PV OS / SS - Wishes and dreams - Chapter 8- page 20 - Page 13

by whatever, I fo course meant anything, even an OS...

I know that is why I said GREEDY much 😆

Tess I'm only kidding. I love it when you demand treats. It only encourages her to keep on writing and then we get such wonderful stories 👏.

And it's all because of your GREEDY Demands 🤗

Don't you ever stop doing that 🤗

A compliment is a COMPLIMENT

And I didn't read RW because of this. I thought I can pester her or encourage her to work on it but it seems like she has made up Her mind on this. 😭

Lets not force her. As long as she is working on other stories we are happy 😃

No pressure Bee

Chapter 7

The day things changed started like any other day. She was having fun in the garden with the kids. But they had boundless energy and soon she was worn out and went to stand next to Vidhi who was watching them.

"Can't keep up with them can you?" Vidhi laughed.

"No not by a long shot."

"I can't believe that Palak is almost 6 years old."

"Is it her birthday soon?"

"In a few days." Vidhi replied.

"In a few days? Why did no one tell me? We have so much to do. Firstly invitations must go out, party packs, outfits ..."

"Aarti" Vidhi interrupted. "She won't want any of it. She does not celebrate her birthday."

"What? Why? It can't be."

"She doesn't want to be reminded of how her mother died."

"What? But she was still so little. But I suppose even then my Palak was more mature than someone of her age should be. But still I will talk to her."

"Aarti, I wouldn't do that if I were you. Yash, wouldn't like it."

She looked at Vidhi incredulously. She could not understand that no one in this house had tried to get Palak to celebrate her birthday.

"Fine, I will speak to Yash then."

Vidhi smiled wryly but she could see that she did not expect much to come of it.

Later that night ...

She was packing away the clothes when he came into the room. He hugged her and kissed her in the neck and she giggled as usual.

"Are you going to be done soon?"

"I'm almost done." She said and she gathered the strength to broach the subject that she had been waiting the whole day for.

"Yash, I learnt today that Palak is having a birthday soon."

"Yes." he said and she could sense he anticipated her question.

"I'd like to arrange a party for her."

"Aarti ..."

"I know, I know. She doesn't want a party because of what happened to Arpitaji but relly Yash? She is so little. Every little girl deserves to celebrate her birthday. I will make it fun for her. She will enjoy it, I promise."

"No one ever said she could not have a party. She chose it. It's what she wants Aarti, so just leave it."

"But ..."

"No buts"

He walked to the bathroom leaving her very disappointed. She folded the last item and had an idea. She locked the door and went to the bathroom and joined him in the shower.

"Are you angry with me?" she said between kisses.

"How can I be angry with you when you do this?"

"Good." She said as she provocatively started soaping herself and then him. He was almost undone when she quickly got out of the shower and grabbed a towel and ran out of the bathroom laughing. The tension was clearly broken as he chased her naked from the shower to the bed to get what she has so clearly been offering.

When they were lying in each other's arms in the aftermath, she broached the subject again.

"Yash, please can I just talk to Palak. Please. If she says no to the party, I promise I will let it go. Please baby." she kissed him softly on his chest.

He sighed.

"Fine, but if she says no, its no. Ok."

"Ok" she said and got on top of him and started kissing him.

"And now."

"I'm thanking you. And you won't be sorry."

"Why am I not convinced of that?" he said sceptically but the thought soon left his mind as she continued pleasuring him.

The next day Aarti took Palak aside.

"So my princess is having a birthday. I am so excited. It's going to be the first birthday that I am sharing with you."

As was Palak's way, if a subject made her uncomfortable she didn't say anything.

"Are you not excited love?"

She shook her head.

"I was thinking we could have a party?"

She shook her head again.

"Baby, is it because of what happened to your mamma on your birthday?"

She nodded.

"You know that your Arpita mamma loved you very much don't you? And she would have done anything to make you happy. Taiji told me what a wonderful party she prepared for you that day. She wanted everything to be perfect for her princess. Do you think that she wanted you to be so unhappy on your birthday?"

Palak looked up at her uncertainly.

"Sweetheart, I love you. And your Arpita-mamma loves you. Do you think that when she looks down from heaven and sees her precious princess sad on her birthday, that she would feel sad too. I didn't know her but I am a mamma too and I know that your babies are best gifts God can give you and you want them to be happy always. Thats what you Arpia-mamma also wants. Not sadness on your birthday. What happened wasn't your fault angel. Your mamma went to fetch the cake because she wanted your birthday to be perfect. Because she loved you sooo much."

She looked at Aarti, they both had tears in their eyes.

"I have a plan. Would you like to hear it?"

She nodded.

"You know how your party never finished that day? Why don't we do everything the same way that Arpita-mamma did for you that day? She will be so happy that you finally got the party that she had planned for you. All of it."

Finally she spoke.

"Will that make my mamma happy?"

"No, it will make both you mammas happy."

"And pappa?"

"Pappa wants you to be happy too. So I ask you, what will make my Palak happy. Being sad on your birthday or getting a birthday party and making new happy memories on your birthday?"

She smiled tremulously.

"You're sure mamma?"

"100%. But we don't have a lot of time, so you if you want this to happen you have to help me. First we have to get all you friends names so we can get the invitations out."

"But I don't have a lot of friends, mamma."

"That's fine. We will give invitations to your whole class. And those that don't come will just miss a fantastic time. And when everyone else talks about it at school they will be sorry they didn't come and they come to all your other parties. So will you help me?"

"Yes." She said now excited at the thought.

"I'm so happy. I love you so much."

With Vidhi's help she re-created the events of Palak's birthday 3 years ago, but just a little more age appropriate.

But Yash, was not convinced.

"I have a bad feeling about this Aarti."

"She agreed Yash. You said if she agrees, we can do it."

"Fine. But if it backfires ..."

"It won't. Trust me."

He didn't reply. And there was a change in him. He was no longer as spontaneous with her. Even their lovemaking was more subdued. Now it happened almost exclusively in bed and she had to initiate most times. She didn't mind. She had something to prove to him. She knew that after the party things would be back to the way it was or maybe even better.

But she was mistaken.

In her attempt to recreate the event, she wore the saree he gave her Arpita for Palak's birthday.

Yash, was not happy about the party. He didn't expect anything good to comof it. It was almost exactly the same. Palak looked happy. She looked like a fairy princess. The treats and the decorations were similar. But what rocked him most was Aarti appearing in Arpita's saree. He found himself having trouble distinguishing between whether it was Aarti or Arpita. But he kept his pose. for Palak, he pretended to have a good time. But it brought back too many memories and it brought his confusion to the fore more than ever before. the last thing he expected was for her to wear the saree, when he told her not to touch Arpita's things at the outset. As soon as it was polite, he retired to the bedroom.

Aarti sensed that things with Yash was off but she pretended not to notice for Palak's sake. And she succeeded. The party was a success and Palak was happy. But she had to go to the bedroom eventually.

"Yash, are you ok?"

He was standing on the balcony.

She walked to him.

"Baby, the party was a success. Aren't you happy?"

He turned around.

"Who gave you permission to wear Arpita's saree?"

"Yash, I just thought ..."

"Didn't I tell you that you should not touch any of Arpita's things?!" he said angrily.

"I know but ..."

"Why can't you ever leave well enough alone Aarti."

"But it turned out so well."

"Get out of that saree and jewellery now! It doesn't belong to you. I don't want to even see you wearing any of Arpita's things do you hear me."

Aarti was crushed.

"Why do I get the feelings that we are talking about more than just clothes and jewellery, Yash?"

He took her by the arms.

"I said take it off." he shoved her, a little harder than he intended to and she fell on the floor.

He was shocked at his actions but he could not get himself to help her up or apologise. He could see the pain in her eyes.

"So I guess this was more about you then Palak."

She got up and went to the shower. When she came out, he was sitting at his desk. She handed him the saree and jewellery.

"Sorry Yashji. I should not have used these things. I only did it for Palak. But now I know where I stand. I won't touch Arpitaji's things again. Any of it." she said.

It was clear to him what she meant, she was wearing her sleep sari and she went to lie on her side of the bed and switched off the bedside lamp. He knew she was crying. He couldn't console her. How could he when he didn't know how he felt. What could he say? Was he sorry for his actions? He wasn't even sure. Was he angry? He thought he was but now he was not so sure anymore. He wished he could make sense of his own feelings. But he couldn't. So he just got into bed and pretended to sleep as she did.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Really? Really Yash? You think I would do that?"

"Well you are so desperate to gain Palak's trust and for her to gain confidence to go through to the next round of the competition?"

"To Ansh's detriment?" she asked angrily.

"Who else would do it then? It's only family here?"

"Oh I see? Only family. I am the outsider right, so it had to me."

"Aarti, I didn't mean it like that."

"I know exactly what you meant" she said and walked away from him.

She was so hurt by his accusations. And having implied that she was not family? She had thought that they had gotten far beyond this point where the children were concerned. She had thought they had come to an agreement after the kidnapping fiasco. But apparently not. She walked off but she did not know where to go. There was really no place for her here. She want to sit on the swing in the garden and thought of how they got here.

Flashback:

She was in the kid's room getting them ready for bed.

"Where's Palak?"

"Don't know Mamma. She didn't play with us at all this afternoon." said Payal

"She was quiet since we came from school." Said Ansh.

"Ok, you too get to bed I will find her."

She eventually found her in the spare room, reciting something in the mirror. She stopped immediately when she saw Aarti.

"Honey, what are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"But I just heard you ..."

"I wasn't doing anything." she said a little aggressively.

"Ok, honey. But if you need to talk you know I am here for you."

She looked at Aarti uncertainly, as if she wanted to tell her something but then changed her mind.

"Yes, mamma." and she left the room.

She was still thinking about it later when she was ironing in the bedroom. In fact she was so deep in thought that she didn't even realise that she was busy burning one of Yash's shirts.

"Aartjii. Aartiji. What are you doing?" he literally took the iron out of her hand and switched it off.

"I'm so sorry Yashji. I will get you another." she felt awkward as they hardly spoke these days.

"I'm not worried about the shirt, you could have hurt yourself. What were you thinking of?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Really? Then why is my shirt ruined"

She looked so guilty.

"I asked you a question Aartiji? Is there something worrying you?'

"No"

"No?"

"I mean Yes."

"Yes."

"I mean ... its Palak, Yashji. I heard her reciting something in the spare room and when she saw me she stopped. And she would not tell me what it was."

"Oh. I see."

"She looked so upset Yashji and she won't tell me what's bothering her."

"The problem is that she is painfully shy. In fact she has almost no self-confidence. We have tried everything but to no avail. Ansh mentioned to me that they have a debate competition coming up. It must be that."

Aarti went into her own thoughts again.

"Aartiji, what are you thinking now?"

"We have to help her Yashji."

"Yes, I know but we can't force this on her."

"Ok? But I want to help her."

"I am sure you will do what you want do as you always do"

He went to the shower.

The next day Palak came home from school even more upset.

"What is it my Princess."

"Mamma, we had to do our oral but she couldn't say anything and the class laughed at her." said Ansh.

"On no, my baby. Come here." she took Palak in her arms.

"Sweetheart, don't worry about it. You will have another chance. I will help you."

"No Mamma. I don't want to do it again."

"I tell you what. You don't have to do it but we can still practice. You know if you do decide to do it again. I will help you write the speech and we can practice."

She was not convinced.

"What if they laugh at me again? What if I don't win?"

"We will show them who our Palak really is. That she is not afraid of anything. And you know what you don't have to win the competition, I just want you to try your very best. Then to me you would've already won. I love you honey, we can do this together."

"Ok, mamma."

She practiced with Palak and she made her recite something for the family so that she could get used to having an audience. And that boosted her confidence.

Then this happened. Ansh came home in tears. The agreement was that Yash would help Ansh and Aarti would help Palak and they made it a competition. But somehow Ansh's speech was altered to a speech that mocked his teacher. They were called to school and now everyone was assuming that she did it.

Back to the present:

"So, Yash has finally seen the light?"

Aarti looked around and got off the swing.

"Buaji?"

"I don't think you can fool Yash any longer."

"Buaji, don't think I don't know who changed the speech. Exactly what is your problem with me? All I am trying to do is make the children and Yashji happy. But you are going out of your way to discredit me to Yashji and to the family at every opportunity. What have I ever done to you?"

"Why do you get to have another chance? You, a divorcee? I don't know how bhayia could allow this. When I was widowed, no one ever thought that I deserved a second chance, a second marriage. I was still young when I was widowed. I could have had another husband and children. But it was not done. Yet here you come, divorced and with your brat and think you can just carry on happily. Why can you be happy if I can't be?"

"Buaji, I am sorry. I am sorry that your life turned out like it did. I can understand how feel and that you must be unhappy, but more than making me unhappy, you are hurting the children. That is unforgivable."

"You have no idea how I feel. What I have been through, what it is to be this lonely."

"Sorry, Buaji, I didn't mean to imply that. Buaji, I beg you, for Yashji's sake, for the children's sake, let us try and make peace. You love them too don't you? Please."

"Aartiji?" It was Yash. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing Yashji. Buaji and I were just discussing how we are going to remedy this situation. Isn't that so Buaji?"

"Yes" she said.

"Aarti there is only one way to do it. We will go and speak to kids. It doesn't matter who is at fault."

"Ok."

It took some convincing but finally it was agreed that they would continue helping the kids but they would memorise the speeches and not write anything down. The kids were not overly happy but agreed. But more than the kids, this latest event did even more damage to their relationship. The words that he said to her hurt to deeply for her just to pretend that nothing happened.

He realised after he had accused her that she would not hurt the kids like that. But he had spoken in anger. He didn't want to consider that anyone else in the family did such a despicable thing. But he was getting more and more confused. He was losing touch with Arpita. His memories of her were fading, even if the pictures were a reminder. Before he didn't need them. He loved her, didn't he? He promised her that he could never love someone else. He was so sure that he couldn't love anyone else. He was so sure that she would always be the one that his heart would belong to and now Aarti had come and she was busy changing his whole life, his whole world and his whole belief system. A part of him wanted to give in to her fully and a part of him wanted to remain faithful to Arpita for eternity. And these parts of him were ripping him apart.

So now I can finally comment 😆 but truly I was so surprised and touched by the thought you all put into the surprise for me. ❤️

Hmm so the storm finally hit! I loved that in your version Yash was not so self-absorbed he did not even consider how his actions were affecting not only Palak, but all the children. I was so angry at his rampage that I never even watch that part when I revisit those episodes 😡. Here his anger is kept to the bedroom so that the kids are not affected by the tension between them. I also loved that Aarti was not being Arpita, she was just trying to recreate the party that ended in a tragedy and give Palak happiness on that one painful day. Also, I like that Yash did not fast for Arpita in this version, nor did he perform a prayer for her anniversary. Subconsciously, he has accepted that Aarti is his wife and that to an extent guides his actions. But it is also his biggest headache...

before the party he did not have to confront anything unsettling in his relationship with Aarti. Arpita was cleanly in one category, and Aarti was in hers. the party served as a catalyst to merge the two and he cannot turn away from that anymore. now he is forced to face exactly what it is that he feels for Aarti, and just where Arpita fits in it all. he is confronted by the promise he made his dead wife and the shrine he made for her as a result, keeping her to live and not letting her rest in peace. if Arpita knew how selfish it was to make him promise that, she may have reconsidered because she was putting him and her daughters up for half-life.

I like that Aarti is not just accepting his deplorable behaviour. she is calling him out on each one and letting him know that he is hurting her. he is not the only one with a license to feel pain, and his actions hurt her deeply. she could accept where Arpita is concerned as hurtful as that is, but not where the children are concerned. he knows he wronged her, and he knows he has to make things right. for that to happen however, the battle within has to end, he has to accept what it is that he feels for Aarti...

Bua as always is charmingly bitter! imagine hurting children just so she could cause conflict between AarYa. but Aarti recognizes where she is coming from, I love that you retained her quality of trying to always keep the family together. she knows exposing Bua will only cause more pain and upset and involve the rest of the family. but she also let's Bua know that she is onto her so the old well wanted to call her a hag but I won't 😛, I will just say old woman will think twice before acting again...

But Bua's actions only highlights more of the cause for tension between AarYa. the air can only be clean once everything is out in the open and can be aired out... so when they do move on, they will do so for real 😃

am very excited for the next chapter! and of course this was the best gift you could have given me! 🤗

Aww 🤗

We had planned to give you your actual gift when you had lost all hopes of getting it 🤗

We had been planning on it since the day I bumped this thread 😃

Wow Bongie, that was a quick comment. This chapter is different in that it did not end happily but it's needed for where the story progresses to. I will try and update soon😃