Always,Only You--(fiction) THREAD 1 - Page 63

Sorry guys yet another update without me not responding to all.

Chapter 16

"That was one mistake too many from you Pankaj. I am so very disappointed in you. Do you realize if the word of you being blackmailed for supposed philandering had got out how it would have ruined the family name?" questioned Sooraj Pratap giving his eldest son a piece of his mind as the family assembled that morning in the living room.

"It's a good thing that Yash was able to save you from this mess. I shudder to think what would have happened otherwise. Look at him and Aarti bahu who took such risks to ensure that the worst did not take place" he added looking at the injured arm of Yash.

"You are my eldest son; you have the responsibility to uphold the family name. But if this is what you are capable of I am worried what the future of the family will be like" concluded SP disapprovingly.

Aarti, was so not liking this. She knew the circumstances behind whatever that happened and such a put-down was not something she had a stomach for. She felt sorry for Pankaj bhaiya.

Bauji is only concerned about his reputation but he is not thinking about Vidhi bhabhi who was the most affected in all of this.

But then she was not entirely surprised over her father-in-law's reaction. It was so like him to place importance of family's name over feelings of the family members. His old-school rigid mentality was also mirrored by her mother-in-law and most definitely by Buaji.

"Anyway what's done is done. Hope you have learnt your lesson and deal with things with better judgement in future" continued SP.

"Mere bhagwan ki kasam Bhaiya...why are you only blaming Pankaj for all of this? He is a man...it's up to his wife to keep him in check. Had Vidhi been a better wife all this would have never happened" Maya interrupted.

Aarti could not believe her ears. Vidhi bhabhi had confided everything to her so it was shocking to hear Buaji speak ill of Vidhi bhabhi like this when she herself had caused such damage to Vidhi bhabhi and Pankaj bhaiya's marriage. She wanted to speak up and defend her sister in-law, but Yash held her back.

"Wait Aartiji...I guess Vidhi bhabhi must have told you too like Pankaj bhaiya had shared with me. But let't not make Bauji... think less of her. He is her brother and we must make sure he does not think badly about her. After all we are all the family she has" whispered Yash to stop Aarti.

At times like this, Aarti was dumb-struck at Yash's wisdom and understanding. Here she was about to raise her voice against the injustice being meted to Vidhi bhabhi at the hands of Buaji and there Yash was trying to protect Buaji in spite of everything she had done. How could he bring himself to care for her, was something Aarti could not comprehend?

Always she had noticed that Buaji spoke in a derogatory way to Yashji but never once did she see Yashji complain or speak back. She sometimes thought maybe he did not know that he was being insulted but now she knew that he kept his cool even then, so as not to hurt the elder woman. Alas! such consideration was wasted on the likes of her. She just continued in her nasty way thinking others incompetent to counter her.

Aarti thought back of the early days of their marriage when she had many run-ins with Buaji. But after more than a year in her presence Aarti had developed a thick skin and become immune to Buaji's evil tongue. As long as Bua was insulting just her she could tolerate it but now she was speaking badly about Vidhi which was wrong on all counts and her instinct told her to protest, yet she kept mum as Yash had asked of her.

"Jiji please do not speak like that. Be glad that our son is now out of danger and our family name is not blemished. Analyzing the reasons for it now, is futile. Let's pray God that such things never happen again" Gayatri spoke when she saw her husband give a stern look to Maya who just gulped out of fear seeing that.

"Anyway let's not drag this unnecessarily; all this is in the past now, and rehashing the past is fool's work. We have other important things to take care of" SP paused and eyed all three of his sons.

"I am planning on some aggressive expansion of our business, I know this must not have come as a surprise to either one of you as it was always on the cards...Pankaj would look after the business we have here in Bhopal. And Yash you would have to be ready for some travelling as I am planning to expand in New Delhi. We have some interested parties who do know of our work and are willing to invest in our ventures as partners. As such we can go about it on our own like we did in Mumbai but this time I think we should take others on board. Local knowhow is a must in any business" and just like that SP changed the topic to a strictly business one.

As the men continued to talk shop, the woman folk dispersed to attend to other tasks. But Buaji cornered Paridhi to spew venom.

"This time it was Pankaj next it would be Pratik" she told Pari baldly.

"What do you mean by that?" Pari asked perplexed.

"Did you see how bhaiya again sidelined your husband just now? Pankaj will take care of the business here and Yash elsewhere, but what about Pratik? All this is going to depress him and you know what dissatisfied men do...ah see you are a smart girl. You can take the hint. You do not want Pratik to do a Pankaj now, do you? "Maya knew Pari had a weakness and her weakness was her blind love for Pratik which could not tolerate any slight to him. She calculatingly exploited that to get maximum effect.

"Be careful around yourself Pari, you are a well educated girl and come from a well to do family, unlike that good for nothing Aarti. I have seen you go through a lot in this household but no one ever gives you credit for anything. It's always about Aarti and her husband Yash. As if the rest do not matter. You do not matter" she paused, taking in the effect her words were having on Pari and feeling very satisfied seeing Pari get agitated though she was trying her best not to show it.

"Buaji please do not try to poison my mind. I have the highest regard for both Yash bhaiya and Aarti bhabhi so whatever you are trying to do it will not work. Now if you will excuse me I have other things to do" Pari tried to get away from there.

"You immature girl... you can't identify who your well wishers are, can you? Don't come crying to me later on when you get to know of your worthlessness in this household" Maya grabbed Pari's arm trying to make her listen to her. But Pari shook her off and went towards her bedroom almost running and close to tears.

What Buaji had said had hit a nerve in Pari. I brought back all negative thoughts she had strived to bury in her mind.

But how long can you pretend that everything is fine when it was not. How long can you lead a life that is so not what you dreamt of?

Pari went to her bedroom and relived some of the events that had taken place in the year of her marriage. She had such high hopes when she had married her boyfriend Pratik. It was a love-match though both families had willingly agreed to it. He had promised her the moon and the stars. She was not stupid enough to believe all the promises he had made but her main and only need to work and be financially independent was denied by Pratik. And that cut a wound very deep in her mind and heart. At first, Pratik had promised to talk and try to convince his family members though it turned out to be just hollow words on his part. It seemed like Pratik was terrified of upsetting his family. She waited and waited patiently for Pratik to find the courage to confront his family, but then she gave up, understanding that it was not meant to be. She gave up her aspirations of becoming a TV presenter and work in the showbiz industry.

She questioned Pratik's incompetence time and again in her mind. But her love for him overcame any dissatisfaction she felt. Come to think of it all boiled down to the treatment he received from everyone. Admittedly they loved him but they showed him no respect. As his wife it hurt her to see him run around like an assistant around his two elder brothers. She had suppressed this feeling of injustice for the longest time but now such clear discrimination by Bauji was like a slap on her face.

Did Bauji think Pratik was not fit enough to hold an office of responsibility? Why did they always treat him as if he is still a child? Enough is enough I have to speak to Pratik and make his see sense. I have to stop this before it's too late. Buaji is right. If Pratik can gain respect of his family and have control over them then he can even think about me and my aspirations. It may sound selfish but I am going to have to fight his battles for him first so that later he can return the favour thought Pari.

Just then Pratik entered their bedroom.

"Hi! Sweetheart, what's with the long face? Do you want my credit card? In mood of some shopping, are you?" questioned Pratik having no clue of the storm building in Pari's mind.

"Pratik there are more things in life than just shopping. It's such a misconception that all your male species is suffering from that all a woman needs are diamonds and shopping" Pari snapped.

"Hold the fire sweetheart I might get burnt. I was just trying to cheer you up" Pratik replied taken aback by this sudden change in Pari.

"That can only happen when you listen to what I have to say" Pari tried to calm down and talk to Pratik.

"OK then I am all ears" said Pratik not quite sure as to what to expect.

"Why did you not say anything, when Bauji sidelined you in the business expansion plans?" questioned Pari directly.

"Ha Ha..you thought.. that I was ..ha ha...well let me tell you love that once you left he did assign me to help Yash bhaiya" Pratik answered laughing off her worry.

"There you go..always satisfied with the crumbs everyone throws at you. Don't you have a spine? Can't you demand for more?" Pari shot back irritated that Pratik was not taking this seriously as usual.

"Pari...I am not liking the tone of this conversation. Where do you think you are heading with all this?" said Pratik as he got serious.

"You are just too blind not to see how your family ill-treats you. You are a "nobody" in this household and I am just stuck being the wife of a "no body"" cried Pari.

"That's just enough Pari. You have become delusional. My family is not being insulting ...you are being insulting...how can you, being my wife speak to me like this. Is this something you are thinking of late or did you always think that I was a loser. How can you stay with me if this is what you think about me?" Pratik questioned very hurt by what Pari had said.

"Now you are misunderstanding me Pratik...I just want you to come out of the shadows of your brothers. I want you to spread your wings and to reach great heights. As your wife, seeing you grow in your career would give me immense pleasure. Why are you denying me that? Why are you denying yourself that" Pari said trying to make Pratik understand her point of view.

"Thanks but no thanks Pari...no need for you to worry about my future or my career. I can take care of things on my own. Why don't you concentrate on being a good wife instead? You have such ideal examples in front of you...try to emulate Aarti bhabhi. Did you ever see her speak like this with Yash bhaiya? It's my fault entirely; I have given you far too much freedom" said Pratik who was trying to hurt Pari in turn now.

"What freedom are you talking about Pratik...I gave up so much for you.. my dreams, my career and look at you...you are never happy...never satisfied..you want me to become like you... someone else's shadow. Well you go ahead and be a doormat for all I care but do not advice me to lead this life of slavery" Pari voice rose, she was shouting almost.

"Not another word Pari... Just get out" said Pratik in a deathly calm voice.

When Pari did not react he said more forcefully " I said "GET OUT"" Pratik shouted which made Pari come out of her shock.

"Do you know what, that's the best thing you have suggested so far? But I will not give you the pleasure of throwing me out. I am leaving...you heard that Pratik... I AM leaving YOU..this house and your biased, partial and old-fashioned, stuffy family. Yes watch me L-E-A-V-E"

"Go right ahead but do not be under any false impression that I will come to fetch you back. I will die before I come to get you. The minute you leave the house will be the minute I call up the lawyer to file for divorce papers" threatened Pratik who by then had lost all sense of reason.

"Fine...go ahead. I want a divorce too. And I would die before I agree to any attempt at reconciliation with you. So do not even think about it" retorted Pari.

Pari took a suitcase and dumped her belongings into it and headed towards the main door.

TO BE CONTINUED...

PS: Yeah I know yet another neglected track of PV. This is my version of it. Kindly bear with me yet again. Thx for continuing to read the story.

well as you mention yourslf difficult to take but as itys your version is aleays welcomed be it bua or prateik and pari... coz that just make me more eager to read your next whee AARYA become one and solve theirs😳😳😳 and family issues and with lil wild closeness😉😉😉

So all i cany say goood one dear.. waiting for next...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

it always bothered me that pari stopped working and everone, including her, is all good and fine with it now 😔