FF: Rishtey (Completed) - Page 2

One thing had led to another and the next thing Pia and Gaurav knew, they were asked to stay at the Ranawat Haveli while they remained in Chandangarh. Despite their protests, the two were forced to give in. Parvati was over the moon. She was more excited than anyone because she had a chance to make up for the lost years. Gaurav had told her that they were in town for only two weeks, to which she stated was more than enough time to catch up. Pia was just as excited to be with Paro. In Mumbai, all she had was her brother, so the new company would be a new adventure. Within a single day, Pia had managed to work her way into the family. She was helping out in the kitchen, conversing to Maithili about Paro, playing cards with Dilsher, and so much more. She even managed to speak with Rudra.

Gaurav, on the other hand, was a different story. He was initially quiet, and spoke when spoken to. Then Dilsher made a comment about how he was acting like a tradition married woman, and it all disappeared! Gaurav learned everything about every family member, simply by sitting and watching everyone go about their daily routine. He was talking to Rudra, trying to stay on his good side, but it seemed rather difficult. Once a person was on the Major's watch list, it took no less than a miracle to get them off. What he didn't know was that he was slowly growing on Rudra, only because he made Paro happy.

The following evening at the dinner table, everyone was listening to the story Gaurav told about Birpur, "I would always be the one who apologized first. No matter who started the fight, I would be the one to apologize. At first I tried not to, but then Pia and Paro would get tears in their eyes, and I couldn't just walk away. When Paro was really angry, she wouldn't forgive me after a said sorry. It took me a long time to figure out how to get her to forgive me."

"Oh really?" Dilsher said. "How so?"

"Imli. With lots of salt, but on the side."

Pia then spoke, "And you know what? Paro would eat it, but she would never share. One time, she chased bhai through the market because he ran off with her imli!"

"I've never been slapped with a shoe so hard in my life," Gaurav muttered.

Paro, who had heard the comment, answered back, "You should not have taken it!"

Pia smiled, "All I know is that if Paro shares her imli with someone, they must be really special."

Rudra smirked as he recalled how Paro had offered him her imli on multiple occasions. He already knew what he meant to her, but it was nice to know how much he meant. Rudra believed that her offering him some was just a natural gesture, but it was really so much more. Paro noticed the smile on her husband's face and placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and noticed her questioning look. He shook his head and resumed eating.

Gaurav spoke up, "This aloo ki sabzi is delicious. Who made it?"

Maithili nodded, "I did. I'm glad to know you like it. Paro said you like aloo ki sabzi."

He turned to Paro, "You remembered?"

Paro smiled, "How could I forget? Mami-sa always had to make extra."

"And my favorite?" Pia asked. "Do you remember?"

"Aloo parathas."

Pia clapped her hands in joy, "Yes!"

"I have to say one thing," Mala said. "Although you haven't seen each other in years, the three of you still remember everything about each other."

"How can we not maa-sa?" Gaurav said. "Every detail is linked with a wonderful memory."

"Okay okay. Once everyone is done I have a special surprise."

Eager to know what it is, the family scarfed down the remainder of the food and made their way to the main room, where they all sat down and waited patiently for Mala. She came out of the kitchen a few minutes later with a tray carrying small bowls. The aromatic smell immediately filled the room. It was kheer. Pia, who was sitting on the ground next to Dilsher on the swing, almost jumped up and ran to Mala if Dilsher didn't put a hand on her shoulder. He could clearly see how excited she was with the large grin on her face. He remembered how Rudra used to follow Mala around, waiting for her to give him kheer in his special bowl. If he hadn't stopped her, Pia probably would've followed Mala around like a lost puppy. He was watching as Mala made her way around to everyone, purposely maneuvering so Pia would be last. Mala could see Pia fidgeting impatiently, but continued as planned. If she had gone to her first, Pia would've taken at least three bowls. With all the food that girl ate, it was a wonder how she was still skinny.

Gaurav got up from his chair and sat down next to Pia. She looked at him as he smiled and handed her his bowl of kheer. Her eyes gleamed with merriment. She took it and hugged him tightly.

Pia squealed, "Thank you bhaiya!"

Paro, who was sitting next to Rudra, silently whispered, "When we were younger, Gaurav would always make sure Pia had her dessert before him. She loves kheer, so he always gives her his. He really cares about her happiness."

Rudra listened and watched while he continued eating his kheer. Pia was happily eating while Gaurav took the last bowl from the tray. She was talking to Maithili about how much she loved eating kheer in Birpur, and she missed having it while she was in Mumbai. Nothing could beat homemade kheer. Gaurav had made several attempts to make it for her, but he stopped when he almost burned the house down. Maithili replied that she would teach Gaurav how to make kheer.

Mohini finally spoke in a slightly disgusted voice, "It seems like the kheer has brought out all the sweetness in the family. Careful that it doesn't rot us."

"Mohini," Danveer warned, silencing her completely.

Pia glanced up from her bowl. Clearly, Mohini was not the favorite member in the household. She saw how everyone tensed up as she spoke. Everything that came out of her mouth was a stab at someone or something. If Pia wasn't a guest, she would've spoken back. She hoped that Mohini wouldn't push her, or else Pia would crack. She looked up at Dilsher and gestured him to lean forward so she could say something to him privately. He leaned forward.

Pia whispered, "I think someone should give kaki-sa some more kheer. She needs all the sweetness she can get."

And that was when Dilsher let out a hearty laugh. He patted her head and said, "Yes she does Pia. Yes she does."

A few minutes later, Parvati grabbed the empty bowls from everyone. The rest of the family stood up and headed to bed. Rudra had just walked down the hall when he heard a loud clanking sound. He spun around when he heard Pia yell Paro's name. With lightning speed, he ran back to Paro, only to halt in his tracks the second his eyes caught sight of her.

The bowls and spoons lay on the floor. Paro had tripped and was about to fall on her face when Gaurav hooked his arm around her waist, saving her from hitting the ground. She looked at him as he helped her stand up straight. He was staring at her, concerned about whether she had hurt herself. Pia was standing to the side with her hands covering her mouth, shocked but glad her brother caught Parvati. Her eyes however, trailed to the figure storming towards Paro and Gaurav.

Rudra had seen Gaurav holding Paro, and his rage took over. Although, she moved out of his hold, he didn't like the fact that he had held her yet again. The good impression he had about Paro's friend was gone yet again. In one swift movement, Rudra grabbed Gaurav by his collar and pulled him away from Paro. Gaurav didn't know what was happening until he saw Rudra standing before him, pulling him away from Paro. He saw the Major's rage-filled eyes, and knew that he misunderstood the situation.

"Rudra I wasn't doing-," Gaurav began.

"Watch yourself," Rudra spoke through clenched teeth. "Paro is my wife."

"Major Saab," Paro uttered softly.

The Major was not read to listen. Without breaking eye contact with Gaurav, Rudra let go of him, grabbed Paro by her wrist, and pulled her away into their room, leaving Gaurav and Pia standing silently in the hall.

**********

Oh snap! What will happen next? That's it for this update. I know it's kind of short, but the next one will be filled with drama!

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