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thank you all for the wonderful praises and liking my trifle attempt to spin a fairytale. I strive to get better.. but thanks for your encouraging support.
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Enjoy the next part.. I hope to draft more today and post it if possible... please bear.. I shall post again now on Tuesday... as it is the long weekend here in Canada... so off on Sat-Sun-Mon... 😭 Shall miss you all... am totally hopelessly addicted to you all...😃😳
So enjoy...
Pride and Prejudice...
Part 15
As she waited for the car to reverse and drive out of sight she heaved a long sigh as she had been holding it ever since his soft kiss at her cheek... her palm lifting unwittingly as if to feel his touch that still lingered there... a sharp prick of moisture had her biting her lip to control her feelings.. How will she able to manage to live with him without giving herself away... how will she hide that love.. that she feels for him.. she had almost given herself away, with her stupid display there with regards to Chaand... her face flamed as she felt Manu speak and come closer to her... "So 'Jingles' finally returns... tell me something did Prince Brr Charming realise that it is love after all? Wassup Kanks?" As he saw her standing there clutching the huge Manila folder eyeing it with a bursting curiosity so befitting Manav Mehra... Her lips twitched at Manu's reference for Doc and she turned her face happy and radiant and Manu exclaimed.. "By Joe, he did... I can't believe this.. That nut finally did something right!! No.. Oh..? The last he uttered as her smile disappeared to be replaced by a warning glare from her.. He sighed and spoke.. "Maybe I should have come out and pulled you out of the car to kiss you in front of him to make him jealous.. I think I will next time... Never mind.. he will soon admit and even if he does not we will make him say it.. okay.. Now come on I am dying to know what is in your hand?"
Shantanu performed the surgery with precise finesse, in spite of his heart still racing as he remembered the feel of satin when he had kissed her... He still had to figure out the reason that had prodded him to do so... He let out his breath in a soft rush startling the intern who was assisting him in the final suturing.. This was a small procedure and he merely did the major task while the smaller ones he guided the intern surgeon and he grimly nodded him to go on with his task... Presently, he sat at his desk as soon it would be morning and he had another surgery lined up, scheduled to be in a couple of hours. It made sense for him to stay put at the hospital... He lay back on the make shift bed on the couch trying to get a few winks but his heart refused to let him be in peace... her eyes, her nibbling of her lower lip, her tucking in her errant, disobedient stubborn curl behind her ear... her little nuances kept him awake.. he could not breathe if he closed his eyes as her fragrance of sweet roses still lingered, a refreshing memory, among the smells of hospital disinfectant... He rose and paced the floor in his consultation room, wearing the carpet out... like a caged tiger prowling trying to fathom his feelings and actions.. but meeting a dead end... He heaved an audible sigh of relief as his intercom buzzed and he grasped it quickly, barking into it... as the nurse informed him of an emergency... grabbing his stethoscope, he rushed out in relief...
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Manu could not help but grin from ear to ear as she told him about the proposal of redesigning his clinic... and it had become a difficult task to hide the contract. She thought that it was best that she not mention about this to Manu... Definitely not a good idea... She thought it might be difficult but Manu had been very distracted by the plans in her hand that she very cleverly hid the contract... This morning Manu was returning back to Delhi as he had a heavy back log of appointments which he could no longer postpone and he turned to face her at the front steps... Cupping her face he gently leaned forward to kiss her forehead as he felt her tension... "Don't worry... it will all fall in place. I hope to wind up there in Delhi before the end of this week.. and I did hear Ma make plans for an engagement.. " She nodded as that was her main cause for worry... they were waiting to hear from their family purohit for the tentative wedding dates so that they could announce the date for the engagement... and she had hoped to delay that endlessly... Presently she hugged Manu as he smiled knowing her state within... and chided her gently at her hair... "Kanks... trust me it will be alright.. though why do I still get this feeling that, all is not out.. you hiding something..." She stiffened and he frowned, leaning back, cupping her face again he peeped into her eyes as she tried to speak.. "Now don't be silly.. of course I am not hiding anything... now you don't want to miss that flight do you.. by the way I have spoken to Mahi... she will come to pick you at the airport... for the meeting for which she will accompany you.." that got his attention as the hazels shone now with a different light as he grinned sheepishly and she spoke under her breath in a loving snide, a soft.. "Besharam.. loser kahin ka...making me do all your dirty work!!! But the most cute and lovable chweetu..." He leaned forward and kissed her once more before sitting in the car and waving to her from the window drove off... She sauntered into her room and gently closing the door, removed the brown envelope which held the contract as with a heavy heart she began to try to understand the technical jargon... thankfully realising that the last page had a summary of the contract, put in simple layman's language in point form...
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"Madhavi, I know this is very short notice, but Purohitji told us just last night. I am worried as there is so much I would like to prepare.. my one and only daughter is to be married, but alas, this looks like it will not be so.. there is no other mahurat for the next month if we don't get them married in 15 days time. That is the only suitable mahurat..." As Radha informed Madhavi, who too felt the worry as this gave them all very little time to prepare for such a grand occasion... after all it was her younger son's wedding.. one whom she adored more that anything and that too with the daughter of none other than one of her long time standing best friend... she sighed.. And as she frowned daadi approached and asked "Ab kya hua? Kaunsa pahaad gir padaa?" Madhavi spoke to Radha raising her finger to daadi as if saying 'ek minute' "Radha, mujhe lagta hain jaise bhi ho.. is mauke ko jaane nahin dena chahiye.. we can both help each other and work it out.. but not let this mahurat go... main Maaji se baat karke tumhe phir se contact karti hoon.. okay?" Radha agreed and rang off... as Madhavi turned to Daadi and informed her of the dilemma... After a grave consultation Madhavi's face brightened as Daadi smiled and prodded her... She called Radha and informed her that it was okay with them and to go ahead and fix the dates and soon confer... Radha too heaved a sigh and promised to get in touch with her soon... Daadi smiled and shaking her head moved towards the steps to go upstairs ...
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Shantanu was hard pressed the whole morning as after his surgery he was busy attending to a couple of emergencies as one of the resident cardiac surgeons had called in sick..and the hospital was trying hard to call all the supply surgeons but were finding it difficult... Finally he had some time to breathe after he had refreshed himself and taken a small tea break in his consultation room where he devoured down a grilled cheese and vegetable sandwich...well past his breakfast time of 7.00 am.. He glanced at his Rolex which told him it was 9.30 and he frowned as he was waiting there for some more reports to be sent to him when there was a soft knock and he murmured out a tired "Yes.. come in.." His hand ran roughly through his silky mane leaving behind a disarray as he felt tired in his white shirt that he wore as a change in the morning here in his room, where he had showered and got ready.. but he had no time for shaving and a stubble made him look even more dangerously rough and ruggedly handsome... he absently studied the reports in his hand as he heard the door open and as soon as the soft fragrance of roses hit his nose he stilled and without looking up he knew it was her... As he looked up his hand poised over the report about to flip the page, his breath caught in his throat as his heart thudded in its own rapid pace, she looked like sunshine had come to greet him... in a beautiful pale yellow short kurti, and casual fawn coloured slim fitting pants... a jeans material bag hanging at her shoulder... as she nibbled on that lower lip a tentative smile on her face... as she spoke in a soft husky voice "Hi.. I.. hope I am not disturbing you..."
For a strange moment he felt like speaking out loud what he instantaneously felt... 'You have disturbed my very peace of mind Jingles...' But instead he rose and smiling spoke.. "No.. no.. come in.. and I am free for some time.. Everything alright?" He spoke as suddenly he felt a nervous tingle rush through him... 'Was she having second thoughts as she shook her head, relief rushing through him as she walked towards his desk taking a quick glance around... and his lips quirked in amusement at her typical display of professional interest... unintentional however yet typical... as she caught his amused gaze her chin went up a few notches and she smiled consciously murmuring "Nice room..." He suddenly felt relaxed after his hectic schedule till now.. refreshed by her very fragrance and her bright beautiful appearance... "Thanks.. though this is all the hospital.. I simply use it... like a rental.." He grinned at the last and she nodded as if understanding... She stood in front of him, they were separated by the huge glass topped desk as he waited with a brow quirked wondering of the reason for this surprise visit...
She licked her lips as he waited there his gaze unfathomable but deeply gazing into her very soul... as she held onto the strap of her jeans material shoulder bag in which she had her contract... Questions tumbling to the tip of her tongue she wanted to remain calm... but his appearance more than created a storm inside her... her legs felt weak and his hair looked as if he had just raked them... a picture emerged in her mind's eye.. as if actually watching him enact that.. and her poor heart quivered even more as she cleared her throat gently and began.. "I.. I know this is not the place but... I.. er.. wanted to discuss some details.. regarding the.." A knock interrupted her as he almost groaned his irritation but barked "YES!!" A nurse peeked in, entering with some reports in her hand she walked towards him murmuring.. "Here are the latest reports Dr. Khandelwal.. and Dr. Rai had asked me to inform you that the other surgery has been cancelled for today. Rescheduled for next week... you have to confirm it with him..." He took the reports from the nurse who eyed Khanak with burning curiosity as Shantanu merely glanced through the reports giving them a quick skim as he casually murmured... "Hang on... " to the nurse and before he could skim them looked at her with a soft smile... "Coffee Jingles?"
She had not known who had appeared more stunned, her or the nurse, but she had nodded as he motioned her to sit down in one of the chairs but she chose to move to the adjoining wall and glance unseeingly at the paintings there... a couple.. which appeared all blurred as her blood coursed through her veins like a dam had burst somewhere... her face pink at his endearment had been uttered in a soft silky caress... He read through quickly and handed the nurse the reports and murmured after jotting down a quick scribbled message... "Looks good, ask the path lab to print out the final reports and then release them for my signature... Also pass the message to Dr. Rai, that I will confirm with him later... And I believe there are no appointments scheduled for me now?" The nurse nodded in assent and informed him "Dr. Kapoor our supply surgeon is here.." he nodded at the nurse and dismissed her and she left bidding him a good day... He lifted the phone and jabbing a button spoke softly.. " This is Dr. Khandelwal, one coffee and a tea in my room..."
He turned to see her eye the painting and smiled.. he took in a soft deep breath as his heart jerked in its usual rhythm whenever he set his eyes upon her... but moved towards as she stiffened visibly and turned as she felt his approach... When he was about 2 arms length away from her she smiled and spoke.. "Lovely painting... it looks so pleasing.. the artist has tried to bring out the colours so vibr" He neared her as she backed against the wall and stopped and he lifted his hand and straightened her stubborn curl and spoke softly... "Jingles... are you trying to tell me, you came here to discuss the decor of my consultation room?" Her breathing which had first become rapid had now almost stopped as his hand lowered gently not before brushing against her hand across her chest... which grabbed the shoulder strap of her bag even more harder and her pink tongue flicked in and out quickly to moisten her dry lips.. as she tried hard to look at the first button at his collar which was her undoing as his Adam's apple moved and she was lost entranced completely as he waited for her reply... when none came he sighed as she managed to tear her eyes away from that bobbing lump... and managed to squeak.. "Sorry... I.. I did not mean.."
But his finger that stilled her apology at her lips, made her heart fall to the bottom of her cardiac cage with a thud before it started to race ahead full steam.. as he interrupted... "Shh... lets first lay down some ground rules... hmmm?" She could barely move as his finger lay against her lip very light the touch was... and it soon retracted thankfully for her poor heart, only for him to take her hand in his as if he was dissecting her kangan in her hand... trying to find a non existent speck of dust there... as she gulped in a mouthful of air feeling constricted... praying hard that he will not feel her racing pulse... He spoke to her as if he were instructing of some cautery procedure... "One rule that will start in effect from now is hence forth we shall never say 'Sorry' or 'Thank you' to each other... Among many others.. lets.. discuss that.. hmm?" she managed to squeak out a soft okay as his eyes suddenly lifted to capture her's in a magnetic hold.. as his fingers slowly rubbed against the soft inner skin of her wrist... "They look beautiful on your wrist" thankfully letting her hand drop and she quickly moved towards the small sofa chair at the coffee table as he moved aside... and murmured something in acquiescence... As she sat there was a knock and a ward boy entered carrying a tray of the beverages.. He placed them onto the coffee table and acknowledged Shantanu's thanks with a smile and left...
She knew that further dilly dallying would be useless so she sighed as she sat down she drew out the contract from inside as he too stiffened on seeing it but sat down nevertheless feeling that she wanted to discuss something.. but his thudding heart skipped a beat or two.. as he waited with a raw gnawing within... when she did not say anything, he spoke.. "Jingles.. you know you can trust me.. so ask away anything you want... fearlessly that is what I expect too.. nothing less from you..." He leaned forward to take her coffee cup and lifting it proffered it to her as she took it their fingers again brushing ever so lightly, she nodded and cleared ehr throat.. "Ahem.. I.. read through the last page.. where the whole thing is summarized.. I.. its all okay.. as I don't understand the technical jargon.. but.. I.. er.. Nothing.. I mean.. it does not.. you know.. I er... in the end.. Oh swell... dammit Shantanu, why do we have to do all this? I hate it.." in a rush she placed the cup of coffee back onto the table and in the rush some hot liquid splashed out onto her fingers as she gasped out... Instantly he was near her as he grabbed her hand... "You okay?" As she managed to nod, but she had been scalded by the hot brew.. as he swore seeing the soft shiny sheen in her eyes as she tried to bite onto her lip, trying to come out of the shock. He simply made her rise and walked her to the washroom and held her fingers under cold running water... till she felt a bliss... a sharp red welt appeared and he examined it with those three grooves deepening at his forehead.. he was so close to her that she could see the tiny black hair that started at his stubble... and she shuddered even more... he mistook it for pain and murmured.. I will give you a salve... but she pulled at her wrist saying.. "I.. I am okay.. just a sting.. I am fine.." and so saying she walked out and sat down again as he sauntered behind her and joined her again...
He spoke softly.. "Jingles I completely understand.. I.. drafted this contract just for your.. benefit.. trust me.. I will let... let you go whenever... that is the reason why I did not put a terminating date here.. left it open.. Like a trail for a year... just.. making you feel safe.. comfortable.. " She closed ehr eyes as she did not like the sound of this cold calculative way of putting forth a marriage proposal as she had always believed that love was the most important thing when two people married... but this.. she frowned her dislike at his clinical behaviour and bristled as she softly hissed at him.. "My gosh.. you have become so cold and calculative!!! Just look at you.. Do you even hear what you speak!! For god's sake Doc this is marriage we are talking about.. not .. not one of your clinical surgical procedures" She said that not with a raised voice, but the effort made her heave her chest with anger making her a little flushed in her face... she rose and stomped off to the window displaying her ire... He closed his eyes for a brief moment as his nostrils too flared in anger... and a frustration as he too agreed with her in his heart... rising he followed her and grabbing her upper arm turned her as she tried to disengaged herself from his hard hurting grip.. but he managed to turn her and holding her upper arms spoke.. "Dammit do you think me to be really so cold and calculative... Do you think all this is not affecting me at all... then you have another think coming dammit..."
For a mere second they glared at each other angrily their breaths clashing, eyes throwing daggers at the other... trying to fathom what lies in the other's heart.. peeking into the others soul through the window of their eyes... and then she spoke in a soft voice... "Thought... it is thought not think!!" And then her lips twitched.. slow at first and the soft bubble of amusement just rose to burst in a soft amused giggle as his twitched too at her gentle correction and soon they were laughing together softly.. sharing the humour... He smiled and spoke.. "Sorry.. I did not mean t.." She placed her fingers at his lips and chided with her eyes as if reminding him of his earlier pact.." He gazed entranced into her sparkling twin jewels that were glowing like dark embers... and he wanted so much to lean forward and kiss her... but he knew better than to disturb this easy camaraderie now and smiled as his lips moved under her fingers she realised and pulled her hand back as if it were scalded... but smiled and sighed... At that he smiled and spoke.. "Look Jingles.. I know it is difficult for you.. believe me it is for me too if that is any consolation.. I hate deceit too.. but.. I am sure we can work something out.. and trust me.. you do don't you?" She bit her lower lip then nibbling it and he wanted to tell her to stop but waited as he eyed her pearly white teeth marauding the poor lower lip and she sighed and nodded to his utter relief... She turned to face the window needing the space and to think coherently as his deep gaze disturbed her and he waited as he felt that she was about to speak of something close to her, something important... and out it came...
"Doc.. I read it and understood the gist of it.. all that is mundane.. I trust you completely... err... but.. you.. errm.. have not mentioned ... ahem.. anything.. about.. con.. consu.. you know.. the marriage.." Again he could sense her nibbling her lower lip and he breathed in deeply at her doubt.. of which she felt so awkward to voice.. so shy she was.. so different yet.. so right she was in thinking.. like a truly cultured girl.. he gently raised his hands and held her shoulder feeling her stiffen a little as he slowly turned her and said in a soft gruff voice... his hands gently rising to cup her face... "Trust me Jingles... I will not let your honour be tainted in any way... and.. whenever we end this.. this contract... you will be as pure and clean as you are now... I promise that to you..." a soft sheen appeared in her eyes as his chided hers and she again bit her lip as he shook his head and leaned forward to kiss her forehead... as she closed her eyes... sighing... feeling safe where she was... he leaned back tempted for more.. but he smiled as she returned his smile and before they could both speak the phone rang... Sighing he moved to answer it while she breathed in deeply to steady her tittering pulses and heard him go pale and ask in shock "WHAT???!!!"
Edited by jparker - 14 years ago
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
