FF: Rishtey (Completed) - Page 6

As instructed, Pia and Gaurav acted normally around the rest of the family. They arrived home late in the evening with Rudra. They sat and had dinner with everyone, and conversed with them like they had done the night before. When asked about their important work, Gaurav simply stated that the work was done early, but they ran into some friends from Mumbai and began talking to them. Only Mohini took note of how he stealthily maneuvered around the question of work, but didn't bother questioning it at this time.

Before going to bed, Gaurav went to fill his jug with water. He was halfway down the hall when he saw Paro coming out of her room with a jug in her hand. When she saw him, she stopped and smiled.

"Gaurav is everything okay?" she inquired.

"It's fine Paro," he replied. "I was just getting some water."

"So was I."

The two of them began conversing while they walked to the kitchen.

"Do you like living in Mumbai?" Paro asked.

"I like it," Gaurav answered. "It was difficult to get used to at first, but it worked out."

"Does Pia like it?"

"She loves it. The one thing she misses is Mami-sa homemade food. We try to make it like her, but it never turns out the same."

"Gaurav, why didn't you or Pia write?"

"We just lost track of time. Days turned into months. Months turned into years. We just became so involved in our studies that we just didn't write."

"I always wondered how you two were. Everyone did. You could've at least written one letter a year. It would've been enough."

Gaurav understood the pain Paro was feeling. It must've been difficult for her to adjust to life without them. It was hard for them too. He didn't have the heart to tell her that the real reason they didn't write was because of their family drama. She didn't need to know about that. All he could tell her was that time got the better of him and Pia. Still, he could hear the hurt in Paro's voice, so he tried to apologize.

"I'm sorry Paro," Gaurav said. "For not keeping in touch, especially with everything that happened."

"It's okay," she replied.

"Do you forgive me?"

They now stood in the kitchen. Paro had just finished filling her jug when he asked her if she forgave him. She looked at him questioningly.

Gaurav quickly broke into a smile, "I know I don't have imli to give you this time. Can you make an exception this once please? I don't think anyone in Birpur is selling imli at this hour."

When Paro laughed, Gaurav knew he had been forgiven. He slowly put arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. She stiffened a little, but didn't push back. The moment lasted less than a minute, but it was enough to comfort them both. Gaurav retracted his hand and filled his jug with water. He and Paro were about to walk out of the kitchen when they saw Rudra standing in the doorway. He had been watching them the entire time. Gaurav and Paro stopped.

The look on Rudra's face was expressionless. They weren't sure what was going on in his mind right now. He didn't seem angry, but then again he could be strategically planning how to kill Gaurav at this very moment. They waited for him to say something, but he just stood there and stared at the two of them. All Gaurav could think about was how Rudra was going to kill him for hugging Paro. He was sure he was going to die any second now.

After ages of silence, Rudra spoke, "Paro, go to bed. I need to talk to Gaurav."

He is going to kill me, Gaurav thought.

"Major saab," Paro said. "You're not going to hurt him, are you?"

"No. I just need to talk to him. Go."

Paro silently walked out of the kitchen once she was assured that Rudra was not going to murder anyone tonight. Once he knew she was in their room and the door was closed, Rudra turned to Gaurav.

"Come," he said.

"Where?" Gaurav asked.

"Outside."

Gaurav put the jug in his room and met Rudra outside, in front of the haveli a few moments later. He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. He was probably going to be threatened again for touching Paro, or worse. The serious look on his face only strengthened his theory. Gaurav decided to handle the situation in order to save his life.

"Look Rudra," he said nervously. "About what happened in the kitchen. The hug...I mean I won't-."

"I know you won't do anything," Rudra interrupted. "I trust Paro, and I trust that you know what I will do to you if you try and take advantage of my kindness."

Gaurav calmed down, "So you are okay with the fact that I hugged Paro?"

"To an extent. But a hug is all I'm allowing."

"I told you I don't want anything, so a hug is a lot more than expected."

"You try anything else and-."

"You will kill me. So...why are we here?"

"Tomorrow you and I are going to start the search. Without Pia."

"Why without her? It's a question of her life."

"Her emotional state will get in the way. Believe me. It's happened in cases before. Once we get some sort of lead we will involve her. There are details about that day at the temple that you know and I don't. It'll be key when asking people. Like what Pia was wearing, what she was wrapped in, things like that. Therefore, you will be joining me tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

Rudra paused for a minute, "I want to know something. I've been wondering about this since we talked at the BSD."

"Yes?"

"What are you going to do if you find Pia's parents and they want her back in their lives?"

In a dead serious voice, Gaurav said, "Whatever Pia decides, I will support."

"What if her parents don't want you in their family?"

"Then I won't be in their family."

"And yet, you still want to look for them? There's a chance that if you find them you will lose Pia as a sister."

"Pia will always be my sister. No one can change that truth. I promised to be there for her through everything. I'm just fulfilling that promise."

"And if she chooses them over you?"

"I let her go. Simple as that. Her happiness matters to me."

Rudra couldn't believe that just two days ago he was ready to rip this man's head off. He had thought Gaurav would come back into Paro's life and take her away from him. He was wrong. Rudra thought Gaurav would fight for Pia because she was all the family he had left. But he was wrong again. Gaurav would be willing to give up the last bit of family he had left if it meant Pia would be happy. He believed that Gaurav was just like every typical man, but he was truly unique. How could one person be so honest and selfless? Rudra could finally see the similarities between him and Paro. They were both willing to do anything for the ones they loved. Rudra found himself giving more respect to Gaurav than he had imagined. Hopefully, the man wouldn't have to lose his sister.

After his talk with Gaurav, Rudra went back into his room. Paro was already in bed, but she wasn't asleep. As soon as she heard the door close, she sat up and looked at Rudra. Without a word, he made his way to bed.

"Why did you have to talk to Gaurav alone?" she asked.

"It was nothing Paro," he replied. "Don't worry about it."

"Are you upset with him again?"

"No. Like I said, it was nothing. Go to sleep."

Paro huffed and laid back down. She pulled the blanket over herself and turned her back towards Rudra. Instead of getting upset, he smirked. He knew he didn't want secrets in the marriage, but this was something he kept hidden for her sake. Rudra didn't want her involved. After she finds out, she'd understand. Paro was upset now, but he knew it wouldn't last long. He let out a sigh as he scooted towards her and pulled her in his arms. She was now engulfed in his arms, facing him. She was about to push away, but then she saw him smile mischievously.

"You can try all you want to leave," Rudra said. "But I will never let you go."

She raised her eyebrow at him, "Never?"

"Never."

Rudra kissed her forehead and pulled her to his chest. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. Paro continued to gaze at the sleeping soldier whose arms she was in. No matter how hard she tried to remain upset with Rudra, he would do things that would instantly melt her. He was her weakness, he always had been. Giving up on remaining miffed with him, Paro snuggled into his chest and fell asleep. Rudra felt her relax and her breathing even, signaling she had fallen asleep. He kissed her forehead once more and closed his eyes, letting himself get lost in his personal piece of heaven.

The next morning, Pia had gotten up earlier than usual. She was hopeful that today she would get some clue about her family. She had gotten ready quickly and ran out of her room to Gaurav's, hoping he would be ready to go. As expected, he was sitting on the edge of the bed putting his shoes on. He glanced up and was surprised to see her there. But then he remembered that he hadn't told Pia she wasn't going to be going with him and Rudra. He stood up and walked up to her.

"Are you ready to go?" Pia asked enthusiastically.

"Pia we need to talk," Gaurav said seriously.

"What's wrong bhaiya?"

"I don't want you coming with us today."

"What? Why?"

"This is an unknown place and Rudra and I are going to map out our plan before we start anything. It's likely we won't get anything done. We may not get any leads."

"I don't care. I still want to go. I have to be a part of everything. This is my family we are looking for."

"You're not going today. We'll go once we have some sort of lead, but as of now you are to stay here. Enjoy your time with Paro and everyone."

"Bhai let me come with you. Please?"

"No."

"But bhai I-."

"No, Pia."

"But-."

"Pia, I said no!" Gaurav yelled. "That's final!"

She stood silently for a minute, shocked that he yelled at her. Pia understood his care and concern, but she had to be there through every step of this journey. She had this right didn't she? Now, Gaurav was preventing her from going. He was determined that she wouldn't go. But Pia was not ready to give up just yet. Eyeing his mobile on the table, she quickly grabbed it. He extended his hand out.

"Pia give me my phone back," he demanded.

"Not until you promise to let me come with you," she responded.

"Stop this nonsense and give me my phone back."

"No."

"Pia."

"Gaurav."

As he took a step forward, she took a step back. The next thing Gaurav knew, he was chasing Pia around the haveli. By now everyone was awake and was witnessing the spectacle. They could hear Gaurav yelling Pia's name as they made their way up and down the haveli. They ran around Samrat and Maithili, causing laughter to begin once again. What started out as an attempt to compromise with her brother turned into a fun-filled game that made them forget their troubles for the moment.

Pia looked back to see Gaurav trailing behind her. She was getting tired, but she couldn't give up now. She saw his lips moving, but she was running so fast that she couldn't focus on what he was saying.

Then, he stopped and shouted, "Pia watch out!"

However it was already too late. By the time she turned around, Pia slammed against a rock hard body. The phone in her hand hit the floor, but didn't break. The initial impact stunned her as she suddenly felt herself falling backwards. She closed her eyes and prepared herself to make contact with the ground. But she never did. Instead, Pia felt like she was floating in mid-air. Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself in the arms of a BSD officer. He was in the same uniform Rudra wore to work, and he was staring down at her. Something about his stare threw Pia off because she couldn't look him in the eye. He helped her stand up straight, but didn't move his arms, which were wrapped around her waist.

"Are you alright?" he questioned.

Pia moved a step back, out of his hold, and said, "Yes. I'm fine."

Gaurav was instantly by Pia's side with his phone now in his hand, "Thank you for catching my sister."

"It's no problem," the man said.

Paro's voice suddenly came from behind them, "Aman bhai-sa, what are you doing here?"

Aman smiled, "Hi bhabhi. Actually sir told me to meet him here."

As if on cue, Rudra joined the four of them. He introduced Aman to Gaurav and Pia, but didn't go into how he was going to help them, since Parvati was standing with them. Her there was handy however, because Gaurav was able to have Paro convince Pia to stay home while he had some work' to deal with. After much hesitation, Pia had no choice but to stay home while her brother, Rudra, and Aman went to begin the search.

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Okay, so that's the chapter! As I said earlier, I'm not too crazy about this chapter, but it's just a filler, and I think the next one will be better. Leave your comments and feedback below!

Thanks for reading!