PART 158
Maanvi’s face mustered up an unaware smile as the first soft rays of sunlight hit her side. She snuggled further into the pillow, feeling the kind of warmth she had always craved from, life. Nestling her head up, her cheek brushed against something rough, as her eyes shot open to the sudden roughness.
As her eyes settled in on the surroundings, her eyes fell on Bharats solemn face, resting peacefully as his soft breath fell on her hair.
Maanvi laughed recalling all the events from the last night. The beautiful videos that they had made for her and Bharat, ran over her mind. How Bharat had asked her endless questions about every small sight in the video, and had walked down her entire life in a way, with her. How and when theyd fallen asleep there itself, she could not remember. Not that she regretted it much.
Maanvi slowly tried to move away from him and stand up, but realised how tightly he had snaked his arm around her, as if she was the only shore to his sail. She tried to move his arm above her, to not break his slumber.
“Why do you want to get up so early Maanvi?”
Maanvi jerked behind at Bharats sudden groggy declaration, as he opened his eyes at her and smirked.
“So you’ve been awake all this while?”
Bharat laughed as he kissed her forehead and gazed deep into her eyes.
“Happy Birthday, once again.”
Her heart began to beat faster, a whole new flush of emotions coming over as tears of happiness threatened to spill over.
“Okay, thank you.” She replied nonchalantly, wiping away the small drops secretly. “Come on, Ive Made a resolution for myself this year. I will wake up early and make a good routine for myself. I can’t break it on the first day.”
He sighed at her as his heart melted at the excitement and joy in hers.
—
“3 minutes today Bharat Bhaiya, not bad.”
Bharat glared at Lakshman as he and Maanvi settled himself at the breakfast table.
“Oh come on, its her birthday , we can excuse them today,” Urmila chided from the side.
“You two, I swear I will..” Maanvi whispered as the elders joined them at the table.
As the others talked amongst themselves, Janak suddenly turned to Kraanti.
“Mrs. Kraanti, actually I wanted to tell you something. I initially had planned on staying here till tomorrow but, a very important project has shown up. The new semester is beginning, and there is a lot of pressure on our team. I am happy I could stay around for our Maanvis birthday, but I need to go back now.”
All of them fell silent at the table at Janaks sudden revelation. They had made plans for the whole family today, with fun and games, but they knew how important this meant to him.
“Dad, are you planning to leave tonight itself?” Ram asked.
“Yes beta, I will have to. And.. I was thinking if..”
Janak paused, looking at Siya and Urmila.
“If you two could also come with me. I was thinking of taking Maanvi and you, Siya, but I dont want to trouble her on her on this special day.”
“Tau its not a problem, I can come with you..”
“No dear, its alright. Anyways I wanted to show Urmila a few things there. I hope its not a problem, Kraanti JI?”
“Ofcourse not Janak Ji, they are your daughters first.”
He turned to Siya and Urmila, who smiled at the prospect of going home again, but at the same time, looked at the sunken faces of the others.
“Ok then, once we finish I suggest you start packing girls, we have a flight at 7 pm.”
Siya and Urmila nodded as they looked at each other silently. The time had come again, to be women of both the house and the heart.
——————
“Siya, let me come with you. Youre not fully well. ”
Siya sighed as she put her carry-on away and walked over to him.
Holding his hands, she put up a small smile, hiding the turmoil in her own heart.
“I am Ram. Hey, its only a matter of 3 days. Ill be back before you know it, and why is your face drooping?”
Ram tried to mirror the smile on her face, he didnt want her to leave with a heavy heart.
“I know but… If I could come with you, it would be good for me as well. Ive not been to that house in a long time.”
“I understand Ram,” she said rubbing the back of his hand with her fingers. “But you need to be here for everyone. You’ve joined recently and you wont be able to leave work like. And if you come, Lakshman will want to come too. It’ll create a lot of pressure on the others.”
“And to be honest Ram, I know how busy things can be this time of the year, so I may not be able to be with you even if you come with me.”
Ram sighed as he hugged her. Leaving her again, brought back a sea of memories he had pushed away, but he knew he would have to keep faith on her, and their love, just like always had.
A knock on the door brought both out of their trance as an attendant came in to take her baggage down.
Siya looked at Ram, who simply nodded and let her lead the way.
———
“Bye Mila, Im so sorry I couldnt come today,” Maanvi said hugging her.
“Hey, its alright.. And anyway, Im so happy to go home again for a while! Take care of yourself, everyone.”
She glanced from the side of her eye at Lakshman who simply put up a little smile, as he stood behind Ram.
“Take care of yourself and Siya,” Kraanti said. “And we had a lovely time Janak Ji, please do come over again when possible.”
Janak nodded as he hugged the others and sat in the car.
“Ok then, see you all!”
They waved at Janak and the others as the car sped off towards the airport.
———
“Di, I feel butterflies in my stomach..” Urmila said with bright eyes.
“Same Mila, we’ll be back at the University after such a long time.”
Siya paused, after which she asked her softly.
“Mila, I hope Lakshman wasn’t upset or anything?”
Her face softened as her eyes stared into a distance.
“No Di, I mean, he wanted to come, but I stopped him. Dad said he has to show me something, and I want to learn it properly. If he’ll be around me, I wont have a moment of peace. And Im sure he understands that. ” She let out laugh, yet deep in her heart missing the sound of his voice at each moment.
Just then, her phone lit up with a message.
-‘Ill call you once you land, keep missing me.’
Really, he did understand her well, didnt he?
—————————
Hehe, a short lil post..more Siya Mila in the next <3
DO lemme know :)
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