Chapter 4

Swati

@SwatStar_Arshi

Chapter 4 - Can we start all over again?

Even Mamiji was shocked with her son's boldness and taking quick decisions for his wife. She felt immensely happy with Akash's decision. First time she had seen real and happy Payal hiding inside her daughter-in-law who was always quiet, pale with sad face. She was feeling tremendous guilt on treating Payal so bad all these days. What was she doing really by taunting a girl who has joined family as a daughter and who is so simple, beautiful inside out and respectful towards elders? She realized Payal was such a talented soul yet never answered her back to her horrible taunts. Suddenly Mamiji had new found respect for her daughter-in-law and she decided in her mind to encourage Payal.

"And what was that?" Akash pulled Payal and she jerked, crushed into his chest.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Why you never told me you were so good in painting, art and wanted to pursue it further?" Akash was now getting angry.

"You never asked my hobbies or choices." came a spat reply from Payal.

Akash stood there thinking how their relation has never taken off to a normal understanding level. Right from the day 1, when Bhai and Khushiji suddenly walked in getting married secretly the same night of their marriage, both families were very upset and angry. His mom had started taunting Payal on everything. He could never even talk to Payal properly in middle of all this chaos. Then a series of mishaps hit the family - Arnav Bhai getting kidnapped, Shyam's hideous truth, Di losing her baby and her depression. In all this, their relation was lost and never took off. As it is, it was almost an arrange marriage for them even though Akash loved Payal at first sight. They both being so shy, always dominated by family needs and surrounding situations, it all had taken a big toll on their relationship.

"Can we start all over again?" asked Akash coming out of his thoughts.

"What?" Payal was now confused.

"Look at me Payal, all I want to say is we both have been through too many things, misunderstandings, family issues and somewhere we lost each other. And we both are responsible for it. Or maybe it's my fault mostly and I am really sorry from my heart. But can we start all over again and this time with all our hearts, sharing, caring, honesty, love and trust?" Akash was now holding Payal's hand and playing with paint on her hands and cheeks. Tears rolled from her eyes and Payal just launched herself into his arms. Kept nodding her head, not caring all her paint was on his suite now.

They had already lost precious first year of their marriage in all the misunderstanding and chaos. Akash promised her to prove his love by his actions going forward. He would rather not waste time justifying his past behavior but would show her his real love and care.

How much ever Payal wanted to punish Akash for his cold and disrespectful behavior, she could not deny they lost their first year of their marriage owing to misunderstandings. She always asked herself, would things have been better if she had shared Shyam's secret with Akash taking him into confidence? So she could not blame him alone. Trust was kind of never built between them.

"Akash, thank you so much for allowing me to study further. It means the world to me. And yes, let's retry and redeem our marriage!" Payal genuinely thanked him. Payal decided to take the plunge and see how things go for them. She was also tired, exhausted and was ready to grab any positive change in their life...

It was second chance for both of them to revive their marriage and they both happily grabbed it!

"Don't say Thanks!! It is your right to do whatever you want, Payal. It is my mistake I did not know it else you would have already been enrolled but never too late. Oh gosh, I had a meeting to attend with Bhai and looks like I have to take a bath." Akash said smirking, Payal looked at him and said "Sorry! I did not mean to do this. I was just too happy."

"But you do deserve a punishment first for hiding your talent and now for messing my suite" with that Akash picked up Payal in his arms, before she understands what he meant and headed towards the bathroom to take a shower with her... Payal was all red and hid her face in Akash's chest...

Khushi lit the lamp in front of Devi maiya inside the temple in their house and thanked her from the bottom of her heart. She never thought this day would come and that too so early. She was ecstatic and over the moon when Akash announced Payal will pursue her education. She knew how much it meant for her jiji. She decided she will personally thank jijaji later.

Arnav thought he guessed it right!! Akash would be a NO show at work the way he ran behind Payal. First time Arnav found his brother happy and expressing feelings freely in his marriage without worrying about what will Mamiji say. To some extent, he was the one to blame for problems in his brother's marriage. His sudden marriage to Khushi on the same day has created lot of problems for them and he was aware it. He had seen the tension between Payal and Akash, and had thought to discuss with Akash but was glad it might not be needed anymore!!

Arnav was surprised to see Akash walk into office by 1.00 pm. He was talking on phone and walked in Arnav's cabin.

"Bhai, guess what? I was talking to Karan. He suggested courses for Payal in one of best Institutes in Delhi that happens to be closer to our house. I just now enrolled Payal for the first course. The timings are 4.00 - 6.30 so she can easily go and come back. I have asked driver Manoj to take her to the classes and bring her back every day. Payal would be so excited. I need to tell her."

"Breath Akash and take a break!" suddenly Arnav had the urge to stop his brother and offered him water. His brother was acting like he was married yesterday.

"Bhai, I am heading home, need to inform Payal about her classes and go shopping with her. So you guessed it right. I am a NO show at work today." Before Arnav could stop, Akash vanished and Arnav could not help but smile looking at romantic version of Akash.

Sheetal was re-planning her moves now that she could smell 3Ks can be a big trouble for her motives. She heard Akash was leaving and took opportunity to take Arnav out for lunch. "Let's go Arnav, I am so hungry" Sheetal as usual walked in showing herself busy and banged into Arnav.

Arnav was lost in morning's incidents, how Payal and Khushi turning out to be different talent all together. He felt annoyed with sudden hug.

"Not again Sheetal, can't you watch and go?" Arnav was kind of convinced she purposely runs into him. Now a days he was getting annoyed with her behavior.

"Italian?" she asked ignoring his comment. Suddenly Arnav missed Khushi coming to his office and getting him home made hot lunch. He decided wrap up work as soon as possible and head home early for lunch.

"I just remembered I had an urgent call. Please leave." Arnav could not be polite even though he tried hard. Sheetal was disappointed and she knew today morning's circus was the reason but decided to let go and try harder next time.

Arnav reached home at 2 pm. There were no signs of Khushi being at home. He decided to finish couple of calls relaxing on his recliner and started working on his laptop.

Time went by and he came down for a cup of coffee at around 6 but still no signs of Khushi.

Payal informed him about Khushi going with 3Ks and doing part time job in Karan's institute. Arnav was hopping mad now.