Samarpan (An FF) Part 25 (Thread 2/Page 133) - Page 80

Originally posted by: RA17

congrats di fro crossig pagr 100👏👏

Thanks Ria.😊

Originally posted by: shalini28

another great part di😳

Thanks Shalini.😊

Sorry for being late di. :(

Originally posted by: InduG64

Thanks Billie.🤗

How are you feeling now? Hope the cold is over.

As for Yash's response...let's see what he comes up with. He knows his Aarti well by now...so he might use this opening.

am doing great dear😊, u re most welcome... me waiting till u update d nxt part

Originally posted by: AntaresVega

Sorry for being late di. :(

I was literally running on my toes last week.

Wow..I now want to know how Aarti will get to know yash so that she feels satisfied

Apologies aren't allowed in this thread Lyra. I have never imposed on anyone. I have always maintained that this is a fiction reading...as such a past time. So please don't feel bad. Family, studies, and work should always be a priority. So come and go at your leisure. I shall be here anytime you feel like dropping in.

Aha, Aarti and her feelings...I am working around them. This is the toughest phase for me.😳

Wow yet again it was a super hit part , I so enjoyed Yash and Aarti

Originally posted by: taahir004

Wow yet again it was a super hit part , I so enjoyed Yash and Aarti

thank for this

Thanks Taahir.😊

Samarpan

Love is an attempt at penetrating another being,
but it can only succeed if the surrender is mutual.

Part 23

He was shocked when she turned to him and said, "Yash, don't get me wrong when I say this. I have thought about it, especially when I consider Payal's wish. She wants a mother…she needs a mother. I think you should marry again!!!"

"What?" A muscle in his jaw twitched, distracting her for a moment.

He stared at her twinkling eyes, as she animatedly explained herself, "Yes Yash! It's really very simple. See, Payal wants a mother. It's her biggest wish." It was…before she met you, Yash thought to himself, as she continued…"And that can only happen if you marry…so I think you should get married."

Yash looked down at the cup and closed his eyes for a brief second, taking a deep breath to ride over his initial shock. When he next raised his eyes it was to find her staring at him expectantly; the directness of her expressive gaze instigated a rush of feelings that deluged his senses. She looked very pleased…as if she had just found the answer to the deepest mystery of life. Looking at her eager face, he didn't know whether to shake her into awakening or just take her into his arms and kiss her senseless…In fact if she continued with this cuteness any longer, he was more likely to lose control sooner. In the end all he said was, "I think you think too much." He gestured for the bill and took out his wallet.

"But Yash…"

"No." He got up and strode to the exit. She frowned and ran after him.

He had reached the car when she stopped him by holding his hand and turning him around. It was quite evident that she was not giving up on this brainwave. "Yash, think about Payal."

"I am thinking about her. She doesn't need a woman to come into her life and play act the role of her mother. She has her dadi, badi dadi, badi naani…and above all she has you."

"But Yash…"

"No more buts…subject closed." He began to turn toward the car but stilled as he heard her say grimly, "Just a minute Mr Scindia." He watched fascinated at the color rising from the base of her throat to her cheeks, as a vein throbbed invitingly in her neck. She was angry…and she looked absolutely beautiful. God, he loved her so. From her gorgeous silky haired head to her pretty little feet, she was utterly and entirely divine. Yash gave himself a mental shake and focused on what his endearing problem solver was saying. Hands on her hips, she glared at him, "You are just being stubborn. Why? Can't you see how Payal longs for a mother?"

"Not any more, Aarti. I haven't ever seen her as happy as she is now…with you."

"But I am not going to be around forever Yash….You will go back to your life in Bhopal. Then? Then what?"

"We'll see about that when the time comes."

She persisted, "But Yash, why aren't you giving this a thought? There is someone somewhere who will be a good mother to Payal."

He took her by the arms and pushed her against the car, his voice low and deep underneath his breath, "Because genius, that someone somewhere also has to become my wife first in order to be a mother to our princess. And I know for sure that it is impossible to find someone who will be interested in only me and Payal and not for the status and money?"

"That's not true….You are being preemptive and judgmental. Of course there must be someone." She gulped, not giving up.

"Yeah…right." He threw his hands up and took a step back.

"Look at me Yash. I am there right in front of you. I adore Payal…and I like you for who you are….so there will be someone who…." She stopped, her hands and back pressed against the car body as Yash suddenly moved closer and trapped her by putting both hands beside her. That look again!… Oh, what that look did to her. Her breath caught and time seemed to stop. Unnerved and upset by her pounding heart, she waited….not knowing what she was waiting for. A part of her brain had cautioned when she was pushing him…Did she go too far. Was he offended?

A sudden gush of wind blew her hair across her face. In a trance he lifted a hand to tenderly brush back the few playful strands. He then slid his fingers through her hair and held them there so that the warmth of his hand pressed against her scalp. Her heart raced at the intimacy of the touch as he brought his face closer and closer, and whispered softly against her ear, "Follow the thought my sweet friend, and tell me what you find."

Before she could wrap her head around what he meant he dropped his hand and straightened up and then reached out to open the car door for her, gesturing her to sit with an inscrutable, enigmatic smile. She glided in gracefully and proceeded to give him a royal ignore for the entire ride back home.

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

"Naukuchiatal? Today?"

"Yes child….Go up and pack for about three days. We'll leave after lunch. Chris and Anna too are coming. They'll be here in another couple of hours."

So this was the surprise Yash was talking about. A short vacation. Why didn't he tell her in the morning then? That's when she remembered that she was not talking to him. He had tried a couple of times in the car, but she had deliberately put the ear phones on, cutting him out. Aarti knew she was behaving in an immature manner, but he had left her with no options. Why couldn't he just give this a little thought? Now, as she cuddled Payal while rocking her as they sat watching TV in the living room, she felt bad for behaving badly. Yash must have his reasons. Maybe he still loves his ex-wife. Maybe that's why he cannot even think about another woman taking her place. Aarti felt a pang of something at the thought but brushed it away.

Naanimaasi had gone to her room to look into her packing after informing her. Yash had suggested this trip the previous night after Aarti had left them early to go to her room. After all the tension-filled hours of the past few days, Yash wanted naanimaasi and Aarti to get away and relax for a few days….His friend owned this beautiful resort on a hill, a little away from the town of Naukuchiatal. After naanimaasi agreed to the getaway, he called up the Browns. They were nodding a yes before he even finished. He called up his friend and booked half the resort, which wasn't much occupied anyway, since it wasn't peak season yet. He asked Prateek to arrange for the security for the house before going to Naukuchiatal in the morning and seeing to all the arrangements in the resort there.

Aarti finished her packing, which was interspersed with drawing lessons for Payal who lay sprawled on her bed on her tummy doodling merrily. When she found Aarti had finished, she dragged her down to the outhouse to pack her little pink-colored Minnie mouse suitcase. Yash found them sitting on the floor with the suitcase open in front and the clothes stacked besides it as Payal directed Aarti which clothes to put. As he watched them, he realized how in tune they were with each other's thoughts and actions. Aarti never behaved adult with Payal…There's was a very natural, uniquely symbiotic interactive relationship….almost as if they always knew each other. Suddenly Payal slapped her forehead in an exaggerated annoyance, "Oho Pari…I forgot the drawing book in your room. I'll get it in a minute." Before Aarti could say anything, she threw a "Hi papa!" and ran out.

Aarti scrambled to her feet, feeling awkward after the manner in which the morning had ended. Before she could get two words out, his phone rang. He gave her an apologetic smile and stepped out to take the call. Aarti turned back to pack. She was done in a couple of minutes. Payal dashed in, miraculously balancing the drawing book and boxes of colors. Aarti unburdened Payal and put the things on the table. As she put the box of crayons, she noticed a maroon journal lying there. She stood staring at it. Payal noticed her brooding and asked, "What happened Pari?"

"Nothing Payal…I had a book like this once."

"Really? What happened to it?"

"It got lost."

"Papa never loses this book. It is his favorite. He reads it everyday."

"Hmm!!….Payal, I have some work in the kitchen. Ask papa to put your drawing book in the bag. OK?"

Aarti turned to find Yash standing on the threshold staring at her strangely, "When did you lose it?"

Aarti was perplexed at this sudden query, "Lose what?"

"Your book."

"Oho…the book. Actually I didn't really lose it. Someone took it and forgot to return it." She heard naanimaasi call out for her from the kitchen window. So she smiled at Payal and walked away.

Yash looked at her retreating back…Was he overreacting? Could it be possible?

He felt Payal tug at his hands, "Papa, see my new drawing book and colors. Pari gave me. See…she taught me how to draw a house with a chimney and a garden."

Yash took the book and sat down on the bed as Payal accommodated herself on his lap. He flicked through the few pages absentmindedly with Payal providing a running commentary about the background of each drawing. He was about to close it when he saw the Ganeshji's line drawing. He froze as he stared at it. Even if Payal hadn't told him, he knew Aarti had drawn it.

Slowly he stood up and walked toward the journal and picked it up. There on the front page was the replica of the image. He didn't need any more proof. A part of Aarti's soul was in the journal and it was fated that he be the protector. He didn't feel surprised anymore…only understood the Why of destiny's game plan. Everything was crystal clear. Why the pain in the written words always seemed so personal to him? Why he found his peace and tranquility in the pages of the journal? It was because they had been touched by Aarti and held her feelings in them. She was always with him…Even when he was unaware of her mortal being, he was connecting with her each breath, each heartbeat, each thought. He knew her before he even set eyes on her…and that's why she seemed so familiar that first night…and that's why he couldn't let her go. In the view of this awareness, all that Aarti had written became more clear in the context of her sad life….Her writings may have been her catharsis, but to him they were cries of help. His eyes settled on a short poem…..

I broke a mirror…Was it yesterday?
I hurt him…and he walked away
There I stood amid the shattered glass
Diamonds fell all around me like shards

The silence deafened
The chime hollowed
My skin cut the edge
The silver back stained my blood
A pain well deserved

His eyes spilled over as he looked out of the window at nothingness….his heart aching for her pain. "Never again my love…never again. I won't let your fears break you anymore."

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

They reached around five in the evening. Prateek was in the lawn, where he had arranged for tea and refreshments. The elders settled down on the sofas, grateful for a cup of tea. The two-hour journey had tired them out. Yash had driven at an easy pace, taking breaks a couple of times for everyone to step out and stretch their limbs. He loved having Aarti's calm presence beside him. It seemed so right…This is how it was meant to be. Payal, on her lap, had chattered for awhile but soon had fallen asleep in the safe cocoon of her Pari's arms.

Completely refreshed from her sleep, Payal was in no mood to sit around. She urged Aarti to take her for a walk. Aarti turned to Prateek, requesting him to accompany them. Prateek, who was feeling a little awkward in her presence, soon felt at ease with her friendly manner. Payal was chasing butterflies as they took a stroll around the gardens. He tried to apologize, "Err, ma'am I am sorry about the other day. I…"

"It's OK. I understand." She smiled at him. "You love your brother a lot, isn't it?"

"He is the best brother in the whole world. I am nothing without him. You know ma'am…" He broke off as Payal came and stood in front of him…hand on her hips. "Why do you keep calling her that chachu? She is Pari."

"Oops! Sorry sweetheart." He turned to Aarti and asked shyly, "May I call you Pari?"

"Of course…and is it OK if I call you Prateek?"

He nodded with a smile, "Come…I'll show you the lake." He held Payal's hand and took them through a little path to a projection in the hill. The semi-circled ridge was well barricaded. There were a few stone benches placed here and there for the sightseers to enjoy the view. It was indeed a majestic panorama. The lake far down below was surrounded by dense forested hills on all sides.

Aarti breathed in the fresh air and looked below at the mystique and picturesque lake, which seemed to have a story of its own. She asked Prateek, "Why is it called Naukuchiatal?"

"The lake has nine corners; that's why it is called nine-cornered lake or 'nau-kuchia-tal.' Unlike other lakes, this one is nourished by an underwater spring. As per legends Pandavas came here during their banishment period. You know Pari, the locals here believe that whoever manages to view all nine corners of this lake in one glance attains nirvana…salvation, that is. It hasn't been done so far."

Aarti was completely taken in with the misty charm of the surroundings. It was breathtaking and a soulful feeling being here in the lap of the nature. She was so engrossed that she didn't realize that Prateek had moved away with Payal. As she looked at the lake she was completely mesmerized with the play of the nature she was witnessing. Inadvertently she spoke softly, "Poor clouds…they tiptoe in to catch a reflection of themselves over the waters, but the naughty mist refuses to move…It is blinding their view."

"That's beautifully put Aarti." She turned around to find Yash giving her that look again. "Only a poet could have thought that way."

She looked down again, as Yash joined her, "I am no poet Yash. Whatever I felt, it kind of slipped out."

"I know Aarti…Words are your close friends…They emote for you."

"Why do you say that?" Aarti had this strange feeling that her wall was crumbling and instead of feeling the fear of exposure she felt secure in his intoxicating presence. Dear God! What's happening? It has to be this place.

"I know you Aarti." He reached out to caress her cheek with his index finger. Her skin prickled in a delicious way as she sneaked a glance sideways at him. He was looking below now so she took the chance to look at him. He was a handsome man…and he was a good man. He had a blue shirt on…His hair was messy at the moment, the wind causing a few fringes to fall on his forehead, giving him a vulnerable look. A thought crossed her mind…he needs someone to care for him, to look after his needs, to see to it that he always stays smiling. He is always looking after everyone…It was time someone was there for him.

"Yash!"

"Hmm!"

"I am sorry about this morning. I behaved badly."

"No, you didn't. You were thinking of Payal. I appreciate your concern."

"But I still maintain that you should marry."

"Aarti…please."

"For yourself Yash…You are right. The one who loves you will automatically love Payal. You have to think about completing your family Yash…for Payal…for your own self."

"You really wish this?"

"I do."

"Then I have a condition."

"What is it?"

To be continued……

Yupiee me first

wonderful update