Part 23
On reaching the room she had gently tapped on the woodwork to hear muffled sobs emanate from within turning the handle she had let herself in to find Raavi in the position Kaka had described her in to be earlier. "Raavi" she had called to her gently but received no response walking over to the queen sized bed she had found the young mother clutching the sole photograph of her new born to her heart weeping in maternal infliction. "Raavi" Soumya had exclaimed unhappily taking a seat beside her on the foam brushing back her errant locks as they blew over her face. "Raavi... talk to me please" Soumya had coaxed her to conversation yet Raavi remained unmoved. Soumya had gently lifted her head and placed it in her lap combing her tresses with love "You miss your baby?" she had whispered and Raavi had moaned like an animal in pain her hands bracing the picture frame to her chest. "Roohi..." she had sobbed "I want my baby...I want to hold her" she had hiccupped badly and Soumya had bent down to kiss her dewy forehead her own eyes spilling hot tears it broke her heart to see her that way yet she was unable to alleviate her anguish. "Raavi sweetheart we'll go meet her... please don't cry" Soumya had soothed her tenderly. "I deserve to be punished bhabhi... I deserve all this pain... it is because of me bhaiyya had to suffer at Samaira and mom's hands. She raped him and I never knew" Raavi had cried miserably she had been enlightened but how was the big question.
"Sweetheart you weren't even born then" Soumya had assuaged her "How could mom do that to him and I kept blaming him for leaving Samaira. Kept blaming him for my failed marriage" Raavi had sit up now facing Soumya her fingers tracing the contours of her baby in the picture. "I have suffered for my mother's evil deeds why did she put bhaiyya through this affliction, he hates me now" she had confided in Soumya as she hugged her. "No darling he doesn't hate you on the contrary he hates himself for your state... Your silence and indifference cuts through him. He loves you Raavi, he sacrificed his happiness for you, consented to marry Samaira so that Abhinav would accept you" Soumya had explained in low tones caressing Raavi's cheek. "I know bhabhi" Raavi had remarked ruefully "If you had known Raavi why did you never speak to Harman he is under the impression that you are unaware of the entire deal" Soumya had questioned a teary eyed Raavi. "I heard your conversation with Kaka in the kitchen when I came down for breakfast. I wasted so much time trying to shift the blame on him" her eyes had welled up again. "It was fate Raavi you couldn't have changed it anyways but what you can do is tell him that the past is no more important. Talk to him Raavi he is very lonely" Soumya had expatiated on Raavi's next course of action. "Do you think he will forgive me bhabhi?" she had inquired dubiously "I'm sure he already has" Soumya had smiled thumbing away the last of Raavi's tears she made her stand up taking the picture from her hand she watched the tiny baby in Raavi's loving arms as Raavi smiled at her cherished offspring. "She's beautiful" Soumya had whispered placing the frame back on the dresser "Come on now let's have breakfast I'm sure artists get hungry too" she had laughed and Raavi had squeezed her hand affectionately. "I'm so glad bhaiyya found you I know you'll make him a happy man" Raavi had said genuinely elated at her brother's good fate to have married an angel.
Monty looked on surprised as Soumya handed him the list of items to be bought from the market "All this madam" he had watched her strangely "Yes Monty all this and fast, I expect you to adhere to the call immediately and please ask the pundit in the temple down the road to arrive here at twelve to conduct the prayers". Monty's eyes had widened to the size of saucers "A pooja!" he had exclaimed in astonishment he wondered if she was aware of the cold war his master had waged with the Creator. "Are you sure?" he had considered it best to confirm it "Positive" she had smiled handing him the shopping list watching him get in the car amazed with the current change in events. Soumya had entered the house to see Harman seated on the sofa flicking channels bored to the core "Harman we have such a wonderful garden why don't you ever go sit there?" she had pouted plucking the remote control from his hands. "Fine we'll have a picnic today" he had winked at her "As you wish" she had consented and he had pulled her in his arms showering her face with copious kisses while she giggled enjoying his love and attention sighing happily leaning in on him as he pulled her on his lap. "What will you treat me to" he had questioned nibbling her earlobe "All my love" she had whispered close to his ear making him rub his stubble against her pink cheeks the amor would have continued if Raavi hadn't coughed to make them aware of her presence. Harman hadn't noticed Raavi sitting at the dining table quietly eating her breakfast as his eyes met hers, his had appeared to be startled registering her presence and he had immediately let go of Soumya.
"I'll be in my room if you need anything" he had told her roughly before trudging up the stairs to call Sharma up he couldn't let his work suffer just because he had happened to have a change of heart. Raavi's eyes had followed his ascent sadly while Kaka and Soumya had exchanged fretful glances. Raavi couldn't find the courage to confront her brother let alone apologize to him and Harman hadn't been very evocative on his sentiments for her either they stood at a standstill willing to overlook their mistakes yet unable to communicate. Soumya had walked up to Raavi then smiling at her "He'll come around, after breakfast you can help me with the pooja" she had tried to make light of the situation and Raavi had simply nodded she had no other choice but to wait. The rest of the morning had passed in chores the two girls had kept themselves busy with the arrangements for the pooja while Harman had engrossed himself in discussing the details of his latest project with Sharma keeping in touch with him via internet. Monty had returned with the required items sooner than expected and at precisely twelve the pundit too had arrived to complete the rituals for the prayers. The carpet having been laid the fire burnt brightly in the stove erected in the middle of the lounge while Soumya Raavi Harman and Kaka were assembled around it when Bauji had joined the small company. Harman's eyes had darkened almost immediately and he had attempted to stand up when he felt his hand imprisoned in a gentle hold he glanced down to see it imprisoned in her wrist she had looked up at him with pleading eyes to allow his father's presence amidst them, his eyes had narrowed spelling serious displeasure. "Please" she had mouthed her eyes shining with unshed tears she had so wanted the pooja to be a family affair and since it was supposed to be for the peace and prosperity of the household it was only fair that her father in law be a part of it. "Let go of me" he had hissed mutinously and she had closed her eyes in despair the tears freed of their captivity crystal drops adorned the back of his hand as he glowered at her. This was classic blackmail and he was not going to fall for it if his father was to be a part of this he most definitely would not.
"Harman" she had whispered clasping his hand once again resting her head on his arm. "Please Harman let him stay" she had whimpered he could feel her tears soak his sleeve why did she care he still could not understand. The pundit had started chanting the mantras and he had looked around him desperately, he could see three sets of eyes requesting begging him to stay God what had she done to them all to make them so in accordance with her. His eyes had flicked to Kaka who had gesticulated for him to stay his own kind eyes conversing with Harman's and he had been forced to resign to her will after much inner debate it was just one pooja he could afford to put up an act... but just this once he had promised himself settling back in his place right beside her. "What crap woman, you don't let me do anything on my will" he had admonished her in loving tones while a smile had formed on her lips. They had followed the activities prescribed by the pundit with closed eyes and conjoined hands and had prayed for peace of the heart and mind. Harak Singh had been jubilant when she had invited him to the prayers downstairs earlier that morning "Papa it is time to make amends, please come to the pooja I need you to be there" she had entreated him and he had been only too happy to comply to her wishes. He could see the visible bond of love and trust she had woven around the family binding them together with threads of compassion and had prayed for her to be a part of their lives forever. After distributing the prasad amongst all present Soumya had helped Monty and Kaka clear away the lounge and had set about to cooking the picnic lunch Harman had expressed his wish to have in their garden much to Kaka's pleasure. "Child you certainly have a way with him" he had smiled patting her head gently and she had smiled back at him happy to see her ruffian finally being tamed. Raavi had arrived at the kitchen confounded on her brother's apathy when Soumya had struck upon a bright idea handing her the coconuts she and Harak Singh had relished the day before she had asked her to take them to Harman while Raavi had given her an icy look. "Bhabhi you know he doesn't like them" she had tried to keep her ire at bay. "Try it with this I'm sure he'll love them" Soumya had handed her a bowl full of the desiccated brown sugar "have some yourself too" she had laughed good naturedly as Raavi balanced the tray and walked up to her brother's room scared to the core. Well she had to face him some day and today was no different than any other besides he had appeared mellowed and much to everyone's surprise had attended the pooja too which meant he was in a benevolent mood if only he would forgive her too.
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
