ArYa FF: Dil Jaanta Hai - Thread 1 (chapt 1-10) - Page 16

Arti ran up the stairs of the barsaati. She was nearly breathless with excitement, and to be honest, anxiety. Finally….finally after all these months they had a possible opening for Prashant – but she did not know how he would react.

They had been in Delhi for almost 4 months now and Prashant had had no luck with his job search. His frustration was growing – and it had started to show. Only the day before he had thrown a glass clear across the room when she had asked him about his interview. Arti was convinced he would be back to his normal self as soon as he had a job. And since he hadn't had any luck on his own, she had asked for help. Zoya was her best friend at work. She was the one who had helped them get this barsaati and her family had enough contacts that both were convinced they could help Prashant out. Only if he would agree though…. For some reason Prashant did not like Zoya. Just as he had not liked Vidhi…..Arti did not understand why all her closest friends never met with his approval.

Prashant snapped the laptop shut as Arti entered. She saw, but ignored it.

"Hi" she said, smiling tremulously. The glass-throwing incident had unnerved her. It didn't help that he hadn't even apologized or helped clean-up. Instead, he had stalked out of the room and had come back past midnight. Arti had pretended to be asleep and she left early in the morning, managing to avoid him.

"Hi" Prashant replied, smiling back at her. The unaffected smile surprised Arti. It was as-if he did not even remember what had happened.

The barsaati was basically one large room, but it had been sectioned off into a small kitchen, bedroom and living area. They had furnished it simply and a single small table did double-duty as their work and dining table. That was where Prashant was sitting – and that was where the breakfast things from the morning were still kept. Arti felt a wave of irritation rise in her – he could have at least kept the dishes in the sink!!

Curbing her irritation Arti went to the bathroom which was a separate unit off to one side. Despite the December chill she liked to take a shower in the evening – the Delhi buses left her feeling grimy.

After the shower she came back into the room, tying her long, still damp hair into a simple knot at the base of her neck. She was wearing a long skirt, one of her favourites with a sweater over her t-shirt. As soon as he saw her, Prashant started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Arti asked as she collected the breakfast things.

"You. I mean – your dress" sniggered Prashant.

"What's wrong with my dress? I love this skirt – and I thought you liked it too" she said, not looking at him.

"I do. It's nice. It's your face..." he trailed off, realizing the mine hole he had dug for himself.

Arti stilled. "My face? What's wrong with my face?" she asked coldly.

"Nothing. Your face is lovely. It's just the way you tied your hair, it looks funny with the dress. Your face isn't really suited for these western clothes you know" he said, trying to salvage the situation.

Not knowing how to respond to such a statement Arti picked up the dirty dishes and walked into the kitchen. And stopped short. The kitchen was a mess. But – dinner was prepared. Prashant had cooked!

She felt his arms snake around her waist. He whispered into her ear "Sorry. I lost it last night. I shouldn't have thrown the glass and I definitely shouldn't have left you alone at night." When she did not respond, he took the breakfast dishes from her and kept them in the sink.

Coming back to her, he held her face in his hands "Will you forgive me? I can't stand you avoiding me".

Arti gulped her tears down and gave him a watery smile. "So…dinner is to say you are sorry."

Smiling sheepishly he agreed "Yes. Am I forgiven?"

"Depends. Let's see how dinner turned out" she said teasingly now.

She knew Prashant was a good cook, but this was the first time he had cooked something after marriage. And that too her favourite rajma-chawal. It was delicious and licking her fingers, she finally forgave him.

As they cleaned up after dinner, Arti told him about the job opening. Much to her relief, he agreed to go for the interview.

Prashant got the job. He had a degree in marketing and his experience in helping his father out stood him in good stead. Of course it helped that Zoya's dad had put in a good word for him, but Zoya kept that to herself. What troubled her more was the change in her friend.

Zoya had met Arti on her first day in Delhi. In fact, she had been assigned to show Arti around the office and explain the work to her. Zoya's uncle owned the law firm where Arti had bagged her first accountant job and Zoya, being a junior, helped out in most departments as needed. The two girls had hit it off instantly and over the next few months they became very good friends. While no one could replace Vidhi in Arti's life and heart, Zoya's warm friendship helped lessen the ache and loneliness she felt.

Zoya remembered the bright, friendly, warm Arti – the one who practically lit up the room with her presence. After marriage she had changed – she had become more preoccupied with Prashant and she spent less and less time with her own friends. Zoya supposed that was natural. But the changes in the last week were more obvious and ... surprising.

"Arti? Can I ask you something?" Zoya asked as they took their lunch break together. This again was a habit they had formed since Arti's first day at work.

"Hmmm...sure" Arti said, preoccupied again. This seemed to be her natural state these days Zoya mused.

"Why are you wearing only salwar-kurtas these days? You always came to work in trousers or skirts. Why the sudden change?" Zoya was surprised as her friend's face flooded with colour.

"Mmm...its just that...well...you see..." Arti stopped, embarrassed.

"What?" Zoya asked, puzzled.

"Well Prashant told me western clothes don't suit me, so..." Arti trailed off as she gave her friend a quick glance.

What an idiot! thought Zoya indignantly.

"I never thought so. In fact, you look great in all outfits" Zoya said, giving her honest opinion, hoping it would help reassure her friend.

Arti shrugged "Well...if he doesn't like it, I don't really have to wear it, do I? It's not as if we have a dress–code about western clothes at work" she said defensively.

"No, no we don't" said Zoya, who herself wore salwars regularly, but only because she preferred them. She knew Arti liked to wear trousers to work – it made her feel more professional, gave her more confidence. And Zoya hated seeing that confidence being eroded from her friend. She quickly changed the subject, sensing Arti's discomfort.

On their first marriage anniversary Vidhi called Arti bright and early.

"Vidhi!" Arti shrieked, unable to contain her excitement. Prashant shook his head as he headed to take a shower – he knew how long this call would last!

As he came back into the room after the shower he was surprised to see Arti getting breakfast ready. "What happened? You both generally talk for an hour."

She turned a delighted face towards him "Vidhi is coming to Delhi next week. She and Jijaji are going on their second honeymoon and their flight is from here. So I asked her to come over for dinner."

"Here? You asked them to come here? " Prashant asked, appalled.

"Where else? This is where we live" Arti was surprised.

"Yes, but it's a barsaati Arti. They are rich people, used to much better. They wouldn't be comfortable here." Prashant was incredulous she could even think of inviting some one over, and that too the Scindias.

Arti shrugged "Vidhi wouldn't care about that. She has been to my orphanage, had meals with me there. She wouldn't mind this – at least its home. And I don't think Jijaji would mind either."

Prashant shook his head "You don't understand Arti. They are rich people and..."

She came up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck "It doesn't matter Prashant. Vidhi wouldn't care and neither do I. This is home. And please, let's not fight on our first anniversary." She kissed him on the cheek.

He moved his face to capture her lips in a searing kiss...how could he explain to her? She didn't mind, but he did. Especially since Vidhi was coming. What would she think, what would her parents' think? That he could not give Arti a better home than a barsaati?

Vidhi and Pankaj came a week later. Arti had decorated their room with flowers, rangoli and candles. She was very pleased with the effect. She had also prepared dinner – Vidhi's favourite dishes.

Arti and Prashant met them downstairs and escorted them up. Vidhi and Arti hugged each other and started catching up – they had almost one year's worth of gossip to catch up on!

As they entered the barsaati Prashant said, "Excuse us, Vidhi and Pankajji. Our house is very small and modest..."

Pankaj, sensing the other's discomfort, stepped in "But its charming. We are honored you invited us to your home. Thank you!"

Vidhi glowed at Pankaj's words, looking at him with affection while Arti glanced at Prashant with a knowing smile.

As she got dinner ready, Arti and Vidhi continued chatting. Vidhi had a different aura around her, a special glow, and Arti asked her "Vidhi, are you expecting? You look... different."

Vidhi blushed "Yes. I am. Three months along now."

Arti teased, "So you got over your fear I see". As Vidhi pretended to hit her, she laughed out loud and hugged her friend "Congratulations!"

Arti was delighted with the change in her friend. Vidhi was happy – very happy – and it showed. She and Pankaj frequently exchanged glances and when they were close, Pankaj would reach out and touch her – hold her hand, put his arms around her shoulders. They both were obviously very much in love and it gladdened Arti's heart to see her dearest friend so happy.

And it wasn't just her personal life. Vidhi filled her friend in on all the changes in her life after marriage. She had graduated in interior design but hadn't expected to be able to use her degree after marriage. Pankaj had disagreed – with him starting his own architecture business, he convinced Vidhi to partner with him in offering interior decorating services as well. She had decorated one office and one house – and had received tremendous praise from both clients. Her in-laws were also quite supportive of her work, especially since she was working with Pankaj.

Later that evening, Arti remembered the other Scindia brother. "So, how is your devar, Yashji?" she asked Vidhi. They had finished dinner and the two were getting the desert out – another favourite of Vidhi's, gajar ka halwa.

Did she imagine it or did Vidhi's face cloud over for a moment? Arti wondered.

"He's fine" Vidhi said, placing the bowls on the tray.

"And Arpitaji? Their first anniversary is coming up too, right?" Arti asked.

Vidhi nodded and then went to pick up the tray. Arti cut in, picking it up instead "Nahin honeye-wali-mummyji, no way." The two friends went in to the living area, joining their husbands for the desert.

Just before Vidhi and Pankaj left later that night, Arti hugged her friend tightly. Both had tears in their eyes – the meeting after one long year had been very emotional for both. There were no need for words, their hug and tears conveyed everything the other needed to hear.