ShraMan OS : Tum Bin
"All thanks to Shravan beta that we got back our home, this Tiwari Qila, I still can't believe how smartly he handled everything !!" , pride and cheerfulness in Maami's tone, while serving evening tea to the the family. Suman is serving snacks, her happiness and pride is reflected in her eyes and her smile.
"Shravan bhaiyya is my Super Hero!! " squealed Daboo in excitement, followed by Preeti's "Daboo he is Super Hero, to all of us, who saved us from aliens like Khosla..." laughter fills the Tiwari living room...
"I was really tensed...as it was his first case in India.. but it's amazing how he excelled in it" sighs Maama "Ambe maa's aashirwad and Shravan's smartness and his efforts got back us our home " added mausa ji . Maasi too added her bit in praise of Shravan.
Nanu who was listening to the family members, emotionally says "I can't imagine the moment we had to let go of this house, but I had immense faith in Shravan's ability .. he did so much for our family and no lawyer but him could go to this extent for us"
"Sumo I am doing this only for you " the moment crosses Suman's mind, she shrugs it ..her heart pounds with pride and happiness ...
"Shouldn't we all get ready for our Super Hero's party " daboo brings everyone out of Shravan praise mode . Everyone disperses to their respective rooms to get ready .
Sumo is on a pile of clothes, which were dumped from her closet "ohhh god ...no girl in this world should ever face this problem in life" rants Sumo, with a melodramatic touch . She couldn't find the perfect dress for the occasion ... "blueee is his fav .." picks up a blue suit.. "No .. just wear what you like... not his choice ...don't try to impress him" chides her inner voice...
After a lot of struggle, finally Sumo picks one and slips into it. While sliding all the matching bangles on her right hand.. she is stuck in the moment, staring at shravan's reflection in the mirror... turns back and finds none.. she chides herself...
"sajna hain mujhe sajna ke liye..." continues to wear her bangles while singing...
.. "Aaahaaan ... saajan and all di .. .. and here I was thinking that he is just "dost" ", a teasing Preeti walks in, who came to ask Sumo to help her with the dori... "Oyee ... that was just a song and stop your khayali pulao ... ..now you go and get ready " Sumo chided her . Preeti left, while Sumo goes back to what she is supposed to do .
~~~
Malhotra banglow is lavishly decorated. Vandy and Mummyji compliment each other and their looks .. and goes to their kitty and social circle ladies, to show off their designer wear and accessories .
Shravan's eyes playing pingpong between main door and his watch ... at the same time having half hearted conversations with the guests.
"Bhai are you okay .. you seem so lost ...,waiting for someone ?? " taps Pushkar on Shravan's shoulder.. Shravan...shrugs it .. "Pushkar.. Thank god you are here.. I was waiting for you .. where have you been .. " unintended sarcasm in his tone . "Bhaaiii " pushkar nods.. both brothers laugh ..
Shravan rushes to the entrance where Ramnath is receiving Nanu and tiwari family .. Shravan, goes and hugs and welcomes Nanu.. but his eyes searching for her, Tiwari family, sans Sumo walks in ...
Shravan's smile evades ... " achcha suno, where is Suman" Shravan holds of Daboo and inquires.. but an excited Daboo escapes from his hold and runs towards the face painting girl in one corner.
With his hands in his pocket ..."Sumo where are you yaar.." ... a restless him looks around, takes his phone and dials her number...Suman walks in, checks Shravan's name flashing on her phone .. Shravan's eyes are caught with the tinkling sound of her bangles... he slowly looks up ... he is awestruck by this dream like beauty before him..her crystal bindi, her beautiful face, big pearl jhumkas...hair open ... dressed in sky blue salwar... His heart skips a beat.. stares at her with open mouth .. Suman notices him,. Her heart skips a beat seeing Shravan dressed in a Black suit and white shirt !! they stare at each other...
"Sumo" pushkar walks towards her and hugs and welcomes her in . Shravan relaxes .. while she goes to meet the Malhotra ladies and also Ramnath . They both make sure they are in each other's visibility and were seen stealing glances once in awhile. There is a certain awkwardness today ..which neither of the two can pin point .. and today is something different... both of them were wondering !!
"There is something about her, she looks ethereal, serene, beautiful, dream like and that smile... ", where in words are giving way to his feelings !! Shravan is appreciated by guests, after Ramnath Malhotra's ,short speech about his Son's success , the dad's chest widened with pride !!
Suman is cheering for Shravan ..she is proud of him , she is very happy... she is cheerful, she is content.. she is calm .. no tensions .no problems.. just happiness and a infectious smile pasted on her lips . Shravan's heart couldn't get enough of Sumo, he wants to talk to her, share his feelings, spend time with her and be with her , away from the crowd around her.. Her one smile is much more valuable for Shravan, than these lavish parties, with elite crowd .
Shravan joins Suman and the rest of them and are in involved in a light fun chatter ... Ramnath comes there, with Nanu and a couple of his colleagues . "Well done Shravan beta, India needs such young and brilliant lawyers like you, who not just won the case for the client, but exposed a long chain of fraud and forgery . " said Mr.Mishraji. "Thank you Mr. Mishra, very kind of you", responded Shravan in a very professional tone.
"So, I heard you are going back to London , when are you going beta" asked Mr.Dixit
Shravan instantly looks at Sumo, that smile has evaded from her face, she became stiff... stepped back.. Shravan wants to assure and promise her, that he is not going to London ..he wants to see her smiling again ...forces a smile at Mr.Dixit. The rest of the gentlemen talk about the career opportunities in london being much more brighter than in India.. while Ramnath believes that, India needs such lawyers like Shravan.. who can change and contribute to the system
Suman excuses herself...Shravan looks on, Suman lost in thoughts "he will go back and I ... !!!!" that very feeling creates a void in her, tugs her heart as if her life is leaving her... Kamini comes and takes her to the elite group of ladies ... Preeti goes to her mom and bua... Suman is introduced in a very mocking way to the ladies ...
"Mrs.Sharma, our Shravan is leaving for London day after tomorrow, your daughter is doing masters in Oxford right " Mrs. Sharma, goes on about her daughter's intelligence and style.
Kamini continues how Shravan has five firms in London, many high profile cases are waiting for him..unlike here.
"Shravan puttar should go to London as he deserves all the success and fame and become world famous, hain na Suman puttar" fake smiles at Suman, Suman, who is a state of void, agrees with a distraught smile .
Suman is rooted to the spot, still the thought of Shravan "will go back" isn't synching into her.
"Moreover. if Shravan puttar is in India, he will go out of his way to do social service at the cost of risking his own family ", Kamini acidic tone at Suman.
"Haan mummyji...if he is here, any middle class girl would trap him, with her innocence and friendship and might even break the family and if Shravan goes back to London, he can get the best of the girls from the elite society, haina Mummyji " Vandy's caustic words, as she
has become very intolerant and obnoxious of Suman, post the Khosla and Varun incident.
"You are right Mrs, Malhotra, trapping rich boys for money and property, with a mask of friendship and simplicity, is a trend these days..." adds Mrs.Mishra.
"I just wish Shravan Puttar meets Mrs.Sharma's daughter Sia, and they hit it off and get hitched !!" , Kamini rolls her eyes
An anguished Suman, hearing all these..excuses herself and walks out of the house into the lawn...
Shravan, who is tall enough could clearly see what's happening there, he can only guage Sumo's expressions of despair...but not able to estimate the clear topic of conversation . He attempts to go, but is continuously surrounded by guests.
Few minutes later, he scans across the space, and soon a worried and concerned look dawns his face, when he couldn't find Sumo anywhere.. he finally excuses himself and frantically looks around, entire Tiwari family is here , but not her. He goes into the lawn ... but no sign of Sumo.
His heart beats faster, worried and concerned for her.. calls Pushkar if he has seen Sumo, the reply is negative.. He inquires the guard, who tells Suman madam left ... he yells at the guard as how he could let her go. Sumo's car is right there..thinking, she might have not gone far... Shravan takes his car and goes in search of her.
Suman walking on the road, she was so engrossed in happiness, when Shravan sorted the matter for both families, that she almost forgot that Shravan is supposed to leave her and go back Suman recalls Shravan's words "Sab kuch badal raha hain , shaayad main bhi" and Suman thinks "and here, I thought you changed the plan of going back " . Some unknown fear, some uncertainty, a mirage, a darkness, void, despair and loneliness, were engulfing Suman. Her tears found their way out, in the dark lonely path .
Few minutes later, Shravan's car comes to a screeching stop right in front of her , Shravan comes out of his car, goes towards her calling her name "Sumo " Suman continues to walk ..he holds her hand and makes her look into his eyes ,
"Sumo kya paagalpan hain ...are you out of your mind, where are you headed to , on this dark path.. my heart was sinking damnn it ... god forbid, if something happened to you .. how would I even surv... !!" a breathless Shravan almost blurted out his feelings . Sumo looks into his eyes.. "his eyes say soo much... that assurance, that support, that love..." suman's thoughts giving her positive feelings.. while he stares into her, time stood still !!
Suman shrugs and puts a casual act... "Shravan tum bhi na.. you could have called me.. I just came for a walk...away from the crowd..." said with a casual look, but her throat gave out a way to her feelings .
"Walking all alone ...at this hour .. are you crazy " Shravan yells in annoyance..., tells her to get into the car. "You go back Shravan.. I will be fine.. It's your party and all your guests might be waiting for you .. please go back Shravan... I will come on my own .. " Suman tried to reason with him.
"Shut uppp Sumo... not a word .. get into the car right now", he holds her hand and leads to the car... Sumo follows him with no resistance.. She loves this side of Shravan, who chides her , out of concern ... she wants to throw tantrums around him, so that he can chide her and persuade her !!
Sumo and Shravan are in the car... complete silence... either of them deeply engrossed in analyzing their own feelings for the other.. To break the silence, Suman turns on the radio... while Shravan is driving and also looking at her, gauging her expressions ..
"Jab koi baath bigad jaaye .. tum dena saath mera ..." plays on the radio... Sumo remembers each and every instance where Shravan was with her all through their case, he was the support system in her life.. without him he would have failed at every step ... Shravan too remembers, how Suman supported him, whenever he stumbled..be it convincing family members to let him fight or supporting him during tensions in his family and as Shravan believes... to win anything, you need support of our own people... and Shravan remembers Suman's support , while she remembers his...
CONTD... in the next post
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