AN OS FOR VALENTINE
It is almost three years since Yash and Aarti got their Punar Vivah they have a son Ayu together his conception happened by accident both were drunk on bhang and one thing lead to another.
Yash had never accepted Aarti as his wife but he accepted both Ansh and Ayu as his sons. Almost two year old Ayu was the little prince of the family G3 adored him because he looked like his Yash papa but was naughty as his older brother Ansh you had eventually found a soft corner in both G3's and Maya's cold heart.
Yash still had his room decorated with Aripta's pictures all her clothing and other stuff remained as if she is still alive and occupying the room.
Aarti had one draw and two shelves to accommodate her things so she kept most of her things in a spare room used as a stock room. In this room she also had Ansh's stuff and made a place where she could relax and paint or sometimes she would write short stories. In collage she had done her degree in creative writing and art, but took courses in both account and business management because being an orphan she knew she needed to get a job to support herself in life and as an artist or writer would mean years of struggle and hard work filled with many rejections.
Aarti shared the room with Yash but that was just for show she slept on the couch sometimes on the ground if Yash was in a bad mood and he was in a bad mood a lot; if work was not going well or if she made a mistake and touched his precious Aripta's things.
When work was not going according to plan because the client was fussy SP would demand that Aarti work with Yash because she had a way to make the client happy and give them the vision they want for their event she quietly listened to their request did quick sketches or 3D graphics images on her laptop, made suggestion which would make their dream wedding or party into a reality.
This did not go well with Paridhi who wanted to work but SP forbid her after her fiasco with the tv producer plus Paridhi could not conceive despite medical intervention this placed a lot of tension in her marriage with Prateek, they were poor despite living in SM and publicly known as members of the wealthy Scindia family, all these factors were leading them for a legal separation then divorce.
Both G3 and Maya were looking for a bride for him they were vocal with their frustration of Paridhi and wanted her gone from their lives. SP wanted her gone because she was rude and wanted to control Prateek's life. Paridhi supported Prateek dream of being a chef she encouraged him to join a restaurant as a junior chef against his parent's advice, but was pissed off because of his long hours of work and the only money they had to spend was his salary because his father refused to give him any money to support their lifestyle.
Yash stood in his room looking at the pictures of his late wife Aripta admiring her pictures "today is valentine day Arip April the 4th will be three years I got remarried my third Valentine with her and I never once give her a present or spoke nicely with her. I still love you Arip and will forever happy valentine to you my love Yash did not notice Aarti came to his bedroom door she came to inform him breakfast was ready and his father wanted to speak to him. Aarti left without telling him afraid of being yelled at for intruding on his private moments with his Aripta had she stayed she would of heard him say goodbye to Aripta
At breakfast SP asked his sons what are their plan for the day they had an event a romantic brunch to work on for a wealthy family followed by an engagement in the same family.
Prateek was working and he did not get time off to take Paridhi on a date so she made plans to spend it at a party her parents are hosting. G3 was angry that Paridhi would be spending the entire day and night out. Paradhi just ignored all took her overnight bags and left.
Pankaj said he would be working with Aarti on the days event because Yash wanted the day off then he was taking Vidhi on a date.
Aarti spent her day working she observed her clients closely how the couples enjoyed spending time together they were not ashamed of expressing their love by holding hands, hugging or dancing closely together. Aarti secretly wished that she to had someone in her life who loved her like this.
Even came and both she and Pankaj left for home Pankaj was excited for his date with Vidhi and he was behaving like a young man madly in love with his girlfriend. Aarti felt happy for him and Vidhi at least one of the brothers had a good marriage.
Aarti went into the children's room she sometimes slept there on the floor they were fast asleep in their beds and Aarti decided to take her shower then go and prepare some noodles for her dinner as she passed the dining room to enter the kitchen she saw the table set for dinner for two. While in the kitchen about to place the pot on the stove she heard footsteps and said "I will be done in a few minutes then there will be no disturbances she thought Prateek had somehow convinced Paridhi to return home.
In the fridge she saw a cake and found ice cream in the freezer "Paridhi is a lucky girl but she refuses to see that " said Aarti to herself.
Aarti felt the presence of another in the kitchen and thought it was Prateek "Chote I will be out of here in a few as she turned around she saw it was not Prateek but Yash standing there in the doorway.
"Yashji do you need something can I get it for you??
"Aarti turn off the stove dinner is ready won't you join me.
The shocked expression on Aarti's face said it all "Join you Yash ji for dinner? Sit together with you on the same table and eat. Are you sure that is okay, how come you are not sleeping
"Aarti come and sit and we will talk you must be tired Pankaj told me you did an amazing job with the event that we got two new clients for major high-profile parties. And he extended his hand to her taking her cold hand into his. Aarti felt her legs go stiff she moved with heavy movements; her self talk why is Yash being nice to her he is rarely nice and that happens only when the children are around.
Aarti allowed Yash to help her sit at the table and he sat next to her, instinctively she reached for the dishes to serve him first but he stopped her and said that today he would serve them.
The meal was warm and contained her favourite dishes this surprised Aarti she ate slowly while Yash told about another event he was working on, then they spoke about the children and the plans he had to take them all to Disney world for the holidays Aarti was to ensure she and the kids had their passport and visa ready. Aarti almost fell off the chair in surprise he was taking her and the kids on a family trip the last time they went on a vacation was that ill fated Mumbai trip she was worried The US was so far away what if he has another meltdown there. Ayu would be two still a fussy traveler he hated long dries in the car in an airplane lord she hopes he sleeps most of the time or his siblings keep him occupied.
"Aarti why aren't you saying anything don't you like my idea do you want to go to Europe instead?
"No Yash ji your idea is okay the kids will love it I can use this as an incentive to get them to work harder on their school work she smiled
After the meal Aarti got up to clear the table and offer Yash some coffee but he surprised her and said they will have desert first then the two of them will clean up. The cake and ice crme she saw in the fridge was for them it was her favorite flavor they spent the time discussing about Prateek and Paridhi both were hesitant to discuss anything personal about their own relationship.
After desert they both cleaned up while in the kitchen Yash told he had a surprise for her "For me Yash ji are you sure it is not for the kids they are asleep but I am sure the surprise could wait until they are awake in the morning.
"Aarti the surprise is for you come let me show you and he extended his hand Aarti stared at his hand and did not move a muscle "Aarti come take my hand I just want to cover your eyes and lead you to the surprise I won't hurt you I promise
When she still did not move he said "I know we have never been friends in fact I have never been civil to you but I want to change I am willing to change all I am asking for is a chance
The honest look on his face made her step forward and she took his hand and allowed him to cover her eyes and lead her
Yash lead her to his room Aarti felt like she was entering his room but she did not say anything even when he told her to step up into the room, he then uncovered her eyes and told her to look around; she did and yes she was surprised gone were all of Aripta's gigantic portrays and all her photos they were replaced by pictures of Aarti and the kids, and a few of Yash there was a picture of their wedding and one taken with the three kids during their only Mumbai visit.
Yash gestured for her to move further inside the room and look in the cupboards all of Ariptas things were gone from the room now on the dressing table had Aarti's stuff in the cupboard had her clothing neatly packed away Aarti did not have much clothing and accessories so there was still two thirds empty.
"Why Yash Ji why are my things here?
"Well you are my wife Aarti it is time I accept this fact and share my room with you
"No Yash Ji I am just the mother of the children and I am here to take care of them
"Aarti I am a very foolish man who took too long to understand the importance you hold in my life, I give meaning to something that does not exist for too long for almost six years I grieved for Aripta or I told my self that I was grieving for her and she is the love of my life but I was wrong the love of my life came to me almost three years ago but I neglected to see what is right in front of my eyes I hated you cause you were a threat to my sanity to the promise I made to Aripta to her parents that no woman would take her place or the girls place in my life. Aarti could you find it in your heart to forgive this foolish man to give this idiot another chance with you for us our happiness our love?
"Yash are you certain that this is what you really want that you won't change your mind in the morning and once again accuse me of trying to trap you??
"Aarti I know it will take me my entire life to fully apologize and make it up to you for what I did and say to you but I am going to start from tonight
"Yash lets us take this one step at a time thank you for the dinner and the surprise but I am very tired I am going to sleep now and she moved to leave the room
"No Aarti their will be no more sleeping in the children room or in the store room for you this is our room and you will sleep only here if you want we can have a pillow wall as in the early days of our marriage but you will sleep only here from now on
"Look all your toiletries and clothes are here you have to stay here I will let you use the washroom first I will not intrude on your privacy
Aarti look at Yash she still was not convinced but she found her stuff and went to use the washroom, when she came out Yash had dimmed the lights and he had place two pillows in the middle of the bed he smiled at her and went into the washroom.
Aarti made herself comfortable in bed all the while thinking something is wrong with Yash how the sudden change what is going on in his head??
When Yash returned he simply came to bed turned off the lights and told her good night.
The following morning she was awoke by the sunlight in her eyes at first she was confused as to where she was then she saw a picture of her four kids on the wall and more with Yash and herself enjoying with the kids in Mumbai then she remembered last night and Yash's behavior, she carefully turned around to see Yash's side empty she got up and noticed the wall clock it was eight damn she was late what must be it reaction of the elder ladies. Aarti hurried to the washroom and bumped into a towel wearing Yash she shied away from him muttering good morning but her held on to her arms and told good morning and give her a smile. Yash told her he would see her for breakfast.
In the washroom she looked at her reflection in the mirror and wondered what is happening here Yash was pleasant to her there was no sign of anger in his voice or in his eyes he seemed happy to her.
As she made her way downstairs she took a detour to the children's room Aarti was surprised she slept throughout the night this was the first night Aayu slept without her being in the same room with him, and the older three kids did not come looking for her. It was morning and at this time she had them dressed for school they will be late and G3 ma would be angry.
In the kid's room Yash was there he was dressing Aayu and they were having a serious father son conversation while Ansh was brushing his hair all dressed for school so were the girls.
"Good morning my babies no one missed me
"Good morning mama they chorused and came to hug her
"You are all dressed already without me
"Mama we are big kids now we can bathe and dress ourselves only Payal need you to comb her hair said Palak.
"Papa bathe and dress Aayu see all by himself "answered Payel "Mama comb my hair please it is all tangled up
VIdhi came to the room and call them down for breakfast Yash carried Aayu down this surprised Aarti because Aayu did not make a fuss and demand for her arms as he normally does.
Vidhi walked down with Aarti making faces teasing Aarti wanting to know if she had a good night in her room with Yash, if she enjoyed her dinner and surprise.
Aarti told her they just talked and slept then asked if she knew what Yash had planned Vidhi proudly said she helped him because it is time that they lived like a normal married couple
Arjun
