I'll Be There For You - ShiVi TS (Complete) - Page 2

Here's Part 2, the last part.

Love.

Love is seldom complex. All it asks for is care, passion, and faith.

3 months. 3 months of loving Shiva Pandya for who he is. She never thought this was possible, but life threw her a curveball. And she had never been happier.

Everything that happened in the last 3 months played in the back of her mind, just like a movie, as she felt a pair of arms engulf her tiny body.

He was a big cuddler. Something Raavi didn't know, but didn't complain about either. She liked being close to him, in his arms. He made her feel loved, as if she was his and only his for all eternity.

His beard tickled her soft skin, and she giggled. After all this time, she still was ticklish, but it was worth it, because she could feel him smile at her giggle, as they both drifted off to sleep, peacefully.

Month 1

After that emotionally draining night, Raavi woke up to hard sun rays hitting her eyes. She squinted at the time.

11:00

The first thing she registered was Shiva's absence. On a Sunday. After which she hurriedly got dressed and ran to the kitchen.

Her mind was racing with all the work that was pending, when she saw the most unexpected sight.

Shiva Pandya in an apron. Serving breakfast for everyone at the table.

Whatever speed her feet had caught, vanished in 2 seconds. She slowly made her way to the table, unable to believe that Shiva made breakfast.

He can cook? And woke up early on a Sunday?

"Good morning! Baith jaa, nashta tayyar hai. Tera coffee laau?" Shiva removed the arpon, tossed it aside and gently made her sit next to him, while serving her breakfast.

She nodded no and ate her breakfast quite in a daze. It was delicious. His hands had magic.

It wasn't sitting well with Raavi that he did everything she does on a daily basis, all of a sudden. The whole day she walked behind Shiva, trying to get him to allow her to help him out, but he flat out refused each time and did the task himself.

When she asked him why, he simply said "Tu rest kar. Tu deserve karti hai. Mujhpe chod de. Jab tera mann accha lage, tab aajana, lekin mujhe double kaam mat deke jaana."

For the next 1 and 1/2 weeks, Shiva didn't let her feet or hands do any housework. He did everything, right from cleaning the house to cooking food thrice a day, alone.

Raavi felt loved. Not in love. Just loved. She poured her heart out to him, and he made so many changes for her, overnight.

She couldn't help but wonder, how he'd behave with the woman of his dreams, the woman he'll love to no ends.

She shook these thoughts out of her head, used all that time to complete her assignments and studies. It was appalling how quickly she was able to do everything when not burdened with 20 other things in a day.

In those 12-14 days, she couldn't help but notice that Shiva didn't go to the store. Not once. He probably asked Kaka to look after the store, and her heart swelled 10 times.

This man. He gave up the most important thing, practically the love of his life, for her.

Raavi knew that Shiva was caring, and very protective of her, but to this extent? It raised a fire in her heart. The kind that melted the cage she locked her feelings in. What she felt for Shiva Pandya was way beyond love, and something as simple as choosing your enemy over the love of your life, was enough to engulf and consume her in a way, that she just wanted to be his.

Where she stood in his life, it didn't matter anymore. She was more than happy to be the witness and receiver of all his care and attention.

She noticed her feet healing, and immediately knew that this man went against her will to apply medicine to her feet every night. She also noticed how he just crashed onto their bed, tired from all the work.

Of course, he did much more physical work at the store, but this was an out of syllabus question for him, so Raavi made it a point to massage his back and shoulders every night, just like he would with her feet.

And just like that, within a few days, she was back to normal. The old, bubbly, cheerful Raavi. Shiva smiled as she skipped her way into the kitchen. She went on and on about how her assignments were complete, her syllabus had been revised and now she felt free.

Raavi was the human version of popping off the cork from a champagne bottle. There were no signs of stress on her face, or body language at all.

She asked Shiva to give her some work, to which he refused again. But even she was Raavi Shiva Pandya. If he's stubborn, she is maha stubborn.

After a lot of bickering, Shiva settled for going half and half over the house work. Her college was starting this month, so they agreed that until she came back from college, Shiva would handle all the work, and once she was back, she'd do her share.

And this method worked out perfectly for them, except that Shiva really missed the store, and Raavi could see it in the way he looked at the store every time they rode past it, when he dropped her to college.

One day, she came home, and practically pushed him out of the house, asking him to go sit at the store or else "Store ko lagega ki tera affair chal raha hai biwi ke saath"

The look on Shiva's face was something Raavi would never forget. He hugged her so tight, the wind left her lungs. Whether it was from the hug, or the fact that their bodies were meshed against one another, she didn't know.

He ran to the store, and stayed their until as late as possible. Raavi shook her head and smiled when he didn't return by 10,and left the window open for him, as usual. He was with the love of his life, of course he'd be late.

She turned on the TV, and never knew a simple news report could fill her heart with dread.

A mad shooter was on the loose and had killed 2 people, that no one had identified yet. On the main road where all stores, including Pandya Store was.

Raavi's heart stopped. She grabbed her phone and ran as fast as her feet could take her. It was not helping that Shiva wasn't picking up her calls. Or that it was raining heavily.

Her ears fell deaf to Dhara and Suman's calls as she raced towards the store. She saw the ambulance and police cars gathered around two bodies.

Her heart hammered against her chest. She didn't want to live in a world where her Bhootnath wasn't there. It would be such a silent world. A useless world.

He was her world. Pretty cliché, but only she knew how important he was to her.

Just as she was about to cross the road, drenched from head to toe, she heard him. Raavi snapped her head around and didn't know the mere sight of Shiva would make her this relieved.

He stood there, confused and drenched, because he saw her run past the store to the site of action. How she didn't stop to see, he doesn't know.

A blur and a force against his chest broke his chain of thoughts, as Raavi wrapped her arms around him, crying.

"Shiva. Tu theek hai, tu theek hai. Tujhe kuch nahi hua, thank god" She hugged him closer, running her hand through his hair.

"Raavi? Raavi kuch nahi hua hai mujhe. Woh yaha nahi aaya tha, mai theek hu." Shiva caressed her head, knowing why she was scared, as she broke the hug and wiped her tears. And almost immediately her expression changed.

"Mera phone kyu nahi uthaya?" She punched his arm.

"Owww. Phone dead tha." Shiva scowled as he clutched his arm. This chipkali had strength.

"Tujhe kuch ho jaata toh? Mera kya hota? Mai kaise jee paati? Gadheda, stupid, idiot, fool." Raavi fisted her hands against his chest.

Shiva held her fisted hands towards him with a jerk and whispered "Kya kaha tune?"

The downpour of rain brought a love confession from both sides of the bridge, that ended with a hug and lots of crying.

And also an awkward walk back, which Shiva made less awkward by holding her hand. Raavi thanked the stars he initiated it, because she was too shy.

Month 2

Changes take time. Shiva and Raavi still were the same around each other, just 20 times more flustered at any instance of proximity between them, which lead to Shiva not coming physically close to Raavi in anyway.

Because even though she told him multiple times that she wants him and him only, he had a different storm brewing within him.

Once, they had a major fight when Rishita had video called. She had kept her phone on the table in front of them, and was showing them the living room, when Dev came and kissed Rishita, right in front of them, unaware that Shiva and Raavi were on call.

Shiva just looked away, to give them privacy, but Raavi looked at them longingly. Shiva noticed this, and locked his jaw.

After the call, when Raavi tried to hug Shiva, he jerked her hands off of him. "Kya hua Shiva?" Raavi frowned, hurt.

"Kya hua? Kya HUA?! Tujhe agar Dev ke saath rehna tha toh kyu kaha ki tu mujhe chahti hai?" He gritted his teeth.

"Kya bakwaas kar raha hai?" Raavi retorted.

"Dekha maine. Kaise dekh rahi thi dono ko kiss karte hue. Tujhe agar Dev ko hi kiss karna tha toh-" He began furiously, but was pushed back into the wall by a pair of hands.

"Dev ko kiss? Seriously? Tujhse apni dil ki baat karke, tujhe apne saare dukh bataane ke baad, tu zinda hai ki nahi, ye jaane bina meri jaan atke, aur tu kehta hai mujhe Dev ko kiss karna hai? Kis type ki ladki samjha hai tune mujhe?" Raavi scowled, hot tears coming out of her eyes.

She had promised herself not to cry anymore, but he was making it difficult.

"Mai unn dono ko aise kyu dekh rahi thi? Kyuki mujhe Dev chahiye?" She yelled. "Mujhe Dev nahi, Dev aur Rishita ke paas jo hai, woh chahiye. De payega mujhe tu? DE PAAYEGA?!"

"KYA CHAHIYE TUJHE?!"

"INTIMACY! Tu mujhe haq se gale  lagayega, sabke saamne mera haath pakdega, mujhe kiss kar payega haq se? Pyaar toh karta hai lekin jatata nahi, aur mujhe apne paas aane deta nahi"

"Mujhe tu chahiye. Pura ka pura. Jaise bhi tu hai, waise. De paayega? Nahi na?" Raavi furiously wiped her tears and slept on her side, back facing Shiva.

Shiva sighed and turned off the lights. Raavi shut her eyes, trying to control anger. She was frustrated. Frustrated of not being able to get close to her husband. Of not being able to touch him,  hug him, kiss him, shower him with the kind of physical love she wanted to always shower her love with.

That frustration didn't last long. She felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, and small kiss just under her ears. Her pulse quickened at his mere touch.

"I'm sorry." Shiva whispered against her skin, as he placed another kiss on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, woh bas...."

Raavi turned around and cupped his face gently. Her soft touch made Shiva open up to her, about his insecurities, and how he felt like she deserved better than him, someone better to love and be intimate with.

She didn't know if Shiva would be okay, so she leant forward and kissed his forehead, assuring him that she wants him for who he is, no conditions applied. His insecurities wouldn't go away that easily, but she would try. For them.

After that incident, Raavi would just randomly hug Shiva, kiss him on the cheek, hold his hand. Shiva, on the other hand, would hug her from behind, place soft kisses on her forehead and trace her legs with his toes instead.

While Raavi was softer with her intimacy, Shiva touched her in ways that made her melt.

He'd often kiss her forehead while dropping her off to college, which lead to her friends teasing her and Raavi blushing hard. Sometimes, the other shameless girls in college would stare at her hot husband, and Raavi would kiss Shiva's cheek, going from Chattan Pandya to Ice Cream Pandya the moment her lips touched his cheeks.

One day, it so happened, that Shiva was kneading dough, and Raavi wiggled herself between Shiva and the counter.

"Shiva. Mujhe attention de." Raavi whined.

"Hein? Madam, aapko attention chahiye. Aur bahar logo ko khaana. Tu toh atta goondhne se rahi, tujhe toh aata hi nahi hai. Pareshaan mat kar mujhe." Shiva huffed.

"Oh hello. Roti bel sakti hu aur paka sakti hu, lekin tu topic se divert mat ho. Mujhe attention de." Raavi pouted.

Shiva sighed and looked over her shoulder, completely ignoring her request. "Shivaaaaa" She poked his arm, as he looked back at her pout.

"Ye le teri attention." Shiva leant forward and pecked her pout, continuing to do his work, completely missing Raavi's stunned face.

"Shiva..." She whispered, as realisation dawned on Shiva's face. He wasn't supposed to do THAT.

"Raavi, woh-" He began to explain himself, but she wiggled herself out angrily, and all she said was "Room mein aa. ABHI!"

Shiva washed his hands and entered the room, praying to the Gods above that she doesn't turn his stupid ass into ashes.

What he didn't expect was to be pushed against the nearest wall and the feel of a warm pair of lips on his. His hands automatically wrapped around her waist, as she tugged on his hair and pulled him closer, swiping her tongue across his lower lip.

Shiva would have melted right there, but his kiss-induced brain clicked and he broke the kiss abruptly. "Ye kya tha?" He gasped for air.

"Kiss. Kiss bolte hai isse. Jiska intezaar karte karte buddhe ho jaate hum. Apni biwi ko ek kiss bhi nahi kar sakta, sab mujhe karna padta hai, kaisa pati-" Raavi grumbled, but squealed as Shiva switched positions and trapped her between him and the wall.

"Kahi meri biwi mere kiss ke baad mere baahon me na pighal jaaye." Shiva smirked, as he dipped his head, capturing her lips for another kiss.

Well, breakfast was late that day.

Month 3

Once, a mother taught her daughter to adjust and move on. The daughter taught her daughter, and so on so forth. Such an example was Suman Pandya.

It is often said, that with old age, comes great experience and very sharp eyes.

Nothing escaped Suman's eyes. She noticed how Raavi was doing all the work one day, and suddenly, as if someone flipped a switch, her 3rd son was cooking, cleaning and doing everything Raavi was supposed to do, while Raavi was passing time in her room.

Or so she thought. Once Suman made up her mind, she didn't bother asking her daughter-in-law what she did while her husband was toiling away in the kitchen.

She was happy about the new member coming to the family, but she certainly wasn't happy with her jigar ka tukda doing the work, the women of the house were supposed to do.

In all her years of handling the house, never have her sons had to keep foot in the kitchen, neither did they do it when Dhara got married and came to the house, without questioning

But Raavi? Raavi questioned everything. She had an alternative for any problem, and she was aaj ki ladki. She wasn't going to take any of this with a pinch of salt.

Which bothered Suman. Suman always had the upper hand, but her 2 daughters-in-law gave her a tough fight. Already, Rishita whisked away Dev abroad, and people gossiped about them. If she gave into every whim and fancy of Raavi, people would talk more.

And she had a reputation to uphold. She had heard enough people talking about how Raavi went to college even after marriage, and this was the last thing she wanted others to know.

Speaking of others, Raavi and Shiva didn't care about them. They were in their own bubble. A bubble that they allowed no one to cast nazar on.

The discovery of how pleasurable a simple kiss is, did not mean that they went around kissing each other and being handsy all the time.

For both of them, it was a form of intimacy, that only they wanted to experience. They didn't want to be those couples who had severe PDA issues.

Even then, sometimes, Shiva would sneak into the kitchen to steal a kiss before work, and Raavi would wedge herself between the floor and Shiva while he worked out, especially push-ups.

Of course, he never finished his workout on such days because of the distraction below him.

Now, making out with each other was one thing. And hiding the aftermath was another. Raavi easily hid it with her hair, but Shiva has been embarrassed one too many times at the store, because his friends would insinuate he had 'a good night' and he'd go all red.

Until Raavi taught him the magic of make up. After that, he didn't have a problem with Raavi working the magic of her lips on him.

During one of their intense make-out sessions, when he tried to slip his hand past her pants, she hastily pulled his hands up, causing him to break the kiss, not meeting her eyes.

"Nahi karna chahiye tha, I know tu ready nahi hai-" He tried to apologise, but she pinched his lips shut and straddled him.

"Woh baat nahi hai" Raavi said, placing his hands back on her waist, "Woh toh mere periods chalu hai. Isliye rokna pada"

"Accha." Shiva said, with a gleam in his eyes. Pulling her closer by her bottom, he cheekily asked "Agar nahi hoti, toh mai jo kar raha tha, mujhe karne deti?"

"Ek hafte baad pata kar le." Raavi smirked, pulling him into another kiss.

And it happened. It wasn't a fairy tale moment, where they got physically intimate for the first time over an anniversary or date. It was just one of those nights, where Raavi really felt like kissing Shiva because 1. He was a good kisser 2. Lord have mercy on her, how did he have such a skilled pair of hands and lips?

The only person who could breakdown Shiva's iron-clad will was Raavi. And that night she did.

The night involved a lot of kissing, hands, moaning, giggling and also Shiva asking Raavi if she was sure every 10 minutes.

Until Raavi pinched him hard on his arm and asked him to shut up and continue whatever the hell he was doing, because she barely got the words out under his ministrations. And whatever words she could get out, came out as moans.

Raavi was nervous, and as much as she wanted it, she was scared. Shiva made sure to wait and be gentle with her, every step of the way, kissing her tears away, and only proceeding when she gave the green signal.

As they both came apart in each other's arms, naked and spent, in a tangle of lazy limbs, Shiva looked at his entire world, fast asleep in his arms.

If he had the choice, he wouldn't change a single thing.

....

After a particularly hot afternoon session one day, as Raavi slept away in Shiva's arms, he heard a knock on the door.

Wearing his vest and joggers, he bent forward to button his shirt, which was practically the only thing Raavi was wearing. She should wear his clothes more often.

Another knock came on the door.

Shiva covered her with a blanket, because only he could see her like that, and opened the door slightly , only to find Dhara waiting at the door.

"Ji bhabhi?" Shiva asked, stepping outside the room, closing the door behind him.

"Raavi kaha hai?" Dhara asked nervously.

"So rahi hai, bhabhi." Shiva replied, unfazed.

"Iss waqt?" Dhara frowned.

Shiva sheepishly nodded, not wanting to tell her why Raavi was asleep.

I believe that is my doing :)

"Accha theek hai, tu aaja. Maa ko tujhse kuch baat karni hai." Dhara informed, and walked away.

Shiva went into the room, took a shower, and nudged Raavi, calling her out to the angan, before himself stepping into the open space.

Suman sat there, on her swing, waiting for the 2 people she wanted to question. 

"Ji maa, boliye" Shiva sat down on the cot in front of Suman's swing.

"Chai peeye? Waqt bhi ho gaya hai." Suman asked, looking to see what he'll do.

"Abhi banake laaya" Shiva replied with a smile, before getting up to make tea for everyone.

Suman shook her head. She expected this. When she asked Dev and Gautam the same thing days back, they got up, only to ask their wives to make tea.

Shiva was different. He always had been.

Within 15 minutes he was back, and placed the tray of tea and biscuits on the coffee table in the centre. Dhara looked into the tray, and saw 4 cups, not 3.

"Shiva? Hum toh 3 hi log hai, tune 4 cup kyu banayi? Raavi toh so rahi hai na?" She asked, confused.

"Woh uth jaayegi, abhi aati hogi" Shiva replied absent-mindedly.

"Woh markundi gaay abhi bhi so rahi hai? Tujhe kaise pata abhi uthke aayegi?" Suman narrowed her eyes.

Experience. She only sleeps this much after....

"Chodo na maa, aap ye lo, kam shakkar waali chai, aapko diabetes hai na" Shiva tried to divert the topic. "Aur bhabhi, aapke liye kam adrak waali. Baby ke liye zyaada adrak theek nahi hai na" He smiled at his bhabhi.

"Shiva, ye bata, tune kab chai banani seekhi? Aaj tak toh kitchen mein pair nahi rakhi hai tune" Suman asked. She was determined to know what was going on for the past 3 months.

"Arre maa, seekhni padi. Acchi nahi bani hai kya?" Shiva asked, taking a bite of the biscuit.

"Acchi hi hai, lekin seekhni padi, iska kya matlab?" Dhara asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Jab Raavi free nahi hogi, toh mai hi banaaunga na chai, toh seekh li." He smiled, not understanding the reason behind these questions.

"Lekin tu kyu kare ye sab kaam, woh Raavi kar legi na! Aur waise bhi, tu store kam jaane laga hai, maine dekha hai." Dhara reasoned, as she couldn't believe her gave Raavi so much importance over her.

"Bhabhi. Woh college jaati hai, assignments hai uske, toh mai uski help kar deta hu. Uski help karne ke liye dukaan kam jaana padta hai, par itna toh mai kar hi sakta hu uske liye." Shiva set his tea cup down, frowning at the kind of questions his bhabhi was asking.

Suman opened her mouth to ask him another question, as if he was a criminal, when she heard someone call " Shiva"

Shiva turned back, and there she was, in his shirt and tracks. She had a smaller figure, so his clothes hung loosely on her. She rolled up the sleeves so that she didn't look like a scarecrow, while the ends of the joggers bunched up at her ankle.

All Shiva could think was she looks beautiful. so beautiful. she's so precious. my doll.

"Shiva!" Raavi called, snapping Shiva out of his trance. "Woh cupboard ka darwaaza abhi tak fix nahi kiya tune. Kitni baar kaha tha maine-" Raavi began, bit was interrupted by Suman's high pitched "AE KAAGDI KI BETI"

Raavi was just about to sit down next to Shiva, but got startled. Even Shiva was surprised.

"Kya mere bete se sab kaam karwaati hai?! Naukar nahi hai woh tera, jab dekho saara kaam usse deti hai. Uska sukh chain cheen liya, aur ab uske kapde bhi cheen liye" Suman raged.

"Maa, tu galat samajh rahi hai-" Shiva began, but Suman yelled at him to keep quiet. "Mai apni bahu se baat kar rahi hu, tu chup" Turning towards Raavi, "Haa ab bol tu."

"Kaki. Woh toh cupboard mein mere side ka darwaaza kaafi din se kharab hai, kapde nikaalne me dikkat hoti hai isliye iske kapde pehen leti hu. Maine Shiva se kaha tha, bas yaad dila rahi thi." Raavi innocently replied.

"Accha Raavi, maan liya," Dhara intervened, trying to douse the fire, "Par ye Shiva se ghar ke pure kaam karwana toh theek nahi hai na."

It clicked. It all clicked for Raavi. They just couldn't see their ladla Shiva helping his wife out, even though the same wife had told them many times she needed help.

"Maine nahi kaha tha Shiva se ki woh saare kaam kare" Raavi fumed back, "Woh toh uska dil itna saaf hai, usne saamne se meri madat ki. Aur mujhe bohot khushi hoti hai, ki woh ye choti choti baatein notice karta hai mere baare mein."

"Toh? Tune mana kyu nahi kiya? Itne din se toh kar hi rahi thi na akele kaam?" Suman retorted.

Shiva tried to speak, but Raavi nodded no. If he spoke, things would go even more South, or worse, Suman's ego will get hurt.

"Kaki, maine aap se aur Dhara Di se kahi baar kaha tha, ki mujhse nahi ho raha hai, mera college chalu hone waala hai, kisi aur ko kaam pe rakh lete hai-" Raavi tried to explain herself, but once again, she was interrupted.

"Accha, ab mai samjhi. Tujhe kaam karna hi nahi tha, isliye jab mai aur Dhara nahi maane, toh apne pati ke paas apne aansu ke tankar leke gayi, usko behela fuslake, apna kaam dediya na tune?" Suman smirked. She thought she had figured it out.

Raavi stood dumbfounded. Is this what they thought of her? Those 2 months where she slogged her ass off, trying to finish her homework and the housework, were in vain? Did they not notice how she'd be pale by day's end, or how she'd slump off to sleep? Was all that effort useless?

Suman mistook Raavi's silence for defeat, and much to everyone's displeasure, said "Dekha. Isse zyaada kaamchor ladki maine aaj tak nahi dekha. Mera beta heera hai, aise kaise uski acchai ka faayda utha liya tune. Bilkul uss kaagdi pe gayi hai tu, kaamchor aur swaarthi."

Raavi squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't hear all her efforts being given this name, it pierced her heart to think that she had always thought the Pandya family was living and understanding.

She simply stood up and walked away, only to be stopped by Shiva's hand on her wrist.

"Raavi. Please ruk jaa. Baithke chai peele, aur apni baat rakh." Shiva pleaded. Only he knows how their words have struck her heart.

"Shiva. Mujhe koi baat nahi karni aur koi chai nahi peeni hai, please chod de mujhe. Aur kisi aise ladki se shaadi kar le jo Kaki ke sapno pe khari utar aaye, kyuki mai toh nahi aa payi." Raavi sighed, blabbering words she didn't even think twice before telling.

The only thing it did was anger Shiva. He stood up and tugged her in front of him a bit harshly, "Ye kya bakwaas kar rahi hai? Bolne se pehle 2 baar sochti bhi hai tu? Mai tujhe chodunga, kisi aur ke liye? Dimaag kharab hai tera?"

Raavi gasped at the realisation, of the words she uttered. How could she let Kaki mess her brain? How did she allow someone else to try and create a rift?

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. Sacchi." Raavi whispered, her hand squeezing his arm. This was getting harder to face.

"Ayy Raavi. Ek toh Shiva itne pyaar se chai banake laaya hai, tu pi nahi rahi, upar se mujhe hi taane maar rahi hai? Aise bahu se accha hai-" Suman started, but was shocked to the core hearing his voice.

"Maa. Bas. Bohot ho gaya." Shiva replied sternly, locking his jaw. He couldn't lose his temper here. This is the final showdown, the mirror he wanted to show his mother and bhabhi, for the last 3 months. It cannot go wrong. Not now.

"Aap isse swaarthi keh rahe ho? Ye Raavi, jo itna sab hone ke baad, iss ghar me waapas sirf Dhara Bhabhi ke liye aayi? Ye toh mere liye, apne liye, humare rishte ke liye bhi nahi aayi thi, jitna ye bhabhi ka khud khayal rakhne aayi thi" Shiva pointed towards Raavi, who was standing just behind his shoulder, almost next to him.

"Aur kaam chor? Kaha se kaam chor? Maine iske aadhe kaam le liye, aur aapko lag raha hai ki mai kitna kaam kar raha hu. Lekin aapko tab kyu nahi dikha, jab ye akeli, sab kaam kar rahi thi, bina koi madat ya sahayta ke?" Shiva questioned his mother. He wasn't rude, he couldn't be even if he tried, but he needed to make her understand that Raavi is no rag doll.

He knelt down in front of his mother, "Maa, iski baat sune bagair aapne faisla le liya, ki ye mere 'acchai ka faayda utha rahi hai'. Isse ek baar bolne ka toh mauka dijiye."

Suman was astonished. Never had her sons spoken for their wives while she pointed out their flaws or mistakes. She never expected them to, so to hear Shiva say this, took her by surprise, to say the least.

Shiva reached out for Raavi's hand, and pulled her towards where he sat in front of Suman, nudging her to speak.

"Kaki," Raavi sat down in front of Suman, "Aap samajh nahi rahi hai. Mujhe ghar ke kaam karne se dikkat nahi hai, bas, college aur kaam, dono saath mein nahi hote. Aur mere liye, mera college zyaada zaroori hai" Raavi spoke, but Suman chose to focus on the last line only.

"Toh ab tu ghar ke zimmedari se door bhaagegi?" She taunted.

"Hargiz nahi. Bas itna keh rahi hu, ki kisi aur ko kaam pe rakh lete hai, taaki mujhe aur Shiva, dono ko apne apne naukri aur kaam ka sacrifice na karna pade" Raavi was trying really hard to make them understand, but they just wouldn't budge.

"Raavi," Dhara spoke from behind Suman, "Meri jab shaadi hui thi, tab mai tujhse bhi choti umar ki thi. Maine toh sab kaam sambhal liya aasaani se. Tu kyu nahi kar sakti?" Dhara reasoned.

Raavi was losing her mind now. She kept trying to tell them it was difficult, but they weren't ready to understand. What would it take for them to get an ounce of sadbuddhi?

"Kyuki woh aap nahi hai Dhara bhabhi." Shiva spoke, fiercely.

Everyone looked at Shiva, with different expressions. Raavi, in confusion, because she couldn't believe her husband compared her to his bhabhi, in a way of praising her for all the sacrifices she did in the last 10 years, supposedly belittling her.

Suman, in a blank face, praise about Dhara from Shiva's mouth wasn't new to her, but given the course of argument, surprised her.

And most importantly, Dhara, in over confidence, thinking her baccha had chosen her over Raavi, just like she always expected.

"Aap bhul rahi hai, ki aapki shaadi ke time aap college bilkul nahi gayi thi. Aapne apni padhai chod di thi ye ghar ko sambhaalne ke liye."Shiva said slowly.

Another shock. This time, Raavi couldn't help but be proud of Shiva. Her Shiva.

"Tab, humari ye condition nahi thi, ki hum kisi ko kaam pe rakhe aur Dhara bhabhi ko apni padhai ka sacrifice na karna pade. Upar se Dhara bhabhi ne apni marzi se padhai chod di thi"

"Par aaj? Aaj hum 2 branches ke maalik hai, business bohot tez hai, aur teesri branch kholne ki tayyari kar rahe hai, toh Raavi ko apni padhai chodne ki kya zaroorat hai?" Shiva finally said, heaving a sigh.

It made sense. Whatever Shiva said made sense. And for the first time, it made Suman ponder. He was right. Raavi was right. Blinded by rage, she couldn't see the plight her daughter-in-law was in. In the fear of society, she forgot that family comes first, something she always taught her sons, and they had always remembered this lesson. A lesson she conveniently forgot today.

And Shiva supporting his wife, is family, isn't it? They shouldn't have to feel replaced, because he never did that. He just made an extra spot for her in his life and family.

Suman was toning down, she was a mother, and while being a mother to Shiva, she forgot that she was also a mother to Raavi. She forgot that she's a woman, just like her.

Her son showed her the mirror she refused to see via her daughter's hands. And this conditioning was something she promised to work on, slowly but surely.

Dhara, on the other hand, couldn't bear to see that Shiva had placed Raavi above the world. She wasn't the centre of his world anymore. It irritated her to see him give Raavi the same importance, maybe even more, that he used to give her.

Even though she expected her husband to the same.

"Aur mujhe toh ye baat pata bhi nahi chalti agar uss din ye behosh-" Shiva blurted out, before biting his tongue.

He and Raavi had decided not to tell anyone about the fainting episodes she had, keeping it to themselves. But now that the cat was out of the bag, Raavi told them about her fainting episodes, her panic attacks, and the time Shiva found her in the kitchen.

Suman's eyes widened at what Raavi said. And forgetting everything, she pulled her towards herself, caressing her head.

"Raavi? Tu-tu behosh ho gayi thi? Tu theek hai? Tujhe kahi lagi toh nahi?" Suman blabbered, looking over Raavi's body to see signs of any injury.

"Lagi na. Yaha." Raavi said, and pointed towards her heart.

Suman stared at Raavi, before pulling her into a hug. With tears, she said "Mujhe maaf karde, meri bacchi, maine itni badi galti kar di, tu mujhse kehti rahi lekin maine suna nahi. Kya kehte hai? Sorry."

Suman and Raavi were a crying mess, while Suman kept apologising for the way she treated Raavi and Raavi kept nodding. It was an emotional moment, and Shiva couldn't help but tear up.

He felt content. A certain peace settled in his heart knowing that Raavi would never be alone, or in the wrong hands, ever.

In the midst of everything, Suman promised Raavi that she'd look for a someone to take care of her, the house and Dhara very soon, because she had to go to college, get a job and make the family proud.

This was it. He succeeded.

He got up and hugged the 2 most important people of his world, kissing both of their heads, and he'd be damned if anyone were to ruin it.

A fuming Dhara was jealous right where the sun doesn't shine, so all she said was "Raavi ke alawa iss ghar ke kaam koi nahi karega. Tu bhi nahi Shiva."

"Kyu?" Shiva questioned, this time rather rudely, because he was getting fed up of this behaviour. No matter how pregnant she was, she was still human, right?

"Bas. Nahi matlab nahi. Mujhe koi aur nahi chahiye iss ghar ke kaam karne ke liye. Baaki tumhe jo karna hai tum karo, Raavi." Dhara angrily said, not paying attention to the choice of words.

But Raavi's ears perked up, "Toh aapke liye mai sirf ek kaam waali bai hu? Hai na? Yahi kehna chahti ho na aap?"

The colour drained from Dhara's face, "Nahi.... Mai woh.... Matlab.... Bas kaam karle.... Phir tujhe ghumne se kaun mana kar raha hai?" She tried to save face.

"Raavi ne sahi pucha, aapki baatein samajh nahi aa rahi hai, Raavi aur bai me kya farak hoga for?" Shiva spoke back.

He had had enough. He could not believe he idolised her all his life. Guilt settled in his heart for all the times he hurt Raavi for Dhara. He would make up for that someday, and every day after that.

"Kyuki hamesha se toh bahu karti aa rahi kaam, toh ye kyu nahi karti? Uske liye isse college chodna pade, meri tarah, toh kya ho jaayega?"

"Isse kisi bhi cheez ki qurbaani dene ki koi zaroorat nahi hai, khaaskar iski padhai ki."

The last string of patience snapped as Shiva stormed into their room, pulling out a suitcase, and putting their clothes in it haphazardly. Raavi ran behind him trying to understand why he was doing it, but he just shut the suitcase, and dragged the bag in one hand, while pulling Raavi by her wrist from the other.

"Jis ghar mein Raavi ki izzat nahi hogi, uss ghar mein mai hargiz nahi rahunga."

Shiva's announcement swept the ground from under Dhara's feet. First Dev left with Rishita, and now Shiva.

Shiva looked at Suman, silently gaining her approval as she nodded, sadly, but knowing that this was right. A grown man would never live in a house where his wife isn't respected, and Suman understood that.

"Shiva, tu pagal hai kya, Dhara di ko aise akele kaise chod sakte hai, aur fir kaam-" Raavi stammered, but got silenced by Shiva's glare.

"Kyu? Tune sab kaam karne ka theka laga rakha hai? Quality of life naam ki cheez hoti hai. Tujhe ye sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tera pati hu, nahi dekh sakta aise tujhe, samjhi?"

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Raavi realised that she barely paid attention to herself, what with college and the house.

She looked at Shiva, and knew that she'd be okay with him. They'd be okay. So she gave in, because God knows how much they needed to be alone after all this drama. She deserved her share of khushiyan.

"Maa, tu bhi chalegi humare saath?" Shiva asked, both bending to take blessings from Suman.

A sad look passed over Suman's face, "Nahi. Dhara ko meri zaroorat hai" She gave a weak smile, as Shiva hugged her tight, whispering how he'll send someone to look over the house.

Hand in hand, Shiva Pandya and Raavi Pandya stepped out of the house they both loved, onto a journey of their own.

.....

"Shiva?"

"Hmm"

"Tu unhe miss nahi karta?"

Shiva sighed. It had been 6 months since they left the Pandya House, and it was honestly bliss for both of them.

There was no pressure on either of them to take care of a house, they worked together in sync to make the house their home, and everything was perfect.

Speaking of home, Raavi decided to take Shiva back to her house. Not to her Maasi. But the house she owned.

Her parent's house.

Prafulla was more than happy to see her Raavi living away from that madhouse, and she happily handed over the keys to them. It was quite far away from the main city, but they found enough peace and solace with each other and the neighbourhood.

The house was maintained well by the caretaker uncle, just needed a few fixes and touch ups, and it was as if this house was never deserted.

Since Shiva moved away, he couldn't go back to managing the store. But luckily, his friend knew about Shiva's business sense and his knack for cracking the best deals, along with being street smart, which is rare.

He watched Shiva work, and offered him equal partnership in his company. Which shocked Shiva to the core and he gladly accepted it. He was earning for himself, all on his own. He was proud of himself. And he knew that Raavi was the proudest.

Raavi, on the other hand, finished her first term in the the city and shifted her college to the neighbourhood branch, with special permission from the dean, since it was much easier to travel within the neighbourhood than go to the city altogether.

Just like that, they found sukoon. Sure, the neighbourhood aunties gossiped about how Shiva was staying in Raavi's house, but it didn't matter because Raavi transferred equal ownership of the house to Shiva, being the only direct descendant of her parents.

If you expected the Pandya Family to cut them out, you are wrong. The only person who was still sour about it was Dhara, who was now a mother to Tara Pandya.

The entire family respected their decision, and occasionally came to meet them. When Rishita and Dev had flown back to Mumbai to meet family, they stayed with Shiva and Raavi instead of the Pandya House.

Suman and Krish often video called them, and on several occasions, came down to meet them as well.

Gautam wanted to meet them and take Tara along, but Dhara strictly asked him not to, saying they didn't value her love.

But he would still video call them and show Tara her Shiva Chachu and Raavi Chachi. After all, they were also family.

Shiva looked at Raavi, who was looking up at him. Raavi knew that somewhere, it stung him that Dhara's true colours had been shown this way to him.

"Jinhe miss karna chahiye, woh miss karne ka mauka nahi dete, kyuki unhone hume apne se door nahi kiya hai. Bas, miss kare toh kisse?"

He smiled at his wife, who was currently cuddling upto him, as he placed a kiss on her forehead, and she sighed in contentment.

Everything was okay. Because they had each other. And it would always be that way. 

xoxoxo

That's it. That's the end. Hopefully, this was a satisfying ending to this TS. Will see you soon when my brain cooks up a new AU :)