Posted:
I love you all for your response and your patience...
Sigh makes a world of a difference to me... Here is a part.. tried to make it long so that it can last you through the weekend... Enjoy it slowly please.. and thank you...😳
Pride and Prejudice - Part 1 : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1666662&TPN=2
Pride and Prejudice - Part 2&3 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/rang-badalti-odhani/1666662/ff-p-and-p-epilogue-pg-138-thank-u-note-pg-140?pn=4
Pride and Prejudice - Part 4 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/rang-badalti-odhani/1666662/ff-p-and-p-epilogue-pg-138-thank-u-note-pg-140?pn=6
Pride and Prejudice - Part 5 & 6: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/rang-badalti-odhani/1666662/ff-p-and-p-epilogue-pg-138-thank-u-note-pg-140?pn=9
Pride and Prejudice - Part 7 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42018282
Pride and Prejudice - Part 8 & 9: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/rang-badalti-odhani/1666662/ff-p-and-p-epilogue-pg-138-thank-u-note-pg-140?pn=15
Pride and Prejudice - Part 10 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42178803
Pride and Prejudice - Part 11: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42214438
Pride and Prejudice - Part 12 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42355320
Pride and Prejudice - Part 14 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42544553
Part 13
Shantanu grimly frowned as he drove through the thick traffic.. already getting thicker.. as he glanced at his Rolex.. he had been up since 3.00 actually had not slept at all.. he had tried once before leaving from work to call her but Radha aunty's cell was busy and now his cell needed to be on the charger... in his rush he had forgotten to take his charger... Tired now, but he presently thanked for his medical emergencies as that way at least he was not thinking about her all his waking moment... he was so inexplicably, intensely aware of her... and he thought why.. why do I feel this attraction for her... Did I not love Natasha at all? 'NO..you don't... NOOO...said the voice... 'I DO.. I still love Natasha..' And the other voice within demanded 'Oh yes?!' Making him frown even more grimly as he braked to avoid another vehicle and furiously swore honking the horn.. he had to focus here..
As he turned into the driveway and looked with displeasure as he saw another car there... someone had come... he had hoped for a quiet time before which he could call her and ask to meet her... He had been strangely torn in between calling off his plan but something within him propelled and compelled him to go on... He had no clue as to why? He refused to dwell on the flutter in his heart as he parked in his usual spot and taking his keys collected his coat and stethoscope and laptop and walked towards the entrance. Harilal walked to him inside the hallway to take his things but he shook his head and asked.. "Kaun aaya hain?" To which Harilal simply smiled and spoke.. "Khanak madam.." His heart did a funny loop as he nodded and his feet hastened inside...
Daadi smiled at Manu, very intrigued by him.. He seemed intelligent and there was an easy shared camaraderie between him and Khanak.. as she had explained to daadi all about Manu... Daadi heard her out with loving indulgence... and was in constant peals of laughter when Manu spoke... She too loved him... as they chatted and drank coffee... unknown to them, Shantanu was in the washroom as he grabbed his towel and wiped his hair.. he sighed with relief after he had scrubbed off the typical disinfectant smell of the hospital... He wrapped another huge white towel around his hip and in a haste walked out of the ensuite and walked to his cupboard pulling out fresh clothes... which happened to be a deep blue navy T-shirt and fawn coloured Jeans... darting a quick glance at his appearance, which showed that his hair were still damp but neatly combed back he took a deep breath and left his room to look for daadi... knowing that she should be with her... Her soft laughter outside the study increased his heart rate and just immediately after he entered a dark frown replaced the inexplicable pleasure that he felt moments ago, as he heard another deep irritating drone... seeing Mehra cracking a joke...
Grimly grinding his jaws he sauntered inside hands stuffed in his pockets as they balled into tight fists when he saw them... seated but Mehra was lounging against her chair and looking down at her while daadi smiled indulgently... 'Gosh they have a nerve... no respect at all... Must speak to Jingles about this... will not do after marriage...' Daadi looked up with a soft endearing smile.. "Shaan.. tum kab aaye.. lo.. mainne abhi abhi Khanak se kahaa..." Manu straightened as he felt her stiffening knowing as soon as she did that, that he must have arrived... Pasting a false polite smile on his face he proffered his hand.. murmuring.. "SK..." Grimly Shantanu was forced to shake his hands... as he murmured a grim and equally false acknowledgement.. "Mehra.. good to see you.. I hope you did not have to wait for long..." That was directed towards them in general.. but he turned to her and she shuddered softly as he leaned forward to kiss her forehead murmuring for daadi's benefit.. "Hi.. Jingles.. how are you? You look.. beautiful" The whiff of his familiar aftershave engulfed her senses as she concealed a slight shudder and smiled her eyes glaring at him... Daadi broke in luckily for her which saved her from replying with a befitting crack... "Shaan, would you like some tea? And you.. know Maniya.. I mean Manav?"
Khanak did not realise who was more shocked herself of Shantanu... 'Maniya!! Swell Mehra... this is all I need, first you overwhelm her and now my daadi...' But he grimly nodded and slanted a look which spoke of his distaste towards Mehra.. who simply smiled and Shantanu felt like connecting his fist there to wipe that smug smile off his face... But she rose as daadi motioned her and she prepared some tea softly asking... "Sugar?" His eyes moved to her face as she looked at him in askance... as he spoke "One..." She stirred the sugar in and rose with the tea and handed it to him, their fingers brushing for just a fraction when Manu spoke... "Kanks, we.. need to get going.. the lawyer..." His eyes swiftly glancing at his wrist watch.. The spell was broken as she rose and walked to daadi and kneeling in front of her spoke softly.. "Mujhe lawyer ko milna tha daadi.. woh papa ka kuch kaam tha... I.. I will call you later?" Daadi smiled and cupped her face and kissed her forehead... speaking.. "Jao, beta kaam zaroori hain, par we will wait for you.. okay?" she nodded and rising turned to his still form cup in hand as he glanced grimly at her... She murmured... "I.. I will call..." In reply he simply placed his still full cup onto the coffee table and moving towards her spoke in a slightly husky voice... "I was hoping for a quiet dinner somewhere, we have a lot to.. discuss... Can you come?" Her heart raced as usual when in his company.. and it flipped as his hand gently reached out to tuck her errant curl as he softly asked... she squeaked "I.. I will call you as.. I don't know how long it shall take at the lawyers..." She tried hard not to look into his eyes but had to and they seemed to warn her of something.. suddenly feeling defiant she raised her chin as if saying.. 'No.. not interested in your dinner...' He frowned and appeared angry at that... but refrained from uttering a single word... grimly nodded as she moved towards Manu who seemed to look a little edgy... but smiled at her encouraging her... He accompanied them out and grabbing her arm stopped her as Manu went to get the car... "Dammit... can you in the least pretend and whats with this.. buffoon doing in my house..."
She fumed as she angrily tried to jerk her arm out of his disturbing hold, but could not and through gritted teeth spoke angrily.. "Mind your tongue Dr. Khandelwal... Manu is a very close friend and a dear one.. so... watch what you say.. and his name is Manav... not buffoon!!! And I am my own person... marrying you does not give you any licences to own me!! And for that matter after all I think this is all a big mistake.. So after all I don't think I want to marry you.. I..." she suddenly was silenced as he angrily jerked her towards him and planted his lips firmly on hers silencing her... Stunned for a minute, her heart reacted as her brains sent millions of warning signals, bells rang... but her hands refused to acknowledge those warning bells and rose of their own volition to grasp his shoulders as his kiss turned a little soft and suddenly she was free.. but his breath caressed her face as he spoke through still gritted teeth... "I see Mom and Dad... so you will do no such thing as cancel.. and I will have the contract drawn and sent to you for your perusal..." Shocked she could only open and snap her mouth closed as both Mom and Dad approached them with a smile and Manu too drove nearby... After introductions were made, they left as they were getting late.. but not before extricating a promise form Manu that he will join them for dinner soon... she felt the warm cynosure of his eyes on her as she sat in the seat in the front as Manu grimly waited for her to clip the seat belt and revved off out of the gates... She could see him standing in her side view mirror and closed her eyes.. her heart still beating fast... Manu squeezed her hand and she looked up and felt reassured by his soft smile...
Manu drove his silence lending a certain peace to her ravaged insides... He had been privy to that kiss.. and to him it seemed like the mighty mountains had crumbled... her 'Doc' did display the classic signs of jealousy there inside when he had glared at him... A small smile played at his lips but he worried for this wisp of a girl at his side and murmured softly.. "Kanks... you okay? By the way he does love you" She sighed and looked out of the window and spoke wistfully.. "Manu.. I.. I need to tell you something... I.. did not tell you.. all... I.." But his cell interrupted her and the moment she felt was lost as Manu did wait for her but then she shook her head and he answered his call on his blue tooth "Yes Mehra here... Oh yes Mr. Patil, we are on our way there right now... hmm.. hmm.. Oh no I understand perfectly... Sure.. why don't you email me the details... yes.. okay.. will do .. no no no worries... Yes.. bye..." He turned to her as he slowed to a stop at a light "Patil.. says he has got an urgent case... so can't make it for our appointment.. but he will draft out the details for us before we can move further..." She exhaled her breath as suddenly feeling deflated and Manu gently held her twisting fingers softly speaking... "Why do I get this feeling that you are hiding something from me Kanks..." Her fingers stilled and she looked at him in a feigned innocence.. "What rubbish are you harping about now!!??" She was again saved by the light turning green and he slanted her a look for a fleeting moment making her think that he will pursue it but thankfully he smiled and assuring her moved the car ahead...Manu dropped her off but not before he warned with his look that he is not done his asking as he got another phone call from his Bombay branch... She went inside the house to find papa placing the newspaper down and look at her in askance...
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Papa looked at her with keen eyes and she knew that she could never hide anything from those intelligent and perceptive sharpness... but she managed to show her inner most feelings without actually lying to Papa... this was one thing she had never done... lied to them ever... and even now she was not lying... "I really love him papa.. I do.. I have for a long time now... only.. I .. I thought.. he.. Natasha.." Papa smiled then a little relief showing and she closed her eyes as she did not want to show that the whole marriage would actually be a sham.. a big lie... as Papa tenderly hugged her... and she snuggled close to his chest as she always did since childhood... suddenly a warm moistness smarting in her eyes wishing that she never had grown up... papa rocked her gently and murmured "Princess.. then why do I see this worry in your eyes... As long as this is what you want.. remember, love is the most important thing next to trust in a relationship.. and I trust and love you.. so I know you will never do anything that is not right..." She only nodded as the dampness escaped to seep onto papa's kurta and he hugged her even more dearly murmuring gruffly.. "Arre bola na... I hate tears.. yeh tum ma dikri.. rona dhona kab bandh karogi... chaalo.. lets go out for cofi and cake.. as your Ma would say it.." A giggle escaped nonetheless as papa impersonated ma's typical accent from the old... and she laughed slapping papa's arm gently but a wealth of understanding there in his eyes... as he smiled and she murmured "But you will have green tea.. as you are not allowed cake.. Now don't get smart with me..." So he made a theatrical face as if whining but he smiled and nodded with his eyes...
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She had a happy skip as she made her way inside the house only to jerk to a stop as she saw him seated there chatting with Ma... He was still in his navy casuals and her heart somersaulted in its usual flip... as papa exclaimed.. "Shaan... aaahhaa... how is the doctor?" He rose smiling at papa and encompassed her too in that smile his eyes as if trying to tell her something... By his side on the couch she could see a huge black folder containing some papers and a brown manila envelope... her heart thudded... but she smiled "Shantanu..." rolling his name on her lips... and it came out in a husky caress... Ma taking the opportunity hoarded papa away muttering..."Vindu, chaalo chaalo.. tamhaare haji pelu list check karvaanu che... Shaan beta.. we will be back in a minute uh ke..."
She turned her irritated face to look into his amused eyes which literally laughed and her jaws snapped closed before she turned away from him and spoke "You were supposed to call first?" She knew she sounded like a spoilt brat whining, but she was too tensed and her heart did funny loops... He sighed as he suppressed his smile and spoke.. "You are a little hell cat aren't you? I am sure life will never be boring... so where is your.. Christmas decoration Jingles? Dont tell me he deserted you already... Well.." She turned flaring at him.. waving her pointed finger... "I told you leave Manu out of all this... this... mess..." but he simply stopped her by covering her finger within his palm as he closed over hers and whispered softly "Shh... the walls have ears... and I really don't care of your.. so called.. Manu.. I came here to discuss something, but I can see it will be difficult to do so here... So.. here is a suggestion..." She tried to pull her hand out of his disturbing hold, his breath almost fanning her forehead... as his Adam's apple moved again.. and her eyes entranced by it.. was hypnotised and hence did not see his hand move up to her errant curl... She jerked as she felt his fingers brush against her cheek and her eyes sunk in the warm depth of those unfathomable swirls... she felt she was swimming in chocolate pools... but she managed to croak angrily.. "I am not going anywhere for dinner".. His heart thudded now drumming like the beats of the Kalahari... but he spoke "Hear me out first... and who said anything about dinner?!" She jerked as he said that suddenly feeling like she had been rapped... but refrained form showing it... and bit her lip... his eyes took in that movement and he swallowed hard before speaking "Design my clinic for me..."
Ma returned softly trying not to interrupt as she coughed and wheeled in with her some snacks with tea... Shantanu released ehr instantly as she managed to bring the shambles of her insides to some order and control... as his new demand sunk in and she fumed with his audacious overbearing attitude... but her heart refused to listen to her brains and had its own private celebration... racing full speed ahead... as he smiled warmly at Ma and too the small plate of khaandvi that he so loved to eat since childhood.. Radhaaunty, now Ma was the best cook he ever knew after daadi... and he so loved her and told her that too... as he murmured appreciatively... "Ma.. I say this again you are the best cook.. I wonder.. if you taught her this skill..." She jerked as she sat down next to him gingerly glaring at him, her two pin point of burning black embers shooting daggers at him as he smiled at her endearingly... She heard ma laugh.. "Naughty!!! Of course she cooks better than me..." As she turned a red face to ma.. embarrassed she squeaked "Maa!!!" but she heard him speak.. "I am sure... after all it is your training ma.. err.. but I am afraid, no tea for me as i am in a rush.. was here to pick Jingles as I need her to design my new clinic and of course daadi wishes her to redo our room.. now that..." He felt her slight stiffening but Ma's voice jerked her.. "Haasto vali, emah poochwaanu shu vali.. Of course you need not ask Shaan it is now your right.. go on Khanakdi, freshen up and go where ever Shaan needs you to go..."
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She sat rigidly fuming in the passenger seat as he shut the door and walked around to the driver's seat... Earlier Ma had hustled her off to her room while he sat with papa chatting and had forced her into wearing a beautiful pale cream and orange chudidaar kurta.. she had brought this in a hurry least realising that it was in flowing chiffon and quite see through. It became imperative for her to don a slim figure hugging slip inside which acted like a kurta on its own... She shook her head at ma who simply herded her off into the shower and refused to listen to her... Presently she firmed her lips waiting for him to drive out of the drive way before blasting him full... but the opportunity did not arise as his pager buzzed and he braked inside the compound and glared with a frown at the pager and then smiled and slid out his cell from the holder and punched a couple of numbers before speaking softly.. "Chaand... yes tell me.. Oh no.. not really busy... I was.. Oh.. ok ok.. shh... stop... sigh..." he held the cell a little away to escape from the bombardment that was showered on him from the other side and he bit his lip and closed his eyes... Her ire forgotten the phone was far enough from him but close enough for her to figure out who the caller was... 'Chaand he said.. the cheek of him.. sitting right next to me and talking to one of his chicks!! Oh the gall he has...' As she glared even more and then when he smiled into the phone and spoke tenderly.. her ire turned to something else as she fidgeted and tried not to pay attention to what he spoke.. but her heart would not let her as she heard... "Chaand listen.. this was all so sudden.. okay how about I introduce you to her.. will that make you happy? Okay... hmmm... say... a couple of hours... sure.. done.. love you.. bye"
She turned to him before he could start the car... unclasping her seat belt... "You have another mighty thought coming if you think I am going anywhere to meet one of your chicks!! so you can go stuff your self alone to that meeting and refrain from deciding for me in the future Dr. Shantanu Khandelwal.. Get it!!?" so saying her hand reached for the lock but she did not get that far.. as he grabbed her arm and pulled her close and muttered.. "for God's sake Jingles.. dammit... now what are you harping about.. what chick? who are you thinking is my chick..? Gosh you mean Chaand... " And he suddenly barked out laughing hard... Stunned she could only stare into his face feeling stupid and childish all of a sudden... but his face sent those tiny butterflies all flitting at once in her belly... and that entrancing dimple in his cheek... made her want to trace it with the tip of her tongue... flushing at her line of thoughts she tried to be grumpy and wait.. till his amusement subsided but he refused to divulge anything and to her simple irritation and ire, he started the car and drove on...
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
