OS: Live In The Moment

Live In The Moment

"Tej..."

The room was deafeningly quiet.

"Tej... main jaanti hoon aap kya soch rhe hain... par aise shaant baithe rehne se to kuch nhi hoga na... Humse galti hui... hume use samajhne mein der ho gayi... "

"To ab aage kya Devi ?... Khud par bohot gussa aa rha hai mujhe... bohot haara-haara sa mehsoos ho rha hai... Ma aur Babuji ke jaane ke baad... Shaan aur Alok ki zimmedaari meri thi... main unka bada bhaai hoon... le... lekin main apni zimmedaari nhi nibha paaya... Alok ne ek ladki ke saath... cheee...", he felt disgusted.

"Please Tej... shaant ho jaaiye... Alok ne jo bhi kiya vo bohot galat kiya... aur isiliye toh ab iss ghar mein uske liye koi jagah nhi hain..."

"Tu jaanti hai Devi... ma... maine Anokhi par vishvaas naa karke apne... apne bhaai par vishvaas kiya aur nateeja dekh kya hua... Main maanta hoon ki Anokhi humse alag hain... uski soch alag hain lekin uspar jo allegations lagaye gaye... jo bhi uske saath hua vo bohot bura hua... maine usko abhi tak apna bahu nhi maana to yeh matlab nhi ki uspar jhoothe ilzaam lagne par mujhe achcha lagega... "

"Mujhe... mujhe usse... balki hum sabko usse maafi maangni chahiye... jo bhi ho... vo humaare bete ki wife hai... Bohot pyaar karta hai Shaurya usse... suna tha na tune usne kya kaha tha... VO VHI RAHEGA JAHA USKI ANOKHI RAHEGI..."

Unknown to them, their face lit up with a smile.

"Haan Tej... suna tha maine..."

"Dekhiye Tej... main jaanti hoon Anokhi humaare jaisi nhi hai... khule vichaaro vaali ladki hai... independent hai... jo ki humaare soch se bilkul alag hai... lekin aapko pta hai Tej... aaj mujhe mehsoos hua ki ab badalne ka vakt aa gaya hai..."

Tej looked at her, surprised.

"Haan Tej... itne saalo se jo hota aa rha hai... ab use badalna hoga... Anokhi ko accept karne mein hume samay lagega... apni soch... apni aadato mein badlaav lane mein bhi time toh lagega hi... lekin yeh zaroori hai... bohot zaroori... Samay ke saath hum Anokhi ko accept kar paayenge... Abhi sab kuch naya-naya haina isiliye use humaare saath... aur hume uske saath adjust karne mein vakt lagega... "

"Tej... aap Gayatri ke baare mein sochiye... Bebo-Kitty... Kanchan... unke baare mein sochiye... kya beet rhi hogi unpe... hume... hume kuch karna hoga... kab tak yoon aise maayus hokar sabhi baithe rahenge... aur jaisa ki aapne kaha... mujhe bhi Anokhi aur Shaurya se maafi maangni hai..."

"Aur Shaan aur Aastha ko firse ek hote hue dekhna hai..."

"Aap sehmat haina mere saath ?..."

Tej gave her a confident smile as he looked up at her.

Although they didn't like Anokhi from the beginning but after the recent incident, they've come to see the reality.

They have accepted the truth that self-introspection is crucial before they condemn others.

They have realized that the Sabharwal mansion's predetermined foundations need ​to be re-established. With passage of time, changes are necessary. They will gradually come to accept Anokhi.

⁓⁕⁓

Evening had arrived.

Shaurya and Anokhi were sleeping in each other's arms, exhausted from the previous day's and morning's labor.

They had taken a nap after lunch, and it was a good one. After a lot of days, both were able to sleep peacefully.

After all, Anokhi was proved innocent and Alok guilty.

Anokhi and Shaurya had returned to Sabharwal mansion because they didn't want to be separated from their family. The importance of family in one's life cannot be underestimated. Their aid is a source of power.

Shaurya's childhood was spent here, despite the fact that it was a mix of sad and ephemeral happy moments. He can never forget the love and pamper his family members gave.

It broke his heart to leave the mansion, but he couldn't live in a place where his love had been falsely accused.

Today's lunch was a happy one because all of the Sabharwal members, including Aastha, were present at the dining table and they finished it with lots of happy chit-chats.

Men and women ate lunch together today.

Though everyone was saddened by Alok's deeds, they tried to forget about it and live in the present.

Anokhi opened her eyes slowly and found herself cuddling with Shaurya. While sleeping, he looked like a child, which made her smile.

She remembered how he trusted her and how, with the help of ACP Ahir, he proved her innocence. Furthermore, he left his family behind simply to be with her; he loved her; he had faith in her which is the most important aspect of any relationship.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she expressed her gratitude to Matarani for bringing Shaurya into her life.

She snuggled closer to him, but Shaurya woke up in the process.

He sensed something wet in his chest and realized Anokhi was crying.

"Anokhi... Jaan..." he tried to look at her face. But Anokhi snuggled more closer in response.

Shaurya ruffled her tresses with a gentle stroke.

"Kya hua wifey ?... Ro rhi ho ?... Mujhe btao kya hua ?... Mujhse naaraaz ho ?..."

She nodded in a no in the same position.

Shaurya tucked her hairs behind and held her chin softly. This time, she looked up.

He couldn't bear looking at her tear-streaked face.

He wiped her tears away and kissed her on the forehead. Anokhi relaxed under his gentle touch and closed her eyes to feel the warmth.

"Bolo na Anokhi... kya baat hai ?...", he asked calmly.

"PS... aap... aapko mujhpe bharosa tha... mai... maine aapko galat samjha... please I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"Arreh wifey...", he drew her into his embrace.

"Anokhi... tum isliye ro rhi ho ?... Main tumse naraaz nhi hoon Anokhi... bilkul bhi nhi... Main jaanta tha ki MERI ANOKHI aisa kuch kar hi nhi sakti... isiliye to maine aur tumhaare ACP ji ne saath milkar proofs collect kiye...", he wanted to lighten the atmosphere and hence referred to Ahir as "tumhaare ACP ji".

Shaurya felt relieved when Anokhi pulled back from the hug and smiled lightly through tears.

"PS... "

"Hmmm..."

"Thank you...", saying so she hugged him again, but this time more tightly.

Shaurya caressed her hair and smiled. 

"Anokhi... yeh kya baat hui... kabhi sorry... kabhi thank you... mujhe na ye sab achcha nhi lagta... aisa lagta hai jaise main... main koi door ka koi hoon tumhaara... Wifey... maine vahi kiya jo sahi tha... pyaar karta hoon tumse... poora bharosa hai tumpe... aur humesha rahega... iske liye kisi thank you ki zaroorat nhi... Samjhi ?!!...", he placed a quick peck on her cheek.

Anokhi hid her face more to not let him see her cute red face.

"Awww... blush kar rhi ho..."

"PS !!!...", she hugged him even tighter.

Shaurya laughed softly and wrapped his arms around her.

They remained in that position for some time.

Anokhi was just thinking how much Shaurya loves her. She felt blessed to have him by her side at all times.

Her process of thinking broke when Shaurya said, "Anokhi... shaam ho chuki hai... chalo haath-mooh dho lo... aur fir neeche chalte hain..."

"Ummm... thodi der aur...", like a child, she made a request.

Her antics made his heart melt.

"Cheh baj rhe hain wifey... Mujhe to koi problem nhi hai aise rehne mein... lekin tum jaanti hona... Gayatri chachi... Bebo-Kitty... Badi ma... Bade papa... ghar mein sabhi ka mood off hai... isliye main keh rha tha ki neeche chalte hain... Sabhi ek saath rahenge to halka mehsoos hoga..."

Anokhi realized what he was saying was right, so she slowly pulled back.

"Hmmm PS... aapne sahi kaha... mujhe Gayatri chachi ki sabse zyaada fikr ho rhi hain... unhone bohot mushkil se khudko sambhaala hai... aur Kitty aur Bebo bhi bohot udaas the... Sabhi ko humaari zaroorat hai abhi... Hum sab saath honge toh sab achcha hoga..."

"Chalo chalte hain..."

They both refreshed and changed into their casual clothes before heading downstairs.

⁓⁕⁓

They walked downstairs but it was dark all around. Shaurya held her hand all the way downstairs.

"PS... yeh andhera kyu hai itna... humaare room mein toh light thi..."

"Pta nhi Anokhi... tum ruko main dekhta hoon..."

He was about to go when the lights suddenly turned on and they were thrilled to hear someone's voice.

Tej: Phoolon mein khushbu hai

Is dil mein ik tu hai...

Devi: Janmon ke saathi

Hum saath saath hain...

Shaan: Janmon ke saathi

Hum saath saath hain...

Aastha: Naino mein jyoti hai

Seepi mein moti hai...

Gayatri: Nainon mein jyoti hai

Seepi mein moti hai...

Kanchan: Janmon ke saathi

Hum saath saath hain...

Bebo and Kitty: Janmon ke saathi

Hum saath saath hain...

Shaurya and Anokhi were both taken aback by seeing how happy they were singing. They were both concerned about everyone's depressed state, but here they got a pleasant surprise. They were overjoyed to see all of them together for the first time. Everybody's expressions indicated that they were feeling each of the lyrics as they sang them. Shaurya and Anokhi wanted all of them to be together in this situation and they got what they had wished for.

"Badi maa... Bade papa... Chachi .... Kitty-Bebo... Kanchan... Dad... Maa... yeh... yeh sab ?...", Shaurya inquired, his face beaming.

Anokhi had the same reaction.

Devi approached Anokhi and gently cupped her face.

"Beta... "

"Hum jaante hain tumhe hum sab ki... iss poore parivaar ki parvaah hai... tum bhi chaahti ho ki hum pichhla sab kuch bhulaake aage badhe... lekin beta... humne jo bhi kiya... vo bohot galat tha... hume apni galti ka ehsaas hai..."

"Badi maa... please aap aise mat boliye..."

"Nhi Anokhi... aaj hume mat roko... Aaj please hume bolne do..."

"Jis din se tum Sabharwal khaandaan ki bahu bankar aayi ho yaha... tabse bohot pareshaaniyo ka saamna karna pada tumhe... aur uski vajah hum the... Alok ke kartoot ke liye tumhe saza mili... tumhe yeh ghar chodhkar jaana pada... please Anokhi... hume maaf kardo... humse bohot badi galti ho gayi..."

"Aur Shaurya... beta humne tumhe bhi bohot takleef pahunchaai haina... please apni badi maa ko maaf kardo... aaj mujhe... tumhaare Bade papa ko ehsaas hua parivaar ki ekta kitni zaroori hai... humaara ek rehna bohot zaroori hain..."

"Isiliye... hum sab ne aaj ki shaam ko yeh gaana gaakar manaane ka socha..."

"Kyunki aaj se hum ek nayi shuruaat karna chaahte hain... jaha har cheez mein HUM SAATH SAATH HONGE... HUMESHA..."

"Badi maa...", he hugged her.

Shaurya was too delighted to see them. He got his love back, he got his parents back and now he has got his family back, eventually his happiness is back.

Badi maa gestured Anokhi and she too joined the hug.

Bade papa caressed their head from behind.

"Galti sabse hoti hain Badi maa... uska ehsaas hona aur usko sudhaarna hi iska hal hai... Hum sabko humaari galtiyo ka ehsaas hai... isse badi khushi ki baat aur kya ho sakti hai...", Anokhi said as she drew away from the hug.

Tej and Devi nodded.

"Anokhi..."

Gayatri softly held her hands.

"A... aaj mere... mere pati ke vajah se tumhe itna kuch sehna pada... main... main uske taraf se maafi maangti hoon tumse...", she sobbed and folded her hands.

"Arreh... Chachi !...", Shaurya and Anokhi both exclaimed at the same time.

"Chachi... aaap... aap yeh kya kar rhi hai ?... Please... maine aap logo ko kitni baar kaha... main uss cheez ko bhool chuki hoon... "

"Please Gayatri chachi... aap royiye mat na... achcha nhi lagta aise...", Anokhi hugged her.

"Agar aap firse aisa kuch karengi... to main agli baar pkka naaraaz ho jaaungi aur aapke manaane par bhi nhi maanungi...", everybody smiled at her childishness and so did Gayatri through tears.

"Kitty... Bebo... tum dono aayo na yaha...", she motioned for them to approach and join the hug.

Kitty and Bebo did so and an emotional moment followed.

It was difficult for Gayatri to accept her husband's truth and so was for both Kitty and Bebo. It hurt them deeply that their father did such a shameful act. Didn't he even think of them ?

Anyways, they tightly hugged Anokhi and Gayatri. The hug gave them the strength to move on and forget about it. Although it will be difficult but they have to.

After a few moments, they drew back.

Gayatri and Betty's tears were wiped away by Anokhi.

Every person present in the hall felt empathetic at their condition.

"Taya ji... Tayi ji... ab climax ki baari hain... aur kitna wait karenge hum ???...", Kanchan's voice echoed in the hall. She wanted to divert everyone's attention away from the sad situation.

This earned her a glare from Devi.

Shaurya and Anokhi noticed this and asked, "Climax ???.... Matlab ???..."

"Kanchan... tumhaare pet mein koi baat hi nhi rehti... humaara surprise bigad gaya...", Devi said in a humorous way.

"Tune khud hi apne mooh se bta di ki yeh ek surprise hai...", Tej interrupted.

Devi realized what she had done and bit her tongue.

Shaurya and Anokhi watched them with amused expression.

"Kya baat hai bade papa... Kaisa surprise ?..."

Shaan and Aastha were also clueless.

"Hume bhi to bataaiye kaisa surprise ?...", Shaan asked.

"Devi... Ab samay aa gaya hain apni galtiyo ko sudhaarne ka..."

Devi passed an assuring smile and she walked over to Shaan and Aastha.

"Aastha... Shaan... main jaanti hoon humne jo tumhaare saath kiya vo maafi ke laayak nhi hai... par fir bhi... maafi maangna chaahti hoon tumse... ek last baar ke liye maaf kar do apni bhabhi ko..."

"Bhabhi...", Aastha held her hands gently.

"Jo ho gya... vo ho gya.... Ab hume aage ka sochna hai Bhabhi..."

Devi nodded.

She took Aastha and Shaan's hands in her own and said, "Tumhi ne abhi kaha na... jo ho gaya... vo ho gya...ab aage ka sochna hai... "

Shaan and Aastha nodded, but they had no idea what she was up to.

"Toh yeh lo...", she entwined Aastha's hand with Shaan's.

Shaan and Aastha looked at each other confused.

"Aastha... Main chaahthi hoon tum dobaara is ghar mein vaapas aayo..."

Aastha looked at her dumbfounded.

Shaurya's face lit up with a big smile.

"Bhabhi ?..."

"Vishvaas nhi ho rha na... par yahi sach hai... Aastha... main aur Tej... balki sabhi chaahte hai tum aur Shaan dobaara apna rishta jod lo... hum chaahte hain TUM DONO FIRSE SHAADI KARLO..."

Now, this was a blow to all of them. Tej and Devi had confessed their mistakes, it was okay but this proposal of marriage was something unexpected. Aastha had no idea Devi would ask her for this.

"Bhaisahab...", Shaan ran towards him and hugged him tightly. His elder brother finally realized where his happiness lies in. He was too happy.

Aastha hugged Devi and expressed her ecstasy in the same way. She never wanted to intrude there; never had any intentions to return to the Sabharwal house. She had got her son back and it was enough but life has given her another chance, and everything was going to be fine; she too was happy for it.

"Thank you Bhabhi..."

"Thank you bhaisahab..."

Everyone was pleased to see the changes in Tej and Devi. 

Shaurya and Anokhi were the happiest of all.

Shaurya got his everything back and this way Anokhi too got her happiness back.

"Thank you vank you bohot hua... abhi to ek aur cheez baaki hai...", Tej said breaking the hug.

"Aur bhi surprises ?... Arreh vaah...", Kanchan exclaimed like a child.

Everybody looked at her amused.

Tej handed an envelope to Devi and she walked towards Shaurya and Anokhi.

She took their hands and placed the envelope there.

Shaurya and Anokhi exchanged puzzled looks.

"Badi maa... yeh... ?..."

"Kholo... aur dekho isme kya hai..."

"Humaari bhi firse shaadi hogi ?... Humaare shaadi ka card hai kya iske andar ?", he said this with sarcasm.

"Awww Shaurya bhaiya.... Itna pyaar karte ho apni biwi se ki ek baar nhi ab dobaara usse firse shaadi karni hai... soooo sweet..."

Anokhi smacked him lightly on the arms, concealing her blush.

"Arre main toh bas aise hi bol rha tha...", he chuckled.

Shaurya excitedly opened the envelope and took out the content and they both observed it together.

At last, both looked at each other and then at Devi with a heart-warming smile.

"Bhaiya... batao toh kya hain ?... Aur wait nhi ho rha...", Bebo spoke.

"Haan ... haan jaldi bataaiye...", Kanchan said.

Everybody was curious to know.

"Tickets hai... Switz.... Switzerland ki tickets ... Lekin Badi maa... Bade papa... yeh kisliye ?..."

Devi gently stroked both of their heads.

"Beta...."

"Shaadi ke baad tum dono ko akele samay bitaane ka time hi nhi mila... College... kaam... exams inke chakkar mein tum dono busy the... aur pichle kuch dino mein jo bhi hua... vo toh...."

"Khair..."

"Beta... ab sab kuch theek ho rha hain... Sabhi khushiyaan vaapas aa rhi hain... isliye main chaahti hoon tum dono enjoy karo... tum dono ko kahi ghoomne jaane ka mauka bhi nhi mila... Toh maine aur Tej ne socha ki hum khud hi tickets book karva dete hain... Humaari taraf se ek chhota sa tohfa samjho..."

"Badi maa... yeh aapne humaare liye kiya... iske liye thank you so much... hume bohot khushi hui... lekin hume abhi ek saath rehne ki zyaada zaroorat hai Badi maa... yeh toh baad mein bhi ho sakta hain...", Anokhi said.

"Haan badi maa... Anokhi bilkul sahi keh rhi hain... Mujhe bohot khushi hui aapne yeh humaare liye kiya... lekin apni family se badhkar kuch nhi..."

"Shaurya... Anokhi... yaha ki chinta tum mat karo... Hume khudko sambhaalna seekhna hoga... Dheere-dheere sab normal ho jaayega... tum dono uski chinta mat karo... Please ek request hai... humaare liye yeh trip cancel mat karo... Please...", Gayatri spoke.

"Haan Shaurya... Anokhi... tum dono itni si baat nhi maanoge humaari... ", Devi requested.

"Agar tu humaari baat nhi maanega... toh hume lagega ki tum dono ne hume maaf nhi kiya...", Tej said placing his hand on his shoulder.

Shaurya and Anokhi realised they had no choice but to accept it. So they did it happily.

"Achcha Bade papa... hum jaayenge trip pe... Lekin meri ek shart hain..."

"Kaisi shart ?...", Devi said.

"Jab is trip se hum dono vaapas aa jaayenge tab hum sabhi milkar ek din picnic par jaayenge... Please... Mujhe meri khushi vaapas mil gayi hai... meri Anokhi bhi mere paas hain... ab main apni poori famile ke saath time spend karna chaahta hoon... Main bohot khush hoon... hadd se zyaada... main... main explain nhi kar sakta....", he hugged Devi.

Tej joined the hug and gestured Anoki to come.

Devi indicated Kitty and Bebo too to join them.

Everyone eventually joined in, and the Sabharwal house witnessed the establishment of a strong bond.

A bond constituted by each member's love.

A bond formed by each individual's willingness.

A bond that would be difficult to break even in the darkest hours.

"Badi maa... Bade papa... Maa... papa... Chachi... main aap sabhi logo se ek baat kehna chaahti hoon...", Anokhi said pulling back from the hug.

"Jo bhi hua hai use bhoolna mushkil hai... lekin jo samay beet chuka hai... use hum badal to nhi sakte na... Hume beete hue samay ko bhulaakar aage badhna hoga... Hume present par focus karna hoga... Hum apne past ko apne present aur future ko affect karne nhi de sakte... Isiliye meri aap sabhi logo se ek chhoti si request hai..."

"Kya aap log mera saath denge isme... Kya aap mera haath thaamenge aage badhne mein ?...", with a smile on her face, she extended her hand.

Everyone felt the intensity of her words. Indeed, it was time to let go of the past, make amends, and move on.

Shaurya was the first to place his hand above hers, and everyone was watching that scene with great affection.

"Main hoon tumhaare saath... HUMESHA..."

Both of their faces were adorned with a contented smile.

"Main hoon apni beti ke saath...", Shaan placed his hand.

"Main hoon apni Nikki ke saath...", Aastha placed her hand.

"Main to hoon hi humesha tumhare saath Anokhi...", Kanchan placed her hand.

"Hum bhi hai Anokhi Bhabhi...", Kitty and Bebo placed their hand.

Anokhi looked towards Gayatri with a pleading smile.

Gayatri walked to her and placed her hand, "Main... main hoon tumhaare saath... tum sab ke saath..."

Tej and Devi were the only ones left.

They both walked over to them and said, "Hum hain... HUMAARE BACHCHO KE SAATH..."

For everyone, it was a pivotal moment. No one in the family could have thought that a day will arrive in their life when they will be standing united with each other, for each other.

Everybody's face were gleaming with a confident smile. The hands were tightly clasped together.

They were filled with emotions and felt revitalized. They sensed the beginning of NEWNESS.

Tej and Devi confessed within themselves that now the Sabharwal foundations need to be reformed.

They realized change is inevitable with time and is important for progress.

They learnt that togetherness is the key to happiness.

They all are happy and eager to move on.

They learnt that bygones be bygones.

They are prepared to face the future together.

They realized it was the time to learn from the past and focus on the present to build a better future.

Together, all the members of the family learnt to LIVE IN THE MOMENT...

THE END...

Tried to craft a justified, subtle ending to the show.

Thank you for reading

Thank you snusmit for suggesting the plot of the story