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credit: GCHT Page
credit: Deepaaveng
Somewhere in space where humans are not allowed, four little cherubims were sitting on a soft cloud formation floating while looking at the semi-screen watching what is going on in the earth below. Then the youngest of them all cried out," Ansh bhaiyyaaa, do something..huaaah...!"
"Haan, bhaiiya..tell them not to let this happen." followed the second youngest to be named Payal in her cute fairy ringlets of hair, her lips starting to curve downward.
"Ansh, don't they want us?", the other girl called Palak piped in, a tear fell lost into the soft clouds.
"No Aayu..don't cry or we won't see our future mom and dad." But even the assurance from the cherubim called Ansh came weak, for now the trio started bawling as kids do...
That's when one of the female adult angels who heard the crying landed to their spot and with one look at the semi-screen, she waved an arm to make it disappear. She bent down and took the sobbing Aayu in one arm while reaching out with the other to calm the three.
"Hush, darlings. Such is the way of human life, full of tests and free will to decide."
And gently, she lifted them in her embrace while cooing softly of patience and other virtues that humans take time to discover.
Meanwhile on earth.. Dubey Residence - Aarti's room.
This was what the four cherubims were watching.
"Mansi, i am sorry. I have to do this. I want to make something out of myself before getting into such relationship.." the young woman was busy stuffing clothings on a medium-sized back pack.
"But didi, they are on their way." Mansi was trying to pacify her older sister, crying." You can't do this to Bauji and Mauji. Please, think it over. And besides, you are just going to meet the guy, perhaps you can even talk to him about your plans in life. And then, where will you go? What will you do? Please, don't do this." the pleading in her voice was becoming gritted with anger.
"No Mansi, there's no time!,"she was sweating and panting from all the moving."Didn't you hear they are in a hurry to get us engaged? I can't...i just can't..." there was crackling in her voice. For once, she is defying her parents and is being a coward at it. She did not want to see the hurt on their faces but she strongly felt she can't let go of her adolescent dreams of making it big out there.
"Take care of our parents." she kissed her younger sister on the forehead and picked up her stuffed belonging.
Mansi controlled her sobs as she saw her older sister shoulder the back pack and clamber deftly down into their room's balcony through the trellis of sweetpea plant that leaned on the wall. Landing on the ground, she gave one last look at her sorrounding and looked up to her sister, tears glistening on her face up in the balcony.
Aarti turned with trembling footsteps and disappeared into the moonlit night.
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FAST FORWARD 8 YEARS LATER...
The message from Mansi was urgent. After eight long years, she was being asked to go home and the first communication all this time. Aarti closed her eyes upon reading the letter. "MaJi is very sick and she may or may not recover at all. I request you to come home and make peace with our parents. We know how succesful you have become and we are not asking for anything. Just come home and please, don't make me beg for more." There was sarcasm in the note. She bit her lower lip thinking back to what she did many moons ago.
There's no use regretting now and Mansi is right. If it weren't for my pride, i would have run back home long ago, she thought. With firm resolve, she called her secretary to schedule an immediate meeting with the different department heads.
BHOPAL CITY HOSPITAL
Shoba Dubey is lying in one of the pay wards. She looked at Satyendra Dubey standing at the window, looking drawn out and very tired for his 60 years. She wanted to call him but she was too weak from the marathon of drugs they have been giving her after the shocking diagnosis of cancer of the intestine. Mansi will be here tonight. Bless her and her husband for being there whenever they have time.
Then she heard the door to their room open. Like in a slow motion, she turned to see who it was. There stood Aarti, her beautiful daughter Aarti, shocked and with tears streaming her cheeks. Her handbag dropped to the floor with a plump thud. Satyendra too, disturbed by the sound looked over his shoulder and saw a crying woman which he almost did not recognized.
"Aarti.." Shobha felt she shouted her name out loud. Aarti's long strides flung her to the bed and with loud sobs she can't control, murmured the words that came out guttural," Maa..Maa.. forgive me.. forgive me..forgive me.." the hiccups blocking her throat. Shobha reached out an arm to embrace Aarti who was half-lying on her, drenching her hospital gown with tears that would not stop.
"Aarti.. Meri Aarti.." Though weakened, she herself was starting to let go of the tears from all the missing and wondering about her daughter. There was no more need for words.
Amidst the shock and whirl of hundred emotions seeing her mother pale and weak, Aarti felt a hand smoothen her hair. She glimpsed her dad has stood behind her back. With a turn, she dropped down to the floor and embraced her father's knees, murmuring the same words over and over again.
DubeyJi could not utter a word. The happiest smile since Shoba agreed to marry her was what he was seeing on her face now. He brought Aarti to a stand and took her in his arms.
"Aarti, thank you. Thank you for coming."
Aarti could not speak. In her father's embrace, she could only counter his words with a shake of her head meaning no, she is the one at fault. Mansi, stood outside by the corridor, she did not want to add anymore heavy feeling to what was already happening.
When she regained composure, Dubeyji explained that the attending physician will come soon and they need to go at the doctor's office. They were waiting for him to finish his rounds. As soon as the door opened, they stood up to acknowledge the entry of a smiling handsome young man in crisp white polo shirt, sleeved rolled half-way to the arm and topped with a doctor's coat, he was wearing dark blue jeans and sockless loafers. This can't be the doctor, Aarti thought, a former childhood playmate and bestfriend until he was sent to an all-male boarding school while she remained in their neighborhood going to the nearby local private secondary school. Childishly, he even declared he will be the one to marry her when they grow up. Somewhere in their adolescent years, they lost touch.
The young man stood for a while at the door until Dubeyji's face broke into a nervous smile.
"Dr. Scindhia, good morning."
With a file and stethoscope in hand, he motioned for them to resume their sit.
"Good morning uncle, Mansi." his eyes drifted to Aarti with a pursed smile, but the look he gave her traveled from her head to the tip of her pumps.
The doctor smiled even wider."Ah, the prodigal daughter." the words came out a little bitter to Aarti's ears. "Hello Aarti. It's okay uncle, we'll discuss this, as always, like a family."
After more than an hour of question and answer, Aarti stood up feeling suffocated from all the pros and cons that was presented about their mother's case. Her eyes were red from holding back the tears and her nose felt painful from sniffling. DubeyJi remained seated, with head bowed while Mansi was holding on to his arms, her head laid on his shoulder.
"Uncle, we will never know if we won't try." Dr. Scindhia was being kind." And i am sorry, we don't have much time to wait for your decision. I can only spare you one-two days to decide. Whatever it is, i will abide by your decision but will continue to provide the best care i can to Shoba aunty." His voice was calm.
For once, Aarti felt helpless. The years of boardroom decision-making she acquired from her job did nothing to her situation right now.
"Excuse me Doc, Bauji and Mansi. I'd like to leave for a while." Before anyone could answer, she rushed out of the doctor's office and ran the few corridor back to Shoba's room. Aarti looked at her mother's sleeping form. Taking in the hair that have started to gray to the paleness of her face and the nurturing hands that have now wrinkled and may never caress her again. She cried silently, leaning against the door jamb.
"Keep the faith." somebody whispered behind her and when she turned to see who it was, Dr. Scindhia passed by entering the room with the nurse on duty. She retreated to the corridor, leaving them to do their duty.
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The two days for their final decision was up. Aarti resolved to speak to Dr. Scindhia. She waited for his usual round to be done when she decided to go and see him. Luckily, there was no one by the time she got there.
"Dr. Scindhia, i have decided to ask for my mother's treatment to be shifted to Mumbai. I think she will have better access to advance medications and experts in the area." Without a greeting, Aarti started off.
"Good morning too, Aarti and please drop the formalities. After all, we're not totally strangers." the doctor's eyebrow went a notch higher with a charming smile." Is that the family's decision or yours alone?"
"Mine. Alone. I just felt------"
"You feel that we are incapable of treating your mother? that me and my staff is inferior to the ones in the big city?" he cut her off. With anger on his face, he got up and drag her out of the room." Get out of my office and don't come back until the decision has been approved by Uncle Ji. I did not risk my so-called brilliant career to shift from the capital to be insulted by a coward like you!" He slammed the door behind without allowing her to look back nor reply.
Confused and hurt, she walked dazedly to Shobha's room, unaware that many eyes are on her. The word coward felt like a punch in her stomach that stripped her of all her strength. But why did it hurt coming from him? It felt too personal when he could have meant it generally. It transported her to the past when she ran away and saw her dreams materialize that she convinced her self she did the right thing if not for Mansi's urgent letter. Otherwise, she know she would have never forgiven herself if she ignored it.
Shobha, though weak, saw the bewildered look on Aarti's face who sat by her bedside chair silently and pale.
"Aarti, what happened?" her voice almost inaudible.
Aarti did not answer, instead, she clasped both her mother's hands on hers and took them to her cheeks.
"Listen dear child, i have something very important to tell you before everything is late." there was urgency in her voice." O-of course, you are free to speak your mind."
She looked at her mother and saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears." Ma, you can ask me anything you want. What i did many years ago..." for the second time in less than an hour, she was not allowed to finish what she wanted to say.
"Sshh," Shobha moved their clasped hands to her lips," i'm not making a last request. I am determined to see my grandchildren from you." She followed it with a weak-sounding laughter. "Will you trust me and your father to make this decision, just this once?"
Aarti swallowed hard, she suddenly had an idea what her mom was going to ask. She was looking at her intently.
"Remember the young man who asked for your hand before? He has never married and promised only to do so if he sees you again and changes the impression he has of you earlier. Recently, he spoke to your father and he said, his decision back then remains the same now."
She did not completely forgot him. She did wonder who he was and what happened after that but never got around to finding with her self-imposed excommunication.
"Are you suggesting i marry him?" her heartbeat doubled,knowing this time she can't say no.
Shobha's eyes were drifting, weak from the continous infusion of powerful medicines. She nodded her head and went back to sleep.
"Erhmm." the sound of her father clearing his throat made Aarti turn around. Dubeyji motioned her to follow him to the terrace.
Sitted face to face, Dubey ji took her hand to his." Aarti, the young man proposed for the second time and its too much to reject him again." he begun." I know that you have made a life of your own and i am proud of what you have achieved. We would never suggest this had not the young man reminded us."
"Dear, please don't think too long. If possible, we should do it while your mother is still..." he swallowed hard, his eyes misting with the unspoken words," we can never tell.."
She bit her lower lip. She sighed deeply." Go ahead Bauji, arrange it as early as you could but please make it simple and with family only." She resigned herself to it.
"Aarti, i will promise you this: we would have never accepted the proposal if we were not sure you will be happy with him."
Seeing the blank look on her face, he asked," Don't you want to know which family the guy comes from?"
"Bauji, you have all the right to decide on this aspect of my life. I accept that trust with all my heart and i won't ask anything." Funny, that actually came from the heart and it made her feel better. No guilt attached.
"And one more thing, your childhood friend has always been there whenever me or your mother got sick. Will you apologize to him?"
"Oh!" her eyes rounded in surprise.
"Haan beta, i accidentally heard your conversation." he winked cheerfully.
"I'll do that tomorrow, Bauji. Right now, i'm too embarrassed because what he said was parially right."
She saw Yash again, once that day, but he avoided her like she did not exist at all.
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The doctor was at his quarters as today was his off but remains at the hospital compound, the information lady said. It seems he preferred being near just in case grave emergency arouses. Rounding the back of the hospital, she finally located the building where he is housed. Two flights of stair up, first door to the right with the sign that says ' Doctor's Quarters". She braced herself to gather strength. The door did not open until the third knock.
"Aarti?" surprise was written on Yash's face, He was wearing a red towel, hair still dripping, obviously he just came out of the shower. Her insistent knocking must have hurried him.
"Oh! I'm sorry. If it's bad timing, i can come back later.", embarrassed she turned to go.
Yash's hand shoot out from the inside catching her arm.
"No, no, no. Come on in and have a sit." he succesfully pulled her inside." It won't take me long to get dressed." he winked and turned for his room.
She could not help but follow his retreating back, the muscles rippling from his swagger, She never doubted he will grow to become a handsome guy but not as deadly as this. She sighed at the memory.
When Yash came out, Aarti was in the balcony overlooking the vast expanse of greenery and the sea into the horizon. He handed her a cold glass of fresh coconut water. He was wearing black vest tucked on his blue jeans and barefoot. His tussled wet hair adding a cool sexy aura about him. He has sprayed a musky scent that was a carry over from their childhood, citrus flower. She smiled inwardly.
"Sorry, that's all i got for now. Haven't got time to do some shopping, maybe later tonight."
"Thank you." gratefully, she took it." Doctor, i am here to apologize about yesterday." She took a sip of the coconut water." This thing about Maji is scaring me so much i..."
"No need to apologize," he stopped her," I'll take half of the fault. i shouldn't have been harsh too. I had other things in mind at that time." he confessed.
Silence followed. The years of not having any interaction reduced their closeness to awkwardness.
"Vidhi bhabi said to tell you hello." Yash spoke out of the blue.
"Vidhi bhabi?"
" Seriously Aarti, you never heard about them?" he mocked a shocked looked on his face.," Pankaj bhaiyya married her and they have two teenage children, Veedika and Vedant."
She knew Vidhi as one of her seniors at school but never had really interacted with her. Nevertheless, she had been the nicest and most helpful in joint school activities.
"Truthfully, i have not been a good daughter, i'm afraid." They stood by the railing , facing each other. She lowered her head in shame at the admission. She stayed away from the family. In the beginning, few calls back home to say she's fine until gradually it waned. The opportunity of climbing the corporate ladder was too hard to ignore that she put her hundred and one percent energy on and it paid off.
The breeze played with her long hair causing Yash to reach out and tuck it behind her ears. She stepped back in surprise at the gesture. Then it warmed her.
"What happened to us, Aarti?" his tone became a whisper, serious, "Why are we acting like strangers?"
She looked away, avoiding his penetrating gaze. Self-consciously, she crossed her arm over her chest, the glass of coconut water forgotten in her hand.
" We used to be the best of friends." his eyes never wavered," or was our friendship shallow that the distance proved it shaky?"
"You never dreamed of becoming a doctor?" Aarti diverted the conversation.
"Because the only profession i wanted back then was to marry you ." Yash replied with a smile.
Aarti giggled at that sweet remembrance of their childhood. The old feeling of closeness was creeping in but she dared not show too much.
"Can i ask you something?"
She nodded." Anything.."
"Have you... have you ever considered getting married?" His face turned somber.
Surprised at the unexpected question, she blinked hard.
"Actually... i have just agreed to an old proposal.." her breathing became shallow and choppy. There's no use lying about it.
"You did?" his voice was calm, as if trying to reaffirm what he just heard. She bit her lip, nodding.
"Do you love him?" he was testing the water.
"I only know he loves me enough to make the proposal for the second time. I am ready to return that love." she promised herself to do just that.
"What if you won't?"
"I will, even if it takes forever." she replied with determination.
Yash sighed at the thought. She was so beautiful in all her defiance that he felt like reaching out for a kiss. He hooked his finger to his jean's front pocket, afraid that it might flew on its own and do just that. Aarti felt his warm, unwavering gaze on hers. She lowered her gaze to the glass on his hands.
"Will you invite me?" he asked, teasing.
"Huh!,"Aarti blinked," i'm sure Bauji will drag you to come."
He smiled.
" I guess i better go.." she set the glass on one of the chairs and started for the door.
Yash walked after her and before she could open the door, he had turned and backed her up against it, trapping Aarti between his body and the door.
Aarti, surprised with Yash's brazenness trembled into silence. not believing how wonderful it felt to be this close with him. She closed her eyes to submission. Yash had both hands on each side of her head, his forehead touching hers and their noses rubbing. With his lips millimetres away from hers and breathing ruggedly, he whispered," Say my name, please...say my name.." he begged.
Like in a trance with her eyes still closed, she obeyed," Yash.. Yash..Yash.." then she felt his lips touch hers tentatively. With the realization of overwhelming desire, she shoved him away and opened the door, making a run for the stairs and never stopping till she reached the main hospital building. She wanted him!
The next day, Dubeyji gave his consent to an aggressive treatment for Shobha to which Aarti and Mansi nodded. Dr. Scindhia was to head the treatment along with two others . They have agreed upon themselves whatever the treatment's outcome will be, the marriage will take place in a simple ceremony in a nearby mandir in the next two days as per Shobha's insistence. Mansi confirmed to Aarti that the other family has no questions with their mother's request.
Still shaken by their encounter, she tried to avoid Yash but fate was too much of a joker to place him where she goes. Around the hospital, before she would see, she could feel him. Many times, he would stare at her, daring her to meet his eyes. And when she could not look away, she would see that grin that seems to beckon her to go near him but she tried to hold her ground.
Yash did not attempt to disguise nor hide his emotions from her. Mentally, they could read each other's mind. His, saying 'come to me' and hers saying 'no i can't'. And it seems with every encounter, he was being naughty, underlying some sexy innuendo with a smile or a wink. God, what is he up to?
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She had never been so glad when that day finally came. God knows how long will she be able to stop herself from being drawn to Yash. Shobha had to sit in a wheelchair and a nurse was hired to stay beside until the ceremony is over. They decided to forego the other ceremonies considering Shobha's condition. Aarti waited in the car for Mansi to come and take her out and all the while thinking Yash would be busy at the hospital at this moment.
Mansi came out with another woman, it was Vidhi. So nice of her to be here, Aarti thought. No words were exchange but smiles flew with the recognition.
"Chalu Aarti, it's time." Vidhi prodded lovingly and winked to walk a few paces ahead of them as Mansi held her by the arm. Then she whispered," Didi, one last question: What if the guy turns out to be King Kong?" then she laughed softly.
Aarti elbowed here to stop it. She was already trembling and nervous.They have ascended the stairs to the altar when Vidhi turned around and checked if the pallu was pulled low over her face. Satisfied, she made way for Mansi to lead her to sit with the groom who's back they could see. A few paces from the stool, she stole a glance to look around. There's the couple who has been her father's business acquaintance from another town and a few people she did not know. Could be from the groom's family or their father's close business associates. Surprised caught her face when she recognized Yash's family on the side of the groom. But where is Yash? Did his father forgot to invite him or was he too busy at the hospital to spare time for this quick marriage?
She felt Mansi's hand on her shoulder to make her sit at the stool beside the groom. With bowed head she obeyed and concentrated on thinking about the future with this stranger who is about to become her husband. Amidst the priest chanting and the smell of slow fire burning, their was one distinct smell that seems to pervade her senses: Citrus flower! It's not good because it reminded her of only one person. Maybe she could tell her husband -to-be to change his preference later.
She barely heard the priest say the words but saw the open palm outstretched in front , waiting for hers to put on top. As soon as she did, something clicked in her mind. She recognized those long lean fingers and the pinky with a familiar ring. The groom saw her try to withdrew her hand in panic but he was too quick to clasp on his own, Then he whispered jokingly," Tsk! tsk! too late! there will be no third proposal after this.."
From her veil, Aarti eyes moistened hearing Yash's voice. She turned to see his wide grin and right there and then, she realized her heart has always been lost to his forever.
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"Ansh! Ansh! hurry, hurry!" the elderly angel was trying to bundled him in a cloud that was to be delivered by a shooting star below. But the cherubim called Ansh was busy saying his goodbye to the three others that was squealing in excitement.
"Bahiyya, tell mom and dad we will be coming soon.." shouted Payal with pure innocence.
"Oh dearies, don't worry, you are meant for your mom and dad." assured the elderly angel," now Ansh, be a good boy and always listen to your parents..." Then the soft cloud bundling the cherubim was loaded on a sparkling air formation that shoot out into the open space to where it was designated to be.
"Bu-byeee Palak, Payal and Aayu.. see you down there sooonnn..." Ansh's words were blown away by the speed of the shooting star eager to drop below.
The terrace of the honeymoon suite was open and the night air cooled the room. The full moon was into its last league but still glowing adequately. In his arms, Aarti was sleeping peacefully after that wonderful lovemaking, a thin summer quilt covering them. Yash thought he heard a childish giggle from the terrace. He opened his eyes and looked around. Nothing. Then a rush of warm air came gushing through the room, over them and it was gone. Instinctively, he pulled Aarti closer to him, drawing the sheet over her back.
Aarti must have felt it too because she stirred. From her sleep-laden eyes, she looked at him and pressed a kiss to his bare chest.
"How do you feel?, he asked in a whisper.
She edged closer to bring her form in level to his.
"Like a woman." she answered to his lips.
Unable to restrain from the new wave of desire she has awakened, with a searing kiss he murmured ," I love you.."
-the end-
a short treat to all in celebration of our beloved Gurmeet and Kratika's win at the just-concluded SAIFTA awards. I hope you guys will like it and warm your hearts like how the victory is ours..
Hugs and love to all!!!❤️
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