I was ignoring Dhruv after that day
I didn't have enough strength to fight back.
I was recalling the day I met Avantika Ranganathan , the woman who reigned my man's heart even after death.
I was in his college for a kathak program.
Dhruv had hugged her and wished good luck that day.
After the performance I went towards the dressing room to see Dhruv already there but with a girl. My Happy smile turned into confusion at that.
She was beautiful. The kind of simple village beauty that will steel your heart. She was wearing an off-white churidar that day.
Dhruv introduced me to her.
"Mahika Rai ,my best friend from childhood. "
Avantika gave me a hug.
"It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you from him. Other than that i am a fan of your art. "
"Thank you so much." I said with a genuine smile.
"Mahi this is Avantika Ranganathan ,my girlfriend."
Dhruv said looking at her with a loving gaze. That small gesture showed everything she wanted to know.
He was in love.
She wasn't upset. She still is not. Avantika made him a better person. And as I said you can never ever hate someone like Avantika. She cared about everyone around her. She was a beautiful soul inside out.
Once she told me I'm sorry without any context.
Now as I think back , I feel she knew about my feelings towards him.
"Mahika? "
I went inside the room.
"Did you call me?" I asked astonished.
"Yes. Can you please pass me that bottle of water ? "
"Wait you are asking ME for water? "
"Yes" he sighed.
"Are you feeling alright? Should I call the doctor? "
"Har haar really funny. Can I get my water now.
I passed him the water bottle.
I went back to ignoring him.
"Look can we not go back ignoring each other? We still have about two days left in this hell hole. "
"Why the sudden behaviour change? "
He tensed at that.
"Mahika , we were friends from our childhood. I know I can't love you as a husband should love his wife but we still can be friends. "
"This is not some sick prank is it. "
"No .. " he replied.
"At least take this as an apology for that day. Let's be friends. "
"Friends. " I repeated with a smile.
Wait a damn second.
DID I JUST GET FRIEND ZONED BY MY HUSBAND????
*
Dhruv was getting discharged today. Veer Bhai and Rehan were at the hospital, taking care of the paper work. She and Dhruv were in the room. They were being decent with each other. It was not like before but it still was a start.
Suddenly a song started playing.
Sun raha hai na thu.....
Ro rahi hu mai ......
Wait a minute. That's her ringtone.
Dhruv gave her a questioning look.
She gave him a sheepish smile and attended the phone.
"Hello"
"Hello didi"
"Kaisi ho meri pyaar"
"Mai thujse nahi baat karne wali"
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki one week se tune mujhe call nahi Kiya. "
"I'm sorry baba. Mai busy thi. "
"Mujhe teri sorry nahi chahiye"
"Toh ice cream?"
"Ice cream theek hai"
"Mujhe yaha bula raha hai. Mai phir baat karungi. Ek kiss dedo mujhe"
"Muah. Mujhe bhi chahiye"
"Muah"
"Didi , aapko bohot Miss kar rahi hai."
"Mai bhi"
"Tata!! Mai pakka kal call karoonga"
She didn't notice an angry pair of eyes following her.
Arya was in the living room with dadi , chachi and papa ji , waiting for them to reach home.
I was breaking the pedicels of betel leaves for dadi ji to chew.
Papa ji was on his laptop and Chachi was reading a magazine.
We stood up at the sound of cars.
"There they come" chachi stated.
Veer Bhaiya was holding Dhruv's left hand as Rehan supported his left.
The three of them entered the house at the same time.
That's when I realised , I never saw all the siblings together in once. This was the first time.
There was no doubt in calling them royals. They didn't need any wealth or fame to be royal.
These three would be enough.
Veer bhaiya had the grace and elegance of a king. His head always held high and a fire of determination in his eyes , he could conquer anything. His neatly trimmed beard and those brown eyes could make any girl fall.
Dhruv Singhania was one of a kind.
He had papa Ji's broad shoulders and was taller than both of his brother. If there was fire in his brothers eyes , his reflected the unpredictable nature of water. She often hears about the beautiful hazel eyes and dimples of Gayathri Singhania. And he had both of them. A deadly combination on such a man.
Then there was her husband. Rehan Singhania. She didn't want to accept it , but he did look like the dark evil version of prince charming. His brown eyes , that were sheilded by his spectacles always reminded her of earth. The calmness and serenity of it. His clean shaved face showed of his dimples proudly , everytime he flashed that smile. The smile girls would kill for.
And the three of them together could rule the world of they wanted to.
Arya shuddered at the thought.
Aarohi ran towards them and hugged all of them at once. They hugged her back circling around her.
"I missed you guys. "
She said through sniffs.
"We missed you too vermin. "Rehan said and ran.
Aarohi started running behind him.
*
I went towards the kitchen to see Dhwani bhabhi trying hard to balance all the dishes at once.
"Do you need any help Bhabhi?"
"Oh thank God you are here. " She heaved a sigh.
"Can you please help me set the table?"
"Of course. "
Today , was the day Dhruv got discharged.
Naturally , after one week the house was filled with smiling faces.
I got ready and went towards the kitchen to make malai kofta , Dhruv's favourite.
I may not have been that close to Dhruv as I was to Rehan but he still was my devar.
We did go to the family court next day after visiting Karthik but things did not happen as we thought it would.
We appeared at court where they critically observe the petition along with all the documents presented in the court.
Of course the original reason was not revealed.
They were the Singhanias. The media are always looking for a way to defame the family.
The judge was a plump old man. He tried to talk us out of it but we were loyal to our stands.
Once the statements were recorded, an order on the first motion was passed by the court.
After this, we were given a period of 6 months before the final hearing during which we could talk and even take back the petition.
Seriously I was horrified of the turn of events. Even I don't know if I'll be able to do that.
Before we left the judge called me near him.
He told me " I see the love that man has for you. Try to forgive him dear. I'm talking to you in the place of your father. "
I smiled at him.
I was staying at the house for one more week. After that I was planning on moving out to my old appartment.
I wanted to tell our decision to the siblings Today.
We were not ready to tell this to papa yet. Dhwani didn't even want to think of the smirk and told you so of Ambika Singhania.
I got busy in making malai kofta. That's when my eyes found some fresh carrots in the fridge. Dhwani remembered finding a carrot halwa recipe in the kitchen cupboards. She rushed towards them and to her luck, they were still there. She got invested making carrot halwa according to the recipe.
*
If the chatter and sound coming from the living room pointed at one thing, then it was that Dhruv reached home.
Dhwani had finished making everything and was going to take a shower when Aarohi came running towards her.
"What happened? " She asked chuckling.
"I smelled something amazing. "
She tried to peak at the carrot halwa behind me.
"You can see what it is when you sit to eat. "
"That's not fair. You know what it is. "
"Of course I do. Because I made it. Now out. Get out of the kitchen. "
"Okay fine. "
I pinched her cheeks.
"Good girl. "
Aarohi replied by showing me her tongue.
I went to our room for a quick shower. Her whole body was covered in sweat.
Dhwani had arranged everything on the dining table with the help of Arya and started calling everyone for lunch .
Aarohi and Rehan were the first people to come down. Then they started fighting over the chair closest to the carrot halwa.
"Are you guys serious? " I asked sternly.
Both of them gave me a goofy grin.
I shook my head laughing.
Soon enough everyone was sitting around the table.
Mahika ate the carrot halwa first.
I noticed tears making their way down her face.
"Mahi ?? Are you okay? "
I questioned , getting up from my place and going towards her.
"I'm fine 'chuckle'.... It tastes just like Gayathri maa's 'sniff 'carrot halwa"
I was surprised at that comment.
Hearing Mahi , everyone started eating the carrot halwa.
"Dhwani .. idhar aa baccha. "
I went towards papa ji
He caressed my face and said
"what did I tell you maa? She's exactly like my Gayathri. The mannerisms even the way she talks. I knew you were a blessing to this house. Sadha Khushi reh"
My eyes started to fill with tears.
Aarohi chimmed in.
"I haven't eaten badi maa's halwa but this just too good. Will you come with me to London? Then I will have this for breakfast, lunch and supper. "
Rehan hit her head playfully.
"Oyye ... She's my bhabi. She will stay here and she will feed her devar carrot halwa for the rest of my life. "
Everyone started laughing at their banter.
"It's not that bad I guess. " Dadi ji said.
That was the biggest compliment anyone was going to get.
Dhwani was happy beyond control.
Aarohi called me towards her then whispered in my ears.
"Ursula bhi keh diya. Bhabhi tussi great ho" then she took a morsel of chapati and kept it in front of my mouth.
"Tofa kubool Karo. "
I giggled at her antics and ate it.
"Malai kofta kaise hai Dhruv? I made it for you as it's your favourite"
"Achchi hai bhabhi. This is heavenly after one week of hospital food. "
Dhruv replied with a huge smile.
Everyone turned to him surprised. This was the first time he was smiling like this after that incident.
The whole family looked at him in adoration.
Their Dhruv was trying to come back.
*
It was evening and Rehan, Arya Dhruv , Mahika , Aarohi and me and Veer were all gathered in the garden.
I looked at Veer. He nodded.
"We wanted to tell you guys something. "
They looked at us expectantly.
"We are getting divorced. "
"YOU WHAT??????"
∆
Even I can't believe myself.
Double update 💃💃
Okay so this in an apology and a gift.
I'm so sorry for not updating for two days.
And thank you guys so much.
We have reached 5.5k reads and 500+ votes.
I'm so happy. It was all you guys and I'm so grateful for that.
How was the chapter btw?
Why the sudden change in Dhruv?
What do you think about the brothers?
Dhwani is a sweetheart. Isn't she?
Do vote and comment. It makes my day much more happier.
As a gift for reaching 5k , you guys can ask me anything and I'll try to answer them honestly. Seriously , there are some really funny stories about this book. So if you ask the right questions you'll get the right answers.
Lots and lots of love
Aswa_maya
Because brothers don't let each other wander in the dark alone