Chapter 19
The morning after the bachelor party all got up late the couples were happy that they were able to spent some quality time together, the fathers time away from their respective wife.
Aarti was awoken by her naughty son who was all excited to play with his sisters and the few friends they made here among the kids of the guests "Mamma get up how long do you plan to sleep" said Ansh while tugging at her shoulders "Mamma you always wake me up when I sleep to late mamma time to get ready for the day." "Ansh leave mamma nah beta go back and sleep come let mamma hug you" said Aarti with her eyes close stretching her hand out for her baby."Mumma no Pala and PayPal will be waiting for me to play come nah mamma get up "continued Ansh now using his whinny voice. "Beta ten more minutes then we will have a bath come give me a hug" replied Aarti.
Yash was awoken by the constant ringing of his mobile it was his mother calling him to go to the temple to ask forgiveness from Arpita for breaking his promise to her and getting a punar vivah. Yash was still sleepy and his answer was not what G3 wanted to hear "Ma I will go to the temple not to ask forgiveness but to seek blessing for my Punar Vivah may be Aarti ji will also want to come with me" and he cut the call leaving G3 fuming mad that he is not respecting Aripta's memory in favour of Aarti.
As the day progressed Prateek, and his Paridhi practiced their routine for the Sangeet Pankaj, Vidhi with their kids also took part. While Aarti was in her room with her parents a call came it was Prashant he wanted to speak with Aarti urgently he asked her to meet him at the nearby temple where they had visited on a trip together before they were married; they were in Bhopal for job interviews Aarti was successful but Prashant was turned down and he just made Aarti felt bad that she did not accept the appointment The Dubeys were not pleased by his call but Aarti was insistence she wanted to know what Prashant wanted this was the first attempt he made in almost six years. Aarti still had no clue that Prashant and Neda were married to each other or about their baby.
"Beta you are getting married tomorrow why speak to him now, what could he possibly have to say to you that could be of any importance too you now?" said Shoba ma "But ma what if he regrets his decision about leaving us and want to come back to his family?" said a obstinate Aarti she wanted Prashant to reunite with his parents and for Ansh to know his biological father. "Aarti beta no good will come of you meeting him now he was not interested six years ago what make you think he will be now? Don't waste your time and risk losing a gem of a human as Yash ji." Said a stern Shoba But Aarti refused to hear "Ma what if there is a chance for our family to be whole again should I not try. I agree that Yash ji is one in a million but let me try if Prashant wants us back I should take him back because he is Ansh s father and my first husband." She begged "Aarti you are a fool a tiger never changes his strips" replied a furious Shoba ma but Dubey agreed " let her go and face her demon and learn the truth about him Shoba, we will be here for her " "And what will we tell the Scindhias when they ask for her?" "We will cross that bridge when the time comes " said Dubey ji Aarti was happy and she hugged her parents.
Yash made his way to Aarti's room knocked on the door Dubey ji answered "Bauji I would like to take Aarti ji to the nearby temple If you give your permission ." asked Yash Shoba replied "Yes beta Aarti was going there to meet her ex husband the man had the balls to ask her to meet him there." Yash observed the tension on her face and Dubeu ji was upset but he looked resigned to the idea that Aarti will go and meet Prashant Yash was curious he wanted to meet the son of the Dubeys who mistreated Aarti and never accepted Ansh he wanted to have a few words with the man himself.
"No problem bauji I will take Aarti as I am also anxious to meet Prashant "replied Yash "why do you want to meet him?" asked Aarti "Because your parents told me all about him yes Aarti I asked and they told me about your past." He explained at her surprised look "Come lets go " he escorted her to his car and he drove to the temple in silence. Aarti self talk why did Yashji have to come at that moment, why did he say that he wants to speak to Prashant? What did ma, and bauji tell him about my life with Prashant? God why did you make Yash ji turn up this was my last chance to find out if Prashant realizes his mistake and take us back'
They arrived at the temple Yash found a park and he opened the door for Aarti he walked with her into the temple she was on the lookout for Prashant. Yash noticed a young couple who were looking at them the woman was pregnant, aarti was looking in the opposite direction, the man approached them "Aarti! Aarti " he called out Aarti turned towards Prashant's voice she did not notice Neda who was walking slowly behind. "Prashant so happy to see you "she went forward to embrace him Prashant was taken aback and he did not respond "Aarti are you not going to introduce me to your fianc?" asked Prashant. Aarti was surprise by Prashant's attitude towards her "Yes Yashji this is Prashant ..." "Her ex-husband "Prashant finished for her and he continued "And this is my wife Neda" taking the pregnant woman's hand Aarti was shocked and it if not for Yash steady hand on her back she would of fall flat on her bottom. Yash extended his hand to clasp the other man's hand "Hello Prashant and Neda Aarti said you wanted to speak to her you can say what you want in my presence" Yash took a hold of the situation because Aarti was confused shocked "I wanted Aarti to speak to my parents on my behalf to allow both Neda and I back into their lives, after all I am their son and Neda is their bahu and we are having their grandchild in the next two months, now that Aarti and her child is moving out they will be alone now and I am their biological child it is my rite to be living with them in their old age with my family." Aarti finally found her voice "You are married what about me and Ansh?? I waited all these years for you to come back to us we are your family" she cried "Aarti why is it always about you I never loved or wanted you I am married to the woman I love and want! Your child is nothing to me I am not related to your child in any way so don't try and impose it on me I told you this before but you never listened." Prashant was visible angry he continued "all I want is for you to talk to MY Parents and tell them to allow my wife and I back into our home and for you to get out of all our life, because of you Neda and I was deprived of my parents love and support for all these years."
Yash have had enough of this foolish idiot he told Prashant "Have some respect if not for Aarti at least for the fact that you are in a temple. You want Aarti and Ansh out of your life well they will be because I don't want not even your shadow to fall on my wife and son in the future and if you dare to have any contact with them I will personally deal with you, but before you go let me tell you this in exchange for speaking to ma and bauji on your behalf you have to sign all legal documents completing giving up all legal claim on Ansh none what so ever as long as he or you are alive first, then I will personally speak to ma and bauji for you, do you agree to my suggestion sign first then entry into your parents life but remember the final decision is ma's and bauji's not your or ours but theirs. Prashant do we have a understanding."
Prashant had no choice but to agree this was his last straw all was going downhill for him he failed in all his business attempts his job was temporary the bill was piling up Neda deserved to live in comfort she was a modern girl with expensive taste, his father business was going well plus money came from their family's business and the rent from Indore he was entitle to all of it not this damn orphan and her ba****d child. Prashant give Yash his contact information and Yash told to expect a visit from his lawyer in a day time. Both couples decided to leave the temple but it was too much for Aarti that she collapsed in shock in front of Prashant and Neda who just ignored her they walked away without so much as a backward glance at her with Prashant holding his wife around her waist helping her down the steps. Aarti felt crushed she half expected this but she still clung to the dream that being her first that he still cared, would accept Ansh will want them as a family now her bubble was busted the truth was out he never loved or wanted her, he will never accept Ansh the little boy was a thing an it to him no even worth a thought. It was all about Neda and only Neda Prashant was never her she was nobody to him just something to be used and abused and thrown out in the garbage like an old rag
Aarti barely registered Yash bending down and lifting her up in his strong muscular arms only when he spoke did she come completely to reality "Aarti ji forget that foolish man he is not worth your time or worry let him sign the adoption papers and Ansh will be legally my son with my name I will speak to ma and bauji about him it will be their decision to accept or reject their son. Don't worry I will always support both you and Ansh you are my family the girls will always support you as their mother and Ansh as their older brother. You don't need people like the Prashants of the world in your life, you are a strong, brave woman a fighter don't worry I am here with you at every step you take we will take it together as friends, parents as husband, and wife." Thank you Yash ji you are a kind understanding man" Aarti answered truth be told she had forgotten Prashant and was enjoying being carried in Yash's arms to the car.
G3 was patiently waiting the arrival of Aarya he self talk this shameless woman going alone with Yash and they are not married what kind of a characterless person did we agree for what kind of an example will she set to my grand daughters, I will keep a close watch on her.
AarYa entered smiling and talking to each other they saw G3 coming towards them "Aarti who told you to go with Yash out alone" she attacked Aarti Yash answered "Ma I told you that I am taking Aarti to the temple and what is your problem she is my wife." G3 was even angrier by his answer "This woman is not your wife Aripta is !" she said "Ma have you lost it Aripta was my wife she is Dead Aarti is my wife now tomorrow she officially becomes my wife but since our engagement for me she is my wife ." Yash explained "How easy you forgot Aripta your love because of this woman" continued G3 "Ma I love Aripta she is the mother of my daughters I will always love her for being a part of my life but you have to accept just like I have that she is my past and Aarti is my future. Stop trying to keep me in my past." and he took Aarti to her room to prepare for the Sangeet ceremony while he speaks to the Dubeys about Prashant and Neda request.
In the privacy of her room Aarti finally cried she allowed the emotion that she held in for the past six years to flow out finally accepting her reality of her life, the past, the present and hopefully a bright future with Yash ji, Ansh, Palak, and Payal she did not expect a physical relationship, or undying love from him only friendship, support, respect and trust. They were going to be parents and friends and that was enough for her. Aarti accepted and respected that Yash still loved his dead wife.
The Sangeet started with Parateek, and Paridhi skit about the Scindhia family, journey of their love and AarYa story they danced to Bollywood hits narrating the story about Yash's life with Aripta, and Aarti's life with Prashant {his death} Pankaj, Vidhi, and kids also performed. Yash and Aarti sat together during the performance and they exchanged smiles; the three kids were with the Dubeys and they enjoyed themselves, they also wanted to dance. Yash told Aarti that he wanted to dance with her she refused because of embarrassment but he did his puppy look and she give in. They danced to one of the latest hits for not practicing they moved well with each other in time to the beat of the music. The audience was amazed as to how next to perfect they moved together as though they belonged in each other's arms. Aarti was happy but embarrassed with the added attention she saw the look her future saas give her but Vadhi, and Paridhi hugged her she was introduced to Vidhi's teenage kids Vedant, and Vedika they got on well together the kids loving their new chachi on site.
Of course one could not stop the people [old ladies/aunties] from talking about the two future bahus how modern they were and so shameless dancing with their intended in public. They even went as far as to sympathize with G3 advising her to get a grip on those two soon after the wedding before they destroy her household, and lead the Scidhias to ruin in their society. Maya listened to all the talks and smirked to herself this will be fun to watch, and of course she will do her part to cause problems for the new bahus with G3.
At the dinner after the Sangeet AarYa and three kids sat together the adults feeding their kids and the kids attempting to fed their parents. They were having fun as a family so naturally they drew unwanted attention to themselves. SP did not like the talks of their guest about his family but he liked seeing his son happy for the first time in years but G3 constant nagging and Aripta's mother constant comments supported by Maya he signalled to Yash that he wants to speak to him in private "Yash please don't encourage Aarti like that you are not married as yet you know our traditions and you are breaking our rules" "Bauji Aarti is my wife and we have three children all we did is enjoy as a family" was the simple honest answer Yash give "We will be official in less than twenty four hours so I don't see any problem with us behaving like a family. Why don't you question PariDhi it is their first time anything could go wrong ." he looked at his father straight in the eyes waiting for his answer. "You think you are a man now Yash that I have no right on you to question your decisions" said SP clearly annoyed "No bauji you have the right as my father to question my every actions but you must realize that Aarti and I are mature this is our second wedding we are going to spend our life together so it is right that we get to know each other, and for our children to get accustomed with the change in their lives " said a calm Yash he continued I am aware that our relatives are bad talking Aarti must they must understand that this is the twenty first century times have changes and their thinking must also change. Aarti is a good woman she has culture and knows to handle herself in any situation she will not cause shame to our family." "You seem to know quite a lot about her Yash in such a short span of time" stated his bauji "Yes bauji I made it my business to find out about both Ansh and her, because I am going to spend a life time with them. They are my family. Now if you will excuse me I need to tell them good night and read tell a story to the kids all three are sleeping with me tonight." And Yash went in search of his family. Aarti went to her room for a good night sleep. Tomorrow her life is changing either for the better or worse. Aarti prayed that it changes for the betterment of her three children, she prayed that eventually one day her future saas accepts both Ansh and herself as a part of her family.
Book Talk
Aami Daakini
