Dheera FF -[TOGETHER FOREVER] part 18 updated - Page 2

Dharam tried to open his eyes. " Meera, what is the hurry?", He pulled her down on to his lap and started twisting her hair in his fingers. He put his head on her shoulder and Meera was surprised at this, but she knew he was intoxicated. Even then, She wanted to enjoy this moment , After a long time her Dharamji had taken her in his arms. She buried her face in his hair and inhaled his sweet smell.Dharam was kissing her neck and she let out a soft moan of pleasure. But it couldn't last long , they needed to go in the room, there was no predicting Bhavani's actions, when she came back. Meera managed to get herself off his grasp and stood up. He tried to pull her back, she twisted away from him and started walking away but made sure the pallu of her sari fell in his face. He tried to hold it but she pulled it back. "Mmm, mere saath mazak kar rahi hai tu? Kal bhi yehi hua tha. Abhi dikhata hoon tujhe. Ek minute". What happened yesterday? Meera had no idea Dharam was talking about his dream. He got up swaying from the sofa and almost fell on top of Meera. She managed to steady him and putting her arms around him made him walk to the guest room downstairs. There was no way he was going to manage the stairs.

Shravan looked at the stick. He couldn't believe what he had done. Did he actually commit a murder? He looked at Bhavani, after he had hit her on the head, she had crumbled to the floor; now he was scared to check if she was alive. He should never have listened to Meeraji. It was easy for her to say 'Shravan , throw stones through the window, hit her with a stick' etc. He was so scared he had almost wet himself. When Meera had come up with her plan he had agreed to go along because he wanted to save his Papa from Bhavani's clutches. He was going to throw the rocks through her bedroom window, it was by chance he had seen her in the kitchen. Meera had told him what to put in the note and that had definitely got the witch out of the house. But maybe he shouldn't have hit her on the head so hard. He phoned Vidhya" Vidhyaji, I think she is dead. Can you please come here?" Vidhya quickly rushed to the servants quarter and saw Shravan almost on the verge of passing out. She quickly checked Bhavani, she was still breathing, Shravanji had panicked for nothing. They tied her hand and feet and gagged her mouth and dragged her inside the room and locked the door. " let's get out of here Shravanji, this should buy Di some time."

Meera helped Dharam on to the bed but he wasn't prepared to let go off her that quickly. He pulled her on top of him , said " I love you, Meera" and then he was asleep. Meera let him sleep and lay down for a little while with her head on his chest. She let the tears flow and cursed herself for not understanding him better. The words that she had been waiting to hear but she did he really mean them? What if he started hating her again when he woke up? No, she needed to hear them again form him, but not when he was like this. " I love you too, Dharamji".

Dharam woke up sweating and felt as if his head was splitting in two. And then he saw her, sleeping, curled up on the chair. The breeze was blowing her hair on her face. He walked over and brushed the hair from her face and kissed her forehead. How long had he wanted to do this! All their fights aside, he loved her and couldn't see her in pain. He wanted her back but did she feel the same way? He had dreamt that she said " I love you" but did she?

Meera opened her eyes , she had felt Dharamji kissing her. It had to be a dream, right? She looked across at the bed, it was empty! Had Bhavani come in the middle of the night and taken him away? She looked around in panic and let out a deep sigh of relief when she saw him come out of the washroom. They looked at each other, Meera wanted to rush into his arms, Dharam wanted to pull her close to him and never let her go. " I'll make some tea for you Dharamji" . Before he could say anything she had left. Everything since last night was blurred in his mind but he was sure of one thing. He was going to get her back. He couldn't live without her.

When Meera came back with the tea, he took it from her wordlessly. For two people who were constantly screaming at each other, both were speechless. Neither knew how or where to begin. He was lost in thought and came back to his senses when he heard the sobbing. "I am so sorry Dharamji, for everything, for how much I hurt you. But I have never cheated on you. I have no idea about what happened last night. I went there following Bhavani and then..".

" I believe you" . Meera couldn't trust her ears. Did Dharamji just say that? She sank to her knees, still crying but this time in relief, happiness.

. " Meera, get up, what are you doing?".

He tried to pull her up but she just put her head on his lap and cried her heart out. He felt the tears welling in his eyes. Stroking her hair he closed his eyes. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

When Dharam opened the door, he found Bhavani standing there with her hand and feet tied . "Bhavani, are you all right? Who did this to you?" He untied her.

" It was Jayesh , Dharamji . I heard some noise here yesterday and came to look and saw him and Meera embracing. When I questioned them , he hit me and tied me up. Why don't you ask Meera what happened?"

Bhavani knew she was taking a chance implicating Meera, but after the previous night Dharam would believe her more than Meera or Vidhya.

Dharam's face turned red with anger. Supporting Bhavani , he led her inside the house. "MEERA, MEERA!" Vidhya and Shravan came running hearing him. " where is your sister?"

Vidhya ran upstairs and returned to say she couldn't find Meera anywhere. That's when Dharam saw the letter propped against the vase. He opened it and read it and threw the letter down in disgust. Vidhya took it and felt the blood draining from her face as she read it. It was Meera's writing and she had said that she was leaving them all to go and live with Jayesh and she apologised for having taken the money Bhavani had taken to the servants quarter. The letter fluttered down from her hand. Bhavani was surprised when she read it. She didn't even know that Meera had ever met Jayesh till two nights ago. So was Jayesh double crossing her.? Were the two really having an affair?

" Papaji, this can't be true. There is some mistake. I am sure this is all Bhavani's doing"

" Enough Vidhya, not another word against Bhavani" . Dharam screamed.

Shravan stepped forward. " Papa don't talk to Vidhyaji like that. Meeraji just wouldn't leave us, especially the kids and run away, lets report this to the police. I think this woman is behind all this." He looked at Bhavani in disgust.

He wasn't expecting the slap and fell down. He looked at Dharam in surprise. Had his papa actually hit him?

" How dare you talk about Bhavani in this manner. She is my wife and you will treat her with respect.". Dharam's eyes were blazing

Shravan got up with a determined look ." Come on Vidhyaji, we are leaving this house. I will not live here another minute. You know what Papa, Meeraji had many faults but I will always give her credit for one thing. She turned you into a human being. Before she came into your life you were an animal, just like you are now. " Dharam raised his hand and would have slapped him again but Shravan caught his hand. "You are my dad , so don't make me do anything I will regret. Meeraji made you a better husband, a better dad , a better human being. She made you happy and for that I had accepted her wholeheartedly as your wife. The papa I had seen, the man I had come to love and respect in the last five years seems to have disappeared with Meeraji. You are wrong about her, I know that much. Last night.." He was about to question Dharam about last night and his time with Meera when Vidhya clasped his hands. They couldn't say anything about last night or Bhavani might suspect them.

"Let's go Shravanji". Vidhya pulled him away

" Go on, leave, the whole lot if you. I don't need anyone, I have Bhavani and she will take care of me and the babies. Bhavani, you are responsible for Medha and Ahem from today."

Bhavani's face turned white. Oh, no,no.she had forgotten about the twins. She was enjoying the confrontation between father and son and was over the moon that all her enemies were going to be out of the house but looks like Dharam was planning on dumping the two brats with her. No way. She had to stop Vidhya from leaving.

She approached Dharam with tears in her eyes. " Dharamji, what will everyone say about me if they leave? I will be the evil stepmother who split up the family. Is that how you want the world to look at me. Please ask Vidhya and Shravan to stay, please. Look, I will fall at their feet for you but you can't let them leave" Bhavani pretended to touch Shravan's feet before Dharam pulled her back. " what are you doing! You don't have to do all this. Vidhya, if you put any value to my reputation, if you respect me, you both will stay here. We will talk about this when I come back. Bhavani, I have to go to Ahmedabad for a meeting. I will be back in two days. Why don't you go and rest?"

...

Vidhya was frantic with worry. Dharam had left and Bhavani was already ordering her around. She had no idea what had happened.to Meera. Where was Meera Di? What happened last night? Meera wasn't answering her phone either. The next two days were insufferable because of Bhavani's demands and tantrums. By the time Dharam returned two days later she was exhausted. She knew Bhavani would ease off a little bit now. In fact, Bhavani had spent the best part of the day getting ready in all her finery. She had even arranged the bedroom for her Suhaag Raat with Dharam. Vidhya almost threw up when she saw all the preparations. ' Where are you Di, why did you leave?'

She was startled to hear the shouting from the kitchen and ran over. She saw the maid standing there shaking in fear and Bhavani in wet clothes.

" What happened?"

" This imbecile dropped that jug of water on me and I had taken so much trouble to get dressed for Dharamji."

" it ..it.. It was an accident, Choti bahu" the maid stammered.

" And you are fired ." They all turned at the voice from the doorway. It was Dharam. " I won't accept anyone upsetting Bhavani. You can leave now. Vidhya, call the foreman at the factory, if you need another maid he will send someone." he walked away. Both Vidhya and Bhavani were shocked at this. Bhavani ran after him

Dharam was taken back when he saw the decorations in the room. " What is all this Bhavani? "

" Dharamji, I think it's time for us to start our married life now. Meera is gone forever. You need to move on as well"

" I want to Bhavani. But I need to talk to Meera one last time before we begin our married life. I need to ask her why she broke my heart like this. Just one last time. Then I am all yours " he put her hands on her shoulders and smiled at her.

Bhavani tried to hide her disappointment. But she wasn't going to wait. By hook or crook , she will make him hers today. She had come so close that day before Jayesh interfered with her plans. She smiled at Dharam. " Of course, Dharamji. Whatever you say. Now come and have your dinner."

" I have already eaten. Can you get me some milk?"

Bhavani returned with a glass of milk for him and tea for herself. She hoped the sleeping pills she had put in the milk would start working soon. " Here you go Dharamji"

" one minute Bhavani, I left my phone in the bathroom"

" I'll get it for you Dharamji"

He had already drank the milk before she came back. She watched him making calls while she sipped her own tea. A few more minutes, she could barely contain her excitement. Dharam started yawning and could feel his eyes closing against his will. He looked at Bhavani and the last think he saw before sleep overtook him was Bhavani winking at him.

Bhavani helped him on to the bed and sat next to him. He was deep in sleep, but she didn't care. Tomorrow morning she will wake up in his arms and He will be forced to accept her as his wife.

" I have a meeting in Priyal's school."

" what about all the house work? Who will do that? "

" I don't know. Papaji said this is your house as well. So maybe you should do it.. Oh, don't forget to feed the twins." Vidhya walked out of the house.

' That's it. As soon as Dharamji returns , I am going to throw this loud mouth out of the house. I will get someone to look after the babies' She could hear the babies crying, Bhavani's first instinct was to ignore them but she knew Dharam wouldn't be happy. Cursing her fate, she went to the kitchen to prepare their milk.

...

Dharam was late returning home. Bhavani was restless wondering if anything had happened between them the previous night. Why couldn't she remember anything? When the bell rang, Bhavani ran to the door. Vidhya was surprised. Normally she would ignore anything like this. Dharam walked in angrily and made his way upstairs. Shravan , who was with him looked very upset as well. Shravan explained to Vidhya that someone had called Papa a little while ago. He had shouted at the person and disconnected the call asking them never to call him again. They all assumed it was Meera.

Vidhya needed to know what was happening with her sister. As soon as Dharam came downstairs for dinner, she asked him" Did Meera Di call you today, Papaji?"

" Do not take her name in this house Vidhya. Meera is out of this house, my heart and my life"

" But Papaji..."

" Vidhya, I don't have to give any explanations to you, but listen to me carefully. Meera came to talk to me the night she left. She was begging me for forgiveness and I was ready to forgive her and move on with our lives. But there was one demand that she had which I couldn't agree to. She wanted me to throw Bhavani out. I was not prepared to do that. Rightly or wrongly I had married Bhavani and I have a responsibility towards her. And then she started shouting at me and walked out of the room. Next thing I know she has left me. I am still not sure what game your sister is playing. If she wanted to live with that boy why shed her tears in front of me, pretending she wanted to be back with me? So from now onwards no one, NO ONE mentions her name in this house. Is that clear?"

Vidhya was shell shocked. What was Di doing? She had one chance to get Papaji back and as always, instead of taking things calmly, she had lost her temper and walked out. But where did Jayesh fit in this? Whatever else Meera did, Vidhya knew that she was loyal to Dharam and would never take another man. So what is with the letter, why did Di write that?Did Bhavani have something to do with this?

Dharam had lost his appetite and got up from the table. He pushed his plate away and stormed off. Bhavani glared at Vidhya and ran after him. He was pacing angrily in the bedroom. Bhavani was happy that Just the mention of Meera had this effect on him. "Dharamji, come down, you have to eat something."

" I am not hungry, Bhavani. Why don't you go and eat.? You look very tired. Are you all right?"

" I didn't sleep well last night"

" Really, when I got up to get some water, you were deep in sleep, In fact you were still sleeping when I left for work this morning. I think you need to rest. I have a lot of phone calls to make and I don't want to disturb you. I am going to check on the babies and then I will sleep in the guest room, OK" He squeezed her shoulder and walked out of the room.

...

Vidhya found sleep hard to come. She was worried about Meera. She knew her sister was in trouble but Papaji didn't want to do anything and Shravan had his own tensions with Dharam to deal with. She didn't know who to call except her mum. When Gopi answered the phone Vidhya burst into tears. She told her everything that had been happening in the house. Gopi was upset, angry and frustrated that Meera and Vidhya had hidden all this from her. In fact she was ready to come over right then . Vidhya told her that she would visit her the next day. Together they were going to look for Meera. Vidhya felt calm after talking to Gopi. She walked over to the window and stood looking at the garden outside. If only Baaji hadn't played with them, their lives would have been so much better. Her eyes strayed to the servants quarter which for some reason seemed to be at the centre of all the recent drama . And her hand went to her mouth to stop the scream. She had to look twice to be sure, but someone was in there. None of the servants were staying there. So who was it? And then she saw someone making their way there. From the walk it looked like a man. He knocked on the door, whoever was in there let him in and closed the door quickly. Vidhya was furious . Looked like Bhavani was playing her tricks again

"Shravanji, Shravanji , get up. Someone is in the servant quarter. "

Shravan jumped up. Not again!

"We have to look. I think it's Bhavani. Let's call Papaji as well"

" No Vidhya, let's check first and make sure. We don't want Papa to think we are making up stories again. "

Coming out of the house, they made their way silently to the room. They could hear voices inside and someone giggling. Shravan and Vidhya looked at each other. Vidhya went to the window and tried to peep inside. She could just about make out a female figure and then the person turned. When Vidhya saw who it was her blood boiled.

"YOU! " she shouted