Author's Note - I was reminded of this one shot that i wrote a long time ago and i thought it was apt to celebrate YRKKH'S 8th Anniversary. YRKKH revolved around the lives of Naitik and Akshara. Now that we are moving on with the current generation, I think it is only fair to acknowledge the journey thusfar. This one shot is dedicated to the entire team of YRKKH - to all those who have been part of this journey, in one way or another. So here's a fresh take on one of my favorite writings.
OS - Inspired by Teri Galliyan
(OS Title Credit - Ek Villain)
YRKKH 8th Anniversary Special
(Galliyan Unplugged - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lVn4fyQLoE)
Akshara was all alone at home and had been sitting at the garden for nearly an hour. She smiled as she recalled all her moments with Naitik. Today marked 50 years of togetherness - 50 years since Naitik had come into her life. Every single day, she thanked Krishnaji for giving her the biggest gift of her life - Her Naitik.
Their story had not been an easy and smooth one but 50 years later, they never stopped loving and their family was complete. Their son Naksh worked at Krishna. When Krishna was first started, Naitik never thought that Naksh would follow his footsteps but Naksh had proven him wrong. In fact, it was Naksh who brought Krishna to great heights. He was married to Keerthi whom he had fallen in love with. The couple had two children, Avinaash and Naina. Their daughter Naira was heading the Singhania Diamonds Marketing Department. She was married to Karthik, who headed the designing department and the couple were blessed with a daughter, Kaira. Both Naksh and Naira had their own houses - Naitik had made sure they would be responsible with their own family issues and had asked both of them to lead their lives away from them, with weekend visits where the whole family gathers. Gayatri and her family lived in Australia. Mishti had grown up to be a fine young woman and she was currently in London attending a meeting.
As her life replayed before her eyes, a song came to her mind. She took her ipod and played it. She began singing along as she recalled those wonderful moments with Naitik.
Yahin Dube Din Mere
Yahin Hote Hai Savere
Yahin Marna Aur Jeena
Yahin Mandir Aur Madeena
Here my days end
Here my mornings begin
Here I have to die and live
Here are all my pilgrimages
As she looked around her, she remembered that it was the Singhania Sadan that had been witness to many happenings in her life. As age caught up with them, her children had tried to persuade Naitik and Akshara to let them stay with the two of them but Naitik had refused that idea. "As long as I have the strength, I will work - Singhania Diamonds has been my passion and will always be. Similarly, as long as Akshara and I are able to support each other, there will be no need for you both to be with us. I am not stopping you from the weekend visits with your families, I'm just saying that Akshara and I are there for each other and we'll manage". Those were the exact words Naitik had said.
Khushi's eyes glistened with tears as she recalled all the precious moments in her life. It was this Singhania Sadan that she lived with her beloved Naitik, where her two children grew up. It had all the bittersweet memories that Akshara would never exchange for anything. She knew that at the end of it all, this was where Naitik and she wanted to be when they breathe their last.
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Mujhko Bhaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Yunhi Tadpaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
I like all the ways that lead to you
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
The ways leading to you agonise me
Naitik - everytime Akshara thought about him, she would blush. 50 years later, nothing had changed. Naitik's name would still cause her heart to beat fast and make her breathe heavily. She blushed as she recalled all the lovely moments she spent with him. Be it the very first time she saw him at her Maternal home 50 years ago their first holi together where they had applied colors on each other or when she had broken the news of her pregnancy to Naitik. Naitik was her world and she knew although Naksh, Naira and their families were a part of her world now, Naitik would always be her priority.
Tu Meri Neendo Mein Sota Hai
Tu Mere Ashkon Mein Rota Hai
Sardoshi Si Hai Khayalon Mein
Tu Na Ho Phir Bhi Tu Hota Hai
Hai Silaa... Tu Mere... Dard Ka...
Mere Dil Ki Duaayein Hain Yeh
You sleep in my sleep
You cry in my tears
There's a whisper in my thoughts
Even if you're not here, it seems like you're here
You're the disposition of my pain
They are the prayers of my heart
Just then she was reminded of the family members who were no longer with her. Her Dadi, Daddaji, BhabhiMaa, Gayatri Maa, Rashmi and Sameer. So many years had passsed yet memories of them remained fresh. She also recalled Naman - her brother-in-law who had endangered Naitik. She recalled Naitik being kidnapped. She recalled the tough period where she had no clue about Naitik. Tears rolled down her cheek as she remembered the pain she had gone through, it was worse than the trauma from her miscarriage. Knowing that he was safe made everything bearable. Akshara thanked her Krishnaji for bringing Naitik safely back to her. She shuddered thinking about what could have happened to him. Akshara loved Naitik so much and 50 years down the road, the love was still had the same intensity.
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Mujhko Bhaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Yunhi Tadpaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
I like all the ways that lead to you
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
The ways leading to you agonise me
Akshara smiled as she recalled the look on Naitik's face when she had broken the news of her pregnancy. Naitik had cared for Akshara throughout the 9 months, bearing with all her moodswings and her cravings. When Akshara was admitted for her delivery, Naitik had been pacing around. Each time he heard Akshara scream in pain, Naitik had tears in his eyes. Eventually when Naitik came into the room and saw his bundle of joy, he was overwhelmed with tears. Seeing him tear made Akshara equally emotional. It was the same when she was pregnant with Naira. Naitik showered love on Naksh and Naira and was very protective about them. Akshara smiled as she recalled the day when Naksh came home and announced that he was in love with Keerthi - Kathik's Sister. Naitik had accepted it without any further thoughts. Similarly, when Naira had told Naitik about Karthik's proposal, Akshara had expected Naitik to get angry. However, that was not the case, Naitik had gladly agreed. When Naira had finally left after her marriage, Akshara saw Naitik break down like a child.
Kaisa Hai, Rishta Tera Mera
Bechehara Phir Bhi Kitna Gehra
Yeh Lamhe Lamhe Yeh Resham Se
Kho Jaaye Kho Na Jaaye Hum Se
Kafilaa... Waqt Ka... Roke Le
Ab Rooh Se Judaa Na Hoo
How is this relationship of yours and mine
It doesn't have a face, yet it is so deep
These moments, these moments are like silk
I hope we don't lose them
Let's stop the caravan of time..
Now all the ways leading to you should not get separated from my heart
Just then, she heard Naitik's voice - he was singing. As she tried to stand up, Naitik made her sit and sat on the table before her. As they looked into each other's eyes, they knew they were meant to be. Naitik had always wondered - Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai? Was there even a word to describe it accurately? He was thankful and felt blessed to have Akshara in his life, Akshara had brought happiness into his life and he was who he was because of her. She changed his life and these 50 years with her were the best.
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Mujhko Bhaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Teri Galliyan Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Yunhi Tadpaave Galliyan Teri Galliyan
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
I like all the ways that lead to you
Ways leading to you, all the ways leading to you
The ways leading to you agonise me
Together, they sang the last few lines. They knew their love could not be named but it was that very love that shaped their life. Naitik and Akshara were meant to be together, one could not exist without the other. As the song ended, they had tears in their eyes. Naitik had been home for sometime and had been planning to give Akshara a surprise, when he heard her melodious voice. As he listened to her sing, the wonderful memories they shared together these 50 years replayed before his eyes. As Akshara stood up to go into the house to get him his usual coffee, Naitik had a mischievous thought. He pulled her arm and pinned her against the pillar. As she struggled to push him away, he went closer. Akshara's heartbeat increased and she started breathing heavy. Naitik leaned near her ear and whispered "Happy 50 years of togetherness Akshara, thank you for coming into my life" and kissed her cheek. With tears in her eyes, Akshara hugged him.
THE END
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