41| Stay away

Started writing on 10th December 2020.

Completed on 14th December 2020.

Word count : 4160 words

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– D I V Y A –

Reaching the room where dadi was admitted, we saw mom and dad already present outside the room.

"Mom, when did it happen?" Ayaan asked.

"Even I don't know how it happened. She was so happy all the time." Mom cried and I made her sit on the chair. "I don't want her to face this."

"Mom. Nothing will happen to her. Dadi is strong."

"Divya, you know I never liked her. I thought that she's just same as other mother in laws. But I don't want her to leave us. I want to hear her scolding me. I don't want this to happen."

"Mom, stay strong. Dadi is so strong, she could even kick death out of her life. Please don't cry."

"But Divya, I was never a good daughter in law. Even if I ask her to stay with us, she won't listen to me."

"She would mom, she would. Dadi won't go anywhere. Just relax and pray for her. She would return to us. Heart attack isn't a big thing for her." I said and she nodded.

"Dad, who's operating dadi?" Ayaan asked.

"Dhruv."

Thank God it's Dhruv!

His success rates are high. Hope nothing bad happens to dadi!

"When was dadi admitted?"

"An hour ago."

"And why didn't you care to inform me?"

"Everything was in a rush. How do you think we could inform you?" Dad said. After some time mumma and dad also came there.

Many hours went until the red light of the OT went off. "She's alright. We handled everything on time. She's still unconscious. But, her condition is critical. Just don't give any sudden shock to her." Dhruv said.

"Will she be fine?" Dad asked and Dhruv nodded.

"It's hospital and I would prefer only few people to stay here. If there's anything important, we'll call you." Dhruv said.

"I'll stay here. Rest of you can go back." Dad said.

"No dad, Ayaan and I will stay. You all can go back. It's late and you would be tired."

"Hmm... She's right. We'll stay here. You all can go back and rest."

"Okay, we're going then. If anything happens, call me." Dad said and we nodded.

Mumma came to me and hugged me tightly, "Nothing bad will happen Divya. Be strong." I nodded and she kissed my forehead. "We'll go back. If there's anything, don't hesitate to call me." I nodded and they went home.

We went inside the room in which dadi was shifted and saw her sleeping. "Divya."

"Hmm..."

"It's all my fault." He said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's all because of me. If I didn't stop her from this marriage, then her condition would have been better by now." He said. I made him sat on the couch while I stood in front of him.

"Just sit properly and relax."

"How can I relax when I know that I'm the reason behind her condition?"

"It's not because of you."

"It is. I was the only one who opposed her decision. If I agreed, her heart condition wouldn't be this bad." He said while sobbing silently.

"Don't think like that Ayaan. She'll be fine. And you won't ever cause any pain to her."

"But I did? I should have agreed to her wish from the starting."

"You did nothing wrong. It's normal human nature. Stop blaming yourself."

"Even if I stop blaming myself, will she be alright?"

"Of course. Dadi loves you. She won't ever want you to cry." I said and he hugged my waist tightly.

"Promise me, nothing would happen to her."

How could I promise when I myself don't know anything?

"I promise."

"She won't leave us right?"

"She won't."

"You won't leave me?"

"I won't. Why would I?"

"If anything happens to our family, I won't be able to live." He cried. And that was the first time I saw him crying that badly.

"Nothing will happen. Everyone is safe and alright."

"Dadi is safe right?"

"She is. Just rest. Everything will be fine till tomorrow." I kissed his forehead and made his sleep on the couch while I decided to stay awake at night.

××

I tried to concentrate on my exam paper, but the constant voice of the surrounding wasn't allowing me to. I tried to shift to my side and opened my eyes, only to find that I was dreaming all the time while sleeping. How could I sleep? I should have been awake!

"You're awake?" I heard Ayaan saying.

"When did I fall asleep?"

"Three or four hours ago."

"You should've woken me up. What about dadi's condition?"

"She's good as you said last night. I'm so happy." He ran to me and hugged me tightly.

"It's good that she's well. Where is she?"

"She's resting. She gained her consciousness just few hours back."

"Really? When will we get her discharge papers?" I asked while looking up in his hold.

"By noon." He said and pecked my lips. I raised my eyebrow in question and he chuckled while hugging me back, "I was so scared yesterday. Thank God everything is back to normal. I love you."

"Love you too."

"Love you three..." He said while nearing his distance to my lips.

"I haven't brushed." I kept my hand on his mouth and said.

"It doesn't matter."

"Still. Where is everyone?"

"Both the mother's are with dadi. Do you want to meet them?" He asked and I nodded. "First grant me my kiss."

"No...." I said and tried to pull myself out of his hold. "Leave me."

"I won't." He said, being adamant as always. Having no other option I stood on my toes to reach his height and pecked his lips softly. "That's cheating. It's not a kiss."

"It is. You remember our first kiss? It was a peck too."

"You remember it. Well, you must have enjoyed it well."

"I mean it was unintended. Nobody was at fault."

"Hmm.... Let's go. I'll see you at home."

"Wait! Let me wash my face first. I don't want to be presented as a ghost." I said and he chuckled. After using the toilet, we went to the other room where dadi was shifted.

"Mumma, how's dadi?"

"I'm here, you can ask me." Dadi said.

"How are you feeling now dadi?" I asked while sitting beside her.

"I'm fine."

"How did you get that attack? I mean everything was alright."

"Nothing. My grandchildren will call me a fool then."

"Why? What happened dadi? See, we're ready for your marriage. No one is having any problem. Even Ayaan is ready." I said and Ayaan nodded.

"It's nothing like that. I didn't even have an attack due to that."

"What was the reason then, dadi?"

"Do I need to tell everything to you?" She asked in a serious tone.

"Umm! No. It's your choice. I just wanted you to share your burden off your shoulders."

"Don't be scared of me. I'm not a monster as your mother in law thinks of me. Wait! She calls me female Voldemort right? I know it very well." Dadi said.

How come she know that Voldemort is her secret nickname given by mom?

I looked towards mom and saw her already gazing at me, angrily. I shook my head in no to make her believe that I never disclosed her secret. "Don't worry. It's not Divya who told me. If I want, I'll come to know about anything by any means. It was such a small thing." Dadi smirked at mom who then took her phone to avoid dadi's taunts.

Even if mom wants dadi to believe that she doesn't like her, last night's incident proved her love for dadi!

"Uhh... Dadi. You were talking something about the reason....."

"Yes. You know how my heart condition is at this age. Even a small topic can become a great cause for palpitations. Now when I got such a big news about your acceptance of this marriage, I wasn't able to hold myself which resulted in this."

"What? So it wasn't due to sadness?" Ayaan asked.

"No. When did I say that? And yes, your earlier answers do made my heart condition a little weak. But then, you're my only grandchild and it's your right."

"Dadi! Just don't give us shocks like this in future." Ayaan said.

"I won't but I have a wish and want a promise from you both." Dadi said and we nodded while sitting beside her.

"What wish dadi? If it's your marriage wish then we've already agreed. You're the one who'll marry, not us. So there's no point in denying." Ayaan said.

"Not that wish. It's already going to be fulfilled. I have another wish. And I want to see it before I die."

"What are you saying dadi? Why do you have to put death in such a good situation?" I whined.

"I'm just stating facts. I'm already seventy-six. Do you want me to be immortal?" She asked. I opened my mouth to say something but she interrupted in between, "Even if you want, I can't help in it as I don't have any wish regarding immortality."

"What's your wish dadi?" Ayaan asked.

"To see your great-grandchildren? Right mom? Even I want to see my grandchildren eagerly!" Mom squealed and I looked at Ayaan who was already gazing at me. His ears were red, indicating that he was blushing.

"Don't worry Kritika! I'm not dying this early that I won't be able to see my great-grandchildren in this life." Dadi smiled bitterly at mom and turned to us. "Leave her. Your mother is like that. I know her from the time she entered my house as my daughter-in-law. And she hasn't changed a bit."

I can't believe! Even elder people fight like that!

"I want you both to promise me one thing." Dadi said while looking at us and pulled our hand towards her. "Promise me that you won't ever leave each other. Never try to separate or divorce. And most important, never lose the trust and love in your relationship." She said and we nodded while looking at each other.

"We won't. Promise!"

"And trust me, if I die and see you separately, my ghost will haunt you." She said and we chuckled.

"Mom, you never said these things to me and Nayan." Mom complained.

"Because I know you won't ever leave my son. Such a lice you are!" Dadi said, causing everyone in the room to laugh. "And..... My wish is..... to see you both marrying."

"Dadi but we're already married." I said.

"I know. But I want to be a part of your wedding. Last time I wasn't able to enjoy your wedding, but this time I won't leave it."

"But dadi-"

"We're ready. There's nothing wrong in marrying with the same person again." Ayaan said, interrupting me in between.

"Then it's final. We'll hold your wedding in the coming week. And on the same day, I'll sign my marriage papers."

"Okay dadi. And I think it's pretty interesting." Ayaan smirked while looking at me. What the hell was cooking in his mind?

××

We were back at our place after dadi was discharged. I was in the study and searching for a file in the PC when I felt a hand going around my waist. "What are you doing?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm want a file but I can't find it."

"I'm better than your files. You want me and I'm here! You don't even need to find me unlike this file." He said.

"Where are you learning these new cheesy lines from? Do you have a dictionary of these things?" I turned around to face him and said.

"It just comes out from my mouth after seeing you. I can't help."

"Idiot! Now leave me and help me finding that file."

"Which file?"

"There's a pendrive containing all the sales details of our deal with Malhotra's."

"It's in office."

"I know. That's why I'm searching it here." I said while searching for that pen drive in the drawers.

"I mean in A&C." He said.

"What? I kept it here, in this room. How come it reach there?"

"I saw that pen drive here. So, I thought that maybe..... I should take it back."

"You Idiot! You should've atleast asked me. Now I need to go back to A&C and bring it back." I shouted.

"Okay! We can go back tomorrow. Don't worry. Now there's time for something else." He said and pulled me harshly to his chest.

"See I'm telling you to stop here otherwise....." Before I could say anything, he placed his lips over mine and closed his eyes.

Enough!

I pulled him close to me by his neck and nibbled his lower lip while my hands found their way to his hairs. Grabbing my hips tightly, he picked me up and placed me on the table. He placed his hands on my thighs and stood between my legs while kissing me hungrily.

"Uhm...." We heard a throat clearing sound and pulled back to see mom standing there. Why did we have to kiss at this time? Such an embarrassing situation it was! "Mom wants to talk to you. Come fast. Or don't worry, I'll tell mom to wait for sometime. You can continue, good luck." She said and left.

"Let's go."

"Don't worry. Mom said, she'll handle the situation. We continue doing many things here."

"Seriously? Leave it. Why did you say yes to the wedding?"

"Because the last time, it was only me who enjoyed our wedding. But this time, we could go through all that again, with you enjoying it too."

"But-"

"We'll have a wedding night too. Last one couldn't count right?" He winked and I punched his stomach. "Aah!"

"Is it paining?"

"Nope. It's giving me the best feeling ever."

"Huh?"

"Ofcourse it's paining." He said and clutched his stomach.

"Let's go out. I'll give you some medicines."

"No, I don't need medicine. I'm alright." He said and picking me up from the table, walked out. "Before you could say— ‘leave me’, I'm telling you I won't."

Does he read minds?

"Hey! Leave me or I'll kill you."

"You'll kill me? On bed? I don't mind." He chuckled and I glared.

"Let me stand!" I said and he made me stand in my toes.

"Here you go. Your wish and I'm ever ready." He said and we went to the living room where everyone was seated. "Dadi you asked for us?"

"Hmm..... I wanted to talk about the wedding. We talked to Panditji and the upcoming week would be auspicious for the wedding. What say?"

"The earlier the better." Mom said.

"And one more important thing. You both need to stay away." Dadi said.

"What?" Ayaan asked shockingly.

"Yes. You can't meet each other before the wedding."

"But-"

"Stop it. I don't want to hear anything." Dadi said. "So who'll stay where? You can't live at the same place."

"What?" Ayaan asked.

"Divya can stay with us and Ayaan can stay here." Mom said.

"No. I think Ayaan can stay with us and Divya with her parents. She'll get to spend some time there." Dadi said and mom nodded.

××

"So, is it really important to go?" Ayaan asked while I was packing my stuff.

"Yes. I can't help. Don't forget that you were the one who instantly agreed for the wedding, not me."

"But-"

"Everything comes with its own cons. I can't do anything. Bye bye!!" I said when I was done with my packing.

"Where are you going?"

"To live with mumma and dad. We'll meet after few days."

"No... Can't you stay here?"

"No."

"Just tonight?"

"No! You were the one who's eager for the wedding night. Now wait for it." I said. "Help me carry my luggage." I said and he nodded. Sitting inside the car, he started driving.

"We're seeing each other for the last time." He said, parking the car in front of mumma's place.

"Why are you being so sentimental? It's just for a week."

"I know but-" He was saying something but stopped when I hugged him tightly.

"Shh.... Call me when you reach home. Bye." I said and was pulling back when he pressed his lips on mine while caressing my hairs.

"Don't go."

"I'm not leaving you. You can call me whenever you want to. Now let me go." I said and lingered my lips over his forehead.

"Hmm..... Go now. I'll call you." He said. Pecking his lips for the last time I walked out of the car. "And trust me, when I say I'll call you, I won't let you sleep." He said and pulled the luggage out. "I won't say bye because I'm not going to leave you. Now go inside." He said and I nodded.

Walking inside the entrance, I looked back and saw him leaning on the car. He shook his head, directing me to go inside.

Giving a flying kiss to him, I walked inside and saw mumma coming out. "You're here beta! You know, I was waiting for you."

"Hmm... Mumma I'm hungry."

"Haven't you eaten?"

"I wanted to eat with you."

"Then let's go inside." She said and we went inside where I saw dad. Ofcourse, Dhruv is always busy to be present.

"Where is Dhruv?" I asked while sitting on the couch.

"As usual in hospital." Dad said.

"Can't he remain free. What's with work all the time?"

"You are the one saying that? You were known to be workaholic." Dad said, "Do you think I don't say this to Dhruv? He always have one answer to my question— Treating patients is my duty and I can't leave, seeing them in need!"

"He has taken his profession much seriously. It's good."

"Seriously? Like brother like sister." Dad said.

"And like father." Mumma added.

"What?"

"Why are being shocked? It's you who taught them these working ethics. Now bear with it." Mumma shouted.

"I never taught them to leave their own company." Dad sighed.

"I'm back." Dhruv entered and said. "Divya? You're here?"

"Ofcourse. How would you know when you're busy with your wife?"

"Which wife? I don't have a wife."

"Your profession!" I said.

"That's my duty and I'll do it to my end. You can't stop me from helping my patients when you yourself are busy with your own work."

"Okay! Okay! Enough of fighting. Food is ready, get to the table in two minutes." Mumma shouted. Washing our hands, we ran to the table for dinner.

"What do we have for dinner?" I asked.

"Everything you like."

"She likes every food, mumma. You should've made my favourite." Dhruv complained. After so many days it was feeling as if we're having a true dinner! The last time we sat like this was the night two years ago when Dhruv was about to leave foreign for his work.

"Open the lid first." Mumma said and he pulled it which immediately bought a shine on his face. "See. I'm your mumma and I know everything about you both. How do you think I could neglect your choice?"

"And what about me, my beloved wife?" Dad asked.

"Karela!" Mumma said and we laughed. (Bitter guard)

"Yeah! I'm an old man who would eat nothing but this. You love your children but not me." Dad sighed.

"Dad! Mumma is joking."

"I know. Two can play the game." He said and we laughed. After eating our dinner I retired to my room and climbed upon the bed when my phone rang.

Feeling sleepy, I flickered my eyes and picked the phone up, "Hello!"

"Hmm..." I heard a known voice. "You were sleeping?"

"Yes."

"This early?"

"Hmm...."

"You didn't sleep this early when we were together!" He teased and I could already imagine a smirk on his face. And now sleep was all over me.

"Ayaan! Can't you talk about something else."

"About what? About our kisses? About our hugs? Or about our sleepless nights?"

"Shut up, you shameless man! Have some filter!"

"Okay. Tell me what were you doing?"

"Nothing. We ate together and then I was going to sleep when you disrupted my slumber. What happened there?"

"Nothing. I shifted back with mom and dad. Our to-be grandpa came to meet dadi and scolded her for not caring about her health. And then after having dinner, I'm here talking with you."

"Hmm..."

"What hmm?"

"Nothing."

"What's your plan for tomorrow?"

"I don't have any plan but our mothers would have it for sure. They would surely shop around until they feel exhausted."

"I want to meet you."

"We can't."

"Why?"

"We can't because it's considered a bad omen to meet before wedding. Our family would beat us up. There's still one week left. Just relax and wait. Sometimes waiting and self control is better." I said while tossing on my bed.

"But we're already married for five months."

"Still. We can't."

"Shit!"

"It's you who was ever ready for this wedding. Now bear with it."

"I am." He said, "Good night."

"Good night. Have a nice sleep." I said and cancelled the call before we could talk further and degrade our mood. I was really missing him and his warm embrace! Taking some pillows, I pulled them to my chest and hugged them tightly while sleeping.

××

When I was about to win the trophy in sports competition which I could never, a sound disturbed me. Opening my eyes, I came to know that I was dreaming all the time.

I picked the phone and pulled it to my ears. "Hello!"

"Hello! What a friend you are!"

"Natasha? What happened?"

"You were sleeping?"

"Hmm.... Why did you call at this time?"

"You weren't going to tell me. So I thought to enquire it myself. You're marrying once more?"

"Yes. All due to dadi and her wish. And I was going to tell you today. Yesterday, everything was so-"

"I know. You don't need to tell me. And I'm coming there to help you with your wedding preparations. Last time I wasn't able to attend it but now I'm not leaving this chance." She said.

"Okay. Your wish."

"Then I'll be coming there now."

"Now? It's not even six. No preparations would start this early."

"Okay. Then I'll come around ten. Is that okay?"

"Okay!"

"Dhruv will be there too?"

"Do you want him to?"

"No! I don't want to face him."

"Well, it's good then. He might be in hospital as usual. I don't think he would be here all the time. So don't worry."

"Hmm... I'll meet you in five hours. Get ready."

"Yes. Now let me sleep." I said and chuckled before cutting the call. As soon as I closed my eyes, my phone rang. Now who the hell is there? Picking it up, I kept it on speaker and shouted, "What the hell! Can't you let me sleep?"

"Relax, relax." He said.

"Ayaan! Why are you calling me at this time?"

"I wanted to hear your voice."

"Do one thing. Record my voice and hear it as many times as you want."

"Good idea but I don't want to hear same words all the time. What were you doing?"

"I never wake at this time. Ofcourse, I would be sleeping."

"Okay my sleepy pig, sleep now. We'll talk later."

"Hmm..... Good morning. Now go and let me sleep." I said and slept on my stomach.

××

After eating the breakfast, I walked out to the garden where I saw Natasha coming inside. "How are you?" She ran and hugged me tightly.

"Calm yourself." I said, pulling her off me.

"Okay, okay. You know I'm so happy!"

"Why?"

"I always had a dream to dance in my bestie's wedding. And this time I can." She said.

"Such a dream you had. Now come inside, we need to discuss many things." I said and dragged her inside. She stopped in her tracks seeing Dhruv coming out from his room. As soon as he saw in our way, a different expression appeared on his face.

"I need to use the bathroom. Show me your room." Natasha said and dragged me from there until we reached my room.

"What happened?"

"Why didn't you tell me that he was home?"

"What's the matter with you? You're acting strange!"

"No... Nothing happened."

"Okay. As you say. Now help me in choosing my dresses." I said and she agreed.

While having lunch, I saw Dhruv constantly gazing in Natasha's direction. Did they really have a progress? But as per what I remember, Natasha chose her foreign training because once she saw Samaira and Dhruv together.

It's so complicated!

Completing my lunch I used the bathroom and while coming back I saw something really strange— Natasha and Dhruv kissing!

*****

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