Part 9
Sai felt her heart rate increase as she saw Virat approaching her. She stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. Satya noticed her distress and stood in front of her protectively. Virat hesitated before taking a few steps forward. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Sai," he said softly.
Sai looked at him with a blank expression, her mind still racing with all the hurt he had caused her in the past. Virat started to explain the pain he went through in the past year, but Sai found it hard to believe him. She couldn't shake off the feeling that he was simply trying to make excuses for his past actions.
Satya could sense Sai's discomfort and knew that she needed to leave. He stepped forward and gently took Sai's hand, "Chalo Sai, yahan se chalte hain," he said softly. Sai turned to look at him gratefully, knowing that he always had her back.
Without saying a word to Virat, Sai walked away with Satya by her side. As they walked away, Satya looked back at Virat, wondering if he could ever make things right with Sai and the kids. However, he knew that it was up to Sai to decide whether or not to forgive him, and he respected her decision.
Sai and Satya walked in silence for a while, Sai lost in her own thoughts. She didn't feel sorry for Virat, but she couldn't deny that seeing him had stirred up old feelings inside of her. Satya could sense her unease and decided to break the silence, "Sai, tum theek ho na?" he asked softly.
Sai took a deep breath and nodded, "Haan, Satya, main thik hoon. Bas thoda sa pareshan ho gayi thi," she replied honestly.
Satya looked at her with concern, "Bataogi?" he asked gently.
Sai hesitated for a moment before deciding to open up to him, "Main Virat ko maaf nahi kar sakti, Satya. Usne mujhe bahut dard diya tha," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Satya nodded, "Main samajhta hoon, Sai. Tumhe usse maaf karne ka koi pressure nahi hai aur zaoorat bhi nahi hai. Tum apni khushi ke liye jio, aur main hamesha tumhare saath hoon," he said reassuringly.
Sai looked at Satya with gratitude, from the beginning to now no matter what ha come, he stood strong like a pillar for her, sometimes in front of her or sometimes behind her so she could fall back and share anything and everything. Sai's mind was filled with Satya's thoughts as soon as he said this. Satya on the other hand, just for the sake of saying said that he'd be fine with whatever decision she takes, but his heart wanted to tell Sai not to forgive him, that man doesn't deserve second chances, but he I do..... Satya suddenly shook from his position, what was he thinking, he shrugged off his thoughts and left for home.
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Sai was filled with mixed emotions upon learning about Pakhi's confession and Virat's house arrest. She couldn't deny feeling a sense of satisfaction that the truth had finally come out, but at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to feel any sympathy for Virat.
A few days after the incident, Sai was walking towards the school when she saw Vinu and Savi running towards her with fear written all over their faces. "Arree aree, kya hua?" Sai asked, her heart racing.
"Virat baba aaye hain," Vinu said, panting heavily.
Sai felt a sense of unease in her stomach upon hearing this. She knew Virat was desperate to make things right, but his past actions had caused too much damage. She wondered what he was thinking, approaching the kids like that.
As Sai reached the school, she saw Virat sitting on a bench, looking lost and defeated. She walked past him, not wanting to acknowledge his presence. But as she did, she saw his eyes follow her, filled with remorse. Sai couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him. She knew he was going through a tough time, but she couldn't bring herself to forgive him. She had been hurt too much by his actions to let him off the hook so easily.
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Sai found herself drawn to Satya more and more with each passing day. She admired his kind nature and gentle demeanor and found herself thinking about him often. She couldn't help but wonder if Satya felt the same way about her. She loved how easygoing he was, and how her children loved him so much. Sometimes people would think it was his own kids.
Savi and Vinu shared secrets with him that even Sai didn't know. His family was the cherry on the cake. Having a partner like Satya would be so meaningful she thought to herself. Suddenly she was reminded of her past. It dawned on her, how could she possibly think of something like this? She is a divorcee, she has two kids from her past marriage, how could she even think something like this? She scolded herself. Satya deserves someone way better than her, she started crying as reality hit her.
Satya, on the other hand, was also drawn to Sai. He enjoyed spending time with her and found himself thinking about her when they were apart. He couldn't help but feel a little nervous about expressing his feelings, though.
One day, Satya decided to speak to his mother about his feelings for Sai. He was unsure about how to approach the situation and wanted some advice. "Aai," he said, "woh kya haina, mujhe kuch kuch hone laga hai."
His mother smiled knowingly. "Sai haina?," she said. "Aai, aapko kaise pata?."
"Mere bacchon ke baare mein mujhse accha kaun jaanega?"
Satya nodded thoughtfully. "Lekin bas inn sabke wajah se hamara dosti na toot jaaye," he said. "Aur haan aai, kuch ulta seedha mat karna, main yeh handle kar loonga, aur waise bhi Sai ka woh loser Ex pati bhi wapas aa chuka hai."
His mother patted his hand reassuringly. "Pehle koshish karke toh dekh" she said. "Aur agar Sai na bhi bole na, koi baat nahi hai, uska iss ghar mein koi haq nahi badlega, Savi aur Vonu ka bhi."
Satya felt comforted by his mother's words. He decided to take things slowly with Sai and see where their relationship might lead. He knew that he valued her friendship more than anything, but couldn't help feeling a little excited about the possibility of something more.
As the days passed, Satya and Sai continued to spend time together, enjoying each other's company and growing closer with each passing day. Satya was careful not to rush anything, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, Sai felt the same way about him. Sai began bottling up her feelings so much so she couldn't notice the small advances of Satya, she liked them, in fact, loved them but refused to acknowledge her feelings, Satya deserves better, she'd say to herself.
Meanwhile, Virat tried persuading them and pleading for forgiveness, and the kids continued to avoid him. Sai couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but at the same time, she knew that he had brought this upon himself. Sai realized that forgiveness wasn't something that could be forced or demanded, it had to be earned. And Virat had a long way to go before he could earn hers.
Satya and Sai sat together at their workplace, going through their daily tasks when a familiar envelope caught their attention. It was an invitation to their colleague Sheetal's wedding. Sai's eyes widened in surprise as she read the invitation.
"Sheetal ki shaadi ho rahi hai?" Sai exclaimed, a mix of shock and happiness evident in her voice.
Satya, who was sitting beside her, looked up and saw Sai's reaction. "What's the matter?" he asked, noticing her surprised expression.
Sai turned to him, still holding the invitation. "It's Sheetal," she said. "She's getting married!"
Satya's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Arree waah!" he said, genuinely happy for Sheetal.
Sai nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "Usko apna saccha pyaar mil hi gaya hai," she said. "Ek akeli maa ho kar usne bohot kuch jhela hai, ab woh khushi khushi aage badh rahi hai."
As Satya got up to attend to some work, Sheetal approached Sai. She could sense Sai's mixed emotions and decided to share her story with her. Sai looked at Sheetal with curiosity.
Sai: Sheetal, Mujhe sach mein surprise hua jab maine tumhara wedding invitation dekha. Par main bahut khush hoon tumhe khush dekhkar! Tum kaise mili unse?
Sheetal: Dhanyavaad Dr.Sai! Sach mein yeh safar kuch khaas tha. Mere fiancé se maine ek common friend ke through mila. Usne mujhe pursue kiya, jaante hue ki main ek vidhwa aur akeli maa hoon. Woh taiyar tha mujhe aur mere bachche ko svikar karne ke liye.
Sai: Yeh toh kamaal hai, Sheetal! Main bahut khush hoon ki tumhe tumhara itna accha jeevan saathi mil gaya.
Sheetal: Haan, Dr. Sai, Satya mere liye iss poori journey mein mere saath dhaal banke khada raha. Woh hamesha mere saath rehta tha, sunta tha, aur kehta tha ki mujhe pyaar aur khushi ko phir se apna lena chahiye.
Sai: Yeh sunke bahut achha laga, Sheetal. Satya hai hi itna accha, aur mujhe bahut accha lag raha hai ki woh tumhare liye hamesha maujood tha. Tumhare zindagi mein aage badhne aur khushiyan dhundhne ke liye tayyar rehna.
Sheetal: Thank you, Dr. Sai. Yeh aasan nahi tha, lekin Satya jaise doston ka saath aur mere fiancé ki samajh se maine apne aap ko theek kiya aur pyaar ko phir se apnaya. infact aapko bhi aapka dilka sun leni chahiye, apne liye bhi ek life partner chunni chahiye, rasta bohot mushkil hai lekin agar sahi insaan mila na, toh zindagi set hai. infact, Aapko duniya ki saari khushiyan milni chahiye, Dr.Sai. Apne dil ko naye mauke ke liye khole rakhna mat bhoolna. Zindagi hamein kabhi na kabhi achanak modh par le jaati hai, aur kabhi-kabhi sabse anokhe raaste humein sabse badi khushiyon tak pahunchate hai.
Sai: Main zaroor yaad rakhungi, Sheetal.
Sheetal thanked Sai and they shared a warm embrace. It made her appreciate Satya even more, knowing that he had the ability to bring joy and healing to others. As Sai walked away, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of hope. If Satya could be such a pillar of support for Sheetal, maybe there was a chance for something beautiful to blossom between them as well.
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The Chavans, including Bhavani, Ashwini, Ninad, Omi, Sonali, Karishma, and Mohit, were deeply saddened to see Virat going through such a difficult time. They realized that it was important to mend the broken bonds within the family and bring everyone together. They decided to meet Vinu and Savi and have a heartfelt conversation with them, explaining their intentions of rejoining as a family.
One evening, the Chavans gathered at Vinu and Savi's school. They wanted to have an open and honest discussion with the kids, ensuring that they understood their feelings and intentions. As Vinu and Savi saw their family members waiting for them, they hesitantly approached, unsure of what was about to unfold.
Bhavani, with a gentle smile, spoke first. "Bacchon, kaise ho tum dono? Hum sab yahaan tumse milne aaye hain."
Vinu: Hum theek hai, dadi. Par aap sab yahaan kyun aaye ho?
Bhavani: Beta, hum sab chahte hain ki tumhare papa ko lekar tum dono ko samajhne ka mauka mile. Tumhare papa ne badlav ka vaada kiya hai. Ab woh tum par kabhi gussa nahi karenge aur tumhari khushi ka khayal rakhenge. Beta, aur main yeh bhi samajhti hoon ki tumhe waqt chahiye. Par hum sab yahan hain, tumhari aur Sai aai ki sahayata ke liye. Tumhare papa ko mauka do apni badlav ka sabit karne ka.
Vinu and Savi nodded, their faces still unsure. They promised to talk to Sai later and consider their family's words. Bhavani, with a gentle smile, respected their decision and hoped that they would soon understand the positive changes their father had made.
Vinu and Savi looked at their family members, and promised to discuss it with their mother. As they were leaving, they saw Madhuri waiting for them. Since it was a weekend, they all went to the Adhikaris and the kids explained what was told to them. Sai and Satya heard it from the entrance. Sai was irritated now. Satya calmly held her hands, entered the hall and pulled the kids over for a hug changing the atmosphere.
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It had been weeks since the Chavan family had been making continuous efforts to be in contact with Vinu and Savi. Sai, still skeptical and hesitant about Virat, was initially resistant to the idea. But Satya, understanding the importance of family and legal rights, convinced Sai to give them a chance.
Sai was apprehensive, but deep down, she understood the significance of a father's love for his children. She observed how genuinely Virat cared for Vinu and Savi, putting their happiness above everything else. She noticed the effort he was making to mend their broken relationship. and Satya's words kept ringing in her ears "I know you have your reservations about the Chavans, especially Virat. But it's important to consider their rights as the children's grandparents. Let's give them a chance to prove themselves. And remember, if anything goes wrong, we can always deal with it legally."
Gradually, Sai's reluctance started to fade as she witnessed the sincerity in Virat's actions. She could see his genuine love and concern for their children. Sai realized that despite their differences and past mistakes, Virat's love for Vinu and Savi remained intact.
With a change of heart, Sai decided to give Virat a chance, not only for the sake of the children but also to see if he had truly changed for the better.
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Three months passed by, and during this time, Virat consistently proved himself to be a changed man. He made sincere efforts to transform his mentality and his approach towards things. Most importantly, he began to respect Sai, her boundaries, and her comfort.
His transformation did not go unnoticed by those around him. The Adhikaris, the Chavans, and even the children, Vinu and Savi, could see the positive changes in Virat. They witnessed his commitment to personal growth and his genuine efforts to rebuild the family.
However, for Sai, the situation was different. Despite acknowledging Virat's transformation, she maintained her stance on co-parenting. While she appreciated his efforts and respected him as the children's father, she kept a certain emotional distance.
Sai's priority was to ensure a stable and harmonious environment for Vinu and Savi. Co-parenting allowed them to have both parents actively involved in their lives while keeping personal emotions and dynamics separate.
The Adhikaris, who had been observing the progress, admired Sai's maturity and the way she prioritized the children's well-being above all else. They respected her decision to maintain a co-parenting arrangement and provided unwavering support.
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At the Adhikaris' house, Savi came running to Sai, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. "Aai, aai, aapko pata hai aaj kya hua?" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. Sai looked at Savi, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
Savi, in between gasps, shared the news of her friend's divorced parents reconciling for the sake of their children. It was a beautiful story of love and second chances. However, as Savi spoke, Sai and Satya felt a pang in their hearts. They understood the underlying message in Savi's words when she said, "kaash mere favourite baba aur aai bhi saath hote, ek saath ek ghar mein."
Amba, who had been observing the changing dynamics and sensing the heaviness in the room, quickly intervened. She gently took Savi away, distracting her with something joyful, giving Sai and Satya a moment to themselves.
Sai, now alone in her room, broke down to the floor, the weight of her emotions becoming unbearable. She cried, thinking about the possibility that her own children might never accept her being with someone else, even though she hadn't even approached Satya about it. In her vulnerable state, she looked up at herself in the mirror, tears streaming down her face. She questioned herself, doubting if she could ever find happiness in love.
Her insecurities flooded her mind as she thought about her growing feelings for Satya. She felt a deep connection with him, and he had effortlessly won over not only her but also her children. But now, faced with the possibility of losing the support and acceptance of her own kids, she couldn't help but question if she was destined to be alone.
Sai's tears were a reflection of her fears and doubts, the weight of her own insecurities crushing her spirit. She longed for love and happiness, but the fear of losing the affection of her children made her question if it was even possible for her. She also felt she was never worthy of Satya's love. Had he even loved her? Was he just being a good friend? was she overthinking? no no no, Satya won't love her, why should he? the society would hate him if he does it. Virat, the chavans, no, they'd insult him, they already knew Satya was close to the kids and though not expressed well, she knew they hated Satya and the Adhikari's.
In this vulnerable moment, Sai cried out, pouring her heart out to the universe, hoping for answers and guidance. It was a raw expression of her innermost feelings, as she grappled with the complexities of love and the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Unknown to her, someone saw her cry, someone heard all her deepest insecurities, they couldn't help but cry along with her.
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Thank you all for your unwavering support, Please comment on how you feel so I can improve myself. Apologies for the delay. Suggestions and criticisms are always welcome. One more chapter and an epilogue to go!!!
Edited by Madheart - 2 years ago