Posted:
Dear Ashley, very wound healing story update from your FF. Hope if they have shown Bhatuk reformation. At the same time feeling pain💔 for abrupt ending of our fabulous show.
Dard aur sukoon dono ka mehsoos ho raha hai. Kudos👏👍
Dear Ashley, very wound healing story update from your FF. Hope if they have shown Bhatuk reformation. At the same time feeling pain💔 for abrupt ending of our fabulous show.
Dard aur sukoon dono ka mehsoos ho raha hai. Kudos👏👍
Dear Ashley, very wound healing story update from your FF. Hope if they have shown Bhatuk reformation. At the same time feeling pain💔 for abrupt ending of our fabulous show.
Dard aur sukoon dono ka mehsoos ho raha hai. Kudos👏👍
Thank you Prakash! Ayesha and I were also disappointed with how Batuk's redemption arc was not properly shown, which was one of our main reasons for writing this FF.
We are both glad you liked it... Stay tuned for more. Abhi we have a wishlist that we are ticking off from.
Kudos to both of you 👍👏👏 go ahead. I am reading different fanfics including yours. I can't come out of bb land atleast for another 2 more years. Pacca ...Originally posted by: Ashley_m
Thank you Prakash! Ayesha and I were also disappointed with how Batuk's redemption arc was not properly shown, which was one of our main reasons for writing this FF.
We are both glad you liked it... Stay tuned for more. Abhi we have a wishlist that we are ticking off from.
Wow!! This is like my wish fulfilling 🤩🤩🤩
This is going to be my most favorite chapter of this ff. I've always wanted to see Ani's perspective which sadly never came in the show properly. Thank you so much to you two for giving this chapter ❤️❤️❤️
Finally Batuk realized that Rudhi's relationship is not one way like he had thought. It is always easy to notice what Ani had done for Bon because he did many things to provide material comfort to her. But understanding the value of Bon's emotional support to Ani is difficult. Glad that finally Batuk realized this.
Loved the analogy of Rudhi as two halves of the circle. It is so apt; they truly are incomplete without the other ❤️❤️
P.S. Monkey has the intelligence to make the beautiful comparison of the aasman and dhurv Tara!!! 😲😲
But he is a real braveheart to read his Big D's lovey dovey words about "unki pyaari Bondita" 😆😆
2nd December, 1942, Roy Chaudhary Kothi, 10:30 am
After pacing in his room for what felt like an eternity, Batuk thudded in his desk chair. He had pulled an all-nighter last night, and the things he learned were now weighing heavily on his chest, making him feel anxious and restless. He had been unable to sleep after reading that diary. He hadn't slept well the previous night either, and so, lack of sleep and his current state of acquired insomnia had left him more agitated and frustrated. The pressure of his findings from the diary was adding fuel to his already frail nerves, and now, Batuk Roy Chaudhary was a ball of nervous energy, rolling from one place to another, lost in deep thoughts.
That is how Anirudh found him when he came to his room to give him his morning medicines, causing him to freak out. Last night also, when he had met Batuk, he got worried to see him so gloomy and agitated when he had been happy just a few hours ago after meeting Rudhir and Aaradhya. When he had tried to ask Batuk why he was so down, Batuk hadn't told him anything. Instead, he had given him assurance that he was okay...just tired. Assuming that the events of the day must have been emotionally taxing for him, Anirudh had decided to let him sleep over his emotions in the hope that he would feel better the next morning.
However, that clearly hadn't happened.
Anirudh's heart sank as he noticed dark circles under Batuk's beautiful eyes and his sallow complexion. His hair was a complete mess, as if he had run his fingers in them for a long time. Another harrowing thought came to Anirudh's mind on seeing his hair like that.
Has he been trying to pull out his hair from their roots? What fresh hell is he going through now that's making him so frustrated?
All of these were clear signs that Batuk wasn't alright.
On noticing Anirudh, Batuk rose from the chair and smiled at his Big D in greeting. However, Anirudh was not a fool to miss the telltale signs that something was definitely bothering his brother...very much.
"Batuk, kal raat ko phir phone pe baat kar rahe thay?" Anirudh asked him, sincerely hoping that the only reason his brother appeared as if he hadn't slept in years was that he had spent the night chatting with his sabse khaas dost.
Batuk quietly shook his head in negative. Feeling restless, Anirudh then asked cautiously,
"Batuk, tum raat ko soye nahi thay kia? Neend nahi aarhy thy? Mien Tapur se pooch ker medicine…"
"Nahi Big D.", Batuk interrupted. “Mien kal isiliye nahi soya kyunki mien ek buht puraane dost ke saath catch-up kar raha tha. Usko phir se jaan raha tha. Sab sahi hai.” And then, as if he was foreseeing something, he muttered, "Aur jo sahi nahi hai, woh sab abh sahi hojayega."
Batuk's cryptic responses were making Anirudh even more tense.
Puraane dost se… But abhi tou usne bola ki telephone pe baat nahi kar raha tha. Ramu ya pehredaaron ne bhi kisi ke aane ki khabar nahi di, aur Batuk khud bhi kahin jaa nahi sakta. Tou phir? Kahin Batuk ki haalat phir se…
Anirudh had been reading a lot about depression and other mental health issues these days. And despite how positive he himself was, he wasn't sure about Batuk's mental health status anymore. It was like a switch. For a few hours, Batuk would get extremely happy, as if his "Good mood switch" was on.
Yesterday when Anirudh had teased him after catching him asleep with his phone and Mallika on the other end, Batuk had positively blushed like any normal person would. And he had got flustered exactly as anyone would in such a situation. His meeting with Rudhir and Aaradhya was tumultuous and very emotional, and Anirudh had genuinely felt that Batuk got extremely happy because of that. Later, he and Bondita had wondered why Batuk was crying while doing his "Thank you rant," but they had attributed it to his emotional vulnerability.
But when Anirudh saw him at night afterwards, he felt as if Batuk's "Good mood switch" had been turned off again!
Anirudh was not a psychologist at all, but the limited knowledge that he had gathered over the period since Batuk's diagnosis made him realize that Batuk was having severe mood swings. He had read about various types of mental disorders in one of his books recently. He didn't understand the entire concept, but he really felt as if his brother was demonstrating extreme emotions, and that didn't feel right.
This was just his hypothesis, of course, and he planned to discuss it with his doctor and Tapur.
And pretty soon.
Because there was another thing that he had read about the patients with severe depression that had amplified Anirudh's worries a million times!
After a few more unsuccessful attempts at trying to find out what was wrong through small talk and indirect questions, he sighed resignedly and asked directly,
"Batuk, mere bhai… Please mujh se baat kero. Mujhe batao tum kal se itne pareshan kyun ho? Kia bechaini hai jo tumhien ander ander khaaye ja rahy hai?"
He sat in front of Batuk, eyes shining with unshed tears, and holding both his hands gently, he earnestly requested,
"Batuk… Mien tumhare sath hun. Tumhien har terha support kerun ga. Tum mere bhai ho, mere sab se chhote, sab se pyare bhai ho. Mujhse tumhari yeh haalat nahi dekhi jaa rahy. Kal Rudhir aur Aaradhya se mil ker tum itne khush thay. Uske baad… kia hua hai Batuk? Bondita se bhi tou tumhari sandhi hou gayi hai. Things are settling down na. Phir kyun tum itne pareeshan ho?"
Batuk's own heart twisted as he saw his Big D so concerned, so worried for him. His words from the last entry in the diary resonated in his mind,
"Batuk ke liye mujhe buht afsos horha hai.
Woh mera sab se laadla bhai hai…
Batuk mere bhai… I miss you
Maan jao na… Wapis aajao na…"
His own eyes filled with tears as he grasped his Big D's hands tightly and mustering up all the energy and positivity that he could, he tried to reassure him,
"Big D… Promise. Mien theek hun. Aap fiker na kerou please. I… I…"
He found his voice getting clogged in his throat because of the lump of tears that had formed there. He felt as if he was getting tongue-tied too.
With great difficulty, just to alleviate Anirudh's worries, he somehow managed to smile and mumble,
"Big D… Mien sab sahi kerne wala hun. I promise. Meri wajeh se abh aap ko kabhi koi problem nahi hogy."
Anirudh's eyes widened on hearing this. These supposed words of reassurance had an opposite effect and increased his worry more. Anirudh's heart sank further as he wondered about Batuk's meaning behind these words.
Kia yeh jo keh raha hai… is he… is he getting… Oh God! Is he so depressed that he's getting… Oh my God!! What is he thinking now?
Ohh Dugga maa… What should I do? Kia mien sahi soch rha hun? Kia Batuk waqai…
His hands shook as his grip tightened around his brother's hands. With a quivering voice, he asked,
"Batuk...please tell me. Kis baarein mein baat kar rahe tou tum? Please Batuk, mujhse share kerou jo tum feel ker rhe ho. I promise mien madad karunga. I promise mere bhai, mien tumhare sath hun har qadam per. Please, apne aap ko akela na samjho aur mujhe bolo. Tum kia soch rhe ho? Kia plan ker rhe ho?"
The way his Big D was losing all his composure, and the way he was now so tightly holding his hands, Batuk felt as if he would lose blood supply to his fingers completely! And then, Big D started perspiring too.
Batuk narrowed his eyes as he took in his brother's demeanor. He was behaving as if he genuinely believed that Batuk was going to do something...stupid!
As he tried to understand his brother's root cause of worries, he tried to recall his words.
"Tum kia soch rhe ho? Kia PLAN ker rhe ho?"
PLAN?
What would I plan? Plan hi tou nahi ker paa raha kuch tou Dada ko kia bataun mien.
Thoroughly confused and disgruntled, he thought some more, and suddenly, realization dawned on him as an epiphany.
Bloody hell!!!!
Is Dada thinking that I am being...SUICIDAL?
What the hell!!
A look of pure horror slashed across his features as he exclaimed,
"No no...Dada… Aisa kuch nahi hai!! Woh … kia aap aur Bondita kehte thay… haan haan… Shotti…"
Extracting one of his hands from Anirudh's tight grip, he pinched his Adam's apple and said again,
"Big D… Dada… please, relax."
The way all color had drained from his brother's face, Batuk had a crazy thought that he would undergo syncope if he didn't "recover" soon.
So, holding his brother's hand gently, he said,
"Dada, please...breathe in… breathe out. Mien theek hun. Please relax."
This time, Anirudh heard real assurance in his brother's voice. He hadn't even realized that he had been holding his breath. Slowly, as he exhaled and inhaled, he looked into his brother's eyes warily, and asked,
"Batuk… tum meri qasam khao. Nahi… tum humari maa ki qasam khao ki tum apne sath kuch ghalat nahi kerou ge. Tum ne sharab pee pee ker jaise apne aap ko chot pahuchane ki koshish ki thy, waise dobara kabhi nahi kerou ge. Apne aap ko kabhi akela nahi samjho ge."
This time, a genuine smile bloomed on Batuk's face as he held his brother's hands dearly.
Anirudh's obvious worry felt like a soothing balm on his open wounds.
He knew that his Big D had loved him very much, but deep down, he had always felt that after Bondita had entered his brother's life, she had become the center of all his attention and focus. All his worries were for Bondita only.
Batuk couldn't deny this now that he had felt bad and a little ignored back then.
He knew that his Dada hadn't done anything like that knowingly… but Batuk couldn't help feeling that way.
Even now, when his Dada had brought him to the kothi from the hospital, he had initially shown both anger and disappointment. Of course, Batuk knew that he deserved that kind of treatment.
However, his brother couldn't continue that charade for long. His worry and his love were above all his anger. And, with time, he had started warming up to him too. Batuk knew that his brother was the sweetest, most forgiving person in the world. However, this time he couldn't dare take his Dada's love for granted. He had wronged Dada's pyaari Bondita and he had tried to snatch his kids too.
Both these were horrible crimes and Batuk knew that even if Dada forgave him, he still won't really warm up to him completely unless the "real victim" in this story forgave him wholeheartedly.
With all this understanding, Batuk's heart leaped with joy and an overwhelming rush of emotions at the demonstration of his Dada's love for him just now.
Dada mere liye pareeshan hain…
Woh mujhe khona nahi chahte…
Mien apne aap ko kuch ker na lun, yeh soch ker hi Dada ki haalat itni kharab ho rahy hai...
His eyes filled with fresh tears as he solemnly replied to his brother,
"Dada, I promise mien aisa kuch nahi kerne wala. Mujhe itni sari qasmien khanay ki zarurat nahi hai Dada. Aap yaqeen ker lou mujh per. Mien AAP ka bhai hun. Anirudh Roy Chaudhary ka. Mien aap jitna brave nahi hun, I have had my moments of weaknesses, lekin mien itna cowardly nahi hun Dada ki mien duniya ki sab se buri harkat kerun."
As Anirudh's shoulders visibly relaxed and his facial expressions turned hopeful, Batuk smiled and said,
"Dada, miene kabhi apne aap ko harm kerne ki koshish nahi ki thy. Haan mien alcoholic hogya tha, but that was a silly way to find escape. I was being a coward, true, lekin mien uss waqt bhi jaan boojh ker self-harm ya apni jaan lene ki koshish nahi ker rha tha. Please believe me when I say this Dada, mien koi buht morally strong nahi hun, lekin mien bhi iss cheez ko buht ziada ghalat samajhta hun. And no matter how crappy my life becomes, this is not even the last thing that I would do. So, please relax. Aap ka bhai itna kamzor nahi pada abhi. Beemar hun, maana, lekin give up na pehle kabhi kia tha aur na hi aagay kabhi kerun ga. Haan directions bhool zarur gaya hun abhi, mager ab mujhe mera agla destination pata hai, aur mien raasta dhoondne ki koshish ker rha hun."
2nd December, 1942, Roy Chaudhary Kothi, 2:00 pm
Batuk was once again pacing around the room in agitation, it had been hours since Anirudh had left, but he still hadn’t been able to come up with a decent plan to redeem himself and set everything right again. After making a fool of himself yesterday, he wanted to make sure that he had a plan this time.
Sinking into his desk chair in exhaustion, he reminisced about his earlier meeting with his Big D, and feeling sad to cause him to worry again, he leaned his head against the chair's back and closed his eyes.
He was lost in thoughts when he felt a flurry motion and the soft scent of honey and lillies hit his senses.
A small smile appeared as he realized who had come. Before he could turn his head to welcome the person, two small hands gently covered his already closed eyes, making him smile some more, as a soft, high-pitched lilting voice entered his ears,
"Boojh tou lia hoga ke kon hun mien, mager abhi yeh batao jaldi se ke kis color ki frock pehni hai miene?"
A while ago when he was aimlessly moving around his room gazing out from his window, he had actually seen her playing with Anirudh's kids in the backyard.
His lips twitched as he replied, "Red and white colored frock."
Dropping her hands from his eyes, she wailed,
"Kia dada… kaise jaan lete ho aap har baar…"
This time, he opened his eyes and holding her hand, he brought her forward and still smiling, he replied,
"Abh dosti ki hai tou nibhaani tou paday gy na."
As Shashwati giggled on their usual greeting-banter, he asked,
"Yeh batayein madam, aaj yahan kaise aana hua aapka?"
Standing demurely in front of him now, she said with all the seriousness in the world,
"Bhukamp anay wala hai. Uski chetaawni dene aayi thy."
Batuk's eyes widened as he straightened up in his chair and exclaimed,
"Bhuk...bhuk ohh whatever!! You mean… Earthquake? Kahan anay wala hai? Kab?"
Nodding her head, she replied in a graver tone than before,
"Haan dada. Wahan haveli mien Anirudh dada chakkar pe chakkar kaat rahay hain. Shakal se lag rha hai ke koi ghor samasya hai. Jitni deir se aur jitni teizi se woh chakkar kaat rahe hain, I am 100% sure ke bhukamp aa hi jayega."
Batuk burst into a fit of laughter on hearing this absurdity!
Relishing in his laughter, she waited patiently for it to subside. Batuk finally wiped his tears of hilarity, and dissolving his mirth, he said,
"Baap re. Kia Big D ghussay mein bhi hain? Kia earthquake ke sath sath thunderstorm bhi anay wala hai?"
This time Shashwati giggled and shaking her head, she replied,
"No no… Garaj baras walay baadal nahi nazar aarhe unke chehre per. Mager koi ghor sankat zarur hai."
And then, straightening her face, she looked at him carefully and remarked,
"Baday dada tou baday dada, yahan tou aap ki surat dekh ker lag rha hai jaise bhukamp, thunderstorm kia, saray ke saray natural disasters aa chuke hain aap per. Kia hua aap ko?"
And then leaning in to have a close look at his face, she demanded sadly,
"Cool dada, aap ko kal tak tou acchay bhalay huliye mien chhoda tha. Mager aaj kia hogya aapko?"
Sighing, he picked her up and made her sit on the desk table in front of him.
Holding her small hand, he played with her fingers while contemplating his answer.
Shashwati instinctively knew that he was nervous. He had a habit to fidget, crack his knuckles, or chew his lip when he was nervous or anxious. However, he was now fidgeting with her fingers. Her little heart filled with sympathy for her strangely eccentric but extremely dear brother. She had seen her Anirudh dada coming out of the kothi, and she had seen the troubled expression on his face. She had followed him inside to check on him if he was okay, but when she saw him lost in some deep thoughts, she decided not to disturb him.
But the heart of a sister couldn't rest just like that. Her mind burned with the concern that why was her Anirudh dada worried after coming from the kothi?
Is Cool Dada okay??
That was the thought that had made her come to Batuk's room to see if he was alright. One look at him and she knew that he was disturbed.
Trying to infuse as much gaiety as she could, she approached him, and her heart warmed at how her mere presence was enough to bring a smile to her dada's lips.
And now, as she had gotten down to the pressing matter with a light hearted approach, her brother had gotten nervous again.
She let him fidget with her fingers as she waited for his reply. And her wait wasn't long as Batuk heaved another sigh and finally looked up into her patient eyes.
"Well…" he started. Then thought some more, and finally said,
"Shashu-bear… tum janti ho na ki tumhare Cool dada itne bhi cool nahi hain. Mujhse..." He stopped abruptly as she nodded her head quite enthusiastically!
His brows furrowed as he waited for her to explain herself, and she did, with a serious, no-nonsense tone,
"Of course dada, I know!"
And then widening her eyes, she asked incredulously,
"But yeh itne obvious fact ko le ker aap itna pareeshan hain kia? Is this your conundrum, dada ke aap actually itne cool nahi ho?"
Batuk couldn't believe it! She was downright being insolent and yet he wanted to burst into another fit of laughter at her incredulity and funny expression!
Biting back his smile, he tried to look annoyed as he said,
"Jee nahi. Madam, ager aap thodi deir shaant reh sakien, tou mien apni real samasya aap ko bata sakun."
Nodding her head, her mouth formed an "oh" as she batted her eyelashes and gestured to him to continue.
Shaking his head at her nautanki, a small smile still lurking around the corners of his mouth, he said,
"Well Madam jee. Baat yeh hai ki aap ke dada se, yani ki mujhse kuch buht badi mistakes hogai hai."
His tone turned somber as his expression faltered.
"Actually Shashu, mistake is a very small word for what I have done. I have sinned. Paap hua hai mujhse."
She waited for him to say some more, but when he didn't, and even dropped his gaze, she tugged at his hand that was still playing with her fingers and said,
"Tou kia hua dada? Paap kia hai tou usko dho daalo. Simple!"
This time he looked at her incredulously and asked,
"Dho daalun? I thought tum kaho gy ki maafi maang lou. Woh Mallika… meri... dost… usne bhi aik baar yehi kaha tha."
Shaking her head, making her ponytail swing from left to right, she replied brightly,
"No dada. Maafi maangna tou aik part hai iss process ka. Jo ghalti ki hai, uski maafi tou maangni hi hogy. Lekin Maa kehty hai ki jab paap hota hai tou uska prayashchit kerna paddta hai."
Watching her brother's mouth opening at the difficult word, she thought for a while and then exclaimed,
"Redemption! I mean redemption. Paap ko Puniya se badal dou. It's really very simple dada."
"Mager kaise, Shashu-bear? Abh paap miene kisi insan ke sath kia aur suppose, mien baahir jaa ker kisi ghareeb ko kuch charity mien deta hun… tou uss se miene jiske sath paap kia hai, usko kia faida hoga? Usko tou pata bhi nahi chalay ga!" He asked.
Shaking her head again, she replied, this time in a serious tone,
"No dada. What I meant was, jiske sath paap kia hai, usi ke sath kuch accha ker dien."
When her brother kept looking at her without saying anything, she sighed, and jumping off the table, she stood near him and said softly,
"Dada, aap ne Bondita Maasi ko hurt kia haina. Yehi paap tha na aap ka?"
Batuk's eyes widened in response as he asked,
"Tum jaanty ho iss baray mien?" And then, he recalled his insanity when he had locked everyone in the house. Feeling sad all over again, he mumbled,
"Of course you know. Tum bhi tou thyn wahin. Tum ne bhi tou apne dada ka itna bura roop dekha hai."
Holding his hands tightly, she shook her head and said,
"Miene buray roop kaka aur Som dada ke bhi dekhe hain. Unhone bhi tou mera bal vivaah kerwane ki koshish ki thy."
Her voice quivered and Batuk felt how that incident still haunted her. Holding her tightly, he cupped her cheeks gently to make her feel that she now has another brother apart from her Anirudh dada who would not let any harm reach her.
Smiling at his silent gesture, she said,
"I know dada. Mien yeh kehna chahty thy ki kaka aur Som dada ne mere sath itna ghalat kia. Lekin unhone mujhse kabhi kuch nahi kaha. Maafi tou duur ki baat, unhone kabhi yeh bhi nahi show kia mujhe ki unko apne actions per koi remorse bhi hai. On the other hand," raising her small hands to cup Batuk's face, mirroring his gesture, she said sweetly,
"On the other hand dada, aap ne jo kia, aap ko uska ehsaas tou hai. Aap ko guilt tou hai. Aap ki guilt hi aap ko already aik achha insan bana deti hai dada. Meri Maa ne bataya tha ki unhone bhi Anirudh dada aur Bondita maasi ko buht hurt kia tha. Mager phir unhone uski maafi maangi, aur har terha se Anirudh dada ko uss time support kia jab Baba beemar hogaye thay, kaka ne sab kuch dada per dump ker dia tha, aur bechare dada ke ooper hum sab ki responsibility aagayee thy. Tou Maa ne apne acchay karamon se slowly slowly dada ki forgiveness earn ker li thy. Aur jab Maasi wapis aayi tou Maa ne unse bhi maafi maangi. Aur Maasi ne maaf ker dia."
When she saw a soft expression appearing in his eyes, she smiled again and said,
"Dada, Punya kia hota hai? Sirf charity kerna, kisi ghareeb ko khaana khilana ya kisi ke raastay se pathar hatana hi tou punya nahi hota na. Maa kehty hai ki punya tou yeh bhi hota hai ki aap kisi ko khush kerien… kisi ke face per aapki kaaran smile ajaye."
A slow smile dawned on his lips as he nodded in agreement. He was suddenly so overwhelmed with the gush of love he felt for his baby sister, who was now acting as his teacher. A very wise one at that!
She was watching him closely, and she was happy to see the clouds of confusion slowly ebbing away from his eyes.
And then, she added,
"Dada, aap ko sirf sacchay dil se prayaschit kerna hai. Aap Maasi se maafi maango ge tou woh maaf ker de gy. Woh buht forgiving hai. Aur dada… Jab aap un se maafi maango ge, unko mananay ki koshish kerou ge, tou unko accha lagay ga. Woh smile kerien gy. Aapki kaaran. Unka dil khush hoga. Kia woh punya nahi hoga?"
This was something he had concluded last night too. But a doubt surfaced and he asked,
"Woh khush hogy, iski kia guarantee hai Shashu? Kia pata mere kehne se uske sari bad memories revive hojayein. Kia pata woh aur hurt hojaye?"
Shashwati thought for a bit, and then looking straight into his eyes, said,
"Nahi dada. Maa ne kaha tha ki jab effort genuine hogy, niyat saaf hogy, tou aglay insan per zarur asar hota hai aapki baat ka. Maa ne bhi poori sachai se prayaschit kia tha. Dekho, aaj sab sahi hogya na? Aur dada, I promise, kaka nahi, lekin ager Som dada mujhse sirf aik baar uss incident ke baad pyar se sorry bol dete, sorry na sahi, mujhe kuch aik gesture show ker dete aisa ki jis se mujhe pata chal jata ki woh guilty hain, tou mujhe accha hi lagta. Mien sab bhula dety. So, yes, this redemption thing really works, dada."
Taking a deep breath, he quietly confessed,
"Mien maafi maangna chahta hun, Shashu. Mager mujhe darr lag rha hai. Mien… Shashu… I can't find the courage. Isi liye tou mien itna pareeshan hun kal se. Mien kal, Rudhir aur Aaradhya se milne ke baad Bondita se milne gaya tha na," he paused. When she nodded her head, he said,
"Uske samnay meri tongue… I couldn't even say what I really wanted to say. Mien usko thank you bol ker aagya… nahi..balki mien rou hi pada."
Feeling extremely dejected at his inability to express himself properly, he added sadly,
"Even Bondita got upset at my failed attempts, Shashu. Mien dhang se maafi bhi nahi maang saka, tou mujhe itni himmat kaise ayegy yeh prash...prash…"
When he faltered, Shashwati covered it for him,
"Prayaschit."
"Haan..wahi… mien woh kaise kerun ga, Shashu?"
She now understood the real cause of his worry. And her heart filled with tenderness for her brother.
Trying to infuse some lightheartedness in the situation, she nodded her head, and with a funny expression of disappointment, she said,
"Haan dada… aap se iss cheez ka naam tak tou lia nahi jaa raha. Waqai… aap kaise kerou ge?"
And then, pretending to think, she said,
"Kia pata aap Maasi ke pas jaa ker bolo: Bondita, mien tum se magnets maangne aaya hun. Ya kia pata aap unko bolien ke Bondita, mera prasanjeet swikar ker lou na pleassseee!"
Her silly humor was so unexpected that he burst into laughter.
Catching his breath, with great difficulty, he uttered,
"Magnets!!! Prasanjeet!!"
And then, another wave of uncontrollable mirth washed over him.
Shashwati's eyes twinkled in delight to see her brother letting go of his worries.
She was a kid, but even she realized that Batuk's dilemma was nothing too major for which he had lost his sleep.
She understood that it was his guilt and remorse, and his inability to make amends when he tried that actually had made him so restless.
As young as she was, she had always been an extremely sensitive and perceptive child. She had an innate quality to understand even some unsaid words, and so, it wasn't difficult for her to realize that her brother's self confidence and self esteem was in tatters.
He must have been an extremely confident man, but now, all his confidence has shattered.
As intuitive as she was, she understood that her brother knew his destination, but he didn't know how to begin his journey. He was aware of what needed to be done, but he didn't know how to go about it.
Just a little nudge.
She thought to herself, smiling softly, she waited for Batuk's guffaws to subside, and then, she offered,
"Dekho dada… Abh ager yeh aisi mistakes nahi kerni, maafi ki jageh magnets nahi bolna, aur prayashchit ki jageh prasanjeet nahi bolna, tou aap ko practice kerni paday gy. I can help you with that."
And then, puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms on her chest, she said,
"I can act like Maasi. Aap mere sath practice ker sakte ho."
Smiling widely now, he bent a little, and poking her cheeks, he said,
"You don't have to act like her. Tum Bondita se waise bhi buht milty ho, Shashu."
And then, gently laying his hand on her head, he said,
"Practice tou ker lien ge, mager strategy tou socho pehle."
That got both of them involved in some intense plotting and planning, and finally, after almost half an hour, both agreed with one plan.
Feeling happy that finally, he was ready to set on the path to make amends for his mistakes, he cupped Shashwati's face and softly said,
"Thank you my Shashu-bear. Tum itni acchi, itni intelligent kaise ho? You just know the trick to make my worries vanish, haina?"
Smiling brightly in response, she raised her imaginary collar and replied,
"Dekho dada… offend na hona. Waise tou mien aap ki bhi behen hun, mager acchi hone aur intelligent hone ka credit mien apne Maasi aur Anirudh dada ko dena chahty hun. You know...genes!"
And then, feigning to drop her voice, she muttered,
"Aap per chali jaty tou iss waqt rondu surat bana ker bethy reh jaty aik konay mien."
He understood all her nautanki. He knew she never meant any disrespect to him, and she was just being playful. So, playing along, Batuk exclaimed,
"Rondu surat… meri?"
Knowing that her shaamat was coming, ready to sprint, she mumbled,
"Haan tou aur kia! Mujhe tou lag raha tha ki yahan iss kamray se aik nadi nikalne wali hai aansuon ki. Aur wahan, haveli mien Anirudh dada march kerte kerte zameen mien holes tou ker hi dete. Wahan se bhi aik pani ka kunwa nikalne wala hi tha. Come to think of it dada, mere dono bhai humare desh mien water ki sources ko badhanay ka kaam kerne walay thay!"
"Water sources!!!" he sputtered as another fit of laughter consumed him. She was already ready to jump out of his reach when he attacked her belly and yelled,
"Water sources!!! Idher tou aao tum zara. Mien batata hun tumko … "
And with that, a crazy match of tickles began, with Shashwati running here and there, trying to dodge her still laughing Cool dada.
And this was the scene that Anirudh watched from the doorway!
Despite Batuk's assurance, Anirudh couldn't completely shrug off his concerns for him.
So, he decided to come back to the kothi to see if Batuk had slept and if he was okay now.
However, the unexpected voices that caught his instant attention were that of Shashwati, who was very seriously claiming how her brothers could have been responsible for creating a nadi and kunwa with their anxious actions.
He was startled to hear this, but then, he also clasped his hand on his mouth to swallow his laughter at such a crazy piece of...crap!
And then, he heard Batuk's laughter and his playful retort, and that brought instant relief to his own heart.
Peeping through the doorway, he watched his siblings playing around like two silly people, and that made his heart extremely happy.
Finally, he was at peace.
His little sister had very effectively managed to bring their brother out of his depression.
He was so proud of her.
He had an insane impulse to go inside and grab both of them in a bear hug.
He stopped himself…
Chewing at his lip, he thought for a bit, and then, straightening up, he said,
"Why not!?"
Wiping the goofy smile from his face, pretending to appear angry, he entered the room, making both Batuk and Shashwati stop in their tracks.
As they looked at him with both their eyes wide as saucers, he adjusted his glasses and asked sternly,
"Kia ho raha hai yahan??"
"Bhukamp," Shashwati muttered.
"Thunderstorm," Batuk blabbered at the same time.
Anirudh's mouth hung open on hearing their absurd replies.
Realizing what they had uttered, an identical horrified expression slashed across both their faces as they gasped and looked at each other.
Then, mirroring each other's actions, they both shook their heads simultaneously and blurted,
"K..kk...kuch nahi dada… woh…"
Trying to compose himself and assuming the role of the elder in the relationship, Batuk held Shashwati's hand and hanging his head low, he mumbled,
"Dd...dada… woh… Shashu meri wajeh se aayi... Woh…"
Shaking her head, Shashwati came forward and announced,
"Nahi dada, mien khud apni marzi se ayi thy. Cool dada upset thay tou…"
Anirudh arched one of his eyebrows and said,
"Cool dada! Ahan! I wonder Shashwati, tum mujhe kia nickname dou gy?"
Batuk's head jerked up as he saw the look on his Big D's face.
He wasn't angry!!!
In fact, he was trying hard to control his bubbling laughter.
Shashwati had also reached the same conclusion. Although she wasn't really afraid of Anirudh even when he used to be in his Khadoos mode, she still respected him very much. He used to indulge her a lot too, and she knew that he cared for her deeply, but she didn't have the playful kind of relationship with him that she had with Batuk.
And so, now his question and the look on his face surprised her, and made her immensely happy too!
Both she and Batuk looked at each other, and in unison, they both replied,
"P- OP Dada!"
This time, it was Anirudh's turn to be surprised.
"P- OP Dada…?" He asked quizzically.
Both Batuk and Shashwati's lips trembled with suppressed mirth as they replied,
"P yani aapka first name… OP yani aapka middle name."
More confused, Anirudh asked, "Arey, saaf saaf batao na."
Unable to hold any longer, both his younger siblings burst into laughter as Shashwati chirped in,
"P yani Pareeshan…OP yani OVERPROTECTIVE Dada … Yani ki aap Humare forever Pareshan forever Overprotective dada!!!"
The comical look of shock that slashed across his handsome face made both Shashwati and Batuk laugh harder. And then, dropping all his pretense, Anirudh joined in the laughter riot and yelled,
"Pareshan...Overprotective- yea right. Abhi dikhata hun!! Come here you both!"
And with that began a tickle match and pillow fight between the three siblings who were now going absolutely crazy with the silliness of the entire situation!
2nd December, 1942, Roy Chaudhary Kothi, 10:00 pm
Later that night, Batuk was lying on the bed while staring at the ceiling, mentally revising the plan that he had made with Shashwati. His talk with Shashwati and the tickling match that followed had left him in a much better mood.
The ringing of the telephone interrupted his revision. Realising that only one person would call him here, he scrambled up and almost ran to the desk to pick up the phone
"Hello?", he said eagerly.
"Sou tou nahi gaye thay na?" Her soft voice sounded like honey to him, and brought an instant smile to his face.
"Nahi nahi…", he quickly reassured her. "Jaga hi tha… Kaisi hou tum Mallika?"
"Abhi tou itni nervous hun ke lagta hai ulti aa jaaegi"
That familiar proclamation instantly piqued his attention.
The memory of her infamous anxiety attacks before her exam brought a smile on his lips as he asked,
"Kyun? Accountancy exam hai kya kal?"
It had become somewhat of a joke during their college days. Irrespective of the time and effort that Mallika put into studying Accountancy and despite knowing that she would invariably top, she used to get extremely nervous before an exam, forcing Batuk to find ways of "distracting" her, during their study sessions.
"I wish, at least tumhari madad le paati padhne mein. Nahi this is worse!"
Batuk had always been interested in business-related subjects. And this interest didn't stop him later also even when he chose Law as his career path. Despite being a law student, Batuk used to spend more time studying Accountancy and Business Studies with his friends in Commerce, especially Mallika. And due to his aptitude for Accounts, he often ended up helping Mallika in the subject.
He knew that most of Mallika's anxiety stemmed from nothing as she was a brilliant student herself, but she sounded pretty flustered at the moment, and that was new!
Furrowing his brows, all his attention was on her as he inquired,
"Kyun kya hua?"
On the other side, Mallika sighed heavily and then launched into her nervous tirade,
"Arey miene bataya tha na jo mien kaam ker rhy hun for the widows?"
Batuk instantly remembered her work which she had told him about…
The same that she had started to earn Bondita's forgiveness.
He gulped as an overwhelming wave of pride and affection washed over him for Mallika, for trying to do what he could truly understand now.
Prayashchit…
With a small smile, he returned his attention back to Mallika's conundrum.
"So Batuk, I told you na that Association ki kuch ladies handlooms ka business kholne ka plan kar rahy hai? Tou kal ek bade industrialist ke saath meeting hai humaari… Business proposal dekhna chahtay hai humaara woh!"
"Isme worse kya hai? Proposal kaafi samay se tayyar hai na?" He was confused. It was unlikely for Mallika to get worried about small things like that.
"Haan, mager kal usey present karna hai mujhe! Batuk agar kal koi bhi gadbad huyi tou inn sab ki itne samay ki mehnet pe paani phir jaaega!" She hushed, her breathing erratic with all the nervous energy.
A full smile bloomed on Batuk's lips as he realized that his Mallika was really, really serious about this thing. She really, actually, truly wanted to help those women!!
It was no longer something that she was doing to earn Bondita's approval.
No…
It had turned into something of her own passion now.
And that was the reason she was so nervous and giddy about it!
Trying to buck up her confidence, a smile still playing on his lips, he asked in a deliberate-serious tone,
"Oh hello, kaun ho tum? And meri Mallika ke saath kya kiya hai tumne?"
Mallika gasped on the other end.
Meri Mallika?
A slow heat crept along her spine on hearing a supposedly normal thing from Batuk. She didn't know why it still felt… different... more intimate!
Trying to compose herself, she quickly asked,
"What? Kya keh rahe hou tum?"
This time, Batuk didn't hide his smile in his voice.
"Aur nahi tou kya? Mien jis Mallika ko jaanta hun usne last year University Senate ko convince kiya tha ke humein Diwali pe Holiday mil jaaye. Woh poora proposal tayyar karke aayi thi! Kya kya kaha tha? Haan… Student morale booster, Respect for religious beliefs, Intercultural exchange… Tumnein tab sirf 15 students ke liye poori University holiday declare karwayi thy."
His words were motivating, and she had easily fallen back into the comfort and friendliness they offered.
Sighing again, she replied,
"Tab stakes itne high nahi thay Batuk! Fail hoty tou bas ek chhutti nahi milti! Yeh business inn aurton ka only source of income hai!"
Nodding his head as if Mallika could see him, fully engrossed in the conversation, he told her, his voice ringing with the confidence he had in her,
"Aur isiliye I know you will do well Mallika… Tum jaanti hou what are the stakes, and isiliye I know tumne poori tayyari ki hogi. Bas ab take a deep breath, and relax. You've got this."
His words warmed her heart again. But, unable to stop herself from asking, she blurted,
"Pakka koi gadbad nahi hogi na?"
Chuckling, Batuk recalled the confused look on her beautiful face… how she absently would twirl a hair strand around her finger while thinking about her situation, and how she would absently pout her lips while engrossed in a certain dilemma.
Imagining her doing all that now too, he wanted to just grab her and laugh...and then make her laugh too and let her forget her worries!
However, that was not possible for the time being, so, he resorted to comforting words again,
"Agar aise hi darr darr ke baat ki tou hogi gadbad… Apni killer smile and poora confidence leke jaana kal! Aur phir raat ko hum celebrate karenge!"
Smiling widely now, all her fears alleviated, she replied,
"Thank you Batuk! Tumne mera darr poori tarah bhaga diya… Chalo enough about me! Tum batao, ab kaise hou?"
She had been wondering why he hadn't called her the previous night. But she was a little reluctant to ask him about it. They had just started afresh, and as friends only for the time being. She didn't want to appear as a nagging girlfriend again.
On the other hand, Batuk was brimming with news that he wanted to impart to her.
If he had been the old Batuk, he would have just bombarded all the stories from his side, without ever bothering to hear her side.
However, unknowingly, his intrinsic decent traits were resurfacing now...he was changing now. And as he had promised to become someone whom she could lean on, he stayed true to his words and listened to her patiently and with compassion, without interrupting her once.
But now that she herself asked about him, he saw how easy this pattern of communication could be where both of them got to exchange their stuff with each other!
Feeling elated and falling into an easy rhythm of communication with Mallika again, he responded brightly,
"Mai bilkul theek hu ab! Pata hai, kal Big D mujhe Rudhir aur Aaradhya se milne le gaye thay! Itne dino baad mien unke saath khel paaya, unhe chhoo paya, unse baat kar paaya."
"That's so awesome!" she exclaimed. The happiness in Batuk's voice was palpable… and infectious.
Feeling genuinely glad for her friend, she smiled and then, added knowingly,
"So Bondita ne tumhe babies se milne diya."
He knew she was trying to make a small point. She had tried this before also. She wanted him to see that Bondita was not a real villain as he had made himself believe.
Smiling at Mallika's efforts to redeem Bondita in his eyes, he knew it was time to tell her the truth of his changed feelings now. And so, he replied to her softly,
"Haan Mallika, Bondita ki hi wajeh se I could meet the babies. Lekin Mallika, I want to thank you too!"
Frowning, she asked, "Mera thank you kis liye, Batuk?"
Drawing a deep breath, this time he replied with all the sincerity and genuine gratitude in his voice and tone,
"You showed me the light, Mallika. Maine tumhara suggestion leke Bondita ko Big D ki nazar se dekha… Aur mujhe mere saare sawaalo ke jawaab mil gaye."
Her heart melted on hearing this. He was giving her the credit… He was being so sweet about everything. This Batuk was such a dream-come-true for any girl. He was charming, funny, empathetic, understanding, indulgent, a good listener, a sensitive man...and what not!!
Trying to stop herself from losing completely in the overwhelming gush of emotions she just felt, her voice slightly quivered as she asked,
"Achha? Kya jawaab mile?"
She expected him to now launch into a full tirade and she was honestly looking forward to it too, however, Batuk surprised her again with a completely unselfish reply,
"Kya jawaab mile… woh aik buht lambi kahani hai… Abhi batane baitha tou tumhari kal waali meeting miss hou jaaegi… and I don't want that. Also, ager meri kahani sunnay bethi tou tum sahi samay se sou nahi sako gy. And I want you perfectly fresh tomorrow when you go for that meeting. Aik kaam karte hai, kal jab hum celebrate karenge, tab bataunga. Hopefully I will have one more reason to celebrate."
While he made perfect sense, and she really appreciated that he valued her time and her well-being so much, she still couldn't stop herself from asking,
"One more reason? Wou kya hai?"
He knew she was curious. And he was dying to tell her too. But, Batuk Roy Chaudhary had grown up as a human being more in the last few weeks than he had in his entire lifetime!
And so, with a smile and a promise in his voice, he said,
"Mallika, sab bataon ga… tum ko hi bataon ga. Filhal bas itna samajh lou Mallika, ke sab sahi karne ki ladai mein, kal ka mission sabse important hai… Yeh kaam mujhse hou gaya na, tou sab kuch theek hou jaaega. Wish me luck, please."
The smile never leaving her lips, she responded to him sweetly,
"Of course, Batuk. Meri sari best wishes tumhare sath hain. Tumhari jeet ka intezar kerun gy mien."
Closing his eyes, he pursed his lips before uttering resolutely,
"Mien bhi."
Such a heartwarming chapter!🥰🥰
I love Shashu bear. She brings a warmth along with her always. The way she understands and tries to cheer up her brother is so sweet. She is just like her Anirudh Dada ❤️
Her sense of humor is awesome. She is the only RC without the family trait of being a gadha occasionally, most probably because of the genes of her maasi 😆
Loved the new nickname for Nazuk Kali 🤣
The siblings scene was so good. Seeing Nazuk Kali completely happy is a bliss ❤️
Ani - Batuk scene was sweet and hilarious. Both the brothers caring for each other is so nice to see ❤️And Ani freaking out thinking that Monkey is becoming suicidal was hilarious 🤣
Monkey is in love! 😆 Good to see Batuk replacing BRC. I thought 3rd night's sleep is also gone. But Monkey turned out to be wise 😆. So sweet of him to listen to Titli patiently and encouraging her ❤️
Bewakoof Monkey chose the wrong subject to impress Big D and became LLP 🤦♀️🤦♀️
Monkey helping someone in studies!! 😲😲😲
P.S. So sad that Monkey got dark circles. His eyes are indeed beautiful
But how can his chidiya ka khosla be any more messy!!
A/N: Hello all our lovely readers! Since Ashley is going to be busy this Friday, we decided to post the new chapter today instead. This chapter is the culmination of the biggest loose end in BB, and also the biggest reason for us to start Setting it Right, so we truly hope you like it!
Thank you for all the love that you have been giving us over the last few chapters, we are truly honoured! And do let us know your opinions about this one through your votes and comments!
Love,
Ashley and Ayesha
3rd December 1942, Courtyard, Roy Chaudhary Haveli
Bondita was quickly repacking the tray with the oil and the babies' belongings which were scattered in the courtyard after their daily sunbathing session.
"Kukudu kuuuu!!!"
The loud and definitely human-sounding crow startled her. Bondita whirled around, her gaze flying around the courtyard before her eyes landed on the door to the kothi. Her mouth fell open as she saw her once close friend and younger brother-in-law, walking towards her nervously.
ISS NE murghay ki awaz nikali??? And is he carrying a basket of EGGS? Ab kya naya gondogol karne waala hai yeh Batuk ka baccha?
Bondita carefully took a closer look at Batuk. She too had been worried when Anirudh had shared his own worries about Batuk's strange mood swings and insomnia. However, Batuk clearly had caught some sleep last night. He looked much more rested, and definitely a lot less gloomy… but his sheepish expression didn't make much sense. Also, NOTHING could explain the eggs!
Suddenly realising that she had been staring at him with her mouth still hanging open, she hurriedly looked away. After taking a few moments to recover from the shock, she crossed her arms and followed his movements with narrowed eyes, waiting to see what he would do.
He skidded to a stop a few feet away from her before starting to blabber.
"Woh… aaj poori tayyari ke saath aaya hun mien, loose pant pehni hai, tou phategi nahi… Pait… woh bhi ab beech mein nahi aayega… Unfortunately, ande abhi bhi nahi de sakta, tou isiliye saath laya hun…"
He placed the basket on the cot, and holding both his ears, squatted in the "murgha" position before crowing once again.
"Kukudu kuuuu!"
Bondita's bewilderment increased as she stared at the Murgha in front of her, looking up at her with almost beseeching eyes.
Why does this Murga have Puppy eyes?
Containing her giggle at that very absurd thought, Bondita asked him, "Kya… tum kya kar rahe hou Batuk? Kya kehna chahtay hou, kaisi tayyari…"
"Woh mere punishment… mere saza ki… miene unn 6 mahino mein jo bhi tumhare saath kiya… jo bhi karna chaha… sab… sab buht galat tha, it was wrong… rather, it was a sin, aur… aur jahan gunah hota hai wahan saza bhi hoti hai, tou, mien apni saza ke liye aaya hun tumhare paas…", Batuk blabbered again.
Bondita’s confusion gave way to annoyance as she recognised another of Batuk’s attempts at reconciliation.
Gadha, ullu, bewakoof! Pehle truce maanga, phir Thank yous ka jaap sunaya … ab seedha saza maangne aaya hai… Par Maafi kyun nahi maang raha bewakoof!
Struggling to keep her tone neutral and expression blank, Bondita asked him
"Aur tumhe lagta hai, iss sab se sab theek hou jaaega?"
"Well… nahi…", replied Batuk, looking down in shame. "But…”, he hurriedly said, looking up again. “miene jo punishment sochi uski tayyari karke aaya tha… I… I mean I deserve way more than this, mager bachpan mein tum ne yehi saza di thy tou iss liye… I thought… Mager agar tumhe koi aur punishment deni hou tou woh bhi chalega… Murgha bana hu, uthak baithak bhi kar sakta hu… Tum… tumhe woh ande mujhe maarne hou tou woh bhi chalega… Whatever you say! Sab… sab chalega…"
Sab chalega! Mujhe tou ek asaan sa sorry bhi chal jaata! Mager kya woh bhi mujhe khud keh ker maangna padega? Itni akal nahi hai gadhe mein ke yeh baat khud samajh jaaye?
"Sab chalega!" she snorted with derision. "Bachpan hai kia?? Yeh achha hai, aik anda dedo, murgha bann jao, chaar uthak baithak laga lou, and expect karo ke sab kuch bhul jaau mien? Bhul jaaun ke kitna hurt kiya hai tumne mujhe? Woh sab erase kar duun?"
"Nahi… Nahi, not at all…" Batuk said, guilt clearly written on his face. "I know miene jo kiya hai woh erase nahi hoga… but atleast I can try ke woh wounds bhar jaaye na… Time and treatment ke saath, tumhara hurt kam karne ki koshish tou kar hi sakta hun na? Koi tou tareeka hoga na? Kuch tou aisa, jisse I can make up for all the torture that I put you through in the past six months?"
Hai… but tumhe samajh kyun nahi aa raha?, Bondita thought in despair, tears pricking in the corner of her eyes. She rapidly blinked to keep them at bay before quietly exclaiming, "Yeh zakhm mere sharir pe nahi lage hai Batuk! Jo marham laga di, patti baandh di aur theek hou jaayenge! Par tumhe kya hi samjha rahi hun mien, tum jab yeh bhi nahi samajh saktay ke zakhm kyu aur kaise lage hai tou bharpayee kia hi karoge…"
"Bondita aisa nahi hai!" Batuk interrupted, rapidly scrambling up to his feet. "Mujhe pata hai ke last six months mein miene tumhare saath buht galat kiya hai, tumhe buht takleef pahuchayi hai, tumhe maarne… mujhe pata hai tum iss sab se buht hurt huyi ho…"
What in the world! This silly boy still thinks mien iss ke kaarnamo ki wajeh se hurt hui hun!!, Bondita thought crossly.
She had had enough by now. And watching Batuk dancing in circles brought her to her edge as she finally snapped at him,
"Nihayati bewakoof ho tum! Tumhe ab bhi lagta hai ke mien isiliye hurt hui?"
As she saw his eyes widening at her outburst, she paused and took a deep breath.
When she felt that she could now speak to him as a mature, composed woman rather than a yelling, whiny kid, looking straight in his eyes, she said,
"Dekho Batuk, aik baat saaf saaf samajh lou. Meri zindagi, mera pariwar, meri barristry, yeh sab chhinne ki koshish karne waale tum pehle nahi thay. Yeh baar baar ho chuka hai, aur shayad aage bhi hota rahega. Mujhe utni takleef tumhari harkaton se nahi hui jitni iss baat se hui ke…" her voice quivered as she whispered brokenly now, "tumne, mere sabse achhe dost ne, mujhe iss hadh tak galat samajh liya ke itni badi saza suna di!"
Her eyes were now devoid of all the other emotions as they just shone with her unshed tears and extreme remorse.
"Batuk, Sabse zyada yeh baat chubhti hai mujhe. Mujhe laga tha ke koi mere baare mein chahe kuch bhi soche, mera dost, mera bhai Batuk meri baat humesha sunega! Mager tum ghalat fehmi ki uss daldal mien phans gaye jaa ker, jahan se baahir nikalna hi mushkil hogya tumhare liye. You misjudged me Batuk… aur, tumne mujhe interrogate bhi nahi kia. Prosecute bhi nahi kia. Direct convict ker dia. Aur woh bhi aise ki faisla bhi tumhara, saza bhi tumhari...aur saray rules bhi tumhare. Tumhari iss ghalat fehmi ne hurt kia hai mujhe sab se ziada, Batuk."
Batuk was only standing there stunned, listening to Bondita's outburst. Her words felt like barbed wires, searing his body and soul all together.
She was right…
She was damn right!
He really had wronged her so much.
Unable to hold the baggage of his own guilt and remorse, raising his tear-filled, beautiful, hazel eyes to her hurt ones, he finally admitted his crime.
"Galat fahmi nahi thi…" he said, almost in a whisper.
Bondita was closely watching the play of emotions on his face. His admission stunned her as she asked,
"Kya… kya kaha tumne?"
Did he just… Kya woh sach mein? Did he truly believe that I…
"Galat fahmi nahi thi… Miene deliberately khudko convince kiya ke Kaka sahi kehte thay, ke Som Dada sahi kehte thay, jab unhone kaha ki sab kuch tumhari wajah se hua hai. Miene hi khud ko convince kar rakha tha ke tum selfish ho, ke tumhe Big D ki, ya iss family ki koi parwah nahi hai. Kisine phasaya nahi tha mujhe is "daldal" mein, miene khud hi, apni marzi se isme jump kiya hai."
Acting on an impulse, he brought his hands forward… as if he wanted to hold hers in a consoling gesture. But just before his fingers touched her hands, he stopped short. He looked up at her… He was a living image of someone who was completely confused, extremely agonized… and who didn't know how to set things right… the things he himself had destroyed so royally!
Bondita heard all his words, and she understood even the ones that he hadn't said. And it stung so bad!
Her tears were rolling down her cheeks now as she whispered,
"Tou iska matlab hai Batuk, ki meri prati tumhari apni koi judgement nahi thy? Mujhse chidna… mujhse nafrat kerna tumhari choice kaise bann gaya? Mujhe koi kehta ki Batuk ne kuch bura kia tou mien uska munh todd dety. Tumhien defend kerty. Tum ne kyun nahi kia? Itni buri thy kia mien? Mujhe apni life se displace kerna itna easy kyun tha tumhare liye? It was as if… Mujhse nafrat kerna tumhare liye… buht aasan tha."
He closed his eyes on hearing her words. He couldn't believe he could make someone feel so, so, so bad about themselves when he just wanted to make amends with them!!!
Slowly, shaking his head, his eyes still closed as if he was unable to meet her eyes, his voice started breaking as he confessed,
"Aasaan? Absolutely not! Aasaan hota tou itne saare jhoot sunne ki, itne saare jhoot khudko kehne ki zarurat hi nahi padti… Jhoot kaha miene khud se ki mujhe tumse nafrat hai. Mujhe tumse nafrat nahi thy… Bondita. Aur yeh sach accept kerna bhi aasaan nahi tha...aasaan hota tou tumhe itne din avoid karne ki zarurat nahi padti."
And then, he opened his eyes, and looking straight into hers, he whispered,
"Kyunki the truth is, ke bhale hi koi tumhe kitna bhi bura, kitna bhi galat prove karein, I knew… I always knew here," pointing his finger towards his heart, he said,
"Mere dil mien aik awaz hamesha kehty thy ki tum galat hou hi nahi sakti, mager mere andar ki uss voice ko bhi miene chup kara diya. I was being stubborn, Bondita. I was being really, really stupid. Mien apne aap se hi ladta raha, apne aap se jhoot bolta raha. Aur uss har cheez se bhaagta raha, har uss cheez ko, har uss insaan ko avoid karta raha, jo mujhe clearly dikha detey ke sach kya hai. Aur sach yeh hai Bondita ki mujhe tumse nafrat nahi thy. Tum meri boudi thyn, meri dost thyn. Mere bachpan ki buht si memories tumse judi hain. Jab Big D aur tumhari shadi tooti thy, uss waqt Big D se sirf unki patni hi nahi chhini thy… Roy Chaudharys ne apni bahu ko bhi khoya tha. Mager miene… miene apni best friend ko kho dia tha."
His eyes wore a sad expression as he said,
"Mien tumhare jitna emotionally strong nahi tha, Bondita. Mujhse itna bada change nahi saha gaya tha. Tumhara koi qasur nahi tha, mager tumhare janay se hi mere ghar ke, mere bhai ki, aur khud meri bhi dunia veeran hui thy. I know it wasn't your fault, lekin miene tumhien hi blame kia. Because… I had to lay the blame on someone."
Bondita felt like her heart would explode with anguish. Batuk had probably started developing separation anxiety from then only, when he had to be suddenly, and forcefully separated from his best friend. And Bondita understood this now clearly.
Although he wasn't crying now, but Bondita could hear the tears in his voice as he related his accounts to her,
"Bondita, aik aur sach bhi hai. Aur woh sach yeh hai ke mien jaanta tha ke aik tum hi thy, jo humaare family ko iss poore dushmani mess se nikaal sakti thy, jo Big D ko apne andar ke prison se nikaal sakti thy. You know… meine bachpan mein tumhe and Big D ko aik ideal couple mana tha. Especially after seeing you together in Krishnanagar. Mien tumhare rishte ko khaas maanta tha. Jaise Miene apne ghar ko, apne bhai ko pal pal toot'ta, marta hua dekha hai, it affected me very much. Mien chahta tha ki meri boudi wapis aaye aur apna special magical effect se sab theek ker de. Aur tab mere pas koi aur raasta nahi hota tha. Mien pray karta tha, har roz ke bas Durga Ma tumhe wapis bhej de, taaki sab theek hou jaaye… Mager jaise jaise time guzarta gaya, aur tum nahi aayi, I started getting angry… aur uss anger mein, meri uss andar ki awaaz ko dabaane laga. It was irrational, but mera dil tumse buht naraaz hou gaya tha. Isiliye shayad, mien itna chidne laga tha, isiliye miene tumhe blame kiya sabke liye."
Bondita was now able to understand why exactly Batuk had decided that she was at fault for the various problems in his life. Or in the lives of all the Roy Chaudharys.
However, there was one accusation that was especially hurtful.
Gathering herself, she raised her tear-stricken face towards Batuk, her voice quivered with the hurtful complaint as she asked,
"Sab baatien mien maan lun… tumhare saray ilzaam seh lun… lekin Batuk, tum ne yeh kaise socha ki mien Pati babu se pyar nahi kerty? Tum yeh kaise soch bhi sakte ho ki mien unki, apne Bhagwan ki jaan lene ki koshish kerun gy? How could you even think like that about me, Batuk? Tum bachpan se jantay thay na mujhe. Abhi tumne khud hi bola ki Krishnanagar ke time tum humare relationship ko ideal maantay thay. Tou kaise tumko yeh laga bhi ki uss rishte mein sirf Pati babu thay, lekin mien nahi?"
Shaking his head vigorously, he closed his eyes in resignation as he whispered,
"I was a fool, Bondita. A world-class, stupid, irrational ass."
Opening his eyes again, his hand automatically raised to wipe her tears that were flowing from her eyes…
Woh aankhien jin mien buht saray shikway bharay thay!
But he couldn't do that.
He found himself unable to touch her…
He was unable to wipe her tears.
He had to resort to words only now. Drawing a deep breath to gain some courage, he then said,
“Abhi miene kaha tha na, ke mien tumhare wapsi ke liye pray karta tha? Tou jab tum nahi aayi, mein khud ko question karta tha, ke kyun nahi aa rahi Boudi. Aati kaise, tumhe kahan kuch pata bhi tha. But mien bhi paagal hun na, mujhe laga, ke Dada aur Boudi ka tou dil ka rishta hai na? Aisa kaise hou sakta hai ke Dada itni takleef mein hou aur Boudi ko mehsoos nahi hua hoga? Aur phir one fine day, gusse mein aake, meine tayy kar liya ki tum Big D se utna pyar nahi kerty thyn jitna woh kerte thay, aur isiliye tumhe mehsoos nahi hua, ke Big D dukhi hai, tadap rahe hai. Miene khud ko samjha diya ke tum Big D ke mann ko samajh hi nahi sakti. I… I made myself believe all this nonsense, Bondita. Miene apne aap ko yeh baatien itni dafa sunai ki jo sach tha, woh mere mann mien kahin buht ander bury hogya. Aur jo jhoot tha, woh foreground mien aagya. Uss per jab koi mujhe tumhare baray mien bura bolta tou mien automatically foreground ke jhoot ke accordingly act kerne laga. Aur mann ke ander depth mien chhipa hua sach ignore kerne laga. Iski koi bhi justification nahi hai. Koi logic nahi hai. It was completely irrational. It was just my stupidity and nothing else."
Bondita didn’t know how to react at this admission. On one hand, she wanted to scold him, to rail and rant at him for his stupid, irrational, illogical reasons. But on the other, she understood why he thought this way. After all, hadn’t she reacted similarly when she had been disappointed in the past?
Batuk was watching the play of emotions on Bondita’s face as she heard him out. Bondita had stopped crying by now. Her eyes were still hurt, but she was listening to him intently.
She's trying to understand me…
She's trying to give me a vocal outlet.
Yeh chahty tou mere munh per slap ker ke kab ka yahan se jaa chuki hoty.
Lekin phir bhi… yeh khadi hai… mujhe samajhne ko koshish ker rhy hai!
The acknowledgement made his heart squeeze with tenderness and a new found respect for the distraught girl in front of him. The girl whom he had wronged on so many horrendous levels!
The need to reach out to her was unbearable now.
This time, he somehow pulled the courage, and managed to extend his arms to hold her hands again...to console her… offer her peace… show her that he no longer meant any harm and that he was sincere.
However, talking to Batuk and watching him closely was still manageable for Bondita. But having him touch her brought her insane fears to the forefront as she, without even thinking, retreated a step back.
Batuk instantly noticed the fluttering, dark shadow of fear that had slashed her features. And he intuitively understood.
His heart sank as the realization multiplied his guilt to 1000 times-
Bondita was scared of him.
The mighty, strong Bondita, the girl whom they used to call Chhoti Durga, was so scarred that she was now afraid of him!
He had truly been a devil to her and nothing less!
The realization hit him with so much force that he felt his knees giving away.
Unable to stand anymore, he dropped on the ground in front of her.
Bondita's eyes widened as she saw his trembling hands forming in front of her, folded. His face was wet with his tears now, as he whispered to her in a shaking voice,
"I am sorry...Bondita. I am really very very sorry."
Finally!
He had managed to say the most important word… the word that, if said sincerely, has the power to heal wounds of the heart.
This was the medicine that Bondita needed.
She didn't want to hear it to satisfy her ego. She didn't want Batuk to say it just for her satisfaction.
No…
She needed this word, a simple but completely heartfelt apology to heal her wounded heart!
The word was important. Coming from the mouth of her ex-best friend, it held the power to make her already soft heart melt…
It held the power for her to forgive the person who was once her most vicious tormentor.
Unable to see him in such a humble position, kneeling in front of her, she burst into fresh tears as she ran towards him.
Reaching out for his arms, she pulled him to stand up again on his feet, making him stagger in the process.
As he stood in front of her, finally finding his balance, he looked at her helplessly. Feeling completely at a loss, he didn't know why Bondita was suddenly crying loudly.
However, he found his answer when suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck.
Caught completely off-guard, he couldn't believe when a wailing Bondita hugged him tightly, while yelling,
"You stupid, stupid, stupid boy!!! I hate you so much that I want to kill you."
Batuk's arms automatically clasped around her back. He still didn't completely comprehend what exactly had happened.
But then, he felt a tight smack on his upper back that made him yelp and look at the still crying Bondita unbelievingly.
She was not only yelling at him, but she was actually hitting him now too!!
A reluctant smile lurked around the corners of his mouth as he realized what was happening.
Apparently, Bondita had completely lost her carefully maintained graceful composure and was now fighting with him, quite wildly!
A sudden, unexpected laughter started bubbling in his heart as he felt another smack on the back of his head from her as her wailing intensified,
"Aik number ke gadhay ho tum. I hate you, I hate you, you fool!"
And there came another pataakh!
"Itna hurt kerta hai koi bhala?" Her sobs were getting muffled as she wiped her nose furiously against his arm.
Wait! Did she just wipe her snot to my sleeve?
His mouth hung open. But, this time, unlike before when he had felt disgusted by her vomiting, he didn't know why he suddenly wanted to laugh!
Bondita was expressing all her angst, frustration, hate and love for him in the most unladylike fashion now!
And Batuk was loving it… absolutely!
Tightening his hold around her, tears of happiness ran along his cheeks as he started laughing. Hugging her closer to him, he let her wail out insults and hit him as much as she wanted as he tried to pacify,
"Yes.. yes Bondita… Mien gadha hun… ullu ka pattha hun."
That extremely self-aware claim stopped her short.
Wiping her nose to his sleeve again, she raised her red, puffy eyes and tear-drenched face to look up at him.
She noticed how his eyes were looking at her so softly. She remembered the way he used to look at her before when he disliked her so much.
Aise lagta tha jaise kaccha khaa jayega!
Lekin abh… yeh waise dekh raha hai jaise bachpan mien dekhta tha… jab mien iski dost hoty thy.
She also noticed how the smile on his face had wiped up all the harsh traces from his face.
She also felt how carefully he was holding her… As if he really, really cherished her. A wave of happiness washed over her as she felt warm and safe in his embrace.
She felt… home!
Biting her lip to stop her smile, she snorted again, and declared,
"Well… gadhay ho… ullu ke patthay bhi ho… mager itne buray bhi nahi ho."
Noticing his smile widening, she frowned and darkly announced,
"Mager iska yeh matlab bhi nahi hai ki tumko koi saza nahi milay gy."
Batuk nodded obediently with his face radiating his inner peace. He had bridged a huge rift that he had created between himself and Bondita. And now, he was feeling very much at peace because she was getting comfortable around him again…
However, he didn't believe for one second that his crime would be forgiven so easily.
He knew that his apology was sincere...and he genuinely wanted to tell Bondita about what went wrong and where. She had been very kind to hear him out too, but he wasn't going to take her kindness for granted ever again.
He was ready for any punishment. Because he truly believed that he owed Bondita at least that much.
But his peace was shattered once again when he heard Bondita tell him with quite evil undertones,
"Tou tum Murgha bannay ki tayyari ker ke aye thay? Well, too bad! Mujhe iss baar na murgha chahiye na uska anda. Mujhe uthak bethak bhi nahi chahiye."
Batuk's heart felt as if it would stop.
"K...kya chahiye...pp..phir Bondita?"
With a wicked smile playing on her face, she gleefully informed him,
"Iss baar tum mujhe Mendak bann ker dikhao." Pointing towards one end of the courtyard to the other, she added, "Yahan se waha 100 times mendak ki terha hop ker ke dikhao tou maanu mien tum ko Batuk Roy Chaudhary!"
"Bonditaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
This time it was Batuk's loud wail that had echoed across the entire neighborhood!
And that was when, Anirudh felt a warm hand clasping his in it's small grip.
He had gone inside to take a call, but when he was returning to the courtyard to help Bondita pick up Rudhir and Aaradhya's toys, clothes, and other stuff, the unexpected sight that met his eyes had stopped him in his tracks.
He had heard most of the exchange that had occurred between the two people whom he loved immensely. And it had made him extremely emotional too.
When his brother and wife were crying, he was crying with them too, but from afar only.
He didn't want to come in between those two friends who were finally reconciling again after such a long time.
He laughed with Batuk when Bondita was smacking him.
His heart filled with so much love and tenderness when he felt the peace washing over his brother's face. Anirudh had really, really wanted his brother to be able to get this peace. He wanted his lost, restless soul to find a stop to rest too. And now, he got super emotional on realizing that his brother had finally found his way and had returned home.
Anirudh's eyes filled with tears at the fact that it was his wife who had shown tremendous generosity in welcoming his wayward brother.
He chuckled at the sudden turn of events. The heavy melodramatic scene between Bondita and Batuk had suddenly taken a hilarious route.
The way Batuk was now protesting against the "punishment" that Bondita had announced for him brought a wide smile to his lips. A very fond memory of one such incident from the past when both Bondita and Batuk were little, deepened his smile and brought tears to his eyes again.
And that was when that small hand grabbed his larger one in a tight, reassuring, comforting grip.
Looking down, his gaze met Shashwati's twinkling eyes. Still smiling, he pulled her closer to him in a side hug.
“Tou yeh khichdi pakk rahi thi kal?” He asked her in a low voice. She was his baby sister and he knew instinctively that she had aided Batuk and had been behind this "grand plan" of reconciliation.
“Khichdi nahi Dada, ande pakk rahe thay!” She said with a giggle, gesturing to the basket of eggs lying forgotten on the cot, before wrapping her arms around Anirudh’s waist. They both stood there with smiles on their faces, seeking comfort in each other's embrace while watching the scene in front of them.
They both chuckled when they heard an irate Bondita's voice as she challenged Batuk,
"Kia hua Mr. Batuk Roy Chaudhary? Baday baday daavay ker rhe thay abhi tou. Mien yeh ker dun ga… Mien woh ker dun ga… Abh kia hua?"
Batuk's pleading voice followed as he whined,
"Haan boudi… mien sab kerta na ager tum Murgha bannay ko bolty tou. Mager tum ko bhi tou dekho. Kahan Murgha… kahan Mendak! Aur aik dou baar bhi nahi, poore 100 times hop kerna!!! Boudiiii!!!! Tumhare dimagh mien aisi sazayein aaty kahan se hain?? Boudiiiii!!! tum previous janam mien hell ki doorkeeper tou nahi reh chuki ho?"
The way he had wailed in the end made Anirudh and Shashwati both chortle quite loudly.
The sound of their laughter alerted both Bondita and Batuk as they looked towards the direction from where it had come.
Seeing Anirudh and Shashwati clinging to each other and laughing brought an instant smile to both their faces too.
Anirudh's eyes were fixed on Bondita's happy face as she subtly nodded.
Sab theek hogya Pati babu…
Her eyes told him.
Anirudh blinked his eyes in response as they told her silently,
I knew it, Bondita. I had been waiting for this day for so long. Thank you for making it possible for me, for all of us, Jaan.
On the other hand, Batuk smiled at Shashwati who was now showing him a thumbs up, as if to say,
"Well done, dada! You did it!"
As Bondita's face bloomed with happiness, smiling broadly, Anirudh's gaze shifted towards his brother.
Batuk's eyes were wet at looking carefully into his Big D's gaze, as if asking him,
Big D… Sab theek hogya hai. Aap khush ho na dada? Aapke chhote bhai ne finally kuch acha ker hi dia hai.
Anirudh's smiling eyes blinked assuringly in response. His face was shining with so much love and happiness that Batuk felt his eyes tearing up all again.
However, he didn't want to cry anymore. He was truly happy. Trying to restore the playful mood of the entire situation that he and Bondita had managed to achieve through their silly banters, Batuk composed himself. And then, he called out to Anirudh in a loud voice,
"Big D, thank God aap aagaye! Yeh dekho naa… aapki pyari Bondita ne mujhe bola ki mendak bann ker 100 times hop kerun!!!" And then he added dramatically, "Can you believe this? Chhote Zamindar Batuk Roy Chaudhary yahan se wahan frog bann ker hop kerein ge abh! Dada boudi ko samjhao. Yeh zamindaron ka naam kharab kerwana chahty hai kia?"
Anirudh chuckled and looked down at Shashwati's face. Signaling to each other, they both started moving towards the two friends who were now again sparring with Bondita saying,
"Aur apni di zabaan se mukar jaane par zamindaron ka naam kharaab nahi hota kya? Pati Babu, isne kaha tha ke koi bhi saza manzoor karega! Tumko saza mili hai Batuk. Tou poori tou kerna hogy na? Aur waise bhi, yeh itne fit hone ka koi faida tou ho. Yeh muscles wuscles bas aise hi dikhane ke liye banaye hain ya kisi kaam ke bhi hain?"
Before Batuk could respond, Anirudh and Shashwati had reached them.
Realizing that they would keep sparring with each other like that, Shashwati whispered to Anirudh,
"P-OP Dada… aap hi kuch kero. Warna Maasi Cool Dada ko Mendak kia, Rabbit bannay ko bhi keh de gy."
Chuckling heartily at the hilarious picture that she painted, Anirudh nodded and finally chimed in,
"Okay you both! Mien tum loagon ki, uhh, duvidha ke liye koi sujhaav dun?"
Both Bondita and Batuk looked at Anirudh expectantly.
Bondita knew that her Pati babu would come up with a compromise that would make both her and Batuk happy. But she was already very happy! She was just playing along with Batuk, trying to pull his leg.
Hiding her smile, she pretended to look serious with the whole punishment conundrum.
However, Batuk dramatically sighed as he whined jokingly,
"Ohh Dada! I know! Aap boudi ko hi favor kero ge na."
A knot tightened in Anirudh's chest as he realized that Batuk's joke had just confirmed one of the suspicions that he had had for a while now.
Feeling his eyes burn with tears, he quickly shook his head and said softly,
"Nahi Batuk."
And then, watching Bondita's face, he smiled and opening his arms wide, looked at both of them now, he said,
"Well… saza, sujhav ka tou mujhe nahi pata. Yeh maamla tou tum dono aapas mien khud hi suljhana. Tum mendak bano ya nahi, yeh bhi matter nahi kerta. Mere liye abhi jo matter kerte hain, woh tum dono ho. Tum dono mere jigar ke tukde ho. Meri aankhon ka noor ho. Aik mere khoon mien daudta hai, aur doosri meri rooh mien rehty hai. Mere jeewan ke liye tum dono hi zaruri ho. Mujhe tum dono yahan, apne dil ke pas chahiye abhi ke abhi."
A look of happiness and disbelief slashed across Batuk's face. He looked at Bondita, who was smiling at him widely and signaling him to go ahead first.
His eyes filled with tears as he held her hand gently.
And together, they crashed into Anirudh's arms.
Smiling with a deep sense of peace and gratification, Anirudh pulled Shashwati into the circle as he engulfed all three of them in a bear hug.
They were his lifelines...and having them close to him, together and happy, was making him more alive than ever before!
A/N2: We hope you like our take on BonTuk's reconciliation! While Bondita the mother had forgiven Batuk the moment she realised that he truly only wanted the best for her babies, the Bondita who considered Batuk to be a close friend was still extremely hurt by his actions. This is why his one apology was so important to her.
Additionally, Batuk made the mistake a lot of us often make, the mistake of putting someone on a pedestal. The disadvantage of doing so is that we often tend to get so disappointed when that person makes the slightest of mistakes whether they be real or perceived, that we write them off completely, sometimes going as far as disregarding even their great deeds.
We would love to know your views regarding this!
Love,
Ashley and Ayesha
Good to see Bondita bursting on Bhatuk. Sab shikayatein, saare armaan yaha poora ho raha hai👏👍🏼
Wonderful chapter! 🤗🤗
Bon and Batuk scene is so good. Both of them discussed all their complaints and misunderstandings. Happy that Batuk understood his mistake and apologized honestly and Bon accepted it also without any grudge. It was a bliss to see the best friends together again ❤️❤️
Monkey with puppy eyes was cute 😆
Shipper Monkey 🙈🙈
Bon baby's punishment was so good 😈😈
Shashu bear truly is a blessing to her brothers. She is the one who always brings happiness to them. Out of all his siblings she resembles Ani the most❤️❤️
Glympse of Monkey's irational jealousy 🤦♀️
The last scene is lovely with a happy Nazuk Kali ❤️❤️❤️
P.S You didn't give frog Monkey 😡
4th December 1942, Roy Chaudhary Kothi, 11 am
This is already such a terrible day! thought a disgruntled Somnath Roy Chaudhary as he crossed the courtyard separating the Roy Chaudhary Haveli from the neighboring Kothi. And it is still morning!
He had returned from a 2-week long medical camp just this morning.
Som hated medical camps.
The facilities were makeshift, the accommodation and food were subpar, and handling those illiterate villagers was a nightmare.
If it were not a requirement of the hospital, he never would have gone there.
However, this time, he could have come back earlier if he had submitted an application to the hospital. After all, he did have a medical need at home. His younger brother was ill.
But Som had decided not to do that!
Looking after his brother was more difficult than having to stay at the medical camp, and so, with set priorities, he had tolerated those two weeks with horrible professional duties in the hopes that when he would come back home, Batuk's matter would have been solved.
But today, when he had finally returned to civilization, he found out that his family had been turned on its head, and no one had seen it fit to even inform him!
Apparently, in the past two weeks, Dada had not dealt with Batuk on his own as Som had expected. He had assumed, no, he had hoped that after giving him initial treatment, Dada would have sent Batuk back to Italy. Because, of course, no one at home would have wanted anything to do with that useless, psychotic boy who had put Som's family through so much trauma.
However, against all his hopes, he had now found out that not only had Dada put up Batuk at the Kothi until he recuperated from his illness, but he also had a fall out with Kaka! And as if there was any less drama, to add to it all, the mighty Kaka had indignantly left the house to go on a tirth! But what was worst of all for Som was that no one, absolutely no one had tried to stop him.
And as if all this wasn't bad enough, Dada also happily informed him that Batuk was going to move back into the Haveli today.
Som had known all about Batuk's sickness and he also knew for a fact that Anirudh Dada would take responsibility for his treatment. After all, his Dada was always too soft for his own good!
Som had somehow digested that his Dada had set up Batuk to live at the Kothi. But now? Batuk was being forgiven and brought back home?
What stung more was that Som's own opinion on this matter had been roundly ignored.
No one had bothered to tell him anything…
He thought crossly.
But then another thought sneaked into his mind, making him think of something that he didn't want to acknowledge.
Perhaps his family ignored him because he himself hadn't really bothered about them…especially his brothers!
And then, his indignance took over his senses as he thought arrogantly,
Well… Who cares! Ager unke liye mere opinion ki koi importance nahi hai tou mujhe bhi unko importance dene ki koi zarurat nahi hai.
However, his idea of remaining indifferent to his family couldn't be materialized. His Dada had not given him any importance even though he had returned home after so many days!
Not only that, but Anirudh Dada had actually looked quite displeased with him.
Shayad Dada iss liye khafa hain kyunki jab unko meri zarurat hogy Batuk ko sambhaalne mien, tab mien tou gayab hogya tha.
The less-frequently used "decent" side of his mind had interjected. But he decided to conveniently ignore that too!
However, he couldn't do that for long because Anirudh had told him,
"Dekho Som, tum yahan nahi thay, iss liye tumhien Batuk ki maansik haalat ka andaza kaise hoskta hai? Mager yahan uske Dr Sen aur Tapur, dono ka yahi maan'na hai ke Batuk ko ab wapis Haveli laaya jaa sakta hai. Aur kyunki woh pehle din se Batuk ke ilaaj mein shaamil thay, tou unka anumaan sahi hi hoga. Phir bhi, tum mil lou Batuk se, tasalli ke liye hi sahi."
Som could ignore everything but his elder brother.
Feeling thoroughly disgruntled, he thought to himself,
What the hell! Had everyone completely forgotten all that Batuk did to the family? How he had deceived everyone for six months? How he had locked up all the family members? About how he had tried to get him, Dr. Somnath Roy Chaudhary married to that… Just how could everyone forgive him just like that?
He was lost in his thoughts when they were interrupted by a familiar feminine voice, as he entered the back hallway of the Kothi.
"Ji Dai maa, aap fikr mat kariye! Dawaiiyaan mien khud le kar aa rahi hu aaj… Aur Urmi Didi ko bhi tabhi mil lungi. Ji ji! Unhe aur unke gharwaalon se kahiye ke chinta ki koi bhi baat nahi hai. Theek hai phir! Aapko baad me milti hun! Ji Pranaam!"
Som found himself standing awestruck as he watched Tapur expertly and so confidently speak to the Dai maa on the phone.
Something about her overall persona had made him skip some heartbeats. He kept staring at her, glued to one spot as memories overcame him.
This was the girl whom I was about to marry.
Yeh wahi ladki hai jisko miene apni patni ki roop mien imagine kia tha.
Yeh wahi hai jo…
His gaze continued following her, not even interrupted by her sudden yell.
"TUPUR DIDI!!! Mien nikal rahi hun, 4 baje tak laut jaaungi! Shaam ko milti hu!", she shouted out before almost running out of the front door.
"Tapur! Ruk tou! Yeh ladki bhi na… '' Tupur came huffing out of the kitchen, before coming to a shocked stop at seeing Som standing in the back hallway, his eyes fixed on the door that her sister had just run out of.
"Somnath Babu? Aap yahan?", she asked cautiously.
Som was lost in his thoughts as the sight of a happy Tapur pulled some strings in his heart. His mind used the opportunity to remind him treacherously of how some of his family members had tried to make him understand how wrong he was in the way he had broken off his relationship with Tapur.
He clearly remembered how Bondita had tried to talk to him immediately after that incident to clarify Tapur's position, but he had shut her off and told her that she could take her bias for her sister away because he didn't want to listen to any reasoning.
Even Sampoorna maa had tried to make him understand that Tapur was a victim of abuse and not a culprit to be sentenced like that! But he hadn't paid any heed to her either.
When Anirudh had returned, he had also learned about this unfortunate incident. Even he had expressed his sadness over how unfairly Som had ended things with Tapur.
"Dekho Som, mien janta hun ki jeewan sathi chunnay ka haq sab ke pas hota hai. Mien yahan tumhien ghalat nahi samajhta. Tumko aik ladki apne liye sahi nahi lagy tou tumne socha ke shadi na kero. This was fair on your part. Mager mujhe afsos tumhari soch per hua. Ager tum Tapur se shadi iss liye toddte ke tum usko woh respect aur pyar nahi de sakou ge jo woh deserve kerty hai, tou mien samajh jata. Mager tum ne kaha ki tum us se koi rishta iss liye nahi rakhna chahte kyunki uss ke sath aik hadsa hua… jis mien uska koi dosh ya hath hai bhi nahi. Tou isko mien ghalat maanta hun. Aik terha se tumne victim-blaming ki aur yeh wajah use ki as an excuse to break off the relationship. Tumhare iss tareeqe ko mien ghalat maanta hun. Tumne uss bechari ko na sirf yeh ki mazeed hurt kia, balki tumne koi kasar na chhodi ki uska atmavishwas hi khatam hojaye. Aur iss baat se mujhe buht, buht, buht dikkat hai."
Anirudh's words reverberated in his ears, making him feel completely ill at ease at the moment. He didn't know why he was so stunned to see that Tapur had apparently recovered her broken atmavishwas and had moved on from him pretty nicely!
He couldn't understand why it all mattered to him now?
Why, now, the sight of her beautiful, happy face and her soft, cheerful voice was making him feel as if he had lost something?
He was roused from his trance by Tupur's question. He looked awkwardly at her for a moment, before collecting himself and without even realizing why he had gotten so disturbed, without any need, he tried to explain himself by replying brusquely, "Koi galat fehmi mat paalna tum dono behnon! Mien sirf Batuk se milne aaya hun!"
His words confused Tupur as she wondered about his unnecessary comment. However, good manners and her natural sweetness took precedence as she softly replied,
"Jee, unka kamra upar hai, seedhiyon ke baayi taraf teesra kamra.",
"Theek hai!" He said, before whirring away and almost stomping up the stairs, leaving Tupur shocked at his rudeness.
Kya hou gaya tha mujhe, mien uss ladki kou aise kyun dekh raha tha?, he wondered in confusion as he headed to Batuk’s room, before deciding resolutely,
Yeh sab Batuk ki wajah se hua hai. Woh agar meri aur Tapur ke shaadi ki baat nahi karta tou mujhe aise khayal aate hi nahi. Uske behkane ki wajah se hi mien Tapur jaisi ladki ko iss nazariye se dekhne laga.
4th December 1942, Roy Chaudhary Kothi, 11 am
Batuk couldn't keep the grin off his face as he packed up all his belongings, ready to move back to haveli, ready to move back home.
After his reconciliation with Bondita the previous day, Batuk had spent the rest of the day at the Haveli, catching up with his family members. Big D had in fact invited him to move back yesterday itself, but Batuk had refused citing an important phone call, prompting a lot of teasing from Boudi. A red-faced Batuk had instead offered to shift the very next day.
After all, he had had a celebration to get to that night!
That had been the next highlight of the day, his celebration on the telephone with Mallika. And they had not two but three reasons to celebrate! Just before Mallika called Batuk, Bondita had called her to tell her that she was forgiven, and that she no longer needed to continue with the task that Bondita had assigned her… It had been easy to share in her happiness of course, the difficulty had been when pretending to be surprised at this additional victory.
In pretending that he hadn't known that this was coming.
Of course, he knew all about it! After all, he was the perpetrator of it all!
A goofy smile plastered on his face as he recalled how he had managed to make it possible!
Just before returning to the Kothi the previous night, Batuk had cornered Bondita near the door to the backyard.
"Kya hua Batuk? Andhere se darr lag raha hai?" asked Bondita teasingly.
"Of course not Boudi! Actually, mujhe aik aur favour chahiye tha tumse!"
"Kya favour Batuk?", she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Woh Boudi, tumne mujhe tou forgive kar diya… but can you… can you please forgive Mallika too?"
Bondita suddenly froze, and after a few minutes, asked Batuk with an expressionless face. "Kya Mallika ne tumhe kaha mujhse baat karne ko?"
"Nahi… bilkul nahi!" Batuk hurriedly reassured her. "Not at all, and usko pata bhi nahi chalna chahiye ke miene tumse baat ki… woh tou bas… Mujhe pata hai she has wronged you Boudi! But miene bhi tou tumhare saath galat kiya, in fact, I hurt you a lot more than she did! But you forgave me na? Aur phir, she didn't need anyone else to explain ke uski kya galti thi. Uska remorse, uska guilt, uski apology, it needed no prompting. Aur woh buht sincerely tumne diya hua task kar rahi hai. She genuinely wants ke tum usko maaf kardo. And also… "
"Bas bas… Uski aur vakalat karne ki zarurat nahi hai…" Bondita interrupted, before turning back to go inside the Haveli.
Batuk's heart sank as he watched Bondita go inside. Dejected, he too moved to return to the Kothi when Bondita's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Kab aane waala hai tumhara zaroori call?"
Batuk turned in surprise. Bondita was standing in the doorway, still maintaining that expressionless face.
"10 baje" he replied, bemused.
"Hmm…" she said, checking her watch before looking at Batuk with a teasing smirk.
"Shayad usko call karne mein der hou jaaye… Naraaz mat hona…"
He got so elated that he had wanted to dance like a goofball.
He anxiously waited for her call, and it didn't take her too long. She was only 10 minutes late from her usual time. And her happiness had been palpable. However, despite being freed from her obligation, Mallika wasn't leaving the association or returning to Italy, because, "Aaj subah tou sirf funding mili hai, yeh tou bas shuruaat hai!"
They had spent hours talking on the phone, he too had to share his own victory and acknowledge her part in it. Telling her about the diary and his stupid misconceptions had also been cathartic. Batuk knew now that his Mallika, his closest friend during those lonely days in Italy, was back, and there was no way that he was going to mess this up again and let her slip away from him.
While the previous day had been one of the best in Batuk’s life, today started out just weird.
This morning, Tapur had come with his morning medicines instead of Big D. After goofing up so royally the last time and being subject to her scolding, Batuk did not dare disturb her as she gave him the bitter medicines and then proceeded to check his pulse, breathing, and eyes and then asked a ton of questions about his appetite, sleeping patterns, and moods.
After Tapur finished her examination and was reassembling her tray, Batuk decided that it was time to make another attempt at apologizing. But Tapur spoke before he could.
"Batuk Babu?” she called him cautiously. “Woh pichhli baar ke liye mien maafi chahti hun."
"Why are you… Tum kyu maafi maang rahi hou?” He asked in confusion. “Tumne kuch galat nahi kiya…"
"Mujhe aap pe chillana nahi chahiye tha uss din… Maaf kijiyega. "
Batuk found himself staring at Tapur with increasing respect and a renewed sense of guilt. After all that he had done, this girl was not only treating him, but was actually APOLOGIZING for giving him the scolding that he so rightly deserved??
He suddenly realised that she was still waiting for his response. He smiled wryly at her and answered, “Miene chillane layak kaam hi kiya hai na? Tou maafi kyu?".
"Baat woh nahi hai!” said Tapur forcefully. “Uss waqt aap aik mareez thay, aur aise kisi bhi mareez ke saamne apna aapaa khona aik vaid ke liye avyavasayik hai… Tou uss baat ke liye mien maafi maang rahi hun… Wajah chahe jo bhi hou, aapne chahe koi bhi bewakoofi ki hou, mujhe aise aik mareez pe chillana nahi tha."
Batuk had thought that he couldn't feel guiltier than he already did, but Tapur's words just made him feel worse. He immediately jumped to reassure her.
"Tum, maafi mat maango… I didn't… Mujhe bura nahi laga… It's all okay… Sab theek hai… aur tumne kuch galat bhi tou nahi kaha… truly, maafi maangne jaisa kuch bhi nahi hai."
Tapur quietly nodded, and was turning to leave when he called out to her again.
"Tapur… Can you… Kya tum mujhe maaf kar sakogi? You were right… Miene… miene kabhi socha hi nahi tha ke mere kartooton ke wajah se aur logon ko bhi takleef hogi… Badla lene mein itna doob gaya ke aage peechhe kuch bhi dikhayi nahi diya… and yeh buht galat tha… But ab mujhe meri mistake ka… I mean, meri galti ka ehsaas hai… Can you… Mujhe maaf karogi please? I am really sorry!"
Tapur turned slightly towards him, looked into his eyes as if trying to see through his soul, and then, with a minuscule nod, she quietly left the room.
Batuk was left alone feeling a range of emotions. He was relieved too at the possibility that he was probably being forgiven. However, he was aware that while she may have forgiven him, she won’t forget what happened anytime soon.
His earlier happy mood turned somber at the memory of his encounter with Tapur. That was when he was interrupted from his reminiscing by the sound of heavy footsteps as someone stormed into his room.
He looked up, perplexed to see his Som Dada there.
In the fortnight since Batuk had been admitted to the hospital, Kaka and Som had been the only two members of the family who hadn’t even tried to make contact with him. Batuk was aware that Anirudh had informed the family that Batuk was not to be disturbed until he was well, and he understood the reasons behind this instruction too. However, everyone had tried to be there for Batuk in their own way, even though only Shashwati had actually snuck in to visit him. The rest of the children used to smile and wave to Batuk whenever they caught him looking at them playing in the courtyard, Sampoorna Maa used to cook and send all of Batuk’s favorite dishes, Bihari too would often send messages through Ramu. Even Bondita had tried to help Batuk out! But from Som Dada, there had been absolutely nothing! No visits, no messages, not even a phone call, and that was why Batuk was confused as to why Som had chosen to come to see him now!
"Som Dada… aap?"
Som's facial expressions were completely blank. Batuk had a fleeting thought that his dada had turned into a robot over the past two weeks!
Trying to shrug away all silly thoughts, he cleared his throat when Som didn't say anything and just kept looking at him with an unfathomable expression.
"Uhh… Som Dada… kia hua? Aap aise kyun dekh rahay hain mujhe?" He asked cautiously.
A look of disdain slashed across Som's features. His earlier deadpan expression was now replaced with his usual scowl as he sourly said,
"Kuch nahi. Bass yehi dekh raha tha ki itna sab kerne ke baad bhi kis terha khushi khushi haveli wapis jaa rahay ho tum. Qismet ke dhani ho tum Batuk. Itna sab kia, phir bhi Anirudh Dada aur Bondita boudi ne tumko maaf ker dia."
His words and his tone stung Batuk like a current. But then he wasn't entirely wrong too. Batuk had undoubtedly been very lucky in this regard. As soon as this thought occurred, the effect of the sting of Som's words lessened a bit as he quietly replied,
"Haan dada… aap sahi keh rahay ho."
Som was expecting Batuk to react differently. He was slightly taken aback by how quietly he had accepted it all.
Yeh isko kia hogya hai? Itna shaant tou yeh kabhi bachpan mien bhi nahi tha. Aur last jis haal mien dekha tha miene isko, tab tou yeh poora psycho ho rakha tha.
Feeling slightly confused now, he shook his head and in order to change the subject, he quickly asked how he was doing, and where his medical files were.
When Batuk answered all his questions, he had pointed towards his desk where the file of his medicines and his daily monitoring charts were lying.
"Meri sari medical files Big D ke pas hain. Aap unke pas hi dekh sakte ho. Aur baqi meri aik Ayurvedic treatment ki file Tapur ke pas bhi hai. Aap uss se bhi pooch sakte ho meri treatment aur progress ke baray mien."
The mention of Tapur's name made Som feel absurd emotions again as he suddenly snarled,
"Tapur Tapur Tapur!!! Tum meri uss jhooti ladki ke sath matchmaking kab bannd kerou ge Batuk? Stop mentioning her name to me. Baar baar uska ziker sunna mujhe pasand nahi hai. Aur mien kyun uss jaahil gawaar ladki se baat kerun ga tumhari treatment se related!?"
Batuk's mouth hung open in shock and bewilderment on hearing this extremely irrelevant outburst.
Before he could reply, he saw Som turning on his heels.
Watching him going like that stirred an unknown, dark emotion within Batuk's soul as anger started simmering.
He had to speak up now!!!
As Som started to leave, Batuk chased him out into the corridor.
“Dada! One minute!”
“Kya hai Batuk?” Som asked in irritation.
“Mujhe aap se zaruri baat kerni hai…And yes, it is about Tapur…but it is necessary and you have to hear me out.” Batuk replied. He wasn't speaking forcefully or imposingly, but for some reason, his words and the seriousness of his tone stopped Som.
“Kya baat karni hai uske baare mien?" he asked angrily. "Kya tumhe bhi lagta hai miene uss ladki se shaadi tod ke galti ki hai? Agar mujhe uss jaisi jhuthi aur daaghdaar ladki se shaadi nahi karni tou isme kya galat hai? Kya mujhe yeh tayy karne ka haq nahi hai ke mujhe kaisi patni chahiye? Mien nahi chahta ke meri patni koi aisi ladki hou jise kisi aur aadmi ne chhua hai. Kya yeh galat hai? Sab mujhe hi kyun samajhne ko bol rahe hai?"
Batuk was already controlling his anger at his earlier words. But now he was appalled at Som's venomous words!
He knew that Som shared at least some of his Kaka's conservative views, but he had never in his wildest dreams imagined that his mentality would be so disgusting!!!
When he had engineered the entire plot, he had assumed that Som would be upset with Tapur for hiding the truth from him. He had never thought that just like Kaka, Som would also hold the fact that Tapur had been a victim of abuse against her!
Batuk felt horrible! Som's words were completely unjustified!
He suddenly felt the urge to defend the girl who had done so much for him despite all his misdeeds.
"Wait a minute!" he said, cutting off Som mid-rant. "Pehli baat toh yeh, ke miene abhi shaadi ki koi bhi baat nahi ki hai. Your marriage is your decision, and mujhe nahi lagta Tapur ko aapse shaadi karne mien ab koi bhi interest hai."
When Som's expressions turned shocked on hearing this, Batuk exhaled and trying to neutralize his tone to contain his anger, he added,
"Second thing, Tapur jhooti nahi hai! She tried to tell you the truth, mager miene woh letter badal diya jisme usne saari sacchai likhwayi thi. That is what I wanted to tell you! That she isn’t the liar, I am!"
Pained disbelief slashed across Som's features. However, Batuk wasn't done as he said with absolute finality and conviction,
" And last thing, Tapur has learned to read and write. So woh jaahil aur gawaar, as you said, nahi hai. Aur Dada, aik aur baat. Mujhe nahi lagta Tapur kisi bhi angle se daaghdaar hai, but then, I can’t really help it agar aapki mentality aisi hai. Though if you ask me, agar aap sach mien aisa sochte hai, tou please Tapur se shaadi karne ki aaj ya aagay kabhi sochna bhi mat because she deserves better!”
With that parting shot, Batuk stormed back into his room in disgust, leaving an infuriated and thoroughly bowled-over Som behind.
4th December 1942, Roy Chaudhary Haveli 3:30 PM
"Anirudh jamai babu, kia mien ander aa sakty hun?"
Anirudh had come down to his study for some work related to an ongoing case just a little while ago. He had made sure that Bondita and the kids were well settled in their room after lunch. Once all three of them had fallen asleep, Anirudh had quietly snuck out of the room.
He still found it very hard to leave Bondita alone, or to have her handle both the kids all by herself. She had recovered a lot, but Anirudh was still the same caring, overprotective husband and father that he was.
And so, he still used to take care of Bondita's diet, and of her rest.
Now that she and Rudhir-Aaradhya were taking a comfortable nap, Anirudh decided to use that time and work for sometime in his study.
He was totally engrossed in his work when he heard a knock and a familiar, soft voice seeking permission to enter the room.
A smile bloomed on his face as he recognized whose voice it was.
Laying his pen down, he straightened up and called out,
"Tapur… Aao na!."
Smiling, Tapur carefully opened the door and entered slowly.
Anirudh stood up from his desk chair in a welcoming gesture and then, gesturing towards a chair on the other side of the table, he said, "Betho Tapur."
Mumbling a "Dhanyavaad," Tapur carefully settled herself on the chair, and then, Anirudh also sat back on his seat and trying to assess the purpose of her visit, he asked cautiously,
"Kaho Tapur. Kaise aana hua? Sab kheriyat tou hai?"
His smile doused as his mind conjured up excuses for Tapur's unexpected visit.
Aaj tou Tapur ne Batuk ki jaanch kerni thy. Kahin Batuk ki tabiyat tou phir se…
Unable to control his growing concerns, he asked anxiously,
"Tapur… kia Batuk… Woh theek haina? Mera matlab hai… kia tumhe uske baray mien koi baat kerni hai?"
Cursing herself for making him so worried, Tapur shook her head lightly and quickly replied,
"Nahi nahi.. Anirudh jamai babu… Batuk babu theek hain. Balki mien buht khush hun ki woh abh haveli wapis aajayien ge. Parivar ke sath rehne ka unke maansik stithi per buht acha asar paday ga. Aap shaant hojayein. Mien aap se kuch aur baat kerne ayi thy abhi."
Feeling relieved, Anirudh nodded, his facial expressions relaxing as he urged Tapur to speak.
Biting her lip nervously, Tapur seemed to be a little hesitant. Anirudh found it a little odd as he thought to himself,
Tapur tou itni confidently baat kerty hai. Aaj itni nervous si kyun dikh rahy hai?
"Tapur, tum aram se keh sakty ho jo bhi kehna chahty ho. Mien sunn raha hun." He smiled reassuringly as he sensed her hesitance.
His soothing voice and encouraging words relaxed her a bit too. He was always so welcoming and kind towards Tupur and her.
Feeling a renewed surge of awe and respect towards him, before answering Anirudh, she wondered,
Yeh wahi insan hain jo humare liye bhagwan samaan hain. Inke humare ooper itne ehsan hain ke hum kuch bhi ker lien, woh chuka nahi sakte.
Mager shayad mien inki thodi si madad ker sakty hun.
The last thought and the fact that Anirudh had always been supportive of them bolstered her confidence. It also made her recall how she could actually repay Anirudh's kindness.
And so, clearing her throat, infusing genuine enthusiasm with just a little bit of caution, she said,
"Woh, Anirudh jamai babu… asal mien mujhe aap se aap ke baba, Binoy babu ke baray mien kuch baat kerni hai. Ager aap abhi masroof hain tou mien dobara ajaongy.”
Anirudh was surprised to hear this, and he blurted,
“Baba ke baray mien? Aisi kia baat kerni hai, Tapur? Khul ker batao.”
Taking it as her cue, looking directly into his eyes, she started,
“Asal mien Anirudh jamai babu, jab hum aap ki shadi ke pehle yahan rehne aye thay, tabb Thakumaa aur miene aapke baba ki beemari ke baray mien kafi socha tha. Hum Ayurved mien iss beemari ka ilaaj dhoondne ki koshish ker rhe thay. Masla yeh tha ki yeh koi paidaishi beemari nahi thy, ya samay ke sath aanay walay utaar chadhav mien se nahi tha. Yeh aik chot ki kaaran hua, yani aik baahiri, ya vaahy srot ki kaaran hua.”
Pausing to see if Anirudh was following her, she started again when he nodded his head to urge her to go on.
“Tou mien aur Thakumaa soch rahay thay ki hum uss chot ke asar ko tou khatam nahi ker sakte. Jo haani ho gayi, woh tou ho gayi. Hum usko tou nahi badal sakte, lekin hum uska asar kam ker sakte hain. Abhi Binoy babu ki jo maansik haalat hai, Ayurvedic ilaj ke zariye uss mien sudhaar laa sakte hain.”
A loud gasp escaped Anirudh’s mouth as he abruptly stood up from his chair and exclaimed,
“Kia yeh sach hai, Tapur? Kia waqai aisa hoskta hai?”
Nodding her head, she also stood up from her seat as she replied,
“Mien usi baray mien aap se baat kerne ayi hun Anirudh jamai babu. Aap bethiye, mien aap ko samjhaty hun.”
Anirudh was so stunned that he didn't know how to react. So, without saying anything, he sat back and waited for her to elaborate on her earlier statement.
He saw Tapur picking up a piece of chalk from his desk. She looked at him and gestured towards the blackboard to seek permission to use it. When Anirudh nodded, she went towards the board and started writing strange names. In front of those names, she added numerical values also. And then, circling one entry, she turned towards Anirudh and said,
“Anirudh jamai babu, yeh kuch jadibution ke naam hain, jo ke alag alag asar rakhty hain, aur alag alag beemarion ke liye istimal hoty hain. Thakumaa ne mujhe bataya tha ki unhone jab yeh dawai kisi ko, misaal ke tor per, haazma sahi kerne ke liye di, tou uska asar unhone uss mareez ke zehen per bhi mehsoos kia. Isi terha baqi jadi butian bhi hain. Woh hum shareer ki aik samasya duur kerne ke liye dete hain, lekin unka koi na koi asar shareer ke kisi aur hissay per bhi hota hai. Tou Thakumaa aur miene woh jadi butian nikaali jin ke acchay asraat hum ne mareezon ki yaadasht, unki maansik bartaav, aur unke zehni maslon mien dekhe. Batuk babu ki dawai tou khaas tor per maansik rog ke liye hi hai, mager aap ke baba ka rog sharirik bhi hai aur maansik bhi. Iss liye unke liye mukhtalif jadi bution ko khaas maatra mien milanay ki zarurat thy. Thakumaa aur miene buht saray sootr laagu kiye, mager koi kami reh hi jaty thy. Aur phir, aap loagon ki shadi hogai… mere sath woh…”
Her voice quivered there as Anirudh’s eyes darkened in anger and grief at the memory of that horrible incident. He was about to say something to console her, but a wave of admiration washed over him as he saw her quickly composing herself.
Once she regained her composure, she started her theory in a calm manner. Anirudh bit back a smile at what a true professional she appeared to be.
He was thoroughly engrossed in whatever she was saying, but he hadn't missed how she had written proper numbers and words on the board.
He knew that Tupur and Tapur were not fortunate enough to get basic education. But seeing her capable of writing swelled his heart with immense pride as he made a mental note to congratulate her about it once she completed her stance.
Tapping her finger on the piece of chalk that she was holding, she resumed,
“Tou uss sab ke baad Thakumaa tirth per chali gayeen, aur mien yahan unka kaam sambhaalne lagy. Jab hum haveli se kothi mien gaye, tou miene apni aik mareez se jinko padhna likhna aata tha, unse wahi seekhna shuru ker dia. Mujhe kuch waqt laga un sab kadwi baaton ko peeche chhodne mein, aur uss mein meri sab se ziada madad ilm ne ki jo miene seekhna shuru ker dia tha.Taqreeban 6 mahinay lagay mujhe, mager phir mien likhna padhna seekh gayee. Aur tabhi mere haath Thakumaa ke saman mien rakhy unke Thakurdada ki aik kitaab aayee.”
Anirudh’s eyes widened as his interest piqued on hearing this.
Noticing his captivation, Tapur smiled softly and said,
“Thaku maa ke Thakurdada aik buht baday ved thay. Aur unki kitab mien unke haath ke likhay buht se qeemti nuskhay thay. Thakumaa ne apne baba se ved ka ilm seekha, aur miene Thakumaa se. Lekin abh jab mujhe padhna likhna aagaya tou mujhe iska faida yeh hua ki mien Thakurdada ki kitaab mien likhay nuskhay padh sakty thy. Aur wahin se mujhe aik khaas jadibuti ka pata chala.”
Pointing towards the circled name on the board, she said,
“Yeh jadi buti buht hi asarangez hai. Jaise hi miene iske baray mien padha, jo sootr hum ne Binoy babu ke ilaaj ke liye lagaye thay, uss mien iss jadi buti ko shaamil ker ke miene naye sootr banaye. Aur phir mujhe sahi matra aur sahi sanrachna samajh agayee.”
Anirudh was now watching her without even flinching. Noticing absorption and shock on his face, she nodded to reinforce and said,
“Jee Anirudh jamai babu, mien aapke baba ka ilaj ker sakty hun abh. Woh 100 pratishat tou pehle jaise nahi hosakte, lekin 80-85 pratishat hoskte hain. Aur ager Dugga maa ne chaha tou shayad iss se bhi ziada. Miene iss ilaj ke liye inn sari jadi bution ke baray mien mukhtalif kitaabon mien padha hai. Inka koi nuqsan nahi hota. Mien Binoy babu ko yeh dawai dena chahty hun ager aap ijazat dein tou.”
For Anirudh, the news that his father could get even 10% better than his current state would have made him ecstatic. But even just the hope that his once dynamic father could get a lot better suddenly made him super emotional.
He was overjoyed, and he wanted to cry too!
It took him a little while to get a grip on his emotions. Tapur had returned to her chair opposite Anirudh’s and was now waiting for him to say something.
Finally, recovering his composure, he found his voice as he said,
“Tapur, yeh buht ziada khushi ki baat hai. Mere liye tou yehi buht fakhar ki baat hai ki tum ne mere peeche itna sab kuch khud se kia. Tum ved tou pehle hi buht acchi thyn kyunki Thakumaa jaisi azeem ved tumhari shikshak thyn. Lekin abh tou mujhe aur bhi khushi hai ki tum ko ilm ki taaqat ki wajeh se apne kaam mien aur ziada madad mili.”
When Tapur beamed at his genuine praise and admiration, Anirudh smiled too and said,
“Mujhe tum per poora bharosa hai Tapur. Mien bass apni tasalli ke liye yeh jaanna chahta hun ki kia aisi 1 pratishat bhi sambhavna hai ki inn jadi bution se baba ko koi bhi haani pohanch sakty hai?”
Shaking her head in the negative, she replied,
“Nahi Anirudh jamai babu, aapka poora haq hai ki aap mujhse iss baray mien sawal poochien. Aapke baba ki baat hai aakhir. Lekin aap tasalli rakhien. Jaise ki miene pehle kaha, inn jadi bution ka koi nuqsan nahi hai. Ziada se ziada yehi hoga ki inka woh asar nahi hoga jo hum chahte hain. Mager iss se ziada aur kuch nahi hoga. Inn jadibution se unke shareer ke saray hisson ko faida hi hoga, nuqsan koi nahi hoga. Isi liye mere hisab se inse banai hui dawai ko istimal kerne mien koi harj nahi hai.”
Anirudh was very happy to hear this. He was also very touched that Tapur and Thakumaa had been working so hard to find a cure for his father.
When he expressed his profound gratitude, all Tapur replied with a sweet smile was,
"Yeh buht kamm hai uske samnay jo aap ne mere liye kia hai. Mien aapki khushi ke liye itna tou ker hi sakty hun."
However, a thought occurred to Anirudh, and after a little contemplation, raising apologetic eyes towards Tapur, he said,
"Tapur, mere liye tumhara kehna hi kaafi hai aur mien tumko ijazat de bhi deta, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki baba ke maamlay mien nirnay lene ka adhikaar Sampoorna maa ka bhi hai. Iss liye, mien unse baat kerta hun. Unko samjhaon ga tou woh samajh jayeingy. Tum kitni achi ved ho, yeh tou hum sab Batuk ki tabyat ke sudhaar ko dekh ker hi samajh gaye hain. Iss liye, mujhe umeed hai ki Sampoorna maa bhi haami bhar lien gy."
Tapur nodded in understanding, and getting up from her chair, she said,
"Zarur kijiye Anirudh jamai babu. Aur phir aap dono ka jo faisla ho, mujhe bata dijiye ga. Abh mien chalty hun."
With a final parting smile, she moved towards the door of the study when Anirudh's voice stopped her,
"Tapur, tum janti ho na ki Batuk ko hum sab ne maaf ker dia hai. Kia mien yeh aasha rakh sakta hun ki tumhien iss baat se taklif nahi pohanche gy? Tum yaqeen kero, woh waqai apne sab harkaton ke liye buht sharminda hai."
And then he quickly, and quite desperately added,
"Mien tum ko yeh nahi keh raha ki tum bhi usay maaf ker dou. Mager mien yeh bhi nahi chahta ki tumko kabhi bhi aisa lagay ki miene tumhare sath koi naa-insafi ker di hai. Tum meri behen ho…aur woh mera bhai hai. Tum dono hi mujhe azeez ho. Mien tum dono ke hi sath kuch ghalat nahi ker sakta."
The sad but honest claim made Tapur smile slightly as she said assuringly,
"Nahi nahi Anirudh jamai babu. Mujhe iss baat se koi dikkat nahi hai. Batuk babu aapke bhai hain. Aur… woh mujhse bhi maafi maang chuke hain. Mien… mujhe sab bhula ker aagay badhne mien thoda waqt lagay ga. Mager ziada nahi. Shotti! Iss liye aap fiker na kerien."
Anirudh felt immense relief washing over him. Smiling at her, his heart was filled with graritude and respect for her as he said,
"Miene pehle bhi tumse aur Tupur se kaha tha ki tum loag haveli mien aa ker hum sab ke sath raho. Mien dobara kehta hun Tapur. Mujhe buht accha lagay ga ager tum loag wapis yahan aaoge tou. Aur mujhe yeh bhi lagay ga ki tum ne humien maaf ker dia."
This made Tapur feel suddenly sad for him. She clearly remembered how an extremely guilty Anirudh had come to meet them after he had returned and had learned about the unfortunate incident that had happened with them.
Anirudh had profusely apologized on behalf of Kaka, Batuk, and Som's ill behavior and had insisted that they return to the haveli.
However, both the sisters had refused then.
Anirudh had again apologized and requested them to come to the haveli before he had brought Batuk to the Kothi too.
But both the sisters had refused then too.
It wasn't that they were angry at Anirudh or anything. It was just because both Tupur and Tapur were not comfortable with Kaka and Som around in the same house. And that was the reason why they had preferred to stay at the Kothi.
Surprisingly, having to cohabit the Kothi with Batuk hadn't been majorly difficult for them.
Part of the reason was that they lived in separate wings.
Secondly, Batuk had come there as a patient. He hardly left his room. So, their interaction with him was minimal.
Thirdly, both the sisters understood Anirudh's reasons why he didn't want to take Batuk to the haveli in the first place or settle him in some other house owned by the Roy Chaudharys.
And lastly, they just didn't want to worry him more. For Anirudh's sake, Tapur had even offered to treat Batuk as well as give him medicine when Anirudh wasn't available.
This time too, she understood genuine care and concern in Anirudh's voice as he urged her to return to the haveli.
Her heart ached for this sweet and kind human being, and so, smiling, she replied,
"Humien kothi mien accha lagta hai Anirudh jamai babu. Hum jante hain ki aap ko humari chinta hai. Mager aap yaqeen kerien, hum theek hain, khush hain."
Noticing the crestfallen expression on his face, she then jauntily added,
"Kia jamai babu! Haveli ho ya kothi ho…saali aadhi ghar wali hoty hai. Tou jo sab aapka hai, uss per humara bhi haq haina?"
Anirudh smiled at the way she had exerted a sisterly right on him. He nodded in agreement, making Tapur beam happily as she turned around saying,
"Bass tou kothi ho ya haveli, dono aik hi baat hai. Aap bass koi chinta na kerien Aur haan, AAPKI dawai bhijwa du gy. Le lena."
Anirudh was bewildered, and so, he called out to her,
"MERI dawai? Konsi?"
As she reached the door, she stopped and with a naughty smile on her face, she said,
"Mujhe Shashwati ne bataya tha ki aap ko sab ki chinta kerne ka kitna shoq hai. Usi ne mujhe kaha tha ki mere dada ke liye koi dawai bana dien taaki woh itniiiiiiii sari chinta na kia kerien."
Anirudh's eyes widened on this tidbit. Chuckling at how Shashwati had given him a special nickname because of his extreme level of overprotectiveness for his loved ones, he could very well envision the little minx asking Tapur for a medicine that could make her brother stress free.
Tapur had opened the door by now to exit. But she shot him a glance as she remarked,
"Tou aapki bhi dawai tayyar ker rakhy hai miene. Lagta hai abh tou khilani hi paday gy!"
With that, with a funny smile plastered on her lips, she left the room, leaving a laughing Anirudh behind.
A/N:
Som may not be so negative in the show, but he showed medical negligence, incompetence (CCs wound dressing) and violation of the Hippocratic oath at several instances (aside from him being generally a weirdo!)
Ayesha is a doctor, and she developed a personal grudge with Som on a professional level. And hence, our story is full of Som-trashing. :D
I hope we haven't offended anyone. If we did, please pardon us.
Also, we really hoped to see Binoy getting better in the show. But since that didn't happen there, we are bringing it here.
Do let us know about your views regarding this chapter.
Your comments and votes make us super duper happy!
Love you all,
Ashley & Ayesha.
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