Hi all.. sorry for being late and giving a short update...
Tere bin na lage Mera Mann
Chapter 62
Mishti arranged her study materials..
Tomorrow she was going back to college after 2 weeks ..
Her absent mindedness was evident in the way she toppled things and redid the stacking of her books ...
Well..she never had expectations for the person who could be a dad to her..
Her meeting with Avinash Kapoor..her Mom's husband was torturously formal...with uncomfortable and half-hearted conversation and stilted silence in between.
He definitely don't want her in his life ...and Mishti smirked ruefully..
Her own dad wanted nothing to do with her...so she can hardly blame this man ..
But she had picked up the strained smile on Shriya's face and her beseeching looks to Avinash which he tried hard to ignore...
This reinforced her earlier decision to not ingratiate herself into Kapoor household.
They left the next day she came from the hospital.
The silver lining was Ashish...
Mishti smiled..
She could not have imagined a more loving brother than him and she had promised to be in regular contact from now on..
Since Badimaa's health was slowly withering Shourya uncle and V ma...both had decided to stay back..and the wedding preparations were at full swing ...there was barely 2 months for Ananya di and Neerav Jijus Shaadi and already the family evenings were dedicated to wedding discussions when Ananya too joined them from London via Skype..
Mishti powered her laptop...her eyes brightened automatically at the wallpaper...the smiling eyes of Abir...She took this pic when they were in Paris...and her face coloured thinking how the depth and meaning of their relationship changed from then to now....
Mark had come to visit her at home .. looking much worse than her...!
It was then she learned how Abir had totally discarded his work , forcing his entire workforce to keep several urgent decisions on freeze.. incurring a small setback in the whole business world..
She was verymuch worried about what Mark hinted and when they video called that night Abir assured her that everything was improving as Mark had managed the helm with Chetan 's advice and Neil's help .
He told her that even Piya was extending her help as she was home for a few days..
Kuhu called out for her jolting her out of her reverie..and she shouted back..
" Cominggg.."
***
As days passed Meenakshi's dilemma deepened ...
Her ambivalent feelings towards Abir and Mishti stripped away all the peace of mind she had when Abir wholeheartedly accepted her...
And to her surprise all family members deferred from speaking about them whenever Meenakshi tried to broach the subject...
Moreover both Abir and Mishti seemed to be extra busy in their own lives...
Abir , though he kept the routine of going to work and coming home after work as a fair routine, he spent considerable time working from the home...
Mishtii was as usual more busy with her studies with exams round the corner and visiting Eve-Tal often planning Ananya's wedding...
The kids Kunal kuhu and Kethu all had an odd maturity now after witnessing the mishaps of Abir and Mishti...
Kunal dived into his studies ...as Kuhu and Kethu...
And the three of them never hinted anything about Mishti and Abir ... Meenakshi thought with a sense of calm...
It may very well be a close friendship between them...and she need not worry or be ecstatic about...!
Meenakshi shook her head in desperation...
She wanted one thing and dreaded the same thing.. but her wishes were not important compared to the future happiness of her precious children.
Disappointment clawed at her mind as she hid her emotions under her usual impassive facade...
Nanu .. always observent noticed Meenakshi's dullness...and sighed..
He had always loved his two daughters unconditionally...
And stood by them in their every happy and sad moments...
It had broken his heart that Meenu had hidden her sorrows from him and decided to fight it alone...
They need to be open if he has to be of any help for Abir.... Nanu took the decision and asked Sam to inform Meenakshi that he was waiting for her in the study.
" Bapuji aap theek tho Hein...?"
Meenakshi's concerned words were met with determined eyes..
" Abir ne mujhe Mehul ke bare mein bataya...lekin tumne abhi Tak kuch bhi nahin bataya...
Apne hi baap ko paraya maanthe ho na...beti ka divorce hua aur baap ko pata bhi nahin!!? ."
Nanu's hurt exclamation was the last blow that broke Meenakshi's reserve...
Tears streamed on her face as she brokedown in front of her father..
" Mere pass aur koi Chara nahin tha Bapuji...mujhe apne aap ko sambahaalna tha ....is Ghar ko sambahaalna tha....aur agar mein sab Sach aapko batate toh aap bikhar jaate ..yeh parivaar hi bikhar jaate...aaj bhi mein isi dar mein ji Rahi Hoon ki kahin us manhoos aadmi ka saaya bhi humare parivaar mein na pade....lekin woh wapas war Kar Raha Hein..agar usne apna mooh khola toh...!"
Meenakshi shuddered...
Nanu looked at strangely....
" Aisa bhi Kya kardiya Mehul ne Jo itne saalon baad bhi uska karm tumhein pareshaan Kar rahi Hein..??!"
Meenakshi lifted her eyes to her guileless father ... deciding between telling him everything and keeping things as they were ....but the forceful need to share her burden spilled the secrets that was painful and with enough explosive power to shake the whole foundation of the family..
Nanu's face was white as sheet as he tried to control his shivering hands ...!
He felt his age in that moments...
" He Bhagwan..he Bhagwan..."
His quite lamentation was enough for Meenakshi to go upto him and hug him ... comforting him...
" Bapuji....maaf karna ...lekin mujhe aapse yeh sab batana hi nahin chahiye tha...lekin Abir aur Mishti ke saath Jo Jo Raha Hein yeh dekhkar Mera hosla toot gayi thi...."
Nanu looked at her dazedly...and shook his head as if to clear the thoughts that rushed into his brain...and mumbled..
"Abir aur Mishti...haan...Bache yeh sab kabhi bhi nahin jaanna chahiye..."
Meenakshi nodded unable to voice her dread as Nanu decided to do the same...
***
Abir looked around his office with a sigh of relief as Mark grappled on the with the files scattered on the discussion table.
So he was about to take a fortnight away from the job ..and some more time after that..
Ananya's marriage ceremony was barely after one week and he was going to be the last person of the bride's contingent to arrive at the venue...
" So all set for grand Indian wedding..."
Piya asked as she moved into his chamber..
" Yes and I am very much relieved to finalize the plans for Rajvansh - Accord joint venture..now I can totally relax for the wedding and see this plans attain fruition after that...Piya are you okay...? You look tired..will you be able to hold fort for two weeks? I am taking mark with me as back up..I hope your PA would liase with Mark .."
" It's okay Abir..I am okay...at the end of the day a girl can afford to be a little tired..and she has already been given Mark's contact number.."
Abir looked at Piya's evasive eyes...
" I will be meeting up with Saksham...."
His words did elicit an involuntary response from her...as if she was expecting it..
Her face changed hinting a bit of genuine fear ...and then she shrugged ..
" Well ..give him my regards then..."
She said nonchalantly...
Abir nodded silently... and Mark interrupted.
" Sir ...our flight is in 3 hrs ..you need to go home and I hope your packing is over ... considering that your family is in Rajkot..."
Abir smiled openly..at Mark
" Well...my packing was done even before they left .it would have already reached Udaipur ...I just need to take bare essentials and myself to...umm... Udaipur..'
Mark smirked at the slip that didn't happen.. understandingly...and Piya swallowed the acid of jealousy that choked her at the unspoken mention of Mishti.
****
Mishtii sat at one of the loungers at the sumptuous balcony ...
The days had passed in a rush ...and she was cocooned in the cloud of overprotective was...Abir taking up the responsibility of her safety and with Vmaa and Shourya uncle too staying with them has already eased Badimaa's concerns..
Life was extremely busy with organising a wedding with Neil and her studies...and yesterday they had double checked all the arrangements..
This was the one morning of complete rest .. after which she was going to plunge into the deepest regret of her life ....her relatives in Udaipur...
The first lot of the invitees were coming from today after noon..but she was excited not for them but for him...
" Wait for me..."
Just that text message had lifted her mood and made her confident to face the people who neglected her .
All of them except Abir had came to Rajkot a fortnight ago...and Kuhu had sprung the surprise...the next day.. after 24 hr rest for Badimaa..
The Maheshwari homestead ...!!!
Badimaa's face had crumpled at the view of her home ..with the torrent rush of memories.and Mishti was in awe....
Kunal pushed his phone to her pulling her in a tight side hug... ....Abir grinning widely with a sheen of mist in his eyes and it was then she realized the tears smearing her cheeks .
" When ..?How?"
Her shocked question was answered promptly..
" Last time we both came here I made an offer and they agreed after some time... Shourya uncle also wanted to buy back this property when Massima told him about living in India...and I just gifted it to Ananya as a wedding present..."
"Well Bhai it was not easy to keep this as a secret..."
Kunal's admission earned him an elbow.
"You knew..!!"
" Oh I know...!!"
Kunal said smilingly..and Mishti looked at Abir... understanding perfectly that he would have purchased her home for her even if Massima stayed in US...
His wink was aimed to make her smile and he had sighed seeing her face blossom like a flower in the drizzle...
Now as she relaxed enjoying the way the sunlight reflected on the river water she was curbing her excitement...
" Hey Mishti...!"
Neil plopped down beside her ...
" Are you sure Ananya want hydrangeas..for the mandap decor...what would you choose for your wedding...?"
Mishtii bit her lips in frustration and sat up facing Neil...
The first time he asked her how she wanted her haldi arrangements she had blushed and shared her small dream... they were brainstorming after all..!
But Neil was relentless in extracting her ideas for her wedding ..
" Neil...for the last time ...yeh Meri Shaadi nahin ho rahi Hein...Ananya di ki Shaadi ho rahi Hein...and whatever she wanted has been already decided on .. right.."
" I agree Mishti..but think about this ... if and when I need to organize your Shaadi...you already have plans in place ..."
" I am not getting married any time soon..and you already know even the bridal set I love .....so get off your dreamhorse and let me relax..."
She took the book she was meaning to read ..
" Abir..."
" Abir..??! Aagaya Kya ?!"
Mishti found herself on her feet as Neil doubled up with laughter...
" You are definitely going to get back for your warped humour sense..!!"
The book thudded on his shoulder as Neil guffawed again at her expression..
Mishtii felt foolish reacting like that at his name...but she knew Neil knew how much she missed him in these days..
Kuhu and Kunal followed by Ketki joined them ..
And fun followed...
Meenakshi and Nanu who were talking in the lawn.. looked up with contented faces at the happiness.
" Mujhe Piya se thodi dikkat thi....lekin ..Neil toh hamesha humare parivaar aur Mishti aur kuhu ke saath ache see ghul mil Gaye Hein... Nihaal ki tarah..."
Meenakshi paused meaningfully and looked at Nanu who was looking at her expressly shocked...
" Meenu...tum ..yeh..Matlab.. Mishti..aur Neil.. tumhein toh actual problem us Nirmala see Hein na..."
Nanu masked his shock and tried to lighten the talk...
" Neil apna khud ka business establish Kar Chuka Hein aur Mishti ko apna silent partner bhi bana diya Hein uski Event and talent management company ka.. Nirmala ki dakhalandazi Neil sambhaal lega..."
Nanu fell silent ...and Meenakshi continued..
" Itne saal baad Ghar lauta toh mujhe Khushi bhi Hui aur gham bhi....lekin in donon ehsaason see jyada ek anivaryatha mere Dil mein baith gaya Hein..ki kisi din Bache yeh saare Sach jaan jaayenge...us se pehle mujhe Mishti ki Shaadi karvaani Hein...Bapuji aap samajh rahe hei na..."
She looked at him pleadingly..
" Lekin Meenakshi..agar tumhare nazar mein Neil Hein toh...woh nahin hoga...Neil nahin maanega.... Abir...Abir Mishti see Pyaar kartha Hein...!"
There he said it...!
Nanu looked at Meenakshi's response...
She sat still...but the emotions that flooded her face made him realise that she had suspected this...and after several moments she said with a sigh..
"Bapuji...Kya mujhe nahin pata ...ki Abir aur Mishti ka rishtha dosti see badkar Hein? Lekin jab Zindagi ki kaduwahat pehle hi unko ek doosre se alag Kar diya tha...Kya Sach jaan ne par donon ke rishthe mein koi farak nahin padne wala??"
Nanu was silent...but tried..
" Shayad ..donon ek doosre ko sambhaal sakthe Hein toh.?!.."
" Meine bhi Mehul see Pyaar hi toh Kiya tha..Kya mein unki galathiyaan maaf Kar deti..??! Parul bhi Ajay see Pyaar hi toh Kiya tha.uska kya sila Mila?? Mishtii Meri beti Hein..aur uski Zindagi ki zimmedari Rajshri di ne mujhe dii Hein...uski Shaadi ek aisi Ghar mein hona chahiye Jahaan woh sukhi rahe...ek ticking time bomb ke saath nahin.."
" Abir nahin manenge....aur phir see Ghar mein..."
Nanu's sadness paused his words...
" Mujhe pata Hein Bapuji...isliye jab hum iss shadi ke baad vapas jaayenge toh Abir ko mein saara Sach Bata doonga... Mishti seh nahin paaengi..lekin Abir ko sehna hoga...aur agar use Mishti se aur Rajshri di se sachmuch lagaav Hein toh woh zaroor Meri baat samjhega...!"
Meenakshi said confidently and Nanu had no reply to this .
****
Saksham had been entrusted with the transportation of guests and Kuhu and Ketki were to welcome them assisted by Eve Tal staff..
Neil and Kunal were overseeing the delicate decoration for the different venues in the hotel itself chosen for the different rasms...
Mishtii had noticed an undercurrent of mutual indifference between Saksham and Neil when they first met.. similar but mellowed stance on Neil's part than Abir's reaction..
But soon they bonded over and she had to give it to Saksham for trying hard to mend his mistake in the past..he seemed more happy than last time she saw him and when she said so he had blushed a little...
The guests have started trickling in and she was in charge of room allotment..
Mishtii mentally went through the following days events .. trying to put her anxiety mixed excitement to see Abir in the back of her mind..
All marriage rasms were spaced on alternate days and in between the guests were to take full enjoyment of Udaipur's traditional beauty as well as trendy outlets as per their preference.
Tours were organised for the elderly and couples could take conveyence as organised by Eve Tal to the location of their choice..
Tomorrow was the settling down and a kinda icebreaking for the two families... Mishti sighed...Singhaniyas had RSVPed that they will join tomorrow..a small reprive..
Ananya di and Neerav Jiju have invited half the world it seems ..as she saw Saksham juggle with phonecalls even with Eve Tal staff for assistance..
Her phone pinged and she looked the message eagerly..
" I am here .. where are you..?!"
Mishtii looked at the automatic glass partitioned entrance with thumping heart and it skipped a beat as Abir walked in with Mark and Nihaal in tow..
Her eyes widened at Nihaal's presence and as Abir's eyes sought her his face brightened...
She saw Mark smile and Nihaal giving a playful thump on his shoulder before being welcomed by an ecstatic Kethu.. obviously this was a surprise to her ...even she had pressurised Nihaal but he said he can't take time off...
Abir walked to her and she too moved towards him...
A stir at the reception caught her attention and as she dismissed it she walked to Abir .
" Oh it's you..! Wow Small world... didn't know you were in India to attend the same marriage.This is awesome.."
A feminine voice was directed at Abir..
A hand extended to Abir as he stopped mid stride to acknowledge the person.....as Mishti stood still... feeling a bit off ..a strange flame rearing it's tongue as she watched the unknown girls hand held Abir's a lot longer than she could stand ...
Mishtii frowned as she waited for Abir to come to her ...and it was Nihaal who came up to her and gave her a friendly hug...
" That was mean you know...I would have kept it secret if you told me that you are coming.."
Mishtii told him expressing her sulkiness..
"Ooh..is this dull reception reserved for me or for him as well...!"
Nihaal raised a brow assessing Mishti comically..
" The him you are referring to is being well and truly welcomed it seems..."
Mishtii's eyes were now throwing darts at the girl who was gushing all over Abir...
" Aah jealous girlfriend syndrome...she was with us in the flight and Mark had exchanged his seat with this lady ... request for window seat...and Abir and this one spent around 16 hrs together..on the flight of course..!"
Nihaal was taking in with enjoyment the way Mishti''s palm fisted and she gritted her teeth...and Mark came up to her .
"Hii Mishti...this is my first forey into Indian weddings... please ..help me out if I step out of line anywhere."
"Sure Mark..you don't have to ask.. c'mon you two.. I'll open up one of the reserve room for you doctor..and Mark..this way.."
Mishtii turned and walked to the lift.
Mark looked at Mishti and then to Nihaal who was trying hard to mask his mirth..
" But Abir sir..."
" Abir sir can find his own way around...no need of me !"
She said haughtily and her heart dropped when she heard him..
" Are you sure...?! Because I am kinda geographically challenged right now....wow what a welcome..!"
Nihaal put a hand on his head in comical exasperation and Mishti thumped the floor in anger .
Mark looked at the trio with bewilderment.
As they followed her Nihaal whispered to a confused Abir..
" I just had fun riling her up and thought you'd make things right..but you just put your foot in your mouth...what a welcome...!!"
Abir looked at Nihaal in confusion . Then to Mishti''s tight face and his eyes widened in realisation.
He congratulated himself....in mind..
Wow... she's jealous..!!! Now she can have a little bittersweet payback for dangling Kunal and Neil in front of him..!!
His eyes twinkled and Nihaal shook his head in disbelief...
" Marvaoge tum... don't drag me okay...I want my time with my girl.."
***
After directing them to their wing and giving the key cards to Mark and Nihaal ...Mishti extended Abir's to him..
" Mishtii... how's the preparations going on?..I hope Neil can pull this off..'
Mishtii fumed at Abir's words...
They were meeting after two weeks and just as a girl chatted him up he is asking her polite innocuous questions...
" You can see for yourself...!"
She muttered fiercely as she turned and a hand held her wrist...
His touch mellowed her a bit and she turned to him..
" I need to freshen up and I hope you have already unpacked for me..but can you tell me where everything is.."
Abir suppressed his laughter as Mishti drew a deep breath and stood akimbo...
" Why don't you ask that nice lady to be at your neck and call.."
Her comeback was expected and he couldn't stop himself from laughing. Just as she turned in a huff ..he pulled her to him... hugging her from the back..
" Abiir mujhe chodo..yeh corridor..koi aajayenge..!"
Her anger dissipated to anxiousness..
" Gussa kyun ho rage ho..? Yeh batao..tab chod denge..."
" Mein kisise bhi gussa nahain Hoon. Chotima is waiting for you...so freshen up and I'll send you her room number..and this week's itinerary will be by the bedside.so that you have no confusion...."
" Ah then why don't you come up and make me understand it.."
Holding her wrist Abir opened his room and pulled a protesting Mishti in...
" You Know you look more beautiful when you are angry.."
Abir had dropped his laptop bag on the nearby cushion as he pinned her to the foyer wall...
" Your eyes became wide and flames start sparkling and I am lost in you..."
" Abiir...!"
Mishti's half-hearted protest was ignored as he kissed her forehead and and hugged her tight with a sigh..
" You know I won't look at another girl in my life Mishti...as much as I enjoyed seeing you being jealous of another girl for me I don't want you to have any thoughts on that way..I am yours... completely...!"
Mishtii looked up at the tender eyes looking down at her and upon pure impulse she pulled herself on her toes and kissed him...the feel of her soft lips was met with a groan as he kissed her back with the whole pent-up passion ..
Till there was a knock on the door.
***
🤗🤗
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