FF: Rishtey (Completed) - Page 9

After informing Rudra about the idea, Aman ran Pia's DNA. The analysts stated the results would take a few days due to all the criminal records they have to match it up against. They were told to be patient, which was quite difficult for everyone.

In the meantime, party preparations began. Everyone took turns taking Mala out of the house for at least in hour so they could make plans. After she went to sleep, the family gathered in the main hall to discuss what decorations would be used, what food would be made, what gifts everyone bought, and so on. Mohini wasn't thrilled about the idea of throwing a part for Mala, but due to majority rule she was forced to participate with a fake smile on her face. Pia remained in touch with Aman to see how the progress on the DNA was going, and he had given her the same response for the passed three days: as of now, they had nothing.

The more impatient Pia became, the more temperamental her attitude got. In the last few days she had snapped at Gaurav for little things. He understood why she did so, but the rest of the family was stunned by her sudden outbursts. Late one afternoon, while everyone was home and going about their routine, Pia decided to talk to Paro about the truth. She knew if she kept it in any longer she would snap at someone other than her brother, and who knew what the consequences of that would be.

Pia told Rudra and Gaurav that she wanted to talk to Paro, and they agreed to be by her side as promised. Pia told Paro everything in private. She didn't keep anything hidden because at this point, there's was nothing left to hide. To say Parvati was shocked would be an understatement. She continuously looked back and forth between Rudra and Pia. They had been keeping such a large secret hidden from her. Rudra had been helping Pia track down her real parents. Gaurav wasn't Pia's real brother, she was adopted. She thought there weren't suppose to be any secret in their marriage, but Rudra was doing all of this behind her back. He should've at least told her, in fact Gaurav and Pia should've told her. She considered them family after all. Could they not share this with her?

After listening to the story, Paro spoke, "After all of this, you never once told me? Why?"

"We didn't want you to get involved until we had some sort of lead," Rudra answered, trying to pacify his wife.

"Is that why you never wrote? Because you were going through all of this?" Paro asked Gaurav and Pia.

Gaurav nodded.

Pia spoke, "Paro, we didn't want to hide it from you. But we knew if we told you, you would not rest until you found out who my parents were, and we didn't want you to do that. I also knew that you would try to get Rudra to help us, so we just went directly to him. Please don't be upset."

"I'm not upset Pia," Paro reasoned. "I just wished you would've told me. Who else knows about this?"

"Aman does," Rudra said.

Paro hugged Pia, "Don't worry. Major saab and Aman bhai-sa will help you find your parents. Leave it to them. Don't ever forget that I am here for you, Pia."

The lump formed in Pia's throat as she hugged Paro back and managed to say, "Thank you, Paro."

Parvati looked over at Rudra, who gave her a small nod. In his gesture, he was assuring her that he and Aman would do whatever they can to find Pia's parents. She mouthed the words thank you' to him before comforting Pia once again. She wondered why this had to happen to Pia and Gaurav. They had never done anything wrong in their lives, so why was this storm destroying everything in their paths. She prayed to Bholenath that everything would turn out alright.

That night, the air of tension seemed to cool around the haveli. Paro tried to get Pia and Gaurav to forget about their troubles. When she saw the smile beginning to fade, she would go and silently comfort them, causing the smiles to reappear. The entire family was sitting in the living room, conversing after a long day. Dilsher and Danveer were playing cards while their daughters-in-law were making garlands for the Shiva murti'. Pia walked out from her room and immediately ran over to the card game. Dilsher began teaching her how to play, and she was eager to learn. She began telling jokes and mimicking family members, which the two brothers laughed heartily at.

Maithili, who was watching the scene play out, whisper to Paro, "It seems that Pia is enjoying herself."

"She certainly is very different, but very lovable."

"Maa-sa used to say that same thing about her and Gaurav."

"It's sad that the two of them have to leave soon."

"Soon? Meaning?"

"They were only here for two weeks remember, Paro? They'll be leaving in a week."

"That's right. Who knew time would go by so fast. I'm going to miss them."

"Paro was just saying how she will miss you and Pia when you leave," Maithili said.

"Don't worry I'll write this time. I promise," Gaurav said to Paro. "I can't promise about Pia."

"She will write. I know she will," Paro said.

"What are you doing here anyways? Making garlands?"

Paro handed him the needle, thread, and flowers, "Here. Try."

Gaurav took a deep breath and tried to make a garland. Maithili and Paro giggled while he tried, but the flower was properly placed, causing it to fall off or break apart. He tried multiple times. He began sticking his tongue out and close one eye while he tried to focus. It didn't help. Instead, he accidentally pricked his finger.

"Ouch!" he shouted.

A concerned Paro pulled his hand towards her, "Gaurav, be careful."

"Something is wrong with the flowers!"

"It's not the flowers, it's you!"

"No it's no-..Ouch! Paro that hurts!"

"It should, you're bleeding a little." Paro wiped the blood. "It's just a small prick."

"Oh really?" Gaurav said sarcastically. "Thank you so much for saving my life! I would've died if you didn't tell me I pricked my finger."

Paro huffed in annoyance and let go of his hand, "I was trying to be nice and you are being mean in return."

Gaurav laughed as Paro snatched the flowers and needle and thread back from him and continued making garlands. By now, everyone was watching them, as if they were a comedy act. Even Rudra was, but he wasn't upset seeing the two of the interact. Paro was upset and Gaurav knew it. Back when they were younger, he would've let her stay mad until she realized how wrong she was. But they weren't kids anymore, and Gaurav didn't have forever. He was going to be gone in a week, and he didn't want to leave on a bad note. As Paro stood up, so did he. Gaurav blocked her path so she couldn't walk away. This time, like many times before, he would have to apologize. He took a deep breath, grabbed his ears, and pouted.

She looked at him, "Really?"

"Your whole family can see me holding my ears. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to upset you. Do I have to drive to Birpur to get imli to prove it to you?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Get imli from Birpur, then I'll forgive you."

Gaurv dropped his hands from his ears, "Okay, I'll be back."

Paro was astonished, "Gaurav, wait! I was kidding. You would go to Birpur right now and get imli just so I would forgive you?"

"If that works."

She smiled and pinched his cheeks, "So sweet!"

"Ouch! Paro! Paro! Stop! Ouch! Maa-sa help!"

The entire family laughed, but didn't help Gaurav. Paro stopped pinching his cheeks, and he rubbed his face. Mohini was watching the scene play out before her. She was disgusted seeing so much happiness. It was because of Pia that her son, Sumer, was humiliated, and she wasn't going to take that sitting down. She was going to plant a seed of doubt in everyone's mind, in order to taint the image of the two people that matter most to Pia. Mohini stood up and slowly started clapping. As everyone's attention turned to her, the atmosphere became tense. Mohini had a tendency to speak without thinking, and no matter how hard they tried to stop her she wasn't going to change. They began to brace themselves for what venom the snake was about to spew.

She stopped clapping and said, "Wah! What a sight! I must say there is so much love and affection between Gaurav and Paro. And such an open display! Was this how you acted in Birpur?"

Gaurav responded, "Kaki-sa, Paro and I grew up together. We have always acted like this, even when we were younger."

"Oh? Always? In case you haven't heard, Parvati is married now, and acting in such a way could make people question Paro's character. It will make people wonder what is between you two."

"First of all, I am well aware that Paro is married. I'm not blind. Secondly, Paro and my's relationship will always be that of friendship, nothing more. And as for her character, there is a black stain on it."

"You seem to be very defensive about this issue. Why would it matter if she is just your friend? It wouldn't be a surprise since there have been members of this haveli that have had affairs. So why should it matter if you and Parvati act more like lovers-."

Rudra shot up from his seat and angrily yelled, "Enough!"

Everyone stood up after hearing Rudra shout. They all knew Mohini was speaking out of line, but once she started there was only one person that could stop her, and that was Rudra. Hurling such accusations against Paro was no less than a capital crime in the haveli. And Mohini piled on the insults, so when Rudra finally had enough, they weren't surprised. No one intervened as he stormed up to Mohini.

Rudra pointed his finger in her face and spoke through clenched teeth, "If you say one more thing like that about Paro, I will forget that you are my kaki-sa!"

Mohini spoke, "I was just saying what I saw."

He dropped his finger from her face, "No one asked you about your opinion. Now you listen to me. Don't you ever question Paro's character. Ever. You are the last person that has the right to do so, especially after all the deeds you've done. You have no right to judge. You're lucky you're still welcome here."

"You may not see it Rudra, but I do. The same way I saw it when Mala was getting ready to leave Dilsher. You will remain blind when Gaurav snatches Parvati from you. Then don't complain when you find out that I'm right. It's better to put an end to such shamelessness now!"

Pia had had enough. She walked over to Mohini, looked her dead in the eye, and said, "Enough. Don't you ever insult my brother or Parvati."

Mohini stood stunned to see this angry side of Pia. The facial expression. The anger. Her words. Pia was like a junior Rudra. She hadn't predicted her to have such a side. Her eyes lacked any emotion, they were instead engulfed in the flames of rage that now had become too difficult to control. Now she couldn't take back what she said. It was too late. Mohini had to face the wrath of Rudra and Pia. They both looked at her, shooting daggers with their eyes.

"I usually don't speak against my elders but you left me no choice," Pia said angrily. "Bhai would never try to take Paro from Rudra. He cares for her the way he cares for me. By saying he would do such a thing, you've insulted him. I can handle a lot of this, but I cannot handle someone insulting Gaurav. And you question Paro? Paro?!"

"Paro would die before she even thinks of doing something like that," Rudra added. "And my maa-sa ran away, but there were circumstances that we didn't know about either. We forgave her. She made a mistake. That doesn't give you any right to insult her."

"And if we're judging others than what about your son?" Pia questioned. "I wonder what sort of values you instilled in him to make him so unmannered!"

"Watch your tongue!" Mohini yelled. "You have no right to speak about my son like that. Don't forget your place. You're a guest, not a member of this family."

Pia smiled as she had her right where she wanted her, "Exactly. If I have no right to judge your son, then you have no right to judge Gaurav or Paro."

"You have no right to judge anyone," Rudra added.

"It seems I don't have a right to do anything in this house," Mohini said as she put on a facade of sadness. "If I have no right, then why do I stay here?"

"You're welcome to leave," Rudra replied. "The door is right behind you."

Rudra and Pia simultaneously crossed their arms on their chest and eyed Mohini, then the door. Kaki-sa stared at them, huffing and puffing while observing them. They were waiting for her to make a decision right then and there. Her plan had backfired as now she stood, humiliated and insulted. She was outmatched by her nephew and a stranger. Knowing her weak husband and children wouldn't support her, she stomped out of the crowd of rivals and into her room. Danveer followed behind so he could have a word with her, alone. The minute she was gone, the air calmed. A few sighs of relief filled the air. Rudra and Pia went over to Gaurav and Paro to ask if they were okay. By now, they had learned not to take Mohini's taunts seriously.

Mala was the first to speak to Rudra and Pia, "I am glad you stood up for Gaurav and Parvati. But Pia, you shouldn't have spoken against Mohini jija like that."

"Maa-sa I couldn't just stand by and let her insult my loved ones," Pia said. "Family is family, and I will stick up for them until the very end."

"I can't believe you stood up to kaki-sa," Paro said. "Usually it's only Major saab."

"Maybe I should join the BSD and be an officer like Rudra!"

Rudra shook his head and smiled softly, "No. I think not. I get enough of you here, and the BSD only needs one Rudra type officer."

"I must say one thing," Dilsher grinned mischievously. "It was nice to see Mohini put in her place not just by Rudra, but by Pia. Who knew she had such a side to her?"