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Chauhan's residence became very cheerful with the arrival of the Choudhary's. The wall of hatred and distance that was standing firm between the two families was broken today.
There was a lot of unity between Rajdeep and Dravid as they discussed the marriage of Jaydev and Shruti.
" But until she gets married, our daughter will stay with us."
Jaydev nodded but Shruti was not.
" Papa, can we not find some other way? Can we not marry in just a week? Is it important to marry on an auspicious date," she asked.
" Why not? We will all see the auspicious day in the wedding otherwise the bond won't go well," Janki said.
Shruti smiled carelessly, " don't worry. Our bond is very strong."
" Dhat! Stupid."
She earned a light slap from her mother who took a seat beside her. Everyone burst into laughter.
" Okay, so which date should we finalize?"
" The date after one month is okay," Jaydev said.
" Okay then!"
Rajdeep exclaimed.
" But how will the wedding preparations be done so quickly?"
Rohini asked worriedly.
" Don't worry, mami," Aryan reassured her.
" Yes, don't worry mami. Bhai will take care of everything," Shruti said.
" Ofcourse! I am a cupid of your relationship," Aryan replied with a voice full of sarcasm.
" By the way, we should make Pakhi in-charge of all the decorations. She has done the course."
Dravid said and Pakhi felt all the gazes on herself.
" We should," both Aryan and Jaydev agreed.
Pakhi parted her mouth to refuge but chose not to. She wants to do the work.
Eventually the evening turned into night. All the ladies went to a room to have some conversations. Aryan was talking to Dravid while Jaydev sat beside Rajdeep in the garden.
Rajdeep smiled.
" Yes, uncle?"
Rajdeep frowned, " I am your father-in-law, son. Call me what Shruti calls me."
" Oh, I am not habitual. So, Papa?"
It sounded very foreign from his mouth because it's been a long since he uttered this word. The memory of his parents flashed before his eyes.
" Just wanted to talk a little with you. I don't think we will get free time like this again because we'll be busy with your wedding preparations."
Jaydev smiled and nodded. Rajdeep took a deep breath. His expression turned serious as he continued speaking,
" Jay, Shruti is not my blood but I have raised her with great love and care. She has been my darling since childhood. After Aryan's mother left, Aryan used to feel very lonely but with Shruti's arrival his behaviour started to improve. In a way, the atmosphere of my house changed with Shruti's arrival. So that's why I was shocked when you and she got married. I knew my daughter would never take such a step but....anyways, Aryan made me understand. I was totally against this relationship but he explained to me that Shruti's happiness lies only in you. As a typical father, I didn't want my daughter to be married yet so it was hard to accept your relationship but guess, Aryan's lecture never fails."
Jaydev smiled slightly and the smile made its way to Rajdeep's lips as well.
" Now Son, I won't ask you how and why you married her. I just want you to take care of my daughter. Love her and if ever she fails to cook a delicious cook then then don't eat."
Jaydev chuckled and Rajdeep laughed lightly.
" She can take a lot sometimes but I know my daughter, she is mature and very understanding."
Jaydev agreed, " she is and don't worry, I will take care of your daughter. You can ask her, I never complain."
" Nobody can."
Rajdeep said and both laughed. The environment soon lightened between them and when Shruti came into the garden she heard Jaydev sharing a memory with her father.
" You know, once she sat on the tree in the middle of the night. I was very scared. I thought a witch was there."
Rajdeep laughed, " she's weird sometimes."
Shruti crossed her hands around the chest and raised her eyebrows amusingly.
" You once, I told her not to go in the sea, but she went against me. She's really stubborn."
" Exactly."
Rajdeep agreed. Shruti shook her head in disbelief and went away from there, not wanting to disturb them yet.
As she entered the living room, she found Aryan and Dravid going along with each other. They are laughing at some topic only they know. She took long strides back to the dining room.
" Maa? I want to learn how to cook."
Silence erupted in the dining room. Ekta raised her eyebrows, " you what?"
" Maa, don't overreact."
Shruti made an anguish expression.
" Why wouldn't I? When I used to tell you to learn cooking, you always refused then why now? Is it because of my son-in-law? Did the SP make you disciplined enough?"
Three of them laughed at her.
" Why are you guys after me since I came?"
" Beta, your leg will be pulled a lot. Now when relatives come for your wedding, then see what kind of questions will be asked of you."
" Hey, how is that possible? I will clearly tell them to mind their own business," Shruti replied.
" Dare to disrespect anyone," Ekta scolded her daughter but she was.. unaffected.
" Pakhi?"
Aryan grabbed the attention of everyone. Pakhi looked behind at her husband.
" Ji?"
" Zara aana mere sath."
( Come with me.)
" Hn hn jao jao. Kuch kaam hoga bhai ko," Shruti teased them.
( Yes yes, go. Bhai must have some work.)
Pakhi blushed and stood up from her chair instead.
" Tumhara paas apni pati hai na? Dhudho use," Aryan said and grabbed his wife's hand as a habit.
( You have your own husband, right? Find him.)
Shruti sighed sadly, " he is more interested in talking to Papa."
He chuckled and walked away from there with his wife. Shruti narrowed her eyes at them before saying to Ekta and Rohini.
" Bhai did this on purpose."
" What?" Rohini asked.
" See, he could convince papa for his and Pakhi's wedding as well but he didn't because he knew he would have to stay away from her."
" Don't know what type of theories she makes," Ekta said in disbelief.
" Amazing! I teach more than 100 students and I have no value at all in my own home," Shruti said.
Meanwhile,
Aryan dropped on the bed and exhaled heavily.
" Ah! My back."
He grumbled and tried cracking his back.
" Why did you bring me here?"
Pakhi asked.
" Meri peeth par chadh jao na. Bahut dard ho rahi hai."
( Walk on my back, please. It's aching so bad.)
Pakhi could not form words for a minute.
" You brought me here to walk on your back? I was with elders. What will they think of me? Di teased us already," Pakhi complained.
Aryan sat up and started removing his shirt.
" Hum unki soch par pehra to daal nahi sakte. Tum bas apne pati ki thodi si maddat kar do," he said and put his shirt aside leaving himself in a black vest only.
( We cannot guard their thoughts. You just help your husband a little.)
He lay flat on his stomach. Pakhi climbed up on the bed then stood on his back.
" Am I not heavy?"
" No at all," he replied and closed his eyes with satisfaction when she massaged his back while walking on his back.
" Isn't it a weird way to massage your back?"
" I don't think so," Aryan replied.
She locked her hands behind her back, " you are getting old. Your back is starting to get stiff. This is a sign of old age."
" I don't agree with you at all. If you want, I can give you proof of my youth right now."
She frowned and when she understood what he meant, she got down from his back, " if you keep talking like this, I won't massage your back."
" If you insult my youth, should I not respond?"
She sighed and stood on his back anyways. She restarted massaging his back.
" Biwi?"
" Hn?"
" Do you wish to remarry?"
She thought for a few seconds, " no I do not. Leave us alone at least."
" No, if you want we can remarry."
" I do not want to," she repeated.
" As you say," he replied.
He took her help for around 10 minutes. She got down from him but when he turned on his back, she sat on his stomach.
" Ahn? Now, is it not weird?"
He asked, folding his arm under his head.
" No," she smiled sheepishly and put her hands on his abs then hovered over him. His eyebrows wrinkled together as he found his wife in a different mood.
She cupped his cheeks with her soft hands.
" I wanted to say.."
" Hmm," he responded and encouraged her to continue but she did not.
" Uhm," she gulped, feeling a bit nervous to confess her feelings.
She caressed his cheek with the pad of her thumb and took a deep breath. When she gathered enough courage, she said while looking into his eyes shyly.
" Do you remember our bet?"
He smiled, " I do."
When she did not say anything further, he asked, " What did you decide?"
Blush travelled up to her cheeks and he felt his heart skip a bit, anticipating an answer.
" Aap Jeet Gaye."
( You won.)
Such a small sentence felt very big to him. This would be the first victory that made his heart beat so fast. And her eyes did not show any hesitation.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and sat up along with, placing her on his lap comfortably. He cupped her cheeks hurriedly.
" It's not infatuation right? I mean, are you sure-"
He hates when people interrupt him but not when Pakhi does. She shook her head negatively and he waited for her to say something. Maybe, I love you?
She smiled shyly and parted her mouth to confess in his own poetic way,
" Moh hota to bandh-te aapko. Pyar hai to bandh gaye aapse.."
( If it was infatuation, I would have tied you but It's love I got tied into you.)
And in no second, a wide smile spread on his lips.
" I hope you are not doing anything prank," he whispered and joined his forehead with her.
" I am not," she replied. Her breath fanned against his lips due to less distance between them.
" Sach?"
( True?)
He wants to reassure himself. She chuckled and whispered, " sach, vakil Sahab. Aapki Pakhi ab aapki hai hamesha ke liye. Beech mein na koi nafrat ki deewar hai, na takraar."
( That's true, Advocate Sahib. Your Pakhi is now yours forever. There is no wall of hatred or complaint between us.)
He chuckled, " tum to meri bhasha bolne lagi hun."
( You have started speaking my language.)
" Aapki jo ho gayi hun," she replied, not knowing from where she is finding these words.
( Because I have become yours.)
He palmed the back of her head and placed her head against his chest.
" Thank you. Thankyou for loving me. I'll make sure you never regret this decision of yours."
" I believe," she muttered against his chest and closed her eyes to hear the soothing sounds of his heart beat.
" Now I feel complete," he said.
She broke the hug then cupped his jaw.
" But you were very bad in the beginning," she pouted slightly.
" That's because you hated me, beautiful."
" I still do," she said.
" For?"
He frowned.
" Remember what I told you to bring in the morning?"
He tried recalling their conversation in the morning.
" Suniye, mere liye Ghar aate hue ye vali saree le aana. Shop vale bhaiya ke paas hai bas bill dikha dena aur mera naam le Lena vo de denge."
( Listen, bring this saree for me when you come home. The shop owner has it, just show him the bill and take my name, he will give it to me.)
" Thik hai thik hai."
( Okay okay.)
He bit his tongue.
" I literally forgot."
" Leave it. I'll manage."
She said and tried getting away from his lap but he pulled her down on the bed with her and lay on the bed.
" Now what?"
" A winner always gets a reward, don't you think I deserve one as well."
She raised her eyebrows, " what reward do you want?"
He tucked the strands of her hair behind the ear,
" Nafrat ki aag bhi bujh gayi,
Dooriyan bhi mit gayi,
Prem ka aagman dilon mein ho gaya,
ab deri kis baat ki?
Reh gayi ek Prem ki raat,
apne sangam se kar dete ek antim badha khatam aur ban jaate hain ek dusre ke hum tum. "
( The fire of hatred has been extinguished,
The distances have also disappeared,
Love has come to our hearts,
Now why the delay?
One night of love remained,
With our union let's end the last moments of our life and become each other's..)
She couldn't help but to be impressed again.
" How do you create such lovely lines? I tore many pages but could only make what I said just a while ago," she pouted.
He laughed, " so you were writing poetry in that diary?"
She nodded, " but could write only one line."
Both burst into laughter.
On the other hand,
Shruti pulled Jaydev into her room.
" What is this behaviour?"
Jaydev knitted his eyebrows and she locked the door from inside then faced him.
He startled when she took loud steps closer to him and he stepped backward.
" Kitni umar hai aapki?"
( How old are you?)
" Huh?"
She placed her arms on the either side of her waist and said,
" Khidki chadhke milne ki baat karti hun to mujhe daant-te ho. Patni ek mahine ke liye door hone vali hai to usse baat karne ki bajaye bade logo ke sath lage ho. Budhe ho kya?"
( When I talk about meeting by climbing the window, you scold me. Your wife is going to be away for a month, so instead of talking to her, you are busy with the elders. Are you old?)
He stopped on his track, " what did you say?"
" That you are an old man," she scoffed.
" Shruti," he moved closer to her, " I was having fun with your parents."
" And what about me?"
" Do you want me to have fun with you?"
" Noo!"
She whined and sat on the bed and he turned to her.
" And listen, keep this climbing window shit out of your brain. This is ridiculous."
Her mouth hung open, " are you serious? This is how people who are excited in love behave."
" Why do I have to climb the window when you'll come to me eventually."
" Jay-"
She slapped her forehead then pointed at the door.
" Leave and talk to elders, you old man-"
He moved closer to her while warning her,
" One more time, you called me that, I won't leave you capable of walking for a week."
He stood one feet away from her and glared down at her. Instead of getting scared, she batted her eyelashes,
" This is what I wanted to hear! You are doing great."
" God, this girl!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose and she grinned happily. She stood up and shrugged her shoulders.
" So, you want me to do things which I have not even done in my university days?"
He raised his eyebrows. She walked past him and made her way to the cupboard.
" Yes, don't act now. Bhai has told me how much rebellious you two were."
" We were rebel in fighting not in climbing windows."
She searched for something in her almirah and he sat on the bed.
" I can't understand you."
" Nobody can," she gave her self-praising answer.
" Here it is," she took out a small box.
" What is it?"
Jaydev asked.
" Dhan-te nan!"
She opened the box and showed him a gold bracelet. He smiled, " is it for me?"
" And for whom? Do you think I have 20-30 husbands? Forward your hand."
He forwarded his hand and she put the bracelet on his wrist. Her name is carved on it.
" See," she showed her wrist which was covered with a long-sleeved suit. He found his name carved on her bracelet.
" When did you make this?"
He asked and she put the box on the nightstand.
" A few days back. I couldn't get it so maa brought it and put it here. How's it?"
" Beautiful," he grabbed her hand and pulled her beside himself. She removed her dupatta and put it aside after sitting beside him.
She circled her hands around his elbow and put her head on his shoulder.
" I will miss you."
" Kaise ladki ho tum. Ladkiyan aksar apni shaadi se pehle udaas hoti hain kyunki vo apne parivaar se door hone vali hoti hain."
( What type of girl are you? Girls usually get emotional during their wedding days because they are leaving their family.)
" Jyada bano mat. Pehli hi shaadi ho chuki hai hamari."
( Don't act. We are married already.)
He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist.
" Par ab jyada ache se hoyegi."
( But it will be better this time.)
She hummed then smiled widely,
" I am very excited for our wedding. Like, I want everything perfect in our wedding. No ritual should be ruined."
" It won't," he kissed her head. She sat straight and he turned his face to her side.
" We will select our outfits together, okay?"
Jaydev nodded, " sure."
" And the wedding outfit? It will be red only. No pastel. No wine."
" Sure."
" And-"
He cupped her cheeks, interrupting her in the middle,
" Saari taiyari abhi kar logi kya?"
( Will you do all the preparations right now?)
She pushed his hands down, " aap to kuch sochte nahi. Mujhe hi mehnat karni padti hai."
( You do not care to think so I have to do all the hard work.)
" Suhaag-raat ke din meri mehnat jyada hogi-"
( I'll have to work harder on the wedding night.)
She gasped and hit his shoulder. He laughed,
" What? You just complained that I talk like an old man, now when I am talking romantically and you are getting furious."
She scoffed, " romance is different from what you said just now."
" There is no difference. It depends on the thinking of the person."
Their conversation interrupted when Jaydev's phone rang.
" Wait," he said and picked up the call of the commissioner.
" Jai Hind, Sir!"
Shruti watched him patiently as he talked to his sir. He stood up and walked to the balcony of the room,
" Yes, sir I called you to ask something."
" Yes?"
Jaydev grabbed the railing of the balcony, " sir, I thought you knew everything about me and I was very close to you but you never told me, Eisha stayed with you."
He smiled slightly.
" Oh, how did you find out? I didn't find it important so.. you wanted to know about her only?"
Jaydev hummed, " you knew sir that Eisha was close to me then why didn't you tell me about her health and that she was hidden with you? I thought she died."
His smile faded when he heard,
" What are you saying, Jay? Be precise."
" Sir, those 3 girls you saved. Shefali and Jivika? They told us about Eisha and her health. She is on death bed and doesn't have much time left. She can die any time."
Doubt took root in his heart when he found the commissioner puzzled through his voice.
" What are you even saying, Jay? I mean, yes I saved Eisha but Shefali and Jivika? I know Shefali is an officer but who is Jivika? And I know none of them personally. Moreover, there's something you do not yet know about Eisha."
A deep frown spread on Jaydev's forehead. He heard footsteps approaching him. It was Shruti but he was too stunned to talk to her at this moment. Or maybe...maybe he was aware of this problem.
Aryan checked the message of Sahir which came with the clear picture of Karan Khanna's wife.
Pakhi's eyes widened as she peeked into his mobile.
" W...what?"
His expression stiffened and the grip tightened on the device, " they tried to fucking oversmart us!"
Pakhi grabbed his elbow when he stood up.
" Where are you going?"
Her grip loosened as he moved to the nightstand. Horror look appeared on her face when he took out a gun from the drawer.
" Aryan?"
He tucked the gun in his band of pants and covered it with his blazer.
" Where are you going?"
She blocked his way. His expression softened and he cupped her cheeks.
" Do not worry. Nothing's going to happen."
Pakhi sighed worriedly and just then the door of their room snapped open.
" Aryan?"
They looked at the entrance and found Jaydev, equally shocked like them. Behind him was Shruti.
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