It had been 3 months since Abhira had shifted to Delhi. Dev Shekhawat, her boss had become more of a friend than boss during these times when he understood the reason for her transfer request, and assured her that he would personally handle her divorce case papers and keep her updated.
Abhira loved exploring the markets in Delhi, plus the metro made it all possible. She also began to get ideas for the resort, and what she could do to enhance it. During one of these outings, she had come across an elderly lady, whom she had helped shop around. Unknown to her, that lady was none other than Gayatri Deora, first cousin of Naksh Singhaniya, and Naira Singhaniya Goenka, Abhira's own maternal grandmother.
---Flashback to Khan Market ---
Abhira was shopping for a long coat, to give herself a more polished look. After checking online, she had decided to go to Khan Market for it. As she was to go in a store, she held the door open for an elderly lady who gave her a warm smile. She had come to shop for her staff.
Shopkeeper to the elderly lady, "Hi Ma'am, how can I help you ?"
Gayatri Deora or GD spoke, "I'd like to see some sample fabrics for pants and shirts. I need to buy for my staff."
The shopkeeper started to show the elderly lady some the samples he had. However, none of the items appealed to her.
GD spoke, being a bit perplexed, "Aapke paas kuch aur nahin?"
"What do you mean Ma'am" the salesperson answered.
"She means does not like this sasta sundar tikau stuff you are showing. Just because it's for her staff, doesn't mean you restrict her to crappy stuff, unless that is all you have. You know there are people who treat their staff like family." Abhira chirped in.
"Of course, Ma'am. I have just the stuff for you." The salesman then began showing things that were appropriate for the Deora standard.
Gayatri had taken an instant liking to Abhira. Abhira's chirpiness reminded her of her long demised cousin sister, Naira. She enlisted Abhira's help in selecting, so that she could be done faster. Abhira, being the golden hearted girl, ready agreed to help her.
After the shopping, there lay a problem with Gayatri. She had multiple bags. She, had in a sense done shopping not just for the male staff of her family, but for her cousin Naksh's India staff as well. There were too many bags for a frail lady to hold. Her driver too hadn't come yet. Abhira, and one of the store's staff helped carry the items out when the Deora driver came by as well, and took the bags.
"Beta, what were you shopping for? I'm sorry I sidetracked you from your shopping." GD spoke sweetly to Abhira.
"Oh no, it's nothing. I'm glad I could help you." Abhira replied.
"Chalo, issi baat par ek coffee ho jaaye?" GD asked.
"Sure, nekki aur puchh puchh." Abhir laughed as she answered.
During coffee, GD and Abhira both got to know a bit more about each other. Abhira told her how she was looking for her mother's relatives, and she knew they existed in Udaipur.
Hearing Udaipur, GD's eyes brightened, "Udaipur?"
"Yes, Mumma mentioned some of her childhood antics, how she and her Kairav Bhaiya used to do silly stuff."
"What was your mother's name beta?" GD held her breath awaiting Abhira's answer.
"Mumma ka naam Akshara Sharma hai." Abhira replied.
"Achha" Was all GD could muster. She had been anticipating Goenka as the surname.
"Haan, kyunki mere Papa toh Sharma thei na, Abhinav Sharma, so meri mumma ka poora naam Akshara Abhinav Sharma tha." Abhira became sad using the past tense with her Mumma's name.
"Arrey, dil chhota nahin karte beta. Tumne DNA tests ke baare mein suna hai? Abroad people do DNA testing to trace their ancestry. Why don't you do it as well? Give it a try?" GD spoke with renewed hope, hearing the name Abhinav.
"Ok, I guess I can try." Abhira spoke a bit unconvinced.
"Agar tum chaho, toh main tumhare saath chal sakti hoon hospital test karane." GD offered, "Plus, main apne navase se bhi mil loongi."
Seeing Abhira's puzzled expression, GD laughed as she said, "My grandson is a neurosurgeon at Elite Hospital here, finishing up his residency. Shubh kaam mein deiri kaisi, chalo ab!"
Abhira was a bit surprised seeing a frail elderly lady's enthusiam on helping her finding her family. -Thank you Bhagwaan ji, shayad kuch achhe log iss duniya mein hain abhi bhi.- Abhira thanked God internally.
------------Udaipur-------------
The past three months at Poddar mansion had been cast with a shadow of melancholy. Though the youngsters of the family tried to look upbeat in front of the elders, once in their natural safe space, they'd gloss over the fact that their favorite cheerleader, their cool Bhabhi was no longer with them. They often wondered what caused the rift between Abhira and Armaan.
Sometimes, they wondered if Kiara's hypothesis was true? Afterall, it was the first time they had seen a soft docile Vidya raised her hand on Ruhi. The reason for the slap too was valid, who in their right minds gets divorce papers created for another couple? Now, if they were to go on Kiara's complete theory, then that would imply that Ruhi lied to Dadisa, because she is in love with her Jeth? It was all too convoluted for Aryan to even think while Kiara went bonkers with her theory. Charu on the other hand had been unsuccessful in finding out Abhira's whereabouts from Dev. That had been a point conflict between the two of them, however Dev had checkmated Charu on the basis of attorney- client confidentiality clause stating he was Abhira's divorce lawyer.
Krish, however had begun to comprehend Kiara's theory, and deeply felt it was the truth. He felt so because he reminisced an incident he had witnessed. What he found baffling, was how a certain amount of money would be deposited in his account every month anonymously. He knew it had to be Abhira. She was ensuring he would fly and achieve his dreams. It was a late evening where Armaan had been busy in case work. That had become the norm with Armaan. The past three months, he had immersed himself in work such that he was working 80 hrs a week. The speed with which he was working, was leaving the firm light on cases. Even Fufasa was grumbling that he only had his old clients' cases, nothing new was coming his way. When Krish was about to enter Armaan's room, he heard discord between Ruhi and Armaan. It seemed as if Ruhi wanted Armaan to do something and Armaan was opposing her.
"When will you do something Armaan? Three months have passed." Ruhi could be heard pleading.
"Ruhi, I currently have a lot of work on my plate. I cannot disappoint Dadisa more at the moment. With everything's that has happened, I need things to return to normalcy." Armaan spoke.
"What do you mean Armaan? How much longer?" Ruhi was getting agitated.
"Ruhi, unlike you, I do not think one dimensionally. You are just so concerned for yourself. Have you ever thought of the rest of the family? Wha will Maa, Papa, and everyone in the family think? Already, they look at me with a terse look, and you expect them to garland me when I do what you're telling me to do?" Armaan got up to leave.
"No Armaan, you misunderstand." Ruhi changed her tone from aggressive to softly pleading while trying to hug him at his shoulder by grabbing his hand.
That was the precise moment when Krish had walked in. He was stunned for a second witnessing the awkward pose Ruhi and Armaan were in. For a moment, Armaan and Ruhi too were frozen. Krish quickly walked out, heading for his room, his only sanctuary it seems. The images played in his mind, validating Kiara's theory. The next face that flashed in his mind was Abhira's and her final letter to him:
Dear Krish,
I know you must feel let down, that I have left. However, circumstances were such that I could not stay. Would you rather that I stay unhappy in Poddar Mansion or be happy somewhere else? Listen, I may longer be a Poddar, but I will always be your friend. Did you know that friendship is the best relationship? This is the only relationship that we decide ourselves. I always viewed you as an affectionate little brother, and now you will also stay my friend.
Keep chasing your dreams puri lagan ke saath, kyunki agar tum kisi cheez ko puri shiddat se paana chaho, toh puri kaayanat tumhe usse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai. I dream of the day when you will become a star in your right, have your concert, and I get free back stage passes :) Itna toh dost ke liye banta hai boss!
And don't worry about financials, I will make sure that you have money so that you can keep your promise to your family. I may not be able to send a lot, but enough that you can manage. Promise me you won't pick any fights, and just be like Arjun concentrating on his task at hand.
Hamesha your friend,
Abhira
Ruhi and Armaan finally caught up to Krish's room. They tried to knock on Krish's door, calling out his name, but to no avail. Armaan and Ruhi then looking around and understanding how late it was, decide to let things go. They did not want to create a ruckus to attract attention to themselves by the rest of the family, and went their separate ways.
Ishaani
Cricket
97