Neel with logic.

"How do you know that?" Neel frowned.

"Because I was awake?"

"What?!!! How come she woke you but not me?" he slipped out of his arms and faced Aryan, glaring at him with his arms folded across his chest.

"I wake up early anyway." Aryan replied with a straight face.

"Did she kiss you too?" Neel demanded to know.

Aryan lifted a brow in amusement.

"What if she did?"

"Did she hug you?"

"Maybe." Aryan shrugged.

"What? What? That is just not fair!"

Ooops! That little chin was starting to wobble and the tip of his nose was a little red. We know where this is heading! Time for some damage control. Aryan thought, just as the first pillow came flying at him.

"Come here, bud!" he tried cajoling Neel into his arms.

"No! I am not coming! I am not your bud and I am now mad at you too." Neel's voice escalated with each word as he looked around for other missiles to launch at Aryan.

"Okay. Well that's just too bad. Because I had a surprise for you. But now I am sure you won't want to hear it from me and no one else knows what it is." Aryan looked at him and turned down the corners of his lips, pretending to look regretful as he deftly deflected a soft toy aimed at his head.

He sighed a heavy sigh. "I was so looking forward to sharing it with you."

Neel finally looked divided between his irritation and his curiosity to know what the surprise was.

Aryan slid lower in bed, pulling the covers over him as he dimmed the lights. "Good night, bud. I love you." he said quietly.

There was a moment of silence.

"What is it?" he heard his nephew's small voice.

"Hmmmm. What is what?" Aryan asked him.

"The surprise? I want to know."

"It's okay. I understand you are mad at me. Tomorrow when you are not so mad anymore, I will tell you all about it. I think you need your battery recharged tonight for the big surprise tomorrow. Now do you want to cuddle or not?" Aryan held out an arm.

Neel looked at him for a moment and then sidled over to him, resting his head in the crook of Aryan's arm.

"I miss Maasi so much. When will she come back, Chaachu?"

"Do you remember your days of the week, Neel?"

"Yes. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday..." he started.

"Wait, wait. Hold up your hand."

Neel obediently held up one hand.

"Let's do this. Let us count the number of wake ups till Maasi gets home. Do you know what that means?"

"Uh-uh."

"It is the number of nights we need to sleep and then wake up to a new day, until she comes home."

"Ohhkkaay?"

Aryan gently folded down his thumb, "Monday night, that is tonight." Aryan continued folding down each of those little fingers until they got to Thursday night. "We wake up Friday morning, you go to school, I go to work, and Imlie maasi will be home waiting for us when we get back."

"So four wake ups before she comes home?" Neel looked up at him as he asked.

"That's right! Four more wake ups. When I start missing her, that's what I do. I start counting the number of wake ups until I get to see her again."

"Why didn't she call us, Chaachu?"

"She must be busy, kiddo. She had texted me earlier to let me know she was safe but busy."

He heard Neel sigh. "I miss her smile and I miss her voice, Chaachu, And I miss her big bear hugs and when she swings me in the air and her kisses. I miss all of her, Chaachu."

Aryan let out a sad sigh of his own. "I miss all of her too, Neel. Very much, indeed."

He looked down at the little face that had become so dear to him in such a short time. "I can't sing like her, but I can tell you a story. Would you like to hear one?"

Neel nodded and curled up closer, putting his hand on Aryan's chest, sliding it up to his neck and clutching the neckline in his little fist. In a gentle, slow, repetitive motion, Aryan ran a thumb down between Neel’s eyebrows, ending the stroke mid-nose. He had watched Imlie put Neel to sleep a few times and this trick seemed to soothe him every single time.

As he listened to Aryan’s deep, lulling voice those long lashes slowly dropped and the little fist clutching the neckline of his t-shirt loosened, as Neel finally drifted off to sleep. Aryan slowly softened his voice and stopped narrating the story as he felt Neel's chest rise and fall evenly. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips and he closed his eyes, missing Imlie's presence next to him.

************************************************

"So where are we going, Chaachu?" Neel could barely contain his excitement. He had been playing 20 questions with Aryan ever since the car had started and he had still not figured out his surprise. All he knew was it was a place, it was something he had wanted to try, it had something to do with a movie he had watched.

Aryan smiled in the rearview mirror in response to the little boy squirming in his seat, "You'll see when we get there. Stay still in your seat, would you?"

Once they got to their destination, Aryan opened the back door and Neel hopped out looking up at the building.

"What place is this, Chachu?" he slipped his hand into Aryan's and shuffled closer to him.

Aryan recognized the signs of apprehension. That was one of the reasons he had chosen to enroll in this class with Neel today. Fully anticipating the tongue lashing he may receive from Imlie for bringing Neel here without Malini's permission, he had forced himself to meet Malini yesterday and sought her consent.

To his surprise, Malini had said yes without hesitation. So here they were, Neel and Aryan were going to take their first Karate class together. Aryan had enjoyed boxing in his late teens and college years. He had always wanted to try martial arts but had never really gotten around to pursuing it. Now, he would get a chance to explore it with Neel.

During their pick up and drop offs to and from school, Neel had dropped hints that he was possibly being teased for being a "puny" kid. The women of the house would often lament on how he was still so little. None of that sat well with Aryan. He wanted Neel to feel confident, the exercise would help him grow stronger physically, the discipline that Taekwondo demanded would calm his mind. All of these skills would serve his nephew well as he navigated the difficult times ahead, in the near and distant future.

They walked into the studio together and Aryan looked down at Neel, whose eyes had grown as big as saucers as he watched a class in progress. His jaw agape, he had looked at Aryan.

"Is this Kung Fu? Like Kung Fu Panda?" he whispered.

Aryan crouched in front of Neel and smiled. "Not Kung Fu, but close enough, I guess. It's Karate."

Neel gasped, "Like the Karate Kid!!"

Aryan grinned at his sense of wonder, "Like that." he acknowledged.

As the ongoing class drew to an end, young man approached them and bowed to them, asking for their names and took them to registration. Aryan wanted Neel to try out one class first to see if he would actually like it.

"Do you think I can actually do it? All the kids are bigger than me." Neel looked at him doubtfully. The young man who had introduced himself as Rehaan, smiled at Aryan and said, "Can I try to answer that, sir?" Aryan nodded readily and Rehaan crouched down and met Neel's eyes.

"Karate or any martial art, does not depend on a person's size, Neel. It is about determination and perseverance. It is about focus, being respectful and being humble." Rehaan smiled, "Such big words right? Just remember, it will make you a stronger, better human being."

Neel looked up at Aryan, as if asking if he agreed and Aryan nodded reassuringly.

"Well?" Rehaan stood up and held out his hand to Neel, "Do you want to try it out?"

Neel looked up at Aryan again seeking permission and Aryan winked back at him.

"I am right behind you, Neel. We are in this together." he smiled at him.

******************************

A happy but exhausted Neel sat in the his car seat, admiring his brand new Karate uniform.

"I can't wait to wear this. When is the next class, Chachu?"

"Saturday evening."

"We'll go together right?"

"Now, why do you think I got this uniform?" Aryan asked as he wave toward an adult version of the same, "Of course, we'll go together."

It wasn't going to take him long to fall asleep tonight, Aryan thought, a small smile playing about his lips, as he watched Neel lay his head back on the headrest and quietly gaze outside.

Another day, without Imlie was almost over.

As if hearing his thoughts, a tired Neel asked him, "I can't wait to show Imlie maasi my uniform and what I learnt today. She will be so proud of me for trying something new."

"I bet she will be. So will your Mumma."

Neel grinned at him in the rear view mirror. "Oh I am going to wear my uniform when I go see her on Saturday. Maybe we can go straight to class after visiting Mumma."

"Sounds good to me!"

Neel put his head back on the headrest and was quiet for a few minutes.

"How many more wake-ups, Aryan Chachu?"

"Three more wake ups, bud. Then she will be home." Aryan sighed inwardly.

********************************************

"The flight just landed, Akkadbagga." Imlie quipped on the phone.

Aryan breathed a sigh of relief. She was finally back in Delhi.

"Okay, well, do not come to the office. Go straight home. I am sure you have already told your team to go home, right?"

Imlie smiled at the phone, he knew her too well.

"Imlie?"

"Yes, Akkadbagga?"

"Go home, please?"

"Okay, fine."

"Good, I have already sent a car."

She shook her head. How presumptuous!

"Are you going to be able to come home early?" she asked him.

"God! I wish. But I have a meeting I cannot get out of this afternoon. I won't be too late though. Hopefully home by five or six o'clock max."

"Hmmm..maybe I can go pick up Neel."

"Or maybe Arpita di can. You just got back after a five day assignment. Get some rest, Imlie."

"I'll be fine, ABP."

Silence. He was probably pinching his nose.

"Okay fine! I will go home and rest."

"Thank you! Was that so hard?" Imlie made a face at the phone.

"Khadoos" she muttered, holding the phone away from her lips.

"I heard that." she heard his deep voice.

"Alright, alright! I have to go. See you at home later."

***************************************

Aryan came home to the sound of music blaring from upstairs. None of the Rathore women were in sight. What was going on in his house today? Imlie was going on, of course! he grinned as he took two stairs at a time, eager to see the new nautanki that the Rathore family was putting on.

Aryan rounded the corner to the hallway towards their bedroom, the music getting louder and louder, the sound of clapping and laughter floated down the hallway.

The sight that greeted his eyes, nearly made him fall over. There at the foot of their bed, was Imlie dressed in jeans and a kurti, with a cloth draped around her waist like a lungi, a fake moustache glued above her lips dancing with a similarly dressed Neel, while Arpita Di and Maa watched in glee, clapping and cheering the two as they grooved with Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone to the Lungi Dance on Imlie's laptop.

https://youtu.be/69CEiHfS_mc

Mucchon ko thoda round ghumake,

Anna ke jaisa chashma laga ke

Coconut mein lassi milake

Aaa jao sab mood banake

All the Rajani Fans,

Thalaiva!

Don't miss the chance

Thalaiva!

Lungi dance, lungi dance, lungi dance.....

Aryan had to cover his mouth to hide his amusement.

Oh. My. God! How did his wife manage to look so sexy dancing in that ridiculous costume.

He just leaned against the doorway, with his arms crossed, an eyebrow raised, smirking at her.

"Aryan!!" His sister cried out, quickly pausing the song playing on the laptop.

All heads toward him and smiles started fading a little. Come on, they were acting like he was The Grinch.

"You all don't need to stop on my account, please continue." he said coolly.

He appraised Imlie as she hurriedly pulled of the moustache, wincing and quickly covering her mouth. Ouch! That must have stung, he thought.

He heard his sister clear her throat from somewhere in the room, as he stared at his wife's lips.

"Neel, Maa. Lets go downstairs and bake a cake or something. What do you say, Neel? In honor of Imlie Maasi returning home, hmm?"

"She likes brownies, Arpita Maasi."

"I have a boxed mix somewhere, I am sure we can whip up some in no time, right Maa?" she ushered both her mother and Neel out, winking at Aryan as she pulled the door firmly shut behind her.

Aryan's face finally broke out in to the grin he had been suppressing for so long, as he watched a flustered Imlie, take off the cloth draped around her waist. He quickly moved to pull her closer, an arm slipping around her waist, the thumb of his other hand moving up to rub the sting out of her skin where she had pulled off that hideous moustache.

"This look is not bad, Imlie Aryan Singh Rathore, but I would rather see you in Deepika's look tonight." he drawled as he nuzzled her neck.

Imlie shivered at the familiar tingle that ran through her body as Aryan gently nipped at her ear lobe.

"That can be arranged, Aryan Singh Rathore."

Aryan pulled back, masking his delight with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

"And when will I get to see that particular performance, my dear?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave lower.

Imlie smiled coyly at him, "Maybe, tonight? After dinner."

"And Neel?"

"Maybe we can convince him to sleep with Maa tonight." she sounded hopeful.

"There is no way that he is going to leave your side tonight, Imlie. You do not know how I have appeased him for the past four nights."

Imlie sighed, he was right. Ugh! She so wanted to dress up for Aryan tonight, though.

"How about now?" she heard his breath tickle her ears as he slipped his hands under her kurti, unbuttoning, unzipping her jeans and pushing them down over her hips.

"How about this weekend?" Imlie asked as she stepped out of her jeans and started unbuttoning his shirt. "We'll convince Neel to sleep with Maa and I'll dress up for you. Now stop wasting time and kiss me." Imlie looped her arms around his neck and raised herself up to kiss him soundly on the lips, opening her mouth and drawing on his lower lip, gently suckling on it.

Aryan groaned and pushed her away from him a moment later. Quickly shrugging out of his shirt as Imlie pulled off her kurti.

"Come here" he said hoarsely. pulling her closer. He kissed her hungrily, deeply, as he slipped an arm around her waist and picked her up effortlessly. Guiding her legs around his hips, he maneuvered them to the bed and lowered her back on it.

He broke the kiss and stilled those eager hands that were trying unsuccessfully to unbutton his pants. Taking over for her, he pulled off the remainder of his clothes, watching her as she rubbed her legs together and trailed a hand down her own body.

Holy mother of God! She was going to kill him with that display of lust. Instantly, he was back, covering her body, their breath ragged, their need urgent.

"Aryan stop teasing!" she cried out, her back arching. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his forehead touch hers. Aryan paused for a moment, closing his own eyes, trying to slow down

"Now, please!" he heard her beg. Aryan raised his head and looked at her flushed face, her lips parted as she gasped for air. He wanted to see those eyes, glazed with desire for him.

"Open your eyes, Imlie."

She slowly complied, opening her eyes, her pupils dilated, her skin fevered. This is exactly how he wanted her. Burning for his touch, for his body, he thought, as he bent his head and kissed her lips, muffling her cry as he finally gave her what her body craved.

**************************************

Precap: Malini's internal monologue. Aditya receives a surprise at the rehab center. Aryan, Imlie and Neel talk.

M, I want to see Aryan in a karate uniform doing a routine 😭 I blame you for this insane fantasy, because I know I will be disappointed