Chapter 7 - Hesitation

2 years ago

Shesha

@Sshesha

20 days later

Happiness has finally started in the lives of Das as Rohan was discharged from the hospital five days back and to their surprise, Rudra has given another surprise that he secured a job in an Event Management company which is located quite distant from his house. Tej has finally broke his ice with Rudra though he haven't forgiven completely. A piece of anger is still left in his mind.

Rohan has been advised of bed rest for a few more days though he has been keen on joining the training for his upcoming competition.

Tej too resumes his work as a teacher in the school.

As requested by Tej, Anjali comes to the house for staying there permanently. Everyone is very happy that Anjali would be staying with her. Even Nandini is also happy by her decision but still the gap between the mom and daughter wasn't bridged. They are more or less behaving like the strangers. The family members too couldn't say anything to them.

Nandini resumed her tuition services but with both morning and evening shifts to increase the income. 

Everyone is working hard to pay off the debts set by Rudra.

 Despite the constant work, the family never forget to rejoice the moments together. This accident taught the family not to take things lightly but also to live the life before it ends. They tried to live accordingly.

Rudra got ready for work, wearing white shirt tucked inside the black pant, wearing black belt and shoe with a black tie, looking like a thorough professional worker in MNC. He got ready before 7 in the morning as his bus is at 7.15 AM. After getting blessings from elders including his mom, he leaves for work.

He catches a public transport and needs to travel 1.5 hours by changing three transports in the way to reach his company by 9 AM.

 He has to dress in tip-top formals if there is any event where he has to work. In normal days, the employees can wear normal shirts with tucked outside the pants.

Today's work is at the five star hotel where a big businessman has set a party to celebrate his success as it got tender.

His work is to assist a Venue Manager in the work. 

Venue Manager - "Rudra, it is your first day in the project. You must prove your strength today. All the best."

Rudra - "Thank you so much, sir. I'll do my best."

A group of five including the Venue manager and Rudra started working on the layout plans and designs.

Member 1 - "Sir, it would be better if we remove the flowers from the stage. It might not suit the theme."

Member 2 - "Sir, but flowers are important because their project is to set a flower garden."

Venue Manager - "Yes, right. But we should know the right place to keep the flowers. Otherwise, it would be a misfit. As you said, there should be at least a little amount of flowers."

Rudra - "Shall we tie the roses across the pillars besides the step of the stage? It would look attractive as well?"

Rudra shows a reference image.

Rudra - "We shall use paper roses. In paper roses, such stalks are also available. It would look aesthetic if we don't mix the colours."

Member 3 - "Even I feel that his idea would work. Shall we try this one?"

Venue Manager - "Yes, it is a good idea. But  like in the picture, we are not using marble made pillars, they are plastic one and also they are illuminous. So, we are in need of better alternative. But I'm impressed with the idea, Rudra. We'll utilise this design in future. Keep it up."

Rudra - "Thanks a lot, sir."

Rudra smiled.

Member 3 - "Shall we keep a vase full of roses in the audience tables and also in the stage table? We add a small note based on flowers beside the vase.  Thus, we utilised a good number of roses in the event and also didn't dump roses in the same places."

Everyone got impressed by his idea.

Venue Manager - "This is a very good idea, Ishaan. Keep it up."

Ishaan smiled.

The team also finalized the decoration of the venue and started working towards it.

Rudra was carrying the decorative items in a big box to start the work. He bumped it into Ishaan and few items have fallen out of the box. Rudra gets anxious and starts taking the things and put it inside the box. Ishaan too helped him.

Rudra - "Thank you so much Ishaan."

Ishaan - "You're welcome. I know you're a fresher. Don't take too much stress. Work freely and if you need any help, don't hesistate to call me. I am Ishaan."

Rudra and Ishaan shared a handshake.

Ishaan - "Friends.."

Rudra - "Yeah. Friends.."

They exchanged their numbers and shared a hug.

 As the work goes, the sun sets.

*****

Mukherjee house,

Soumya has set up a night-out with her friends Vashma and Radha as Janvi and Ashwin went out for a business event. Shraddha is working in night shift. Prem is also a part of party.

The girls have planned to make food by themselves. Their plan is to make chicken noodles.

Vashma - "Soumya, do aunty know that there is a night out today?"

Soumya - "Yeah, she is aware of that. But unaware of the dinner."

Radha - "That is something to be said. But you hid that."

Soumya - "Are you thinking that she'll give a smile and tell 'beta, you cook whatever you want'... Seriously? Even if I say now, she'll return from the event somehow."

Radha - "Why is your mother so concerned about her kitchen?"

Prem - "Because, when she was in 10th, she kept the spoon inside the cooker and closed the lid. And the cooker exploded."

Radha - "OMG!"

Vashma - "Soumya, you never shared this with us. We came here a lot of times, didn't we?"

Soumya - "Actually guys, it's embarrassing. Change the topic."

Vashma, Radha and Prem laughed.

Radha - "Soumya, shall we again put some spoon in the cooker? Please..."

Vashma - "Leave it, we don't put anything in the cooker. Without keeping anything, we can place it on stove. Let us see what happens."

Prem - "Dooooom...."

Soumya - "Are you guys planning to recreate Saath Nibhaana Saathiya in my house? Very bad of you..."

Radha - "Oh come on! It would be tremendous... Rasode me kaun tha! Tum thi.. Main thi... Koun thi..."

Vashma - "Rasode main Soumya thi!"

Soumya - "Okay, I won't give noodles to anyone. You rot till the morning."

Everyone starts laughing.

Radha - "We're just joking, Soumya... There won't be any Rasode me kaun tha..."

Soumya gives a look.

Radha - "Okay okay... let us continue our noodles... else, it would get scorched. Then, aunty would find rasode me noodles tha..."

Soumya - "Even I also get a time. Then, I'll see you."

Vashma - "Let me switch on the Youtube. See a video for 5 minutes and work for 10 minutes and then live for one night... How is the deal?"

All the four shared a hi-fi.

*****

Rudra is taking a small rest in the corner of the room with his team mates. He is happy that he worked really well today with a lot of appreciations from his team leader which made him work more enthusiastically,

Ashwin and Janvi are also invited to the party. Upon seeing them, he meets them.

Rudra - Hello uncle and aunty, how are you?"

Ashwin - "Wow Rudra... This is your event... It is a pleasant surprise."

Rudra - Even I am surprised that you're also invited to the party."

Janvi - "Actually Ashwin is the architect in this project. Thus he is also a part of the team."

Rudra - "Oh wow. Congratulations uncle for gaining this big project."

Ashwin - "Thank you so much, beta."

Rudra - "Okay uncle and aunty, you both carry on."

He parted with a smile.

When Ashwin was about to hit, he suddenly hit on a man. To their surprise, it is Naveen Basu.

Naveen - "Hi Mr and Mrs. Mukherjee."

Ashwin - "Hi Mr. Naveen. How are you?"

Janvi exchanged a smile.

Naveen - "Yeah. I am fine, Mr. Mukherjee. It is a pleasant surprise to see you."

Ashwin - "Yes, I am the Architect of this project."

Naveen - Oh, congratulations. I am the friend of the Manager."

Ashwin - "Come on, Mr. Naveen. We shall sit and talk."

The three takes a seat. Naveen calls his son Ayaan who is speaking to one of his friends in the event.

Ayaan takes blessings from Janvi and Ashwin.

Naveen - "Mr. Mukherjee, I don't want to beat around the bush. My son is interested in your daughter Soumya. He would like to lead his life with Soumya. So..."

Ashwin - "Yes, I am aware of that. Sorry for the delay from my side. For the past one month, we have to see some bad days in our life. I'll talk to my daughter."

Janvi - "With due respect to your proposal, we also want to convey that whatever my daughter says is the final. Because it is her life. Hope you could able to understand us."

Ayaan's face expression changes and so is Naveen. But they managed to control it.

Naveen - "Yeah, we respect her opinion whole-heartedly. But, when shall we come for seeing her?"

Janvi - "We'll let you know tomorrow."

Ayaan leaves the place angrily. With a smile, Naveen too leaves the seat, bidding a smile.

Naveen goes to Ayaan where he hits the wall with his fist.

Naveen - "Be patitent, Ayaan."

Ayaan - "Till when? Whenever I try to contact Soumya, she is either not attending the call or else gives excuses to cancel the alliance."

Naveen - "If she is not interested, then why are you behind her? There are many rich girls who are dying to marry you."

Ayaan - "But I want to marry only Soumya and I'll do that. Because Soumya is single and I won't lose her for anyone.'

*****

Chicken Noodles has been made successfully. Soumya slowly takes the Noodles from the vessel and serves it in a bowl for everyone.

Vashma - "Finally..."

Radha - "Yes. Let us taste it first."

Soumya taste the Noodles and really find it exactly delicious as the Youtuber said. Vashma, Radha and Prem too really enjoyed the taste of the Noodles.

Vashma - "Never thought that it would be a success especially when we got a little careless as it was about to get overcooked."

Radha - "But, Soumya somehow managed it."

Soumya - "It's a chef kiss."

Soumya gets proud. 

Radha - "Yeah, okay. We accept. So there would be no rasode mein koun tha..."

Radha pouts and others laughed.

*****

 Rudra's house

Romi and her parents joined for dinner at Rudra's house. Everyone starts eating dinner.

Romi's father - "How is your health, Rohan? Could you able to walk properly now?"

Rohan - "Yes, uncle. I could walk now well. Soo, I could even run well."

Romi's father - "You're really an inspiration, Rohan. Hope you win big for your father. He feel really proud."

Rohan - "Thank you for the wishes, uncle. I am in the idea of starting my training next week."

Tej - "No, Rohan. Your body is not that normal to start this early."

Rohan - "Baba, I am completely normal. I can even start from tomorrow. It's just that I want to start from the first day of the new week."

Tej - "But... Doctor.."

Romi - "Let it be, uncle. However doctor will come for checking after two days. If he suggest for bed rest, then I support you. But if not, we have to encourage Rohan for his upcoming competition."

Kalyani - "Yeah, Tej. Romi is correct."

Tej thinks for a while.

Romi - "Uncle, there is nothing to think too much. Let us be practical."

Tej - "Yeah, beta. You're speaking the right. Rohan, you can start your training, only if doctor allows you. Okay?"

Rohan nods with a smile.

Romi - "Also from Monday, we'll jog together. Is it fine, Rohan?" 

Rohan smiles, "I am actually missing that for a long time."

Anjali - "Enough! You should not speak while eating. While eating, the focus should only be on your food. Not anywhere else..."

Everyone laughs and starts eating their food.

Rohan starts eating but his sight is on Romi. When Romi moves her head and sees Rohan, his sight goes towards the food.

His relationship with Romi has changed from then and now. Earlier, they used to be just friends and companions but now Rohan has a totally different feeling towards her.

The way how she daily visited him in the hospital with her home-made food has secured a different place for her in his heart. He starts fantasizing with her on a romantic duet with her.

The same can also be said for Romi... The one-month has changed her relationship with Rohan. Earlier, they used to see once or twice in a week or month. But, now she cannot stay without seeing him for more than a day. The more he smiles, the more brighter the day turns for her. 

Rohan has not completely realized his feelings for Romi though he loves her. With Romi, she is quite sure that she is in love with Rohan but still convinces herself that it is just a friendship. She is in need of strong event to confirm her love...

Even if they realize the love brewing between each other, will  they have the guts to propose due to the drama created by Rudra?

*****

Soumya receives a message from Ayaan. Her face suddenly turns gloomy. Radha and Vashma noticed it.

Radha - "What happened, Soumya?"

Soumya - "Again the same message..."

Prem - "From Ayaan?"

Soumya nodded.

Vashma - "Is he proposing for marriage once again?"

Soumya - "He proposed it already but I don't know what to say..."

Radha - "Means..."

Soumya - "I am not feeling anything for him. I met him only once, I kinda found him arrogant..."

Vashma - "Then refuse it... What stops you?"

Soumya - "They used to tell... It is better to marry a person who loves you than marring a person whom only you love... But I am not ready for marriage now."

Vashma - "It means, you have no problem with marrying him but you're not ready now."

Prem - "Didi, the actual problem is, he want to get married soon. Soumya didi told him about time. But he sometimes starts nagging about the same."

Radha - "Or else, you can refuse the proposal. His time would at least be saved, right? You'll get another guy who love unconditionally."

Soumya stays silent.

Radha - "Soumya, are you still in the memories of Rudra?"

Soumya - "No... I mean not completely... I am confused."

Radha - "Soumya..."

Vashma and Prem patted Radha not to discuss now.

Vashma - "Soumya, we shall discuss it tomorrow? Let us continue our night-out. After all, we are having many movies to binge watch today... Come on."

Soumya - "Yeah, We'll do that."

Everyone completes the dinner and moves to the TV Hall.

Soumya excuses for going to restroom. Her phone beeps with a message. Rudra has sent her a picture of her mom, dad and him. With a text that they are a part of the event which he organized.

Soumya looks only at Rudra. She got reminded of the flashback and how she was crazy about him, writing placards etc...

Tears escaped from her eyes as she thinks more about Rudra and also about Ayaan.

She is confused.

To be continued...