Shiv ki gauri
Chapter 18
Recap: Alok explains to gauri that nikhal's critical illness and last wish was the reason he gave up kaya and she was brought up within the kapoor family. Kaya overhears the conversation and is overwhelmed to find that alok is her farther. Alok explains how he was reluctant to tell both Gauri and kaya the truth as he feared it would complicate there relations and both of them would also blame each other for the unfortunate incidences In there lifes. Kaya tells alok that she is proud to have him as a farther and both of them reunite with a touching moment which gauri looks upon.
The following morning- at Kapoor house breakfast table Gauri mentions that she had returned home from alok's house to give Alok and Kaya time together. Shiv calls and very sweetly tells Gauri to break her morning fast and on doing so she finds a romantic note and rose from Shiv.
Later on in the day gauri receives another rose this time it is labelled with initials from "S.K", gauri dwells on it for a moment and then comes to conclusion that Shiv would have sent it for her. Overlooking it she heads for her appointment Prateek where Prateek tells her that there is something for her another bunch of roses, possibly from shiv? Prateek leaves the room and on coming back finds gauri in a terrible state, sitting in the corner of the room in tears, when asked she says samar had been there.
Prateek explains the situation to Mehen and assures him what he was thinking was wrong that nothing of the sort had happened to gauri, it was just fear that had put her in this state.
……………….
Looking at the wall clock I was 12.30pm in city hospital prateek sits dwelling over the days happenings in concern. He didn't understand, samar was in jail, how could gauri see him????
"Kya yey sirf gauri ka bhram hai aur kuch nahi..kya uska daar us haad tak pahoch gaya. The more he thought about it the more his worries increased."
He picked up the phone and made a call, on the other end shiv picked up:
Prateek: "Shiv, meri baat suno it's about gauri…muhje lagta hai ke ab vakt aagaya hai ke woh aapna fear confront kare…."
Over an hour of talking to shiv, prateek ended the conversation:
"Look shiv don't worry, sab kuch theek ho jayega, haam kal ke flight se dehi aa rahe hai ok..and remember what I told you, don't be rash about anything..we will find away around it. Tum kuch nahin karoge..
Ok mein phone rakhta hoon. Bye"
Putting the phone down and checking the time on the wall clock to the left of the room, tired he dropped his glasses on the desk and brushed his face with the palms of his hands hoping some of his exhaustion would be brushed away.
Looking around the office it was time for him to leave, the surroundings were silent, being a hospital it was odd but Prateek overlooked everything including the workload he had neglected throughout the day. There sat multiple cups on the desk.. it looked as if he had been through a number of hot drinks, paperwork lay abandoned files things were a mess….he had been thinking about nothing but gauris incident and after racking his brain for so long he really hadn't got very far.
In all his concern prateek swept a few important documents together and put them into his brief case, closing it shut he was just about to leave when a knock at the door was heard and prateek attention drifted towards the door.
With a little curiosity to whom it could be at this sort of time prateek invited the person inside.
Prateek: "Come in"
The door was opened by a man older man in a uniform, a security guard. Prateek greeted the man with a smile the sort of smile which comes to play when you see a long lost family member but It was Mr Mukerjee..city hospitals favourite security officer problem because of his grandfather look.
Prateek gathered his things together and headed towards the doorway where Mr Mukerjee stood.
Security guard: "Good night doctor"
"Goodnight kaka" just as Prateek made his way out of the room, the guard locked the door shut and Prateek made his way down the corridor to leave when a thought stuck him and he paused for a second and then turned around.
Prateek: kaka,
Security guard having locked the room looked up at prateek: "ji?"
Prateek: "yaha ke security cameras?"
……………………………………
6 am in the kapoor house, everything is silent, Mehen sits in the lounge area reading a newspaper when prateek arrives.
Are Prateek beta, good morning, prateek greets mehen with his usual cheerful smile comes and takes a seat next to him on the sofa and drops his bag on the floor.
Prateek: "Good morning uncle,
Uncle gauri kaha hai, woh theek toe hai naa"
Hah, I think so anyway..joe tumne kaha naa, woh meine kar diya. Magar prateek muje fikar ho rahi hai..kal ke baad gauri bohot nazuk se lagi muje, mein nahi chahta ke woh…
Prateek interrupts
"Aap fikar bilkul bhi maat kejieyey mein hoon naa, magar aap ne gauri ko koi shak karne ka moka nahi diya naa"
Mehen: "Nahi mene use kaha hai ke shiv kuch zaruri kaagzaat yaha bhool gaya hai joe tum dono use dene jaa rahe ho. Ek baat hai beta tum jo karon naa woh soch kar karna, mein janta hoon tum aisa kuch nahin karoge jo galat ho magar tum shiv ko jante ho naa woh jasbati ho kar,….
Seeing the concern on mehens face Prateek intervenes to try and console his worries but inside even he was questioning the success of what he intended.
"Trust me uncle sab kuch theek ho jaayeyga, vaise meine kal shiv se baat ki thi woh janta hai"
Mehen: Theek jaisa tum theekh samjo, you're the doctor, waise tickets toe hai naa. At the mention of flight tickets prateek beings to russle the pockets of his blazer and having made sure he had them smiled in confirmation,
Prateek: "Hah fight doe ghante ke baad hai"
Mehen: "Good, lo gauri bhi aagayee" gauri is making her way down when Mehen and Prateek both look towards the staircase and the look on both of there faces fades from a warm inviting smiles to smiles which were graded down with worry. Gauri looked not at all herself dressed in a pale yellow churidar, the expression on her face was upsetting, sadness, worry and fight were prominent. The usual beautifully bright yet simplistic glow and lavish sari was replaced by a tired look. hair tied back neatly with her sindoor sitting in place,she wore no jewerlly except for her mangalsutra and the radiant smile on her face had turned expressionless.
It was obvious yesterdays incident had thrown gauri back into that fright, and more deeper depression and prateek didn't fail to notice. As gauri made her way to the bottom of the staircase, she stopped silently as if to try and avoid mehen and prateek. Noticing this both of them looked at each other with equally concerned looks, both asking themselves the same question…was she alright??
Before prateek could make an advance and break the silence gauri had began
Gauri: "Bade papa, kya mein aapse kuch baat kar sakti hoon please?"
Mehen looked upon gauri who was stood with her eyes glued to the ground and that deeply saddened look which gauri carried and then towards prateek in concern. What does she want to talk about? He didn't want to say or do anything that would ruin what prateek had in mind. Prateek noticing mehens gestures gave a secretive nod yes to reassure mehen.
Mehen: "Hah beta kaho"
Gauri: "woh mein soch rahi thi ke kya..mera jana theek hai, muje nahi jana"
Mehen: "Nahi beta mein chahta hoon ke tum prateek ke saath jaaon, aur is baahane haamari dehli wali propertly bhi dekh lena..shiv se bhi mil lena."
Gauri: "Magar papa..woh"
Prateek: "O come on gauri mein akela nahi jana chahta hoon aur vaise bhi ek din ki toe baat hai.. aur muje naa airports bilkul bhi pasand nahi..yey toe shiv ki vaje se.."
As Prateek observed gauri The word "shiv" looked like It made a difference but the worring thing was that diffidence was expressed as a frightful expression and this was a reason for concern. So all the effort prateek and shiv had gone to get gauri to a stage where she would feel comfortable around shiv had gone to waste??? Inside prateek was hoping his own judgement turned out to be false. On the other hand whilst prateek dwelled over his worries gauri was feeling uncomfortable with the idea of the trip to delhi, she had the same worry within ..what if she was not able to face shiv, after coming to face with samar…all her anguish had been bought back. Seeing that same face would scare her espsically If the mentioning of shiv was causing her fear.
Mehen: "tum jaa rahi ho bas"
Prateek's words were a little persuasive and gauri found it hard to say no to mehen, she had always listened to her eleders and this was one of them moments even if she was still shaken from yesterday she couldn't say no.
Gauri: "Ok theek hai" gauri words sent a sigh of relieve through both Prateek and Mehen even if she had agreed to come under pressure atleast prateek would be able do as he intends.
Prateek gave gauri's uncomfortable and saddened appearance a smile to lift her spirits.. "Toe ham chale???"
……………………………………..
10 minuets into the flight and gauri had not spoken a single word since they left kapoor mansion. Prateek looked upon Gauri thinking about how lucky she was to have a window seat, the view outside was amazing but Prateek was not too sure if it was the view outside which was the reason for gauris thorough consentration and endless silence or was it her concern and the impact of yesterday. Prateek figured it would be the incident and two insight a response from gauri he tried his best to start a conversation.
Prateek: Nice view, vaise tum lucky ho..tume window wali seat mili..i mean I wanted it really.
Prateek got no response from gauri, just silence..he didn't know if she was purposely avoiding conversation or was it really not getting through to her..her posture had been fixed throughout the 10 minutes in which they had boarded the plane. This was very worrying for prateek, all the way to the airport she had said nothing now it was becoming a concern for even prateek who was a doctor..he was ment to be familiar with cases of depression but maybe the fact that gauri was close to him and not just a regular patient was making him feel this way. Hesitantly he tried again…
"gauri??" after a short pause gauri seemed to have registered and looked towards prateek. Seeing distress on gauris face had the same impact within prateek but he phased it with a smile.
Prateek: "Tum theek ho naa gauri?"
Gauri: Woh sorry..mein
Prateek: No its ok, Atcha hamari flight sirf doe ghante ki hai..then we will be in delhi. Seeing gauri still deep within her thoughts prateek tries to console her "Mein janta hoon gauri kal jo hua..usne purani .yadon ko.." before prateek could finish an airshostess made her way towards them with a trolley of drinks
Airhostess: "drinks?? Sir, madam"
Prateek: Yey can I have an soft drink please, looking towards gauri he also asked her "gauri tum kuch lo gi??
Gauri: no thanks…prateek took his drink and the airhostess moved down the row.Zipping his drink which looked to be something along the lines of cola prateek asked gauri again
"Are you sure tumhe kuch nahin chahyey?"
Gauri simply nodded a no.
Prateek: "Ok…"
Prateek sat thinking about how he could touch upon the whole incident yesterday but then again thought to himself..was it the right thing do at this stage..when he had already spoken to shiv about what he had planned to do. All that was put aside because It was him who had to spend all this time with gauri and see her discomfort he really couldn't help it ..he was always the one who believed his patients needed time and space..and he had forever told shiv to do the same but today he realised himself how hard that was to do. He wanted her to feel better about things and throwing away all the rules in the medical guide to helping depression he gave it ago… "so are you exited to see shiv?"
Gauri looked at prateek and her expression was indescribable it was the same expression prateek was faced when he spoke to gauri about her incident weeks ago, the first time he had asked her to speak about her incident.. the same fear and nervousness..that uneasy look in her eyes.
Seeing gauri delve into such a state, prateek changed the conversation topic.
Prateek: "I mean it will be nice for you to see the home in delhi.." prateek had purposely changed the topic and gauri was well aware of why he had done saw..it was true she was uneasy even scared of facing shiv just because of the way she would behave when faced with him.
"Its really nice, tume pasand ayega" gauri although still concerned felt thankful for having someone like prateek and with that thought gave a faint smile to his comment. A smile which was expressed along side other deeper worries but for the moment she felt obliged to show prateek that she was greatfull for his presence. Prateek was at the time cursing him self worridly for mentioning something like that..and his concerns deepened further as he thought about the situation..
shiv ka sikar karne se gauri itna..Uncomfertable feel kar ti hai toe ..??? things didn't seem too good they were unfortunately as he had predicted and hopining everything would go as planned prateek kept quite thinking…
"Agar gauri ki yey halat hai toe shiv??"
……………………………
Knock at the door…which shiv misses to hear it, his thoughts had made there mark in his mind throughout the night and even after prateeks reassurance nothing had changed. Shiv was stood to the corner of a dim room..he stared out of the window but the view was the intrest thinking about gauri was on shiv's mind…there was only silence and nothing but silence as shiv dwelled within his feelings….
A second knock at the door… even the second knock failed to sight a response from shiv and a few minutes later an older looking man with a tray walks in..
"Sahib aap ke leiye coffee", kaka stands at the entrance of the room for a second awaiting for shiv's response. The room looked to be his study. Filled with bookselved cabinets, the room seemed neat and tidily, a desk sat the centre of the room and on top of it sat shiv's laptop and paperwork.
There was no response from shiv, the man who appeared to be an employee walked into the room and left the cup of coffee on the desk.
"sahib..lagta hai ke aap raat bhar nahin soyey, kya mein naasta banadoon?"
It was morning and shiv hadn't realised his worries had led him astray to this extent ….
……………………………….
An hour later, prateek and gauri arrive in delhi and outside the airport a car awaits…a man dressed in a white uniform approaches prateek and gauri who are standing in wait.
Driver: sir aap doctor prateek ho. The man looked at prateek with a questioning expression.
Prateek: "Ji haa, you must me our driver right???" Prateek gives the driver a smile..vaise thanks magar aap ja sakte ho, I would like to drive..the driver looked at prateek questioningly don't worry mein yaha ke raste achi tara se jaanta hoon so leave It to me.
Gauri: prateek aap???
"Don't worry gauri…" prateek opens the car door for gauri to get inside and seeing prateek al l knowing type of grin doesn't question him. Half an hour into the journey and they had nearly reached there destination..the journey like the time spent on the flight was silent, prateek was hoping that gauri may talk to him about her feelings but nothing of the sort had happened It was all him talking, talking about family trips to delhi in shiv and his college days..to god knows what else…prateek conversation topics always seemed to thread off into different areas, things that were totally unrelated.
"Here we are", they drove into a driveway of what seemed to be a version of kapoor, much smaller but it has the same look, lavish. Prateek was just about to open the door to step outside of the driver seat when gauri stopped him …
Gauri: "prateek", prateek took a look to his side to be faced again by gauris distressed expression which prateek smiled at…
Prateek: "humm"
Gauri: "kya aap une bataoge.. kal..jo hua…" gauri hadn't finished but prateek new what she was asking him.
Prateek: "Gauri, shiv tumara pati hai, mere khyal se tume use aisi baat chupani nahi chayey, agar tum use kehna chahti ho toe.."
Gauri: "Nahi…aap please", the fact that she wanted him to tell shiv..revealed her feelings and deep down inside she new it would be impossible for her to tell shiv.
Prateek: "Ok no problem", prateek gave gauri a smile.. but inside he felt guilty for lying to her, the truth was that he already new well new most of it anyway and what he was planning to do..he was hiding from her. But thinking that this was the best thing to do..the beat thing for gauri, prateek brushed the thought away.
Kaka awaited at the entrance of the house to greet both prateek and gauri and on entering gauri was faced with a spacious lounge..but it was different to Kapoor mansion it was simplistic more like a hotel apartment more than anything…a nicely decorated lounge and in the centre sat a coffee table a seating area and a hallway which seemed to lead off the other room. Gauri walked into the room looking around as you would do when in an unfamiliar environment. A few seconds later prateek walked in with a file which was supposedly meant for shiv and luggage which was only one bag between them. Seeing gauri looking a little lost…stood looking around the room..
Prateek: "Are gauri, you ok..mein shiv ko dhund ke aata hoon tab tak tum behto, kya baat hai you nervous..Don't worry woh wahi insaan hai jisne tumse shaadhi ki and don't worry mein use baat karoonga naa kal ke bare mein"
Gauri still seemed a little unsure and out of place but did as Prateek said and took a seat on the sofa whilst curiously looking around the room, she began to think nervously upon how Shiv would react when he found out about yesterdays incident, how she would react when faced with him. She didn't want to let him down by being all awkward around him…but she couldn't help her feelings. She began to think deeply into why she was even her, she had thought about It before but it was more of concern now that she was going to see Shiv. There was no real need for her to be there, if shiv needed paper work then Prateek could have easily bought it..why insist upon her coming. The thought made gauri really very nervous but there was that one side of her that felt happy that she would see shiv but again it was all drowned by fear anxiousness. Gauri sat quietly contemplating her thoughts fiddling with the duppata of her dress nervously. Thinking this very moment Prateek would be telling shiv about her encounter with samar.
In search of shiv, prateek walked towards shiv's room, he new the house well..he had spent many college breaks there in the past. Walking down past an array of rooms prateek bumps into kaka, he was the man who looked after the house..elderly but prateek was fond of him and never forgot him from his first ever visit to dehli.
Prateek: "Kaka, shiv kaha hai??"
Kaka: "Ji shiv saab, shayad study mein hai..pata nahin woh kal raat se waha se bahar nahin aye. Nahin woh soyey hai naa kuch khaya hai. mein abhi une batane jaaraha tha ke aap aagayey hai."
Prateek contemplated on kakas words and as he expected Shiv was in a state of his own..maybe speaking to him was the wrong thing to do. Knowing shiv very well Prateek should have thought of this earier shiv kapoor was intensnse when it came to emotions and especially when it came to his loved ones..the pain he felt for them was always greater than the ones who were hurt.
Prateek: "Nahin kaka, mein dekhta hoon..aap gauri ka khyal rakhey woh lounge mein bethi hue hai."
Kaka: "Ji" with that kaka left prateek to it and prateek made his way down the corridor to the study. On entering prateek found shiv sitting at his staring at a photograph, a photograph which he assumed would be of gauri and he was right. Prateek had walked into the room and shiv hadn't noticed, he had even taken a seat and he still hadn't noticed. Prateek noticed how shiv looked rather out of place or ruff even and as kaka had told him shiv hadn't slept and his appearance backed that comment up. He looked exhausted..his eyes had faded to a shade of red and the unshaven look said it all.
Prateek: Shiv?
Shiv snaps out of his trance and realises prateeks presence, prateek tum kab ayey, mein woh… shiv tried to hide his worry under a composed sort of surprised look. "Sorry pata nahin chala tum kab ayey."
Gauri ke photo dekh rahe the.. prateek could see the sate shiv was in and also the fact that being shiv kapoor he would try to hide it..but it was all visible.
Shiv: "Nahi woh actually, gauri kaha hai..mein use milna chahta hoon", shiv's exitment to see gauri could be seen amongst the sadness on his face.
Prateek: "Woh bahar hai", on prateek mentioning that gauri was outside shiv was about to rise from his chair and make his move out of the room when prateek stopped him.
"Nahin shiv aise nahin"
Shiv's expression amounted to even more worry the was already visible, "kuyn woh theek toe hai naa???"
Prateek: "Sit down shiv, mein tumse kuch baat karna chahta hoon."
Shiv: "What prateek?, kal toe tumne muje kaha tha ke samar..mein gauri se milna chahta hoon"
Prateek: "Shiv just listen to me..kal meine tume sab kuch nahin bataya."
Shiv: "What do you mean saab kuch nahin bataya?, kahin usne gauri ke saath kuch." Shiv expresstion was eadly seroious and expresstion which told prateek that if there had been anything along those lines he wouldn't spare his brother.
Prateek: "No shiv, meri baat suno" shiv finally gave in and sat down in his chair.
Shiv: "go on", shiv 's expression was uneasy and it was clear that all he was interested in was seeing gauri for himself.
Prateek: "dekha jayey toe its both a good thing and a bad." Shiv looked at prateek confused and prateek went on to explain.Kal raat meine hospital mein cc tv check kiya and the truth is that samar waha nahin aya tha.
Shiv: kya?, shiv looked at prateek in question how was the possible if gauri had said shd seen him then how can she be wrong.
Prateek: "Hah shiv, jab mein gauri ko meri office mein chodgaya tha tab woh akeli thi..koi nahin aya tha vaha pein. Tell me one thing shiv red roses tumne behje the naa??"
Shiv: "Hah kyun?"
Prateek: "Use dekhkar woh daar gayee, shayad use laga ke samar ne bheje. It was just a figment of her imagination shiv, samar vaha nahin tha..nahi ayay tha woh hospital mein, shayad gauri ne koi cheese dekh le hogi jise use woh haadsa yaad aagaya magar meine police ke saath bhi check kiya tha shiv..samar lockup mein tha aur hai."
Shiv: "toe gauri?"
Prateek: "Gauri ko sirf laga ke usne samar ko dehka that's it, kal ke baad uski haalaat bohot nazuk hai shiv."
Shiv: "Tum kuch kar nahin sakte prateek, doctor ho tum uske..kya uski dimaagi halat?" for a second shiv had be forced upon condisering gauri's state of mind.
Prateek: "I no it sounds very worrying but fear can do this to a person. Isi leigheyey toe mein use yaha lana chahta tha, I think ke this is too much now. Ham ne bhot vakt gusarleighy waiting for her to get better and she was magar.. is hadse ne sabkuch fir se khada kar diya hai.. magar" shiv was getting impatient.
Shiv: "Magar kya prateek"
Prateek: "I think there's only one way"
Shiv: "Kya what is it prateek , mein sab kuch karne ko tayar hoon prateek.." shiv looked genuinely desperate to know what it was, he wanted to help gauri in any way possible.
Prateek: I want you to persuade gauri to confront samar, hosake toe use samar ke samne jane ke leighyey tayaar karo aur mein janta hoon ke yey karne ke baad woh mental stability payegi..use ehsas ho jayeyga ke tum shiv ho aur woh samar hai. woh use nuksaan nahi pochcha sakta. Yey tumare riste ko bhi woh release dega. Mein janta hoon woh tumari baat manegi but…prateek paused in concern.
Shiv: "But what"
Prateek: "Meine dekha ke woh kaafee dari hue hai, tumare naam ka sikar kar ne se…"
Shiv: "Woh daar gayee… prateek tum jante ho..ke mein gauri ko pyaar karta hoon, behad pyaar karta hoon…badi mushkili se meine ek rista banaya tha uske saath. Its true ke woh abhi mere hone se nervous hoti thi magar hame hamara phela kadam saath badaya tha aur ab. …. US INSAAN KE VAJE SE GAURI.." shiv's heartfelt feelings were turning to anger and sensing it prateek intervened.
Prateek: "Calm down shiv, don't worry, sab kuch theek hojayega gauri bahar wait kar rahi hai.
jab bhi tume sahi lage tum use samar ke bare mein baat kar lena magar yaad rakhna gauri ke saath.."
Shiv interrupted he knew he had to be composed around gauri : "mein janta hoon, muje kya karna hai."
Prateek gets up from his seat and is just about to leave the room when he leaves a certain file on shivs desk "mein gauri ke saath tumara bahar intasaar karta hoon"
Looking down on the blue coloured file on his desk shiv questions prateek. "yey kya hai prateek?"
While making his way to the door with his back to shiv prateek answers shivs question "Yaha ane ka bahana", turning back prateek smiles at shiv as shiv picks up the file and opens it to be faced with blank sheets of paper.
Prateek opens the door to leave the room when he turns back, "shiv" shiv looks up at him with a little more relaxed look then before… "bahar ane se phele zara.."
Shiv knew prateeks gesture was in regards to his look, he looked not at all presentable and it was time to step back into the world of shiv kapoor and be strong for gauris sake if not his own.
……………
it had 20 minutes since prateek had come out of the study and he had been sitting with gauri thoughout that time, it was strange prateek would try to conversation but gauri would hesitate and only reply with nods and faint smiles..all the while looking rather anxious. Prateek was really trying his best.
Prateek: toe gauri..kya.. prateek was about to make another attempt to get gauri talking openly but by that time shiv had made his way into the room which prateek noticed but gauri failed to see, still lost in her deep thoughts she was oblivious.
Shiv walked in looking more himself, with a clean and tidy shaved appearance and prateek new whatever shiv felt inside was to some extent was kept inside..he wouldn't let his shiv kapoor reputation down and the formal appearance said it all. Shiv was dressed formally yet slightly relaxed compared to his usual attire. A crisp white shirt and to go with it his shiv kapoor smile, only prateek new that under all that shiv was feeling as deeply hurt as gauri but he covered it up so well that even prateek was unsure, was this the same shiv he had spoken to minuets ago.
Prateek: "Lo shiv aagaya" and it was then that gauri became aware of it, she took a glance up from fiddling with her dress in anticipation and her nerves had hit the extent to which they could reach, there was a fear that could be seen on her face and she instantly got up from her seat on seeing shiv.
Gauri stood in sheer anxiousness with her head lowered, looked as if she really felt uncomfortable and Prateek was noting her every single move.
Shivs first look at gauri and he was thrown back and felt a surge of sadness go though him, she looked not only extremely nervous and scared but week physically..her appearance was something was not used to, it upset him to think that she had gone back to her previous state,,the one where he was the reason for her discomfort. He felt like pushing away everything and reassuring her, telling he loves her but he knew that was the wrong thing to do at this time. The last thing gauri needed was symathy and that is what prateek had warned shiv about..she needed security a sense of feeling that things were normal. Snapping out of his bewildered state of mind shiv put on as if everything was normal shiv gave gauri a smile and very naturally began rolling up the sleeves of his shirt
Shiv: Its ok gauri,,sit down, waise kaisee ho tum..did you miss me.
Gauri stood in her nervous silence in front of shiv stood scattering her sight around the floor..she expected him to question her about everything but he did nothing of the sort.
Sitting down next to prateek shiv carried on Waise jab prateek ne bataya ke tum bhi aarahi ho toe I thought you were missing me.
Gauri hesitated a little, "ji" and to help out prateek stepped off cause miss kiya is leighyey toe aayi hai, vaise gauri betho naa…ab toe shiv bhi beht gaya aur vaise ham hein joe plane journey kar ke ayey hai
On prateek asking gauri takes a seat on the other side of the sofa, she was sitting parallel to shiv feeling his gaze upon her and that made the nerves within her grow.
Shiv: Toe tumari flight kaisi rahi
Prateek: "good, good koi problem nahin thi
Shiv: "Aur tum gauri tume kaisa laga?", gauri didn't reply instead just nodded a yes. Shiv looked at prateek worried..gauri was really in a state and was doing her up most to avoid shiv. She hadn't looked at him even once throughout the whole time nor gave a worded response to any of his questions. Prateek gave shiv a resuring look asking him not to try and display his concern.
There was a silence for a while and shiv scattered his sight around the house, in search??
Shiv: "Kaka???"
Prateek questioned shiv on why he was calling out for kaka whilst gauri sat in silence : "kya hua shiv?"
Shiv: "Woh muje pani chahyey tha"
Prateek: gauri hai naa, gauri looked toward prateek confused like shed missed what was going on and prateek repeated. "shiv ko paani"
"ji", gauri got up and walked towards the kitchen, it wasn't hard to miss..the house way laid out in a smilar format to kapoor mansion. Prateek had done that on purpose and shiv knew it..gauri had left the room and shiv took up the chance..
Shiv: "prateek, gauri…"
I know shiv, mene dekha woh bohot daari hue hai, don't worry. Shivs expresstion was showing the complete opposite the wrinkles on his forehead had creased up showining his worry clearly.
Your doing fine, I know use aise dekhar your feeling bad… gauri was making her way back, her footsteps could be heard and in response prateek stopped the conversation. Gauri walked in with a glass of water and both shiv and prateek couldn't help noticing that her hands were shaking. Gauri silently took the glass of water over to the seating area and both prateek and shiv watched her approach. She stopped at prateek and handed him the glass.
Prateek: "Gauri muje nahin shiv ko chahyey"
Gauri looked up at prateek with a nervous expression and then realised and moved over to shiv all the whist avoiding looking at him whilst he didn't move his sight from her downcast face. Handing him the glass gauri felt shivs fingertips brush against her hand and she looked up at him for a second. In that one second shiv was acquainted with total fear and shaking gauri split the water over shiv. Gauri was shocked at what she had done and scared of shiv's reaction tried her best
Mein..sorry..sorry woh mein.. there was silence for a second and gauris expression was indescribable, tears dwelled up in her eyes..
Shiv wasn't at all bothered about the water gauris reaction was what was worrying him "koi baat nahi gauri..its ok "
Shiv's words did nothing for her…as tears ran down her face, her state was uncontrollable and prateek thought it best to step in and tries to console her whilst shiv pulls out his handkerchief and dries his shirt.
Gauri, gauri koi baat nahin hai, it was only a mistake that's it come on shivs not angry..lagta hai tum thak gayee ho. With that Prateek took gauri away to take rest.
……….having spoken to gauri and reassured her prateek returned 10 minuites later and on doing so shiv had things to talk about
Shiv: yey..gauri. gauri ki halat .. meri hein galti hai muje use chod kar nahin ana chahyey tha.
Tum kuch kar nahin sakte prateek! Mein use is halat mein nahin dekh sakta. Shiv conern was turning into irritation and slowly anger.
Prateek: I know shiv
What do you mean you know, tume kuch nahin pata tume aisaas bhi nahin hai ke muje use aise dekh kar kya mehsoos hota hai, pati hoon mein uska magar….!!! Shiv stopped there thinking his anger was getting out of hand..his tone softened…
Prateek woh mujse darti hai, apne pati se darti hai woh..mere cheha samar milta hai isleiyey darti woh mujse.. magar is mein meri kya galti hai……… kya kahoon mein tum bataon kehdoo usko ke mein chahta hoon ke woh samar ke samne….
Shivs words were really intense and prateek could feel his pain….there was a silence no one spoke but shiv looking at prateek noticed a shock on his face…
Kya hua prateek? Prateek expression was focused on something behind shiv and on turning around shiv caught a glimpse of gauri running off from just outside the room. She had heard everything??? What would she think? He had just made things worse than they already were and he hated him self for it.
Shiv: Mein dekhta hoon, shiv was just about to make his way to gauri when prateek stopped him.
Prateek: "Nahin shiv, Shiv, use kuch vakt doe.."
Gauri stormed into the room prateek left her in earlier, tears rolled down her face as she fell into siting on the bed. All she could do was cry…everything seemed to be falling to pieces.
On the other hand prateek tried to stop shiv from going after gauri….
Shiv, this is not the right time..everything will fall the pieces. Of course tum jaaon aur use samjao but at the moment shes not going to be in any state to listen to you.
Prateek was right half an hour had past and gauri had spent that time crying. All her grief had been let out in the form of tears and she was left still with the same feeling. Realising that she had been in this state for sometime and thinking about how she had runaway from the situation.. she began thinking over things. Looking around the room she was in, it was similar to the room she had stayed in at kapoor mansion a restroom to the side of the room, fitted wardrobes and a mirror. Her eyes falling on the mirror gauri slowly moved off the bed and walked towards it. She looked at the person in the mirror, she was looking at herself and she felt weak…she had cried and cried and still the same thoughts were going through her mind. The thoughts regarding this fear she had and she hated it and hated herself for feeling like this but couldn't help it… shiv's words came back to her causing her an immense amount of pain…
apne pati se darti hai woh..mere cheha samar milta hai isleiyey darti woh mujse.. is mein meri kya galti hai prateek………
"meri yey haalat une dard pochati hai, meri vajese woh pareshaan hai..sab meri vaje se. " gauri was really hurt she felt guilty that her husband was being punished for something that somebody else had done. She hated herself for feeling that fear.. dwelling over that guilt gauri recalled how shiv was talking about samar?? ….
mein chahta hoon ke woh samar ke pass …
Gauri had misunderstood, she hadn't heard the full conversation and this misunderstanding bought with it a fear that was above everything she felt..shiv of all people wanted her to…..
The very thought shocked her, upset her and tears began to reform.
There was a knock at the door and second later prateek walked in slowly..
Prateek: Gauri kya mein andar aa sakta hoon?
Gauri nodded a yes wiping away her tears and prateek entered the room.
Prateek:Mein tume khane ke leighyey bulane aya tha aur yey dene, prateek was carrying the luggage bag..meine socha ke shayad tum fresh hona chahogi. Change karna chahogi toe.
Gauri nodded a yes and walked towards prateek taking the bag from him.
Prateek: Vaise tum theek ho naa gauri? Prateek knew she was far from ok and she needed to talk to shiv but there was no harm in asking.
Gauri didn't answer and prateek didn't push her for one he simply left her to it.
………………
prateek had been waiting at the dining table for a while and shiv was getting impatient with worry pacing the room ever since gauri had overheard there conversation and left.
Shiv: Tumne kaha woh aa rahi hai prateek
Prateek: Yes she is, woh fresh ho ne gayi hai
Shiv: I think muje use baat karni chahyey
Shiv when everything cools down, tab tum use explain kar na.
………………………….
Meanwhile gauri had somewhat pulled her self out of her state but fear still clouded her mind as well as what shiv thought of her still loomed as a question and recalling him mentioning samar was something that was so disturbing she dreaded to think of it. Walking out of the restroom having showered and changed into a new dress, this time of a deep red shade gauri made her way to the mirror to apply her final touches and indoing so she was faced with her scars..marks that made her feel degraded and bought back the past she couldn't bare to see them for her self and reached out towards the bed to pick up her duppata but someone had got there first, gauri felt light material cover the front of her, she felt warmth on her left sholder..like somebody had placed a light kiss on it.. for a moment gauri froze and was to scared to reacted and when she looked up towards the mirror…it was shiv. Shiv was stood stairing at gauri with affection and concern but Frightened for a second shivs face bought back the exisistence of samar and to escape it gauri closed her eyes firmly shut. She was tremverling and shiv could feel it.
Shiv made an advance and tried to explain himself ""gauri" but gauri was far too frightened and moved away..headed towards the restroom and locked the door shut.
"Gauri, gauri..darvasa kholo, gauri look mein tume saab kuch samjane aya tha. Mere iraada tume darane ka nahin tha gauri. GAURI!!!!" look mein nahin chahta ke…
Hearing shiv shouting prateek makes his way through to the room and finding shiv pounding his fists at the door of the restroom questions him.
Kya kar rahe ho shiv
Gauri ne apne aap ko andar lock kardiya hai
Kya?????
………
Two hours later and it was late evening..prateek had managed to get gauri to let her self out of the restroom and he had explained everything. He told her everything from why they had planned to bring her here to the fact that seeing samar was an illisoun. Prateek explained that shiv was going to ask her if she would face samar to get rid of here fear but once again gauri felt distressed by that and resued to talk about it. Prateek reassured gauri telling her about how shiv was in total distress over her state and she accepted this and feeling greatful all shiv and prateek had tried to do explained her fear in regaurds to Samar and Prateek consoled her.
Leaving gauri alone as requested prateek and shiv are sat talking in the lounge.
Prateek: "tume yey sab karne ki kya saroorat thi shiv"
Shiv: "I don't know prateek, mein sirf use samjana chahta tha that's it"
Prateek: "Toe tumne kya socha hai..samar ko confront karne ke baare mein."
Shiv: "Nahin bilkul nahi" shiv sounded detrimed that, he had made his decision.
Prateek: "Kya?"
Shiv: "Tumne dekha ke uski kya halat hai prateek. Mein use taklif mein nahin dekh sakta."
Prateek: "Aur joe taklif tume ho rahi hai woh, come on shiv tum use pyaar karte ho. Patni hai woh tumare aur uske is daar ki vaje se tum suffer kar rahe ho, tum dono ka rishta uska kya..pati patni ke rishte mein bandhe ho tum dono kya zindagi bhar…
Come on shiv, tumare aur gauri ke beech ek deewar hai, tum kehne ko pati patni ho aur ek dusre se pyaar bhi karte ho..yey ek rukavat hai jo gauri ke daar tootne se mit sakti hai."
Gauri walks into the room and stops by the entrance but prateek and shiv fail to notice and carry on with there conversation.
Shiv: "Prateek mein zindagi bhar aisi deewar ke saath jee sakta hoon magar pal bhar ke leiyey bhi mein gauri ke ankhon mein aasoon nahin dekh sakta." Shivs words were really genuine and gauri could sense her husbands love for her.
Aur meine ek vada kiya hai gauri se ke mein kabhi bhi use kisi bhi baat ka zor nahin doonga"
Prateek: "Even if its for her well being", prateek had a disappointed look on his face, he really thought shiv would think for gauris best but it sounded like his hart was doing all the talking and not his brain. It was usless argueing with shiv kapoor and the emotional state he was in prateek left it.
Gauri listening to shivs words was touched, prateek had been right shivs love for her was unquestionable even having caused him so much indirect pain..he loved to the extent that he had sensed her feelings..if it were to be any other kind of husband maybe he would have overlooked her feelings..but shiv had put her first in everyway and most importantly by respecting her wishes even if he himself did not fully agree with them. Seeing shivs love for her in this way softened gauri even more and maybe one last tear which had from somewhere was longing to shed made it way down her face. Gauri moved her hand across her cheek to wipe it away and In doing so her bangles made a soft clinging which drew both prateeks and shivs attention to the doorway where gauri was standing. Shiv composed him self and prateek bought to his face a smile.
Both just looked at gauri who was stood with her face lowered but her posture was much calmer than they had expected.
Gauri in a soft silent tone spoke breaking the silence "Kya..kya mein aapse kuch baat kar sakti hoon", Prateek assumed she was referring to shiv and made his excuse to take leave.
Prateek: Hah tum dono baate karon waise ham kal early jaa rahe hai toem, must get some sleep. tum kal subhe ready rehna gauri.
Gauri nodded a yes to prateeks comment and with that prateek left the room leaving shiv and gauri alone in silence..shiv was standing at one end of the room whilst gauri at the other end. There was an awarkd silience but It seemed that both had too much to say which led to this mutual silience. When the sileince was broken both ended up seaking together..
Shiv: gauri Gauri: mein woh
Shiv looked at gauri as to let her speak first..but avoiding looking at shiv, gauri didn't notice and there was another short silence before gauri realised.
Aap please, pehle
Gauri mein baas itna kehna chahta hoon ke, tume taklif poochane ka mere koi eraada nahin tha woh toe baas prateek ke kehne paar muje laga ke shayad… kher muje jaana chahiyey tha ke tume is baat se dukh hoga. Gauri mein tumse bohot pyaar karta hoon aur..doe dino se meine tume nahin dekha aur is vakt mein itna kuch hogaya ke mein….
Mein sirf yey kehna chahta hoon ke koi tume foce nahin karega, aur agar tum chahti ho toe is bare mein kabhi koi sikar nahin karoonga. …..
Im sorry tum, baat kara chahti thi…
There was stunned silence
Shiv had said it all and gauri and his words ment the world to gauri and there was nothing left to say she had a loving and understanding husband she had only two words to say..
Shiv: "Im sorry"
Shiv just looked at gauri with the expression that told her she had done nothing wrong.
Gauri: "Jis tara meine aap ke saamne…im sorry."
Shiv: "Is ki koi saroorat nahin hai."
Gauri: "Mere bartao se aapko taklif hoti hai…im sorry mein puri koshish karti hoon ke.."
Shiv: "Mein jaanta hoon gauri…tume aur kuch kehni ki saroorat nahin hai, waise raat kafi ho gayee hai tum jaa ke so jaaon."
Gauri: "Ji", gauri did as was told by shiv and silently headed to exit the room when shiv called her back
Shiv: "Gauri", gauri turned around and this time looking at shiv for a second before droping her eyes back down , gauri noticed a content smile on his face
Shiv: "goodnight" and gauri to replyed with a faint smile.. which enifitably turned that second into a sweet moment for both shiv and gauri even if gauri had dropped eyecontact at the glimse of shiv but that added to sweetness of the moment.
Gauri selpt in piece thoughout night with a feeling of secutity, a loving husband who cared for her and the fear of confronting samar no longer existed. On the other hand shiv stayed awake most of the night but even being awake his toughts were clouded by gauri..and when finally getting to sleep gauri had managed to conquer his dreams.
The following moring prateek was all dressed ready to leave waiting in the lounge on the room checking his wrist watch it was 8.30 am. It was nearly time for them to leave and netiher shiv or gauri were around..prateek waiting impatienty when shiv walked in all dressed up in a formal suite.
Prateek:"Good moring shiv, kya tum bhi hamare saath aare ho, prateek had questioned shiv having juged his appreance."
Shiv: Nahi actually muje todha aur kaam hai is leiye..doe aur din lage ge
Prateek: Theek hai..tumne gauri ko dekha?
Shiv: apne kamre mein hogi naa
patanahi magar ham late ho rahe hai, hamari flight athe ghante mein hai shiv..gauri walks in just prateek is about to finish. Shivs eyes fall on gauri who looks stunning, she looked herself today in a virbrant red sari.. still a little hesitant but much more relaxed. Shiv continually stared at gauri, loosing himself whilst gauri was stood silently aware of shivs glare. prateek noticed it all and intrupped the moment with a pretentious cough.
Ahhum.. shiv hame ab chalna chahyey.
Shiv: Yey ok
Shiv was longing to have a few minutes alone with gauri, say good bye and even make sure she was alright but prateeks rush made it impossible.
Prateek: Lets go
Outside the house prateek and shiv waited for gauri as she went back inside to pick up something she had left. Prateek was constantly checking the time as not to be late and shiv was standing in jis usual posture..with a sort of content look on his face.
Prateek:Shiv??? Kya soch rahe ho
Shiv: "Kuch bhi toe nahin"
Prateek: "Toe yey chehra,"
Shiv looked at prateek what do you mean chehra?
Prateek: "I mean to say mene woh expresstion gauri par bhi dekha meine, kuch kehti nahin hai magar uska yey expresstion."
Shiv just smiled at prateeks comment.
Prateek: "Is it some sort of code language, joe mein nahin samaj ta"
Shiv: "Tume jab pyaar hoga naa toe tum smaj jaaonge"
Prateek just looked ablious to shivs comment.
Prateek: "So everything is ok, is ka matlab tumne gauri se woh samar wali baat…"
Shiv just looked at him disappointed, prateek knew he would never go back on his decition and he was still asking.
Prateek: "Shiv abhi vakt hai."
Gauri walked out to where they before shiv could say anything.
Prateek "ok ham chalte hai", prateek and gauri walked over to the car..opening the door for gauri, she took her seat whist shiv watched from a distance and waved them off with a smile.
Having seen prateek and gauri off shiv walked back into the house searching for kaka, it was time for his moring drink..he looked around the house but kaka was no where to be seen. Shiv made his way thoughout the whole house and then into his room. "yey kaka kaha hai, lagta no tea today" shiv turned to leave his room when his eyes fell on a tray on his bedside table..walking towards it shiv noticed a cup of what looked like his tea and stuck beside it a post it note….
Yey aapke leighyey…
Thank you …muje smajne keleighyey
Mein aapka intasaar karongi, aapki…gauri
On the other hand, prateek and gauri were making there journey and prateek noticed how gauri had been stairing out the window smiling..there was something different about her, more relaxed content and that too put a smile on prateeks face.
Kafi kush lag rahi ho gauri, gauri looked at prateek in response and gave an even more expressive smile.
Actually mein bhool gaya..gauri looked at prateek questioningly. Prateek smiled and began to russle his blazer pockets whislt keeping the steering wheel steady. Finaly he pulled out a little piece of paper.
Yey shiv ne kaha tha muje tume den ke leighyey, gauri took the piece of paper and wondering what it could be unfolded it hesitantly. On doing so gauri was looking at a yellowish post it note..Simiar to the one she had left shiv.
love you…shiv
both shiv and gauris expressions were undisciblalbe, both looked apon each others words and smile came to play on both of there expresstion. Yesterday may have not gone as planned but it had been successful in bringing shiv and gauri closer…even the meer silence between them ment something to each other and this proved it. Even if tears were shed this moment felt worth all the pain.
………………………….
Precap: "sorry magar ..i'm afraid he's been in an accident, woh hospital mein hai."
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