A short 3-4 parts family story with Aarya involving themselves in Maya Bua affairs (got the idea from Nikky after my first os on the kids). Its not only Aarya focus and have the entire family but I hope it will be of interest. Criticisms are welcome! And thanks for the title Tessa ;-).
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Part 1
Maya Veena Scindhia daughter of Pratab and Mera Scindhia, was finishing her prayers. This was a daily routine; wake up just before sunrise, do the morning prayers, drink a cup of tea, performed morning pooja with the family then back to her room for mid-morning prayers or reading her prayers book. However, this morning she was distracted; for some reason her routine was not satisfying her this morning, she felt restless. She has been doing the same things for the past plus ten years. She needed a change and that's why coming to her brother was necessary. She came to help Gayatri didi with the new bahus a year and half ago, and from what she saw it was necessary. They needed a firm hand to shape them into perfect Scindhia parivar. Her brother standing depends on it. Especially that Aarti girl. She was lucky to have had her precious nephew Yash as a husband; he was well behaved, considerate, making his father proud and following family tradition, well at least before he got tied to that woman. How could Suraj agreed to the relation she would never understand, but it was up to her to make sure she uphold the family tradition. Like her, she was a widow and yet she got a chance at a second life, whereas her, she had to obey the family tradition and remained alone to atone for her bad luck. It's not that she didn't believe in tradition but why couldn't she get a second chance too. Was she not a human being, a good daughter, a protective sister.
Anyway, she needed to fit in her role as the guiding aunt. It was up to her to enforce their rules. Gayatri was being manipulated by her bahus; how else to explain her warming up to Paridhi and Aarti; chi', shame. A few compliments and fake concerns and her sister in laws was letting her guard down. Beside she notices some unusual movement in the house. She should know she knew everyone schedule and sound in the house, after all part of her day was spent listening to in and out.
Maya sighs, knowing that she would not be able to concentrate back on her prayers, so she decides to indulge in her only guilty pleasure. Her hidden book, where she was getting to a good part and the hero was about to save the heroine.
*
"Nope. As I said, self preservation", Aarti said turning to leave, in answer to Yash request for help
"But, but you can leave me hanging like that. I need your help", Yash pleads
"To do what, exactly? Be the bearer of Bua venom, be blamed for not taking care of her precious darling beta, who is traumatized by me, neglected and any other imaginary accusations she can't come up with, heck no, you are on your own, my love", Aarti said
Yash pouts, "come on jaan, don't you love me,"
"Very much so", she said raising an eyebrow
"Then aren't you suppose to back me", Yash sks with puppy eyes
"Oh, please the do-eyes puppy love, will not work", Aarti said rolling her eyes
"Please Aarti, you know I can't do good anything, without you. You are my jaan, my love, my heart"
"Huh, enough before you break into a bad poetic song. Shameless", she stops him
"So, you will help", he asks smiling
"Oh remove that smile, I will not be in the front, if we are caught or scolds; I'll threw you to the wolf", she warns
"Agreed and don't worry your superman will handle it", he smirks
"Right, we'll see, but if I am blamed, you'll be in the dog house and that for a very long time", she said warning him
"Anything, you want. Now what should we do"
"So you have no plan?" Aarti exclaims
"Well, I was going to talk to Bauji, it's up to him in the end",
"And where will that get you? Do you want to sabotage the project before it starts; Bauji will refuse on principle, Mamiji will be unhappy and Bua even more frustrated than before and me at the mercy of her resentment and unreasonable demands. "
"So what do you propose", Yash asks
"We should include Vidhi and Pari"
"Why?
"Well Vidhi has a way of appeasing Mamiji and we'll need her at some point and lets just say Pari & Prateek can distract her Bua like no other, while you gently work on Bauji"
"You mean us"
"Hum", Aarti murmurs non-com
"Come on, you know he likes you", Yash affirms
"Maybe", she doubts
"Maybe? He welcomed you when we decided not to divorce, supported you against Mamiji when you took the kids to your parents during our dispute", to which Aarti raises her eyebrow, ok, during my volatile behavior. He also welcomes you back when you run away; I tell you, he likes you"
"If you say so, but being threatened to make you forget Arpita when you did her death rituals or sending me divorce papers, does not say that you are liked", Aarti disagrees
"Come on, be fair, that was Mamiji and mainly Buaji influence, since the day she arrived she has kind of mad your life... hum a little difficult", he hesitates knowing he was far from the truth.
"You mean hell, right, she zeroing in on me and let her venom loose; Paridhi at least was spared, and don't get me wrong, I am glad about that but I would have benefited from your support, but no, Mr. Yash Scindhia was brooding, wallowing in his own self center feelings", she mocks.
"Again is that a shot at me", he supposed
"If the shoe fit", she said deadpan
"In my defense, poor as it may be, you said nothing nor ever complaint", Yash shot back
"I had to take it all, manage it by myself, you were of no use to me at the time", Aarti declares
"Ouch...my masochistic wife", Yash said falsely hurt
"You're one to talk, take charge, involve thyself in other people drama, savior of the world and so on"
"See we match," he smiles embracing her, "come on tell me more; where do we starts"
Aarti looked at him, "really, you're asking that?"
"What?"
"Find a suitor of course, one that can handle her"
"Oye", Yash said imitating Ansh slapping his hand on his forehead.
The next day, Scindhia office
"Good morning, Bauji, what are you doing
"Yash, tum yahan, anything wrong", SP asks surprise to see his son since they didn't have a meeting scheduled.
"I was in the neighborhood; do you have a few minutes", Yash asks
"Yes, what can I help you with ", SP asks
"We were having a discussion earlier at home and realized that Bua ji, janam is upcoming; As you know she has devoted her life to this family and you Bauji. And she has been so helpful when Aarti and Paridhi joined this family, that we thought that it was time to do something for her for once", Yash said as agreed with Aarti earlier, well with his own spin cause Bauji was no fool, he though
SP observe his son, cool has a cucumber, Yash could be very impermeable and a stone, which make him a successful businessman and if he didn't know better he would be suspicious, but Yash was not one to delve on emotion and silly women things. Even if the question was odd and coming out of nowhere.
"Bauji", Yash called
"Hum, what do you want to know", SP said refocusing
"Can you tell me a little more about Bua, what was she like as a child", Yash asks again
"To the best of my knowledge she was a calm, serious girl. She was studious and kept to herself", SP answers
"Did you spent time a lot of with her", Yash further probes
"Dadaji, was grooming me to take over Scindhia business. I spent a lot of time with him. I did not spend too much time with your Dadiji and Maya. You got to understand that our positions were well defined back then; the family believed in order and society rule. The men were responsible to bring the money and the women were taking care of the household and the men. It was the order that kept the society structure and well functioning. Beside this is what our ancestors passed on to us and it is our duty to fulfill this; that's what I tried to pass onto my children and I hope my grandkids", SP proudly elaborates
Yash was thinking that Aarti had it right, the conversation was about Bua, but he wasn't going to learn more on her beside Bauji remote view. Back then men and women were simply not in the same sphere. He had to tried another route.
"Did you go to the same school, she is your sister, I bet you were her protector"
"Of course I had to protect her, but there was no need she was in a girl's school and perfectly safe"
"And what did she want to become, what did she like?"
"Why all these questions Yash; just gift her sari, or jewelry, I am sure she will be pleased with that"
Yash barely holds a grunt, "Bauji, we want to show her how much she means to us, so something that she'll truly love will be great, don't you think", he insists
"Of course, she is a valuable member of the family."
Yash changes the topic, "So how did dadaji decide on her marriage?"
"Ah, it was always agreed that our two villages, Perivar and Harandir, will merge. Both families were the reigning and of the highest rank; so the son, Vikash was to wed the daughter of our family.
"Why not you, Bauji, didn't they have a daughter?" Yash asks
"Dadaji had other plans for me, Gayatri family would extend our reach beyond Perivar, to Bhopal city. And Vikash was the first son. It was all decided in advance"
"And how was the weeding, was Bua happy?"
"Of course she was happy, how could she not, dadaji, had arranged a royal wedding. It was a grand affair; the entire towns were present. No one would dare miss the coming together of two powerful families", SP said proudly
in reality, you had not idea, Bauji. If she was happy or not because that was irrelevant', Yash thought. "So what happened after", he continues
"You mean when she became a widow. "SP sighs. "She has been married a year and everyone was waiting for the heir, but alas it was taking time. She should have been pregnant already. Dadadji was already worried and soon I was sure the whispers would have started". Unfortunately, Vikash met an accident while out of town on a business trip. "
"Oh, what happened?"
"Just a freak accident, that took his life", SP said
"Nothing more, Bauji?"
"What's the point of rehashing past hurt, nothing can be changed"
"It's sad", Yash simply said
"It's life", SP replies
"But, Bauji, couldn't she have a punar vivaah, like me", Yash asks knowing the answer
"It was not done, in our time. Beside a woman was destined to fulfill her duty to her in-laws and it would have created a scandal. That was unacceptable"
"But Bauji, you agree to my PV, why not Bua?"
"That's different, you needed a woman to take care of you and the children. That's how it's done"
"But since she was so young when she became a widow didn't she had the right to live her life too."
"As I said Yash it was not done. Now if you don't mind I have another meeting in ten minutes", he said looking at his watch
"Ok Bauji. I appreciate the time"
"See you at home Yash", SP said leaving for his meeting.
Yash was no more advance, then when he arrived. He was even more frustrated and sadder for Bua, who, despite being born in the Scindhia family was only considered a piece of property, unknown by her brother and unable to escape tradition heaviness and unkind rules.
*
Back at SM, kitchen
"Hi Vidhi"
"Aarti, hi, you are right on time", Vidhi replies busy with the cooking, "Can you help me with this dish. I am not having a good day today; it seems I am more tired than I expected"
"I told you to rest, but stubborn Vidhi had to handle everything, she has two other sisters but, no, we have to be protected"
"I am not a matron "Vidhi winces
Aarti laugh "No you're not, but we love you, very much, eldest bahu."
"You are buttering me", Vidhi said
"Is it working", Aarti laughs
"You know I can't refuse you anything, what's going on"
"Nothing, just curious about something and I am sure you are the best person to help"
"What's going on?"
"Waise, what do you think about doing Buaji PV"
Out of shock, Vidhi let the bowl she was carrying fell on the floor, "What!!!"
Aarti took out the broom from the closet, "this is definitely ruined now, we will have to redo the dish from scratch".
At the same time, Paridhi enters the kitchen with handbags, "what happened, I hear the noise from the living room"
"Hi Paridhi, good timing, I was explaining to Vidhi that maybe we need to plan Buaji PV", Aarti tells her
Paridhi eyes rounds in surprise, then laugh heartily almost to the point of hiccup. Aarti calmly finishes cleaning the floor while Vidhi was still regaining her composure.
"Oh my god priceless", Pari said finally getting hold of her laughing crisis
"Done, laughing", Aarti asks half annoyed half sarcastic
"Yes, I am back. And I think it could be fun"
"Paridhi!!" Vidhi exclaimed
"What, the woman needs a man, like yesterday, and to stop meddling in our lives. Come on, the sneaking around, the standing behind doors to listen, influencing Mamiji against us, well not you Vidhi, because you've been here forever; her nonsense relentless complains about Aarti, confusing the girls, I can go on. But I agree, she need a man, like bad", Paridhi finishes
"Don't laugh", Vidhi warns Aarti who was pressing her lips amused
"I am not", Aarti muffles
"I see, I am outnumbered, maybe you are right. She also deserves to be happy"
"Exactly", Aarti said
"And let her shared her delightful personality on someone else", Pari said sarcastically
"PARI!!" both Vidhi, and Aarti exclaimed this time.
"What, just saying", Paridhi pouts
"Look Paridhi, despite everything, we need to take this seriously. Even Bua deserves some consideration, respect and love", Vidhi insists
"Ok, ok, I am in, cause your right. So where do we start. Oh, oh, I know the prospective groom"
"Yep", Aarti confirms, "We need to have personality, money, no small kids or teenagers..."
"...some, no, a lot of stamina, not too old, not to young, middle age", Paridhi continues.
"...nice and gentle ", Vidhi adds
"...a well establish man, that Bauji can accepts", Aarti adds
"So who do we know that will fit the bill", Vidhi asks
They thought about it, each going over the relationship they knew, and suddenly
"Quresh Khanna", they exclaimed together.
"He is perfect", Aarti said excited.
"Yes, he is respected, Bauji like him, he has a good business, no scandal, widow, two grown boys, no daughter to get jealous or possessive about daddy", Vidhi listed
"...handsome", Aarti adds
"Aarti? Gazing at another man than Yash", Paridhi teases
Aarti blushes, "no, of course not, but I am not blind", she shot back
"But what about the boys, they can still be a problem, don't you thing; we don't want them to think that she will be after his money "
"Although, the money, doesn't hurt," Pari said matter of fact
"We will stick Yash or Prateek to them. I am sure they can handle them", Aarti concludes
"So Yash is on it?" Paridhi asks
"Yes, he wants me to be happy, I want her to be at peace", Aarti admits
"Right, you mean gone and since he can refuse you anything, he'll bend over backward to please you", Pari said rolling her eyes
"Just like Prateek"
"Hum, he is getting there", she mocks
"Still trying to get him to go on that elusive honeymoon", Aarti laughs
"Ugh, don't remind me, there is always something to spoil it. I'll get my three months' leisure worldwide tour even if I have to drag him by his ears. I deserve it", Paridhi complains pouting
"Right my devar, we will make it happen", Vidhi said smiling
"I'll hold you to that", Pari replies seriously
"So where is Yash", Vidhi asks
"Trying to get information from Bauji on Bua", Aarti answers
"Wouldn't Mamiji, be better", Vidhi asks unaware of Aarti idea
"Absolutely Vidhi, you're so smart", Aarti said staring at her
"Let me guess, you want me to question, Mamiji", Vidhi guests
"Vidhi, we need to know more about Buaji past; you know that Yash will get nowhere with Bauji. They will talk about duty and society stance. It's not his fault, but he probably didn't notice his sister much when they were young. You now how it was. I am sure it will help with understanding her more. She did not become like that just by loosing her first husband".
"You're grasping at straw", Paridhi said
Vidhi sighs, "perhaps not; ok, I'll ask Mamiji, she probably knows the most important details, the emotional part"
"So I don't need to do anything, then", Paridhi concludes, but seeing both Vidhi and Aarti looked at each other. "Oh no, no no no, ..no no".
"Come on Paridhi; Vidhi already on Mamiji duty; and you know the minutes I tried to be friendly to Bua she'll get suspicious and scolds me"
"Huh, that's not fair, but ok. It's for the greater good, but mostly our freedom. But I want your permission to involve the kids if needed", Paridhi resigns herself
Aarti look worried, "are you sure, I don't want them to get hurt"
"Don't worry, I am not going to corrupt them. But she seems to soften the most with them around, even Ansh. She can't resist the little guy despite her growling."
"Ok, but no traumatizing my babies"
"Don't you trust me, big sis", Paridhi taunts
"Hum, just take care of them or I'll awaken mama bear", Aarti falsely threatened.
"So that leave you, with the groom, then. We need to have an event where he would come and have a chance to meet and romance Bua", Pari said
"Oh, Yash can handle that part and if need be he'll involved Pankaj. This way Bua will not suspect a thing".
*
Sorry for the mistakes
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