In Neil's Room:
Neil and Roohi sat in silence for God knows how long. Even if it wasn't more than an hour, it felt like ages. Roohi had never experienced this awkwardness and so much silence with her Chachu. They fought and they made up. Whenever Neil did act his age, because the situation demanded, he did his job and when things got back in control, he was back to his normal self almost instantaneously.
There was no distance, ambiguity or hesitation between them ever before, which was all what she has been experiencing from the past one hour. Neil was too deep into his own thoughts to either care for Roohi being there or the food that he had to eat. Roohi tried as much as she could but couldn't handle the eerie vibe anymore. She decided to take things into her hands and approached Neil with the breakfast plate.
She offered him a morsel and the sudden gesture brought him out of his reverie. He looked at her seriously and Roohi blanched back. Roohi's expression forced Neil to compose himself to not scare the child away. He didn't want this incident to create a gap between himself and Roohi, but he didn't want to let this slide as well. Now that Akshara Sharma is in the picture, they need to be very careful regarding everything they do.
He also wanted to talk to Roohi about her thoughts on taking part in the competition. But he thought it would be better if he had a conversation with his Bhaiyya before he addressed that topic with Roohi. None of them were ready for another rebellion now that she got the Golden mike to get into the Gala. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to back out from such an opportunity which is self-earned. So, he decided not to create a mess out of it.
But he can definitely address the topic of her running out of Udaipur without informing anyone and putting herself in harm's way. It wasn't about whether he could or not, he knew that he should be having that talk.
He has always been Roohi's crime partner and she always came to him if she needed to pull a prank or had to convince her Poppy for something or even when she had to escape a scolding. He was her Go-To man. He had never disappointed her or given her a reason to not trust him with anything. It was absolutely against their code, and he wouldn't taking this lying down.
Neil didn't realize that he almost completed his breakfast as Roohi continued to feed him when he was busy thinking of what conversation he needs to have with her. Roohi set the plate aside and went to wash her hands while Neil helped himself with some water. He understood her fear and anxiety but even that doesn't give her the right to not come to them with her feelings.
He was often schooled by his Bhaiyya to not be so lenient with Roohi, but he kept at it. He wanted her to feel free to come to him with mistakes and seek out his help rather than worrying in silence. This time around, when she was so lost, she should have sought him out, but she didn't and she will have to make it up to him, big time. He will not have her doing that again. No matter what the demands of the situation may be.
Roohi came back and stood in front of Neil with a hope that he would speak something at least now. The moment he glared at her, her face fell down. Neil softened his gaze and pulled Roohi closer. Roohi matched his gaze and tears pooled in her eyes. For a second there, she thought she will not be able to pacify him, and she knew she couldn't handle his anger any longer. But whom was she kidding? Her Chachu would never push her to that extent.
Everyone in her family always kept her in the fore front while she couldn't even care to inform at least one of them about her antics. She knew that if she insisted, may be her Chachu would have tagged along, cooked up a story to manage College authorities and ensured that their father wasn't worried. She would have still had it from him for making him do this and also a big show down with her father once they got back but she would have given the audition.
Her Chachu would have made sure of it, and she wouldn't have to worry about other things and people when he was with her. He would take care of everything and even give her the moral support she needed to crack the audition. Even if she had to face the wrath of her father, she wouldn't have been alone. Her family would have advocated for her and even her Poppy would have let it slide a lot faster than now.
It would have been so easy that way, but she recklessly chose the wrong way and ended up hurting every single person who loved her. Roohi definitely deserved a Nobel Prize for foolishness for the stunt she pulled and the mess she created for herself.
Neil wiped her tears and hugged her to his heart, something he has been yearning to do ever since he first located her at the venue. The whirlpool of thoughts and emotions in him kind of calmed down when he felt her close, safe and sound, in his arms.
"Stop crying. Bahut ro liya aapne. Bas ho gaya ab." Neil ordered. Roohi wiped her tears and pulled back.
"Aap aisa kaise kar sakte ho Chachu mere saath? Aap toh kabhi aise nahi karte. I hoped ki at least aap samjhoge mujhe. But sabse zyada rude aap hi they. You IGNORED me!"
Roohi started complaining almost immediately after he broke his silence. Neil thought for a second and said,
"Actually, you are right. Mujhe aise nahi behave karna chahiye tha. That was out of character na. I agree. But kya karta main?
Maine bhi hope kiya tha ki baat kaisi bhi ho, badi, choti, serious, kuch bhi ho...aap hamesha mere paas aaogi. I never expected you to ditch me either.
Jab aap out of character jaake behave karogi toh mujhe bhi wahi karna padega na. Akhir hum partners hain...ya phir they?" Neil's sarcasm was on point.
Roohi looked down immediately in hurt. That question hit her right where it was supposed to. Everything her Chachu said was true and he had all the right to do what he did. The mistake was solely hers and she had no right to complain.
"Sorry Chachu! Mujhe sach mein nahi samajh aya kuch bhi. Varna main aisa kabhi nahi karti. I always come to you na." Roohi tried to explain her side.
"Jab aapko kuch samajh na aye tab toh aapko, bilkul mujhe approach karna chahiye tha. Us haalat mein kaise akele nikal gaye in a random taxi?
That too out of Udaipur without a phone in hand Roohi. Agar kuch uper neeche hojata aur hum aapko dhoondh hi nahi paate toh?
There was no way to trace you out. Woh toh hum lucky the..... and Abhishek has good contacts. Warna kya kuch ho sakta tha, kabhi socha aapne?" Neil chided her.
"Sab pata hain Chachu. Ek hi baat keliye kitni baar SORRY bolun main?" Roohi complained again. These were the liberties she could take only with Neil, and she just did. Neil glared her down.
"Jitna hurt kiya hain aur jitnon ko pareshan kiya hain, uske baad jitni bhi baar bolna pade unki maafi keliye, utni baar bolna padega.
Tab tak bolna padega, jab tak sabke dil se, aapko lekar yeh dar khatam nahi ho jata, ki aap kabhi bhi uthke, bina bataye bhag jaoge.
Is bare mein ek aur complaint aapki muh se, agar maine suna, maar khaoge aap mujhse.
DON'T BE A BRAT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE ONE."
Neil warned her but his tone wasn't very harsh. It was just enough to reach Roohi and she pouted in response.
"Aap bhi maaroge ab Chachu?" She asked cutely.
"Aap bhi maaroge matlab?" Neil asked curiously.
"Poppy ne maara mujhe. He didn't just whack me, he slapped me. That too twice" Roohi described her ordeal and pouted.
Neil was surprised. He didn't think that his Bhaiyya would actually do that. It's been more than 4 years since he last raised his hand to Roohi.
"Achi baat hain. Iss baat keliye toh aapko sabse maar padni chahiye. Itna pareshan jo kiya aapne." Neil announced and Roohi's eyes widened as his words registered.
"Aap bilkul pyaar nahi karte mujhse. Instead of showing sympathy ki Poppy ne mujhe maara, aap manifest kar rahe ho ki mujhe aur maar pade. Mujhe nahi karni aapse baat."
Roohi got irritated and tried to leave when Neil caught her hand and hugged her from behind.
"Galti karke attitude dikhana koi aapse seekhe Princess. Bahut bigad gaye ho aap. Bhai sahi kehte hain bilkul. Bahut zyada laad ki aadat lag gayi aapko"
Neil admonished softly as he pulled her cheeks not so gently from behind because he was still holding her from back.
"Fine. I am a SPOILT BRAT. Maan liya maine.
Aur agar Poppy ki baat sahi hain toh sabse zyada mistake yahan aapki hain. Kyunki sabse zyada laad karke aap hi ne bigada mujhe.
DON'T BLAME IT ON ME."
Roohi sassed back and rubbed her cheeks. Now that Neil was back to talking normally, she was back to having no filters with him.
"Theek hain. Yeh baat bhi sahi hain. Aaj se main bhi yeh cool banna, pamper karna, aapki help karna sab band kardeta hoon kyunki uska koi fayida toh mujhe nahi hua.
Zarurat ke time pe main yaad hi nahi aaya aapko. Pointless tha sab kuch. So, ab aur nahi karunga. Galti meri hain toh sudharunga bhi main hi"
Neil declared and his voice echoed determination. Roohi came out of the hold and looked at Neil with accusation in her eyes. She was so close to tears that Neil decided to put a full stop to this.
"Crybaby kyun ban rahe ho? Acha theek hain. Nahi karunga aisa kuch bhi. Don't cry." He tried to pacify her, but Roohi looked away.
"Princess! Aapne jo kiya woh bahut galat tha and you didn't even take me in the loop. Safety ka jaise aapko kuch padi hi nahi thi.
I felt betrayed aur mujhe bahut gussa aaya. Abhi bhi gussa hain. Aap rodoge.... iska matlab yeh toh nahi na ki main aapko jhoota dilasa de doon?
I am genuinely hurt by your actions."
Neil expressed his feelings genuinely. Roohi blinked back her tears and snuggled to him.
"Main kabhi aisa nahi karungi wapis Chachu. I will always keep you in the loop. Sorry for ditching you. You didn't deserve it.
I am really sorry. Aapka gussa ekdum correct hain, sabka gussa correct hain. Meri hi actions wrong hain but mujhse handle nahi ho raha hain ab.
Aapka gussa toh bilkul bhi nahin handle ho raha hain." Roohi sniffled and spoke while still snuggling to him. Neil understood her state very well.
He had been on the receiving end quite a few times for his actions, but she had more people caring for her and hence the army of people to pacify is much bigger.
He cupped her face and spoke softly, "Ok. I get that. Aap pehle promise karo mujhe ki aisa kabhi nahi karogi." Roohi nods and places her palm on his stretched-out palm.
"Kabhi bhi kuch samajh nahi aaye to mere paas aaogi. You will not suffer alone. Promise me."
Neil compels her and Roohi agrees saying, "Promise."
Neil smiles a bit and says, "Even I promise to always stick to your side and take care of you. Agar kuch bahut gadbad wali baat hain toh you will have it from me, and you will deal with the consequences also.
But I won't ever leave you alone. Promise." Neil solemnly swore.
He then wraps his arms around Roohi's snuggling frame and tightens the hug. Roohi feels relaxed in her Chachu's embrace, and she somewhere feels that she will set things right very soon. Now that she has her Chachu on her side. The smile on her face is proof enough for the same. They both pulled back.
"Thanks Chachu" Roohi said sweetly.
"Itni jaldi kya hain Princess? Abhi se mat thank karo." Neil commented slyly.
"Kyun?" Roohi asked naively.
"Woh kya hain na...hamari na ek partnership hain hum donon ki.
Uski ek deed hai aur uske according, agar ek partner doosre partner ko bahut buri tarah se ditch karta hain toh use penalty deni padti hain" Neil mentioned nonchalantly.
"Aap mujhe penalise karoge Chachu?" Roohi spoke in a childish tone and gave her best puppy eyes. Neil smiled wickedly and nodded by royally ignoring her cute face.
She sighed and asked, "Kya karna padega mujhe?" Neil acted like he was yet to figure it out for a minute and then said plainly,
"Zyada kuch nahi. I just want to install a TRACKER in your phone which will let me know aap kab, kahan per ho. But sirf tab tak jab tak aapka gift deliver nahi hojata."
Roohi looked surprised, "Gift?" she exclaimed.
"Kuch aisa hi maanlo. Maine actually ek bahut cool watch order kiya hain which will let me track you even when your phone is confiscated, misplaced, destroyed or switched off.
Aapko bas woh hamesha pehene rakhna hain ya apne saath rakhna hain. Simple" He came out clean.
"Chachu! You are asking me to let you spy on me!" Roohi raised her voice and scoffed at him.
"It is a penalty. Need not be something that you really love" Neil argued back.
"Chachu! That's breach of privacy" Roohi commented.
"Fine! You keep it with you, and I promise to not check on it until the situation demands. It will be only for emergencies." Neil offered a compromise. Roohi took her time to think.
"I hate this idea honestly, but I will accept it. Not because you called it a stupid penalty but because I know that this will ease your fear and help you to trust me back. Just for that!"
Roohi admitted honestly. Neil's smile widened and he twirled her in the air in happiness. He didn't think that it would be that easy. But now, he was more than happy.
"Faltu mein no snooping on me. Also, agar aapne is wajah se mujhe chidaya ya kisi aur ne chidaya toh I will throw it right back at you without remorse."
Roohi laid her conditions and Neil accepted whole heartedly.
"Maaf kardiya na ab. All cool?" Roohi asked for confirmation and Neil gave a broad smile.
Both of them could feel that they were finally fine and Roohi, could have actually agreed to anything at that point. She was glad that she got away with the bare minimum. Neil on the other hand was well aware of the fact that Roohi would have given in if he didn't compromise or accept her conditions, but he didn't have the heart to exploit her sorry state. Only a brat could feel so deeply for another brat's situation. He just wanted her safety, and he would now make sure that she always stayed safe.
In Akshnav's Mumbai Residence:
Akshara had just come back from Jaipur, and she was supposed to travel to Delhi again in a day's time to get done with the Delhi auditions. She was very exhausted physically but mentally, very charged up. Even though she regretted her impulsive behaviour with Roohi, she was happy that Roohi got through to the Top 15. The fact that there was no one accompanying her was like a cherry on cake for Akshara.
If her assumption is anywhere close to truth, it will help her case a lot. Getting Roohi out of Abhimanyu's protective circle is too important for her to win Roohi over. Away from her comfort zone, away from her father, Roohi will be vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. As far as Vikram's information revealed to her, she knew that the kids are very protected.
Abhimanyu must have been protecting them from all the harsh realities of life just like he once happened to do for her. It makes one feel very safe and cared for. It can get a bit suffocating at times but his love more than compensates for it. She was unknowingly carried away by the beautiful memories of the past before all hell broke loose which forced her hand and more often than not, she believes that she made a wrong move then. Things didn't turn out the way she feared they would.
But Abhinav didn't let her regret a lot either. The fact of the matter here is, Abhimanyu wasn't exactly a bad choice. She would never shy away from accepting that herself but would have to fight a war with her ego to send a word of praise for him. Now that Roohi might be a part of this show without Abhimanyu's heart felt approval, forging a bond with her shouldn't be difficult. At least that is what she felt after interacting with Roohi.
She had texted Vikram to do some research on the issue but hadn't received any new information. Even though she was hopeful of a positive outcome, she didn't want to celebrate early and suffer later.
Abhinav saw her tired frame and rushed to embrace her. He has been waiting for her at home because she strictly asked him to not come to the airport. He often never questioned her ways and went with the flow. That was one solid reason behind their soild marriage. She relaxed in his embrace and instantly felt guilty for thinking of Abhimanyu even for a second. No matter how loving Abhimanyu was, his love was not as accepting as Abhinav's.
He did a lot and expected the same in return. Abhimanyu wasn't easy to convince either and tantrums never worked on that man.
His logical reasoning compelled her to give in most of the times which is why she preferred ghosting him or ignoring him if she ever wanted to win an argument. Because that's the only way she could come up with.
Abhinav on the other hand is rather understanding and easy going. He is a breath of fresh air and ever since he walked into her life, he had her as his only priority.
His loyalty towards her and undying commitment won her over every time she decided to back off. So, she will always choose Abhinav over Abhimanyu if given a choice even today. She might have episodes of feeling otherwise when she got overtly emotional but deep inside her heart where it actually mattered, it was only Abhinav. No matter how good Abhimanyu was, Abhinav was the best for her. She pecked him and he twirled her in the air with a smile.
He never needed much motivation to get on with the romance. He fed her all her favourites which he personally guided the chef to make and persisted till he felt she had her fill. Akshara hated hotel food and he knew she might not have eaten well during her short trip. They lazed on the couch in their lounge, surfing through TV channels. Akshara was lying in his lap while he sat straight with his hands doing their magic as he lightly massaged Akshara's scalp.
"Aapne mujhe miss kiya Abhinav?" Akshara's voice broke the serene silence.
"Aisa kabhi hua hain ki aapko maine nahi kiya?" He answered with a question. Akshara smiled as this has forever been a rhetoric conversation between them.
"Jaipur auditions mein Roohi aayi thi." Akshara broke the news. Abhinav's hands stilled.
His mind was in a frenzy and was thinking of 100 ways which may have ensured Abhimanyu and Akshara's meeting, he so dreaded.
"Usne toh participate karne se mana kiya tha na. Aap itni pareshan bhi hogayi thi..." He tried fishing for more information without making his fear obvious.
"Haan! Usne bahut clearly mana kiya tha. Aradhna ne us se phir se pursue bhi kiya. Usne saaf saaf mana kardiya tha." Akshara responded.
"Phir aisa kya hua ki woh wahan pahunch gayi?" Abhinav's body stiffened and his voice was giving away his impatience.
Akshara was too deep into thought to notice the change in his body language.
"Woh aayi bhi aur perform kiye bina statue banke khadi thi for atleast a good 5 minutes."
Akshara was cut off by Abhinav's question,"Toh woh select nahi hui?" Akshara smiled.
"Wahi toh. Mujhe laga isne meri ummedein phir se jagake phir se dafnadiye. Aur main us per baras padi.
Jab use jane keliye bola sabne toh usne gaana start kardiya. Aisa gaya ki use seedha Top 15 mein entry mil gayi. But in sab mein mera hi kat gaya.
Kahan main uske kareeb jakar Abhir ko impress karna chahti thi aur kahan maine pehli hi meeting mein us se dushmani mol li"
Akshara lamented about her outburst while Abhinav paled. He was very relieved when Roohi backed out. He didn't want any scope of Abhimanyu and Akshara happening to interact. But now that Roohi is in Top 15, it is bound to happen even if it already didn't. Before going down that lane, he wanted to confirm if Abhimanyu and her met. Akshara's statement answered his unasked question.
"Woh akele aayi thi Abhinav. Udaipur se Jaipur. Uske saath koi nahi tha. Maine pata karwaya aur kisine koi security wale bhi aas paas nahi dekhe except for the ones who were appointed for us.
Aap samajh rahe hain iska kya matlab hua?" She excitedly questioned him. But the fact that Abhimanyu and Akshara didn't meet yet was enough to relieve Abhinav off his misery.
Akshara didn't wait for him to answer, she got up from his lap and faced him excitedly,
"Iska matlab hosakta hain...most probably ki Abhimanyu ne use zabardasti mana karwaya tha aur woh phir bhi aayi. Use bina bataye aur us se bhag ke.
Jahan tak main Abhimanyu ko jaanti hoon, woh itna easy going nahin hai. Aisi harqat ke baad woh kabhi nahi manega Roohi ki participation keliye." Abhinav looked confused.
"Agar Abhimanyuji nahi manenge toh woh participate nahi karpayegi. Ismein itni khush honewali kaunsi baat hain? Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha hain" Abhinav expressed his doubts.
Akshara kissed his cheek and said cheerfully, "Are Abhinav! Aap itna mat sochiye. Aapko suit nahi karta. Woh mera department hain.
Meri nazar se dekho toh yeh golden opportunity hain" Akshara claimed.
"Please batayiye Akshara. Mujhse aur sabr nahi horaha hain" He requested.
"Zara sochiye Abhinav. Jis ladki ko audition dene se nahi rok paya, use Top 15 mein pahunchne ke baad, participate karne se rok payega?
Jo ladki Udaipur se Jaipur bhag sakti hain, woh Udaipur se Mumbai bhi bhag ke aa sakti hain. Main itna confident isliye hoon kyunki Abhimanyu ko manane ka ek hi tareeka hain...
Woh hain bhag jaana. Roohi yeh baat already samajh gayi hain. Isliye woh zarurat padne per phir se use karegi.
Woh Abhimanyu ke khilaaf jaakar, bhag kar hi sahi...per ayegi apna sapna poora karne.
Yeh FAME cheez hi aisa hain.
Thoker marnewali opportuity nahin hain yeh" Akshara predicted.
"Akshara! Ek baar chakma dena aasaan hain, aisa baar baar thodi kar payegi? Is baar toh nigraani tight kardenge woh log bhi" Abhinav reasoned.
"Ek baar bagawat ki hawa lag jaye na, insaan mauke dhoondhna bhi seekh jata hain aur mauke banane bhi. Yeh toh phir bhi Abhimanyu hain.
I am sure Abhimanyu ke dil mein yeh dar zaroor hoga ki ek baar bhag chuki hain, toh dobara rokne se pehle bhi 10 baar sochega.
Use chakma dena itna bhi mushkil nahi hoga. Roohi manage karlegi. She will make it. I am sure" Akshara sounded very confident.
"Aap is baat se khush hain ki woh part le rahi hain ya is baat se ki woh apne father ke khilaaf jaakar part le rahi hain?" Abhinav asked the right question and Akshara looked impressed.
"Good question jaan! Main chahti hoon ki Roohi is show mein part lein kaise bhi. Agar woh khilafat karke aayegi toh zyada vulnerable hogi, apne Papa se gussa hogi toh woh sare negative emotions hamare favour mein kaam karenge.
Jab sambhalne keliye Abhimanyu nahi hoga, toh kya hoga Papa ki Pari ka?
Tch..Tch..Tch... Is buri si duniya se use aur uski komal BHAVANAON ko kaun bachayega?
Use toh meri duniya mein aakar mere hisab se chalna toh padega." Akshara declared coldly.
"Iss baar main kisiki kadr nahi karungi. Kisiki nahi sunungi jaise kisine meri nahin suni. Jaise main tadpi thi na....waise Abhimanyu bhi tadpega.
Uska jeena mushkil kardungi main. Bahut pyaar karta hain na apni beti se. Usi ki feelings ke saath khilwaad hota hua dekhega.
Bahut guroor hain na apne bete per. Usko apne se door jaate hue dekhega per kuch nahi kar payega.
Is baar toh Abhimanyu.... is khel mein apne bachon ki bhavanaon ki kadr karte karte kahi unse haath toh nahi dho baithega na..." Akshara mocked and Abhinav looked on.
"Kya kehte hain aap Abhinav? Kya karega Abhimanyu? Bachon ko protect karega ya unki feelings ko?" Akshara asked sarcastically.
"Akshara badon ki ladai mein bachon ko kyun kheenchna? Unki feelings ke saath khelna sahi nahi hoga" Abhinav tried to explain her but she scoffed at him,
"Mere feelings ki kadar toh kisine nahi ki. Main kyun karoon kisiki Bhavanaaaaooon ki respect?" She spoke in a tune mocking Abhinav who looked down in embarrassment.
"Meri ek baat kaan khol ke sunlijiye aap. Bahut baar bol chuki hoon...ab aur nahi bolungi. Ab toh karke dikhaoungi. Sun rahe ho na aap?" Abhinav nodded.
Akshara announced rather confidently "Jisne meri kadr nahi ki saalon pehle, meri BHAVANA ko undekha kiya...aaj use main usi andaaz mein jawaab doongi. Dekh lijiye aap."
What do you have to say about Roohi and Neil's dynamics?
Do you think Neil will come clean to Abhimanyu?
What do you have to say about Neil and Roohi's deal?
Do you think Akshara is right about Roohi taking part in the show?
Will Abhinav ever manage to look beyond his insecurity?
Will Akshara's plans really see the light of the day?
Will Abhimanyu manage to protect his kids and their feelings alike?
Well! Let's wait and see.