Part 4

Part 4

In the morning, again everyone was sitting in the living room to figure out a way to come out of all the mess. Ashwini and Ninad also invited Kamal and Alka as whatever decision would be taken would also affect Sai's life.

Again the round of discussions, debates and blames went on for sometime with no result then Kamal spoke, "Look Ashwini and Ninad, I understand that its difficult for you to give Sai's place to anyone else but me and Alka thought a lot on this matter and we have come to a conclusion that Sai's happiness is of foremost importance to us. Its true that she wants to marry Virat but when Virat doesn't love her, when he will not be happy with her then how come he will keep Sai happy. In the long run Sai will not be happy and we don't want this. Let Virat marry whoever he wants to. Sai will be heart broken, may be even depressed for sometime but we will handle her somehow."

"Kamal, what are you talking?" Ninad tried to argue

But this time Alka spoke in between. "Ninad bhaisahab maan jaiye please. I know you have loved Sai not less than Virat but please understand dono baccho ke liye yahi achha hoga. Agar aap abhi pressurize karke Virat ko Sai se shadi karne ke liye raazi bhi kar lenge lekin agar kal ko hamare dono bachhe khush nahi rahe to na kewal unka jeevan barbaad hoga balki iska asar hamari barso se chali aa rahi dosti aur business partnership par bhi pad sakta hai."

"Lekin Alka vahini, Sai is ghar mein Virat ki patni banke aaye ye sapna sirf ab Sai ka nahi raha tha, hamara bhi tha. Aur hume apne bete par bharosa tha isliye humne Sai se vaada bhi kar diya tha ki Virat sirf us ka hoga. Ab main kaise us bachhi se kiya hua vaada tod doon?" Ninad expressed helplessness.

"Karna to padega na dost. Virat aur Sai ek ho jaye ye to hum sab chahte the lekin kuch sapno ke naseeb mein pura hona nahi likha hota. Hume sachhai swikaar karni hi hogi. Dono bachho ke jeevan ka sawaal hai. Itna bada risk hume nahi lena chahiye. Jaha Virat ki khushi hai, waha usko shadi kar lene do. Isi mein dono bachho ka bhala hai." Kamal said with finality.

Virat felt immensely guilty by looking at the sad faces of Sai's parents. He couldn't even imagine how much courage they must have gathered to have this big heart and instead of blaming him, they are supporting him here and thinking about his happiness. "Uncle aunty, I am so...sorry...Sai...I didn't...I am so sorry...I cant...." Virat tried to say but words didn't come out of his mouth.

"Its ok beta. Its not your fault, we understand that. In fact some where we elders are responsible for this situation. Whenever young Sai used to express her desire to marry you or whenever she expressed her love then instead of making her understand we use to encourage her. We didn't know when the little innocent joke became the reality of our life. Our families have known each other from the longest time. We were only happy to think that both of our children will get married but we didn't know such situation will arise before us." Kamal replied after thinking few seconds.

"But still, in between all this Sai is the one who is going to be affected most. I have always considered her as my daughter. So I give her the right to take final decision on this matter." Ninad declared.

"What do you mean baba?" asked Virat.

"You have to ask for Sai's permission to get marry to Pakhi. If she gives you permission then we are ok with it but if she denies then we will never allow this marriage. Even if you marry without our consent we will never accept you in our life." Ninad said with finality.

Before anyone could say anything Ashwini also supported her husband in this matter. She thought it might be their last chance to get rid of Pakhi. Sai is heart broken right now. She might never give permission to Virat willingly. Once she says no then they will somehow handle Virat and won't him marry this Pakhi.

"Haan, main Ninad ke faisle se bilkul sehmat hoon. Hum sab log yaha Sai ke jeevan ka itna bada faisla le rahe hain aur usse pata bhi nahi. She must have a say in this. Dekha jaye to thodi thodi galti hum sab ki hai jiski wajah se Sai ka dil toota hai to phir hume iski bharpai to karni chahiye na. Isliye usko itna haq to dena padega ki is mamle mein last decision Sai ka hi hoga aur wo hum sabko maan na hoga." Ashwini tried to present her argument as logically as possible.

"Arre, is sab ki koi jarurat nahi hai." Kamal tried to say no.

"What the hell? Ab wo behenji decide karegi ki hamari shadi ho sakti hai ya nahi?"  Pakhi said in anger.

"Pakhi, mind your language." Virat reprimanded.

"Aur aai baba theek keh rahe hain....after all she is going to suffer the most in this situation so we should at least give her that much respect that we should take her opinion or permission on it." Virat said further.

"Uncle, when I can meet Sai?" Virat made up his mind.

"Aaj nahi beta. Uski haalat theek nahi hai abhi. Kal se na kuch khaya hai na piya hai bas ro ro ke apni tabiyat kharab kar li hai. Subah hi doctor check kar ke gaye hain. She is having high fever. Uski tabiyat theek ho jane do....hume thoda samay do use samjhane ka...phir mil lena usse." Kamal replied  getting emotional for his daughter. Virat couldn't even look them in the eyes as he nodded his head in yes.

Pakhi was fuming in anger seeing all this as she was sure that Sai will never give them permission to get married. "What the hell! Kya faltu ka drama hai ye? Ye parivar hai ya tv serial ka set. Inka rona dhona to band hi nahi hota. Upar se us Sai ko to mahaanta k devi samajh rakha hai. Meri beizzati kar rahe hain wo alag. Agar Virat se shadi ka sawal na hota to kabka yaha se chali gayi hoti main." Pakhi kept thinking in frustration.

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Next day Sai's fever came down. She was sitting in her room lifeless, stains of tears still visible on her face. "Sai, Virat has come to meet you." Alka informed her.

Sai suddenly looked up and ran to her aai. "Did he change his decision?" she asked hopefully.

"No Sai, Ashwini and Ninad have kept the condition that if only you give your permission to Virat then only he can marry Pakhi. So he has come to talk to you." Alka explained what they had discussed yesterday and what led to this weird condition.

"What? Main kaun hoti hoon Virat ko kisi bhi baat ki permission dene wali? Aur waise bhi main kya kisi ko apni duniya basaane ki permission dungi jabki meri khudki duniya toh bikhar chuki poori tarah se....mere sapne, mera dil, meri ummeede sab toot gaye aai....mera zindagi bhar ka intezar...sab..bas ek pal mein khatam ho gaya." Sai cried her heart out.

"You remember what we said to you right? If you want Virat to be happy then you must let him live his life in his own way." Alka reminded her. Sai just nodded in yes unable to talk. Alka went outside and asked Virat to go to Sai's room.

Virat went inside her room. He saw Sai was standing near the window. She looked completely shattered. For once he could not recognize her. The shy beautiful girl he saw that day and this girl were completely different. Now she is just the shadow of her former self. Her long hair were tied ruthlessly in a  messy bun. Her kohl lined eyes were tear stained and puffy. Her lips looked dry. Her high cheek bones looked hollow. Her golden complexion turned pale and lifeless. Window was the only source of light in her room. The room was dark as if showcasing the absence of bright rays of happiness in her life.

Again a wave of immense guilt hit Virat. He never wanted this for her. He gathered his courage and stepped towards her. She turned towards him at the same time. Their eyes met and fresh tears started flowing through Sai's eyes. Whatever courage Virat had gathered left him instantly. He didn't know what happened to him in that moment, he hated every bit of his life for bringing tears to her beautiful eyes. Sai wiped her tears and Virat came out of his thoughts.

"Sai, look I am really sorry. I didn't have any idea about your feelings. I have never seen you in that way. You were always that little silly girl of my uncle aunty....nothing else. I didn't know why our parents thought that we could marry each other but....what all happened...I know you are sad but please forgive me. I know its very strange and its rude to ask but....I am here to ask your permission to marry Pakhi....its completely ok if you want to say no but...." Virat was interrupted by Sai.

"Yes, I give you my permission. I don't have any objection to your marriage with Pakhi." Sai replied almost instantly. Virat couldn't believe first. He thought she will be angry on him or sad but she said yes at once.

"Sai...I am really sorry...."Its ok if you want to rethink on it or....I will understand you...."Virat started but was again interrupted by Sai.

"Main soch samajh ke hi bol rahi hoon. Meri wajah se kisi ka pyar pura hota ho to isse achha aur kya ho sakta hai. Aur please aap bar bar mujhse maafi mat mangiye. Isme aapki koi galti nahi hai. Shayad main hi aapke layak nahi hoon ya phir mere pyar mein hi koi kami reh gayi hogi." Sai said as she hung her head in disappointment.

Virat immediately came near her, "No, don't ever say that. Tum mein koi kami nahi hai. Dekhna tumhe bahut jaldi mujhse bhi achha koi mil...." Virat tried to say but Sai gasped and put her hand on his mouth to prevent him saying anything further.

"Yeh kya keh rahe hain aap? Meri zindagi mein aapke siwa aur koi nahi aa sakta. Bhale hi aapki life mein mere liye koi jagah nahi hai par meri toh puri life hi aapse hai aur rahegi hamesha.....jab se hosh sambhala hai sirf aapse pyar kiya hai....jabse shadi shabd ka matlab jana hai tab se aapko mann hi mann apna pati maan chuki hoon....aur main ye jagah kisi aur ko nahi de sakti. Aapki khushi mein hi meri khushi hai agar aap kisi aur se shadi karke khush rahenge to main isi mein apni khushi dhund lungi lekin aapki jagah meri life mein koi nahi le sakta." Sai replied as again fresh tears started flowing from her eyes.

Virat was flabbergasted by her words. Is it possible for anyone to love someone this much? Be this selfless? "But Sai, tum akele kaise apni life...I mean life mein kisi ka sath paana toh jaruri hai na?" Virat asked.

"Kaun kehta hai ki sachhe pyar ka matlab sirf sath paana hota hai? Radha aur Meera ko bhi toh kanha ka sath nahi mila tha toh kya unke pyar ka mahatva kam ho gaya ulta unke pyar aur samarpan ki misaale di jati hai aur kisne kaha main apni life akele gujaar dungi. Bhale hi aapka sath nahi hoga lekin aapka pyar to mere mann mein hamesha rahega...ise mujhse koi nahi chheen sakta, khud aap bhi nahi. "Sai replied with determination.

The depth of her immense love and unselfish dedication confounded Virat and he couldn't speak anything after that for few minutes. He had expected her anger, her outburst, her sadness, he was also prepared to hear her taunts but what he heard today was completely insane. It had shook his beliefs. He could have never imagine, Sai would have such deep rooted feeling for him and this increase the burden on his heart tenfold. He made a last try to persuade her to move on.

"Please forget me...bhul jao mujhe aur aage badho apni life mein." Virat pleaded.

"Kya sooraj subah ugna bhul sakta hai? Kya chand raat ko chamakna bhul sakta hai? kya badal barasna bhul sakte hain? nahi na.....waise hi Sai Virat ko nahi bhul sakti....kabhi nahi." Sai replied with determination and turned around signaling she doesn't want to talk to him on this anymore.

Virat felt very selfish and shallow in front of her. He thought he knew all about love but after meeting her, he now doubted if he truly knows what love is all about? He saw her only as immature silly little girl but the truth was she has proved today that no one is as mature, understanding and generous than her. Virat left her room without saying anything. He didn't have any words left to say. He felt whatever he will say her answer will make him hate himself more.

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to be continued.....