Samarpan (An FF) Part 25 (Thread 2/Page 133) - Page 16

Originally posted by: IsYaRoCHeR

Indu ji... I'm RESERVING!! 😆😳

I'm really very sorry.. I'm just stuck with my works di.. 😭😭 I hope I'll get time soon to read your update.. 😊 Thanks for the PM and continue PMing me di.. 😳

~~~~~~RESERVED~~~~~~

Originally posted by: kdsubs

Indu - CONGRATULATIONS!! 👏👏👏 What was it your daughter says - "you killed it" 😉.

I don't think i commented for a while - though i have been reading the updates. Its been my down-time in the midst of work-craziness, so thank you.

Yash is going to be in trouble when his truth unfolds. Arti has trust issues anyway - so i dread to think how she will react to this little charade...and the unfolding can't be too far, not with the little Payal coming to join her Papa.

Enjoying this so much pal - and the timing is perfect for me. The relative lighter sections are here so it becomes the perfect reading material when i want a break 🤗.

Originally posted by: smileymj10

*RES AGAIN

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*EDITED

Will just put together my reactions for both part 12 and 13.

Sorry if it's very late dear. Just want myself be focus when I read ur updates..

I guess my mind was disturbed by many spoiler pics and negative news of PV, that I hardly visit and comment on FFs.

Nwei, both chapters are awesome read, it was perfect indeed! 👍🏼

I love how Aarti recognized Yash on just the time she saw him and heard his voice.
Good to know that YAsh still have faith to find his right one despite having bad experience with some other girls. Thanks to Payal for making his confusions clear.
Wonder if she too will be the one who will play as the bridge for this two confused soul.

The voice of the two human being. So it was Yash and naanimansi!
I loved how they protect Aarti from that boastful Sameer man!
The imaginary hounds of naanimansi, followed by Yash scary act and Aarti's reaction to it were just hilarious.

And it was so nice to see both Aarti's saviours instant closeness because of that incident.

So, YAsh and Aarti will stay on the same roof. Well, it's the chance for them to get to know each other better.
Wonder if Yash will be the first one to know Aarti as the writer of that journal he's reading?
Or will it be one way for Aarti to find the real truth about YAsh lie?
What comes first?

Hope Payal will sort out their misunderstandings if that happens and if there is..

Waiting for the next, hope i'll be the first one to comment this time... 😳

*HUGS

Originally posted by: gcluv

Indu,

It was great pleasure of mine to read through your lovely updates .

I read from start to till Part - 13 ... just loved it .👏

CONGRATULATIONS !!!! for thread - 2 👏

Arati has suffered a lot in life for no reasons of hers.

It was from the start .. Yash .. who indirectly inspired / influenced her a lot to be brave though she had direct support of Pandit dadu , maltididi and not to forget Radhama . But yash occasional advice does wonder to her

Yash saving her from a goon on a lonely road and advising her to have Pepper spray with her for emergency , then Yash advices to stand for herself if she is not ready for marriage and lastly when she came to know that he is father of a motherless child ( whom he loves unconditionally ) has made her open up little to Yash .

Yash on other hand too misfortune / bad luck in love front . First Tanya , then Deepa and lastly Arpita ..

These two are pulled to each other from the childhood .. Especially from the Yash side ... . Yash was the first man to understand her potential ... of a intelligent girl with extraordinary brilliance .

I hope , Arati might open to Payal .. as she see her loved inspite of being motherless from birth ... there by she will eventually will come close to yash

Note --

Waiting for next update

thank you for the PM

Sorry for the late reply as I was away from IF for about 1 month or more ...😭

Originally posted by: InduG64

Thank you Charmi.

You asked about Malti. Aarti's journals were separate from her diaries. In one of the earlier updates I had mentioned how Malti had given a separate journal to Aarti and had told her to separate her creative writings from diary writings. What Yash has a creative writing journal, that is it has her poems, stories, notes, thoughts, etc. It doesn't have Malti's mention in it. Malti would be mentioned in her diaries. I hope that's clear.😊

Samarpan

Surrender to what is'and not what was.
Say "yes" to life
And see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.

Part 14

Aarti raised her brow in query as naanimaasi finished her call after a few "hmms" and "it's OKs" and lastly "If I am late, Aarti will be here" and joined her at the breakfast table. She picked up a paratha and looked at Aarti, "That was Yash. He has to meet someone and will be a little late in coming. Please guide him to the attic beta. He knows what to do. I'll come back with Chris and Anna after the Mass. Don't worry about lunch. I have instructed Garima. You just relax. I know you are dying to go to your favorite spot after a hectic week. There is enough time for you to unwind before Yash comes."

Aarti nodded. It was Sunday…and still very early in the morning. Every second and the fourth Sundays naanimaasi joined the Browns for Morning Mass and the other Sundays they joined her for prayers in temple. It was a ritual they were following for years. Although Aarti had joined them a few times, she preferred to stay away and let those three have this time to themselves. With her around they were forever tripping over each other trying to pamper her. Even after three years, Aarti wasn't comfortable with all that attention.

Aarti picked up the sling bag containing her journal, writing material, and packet of nuts and seeds and walked naanimaasi to the gate. She waved to her till the car was out of sight before ambling toward her meadow, which was at the backside of the house. It was a small patch of grass surrounded by tall trees and stretching upto the lake. Since it bordered nanaimaasi's estate, and was away from the main road, it had a privacy that the birds and squirrels enjoyed. Aarti had chanced upon it when she started exploring during her long walks a few months after she came here. She had immediately fallen in love with the place. She loved to come here and be one with the nature. Even the birds and the squirrels were used to this quiet girl's visits, who would not only become part of their peaceful existence for awhile but also carry food for them.

She went and spread the seeds on one side of the meadow even as the birds came swooping down. By the time she sat down to write, keeping her things and a bowl of nuts nearby, the place was chirping with pecking birds. This was how Yash found her….deeply engrossed in writing as birds flew around, and a squirrel not far away fiddling with a pencil that had rolled over and another one busy digging into the bowl of nuts.

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

Naanimaasi had called Anna and told her that she would have to miss the Mass and meet them outside the church as she had an appointment with someone. She had then asked the driver to take her to Mall Road.

Yash had just got down from the rented car in the parking lot of the offices of Mishra & Mishra Legal Services, the premier law firm dealing in lands and estates, when he saw an oldish bespectacled man seeing off naanimaasi in her car. By the time he reached there, she was gone. He was slightly perplexed as to why she needed to visit a lawyer, and that too so urgently on a Sunday morning, but then shrugged the feeling off as it being her personal matter as he approached the reception and asked for Mr P. Balsara. The lady there pointed to the same gentleman whom he had seen with naanimaasi and who now stood talking to a couple. Mr Balsara was the top legal mind in Nainital in the field of real estate. He waited for the gentleman to be free and then approached him.

"Mr Balsara?"

"Yes?"

Yash extended his hand, "Good morning Sir!! I am Yash Scindia. I spoke to you last night."

"Of course! Good morning, Mr Scindia. Come let's go to my office. I am sorry to have kept the appointment on a Sunday…but I had no other option as I have a flight to catch in the afternoon. I'll be away for a few days."

As they turned to go toward the lift, someone came out of it and rudely pushed Yash aside as he rushed out looking here and there. Yash just gave the man an annoying look and proceeded to press the lift door back for the older man to step in. Once they were settled down in the office, Yash discussed at length about their position vis-a-vis the land deal. Mr Balsara pointed out all the legal loopholes based on which they can present their case against the petitioner. He assured Yash that his associates will take care of all the paperwork before he came back. Later, they sat exchanging pleasantries over a cup of coffee. Yash thought it over and then asked casually, "Mr Balsara, when I was parking my car, I thought I saw Mrs Neema Gupta."

"You know her?"

"Hmm! Yes, I do. One of the finest persons I have come across. I was privileged to visit her beautiful house yesterday."

"Unfortunately, she might have to let go off the house in another six months or so," the lawyer sighed.

Yash couldn't help asking, "But why? I thought that house was hers."

"It is. However, her present financial condition doesn't allow her to maintain the huge property any more. Poor Mrs Gupta…Her own brother-in-law swindled her. Today, their relationship is sour because of that fellow. He is a crook of the highest order." Mr Balsara looked up at Yash, disgust writ large on his normally professional countenance, "He is the same man who pushed you outside the lift awhile back. Prashant is the only living relative of Mrs Gupta apart from her granddaughter…who is actually her sister's grandchild. There was a time after her husband's death when she and Prashant were still on good terms and he helped her and her sister settle down. During that period he made her invest more than half of her savings in some worthless schemes, and used her money for himself for the lucrative ones, taking her signature under false legal pretenses. She was naive and trusting, so was conned. She got by all these years because she was alone and she had some fixed deposits that were in her name…the last of which was encashed about three months back. Ever since her granddaughter joined her about three/four years back, her responsibilities have increased. She was banking on these fraudulent investments to see both of them through. Now she knows she has nothing. Only a messiah can help her now…because Prashant was here yesterday talking about getting hold of the house. He is like a hungry vulture waiting for her defences to be completely down. I wish I could help her. She is one of the most respected persons around here." He rubbed his fingers on his temple, clearly upset by the unfairness of it all.

Yash looked speculative and asked only one question, "In your opinion how much is the estate's worth?"

He sat for a little while more and then got up, "Thank you Mr Balsara. My brother Prateek will take it from here regarding the court case. My number is with you if I am required."

As he opened the car door, he remembered something Mr Balsara said. Yash closed his eyes and whispered, "Where were you four years back, Aarti?"

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

Yash parked the car a little away from the house and walked up to it. The gardener told him where Aarti would be. He decided to go looking for her instead of waiting around.

As he reached the opening to the meadow, he stood mesmerized at the serene sight before him. "Mountain fairy," he whispered. There was no other way to describe how at home and at ease Aarti looked in this fairy tale ambiance. She was writing something. From this distance he couldn't make out. As he took the next step, a small twig came under his foot and snapped. Immediately the birds flew away, causing Aarti to look up….At the same time the startled squirrel toppled the bowl over itself, jumping back stunned, and then scampered over to the base of nearest tree, stopping to look back toward Aarti. As he watched, Aarti burst into peals of laughter at the squirrel's antics. The melodious sound of her abandoned laughter reverberated in that small enclosure and enthralled Yash, making his heart skip a beat…She looked breathtakingly beautiful. In that instant he knew…he knew that he would give his life to keep that happy look on her…not for a moment, but for eternity if possible.

Yash stepped back several steps, out of sight, and then called out softly, "Miss Aarti! Ma'am. It's me…Yash." He came to the opening again and saw she was up on her feet, hurriedly keeping the notebook and other things inside her bag. Turning around she saw him and was profusely apologetic, "Sorry…sorry…I am so sorry. I completely lost track of the time. I should have been home when you came. I…"

"Miss Aarti, it's OK. No harm done. Plus I needed this walk….Hmmm! This is a beautiful place." He looked around exaggeratedly, although what he really noted was how the look of unease was back on her face.

There was the same look on his face as he looked at her, Aarti noted….the same searching look. What was he seeking? For some reasons, this man evoked strange feelings in her. She felt compassion and admiration at the way he was dealing with his life and felt an odd sense of security when he was around, yet at the same time she wanted to go far away from him. She just couldn't discern the multiple sensations that went through her because of that look. "I should stay away" was her instant reaction as she increased the distance between them by walking quite a few steps ahead. Yash followed at a leisurely pace, watching her long hair dance and fly behind her in liberating sweeps.

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

Back at the house, Aarti showed him the attic railing and went to her room to keep the bag and freshen up. She came out of the washroom, just as the phone rang. It was naanimaasi.

"Aarti, we are running a little late. Anna has some shopping to do. We should be home within the hour. Please hold back Yash till we come."

"OK naanimaasi."

"Right beta…oh, Anna wants to talk with you."

Anna came online, "Aarti, do you want anything from the market, child? I have some nick-nacks to pick up in the Burra market. You mentioned something the other day in the shop…What was it?"

"A musical shop bell…I was thinking it will be nice if we have one. It will make a customer feel nice while walking in and also give Maansi and others a prewarning of sorts."

"Wonderful thought my dear. I will see to it. Here, Uncle Chris wants to talk to you."

Aarti smiled, walking out of the room with the handset and sitting on the stair step outside, momentarily forgetting Yash working a few steps above. Uncle Chris was such a kid at times. He had to talk because the other two had. He always pulled her to be in his team, complaining that the two nagging old women harassed him for every little thing.

"Aarti, put that wine bottle in the fridge. I am going to need it when I get back. These girls are getting crazier by every passing old day and making me crazy too."

"Now what did they do Uncle Chris?"

"What did they do? They hurt a little girl's sentiments…that's what they did. You remember Maira…Hunts' daughter? Well, she was sharing her chocolate bar with me when these two swooped down and dragged me away. Hummph!!!"

"Err…Uncle Chris, did Maira offer you the chocolate?"

"Of course…I mean yes…in a way. She had her chocolate in one hand and held my hand with the other and then she tugged my hand and smiled as I stood talking to her father. That means a Yes…right?"

Aarti grinned, "Hmm! Maybe…then maybe not. Tell you what uncle….you be good, and I'll sneak you a big chocolate bar after lunch…only for you."

"You are my sweetheart. I love you. See you soon."

"I am right here." Aarti switched off the phone and looked outside the glass window, smiling. She almost jumped off her skin when Yash spoke from behind, "You should do that more often."

"Excuse me?"

"Smile…It suits you," And before she could weave in two words, he continued, "Now let's look at that branch."

"Yes, of course," Aarti took him to the window in her room where the Oak branch was scraping against the glass.

Yash peeped out, taking in the situation, "We'll have to cut the branch. Is there…"

"NO!" Yash swirled around as he heard the firm denial. Aarti's face reflected agitation, "No, Mr Scindia. It's a young branch. Cutting it off will hurt the tree. I won't let you do that. Is there no other way?"

Yash spoke soothingly, almost as if to a child, "This is not a young plant that we can change the direction of its branches. It's a fully grown tree. Once the branch has caught a direction, it'll grow that way only. I think you know that."

"So what do we do?" Aarti looked at him trustingly, expecting him to do the right thing.

"What we do is cut the branch in such a way that it doesn't hurt the tree. We'll cut it a distance away from the trunk. That way it'll heal faster and…"

"And?"

"And at the same time there'll be enough space in the crevice for the birds to build a nest." He explained, fascinated at the swiftly changing emotions in her eyes.

"Really?"

Yash nodded with a smile at her childlike relief. "I promise I'll be gentle. Now, all that I need is a saw. It'll be better if I get to the tree from the balcony and then climb down later. Is that OK?"

Aarti nodded and went to call the gardener. As he waited, he looked around the room. It was simple yet aesthetic in its decor: The walls were painted in peach; there was a bed in the center, on one side of which there was large bookcase, almost reaching upto the wall, and on the other side there was a study table, on which stood a statue of Saraswati and a couple of notebooks. There wasn't any sofa. Yash wondered where she normally sat and got his answer as he looked at the window sill on the other side. A cushion and a book lay there. As he looked at the picturesque view outside, he heard footsteps coming up. Aarti came in with the gardener, who handed him the saw. Yash asked him to stay near the tree just to ensure no one comes by. As he prepared to get to the tree, she walked up to him, "Please be careful." He looked at her concerned face and closed his eyelids once in silent acquiescence. She stayed at the window till he finished. Yash came down just as naanimaasi and the Browns entered the gate.

Naanimaasi introduced Yash as a friend who is going to stay at the outhouse for awhile. While the greetings were on, Aarti came out and was immediately engulfed by Chris in his trademark hug. It was only when Anna smacked his arm with "leave the poor girl…she can't breathe" that he let go. Aarti went and hugged Anna. As they all turned to go in, naanimaasi told Yash to join them for lunch.

He was a little hesitant, "Thank you, Ma'am, but I cannot take advantage of your hospitality everyday. If you don't mind, I'll take your leave."

Naanimaasi gave him her most stern look, "I am not asking you Yash. I am telling you. You know where the washroom is." Saying she walked away, throwing her arm around Aarti and whispering something to her. Aarti looked back at him and in the very next moment was pulled aside by Chris, as the ladies went in. Yash walked by the duo and heard Chris whisper, "Hey Aarti…thanks for paying for the stuff I took from the shop and keeping it from Anna. She would have had my hide if she knew I was sneaking food away. But what could I do? I had lost my game and those hogs wanted a treat there and then."

"You are welcome, Uncle Chris, but please let it be this one time. I don't like to hide things from Aunt Anna."

"I promise I won't do it again kiddo…Now where is my chocolate? And is that handsome young man your boyfriend?"

Yash was about to step inside the house, when Chris's not-so-loud remark reached his ears. He couldn't help looking back. Aarti's eyes had gone round and she was shaking her head vigorously….unable to utter a single syllable.

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

The Browns stayed till the evening tea. Yash was completely taken in by the congenial, happy old couple. He could clearly see how they adored Aarti. He was also alert toward naanimaasi's tension, which he saw playing in her eyes whenever her eyes fell on Aarti. Yash marveled at the old lady's resilience. Not once did she let it show what a grave turmoil she was under.

They all went to see off Chris and Anna at the gate. After the goodbyes were over, and they had left, Yash turned toward naanimaasi, "Thank you so much Ma'am. I should also go now."

"One minute Yash," As he waited, "Firstly, I'll be happy if you call me naanimaasi like Aarti does…Ma'am sounds very formal and schoolmarmish. Secondly, your rooms are ready. You can move in tomorrow itself."

"Thanks Ma'a…I mean naanimaasi. I'll call you and…."

"What's this bhabhi? You are keeping a paying guest? You should have let me know…I would have been happy to oblige." Prashant's voice cut through whatever Yash was going to say.

Naanimaasi immediately turned to Aarti, "Aarti, go inside!"

As Aarti walked away, Prashant tutted, "Tch, tch! C'mon bhabhi, for how long will you keep my future wife away from me."

"SHUT UP Prashant. Don't you dare…I warn you."

"You warn me?" He pointed a finger at naanimaasi and laughed, "When you know very well that…"

He couldn't complete what he was saying as the very next moment he was punched to the ground.

To be continued…….