Part 13

Part 13

It was morning time and everyone was having breakfast in Chavan mansion. Mornings were always the rush hour for Sai as she always helps Virat in getting ready then she herself gets ready for the college but today it was even more hectic as Sai was running here and there to pack all things she needed in the college. Today was the charity event planned by her college and she was going to perform in there. She was an important day for her and she didn't want to forget anything at home so she was double checking everything.

"Kya hua, aap breakfast kyu nahi le rahe?" Sai asked from Virat as she noticed he wasn't even touching his food.

"Tumhara intezaar kar raha hoon. Lekin tum ho ki idhar udhar bhaage ja rahi ho. Pura breakfast thanda ho chuka hai." Virat answered.

"So sorry I didn't realize. Come, lets have breakfast first." Sai apologized and sat down to eat. She knew Virat won't eat unless she sits down with him. In all these days, it had become his habit, he always prefers to eat with her whenever they could, a habit which she found cute.

Not only having breakfast but actually Virat was quite habitual now of having Sai everywhere around him right from the dawn to the silence of night. He never even had to ask for anything, she was there for him to cater his every need. He was the center of her universe and he loved every bit of it.

"You guys are coming to my college for this event, right? This is very important for me. I am performing a solo number and also I am in the core committee of students responsible for the organization. And guess what? There will be a cultural jury, who will also award the best performer." Sai shared the details in excitement.

"Achha! Dekhna tum hi jeetogi. Main aur Alka to time par pahuch jayenge." Ashwini answered.

"Main aur Kamal bhi seedhe office ke baad waha pahuchenge." Ninad also shared his plans.

Sai waited for Virat's answer but he didn't speak. So she herself asked, "What about you Virat?"

"Woh...actually...mera aana to mushkil hai. Ek bahut jaruri meeting hai meri." Virat made an excuse.

"Kaunsi meeting? Mujhe to nahi pata is bare mein kuch bhi aur Kamal ne bhi aisa kuch nahi kaha?" Ninad inquired.

"Hai baba, woh aap dono ko Sai ke college function mein jana tha to maine socha kyu na main hi handle kar loon." Virat replied nervously and looked at Ashwini for help.

"Lekin function to shaam ko start hoga aur office hours ke baad kaunsi meeting hai?" Sai asked already getting disappointed.

"Wo hai ek bahut important meeting. Tumhe nahi pata, mera jana jaruri hai." Virat lied through his teeth.

"Arre lekin aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Tumhara aana to jaruri hai na tum hi to waha...." Ninad wanted to point out the obvious reason but Virat didn't let him complete.

"Baba...meeting jyada jaruri hai...aai, baba ko samhjhao na please." Virat looked helplessly at Ashwini.

Ashwini rolled her eyes at Ninad and stopped him from saying anything further. "Ninad aap nashta kijiye na thanda ho raha hai. Bachho ki beech ki baat hai wo aapas mein samajh lenge."

Even though Ninad wanted to argue but he decided to keep quite as Ashwini glared at him in anger.

"Oh! Kitna achha hota agar aap aa pate, mera performance dekhte, mere friends se milte. But now everything will be incomplete without you." Sai couldn't hide her disappointment.

"Kya kar sakte hain aakhir kaam bhi to important hai." Virat shrugged and stood up to leave. Sai came with him to the gate to bid him goodbye then she started packing her stuff but she was not feeling enthusiastic anymore. After sometime Sai also left for college.

Ninad, Virat sat in the car to go to office while Ashwini joined them and asked them to drop her to the market as she had some shopping. On their way finally Ninad couldn't take it anymore and asked, "Virat tum Sai ke sath aisa kyu kar rahe ho. Uska kitna mann tha ki tum uska performance dekho. Aur agar Sai ke liye na sahi to kam se kam apne comittment ke liye to tumhe jana chahiye. Hum is city ke bade industrialist mein se ek hain. Hamare maan samman ko dekhte hue hi Sai ke college wale hamari company ke MD yani ki tumhe, college function mein cheif guest ke taur par aane ki request lekar aaye the aur tumne unhe haan bhi keh diya tha phir ab unhe ekdum se mana kaise kar sakte ho."

"Offo! aap bhi na budhhu ke buddhu hi rahenge." Ashwini scolded him.

"Main buddhu, aur tumhara beta kya hai? Aur wo sab chhodo tum mujhe breakfast par kya aankhen dikh rahi thi? Maine kuch galat kaha kya?" Ninad was offended.

"Aai-baba, aap log jhagadna band kijiye. Aur baba main itna bhi insensitive nahi hoon ki Sai ka is tarah se dil dukhau. Maine meeting ke bare mein jhoot kaha kyunki main Sai ko surprise dena chahta hoon. Zara sochiye, Sai mujhe expect hi nahi kar rahi hogi aur main ekdum se aa jaunga aur wo bhi as a chief guest...wo kitni khush hogi." Virat finally explained.

"Ab kuch batti jali aapki." Ashwini taunted making Ninad embarrassed while Virat just laughed on their banter.

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Sai's cousin Karishma, who was in the same college with her tapped Sai's shoulder. "Kab se dekh rahi hoon, tum kuch khoyi khoyi si ho. Its a last rehearsal before final performance so pay attention."

"Ya, I know. Its just that, I am little disappointed you know, Virat won't be coming tonight to see me." Sai informed.

"What! Jiju won't be coming? Kya yaar, mazaa aata wo aate to. Anyways, lets concentrate on our dance.

Finally the moment come when guests had arrived, Sai was lined up at the back stage as she was the very first solo performer. The host started off the function, gave introduction about the event and idea behind it and thanked the sponsors. At last, he welcomed all guests and then announced the name of the chief guest.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our honorable chief guest, the young, talented and dynamic personality of business world, Mr. Virat Chavan, MD Chavan industries."

Sai's eyes were wide when she heard Virat's name. She peeked through the curtain on the stage to check if she misunderstood it but got a surprise when she noticed Virat on the chief guest's chair. Virat winked right back at her making her blush. She also noticed her whole family sitting right beside him, waving at her and almost laughing at her surprised face.

"OMG! Its jiju. I can't believe he planned this surprise for you. Aww its such a cute gesture." Karishma cheered like a fangirl.

"Are you sure he is not already in love with you. Look at him, the way he looks at you...oh my!" Karishma asked as she teased Sai.

"Shut up! And leave me now. My name is about to be called." Sai chided her while trying to hide her blush.

The very next second, her name was called and she graced the stage as she performed on "Mohe rang do laal" Virat kept looking at her completely mesmerized. Even though he had watched her practice back at their house but right now, Sai all decked up as some heroine with all makeup and costume and ample space to dance, she looked like some dream. He could swear she could give a tough competition to the actual heroine in this song.

After a while Sai's dance ended and everyone clapped for her. It made Virat came out of trance. He also started clapping all the while smiling proudly at Sai. Sai looked satisfied with the thunderous applause she got but she had her eyes only on Virat. She could see the appreciation for herself in his eyes and thats what mattered the most for her.

The program went on and there  few more performances. Lastly, there was a group dance. As the students took their position on stage, it was Virat's time to get surprised as he saw Sai one more time on stage. There were five couples and Sai was standing with a guy in the very front as the lead couple. The song started and Virat frowned seeing her dancing on the romantic number with some guy, no not only simple guy but tall and handsome guy and he was not liking it.

Gal mitthi mitthi bol, ras kaano vich ghol

Bajne de taashe dhol, masti mein tu vi dol

Mann de naina tu khol

Chahat ke moti rol

Dil hunda ae anmol, ke daulat se na tol

Aa sohni tenu chaand ki main choodi pehrawa

Mainu kar de ishaara te main doli lai aanwa

Gal mitthi mitthi bol, ras kaano vich gol

Bajne de taashe dhol, masti mein tu vi dol

Virat narrowed his eyes to see clearly, he noticed the dance number included many lifts and he was hating it how everytime that guy was holding Sai from her waist. He tried to take deep breaths but nothing was helping him, he felt like killing that guy mercilessly that too in front of Sai. Virat noticed Sai was happily dancing without a care in the world, he remembered their dance on the reception party and he was feeling even more bad now, how his Sai, his wife can dance like that with someone else. His inner battle started again.

"She has no right to dance with some random guy like that." Devil was burning with jealousy.

"He might be her good friend. Its just a dance." Angel tried to give logical explanation.

"Then why she didn't tell you anything about this dance previously. You only knew about her solo performance. I am telling you, she purposefully hid it from you." Devil was in no mood to understand anything.

"This is just a stupid college dance. Will you calm down. Look how happy she is." Angel reasoned.

"Yes, why she is so happy? Does she likes that guy? Hell! I won't let this happen. I will chop off that guy's legs into many pieces." Devil shared his evil views.

"You are so evil. Please handle this with maturity." Angel advised.

Virat shut his eyes tight to stop devil angel banter. By that time dance had also ended and everyone was clapping for them. The event had come to an end and Virat was called to say few words and award distribution. He opened the envelop and Sai was selected as 'Best performer' of the program. At first Virat wanted to shout her name with happiness momentarily forgetting about his jealousy but then he gave it a thought and called the organizers and jury members. He discussed something with them and then with mutual consent he announced the name of Ajinkya, the very same guy who was the reason of his jealousy as 'Best performer'

Everyone was surprised but cheered for Ajinkya as he came on stage to collect his award. Sai also looked happy for her friend but a little disappointment on missing out the award herself was quite visible on her face. Virat's heart broke on seeing her like this but he had his own reasons to do what he did.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya came on stage and instead of receiving award, he took permission to speak and grabbed the mike.

"I am really honoured that jury and guests considered me to be worthy of this award but to be honest, I know I don't deserve this. The most deserving person for this award is one and only Sai. She impressed everyone by her solo performance, she was the best today. So, I would like to give this award to its real winner. Sai, please come on stage." Ajinkya announced and Sai was looking at him in shock.

Sai shook her head in no but Ajinkya started cheering her name and so did the rest of the students and guests. She had to come at last. And as everyone was insisting, Virat finally gave award to Sai. He was feeling proud on her and she couldn't believe her luck that one day would come that she will be receiving an award from the love of her life like this. It was a magical moment for her.

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Later there was a dinner party for the guests, college faculties and organization committee students. Sai was with her friends, enjoying, joking, taking selfies, having time of her life. While Sai's parents had left already, Virat was sitting on the table with his parents and waiting for Sai to come over to him but it seemed like she will take forever as she was surrounded by so many people.

"Sai kitna time laga rahi hai. Main yaha kab se baitha hoon aur wo hai ki friends mein busy hai." Virat couldn't stop but complaint like a grumpy kid.

"Excuse me! Sirf tum nahi ho yaha, hum bhi hain. Aur aaj ka din Sai ke liye special raha, usko enjoy karne do. Aa jayegi thodi der mein." Ashwini chided Virat. Virat let out a deep sigh as he again looked at Sai longingly.

"Sai, ab tu ye sab selfie chhod aur jiju ke pas ja. Dekh bechare itni der se kitni armano se tujhko nihaar rahe hain." Karishma teased Sai when she noticed Virat was continuously looking at Sai.

"Shut up! Tu bhi na, kuch bhi bolti hai." Sai blushed.

"Arre, main to keh rahi hoon ki jaldi unke pas ja nahi to...." Karishma said in warning tone.

"Nahi to kya?" Sai asked in confusion.

"Maine na notice kiya hai ki yaha bahut si ladkiyan jiju ko ghoore ja rahi hai. Kahi aisa na ho ki tu yaha selfie leti reh jaye aur koi titli tere phool ko chhed de." Karishma said and started laughing uncontrollably.

"Tu bhi na, har waqt bas majaak." Sai hit her shoulder lightly. But she very slyly looked around the whole party hall and did notice some girls eyeing Virat. She felt like punching those girls on the nose. Remembering Karishma's warning, Sai decided to say bye to her friends for now and join her family on dinner table.

On her way to the table, she collided with her college principal accidentally.

"Oh I am so sorry sir. I was just looking sideways, didn't notice you." She apologized immediately.

"Its ok Sai, hota hai. And by the way congratulations for winning the award." Principal shook hands with her.

"Thank you so much sir but really wo Ajinkya bhi na pagal hai ekdum. Award ka winner to wo hi tha usne hi jabardasti mujhe award thama diya." Sai was being modest.

"Arre nahi beta. Jury ne to tumhara naam hi select kiya tha. Wo to hamare chief guests, I mean tumhare husband Virat Chavan ji ne hi jury ko request kiya ki wo koi aur naam select kare. Isliye second best performer Ajinkya ko award dene ka decide hua. Lekin dekho, talent aur kismat ko koi nahi hara sakta, aakhir ye award tumhe hi mila. I am so proud of you." Principal explained the whole scenario.

Sai was heartbroken hearing all this. When she received award from Virat's hands, it was a great feeling but now she couldn't understand why Virat didn't want to give her award. Did he not like her performance? Was he not okay with her dancing on stage and wanted to show his disapproval like this. But he didn't say anything back at home, he was fine with everything till now. She was saddened by the turn of events and also feeling angry on Virat. She marched towards the dinner table and didn't even spare a glance to Virat.

"Aai, baba, thank you for coming, it meant a lot to me. Aap log dinner karke nikal jaiye. Main apne friends ke sath hi dinner karungi aur Ajinkya mujhe baad mein ghar drop kar dega." Sai replied turn around to go back to her friends.

"What! Ye kya baat hui? Itni der se to tum friends se baatein hi kar rahi thi na. Thodi der hamare sath bhi baith jao. Aur wo Ajinkya kyu chhodega tumhe, main hoon na yaha." Virat snapped at last as he was now too impatient to wait for her anymore. Sai not giving him enough attention was making him frustrated and to add to that she took that Ajinkya's name.

"Virat, let it be. Aaj Sai ka din hai. Usko apne friends ke enjoy karne do na. Kya fark padta hai." Ninad tried to reason.

"But baba, kafi late ho chuka hai aise mein ghar drop karne ke liye kisi anjaan person ke bharose rehna mujhe theek nahi lagta." Virat oppose.

"Offo! Arre agar itni fikar hai to humko ghar chhodkar driver wapas aa jayega Sai ko lene. Aur Ajinkya bhi koi aisa waisa nahi, samajhdar ladka lagta hai. Tum bekar mein hi tension lete ho Virat." Ashwini shared her views.

"Kya karu tension leni padti hai, shadi jo ki hai, aakhir ek pati jaisa bartav ko karna padega na." Virat taunted as he gave a sharp look to Sai.

"Accha! Ye yaad hai aapko?" Sai taunted back and left from there without even looking at Virat while he was baffled by her sudden attitude. She had never given him attitude before.

Finally having nothing else to do, Virat left with his parents while Sai kept fuming on him. She was not enjoying anything now. She also wanted to go back home and cry in a corner but just to stay true to her words she decided to stay till late.

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to be continued....