Dear Readers,
Wishing all Indians globally a Happy Independence Day - 15th Aug
I was completely unaware of this till aruni50218 had PMed me her congratulations. Aruni, - Mwaah!I am super thrilled this week.
You ask why? Well, my very fisrt SS on this forum 'A Night
to Remember was awarded FF of the week - Runner up' Yay! me happies
and a heart felt thank you to all of you readers for loving that story so much.🤗
Ranjani, big thanks for the song in your comments on my last
update. It has become my inspiration song for this post. 😊
Read, enjoy, like and comment!
Pyaar in the Pink City (English)
Disclaimer: I
do not own any rights to these pictures. They have been procured from
public internet sources and have been used merely for illustrative purposes.
Part 28
Been There Done that
Dil Ki Girah Khol Do, Chup Na Baitho,
Koi Geet Gaao
Aa Aa Aa Aa, Mahafil Men Ab Kaun Hai Ajanabi,
Tum Mere Paas Aao
Dil Kii Girah Khol Do ...
~ From the movie-Raat aur Din
He was
winging this entirely. Something that
was very uncharacteristic of him, for Shyam Manohar Jha never did things with
out careful planning. But then over the
past couple of weeks, acting on impulse seems to have become the norm.
It irritated him and puzzled him. The last thing he had done in accordance with
a deliberate plan was sending Raani Sahiba a gift basket for Teej. He had planned on following that act by
revealing himself to her during Vrindavan's Pre Launch party. He had expected some initial coldness and
refusal, but was confident he could thaw her like he always had in the past
with his words, convince her, he was a changed man and start their relationship
afresh. With the 'Will' destroyed, this was
the only way to get back into Shantivan.
Raani Sahiba was the key. She had
helped him get back in the past and would do so again, provided he played his
cards right and this time around he would lie low amongst them till the perfect
opportunity to strike back.
He had it
all planned out, and then when he saw the vibes between Anjali and Rathod at
the party and noticed that Anjali seemed to have changed completely, he was
engulfed with a scorching emotion, something primal within him awakening,
something he had never felt before and could not recognize. He had an insane urge to rip Rathod apart
with his bare hands and before he did something foolish he had left the
place. Since then, his every waking
moment had been consumed with thoughts of Anjali and getting back with her on
the same footing they were at, before the little fiasco that exposed his evil
acts to her.
WHAT
WAS HAPPENING TO HIM? WHY DID HE CARE?
Could it be that he was, like the rest of them, weak and had grown to
--------? NO. Shyam Manohar Jha is not a weakling to succumb
to that. No, it has to be something
else. He simply could not bear to see
what had once belonged to him, be taken away from him by another. Yes, that's what it is. That's what it has to be. He convinced himself, as he walked around the
palatial Vrindavan and crossed the lawn, making a beeline for the guest house.
Anjali was humming a soft tune to
herself a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked at the work order for
the day. Things were progressing very
well. In a couple of weeks they could
start discussing about when they would throw the resort open to the
public. They had already received
several booking requests for major events.
One of the first was from Nitin and Radhika who wanted to be married in
the haveli.
"Speaking of Nitin, it's about time he showed up. Oh! There he is now." She thought, rising
her head at the sound of approaching footsteps, and the welcoming smile on her
face froze instantly.
The sudden change in her irritated
Shyam, but he schooled his features and smiled warmly "My dear Raani
Sahibha, How are you? I was at your pre-launch party last week and
wanted to meet with you, but unfortunately, something urgent had cropped up
that took me away from you. You were
absolutely brilliant that night and took my breath away. Of course I always knew you had it in you to
wow everyone."
Anjali
was lost for words; she stood up on shaky legs and looked at the man who had
once meant the world to her, whom she had loved and trusted blindly. She simply stared trying to discern how she
felt at the moment. "Nothing. She felt nothing for
him. Neither anger, nor fear, nor the
love she once had."
Shyam continued
in his honeyed voice, "I am sure this is going to bring that smile back on your
lips, your favorite---" and he extracted a bouquet of red roses from his bag
offering it to her with his most winsome smile.
When she made no move to accept, he placed it on the table and
continued, "I came to grovel at your feet, to apologize for everything. Infact, I want to apologize to the whole
family, Khushiji and Saale-sab(brother-in-law = Arnav). What I had put you all through was
terrible. I am truly sorry. My penitence
starts with you. I had put you through
hell, and I am truly crushed at that thought.
I'll endure any punishment you handout;just don't keep me away from you
any longer, because even today, in fact even more than in the past I love----"
Anjali
swiftly cut him off in a low voice that brooked no arguments, "Stop. Shyamj, you have no love for me, neither in
the past, nor now. Do you think I am the
same gullible and weak Anjali who craved for affection so much that she would
lap up every lie you told her. Well, I
have news for you. That Anjali does not
exist anymore. I have nothing to say to
you nor am I interested in anything you have to say. So please leave now."
Shyam's face twisted with rage and
grabbing her by her arms he forced her to face him "Don't talk to me in that tone and
treat me so indifferently Raani Sahiba. After
all I am your husband. I sincerely wish
to make amends. If you are speaking
under the influence of that Ajay, just know that he probably does not care for
you. He probably loves his horses more
than he ever will love you" He hissed,
venom dripping in his words as vitriolic jealousy and a hitherto unknown fear
of rejection burned up his insides.
"Whaat? When did you----? Did you meet Ajay?" panic crept into Anjali's voice at the
thought that Shyam had been meeting Ajay who had no idea who he was talking
to. "Oh God! Had she put him in danger
by not telling him that this Rakesh Singh from the mall was none other than
Shyam?" Fear rose like bile in her throat and she felt her vision clouding over
as cold panic crept up her spine.
"Yes I
met that Ajay. Not once, but about two
or three times, once at his haveli under your very nose." Shyam ground out, the concern in her voice
for the man he was growing to despise by the minute enraged him even further, "I
am warning you. Stay away from that
man. Do you understand? Regardless of what you think, you were mine,
and will continue to belong to me. Don't
you forget that Raani Sahiba." And
releasing her abruptly, he whirled on his heels to walk away.
Anjali
collapsed on the floor, her weakened legs unable to hold her up any longer and
stared after his retreating figure in shock.
"What was that all about? Did he really care? No, a man like Shyam could not possibly
care. He definitely has to have some other
motive in his mind. If he had really
cared for her, he would not have lusted after another woman, kidnapped the
brother she loved more than her life, not murdered their child, one she had
wanted more than anything else. No, he
is a selfish and cruel man who will use every available emotion to manipulate. Ajay, oh God!
I have put Ajay in danger unknowingly." She thought, looking around
wildely and attempting to stand up on shaky legs when Ajay and Nitin entered
laughing over something one of them had just said.
In a
split second Ajay had leapt over the threshold to hold a swaying Anjali, and
steadying her he said in a voice laced with concern "Anjali, careful. What happened?"
Anjali could not speak for a few seconds;
relief washed over her to see Ajay in front of her unharmed, and she merely
pointed out gesticulating and muttering, "That man, who was here----"
"Who? Anjali? Are you referring to that reporter Rakesh
Singh that we ran into outside?" Questioned Nitin while
Anjali's eyes widened
in fear and she tightened her grip on Ajay's arm nodding her head. "Yes Nitin.
Ajay, I am sorry.I should have told you the truth long back. Infact I should have told you the day we
first met him in the mall in Delhi. I
could not then, for I did not know you well enough, then we left for Jaipur,
and then there were so many things happening, so fast. I
never thought he would show up again, I am sorry" she pleaded tears rolling
down her cheek.
"Shhh, Anjali, get a
grip on yourself. Who is he? Is this Rakesh Singh someone else?" asked
Ajay.
"He is none other than Shyamji"
declared Anjali.
************
Ajay
finished sketching while the rest of the family around the dining table had
been busy catching each other up on Shyam's re-entry into the lives of the
Raizadas.
They had returned back to the
haveli and Anjali had finished telling her brothers the entire story starting
at the mall and ending with the incident today, while he filled in the gaps
with his meeting with Shyam who had interviewed him, and Arnav had then shared
the story from the very beginning when they had become aware that Shyam was up
to something;starting with him breaking into Shantivan at night, in late July looking for the 'Will', and later the episode of kamlaji, till mama, mami and
Dhruv's trip to Kashi in search of the Jhas in an attempt to start piecing his
past together so they could find some clues or evidence to his manipulative
mastermind; and find something to take him to court for to strengthen their
case to keep him behind bars.
"Here,
this is how he looks. We know that his
assumed name and occupation - Rakesh Singh, journalist. Now it should be easy for your detective
agency to sniff the connection out" said Ajay handing Arnav and Akash the
sketch of Rakesh Singh that he had just completed.
"Now, no harm has been done. Either he is getting careless, or we are
getting lucky that we are a step ahead of him.
So relax. We will distribute this
picture to all of the household help and security, so he cannot even enter
here. Anjali and Khushi are both safe
while they are at the haveli." He declared reassuring the family.
************
Anjali
paced the front porch idly. Chotte would
not hear of her leaving the haveli after yesterday's episode. Strangely, she was no longer scared or
shaken. All the discussion following the incident and the calm and collected assurance from Rathod had dispelled her fears. Her brothers and Rathod would deal with
everything. Shyam was fast fading from
her mind.
What she needed to decide on
though was what her next step was going to be as far as Ajay was
concerned. The simmering attraction
between them was evident right from the very beginning and over the space of
the past couple of months, she had seen all his myriad shades and grown to love
him even more with each revelation. As for chachaji and Tashi, she had long
since considered them family. Ajay had
declared his irrevocable love for her; now it was her move.
Looking
up she saw Garimaji wheeling Shashiji out for his evening stroll around the
gardens. She waved to them and decided
to accompany them.
"Here, let me help"
she said taking charge of the wheel chair from Garimaji." Shashiji raised a steady hand and smiled
acknowledging her presence" and Anjali thought she heard him say Namaste.
She rejoiced at the steady improvement he was making under the care of
Dr. Shenoy.
They strolled in companionable
silence for a while and presently stopped to rest awhile at a covered
gazebo. Shashiji had nodded off during
their little stroll, and after adjusting his head in a comfortable angle,
Garima walked to sit by Anjali who had settled down on the iron bench a few
feet away.
"What is the matter my dear.
Are you worried about something? If
it is about Shyam---" she asked kindly taking in the lost expression on
Anjali's face.
"No,
auntyji. I was thinking about someone
else", repied Anjali blushing slightly at the thought of discussing Ajay with
Garimaji.
"If you don't mind me asking,
how did you move on, after my father's betrayal and you know with Shashiji--- I
mean---" Anjali stammered as she struggled to find the right words to ask what
she wanted to.
"I
understand child" said Garimaji kindly patting her hand. "After your Dad's truth was revealed, I
returned to Kakori, my village, where my jiji and jijaji took me in with open
arms and healed my wounds with their love and restored my confidence. Unfortunately within a couple of weeks I lost
them to a freak accident. The post office
where jijai worked caught fire one night and jijai rushed over to salvage what
he could from the raging fires. He
unfortunately got trapped in the building and when jiji heard of this, she ran
to his aid leaving her sleeping daughter with me.
They never came back alive. I had become alone again, only this time I
was responsible for another life, Kusi.
It was at this juncture in my life that a distant uncle of mine
approached me with Payaliya's dad's proposal.
I was not sure of what I wanted any more. Love had lost its meaning to me after what I
had experienced. My only thought was of
security for me and this innocent child for whose upbringing I was responsible. I had no choice but to say yes.
I entered into wedlock with zero
expectations, but Payaliya's dad filled my life with the sweetness of love. He healed all my wounds, restored my esteem
and taught me the true meaning of love.
Payaliye now had a mother and Kusi a father. We decided to not have any progeny of our
own, so we could shower all our attention on Kusi and Payaliya.
Thank God that Devimayya had chosen to bind
me with Shashiji instead of your dad. I
am sorry that this might have hurt you, him being your dad..."
Anjali swiftly interrupted with "Please don't apologize, aunty.
Actually, I am sorry for what my father put you through."
"Anjali, my dear, Ajayji seems to be very
much in love with you and cares deeply for you.
As far as I can see, you seem to like him too. Do not dwell on the past and lose a wonderful
man like him. Keep the doors to your
mind and heart open, so that you give love a chance to enter into and enrich your life." Finished Garima, stroking Anjali's head gently.
Upon
her return to the haveli, Anjali walked over to her naani's room. She had made up her mind after her talk with
Garimaji. After a few minutes of casual
talk, Anjali sat at Devyani's feet and rested her head on her naani's lap.
Devyani stroked her grandchild's hair with a
gentle "What is the matter Anjali?"
"Naani,
Ajayji has expressed his love for me and is waiting for my answer" she said
straightening up to look at Devyani's face.
Devyani cupped her grand-daughter's cheek gently trying to hide her excitement and asked, "And what is your answer going to be?"
"Naani, I like him and care for him an awful lot. I think I am in love with him, so I plan to
say yes" replied Anjali truthfully, coloring up to the tips of her hair.
"You have taken a right decision my child. Many thanks to Devi Mayya for blessing you"
gushed Devyani, with tears of joy.
Anjali hugged her and after extracting a promise from her to keep things
quiet till she had had a chance to talk to Ajay first, she left the room in
search of her Chotte. She couldn't
possibly keep this from him.
A
bounding Tashi bumped into her in the living room.
"Careful Tashi. You'll get hurt", cautioned Anjali and asked
in general scanning the rest of the family members scattered around in the
couch in the living room, "Has anyone seen chotte?"
"Anjie aunty, I know, I saw him. I saw Arnav uncle playing 'nosey-nosey' with
Khushi aunty in the courtyard." Quipped Tashi happily before bounding away
after Dobby and Lakshmiji.
Anjali
gasped, while the rest of them guffawed.
The indomitable ASR was caught while making out with his wife, by a nine
year old. NK resolved to give him many
hours of grief over this, and Anjali texted chotte of her intent to talk to
him, as she proceeded in the direction of the courtyard with a shake of her
head and a smile on her lips.
"I am
so happy Di. Ajay is a good man and he
will keep you happy" stated Arnav without any reservations, hugging his Di
tightly, the minute Anjali revealed her intention of saying Yes to Ajay.
Khushi was delighted and joined in the hug
with tears of joy streaming down her cheek, happy that finally Anjali di was
truly finding happiness and love.
************
Anjali
glanced at her watch as she put finishing touches to the Dal Baati she had
lovingly cooked for Ajay. Rathod was on
one of his painting sprees that afternoon and had not come downstairs for
dinner. She arranged his portion on a
tray and added her note in a little covered dish.
"Ramu kaka, Rathodji's dinner is ready. Will you take this up to his studio for me?"
She asked handing Ramsingh the covered tray and headed out to join the family
who were relaxing on the porch after their dinner.
Now all she had to do was wait for the family
to go to bed before she stole out to meet him at his studio as she had said she
would in her little note to him. Anjali,
tried to conceal the excitement and joy bubbling in her heart from revealing
itself on her face.
"At last she would
accept what had been staring at her in her face since the day she had set sight on him in the
mall, in July. She loved Ajay whole
heartedly and was not afraid to reveal it to him. Tonight she would tell him what was in her
heart." Anjali smiled secretly as she
hugged herself.
********************************************
PS: Any guesses on what the next update entails? He He He😈
Edited by ForLoveofBarun - 10 years ago
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