FF: Rishtey (Completed) - Page 8

Gaurav was completely stunned when the entire Ranawat family came into his room at midnight to wish him a happy birthday. He had just been falling asleep when the door slammed open to reveal Pia walking and singing Happy Birthday'. The Ranawats trailed behind her, singing along. He blew out the candle that was placed in a single laddu, and Pia was the first to feed him. Everyone followed after and he received blessings from the elders of the family. Being a simple man, Gaurav didn't care to celebrate his birthday, and he didn't care for gifts either. So the sweets that were handmade for him filled his heart with joy. It was more than he could ask for.

The following day, Rudra took Pia to the BSD and managed to narrow the search down to 53 couples. Her one suggestion helped them significantly. They went to at least a dozen homes, and each couple stated the exact same thing: that they didn't drop a child off at a temple. By the time they reached the last house of the day, Pia was discouraged. They were getting back in the jeep when Rudra saw the disappointed look on her face. He knew it wasn't a great idea having her here. He expected this reaction out of her, and he didn't know how to comfort people when they were like this. Well, except Paro, but that was his wife! Rudra remembered seeing Paro try to console Sunehri on a few occasions. Pia and Sunehri were similar in personality, full of life and cheer, so maybe he could try to console Pia the same way.

He cleared his throat, "Pia."

"Do you think this is just a waste of time?" she asked sadly. "I'm beginning to think so."

"I know it seems like that now, but we've just started the search. You're expecting a miracle, but it's not going to happen overnight."

"Do you think I'll find them?"

"Honestly...yes I hope so."

In an attempt to comfort Pia, Rudra awkwardly patted her head like a child. She looked at him, with her eyebrow raised curiously. Pia wondered what he was trying to do, and then realized this was his feeble attempt to try and comfort her. Paro was right, her husband was not very good at expressing himself, but he was trying. Rudra pulled his hand back and began driving back to the Ranawat haveli to drop Pia off.

"Rudra," she said.

He glanced over at her.

"Thank you for trying to make me feel better."

"Maybe you should talk to Paro about this."

"What? But you said I shouldn't tell her."

"I know what I said, but I think she will be able to understand what you're going through."

"Gaurav bhaiya understands too."

"I think you need to talk to someone other than your brother."

Pia paused or a moment, "...Will you talk to her with me?"

"Okay. I have some work at the BSD, but I'll be there when you want to talk to Paro."

"Will you do me a favor? Will you drop me off at the market? I want to get a few things."

"Do I look like a rickshaw service to you?"

Pia grabbed his arm and shook it, "Please? Please. Please. Rudra jeeju! Major jeeju! Please!"

"Alright! Alright! Stop it!"

Rudra made took a detour and dropped her off at the market. Meanwhile, at the Ranawat Haveli, Gaurav was sitting with Dilsher in his room, discussing a rather important event that was coming up in a few days. Mala's birthday was approaching. After all the drama that had happened between them, Dilsher wanted to use this opportunity to make things right. They had finally reached a stage in their relationship where they had forgiven each other for the past. He had never celebrated her birthday with such greatness and splendor, and Dilsher thought this year he would be able to. He decided to run the idea by Gaurav.

"What do you think?" Dilsher asked.

"I think it is a brilliant idea uncle," Gaurav said with a thumbs up. "But instead of a large party, why not

just have a nice party with the family. We could get dressed up and everything. I'll even get a big cake."

"Mala would like nothing more than to be surrounded by her family. She always said it was her greatest blessing to have such a family."

"We should surprise her uncle!"

"Yes! But how do we get her out of the haveli?"

Gaurav and Dilsher pondered the question for a few minutes. They sat scratching their heads and exchanging ideas, but none of them seemed helpful as they would give away the real intention. They needed to get Mala out of the house so they could decorate it, but all their ideas seemed to fall short. Then an idea struck Gaurav, which Dilsher agreed would work. On the afternoon of her birthday, Dilsher would take Mala to the temple to offer prayers. He would have to feign some distractions and keep her away from the house for at least an hour. By the time they get back, the family would be dressed and ready to surprise Mala. As for them, they would already be dressed in their fine clothes to go to the temple. If Dilsher lovingly asked her to wear something, Mala wouldn't be able to refuse.

"But Gaurav beta," Dilsher said. "How do we start planning something like this?"

Gaurav grinned, "First, we tell everyone in the family about the plan. Then we'll figure out the decorations and gifts. Pia can help with that. She loves decorating."

"Where is Pia anyways? I haven't seen her all morning."

"She had some other friends to visit," Gaurav lied. "I'll call her and see where she is."

Gaurav called Pia and found that she wasn't with Rudra, but at the market. It was perfect timing. He informed her about the surprise party they were planning for Mala, and since she was in the market she could pick up some decorations. Pia was more than happy to do so. She had been walking aimlessly around the market anyways, so at least this would give her something to do. She accepted the task and told her brother that she would return before evening.

Dilsher called Parvati into his room moments later, where he informed her about the surprise for Mala. Paro was excited to celebrate another birthday in the family, especially since it was for her mother-in-law. Dilsher told her to tell everyone, but not Mala because it was a surprise. She agreed and ran out to spread the word to the rest of the family. She even called Rudra to tell him what Gaurav and Dilsher had planned. Surprisingly, he was on board with it as well. After all, at the end of the day, he wanted his mother's happiness.

Back at the market, Pia was buying decorations. She had managed to go to almost every shop and haggle with the owners. Despite living in Mumbai, she still stuck to her Birpur roots when it came to scoring a bargain. Once she obtained everything she believed they'd need, Pia began searching for a gift for Mala. Her eyes immediately went to the bangle-seller. Somehow her feet led her to the colorful array of ornaments glimmering in the sunlight. Her hands traced the rows of bangles as they chimed against once another. As she contemplated what color bangles to buy Mala, a familiar voice called out to her from behind.

"Pia?"

She turned and was surprised to see Aman standing there. He was dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt. He was carrying a bag filled with groceries. Pia's eyes lit up upon seeing him, but she tried masking her eagerness to see him, but it didn't work out too well. Seeing the large smile on her face made him smile as well, although he was unsure why.

"Aman?" she said. "What are you doing here?"

"Umm," Aman lifted the grocery bag, answering her question.

"It's good that you're here. I need your help."

Pia grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the assortment of bangles. She explained the party being thrown for Mala and how she was getting decorations, but then she had to get a gift as well. However, she was in a predicament as to what color she should purchase. Aman listened intently to her problem, while trying to hold his laughter in. One thing led to another and the next thing he knew, he was listening to Pia rant about how she and Paro used to buy bangles in Birpur. Her words never reached his ears after awhile, because he started focusing on the pure joy that was etched on Pia's face. Apart from Paro bhabhi, he had never seen someone so overjoyed about something as simple as buying a present for someone. Pia was certainly one of a kind...and he kind of liked it. Pia looked at Aman and found him staring at her, with a smirk on his face.

He shook out of his thoughts and nodded, "Yes. Now, what do you need my help with?"

"Aman! I've been talking to about it for the last ten minutes! Bangles for Rudra's mom!"

"Oh okay. I don't know much about bangles."

"It's okay. Just tell me which ones you think look nice."

She began showing him different colored bangles. Every color was practically shown to him, and he and Pia began arguing when she showed him two sets that looked exactly the same in color. She kept saying they were different, but he told her they weren't. The seller had to intervene and say they were almost the same, but the shade in Pia's right hand was a little darker. Aman had to accept defeat, and as punishment he spend the rest of the day with Pia. He was forced to hold her bags and follow her to stores and help her pick things out. To others it may have seemed like punishment, but for him it wasn't. It was a way for him to get to know her more, which he had been secretly dying to do since she had practically fallen into his arms the first time they met.

After buying bangles, Pia took Aman sari shopping. She told him that every set of bangles had to have an accompanying sari, and this case was no less. He didn't seem to mind. In fact, he wouldn't stop smiling the entire time he was with her. Pia would glance over at him, only to find him staring back, which would fluster her and cause her to lose her train of thought. She had heard about Aman from Paro a few more times after their first meeting, and he seemed liked a very sweet man. He cared about Parvati a lot, especially after the first meeting where he confided in her about his deceased sister having the same name. He was quiet and reserved, but enjoyed having a good laugh which Pia gave him while they were shopping. Her guard came down with him as she told him about Gaurav and their family, and why she was searching for her parents. Likewise, Aman disclosed his family and personal life to her. In that time together, she almost forgot about all the problems that were troubling her just hours ago.

After they left the final shop, Pia announced that she had completed her shopping, to which Aman nodded in agreement as he looked at the dozens of bags they were both carrying.

"They're not all mine!" Pia defended. "I'm sure you had one bag filled with groceries!"

Aman laughed, "Still."

"I know."

He paused, "Is Gaurav picking you up?"

"No, I was just going to walk."

"I'll drive you back. It's a long walk."

"No it's really okay. I don't want to trouble you more than I already have."

"Pia, if you walk, you'll be carrying all these bags with you. Let me drop you."

"Well...wait! I can't take all this stuff home! Maa-sa will see it and get suspicious!"

"Calm down. You can keep the stuff hidden in my car, and I'll bring it to the haveli on the day of the party. Don't worry."

"Amandeep Singh, you are a lifesaver!"

"Okay okay. Now, do you want a ride or not?"

"Yes please."

"Okay. My car is this way."

They began walking to the car, but continued talking.

"Thank you for tagging along," Pia said. "It was nice."

"Yeah it was," Aman replied. "By the way, how is the case coming? Sir told me you narrowed down the list."

Pia's smile faded, "We spoke to a dozen couples today, but no one knew about the incident. I wonder if I will ever find my parents."

"You're setting your expectations too high. It's only been a day. You'll find them."

"That's what Rudra said."

"Well, he's right. Don't worry about it."

"Aman, you don't understand. I don't regret Gaurav's parents taking me in, not at all. I don't regret Gaurav being my brother, I love him. I just need to know why my parents left me in the first place. I want to know if they ever thought about me, if they wanted to meet me, if they tried meeting me. If I get those answers, then I will be fine."

"Do you know anything about your parents? Anything at all?"

Pia shook her head. They sat silently in Aman's car for the entire drive to the Ranawat Haveli. Pia glanced over at him every so often and saw that he was staring straight ahead, his eyebrows furrowed, as if contemplating some great mystery. The car came to a sudden stop in front of the haveli. Pia was about to get out when Aman placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and saw him struggling to say something. The next thing he said surprised her.

"What if we did a DNA test?" he said.

Pia blinked, "A DNA test? Sure, but there's only one problem. I don't have a family to run the DNA against! You can have mine, but who will you match it up to?"

"What if your parents have some sort of criminal history? We could match your DNA to the BSD criminal records and see if anything comes up. Even if they were just brought in for questioning their DNA would be in the records. We could compare yours to that."

"I don't know."

"The worst that can happen is nothing shows up. Then you'll be back to where you are right now. But if something comes up then you're one step closer to finding your parents."

Pia sat silently.

Aman tightened his grip a little on her shoulder, "Pia? What do you say?"

She looked at him, "Let's run a DNA test, Aman."

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Well, I'll just let all of that sink in! I hope you all liked it! Please leave our comments and feedback below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks for reading!