Hello everyone!
I am back with a couple of OSes after a while. I must say, I am loving the show so far and barring Dukhi Mukhiji turning into a sacrificing mahatma and Aru letting him do so, I see myself continuing to love the progression between these two. Now, coming to the OS, I wrote this OS last week when the OLVs first came out about the birthday party. But I must say, I did like the way the CVs handled it as well.
Anyways, do leave your thoughts on how you liked my visualization of the scene!
Cheers,
Neet
||ArMu OS Changing Tides||
"What is this Raju? Bechari took so much time and effort to look pretty just for you and instead of complimenting her beauty, you made fun of her?" Saanvi asked angrily. "Arey! I wasn't making fun of her. I just said she isn't looking like herself, which is true! And what's with this she dressed up to look pretty for me? There's nothing like that. You or the other ladies must've forced her to get all dolled up", Mukhi said dismissively. "I swear Raju, none of us forced her to do anything. She did everything on her own, of her own free will. She wanted this celebration for you, she wanted to get all decked up for you! So you wouldn't be able to take your eyes off her. You are her husband after all", Saanvi tried to explain. "Please Saanvi! You of all people should know that this husband -wife relationship is just for namesake. She and I do not share that kind of a relationship, never have and never will", Mukhi said, a tinge of something akin to regret lacing his voice. "I know. I know that when both of you got married, neither of you wanted this marriage. But think about it Raju, despite both of you trying so hard to negate this relationship, destiny has kept throwing you together. You've been through so much together. And you wouldn't blink an eye before laying your lives down for each other. Hasn't your perception towards her, haven't your feelings for her, changed one bit since the time of your marriage?" Saanvi paused and watched the play of emotions on Mukhi's face as he remained silent. "I am a woman too, Raju. And I know what every woman wants from her marriage respect, care and love. Both of you have the respect and care between you and now she's seeking love, the love that she rightfully deserves from you. I can see, as an outsider in your relationship, that the tides have changed. The way you look at her when you think she isn't watching. The way she looks at you when she thinks you aren't watching. The way you care for each other. Maybe you are not ready to accept each other as husband and wife in the true sense yet. But you know those tender feelings you are nurturing for each other in those secret, closed corners of your heart? They are as plain as daylight for anyone to see. All I am saying is, don't try to hold them back. She isn't. She is trying, in these subtle ways, to let you know that you mean something to her. For perhaps the first time in your life, take that step ahead towards your chance at happiness, Raju. Don't make her feel embarrassed for trying to convey her emotions." With that Saanvi walked away and left him all lost in thought. He took a deep breath and headed towards their room, the direction in which Gaurani had disappeared.
"Sahi kehte hain Dukhi Mukhi! Tu ek number ki daffod hai! Daffod! What did you think, Arundhati? That the Dukhi Mukhi would shower flowers on you? Recite shayari and sing songs praising your beauty? Daffod!" She was talking to herself in front of the mirror, unaware of his presence by the door of the room as she angrily wiped off all the make up she'd put on her face. Mukhiyani was definitely upset, Mukhi thought taking a deep breath. He stepped in and she raised her teary eyes to the mirror and looked at his reflection. He caught his ears in a gesture of apology and made a puppy face but she was in no mood to be placated. Then he remembered Saanvi's words about how Aru had made all this effort just for him, to make him happy.
In long purposeful strides, he was right behind her. She refused to acknowledge his presence. He raised gentle, hesitant hands towards her shoulder and started to move her hair away from her back. She gasped at the sudden contact and turned towards him, "Mukhiji.." He placed a finger on her lips and shook his head. Then he turned her around, facing her away from him. Their eyes met and held in their reflections on the mirror. Once again, his fingers danced across the skin at the nape of her neck as he moved her hair away. He then found the clasp to the heavy necklace she was wearing and opened it. He caught the necklace right before it fell off and put it away.
Aru kept looking at him, unable to look away or say anything as his fingers thread into her hair next and gently pulled out the pins holding her hair in place. Her hair fell around her face in gentle cascades, framing her face and highlighting the doe eyed innocence in her eyes. Then he turned her towards him and said, "there. Now you look like my Gaurani. Your simplicity, your honesty and your innocence are what make you beautiful. You don't need these heavy jewelry or make up to make you look beautiful. You are beautiful from the inside and that shows through on your outside too."
Aru's eyes welled up with tears. He didn't recite any shayari, he didn't sing a filmy song. With his simple words and gestures, he had made her feel more beautiful than she'd ever felt in her life. She reached out and hugged him tight. And he didn't hesitate as he hugged her back. He pulled her back just a little and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. It conveyed so much more of what he wanted to say but couldn't find the words for. Her eyes closed of their own volition. When she opened them, he was looking at her with such intensity, she thought he could see right into her soul. "Thank you," he said. Aru felt herself blushing and at the same time her heart seemed to be soaring in her chest.
"I think we should go back out before people come looking for us," Mukhi said as he turned to walk away. "Mukhiji!" She called him impulsively. He turned and raised his eyebrows questioningly. Riding on the high of some unknown newfound emotion, she took quick steps towards him, tip-toed and kissed him on his cheek. Mukhi stood stunned as she whispered into his ear, "Happy birthday Mukhiji" and ran out the door. The twinkle in her eyes and the giggle of her laughter stayed with him for longer after though. This truly had turned out to be the best birthday of his life, and all because of this one woman.
****
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
