Sparsh (An SS)--- Part XIV (Pg 130) - Page 97

@Jac: Thank you so much...Though I await your comments like a little kid does for his/her candy, I do understand the time constraints. I don't mind the delay at all.😊

Yash has just about used up all his ideas now. Although he hurt Mishti in trying to rejuvenate the possessiveness in her, he got to know first hand that Mishti does get affected badly by his proximity to any other girl. He is banking for her deliberately suppressed feelings to burst out. He wants her to react...and she did too. This is a positive sign for him. From this point he can get through to her...simply because she is slowly giving him access to her insecurities. He is very naturally making her open up to him.

That reference to Mishti and her reciprocal acceptance was meant to be on the subconscious level. Neither did he use the address deliberately nor did she notice the blunder. They were both too much concerned about Ansh at that point to indulge in games and word play. I am so glad you caught what I wanted to project...that in the end their subconscious will remove all the unnecessary hurdles...and the decisions the will be made with all the factual cards laid on the table...taking the present reality into cognizance.

Originally posted by: freya123

superb part

Thanks Freya.😊

Indu! 😃

@Jac: Thank you so much...Though I await your comments like a little kid does for his/her candy, I do understand the time constraints. I don't mind the delay at all.

Yash has just about used up all his ideas now. Although he hurt Mishti in trying to rejuvenate the possessiveness in her, he got to know first hand that Mishti does get affected badly by his proximity to any other girl. He is banking for her deliberately suppressed feelings to burst out. He wants her to react...and she did too. This is a positive sign for him. From this point he can get through to her...simply because she is slowly giving him access to her insecurities. He is very naturally making her open up to him.

I'm looking forward to seeing how continue to explore her end of this, to see her gradually let him in because his efforts have not gone in vain, and you've truly shown that he has slowly broken through the first layers of her understandable guardedness. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she needs this emotional release a lot more than she probably realizes.

That reference to Mishti and her reciprocal acceptance was meant to be on the subconscious level. Neither did he use the address deliberately nor did she notice the blunder. They were both too much concerned about Ansh at that point to indulge in games and word play. I am so glad you caught what I wanted to project...that in the end their subconscious will remove all the unnecessary hurdles...and the decisions the will be made with all the factual cards laid on the table...taking the present reality into cognizance.

On the bolded sentences, this is so true to life, I feel. It's in the mist of our challenges, our true selves are often unveiled. Our vulnerabilities, our strengths, our fears. At those times, I think we instinctively turn to the people our hearts trust without realizing. Beautifully displayed in their ride to get to Ansh. So excited to see what you have in store for us next! 😃

Sparsh

I want you to know how important you are to me

how you can be a creator...an honest-to-God creator

of the person that is me...if you choose to.

You alone can break down the wall behind which I tremble,

You alone can remove my mask

You alone can relieve me from my shadow world of panic,

from my lonely prison,

if you choose to.

Part XIV

He tried to get up, but was pulled back by Ansh, whose hand was still gripping his. His sleepy murmur shocked Mishti as she stared at her son.

"Papa, don't go!!"

Yash looked at Mishti; she had gone pale. He willed her to look at him…and she did. For the first time he saw fear in her eyes. And then she was gone. He looked back at Ansh as he said again, "Papa?"

"Shshh…I am right here, son…you sleep. I am not going anywhere."

"Promise you won't leave me?"

"Never. I will always be with you. I promise."

Yash waited till he was sure Ansh was asleep and then went looking for Mishti. She was sitting on the steps of the front verandah, staring at the darkness in front. He wanted to take her in his arms and protect her from all the unnecessary fears that were engulfing her. Instead, he sat beside her and waited.

"I didn't realize…I didn't know."

"It's OK….You shouldn't blame yourself."

"No, it's not OK (she turned toward him….her cheeks were wet)…What kind of a mother am I? I don't even know what's going on with my son. (A pause…then she covered her face with her palms and whispered, more to herself) I have tried my best to make him happy…to give him whatever he desired…obviously I have failed. I have failed him and I have failed them (saying she looked up at the sky despondently).

"No, you haven't. You have been an ideal parent…which is evident from the happy glow that surrounds Ansh. One look at him is enough to know that he is a very cherished little boy. (They sat in companionable silence for some time and then he turned toward her.)….Look, for whatever it is worth, I think he has started thinking about it recently…maybe because of Palak?"

"Palak? (he had her attention now) What do you mean?"

"Well…they have become good friends….and she does talk about me a lot (he smiled)…just as Ansh speaks about his mumma. That's why what you heard today from Ansh…I did a couple of days back from her."

"You mean she…"

"…wants a mumma (he finished for her, nodding with a smile)…In fact she has already decided who her mumma is and is planning to propose to her."

A slow smile began to form on Mishti's face at the innocent wish of the little girl….which soon vanished as reality set in…and she got up abruptly, taking Yash by surprise.

"You better leave Yashji…I have held you up long enough. I am so sorry. I forgot there is…there are…people waiting for you."

"Are you sure? I mean I can be around for a little while more…I have already called them and asked them to go ahead with the dinner."

"Yes, I am sure…Ansh will be fine, now that he has slept. He won't get up. Thank you for everything, Yashji….I….I want you to know that I am very proud of Mishti for having had you in her life…even if for a short while. You are a good man. Wherever she is, I am sure she is very happy for you and wishes you well for your future. Goodnight!!"

She held out her hand, sincerity writ large on her face. He took it and held it for a while, neither wanting to let go. Mishti broke away first and then with a sad smile went inside. Yash walked slowly back to the car. He was about to sit when he heard someone calling him, "Scindiaji, please wait." He looked up to see the nurse hurrying up to him.

"I am so sorry to stop you like this Sir, but I needed a favor."

"What is it? Is babuji all right?"

"Yes…yes…he is fine. It's just that his early-morning medication is finished. I was to go in the evening and get it, but Ansh baba's accident made me forget about it. Now it's too late and the local shops are closed. The nearest All-night pharmacy is far from here."

"It's OK…Give me the prescription and I'll get it."

"Oh…thank you so much, Sir…Here it is."

Yash came back with the medicine just as the local temple announced midnight by ringing the temple bell. He gave the medicine to Supriya and told her he wanted an urgent word with Aartiji. She told him that Ma'am was in Ansh baba's room. He thanked her and said he will see himself out after meeting Aartiji. He entered Ansh's room to find Mishti sitting on the ground next to Ansh's bed holding his hand, head on her arm; she was fast asleep. Slowly disengaging her hand from Ansh's he picked her up, and walking over to the other side of the bed lay her down, tucking them both with the duvet. His fingers trembled with extreme tenderness as he removed a straying strand of hair from her cheek. He stood looking at her for a long moment and then proceeded to take out a single red rose from inside his jacket pocket and placed it on the bedside table. Bending down he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled in her sleep as he whispered, "Happy Birthday, Mishti!!"

****************************

"Thank you, Neema…for everything. I couldn't have done this without you. Only you could have made her come to the restaurant."

"Anything for Mrs D, I mean Aarti Ma'am. God knows she deserves all the happiness in the world. Mr Scindia please see to it that she doesn't get hurt…because if she is, you will have to deal with at least one cantankerous female."

Yash laughed, "Warning taken! Anyway your first task today is to get her to come to office so that we can sneak out babuji and Ansh. She may not want to, given Ansh's injury. You will have to persuade real hard…. Don't forget to get her there in time today."

"Leave it to me. We'll be there….All the best. Bye, Mr Scindia."

Yash switched off the phone and turned to find Prateek looking at him quizzically.

"There you are Chote…I was about to come to you. You and Pari have to come to the farm house in the evening. Palak wanted a picnic, so I thought why not an evening out in Scindia Villa….have bonfire, barbecue, and all that. Baba, maaji, and Aartiji, her son Ansh, and her babuji will be there. You know that Ma, bauji, and dadi are going to Ujjain today for some puja. So, they won't be there."

There was a long silence, and Yash looked up from texting a client to see his little brother staring at him.

"What's going on bhaiya?"

"What do you mean Chote? Nothing is going on."

"Alright….let me ask you straight….Ever since you have come to know about Mrs D, Mrs Aarti Dubey, you haven't been yourself. You have announced your marriage, without letting us in on who you are going to marry, and then I find you have been taking a lot of interest in this lady. A few minutes back I overheard Palak talking to her friend Ansh about "mumma." I am sorry for intruding like this bhaiya, but I am the only one who knows about…(he broke off)…Bhaiya, is she who I think she is?"

Yash had heard the entire monologue of his brother by looking out of the window. He now turned and nodded.

"You guessed right, Chote…Mrs Aarti Dubey is my Mishti. And I am going to marry her."

Prateek broke into a big smile and hugged his brother. "I am so happy for you, bhaiya…but how…I mean….how did this miracle happen?"

"It's a long story Chote…." Throwing his arm around Prateek's shoulder, Yash walked him out in the balcony, telling him about his meeting Mishti, followed by his suspicions turning to certainty. Both of them didn't notice their grandmother who had come to see Yash regarding his marriage slip away unnoticed.

*******************************

The first thing that Mishti saw when she opened her eyes was the rose. She picked it up and found a note attached to it: This rose is for Mishti from her Yashji on her birthday. (PS…Aartiji, please convey her my love and best wishes!!!)…..Tears glistened her eyes as Mishti kissed the rose and held it to her bosom. Suddenly she realized where she was. "How did I get here? Last I remember was sitting next to Anshu." She got down and tiptoed out. Supriya was taking tea for babuji when she stopped her.

"Supriya, did Yashji come back again last night?"

Supriya nodded and told her about the night's events. Mishti freshened up and came down to have tea with babuji. Ansh was still sleeping. Babuji was in a mood to chat….and Mishti realized after awhile he had indeed forgotten her birthday. It upset her a little, but soon she got busy with Ansh, who had woken up and was a bundle of energy. Mishti had to be very firm with him to take it easy and be careful, but he was all set to show his bandage to everyone and relate the story…first of all to Palak with whom he had a long chat after shooing his mother out of the room. It surprised her that even Ansh forgot to wish her….If only she had overheard the giggling, hush-hush conversation of her son and Palak, she would have known there was something brewing.

Mishti was making breakfast when Neema called.

"Sorry….sorry…sorry. I am so sorry for standing you up last night. There was this family crisis leading to huge scenes. By the time it got over, it was late. How is Ansh, Aarti Ma'am?"

"He is fine Neema, and you don't have to be so apologetic. I'd have called you later. I won't come to office today….Ansh needs me."

"But you have to…Vinny Ma'am called. We have a meeting with the minister's wife who visited us the other day…the one whose daughter's marriage has been fixed for next weekend at a short notice. We have no time. I am working on the plan, but only you can handle the impossible woman. Please don't throw me at the mercy of the she-devil…she will eat me alive…please…please…please…."

"Save the theatrics, Neema (Mishti couldn't help smiling at her typically exaggerated, over-the-top behavior)…Fine I'll be there for the meeting. Hold the fort till then."

"Sure…and Ma'am…"

"Hmm!!"

"Happy birthday!! Have the greatest day ever. My psychic powers say that today you will find what you lost long back…"

"Really? And what might that be?" (Mishti played along with her…grinning openly now.)

"You!!!! See you later, Ma'am. Bye."

That was strange even for Neema, Mishti thought, as she put the phone down, which rang again immediately. It was Yash.

"Good morning Aartiji!! How is Ansh? Did he sleep well?"

"Good morning Yashji….He is up and about and back to his old self…actually being a bit of a show-off. Right from the milkman to the neighbors to babuji's therapist…everyone has had to stand and listen to him prattle about his great injury. He is very proud of that bandage."

She heard him chuckle…a long-forgotten sound…a sound that always used to follow after her naive reactions to his teasings. She felt a warmth pass through her.

"I can imagine…We men like to flaunt our wounds and scars…..probably to get attention…especially the female ones. (A short pause as she wondered what happened)…You know Mishti was different…she would kill my ego by being completely unimpressed about my bandaged self; my wounds hurt her more than me. In fact, she was so sure of me that even the touch of other nurses didn't bother her…"

He had to sit down as he heard her break into laughter….his heart danced once again listening to the musical lilt after a lifetime.

"But it bothered you (he could feel her grin)…that's why you would make such a fuss about letting those giggly nurses…as you called them…near you…and then I…(she stopped suddenly, realizing what she was doing)…."

"How do you know about…never mind….Mishti must've told you. Aartiji, did you get the rose I kept for her?

"Yes….thank you. I didn't think you would remember her birthday."

"One only remembers what one forgets, Aartiji…everything about Mishti is etched in my heart. What I don't remember is her telling me that you and she shared this day. (He waited for her to say something…and when she didn't, he wished her)…Happy birthday, Aartiji!!"

"Thank you Yashji…I'll have to go now. Bye."

**********************************************

Anusha hurried toward her as soon as Mishti stepped into the Reception area.

"Good afternoon Ma'am!! Mrs Scindia and an elderly lady have been waiting for you in the Visitor's lounge for the past fifteen minutes. They seemed in a hurry but refused to let me call you, saying they will wait when they heard you were on your way."

"Thank you, Anusha. I'll take it from here. Please see to it that we are not disturbed."

Mishti had a sense of foreboding as she opened the door of the room. Yashji's mother and grandmother turned toward her with grim faces. She greeted them politely.

"Namaste Ma'am!! What can I do for you?"

Dadi refused to go into any preamble and came right to the point…looking at Mishti with a hostility that shook her.

"Is he marrying you?"

Mishti's eyes grew wide as she stared at her with incredulity.

"Excuse me, Ma'am!! I am afraid I don't know what you are saying."

"Don't act innocent with me. Are you the one Yash wants to marry? Chi…chi…don't you have any shame? Snaring a perfectly decent man with your beauty? How can you even think of remarriage when your husband is waiting for you to join him in heaven? How can you insult the sanctity of your husband's sindoor and mangalsutra? "

The barrage of insinuations wouldn't have stopped if Gayatri had not kept a hand on her mother-in-law's arm.

"Maaji, please…at least let her say something. (Turning to Mishti) Mrs Dubey, maaji says she heard Yash talking about marrying you. Is it true?"

"Of course not, Ma'am…I am afraid you are under a misconception. There's surely some misunderstanding. In fact I met your would-be bahu just yesterday."

"You did?" Gayatri sounded relieved.

"Yes, Yashji introduced us. She is very beautiful…and Yashji seems to be very….emm…fond of her. I am sorry you had to take trouble to come here because of a false notion."

"You heard her, maaji…We'll come from Ujjain and ask Yash to bring the girl home."

Mrs Maya Scindia walked out of the room in a huff…still a tad suspicious. "What did she hear then? Is there another girl with the same name?"

"Thank you, Mrs Dubey. I am sorry to have troubled you. (Then she took a step toward Mishti, looking a little embarrassed) Please don't mind maaji, beta…she is of old school of thought. Actually, even I got worried a little when she told me this…Don't misunderstand me. Personally, I have nothing against widows…It's just that we don't want Yash to marry anyone with a past baggage…someone who has her own responsibilities to shoulder. How can she then take care of Palak and Yash with a single-minded dedication? I hope this girl…the one Yash plans to marry…is single."

"She is, Ma'am," Mishti said quietly as she saw Mrs Gayatri Scindia out of the main door."

Mishti had no time to dwell on the matter as Hurricane Neema swept her off with plans and themes and decors. The meeting was scheduled for 6 pm. They had just finished their discussions when the reception called to say that their vehicle was here. Neema had mentioned that the meeting was at the site, as Her Highness wanted a feel of the venue. Throughout the drive, Mishti was quiet as Neema chatted on. She reflected on the past few days…and then of her behavior of late. Yesterday, she had realized how vulnerable she was to him. Everything about him affected her and was weakening her. Mishti closed her eyes and resolved to avoid him as much as possible…stay away from him…not think about him!! "Dear God, help me. Give me strength." She opened her eyes to see the car entering a familiar driveway and drive right up to the front porch. She sat up straight.

"What's this Neema? What are we doing here?"

"Oops…did I forget to mention that the meeting is here as Scindia Villa is the wedding venue? I am so sorry…It completely escaped my mind. Let me go and lay out these plans."

So saying Neema leapt out and rushed up the stairs before Mishti could say anything. By the time she got out Neema was nowhere in sight. Neema's strange behavior was rattling her now…She had no option but to follow her. As soon as she had opened the door, a shower of red rose petals fell on her…..and then she saw babuji, Ansh, Palak and all others shouting in unison, "Happy Birthday!!" Mishti was completely overwhelmed as one by one everyone wished her. Her eyes automatically sought him…but he was nowhere to be seen. Then the kids dragged her to a center table where a cute little chocolate cake was kept.

"Mumma, Palak made this cake for you….herself." Ansh declared proudly.

"Really, Palak! Thank you so much.…Come here." Mishti hugged the little girl to her, as her heart swelled at the loving gesture. She held her at an arm's length and smiled.

"This is the most beautiful gift ever, Palak. What can I give you as return gift?"

Palak's answer was prompt as she smiled innocently.

"Please be my mumma, Aunty."

To be continued…..

That was ... OMG... that was... WOW

Such a cute update😳... Awww... Mishti please do accept. Its going to be a real tough thing for Yash now with Maya and G3 speaking out their mind.

Indu, I just finished reading the first two chapters and just wanted to let you know that I am loving it so far. Aarti as a nurse is a very hatke se image. I don't know why it reminded me of an old movie. LOL