ââ§â
Aryan accepted the call and talked with Jaydev through bluetooth plugged in his left ear.
" I literally can't have peace for a minute. They are so noisy. I didn't even know I had this many relatives."
Aryan chuckled and paid the bill to the sweet shop owner and told his driver to help him. Both of them grabbed the 50 boxes of sweets and put them in the trunk of the car in 5 rounds.
" Well, if it is a wedding house, there will be noise."
Jaydev sighed heavily and a voice came from his side.
" Mama! Play with us."
Aryan laughed lightly and shook his head
" Well, gotta go."
Jaydev said to his friend and disconnected the call. Aryan drove away from there with his driver. Upon reaching his home, he came across a similar scene to what Jaydev claimed. Because of Shruti's wedding celebration, so many relatives and guests have arrived. Today is her Mehandi ceremony.
" Bring all the sweets inside," Aryan said to his servants and entered the house while replying to a message from his assistant.
He stopped on his track as he reached the living room and heard loud music, capable of blasting the whole house. Before he could turn the volume low, his eyes landed on his wife dancing with some more ladies. Shruti is encouraging her. One of his distant nephews is recording her and others are clapping.
His pupil dilated slightly and heart skipped a beat. Smile instantly formed on his face and he immediately grabbed his mobile and started recording her.
He tilted his head slightly to have a better view of her. Her pallu is tucked in the front side of her saree while she is swaying her waist to the rhythm of the music.
He didn't know she could dance this well.
He chewed the corner of his lower lip. Suddenly, she twirled and just then her eyes landed on him. She stopped dancing in no second and everyone looked around until their eyes landed on Aryan. They sighed in disappointment.
" Why did you come? Go!"
One of his mausi came. Pakhi shyly tucked the strands of her hair behind the ear and excused herself.
" Are? My wife, my house. I have the right to watch her while you guys don't."
Shruti laughed and shook her in disbelief. Ekta lightly slapped his back.
" Wow! Will you argue with your mausi for your wife?"
She teased him. Aryan pinched her cheeks, " bilkul."
( Correct.)
Laughter echoed as she raised her hand to hit him but he ran away, grabbing the opportunity. He took a breath of relief and searched for his wife. She's nowhere to be seen. A wrinkle formed on his forehead and he put his hands on either side of his waist.
" Where did she go?"
He roamed his eyes around but in the midst of so many people, he did not get his wife's glimpse.
" Isn't he very handsome?"
His eyebrows creaked more than before as he heard someone whispering behind him. He turned his head behind and caught the sight of two girls, who must be in their 18's. They quickly diverted their gaze away from him.
Well, he is handsome but reserved for his biwi. He again started looking for his wife.
Those girls groaned in displeasure as he disappeared from their sight before they could click his picture.
" Fuck! We missed him."
" He's married, by the way," a third person came.
" Really?"
They asked with wide eyes. The guy nodded, " he has a very beautiful wife so you guys don't have a chance. And anyway, what is perverted behaviour? Should I tell your mothers?"
They rolled their eyes, " just shut up, okay."
He scoffed and went away from there.
" We should have been a little older."
" And one more thing," the guy returned.
" Don't put your evil eye on him. He's booked for his wife."
They raised their hands to hit him but he laughed teasingly and ran away from there. They chose to let go of the man they just found but they couldn't move from their place when Aryan returned but this time with his wife.
He is following his wife while holding her pallu.
Their eyes widened in admiration.
" Biwi-"
Pakhi snatched her pallu from him and faced him. He blinked his eyes innocently.
" People are watching. What are you doing? Don't you have a bit of shame?"
He smiled sheepishly and stepped closer to her.
" Thoda kamre me chalo na."
( Come to the room.)
Her cheeks turned crimson red and she gasped lightly.
" Sharam nahi aati aapko. Itna kaam pada hai aur aap pareshan kar rahe hain."
( Aren't you ashamed? There is so much work to do and you are troubling me.)
She pushed him aside and walked past him. He didn't stop there and continued following her.
" Zyada time nahi lunga, pakka."
( I won't take much time, that's for sure.)
He promised her.
" Aur karna kya hai?"
( What do you want to do?)
Pakhi asked.
" Band mein kamre mein pati-patni jo karte hai-"
( What a husband and wife do in a closed room-)
He wasn't able to complete himself when she hit his arm.
" Have some shame!"
She whisper-yelled at him and shook her head in disbelief.
" Did you eat something?" Pakhi asked.
He shook his head negatively and she asked with immense care, " you are hungry? Should I bring something for you to eat?"
" Yes, I want you so badly."
He kept his voice low and audible enough for her to hear. Her mouth hung open and he grabbed her wrist.
" Chale kamre me?"
( Shall we go to the room?)
" Aryan-"
Pakhi looked around until she spotted Rajdeep.
" Papa, look at him. He's troubling me," she complained.
Aryan widened his eyes while Rajdeep scolded his son, " Aryan, why are you doing that? Let her go."
Pakhi smirked and freed her hand from his grip. As she walked away, he let out a deep exhale. He went to his father and sat on the vacant chair beside him.
" You should not disturb a couple, papa."
Rajdeep had a bite of rasgulla, " what? I was just helping my daughter."
" And I was not kidnapping her!"
Aryan scoffed and grabbed the bowl of rasgulla from him.
" Hey! My rasgulla."
" Enough. You are not allowed to eat this much sugar, remember?"
Aryan ate the left out rasgulla and hummed as delicious sweet melted in his mouth.
" You are my son, remember?"
Rajdeep asked with a mean look on face. Aryan nodded and handed the empty bowl to the servant. He gulped down the sweet and said,
" I do but you don't remember your health."
Rajdeep rolled his eyes, " it's my daughter's wedding. At least I can have as much as I want."
" No."
Rajdeep dropped his head dramatically.
" You are so dramatic," Aryan made a face.
Both of them looked at Shruti eating food from Ekta's hand. Smile formed on their lips witnessing her happiness.
" I hope she stays happy wherever she goes. She was so small when I held her for the first time. Now she's ready to be someone's wife. Her father must be happy, wherever he is now."
Rajdeep said and Aryan's smile widened. He believes Jaydev will take good care of her and won't let sorrow touch her.
...
Shruti tapped on the green icon to answer the call.
" Hey!"
She chirped and Jaydev chuckled from the other side.
" Not tired?"
" No. Have you eaten your dinner?"
Shruti asked and earned a hum from Jaydev.
" You seem tired," Shruti said and lay on her back.
" No. You speak."
She smiled, " why do I always speak? Today, you should speak."
" I cannot. This is useless, which only you can do."
" That's right-"
She gasped, " useless?"
" Huh? Useless? I didn't say that."
She scoffed, " don't pretend now."
He laughed lightly, " I didn't lie though."
" Jay-"
She gritted her teeth, " don't talk to me."
And she disconnected the call. Her mobile rang again. Jaydev was calling her. She did not pick up the call but he did step back. He rang her mobile twice and the third time, she picked up the call.
" Acha maaf kar do. Chedh raha tha tumhe mai bas."
( Okay forgive me. I was just teasing you.)
She stared at his name on her henna, " leave it. I overreacted."
" Indeed."
" Jay!"
He laughed again.
" You are teasing me a lot nowadays. Wait until I return to our room."
" Are you threatening me? A SP?"
" SP hoge apne thane mein," she said arrogantly.
( You are SP in your police station.)
" Trust me, no one ever talked like this to me."
" That is why God set me up with you," she grinned happily.
He chuckled and folded his arm under his head.
" Shruti?"
" Hn?"
A pause followed for 30 seconds. Jaydev wanted to say something but ended up saying, " I love you."
She smiled, " love you more. Is there something wrong?"
Jaydev's smile faded. How does she figure out his mental state from his voice?
" Nothing, just missing my parents."
Shruti smiled and Jaydev continued after taking a deep breath.
" I wish they were here today."
" You know, I do not remember my biological father's face but maa has told me that he was very brave and a true patriot. He attained martyrdom while fighting the war. Girls find their father in their husband and look at my fate, my husband is similar to my father. A true patriot and ready to serve his country. These things don't make a coincidence anymore. I feel he is blessing me. Similarly, your parents must be blessing you from afar."
" I hope," Jaydev said and they talked for a while before disconnecting the call.
Jaydev stood up and walked toward the window. He looked up to the sky and blinked his eyes. There are not many stars shining in the sky but he could see two stars shining brightly. During childhood, he used to calm himself thinking his parents were stars and looking at him from the sky. As he grew up, he got busy with his schedule and he was glad because he just can't bear the emotions whenever he misses them.
He smiled and felt a long tear escaping his eyes.
" Pakhi is doing well. She has a loving husband and family. Mama- mami are taking good care of me. I..I hope you guys are good there."
He dropped his eyelashes down and stayed silent.
..
" Bhoo!"
Pakhi flinched, " you scared me."
She said to her husband who seated beside her and glanced at her henna. He was about to touch it but she moved her hands away, " no. This is still wet."
He lay down and placed his head on her lap.
" Have you written my name?"
She smiled, " yes. Here it is."
She showed him his name and he nodded in acknowledgement. She blew air on her palm from her mouth and he opened the strings of her night robe in the meanwhile.
" Aryan, don't."
She warned him but he just smirked slyly.
" Finally caught you. Can't leave you now," he said knowing very well that she would not like to ruin her henna by touching him so he has her hands indirectly tied.
He sat up and she looked into his eyes confusedly. He leaned closer to her and cupped her cheeks. She turned her head to the side as he was about to kiss her.
" I am hungry," she said.
" Which way do you want to try to end your hunger?"
She gasped and looked at him, " shameless. I want food."
He laughed and pinched her cheeks, " wait here."
He jumped down from the bed and went out of the room. He came back with a plate adorned with food for her. He sat down opposite her. She sat comfortably and waited for him to feed him. He tore the puri and made a morsel and forwarded it to her mouth.
She let out a hum after eating the first bite.
" I was so hungry," she said.
He continued feeding her.
" I will go to bhai tomorrow."
" Why?"
He asked, even though he knew the reason.
" Did you forget I am his only sister and have to perform rituals."
" There are more cousins of yours. They can do that," he said.
" No. I want to perform my bhai's rituals," she said with a possessive voice.
He wiped the little sabji from the corner of her mouth and licked it clean. She blushed at his gesture.
" Once this wedding is over, I won't leave for a day-"
" Day?"
She raised her eyebrows and he fed her the last bite then said,
" without loving you."
Her cheeks turned red and she said after gulping down the food, " that's cruel."
ââ§â
The wedding day also knocked on the door. Pakhi went to her brother's place in the morning and everyone got busy with the preparations.
" Bhai, did you make a call to my makeup artist? She's not here yet."
Shruti panicked.
" Yes, I did."
Aryan said.
" And where is my outfit?"
Aryan parted his mouth to reply but realised he had not brought her outfit from the boutique yet. The fitting was loose so she sent it to the boutique to get it fixed.
" Oh, I forgot."
" Bhai!"
Shruti whined.
" Just wait here, okay. I will be back. You do the rest of your work."
He said while searching for his car keys.
" Be quick," she said.
" Yes yes."
Aryan nodded and ran away from there. Somehow, Shruti received her outfit on time. Everyone got ready. Slowly evening approached and Shruti glanced at the clock.
There are 2 hours left for the baarat to arrive. She just prays that everything goes well. She touched her left chest and felt her heart beating loudly. Probably, it is because of wedding excitement. She looked at her mobile resting on the dressing table.
Pakhi came to her brother's room and smiled seeing him ready as a groom.
" You are looking very handsome, bhai."
Rohini entered as well, " just like your father."
Jaydev faced them. Rohini stepped forward and put a dot of her koyl behind his ear. She felt tears pricking her eyes and cupped his cheeks.
" Your parents must be very happy today."
Pakhi went to them and grabbed Jaydev's hands.
" Are you ready to sit on the mare? Di is impatiently waiting for you."
He hummed and pulled both the women into a hug. He kissed the crown of Pakhi's head then broke the hug.
He grabbed his watch to wear but just then his mobile rang. Rohini left the room for some work. Pakhi picked up the device.
" It's officer Adnan," she told her brother.
" Put the call on speaker," Jaydev said to her.
She accepted the call and put it on speaker.
" Yes Khan?"
He sat on the bed and started wearing his footwear.
" Sir, I know it's your wedding. I did not want to disturb you but it's really really urgent. Please turn on the news channel and watch the breaking news. I have sent you the link."
Jaydev frowned, " okay."
Pakhi disconnected the call and Jaydev grabbed his mobile. She sat down beside him and watched him tapping on the link sent by Adnan.
The mafia gang- Blood money has sent the video of 23 girls they have kidnapped. Here's the message written with the video.
Jaydev paused the video to read the message.
We need officer Jaydev before 10 PM otherwise these girls will die unnecessarily. Choose wisely. Officer Jaydev or 50 girls who can be the future of this country.
Pakhi's eyes widened and Jaydev quickly turned off the video. He stood up and Pakhi studied his expression. He looked cold and very furious.
" Bhai," she stood up as well and frowned when he started removing his sherwani.
" Princess, dial Khan's number."
She couldn't help but to obey. She grabbed his mobile from the bed. She dialled Adnan's number and handed him the device. She couldn't hear anyone other than her brother.
" Prepare a team. Keep only a few of our trainer officers who will join us. Inform commissioner sir that we are going for a mission."
He put his sherwani on the couch and opened the almirah only to grab his uniform. Pakhi understood one thing that he's going for a mission now.
" Has the tracking begun? Find out from there they kidnapped those girls. They must have executed this plan a few days back. Be quick."
He disconnected the call and threw the device on the couch.
" Bhai," she stepped forward and he hummed while wearing his shirt.
" Are you going for a mission?"
Jaydev nodded and removed his payjama as well to wear his pants.
" Bhai, I am not stopping you but talk to Di first."
" I do not have time, princess. You can tell her later."
He buckled his belt and sat on the couch to wear his shoes.
" Bhai, it's your wedding. Di is waiting for you. Make sure you come safe and..."
He lifted his eyelashes and she added,
" Victorious."
He smirked slightly and nodded. He walked toward the bed and grabbed his gun from the drawer of the nightstand.
In a span of seconds, he changed into a police officer from the groom. He chose his duty over anything else.
Jaydev looked at Pakhi.
" Will you forward a message to Shruti, Princess?"
Pakhi nodded.
" Tell her to wait for me. I'll be back and won't break my promise. For now, my country needs me the most."
Pakhi gulped, feeling a lump forming in her throat. She walked to him and hugged him.
" Be safe, bhai. We all will wait for you."
Jaydev wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head.
" I will. I will."
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