Chandni slowly opened her eyes.
She was lying on her bed, in her bedroom. How she reached there, she had no Idea. On a chair beside her bed, sat Vikram who smiled slowly at her, now that she was awake. On the other side of bed, was Nargis Chachi, dozing off in her awkward sitting position at her feet.
Chandni got up quickly, stunned.
Vikram signaled her to be shush and smiled again in reassurance.
"Don't worry Chandni, it is just Chachi and me. Everything is okay. Don't worry. Do you want some water?"
He got up slowly from his chair and handed her a glass of water from the side table.Chandni grabbed the glass and gulped down all the water,
Hello my lovely readers So glad to be happy with the next update. This is another important stepping chapter and soon, I will start the initial Flashback chapter which describes the relationship between Malhothras and Bharadwajs all those years back and what happened on that fateful night. The love and support I am getting for this story only makes me work hard and write better. I just cant thank each and everyone of you enough. I have always said this and believe in it with all my heart. A writer is zero without readers. Yes you may be a terrific writer but if there is no one to read what you wrote, there is no outlet for that creativity. Please support my book and if you like it, recommend to your friends.
We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought. Percy Bysshe Shelley The earliest memories of his married life for Sanjay were those blissful moments he and Aishwarya spent on their honeymoon like any other newly married couple. When the rest of the world didn't matter and there was nothing but their need for each other. But once they came back to Allahabad, Sanjay realized that Aishwarya wasn't someone who would want to settle into the role of a wife or daughter in law of a home. In fact, her concept of home and happy life was q
"What!! Why did you do that? If Aishwarya wants to come back, then it is the best thing for both of you isn't it? Go....go right now and bring her back from Lucknow." Raghav Demanded. "Hey Bhagwan!! Don't be so naïve Raghav. She just wants me to pay off her debts and borrow more money here, as the lenders over there might have refused to give her any more money." Sanjay said with gritted teeth. "I know exactly what I am talking about Sanjay, it seems you are missing the point here. If she is being ridiculed and insulted by her father and external people, isn't it your responsibility to protect her from these? Is this how you let others treat the woman you vowed to protect and care for, till the day you die?" Raghav snapped. Sanjay sighed deeply, grabbing Dev as he tried to escape under the table trying to catch a
Sanjay slowly stopped the car once they entered the town of Rae Bareli. Damini suddenly woke up as if she was startled. "Err Sorry.... I didn't want to wake you up but we have reached Rae Bareli. Can you guide me how to get to your place?" Sanjay asked softly, finally turning around to look at her face directly, instead of the rearview mirror he was using while driving. It was early hours of the morning and the sunshine filtered through the car windows. Sanjay thought she looked even more beautiful. "Thanks, but no. Please drop me at the Auto stand and I will go on my own in an Autorikshaw (Auto is a 3-wheeler taxi). My family is very conservative, they wouldn't like to see me coming in a stranger's car, trust me." Damini smiled ruefully. Sanjay was taken back. He wa
For the first few months after her return, Aishwarya seemed to behave in controlled fashion, not spending much and took active interest in learning the ropes of running their business, much to Raghav and Vasudha's delight. But Sanjay knew her too well to believe everything straightaway. After the Rath Yatra finished, the communal riots that broke out between Hindus and Muslims in their nearby cities and the rest of India, distressed and derailed the normal life of every one including Sanjay and Raghav's families and their business as well. Slowly, after a few months, things returned somewhat to normal. All this while, Sanjay kept thinking of Damini, and prayed that their family was safe and unaffected due to the riots. It was as if her face got imprinted inside his heart forever. He was also gravely concerned about her wellbeing, considering the chauvinistic mentality of her family members. Many times, he
It turned out that the only reason Aishwarya was behaving well and confirming to minimal expenses was because of the strict warning issued by her father Durga Prasad that unless he saw real change in her behavior, he would cut off all his relations with her, and most importantly he would write a will disowning her. Once he felt sufficiently confident that Aishwarya had changed for good, he wrote a fresh will. But this time, taking a cue from Raghav and Sanjay's idea, he left all the wealth that belonged to him in the name of his Sanjay and Aishwarya's future kids. Aishwarya was incensed to no end and went straight to her father's home and had a big row with him. Things got so out of hand that the old man had a heart stroke at the end of it. Sanjay and Raghav rushed to Lucknow and got him admitted to the hospital, but unfortunately he died within a few days. I
Sanjay felt devastated with Aishwarya's stubborn attitude and her conniving threats to make him change the company ownership deed.Over my dead body, Sanjay resolved to himself.The firm not just belonged to him and Raghav alone, but it was a source of livelihood for all the hundred employees who worked there. If he handed over the company reins and money to Aishwarya, it was as good as throwing it down the drain and destabilising the livelihood of all the people who work there.As he drove back to Allahabad, he stopped briefly at Rae Bareli. His heart longed to meet Damini in person. But what was he going to say to that lovely woman, who had pinned all her hopes on him for marital bliss? How could he break her heart and share this devastating news with her? Perhaps he doesn't deserve the love of such a pure creatur
The Presence of Nargis and Rashid Khan and their little son Ahmed gave the much needed emotional anchor for Damini and Reshma in their new home. Slowly, Reshma began to get accustomed to the new school and friends in Varanasi. Even though Reshma hadn't embraced Sanjay's presence in their lives, she wasn't hostile towards him either. It was the summer of 1992 and Sanjay came down with a severe sunstroke due to the long hours he spent driving between Varanasi and Allahabad. One such night, after a hot and long day of travel, he reached home in Varanasi and just collapsed. It took almost two weeks of constant care and nursing from Damini for him to recover completely. The more love and care Damini showered on him, the more guilt he felt towards her, for his inability to reciprocate her love, or give her the marital status she deserved. He tried to remember when was the last time he felt so nurtured and loved
Raghav came and hugged Sanjay whole heartedly for sharing such happy news, that too on a great day like Diwali. As he hugged his best friend, Sanjay turned towards his Bhabhi and silently shook his head, in reply to the incredulous, unuttered question on her face. Vasudha looked relieved, albeit confused. Sanjay took theladdoofrom the plate his Bhabhi gave him before and stuffed his friend Raghav's mouth with it, celebrating, in his mind the imminent arrival of his child with Damini. Once all the congratulatory moments passed, Sanjay took a smallerladdooout to Aishwarya too and gave it in her palm. Making sure that no
For the first time the confident smile on Dev's face faltered. "Hmm Yes I think so Mrs. Bharadwaj. But if there is anything he does that you don't like, and you are too shy to tell him directly, maybe I can help you?" He looked hopefully at her. The waiter hovered around them, hoping they would order. "It's your choice!!" Dev handed over the menu to her. Chandni didn't bother to open it. She looked sweetly at the waiter and asked, "What are your signature dishes for entrees and mains here?" The waiter went through a long list of delectable dishes, which as per his recommendation were most sought after. Chandni randomly picked a few and asked them to be served as quickly as p
"Everything is about you is it? What you want to do, what you don't want to do? What If I am not in the mood to talk right now? What if I am finding my husband too..."? She didn't finish her sentence and Dev grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. "Your command is my wish... my majesty." He smiled in relief. "This is what I want sweetheart!! That you tell me everything openly. I didn't tell you how you look in this dress because I was afraid I will get too carried away even without...forget it!! When I saw this dress in a catalogue, I knew you would look damn good in this, but when the time comes, I was hoping I could do this too...." His ran his fingers lazily in a feathery touch along her open back, making her shudder involuntarily and wrap her arms around him. She nuzzled his neck, kissing him slowly al
It was almost Seven pm and Dev had booked their dinner at Eight. Chandni opened the suitcase that Dev brought along with him, which was supposed to have all her clothes that she packed in Mumbai. But to her horror, it was practically empty except for some new underwear and casual clothes. As she made a thorough search to see if any of her clothes were in other suitcases, She recalled all the events of the afternoon After dumping their luggage at the hotel, they had a leisurely lunch, and strolled around the streets of shopping markets. Dev insisted on going back to the same shop where she bought the shorts she wore to the airport, and buy every combination of shorts and casual tops there, as he said "it made you look like a local and the 18-year-old I married." But Chandni suspected otherwise, the way his hungry
A war-like atmosphere had descended upon the marble island counter in the kitchen, which also served as Dining table in the Bharadwaj household. "I want to come to Goa too.. I have never been there! Mummy! Mummy!! Tell Daddy I want to come too.. I don't want to go and stay with Miku Chacha!! I am not going to eat this breakfast anymore till you agree to take me along." Atharv crossed his arms and looked at his parents furiously, after making sure that he finished all but a few spoons of the huge second serve of his favorite Kheer! "Hey Buddy!! Why are you saying you don't want to come and stay with me? I am hurt... deeply hurt! We are friends, remember!! Goa is seriously boring! All you do is sit in front of the beach and stare at waves! And trust me, there too your Mum and Dad would be telling you don't do this, don't do that.... But you and me, we are going
A few months later. -------------------------- "Atharv... tell your mummy to hurry up otherwise we both are going to the function without her!" Aryan said in irritation, as he looked at his watch for the umpteenth time. "Daddy you can tell her whatever you want in person, because she is right behind you. Haha" Atharv pointed to his father with a jerk of his head, and went back to playing the video game on his phone. "Don't you start anything now!! As it is, I am in such a bad mood for spending so much time wearing this saree." Chandni didn't even let her husband open his mouth. Aryan groaned loudly. "Well, who asked you to wear this? And if you knew
A flushed and pained Vikram slowly made his way out of the washroom towards his bed and sat down exhausted. He should have gone to the living room and joined others at Breakfast but he felt totally drained. Maybe he could rest for a few more moments. He sat upright against the propped up soft pillows on the head board and took some deep breaths. Just then he heard soft footsteps followed by a knock and his face broke into a smile. "Come in!" Chandni and Aryan entered with breakfast tray. "Aaah!! Mr. and Mrs. Bharadwaj! And with breakfast for me! I should thank my lucky stars huh!!" He cheered them jovially. Chandni gave the juice to Vikram with a smile and sat next to him on the bed. Vikram scooted over and tapped on the other side of the bed, inviting Ar
Her heart rejoiced at the thought itself, even though she was still depressed thinking about her Didi and the drastic step she took. Committing suicide is such a stupid cowardly thing. It is not a solution to any problem. In fact, you leave so much trauma and grief for all the people you leave behind, who loved you all your life, and they get sometimes permanently scarred from it. Vikram ji had been through so much trauma after Didi died. If only she knew how much he loved her!! He went out of the way to help everyone from his wife's family and fulfilled the last wish of his wife. She and everyone in the family was sure that if only Didi had reached out to her Daddy, Vikram would have been so happy to meet them all in normal circumstances, and they would have been one big happy family! Now she understood the meaning behind each and every word Vikram ji said to her at the top of that hill cliff after he saved her..... Her thoughts wandered to that fate
"Chandni, after I saw your father at Renu's Anniversary, I went through her things and found this letter addressed to me. And everything that I did afterwards was because of this. Please read it, it is nothing personal. And I have read it so many times that I know the contents of that letter by heart now." Chandni took the letter with trembling hands and began to read. ============================ Hi Vikram, By the time you read this letter, I am probably gone from your life, and this world. I know what I am going to do is a cowardly act, and something I will just add to the list of regrets that I now have in my life. I wish I was as brave as my mother who loved my father wholeheartedly and fought a
"I know Sanjayji, what wonders women can do, to turn our family life into a bliss. But I also knew what kind of people my relatives were, Renu didn't!” Vikram rubbed his eyes and sighed. “ They would pass snide remarks about her to my father and other relatives or bring up the topic of her family just to unsettle her. Her nervousness only made things worse, as it made all of us suspect that she was hiding something from us. She began to have trouble sleeping and I took her to the doctors who ordered her to do some lifestyle changes, exercises and also prescribed some sleeping pills, but requested her to use them as a last resort. She became fidgety and moody as time went on. I asked her plainly one day, was there anything I needed to know? She flatly denied that she was hiding anything from me but was hurt that I am not trusting her word. She accused me that I was trying to spy on her, which made me