Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading and commenting. Those of you who have been missing Arshi and Shyamu, you better be commenting pronto after this update😉 you guys owe me😃 Yet another longish update from me. I have resolved to no longer prescribe to a pre determined length but let the spirit of the story and the characters dictate the length. Since that's pretty much how it has turned out to be over the past few updates. There now I'll be at peace.😃
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Aruni, I can picture you dancing a jig at the end of this story- Pray Tells me why?😆
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Pyaar in the Pink City(English)
Disclaimer: All pictures used here have been procured from public internet sources and have been used for illustrative purposes only. I do not own or claim any rights to these.
Part 18
A Series of Unforeseen Events
Mein tho Laaj ke maare, ho gayi paani paani
Sab logon ne sunn li, meri prem kahaani
Muh se baat nikhal gayi, baaton baaton ma, baaton baaton ma'.
(I melt with embarrassment at the thought that everyone is now aware of my love story.
Oops, the truth has now inadvertently escaped my lips as well.)
''Sooni sej pe sayyaan, sari raat mein jaagi
Tere peeche peeche, meri neendh jo bhaagi
Mera chain bhi gayare tere saat ma, tere saat ma
(I lay bereft of sleep on a lonely bed, tortured by thoughts of you,
For not only has my sleep followed you but also my peace of mind)
~ Lyrics of the song 'Morni Baga ma Bole' from Lamhe.
The last lilting lines of her prayer-song ended and Anjali turned around with her Thal to hand out the Prasad. Her entire family was present at the Arati along with Nitin, and yet her eyes sought the missing ones. Ever since Rakshabandan, Anjali had performed the Aarti at Malhar every single day and distributed Prasad to all including Dobby. Thoughts of Dobby brought a smile to her lips. "Di, today's a big day for you. I am confident that everything will work out in your favor. You just wait and watch." "Whats this! It's a crow cawing at our doorstep, " continued Khushi in delight as the high-pitched cawing of a crow came through the open windows from the front of the house. "This signifies that we will have unexpected guests grace our house" she twirled happily and Naani suppressed a secret smile "Little do you know that I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of those guests, my dear Kusi".
"What Nonsense! Di, everything will work out in your favor because you and Nitin have slogged at this project and Shantivan is graced by many a guest almost every day. Besides, We are expecting Buaji, aunty and uncle for lunch today. And all this is not because some hungry crow cawed at our doorstep." Interjected Arnav with his irrefutable logic. Anjali grinned with a shake of her head at the sight of her pouting bhabhi(sister-in-law) and smirking brother. Khushiji and Chottey were just the same, at first they bicker then they make-up, and through both these acts their love comes shining through. Thank God that some things do not change. The doorbell let out a lusty peal cutting through her thoughts, "I'll get it" she called out, quickly limping over to yank the door open.
"Yyy ' YYYOU?-----" stuttered Anjali stepping aside to let in the sari-clad woman, knitting her eyebrows, trying to place where she had seen her before. The woman hurried towards the stairs, her eyes darting nervously, muttering to no one in particular"I am sorry I am here today earlier than usual. You see my husband is ill and I ------", When she was halted in her track by a clear voice that said "Hold on just a minute. Aren't you Kamlaji? The clerk in Shyamji's office." All eyes zoned in on the woman and Anjali, while mamaji stepped into her path, cutting off her access to the staircase. The woman twirled and looked around at the sudden wall of human bodies encircling her. The only way out, lay past Anjali. She paused and bluffed, pacing quickly towards Anjali, "My name is Shyamla. You must be confusing me with someone else." Anjali pressed her lips, her face stern as she firmly shook her head "Absolutely not. There is no confusion. You are Kamlaji, to whom I had given money at Shyamji's recommendation, to pay for your husband's surgery. Since when did you become a mid-wife?" At this the woman's face paled and her gaze shifted towards the rest. Arnav moved menacingly forward, and her resolve broke. Burbling a hasty" Forgive me, I mean no harm. I am a mere puppet", she bolted through the doorway running past the startled Pandey and leapt into the waiting auto, that whisked her away in a trice.
Anjali's knees gave way and she sank against her chotte, just as NK and Akash stepped back into the house from their futile pursuit of the woman, shaking their heads in the negative, in response to Arnav's questioning gaze. "Why did the damn auto have to appear so conveniently? Is it possible that she had always had it waiting as an escape route? Damn Shyam in eternal Hell!". He stroked his Di's hair, and looked at mamaji whose face hardened. With a nod to Arnav he proceeded to the study followed by his Mano to call the private eye he had engaged. Nitin glanced at Maya, who gave him an empathetic smile and signaled him aside to fill him in on what she knew about Di and Shyam.
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"Wow! Anjali, it was a fabulous meeting. What an upbeat and positive response we got for our presentation." Nitin exclaimed turning back to look at Anjali from the passenger seat of Arnav's SUV that was speeding them back home for lunch. Anjali beamed at him and squeezed Akash's hand in delight. "Absolutely! Chotte, what do you say?" she asked catching her brother's eye in the rearview mirror. "You both were fabulous Di!" grinned Arnav. "Now you just have to execute. No pressure." He drawled in friendly sarcasm, his lips lifting in a lopsided smile. "Execution is everything. Hume creatively sochna hain. We need to buy local, employ local artisans and show enough proof to the government that this is a restoration project that will fill the tourism department's coffers while getting environmentalists and historians on our side. This will smooth our path through the bureaucratic red tape. I'll handle that" stated Nitin confidently. "Infact, I think I'll fly back this evening itself to Jaipur. You can fly back with your family at your convenience Anjali. What say?" I cannot bear to be away from my Radhika any longer, he added silently to himself.
The four of them continued their planning in the same enthusiastic vein and had not realized that they had reached Shantivan and had entered the house, till they heard a mix of conversations floating from the dining area; new voices mingling with Buaji's jolly tones and Garimaji's gentle ones. "Di, it's about time! See Nannav, Khushiji theek kah rahi thi. We have a Mahmaan ful house" NK's voice came booming through and Anjali came to a standstill as her gaze tangled with Rathod's. He was standing right across from her at a mere three foot distance. This is not happening. Her head swam in a sea of chaotic thoughts and her inner Anjalis had uncharacteristically united in screaming at her. "Really Anjali! WAKE UP. He is here in FLESH & BLOOD. Did you really think Ajay Singh Rathod would let you fool him and run away? We know you initimately, and yet you constantly amaze us by your naivete." "Oh! Shutup" she murmured mentally and looked up warily at Rathod, ruthlessly squelching the sharp thrill that shot through her heart at the way he was looking at her. Rathod had finished greeting her brothers and was prowling towards her at a leisurely pace. He smiled genially at her and while the rest were lost in conversation, leaned towards her ear and crooned huskily, " So, Sugar Queen, bad manners. You could have at least said Hi?" Anjali wanted to throw her arms around his neck, bury her face against that strong throat and let his scent engulf her being. Instead she steeled herself and blurted out a terse "Why are you here?"
NK's ears pricked at the uncharacteristic abruptness in his Di's voice. This was Nannav's style not Anjali Di's. He strolled over to Ajay with an amiable expression, his eyes pinned on both him and Di wondering, "I swear, the tension between these two lies so thick that I could slice through it with a knife." "I mean, what pressing matter brings you to Delhi Mr. Rathod?" Anjali amended deftly with a sidelong glance at her approaching NK bhai. "My dear, Ajay is here to close out a property purchase, and we just could not let him go all by himself. So here we are," joined Virenji patting Anjali on her shoulder. "My child, Rathod ji is our brand new neighbour" declared a smiling Naani. "Yes Anjali, our next-doors houje, the one that waaj Mr. Kapoor's, that eej now Mr. Rathod's. Hello, Hai, Bye, Bye." Sang Manorama maami, joining in. "Anjie Aunty" and Tashi flung herself wrapping her arms around Anjali's belly in a vice-like grip "I missed you" she said puckering her lips in a pretty little pout. Anjali's defences melted and she knelt down to kiss Tashi on her cheeks.
Khushi and Payal had not missed a single beat and watched in joy at the fascinating scene unfolding in front of their eyes. "Jiji, I have a feeling Anjali di's mood will take care of itself now. I just have to manage my Laad Governor's." Khushi whispered, scanning the room for her Arnavji.
"Hey Devimayya!" she muttered under her breath edging closer to Arnav who stood stick straight glowering darkly at Rathod who was now lounging in the couch with a devil-may-care-attitude. "You have lost Arnavji" she purred nudging his shoulder with her's, a smug look on her pretty features. "Whaaat!" exclaimed Arnav disoriented with the curve ball his wife had thrown at him. Khushi turned to face him squarely and repeated "I said you have lost. Once again. You said this morning that a crow cawing at the doorstep meant nonsense. See, we have unexpected guests. I was right and you are wrong." Arnav crossed his arms his face assuming a challenging expression"I still say it's all a fat load of rubbish. I repeat, it's a bloody coincidence. Anyway, I'll indulge you. Go on, what is it you want from me?" Khushi's expression turned sultry and she dropped her voice a few decibels so Arnav had to lean forward to catch her words," Quite simple really. You just have to do my bidding and say yes to whatever it is I ask of you. And exactly what I have in mind to ask of you, you will find out tonight. Arrrnavji." she winked at his bewildered expression and sashayed away with an exaggerated sway of her hips, leaving Arnav's gut throbbing and ears pounding with the sudden rush of blood at his wife's blatant seduction.
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Shyam whirled at the top of the stairs leading up to the Cafe and took in Kamlaji's scared countenance as she hurried up the stairs, her face white as a sheet. "Careful, watch your step Kamlaji. What's the matter?" he asked, rushing down to meet her mid-way. "Shyaamji, I can't do this anymoreT this whole spying thing is not sitting well with me." A terrified Kamla blurted out, her palms folded and eyes wide with fear.
"So the cradle I seek is in Aaradhya Orphanage and not in Shantivan, you say. And all the former belongings and papers in my previous bedroom have been destroyed? Hmmm. Ok. Don't worry about all this anymore. Your work is complete. Did you happen to discover where Anjali had been the past week?" He questioned his calm voice and unruffled countenance concealing the furious pace of his mental working as he connected dots and fit the available pieces of data to complete the puzzle in his head. Kamla heaved a sigh of relief as she leaned back in her chair securing the wad of cash in her purse, "I overheard her brother's phone conversation yesterday. She seems to have been in Jaipur at her ancestral mansion. But as of now she is back in Shantivan. Perhaps back for good."
"Perhaps. Ok. Thank you Kamlaji. You should now leave Delhi for a few weeks and enjoy a well-earned vacation." He said standing up, putting on his shades and proceeded towards his motorbike in the gathering dusk."It's time to pay my beloved Raani Sahiba a visit. After all Raani Sahiba is like the mythological pativrata(Chaste) maharani(Queen) Mandodri. Raavan's Mandodri and Shyaam's Raani Sahiba." He sniggered at the thought and drove off, blending into the busy Delhi traffic.
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"Good Night Tashi." Anjali bent down to kiss Tashi who happily skipped after Naani and Lakshmiji to sleep in grams's bed as she called it, that night. The animal lover in Tashi had instantly bonded with Naaniji's pet goat, Lakshmi and the duo had been inseparable the entire day. Payal and Akash had retired about an hour back with Aanya, and chotte had just gone to his room grumbling about Khushi having something up her sleeve. She rose from her chair and her glance alighted on Maya and NK huddled in the semi shadows by the poolside clearly lost in each other. She could not bear to stand there a minute longer. Her heart had barely survived the emotional roller coaster she had been subject to since finding Ajay in her living room that morning. Quickly averting her eyes she headed towards her room, only to bump into Ajay who was heading to his next door, with a book in hand. He had stayed out of her way almost entirely the whole day day; regaling the visiting Guptas and NK with his many anecdotes. NK and he had become firm friends and she suspected that maamiji, Maya, Khushi ji and Payalji were under his spell as well. "Good night Sugar. Dream of me", he called out after her, as she stepped past him to enter her room. Ofcourse she would dream of him. That's all she seemed to be capable of doing these days. Every sleeping moment and every waking second of every single day revolved around Ajay.
In the sanctuary of her room, Anjali methodically brushed her hair and reflected on the various discussions during the day. The rhythmic, repetitive brush strokes eased the tension in her head a bit. An awful lot had come to pass that day. Viren chacha had gelled well with Garimaji and Buaji. He had extended his Teej invitation to them as well. He had made it impossible for them to refuse when he related to them about a Neuro Physician friend of his in Jaipur. He was renowned to have helped many Paralytic patients on the path to recovery and chachaji suggested that they consult him regarding Shashiji's condition. Garimaji's eyes had misted with happiness and Khushi ji's and Payalji's faces had lit up with the first real rays of hope in the past two years, when they heard Viren chacha's testimonial.
Nitin had left that evening but not before accosting her during their afternoon tea. He had led her away to a quiet corner under the pretext of finalizing their plans for next week. "Anjie," he began taking her hands in his and giving them a gentle squeeze. "I cannot beat around the bush with you. I love you and you love me back. And, you and I, both know that what we have is not the same as what's brewing between you and Ajay." She had raised her shocked eyes to meet his at this statement. He had merely smiled and continued after a pause to let his words sink in. "You had me befuddled briefly yesterday. But then you forget that I have known you, your moods and your methods for way too long. We invented some of those tactics together. Remember? Shashank was a bloody jerk and from what I have heard from Maya, your ex-husband is no better. Do not measure all men by the same yardstick. And most importantly, do not think less of yourself for what those two thankless men in your life have put you through. Ajay is a wonderful man and my best friend. I have seen him torn to pieces after Mrinalini's death and am proud of the way he put himself back together. It's not an easy thing for him to open his heart and let someone in again. Trust me. I know. Over the past five years I have seen the most beautiful and creme-de-la-creme women of society throw themselves at him and he had not so much as spared them a glance. When he showed up at your doorstep today, I found all the answers I sought. I care for both of you, but I will not be able to support you in your strategy of misleading him. He already has correctly deduced there is nothing between us but friendship. Think it over Anjali and give yourself a chance, a chance of finding true love and happiness. With Ajay you will find both."
Anjali let out a long breath, rising from her perch by the dressing-table, she strolled over to the window and looked out. It was a beautiful night. Maya and NK seemed to have gone to bed. The light reflecting off the pool was casting lovely patterns on the adjacent wall. Out of the corner of her eye, she sensed a movement in the waters and peered, pressing her nose to the window pane. Clearly she was not the only one who could not sleep. Anjali's mouth went dry and she forgot to breathe at the sight that met her eyes. Stepping out of the pool in one swift sleek motion was Ajay in all his masculine glory, water dripping though his long locks and glistening off his rippling muscles. "Good Lord! Iss ek cheez ki hi kami rahgayi thi Bhagwan," she muttered under her breath, clasping her stomach that had suddenly turned into a warm whirlpool of sensation. She rushed away from the window to bury herself in her bed, with a pillow tossed over her head for good measure. It was going to be one long, painfully sleepless night. She sighed!
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Edited by ForLoveofBarun - 12 years ago
Cricket
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