Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

3. What!!!!!!!!!!!!Why????????How?????????

She hears Rajesh sigh now – " yes...I understand...but still..all this travelling...away from home..far across the globe from us...plus all that time underwater with no way for us to know she's safe..until shes able to get back on the vessel...so often... really doesn't help a father's heart..much..but you are right El...we just gotta respect what is for what is...it makes her happy and that's what I care about too...,"and Ellie adds next smiling now wanting to better his mood – " hmm...so...what if I say...I know exactly what will help a fathers heart in this case??"

Raj asks looking down at her fondly after taking the last sip of his tea – keeping his cup aside - " what will??"

Ellie grins – " first bit being..stop...sulking for now..and focus on enjoying the time left we have with her on this break...k? and second – what if we visit her...during her break in between scheduling...Raj..like...so what if she can't..??you surely can work this around your business schedule. I am giving you advance heads up Mr Maan...you better make this happen...I don't want any last minute – extra work plans with Ajay and Vikram...alright?"

Rajesh grins at that immediately – " well...love the sound of that idea El...now now...I most surely can plan this well in time....what say..if we plan a mini vacation for just the three of us – in Bali – before Khushi's work project begins...there – just four days maybe...for that's the days free she will have...but it works..right??"

Ellie grins – " I like that thinking...keep brainstorming Maan...anyways...before we go off track with our discussion...let me bring back the context of talk...for which I actually came in here...Raj..,"and she shoots him a knowing look.

Rajesh takes her by the hand now and they both take their seat on the sofa around facing each other and Ellie says now her smile vanishing a little on its own accord, a more serious expression of thought taking its place – " so....Rupali is still hopeful you know...Raj...I mean...she's said this aloud to me often...in the context of Samarth and Khushi...just like Ajay has to you...and even though we'v maintained this stand for long..that let the kids take things at their pace...I have a gut feeling that she's going to bring it up again tonight...amaar and manizeh will tie the knot soon...as a mom she surely will aim to seek clarity on this accord for Samarth...and I am just wondering...and even though I do this everytime..how am I going to be able to wade this through again? given that I know she's coming from a space knowing her son wants to be with Khushi...and I have no choice but to dodge this again...knowing that for Khushi in terms of the matter of the heart...its..just...well... complicated...,"and she sighs with a long pause before she continues clutching onto Raj's hand too lost in the momentary worry to notice him going all stiff in his stance – "That boy...Arnav.. is so much in her system still...you know just last night...I spotted her watching the latest videos of his concert from last week...on repeat...and when she noticed I was standing in the doorway of her room while she was in the process – she asked me to come on in and she literally played a minute or so of the video to me exclaiming – Mum...his voice has always been so magical since day 1..look at how he rocks the stage...,"and she pauses again before admitting – " well..gotta agree with her on that...he does sing very well...anyways...so...what could I do then? just brush my hand over her head lovingly and diverted the topic towards her packing and stuff for this next project and we chatted until she slept peacefully on my lap...oh...Raj...sometimes..I just so badly wish I could just help her move on..or just help her forget..to heal.....but then...on the other hand..I also think..when it comes to love..we also can't really force these things..right Raj...??why ?? just why?? Just why did it have to be this way? all complicated??"

Ellie and Khushi were very close. The doting mother was obviously aware of Khushi's state deep within. And most importantly ,just like Khushi – she also believed the premise/events that Khushi did – for that was the truth in her head too.For just like Khushi – Ellie Maan was also completely unaware about her husbands doing in this. The doing – that was the only lone secret – Rajesh Maan – had ever guarded within his heart from his beloved wife – for he had known even then – she wouldn't agree with his action plan – at all.