"She was a diamond and he knew how to treasure her"
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18. His Precious Diamond
FINALLY AARAV AND Shreya were going back to Mumbai. The couple was going back to celebrate Shweta and Manish's 35th anniversary. Shreya had decided to skip the shopping plan as they had to return Mumbai today.
"Aarav, I think we should buy something for Maa and Papa as an anniversary gift", Shreya suggested.
"Gift? Do you have any idea what we should buy?", Aarav asked his eyes trained on the road.
"I don't know... See let's give them something which will truly make them happy", Shreya said.
"And what will make them truly happy?", Aarav asked arching his eyebrow.
"How would I know?", Shreya asked irritated.
"Then shut your mouth", Aarav said simply.
"What? Aarav! Its Maa Papa's anniversary! We should do something special for them", Shreya urged.
Aarav rolled his eyes.
"What you want to do? Tell me", Aarav said.
"How about we call nani to Mumbai?", [maternal grandmother] Shreya suggested.
"Shreya, don't state the impossible", Aarav said.
"What is impossible in that Aarav? Nani leaves in Delhi right? Besides she didn't even attend our wedding", Shreya said.
"She lives in Delhi but try to understand Shrey... mama ji [uncle] won't send her to Mumbai", Aarav said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Shreya instantly recognised the sadness in his voice and asked him to stop the car. Aarav reluctantly stopped the car in the middle of the road.
"What is it Aarav? You can share with me everything you know that right?", Shreya asked turning her body towards him so she was facing him.
Aarav gulped the lump which had formed in his throat and nodded. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Shreya held his hands in hers silently telling him she was here for him.
"You know that Mom and Dad's marriage is love marriage right?", Aarav asked staring in Shreya's chocolate brown eyes.
Shreya nodded.
"Mom and Dad had married each other with their parents permission. When Mom had told Nani and Nana about Dad they met him and liked him instantly and the same happened with Mom. Both the families had no issues with each other except for Mama ji. When he got to know Mom was getting married to a C.A. he wasn't happy. Mama ji's friend was interested in Mom. He was a diamond merchant's son so he was comparatively rich than Dad hence Mama ji wanted Mom to marry him. Mom loves Mama ji alot but she couldn't sacrifice her love because of him. Mama ji wanted Mom to live a luxurious life so he was right in his place and so was Mom. She tried to explain her side to him but instead of listening to her he broke all the ties with her but Nani and Nana stayed in touch with us. After Nana died, Mama ji decided to take care of Nani and asked her to cut all ties with us. Nani wasn't ready to do that but Mom being Mom convinced Nani to break ties with us because she didn't wanted to hurt Mama ji anymore. We had sent the wedding invitation card also to Delhi but they didn't come", Aarav said as he cried feeling the loss of his half family.
Shreya's own tears made an appearance as she saw Aarav crying. She wrapped her arms around Aarav's neck and pulled him in for a hug. Aarav sobbed in her arms as he felt his Mom's pain.
"I know Mom had been waiting for them to attend our wedding and shower their blessings on us but they never came. I could see the hurt and pain in her eyes but she never showed us. She kept smiling like nothing was wrong just for our sake but I know she was breaking inside", Aarav said as he continued to cry in Shreya's arms.
He pulled away and stared in Shreya's brown orbs.
"They say men don't cry but I don't care Shreya because it hurts to see Mom in so much pain. Thirty five years have passed and yet he hasn't forgiven her but tell me Shreya did she do anything wrong? Was it wrong to choose her love over money? Tell me Shreya what did my Mom do wrong to deserve this?", He asked as fresh tears flowed down his face.
"Nothing! Maa did nothing wrong. She was right Aaru and she doesn't deserve all this pain. You want Maa happy right?", Shreya asked cupping his face.
Aarav nodded wiping his tears.
"Then let's go to Delhi. Let's sort this out. This will be our gift to Maa and Papa. We will bring Nani and Mama ji back in their life", Shreya said with a determined look.
"What?! Are you insane? No! No! We can't do this! You don't know Mama ji, Shreya... he... he will insult you and God knows what. If mom comes to know she will get hurt. I can't hurt her, Shrey!", Aarav said.
"Aaru, we have to do this and trust me nothing will go wrong. Maa has showered so much love on me without knowing anything about me then can't I do a little thing for her? As we need Maa in our life, she needs Nani in her life. She deserves all the happiness in the world because she's the best Mom in the world", Shreya said wiping her tears.
"Daughters are the one's who keep the family binded and its about time that I do that. I want to bind your family back together, Aaru please let me try this", Shreya pleaded.
"Okay... we will try but only once if we fail you're never going to bring this topic up. Am I clear?", Aarav asked.
Shreya nodded.
"But it will take nearly a day to reach Delhi", Aarav said.
"Its okay. Lets just go now", Shreya said as Aarav started the engine.
___________
THEY HAD TAKEN turns to drive the car to reach Delhi. They had finally reached Delhi and were now standing outside the Parmar Residence. Aarav had no idea how they were going to convince Mama ji and mend the broken relation between a brother and sister but he had complete faith in Shreya.
Shreya touched the name plate of the apartment. Mr Arpit Parmar and Mrs Naina Parmar.
Shreya took a deep breath and rang the door bell. After five minutes, a lady in her mid fifty's opened the door. Aarav's eyes instantly softened looking at his Mami ji. [aunt] Naina's eyes widened as her gaze fell on her nephew. She couldn't believe that he was here, in Delhi.
"Aarav?", Naina asked.
Aarav nodded and Naina instantly pulled him in for a hug. Shreya smiled seeing the little reunion of Aunt and nephew.
"Bahu! Who is there at the door?", Sujata, Aarav's Nani called out.
"Maa ji, our Aarav is here", Naina said pulling away from Aarav and asked the couple to enter the house.
Sujata rushed in the living room and her eyes filled with tears as she saw her grandson after a span of five years.
Aarav and Shreya both touched Sujata and Naina's feet and took their blessings. Sujata then embraced Aarav in her motherly warmth.
"Nani, Mami this is Shreya, my wife", Aarav said introducing Shreya.
Shreya smiled at both the elderly women and hugged them.
"I'm sorry we couldn't attend your wedding", Naina said.
"Its okay, Mami", Shreya said as she sat on the couch besides Aarav.
"Does Manish and Shweta know you both are here in Delhi?", Sujata asked knowing her daughter and son in law would never send the newly weds alone to Delhi.
"No", Aarav said in a low voice.
"Then why are you here?", Naina asked intrigued.
"We are here to mend some broken relations", Shreya said with a determined look.
"If you're talking about mending Arpit and Shweta's relation then it won't happen", Sujata said.
"Yes Maa ji is right. Arpit will never get convinced", Naina said.
"And the thing that didn't happen in last 35 years how are you going to do it in a day, Shreya?", Sujata inquired.
Shreya got up from the couch and walked towards where Sujata was sitting. She kneeled in front of her and took her hand in hers.
"Nani, I wasn't fortunate enough to see my Nani. She died before I was born. When I married Aarav, he didn't just become a part of my life but I became a part of his too. His family is mine now. His sorrows, his pain, his tears are mine now. Maa as in your daughter showered loads of love on me and made a place in my heart. I can never pay her debts off because love is something you can't trade. Today, I could see the pain in Aarav's eyes when he told me about this. If Aarav is in so much pain then I can't even imagine how much pain Maa goes through everyday and do you know right now the pain of being away from your daughter is so evident in your eyes? Nani, I want you to give me a chance so that I can do something for Maa and Papa. Please Nani, let me try"
Sujata couldn't help but feel happy for her daughter and grandson. Her heart warmed at the affection Shreya had towards Shweta and she was willing to mend something which was impossible for all these years. The determination Shreya held had again ignited hope in Sujata's heart which had died before.
"Okay beta, do as you wish. You have my blessings with you", Sujata said and kissed Shreya's temple.
"Aaru, you are one lucky man to get a woman like her as your wife. You better treasure her", Sujata said sternly as Shreya blushed at her comment.
Aarav smiled looking at Shreya. His eyes were filled with pure love and adoration for her. Sujata looked at her grandson and grand daughter in law. She couldn't help but find her own daughter in Shreya. Sujata could feel the immense love the couple shared but the question was had they confessed yet? or were they yet to realise the love they had for each other?
"Ofcourse Nani, I will forever treasure her after all she's a precious diamond and I would be a fool if I don't treat her like my queen", Aarav said but his gaze was on Shreya as if he wanted to tell her how much she mattered to him.
"That's like my grandson! and Shreya you have no idea how much happy I'm that my Shweta has got a daughter in law like you who cares, loves and treats her as her own mother. I'm glad that you're a part of our family", Sujata said.
"Nani, Maa deserves all the love and more than her I'm happy to have a mother in law like her who doesn't differentiate between her daughters and her daughter in law, who treats her son in laws as her own sons, who believes that her daughters and sons are equal, who is willing to stand up against the society if they ever ill talk about anyone in her family. She's such an amazing woman, Nani! and do you know how happy I will be if I reunite her with her mother? I will be like the most happiest woman on the earth", Shreya said pecking Sujata's palms.
Sujata smiled at her while Aarav and Naina gazed at Shreya with adoration. But the moment was short lived as Arpit Parmar entered the house.
"What the hell is he doing here?", Arpit asked with distaste.
"They are here to meet you, son", Sujata said.
"They?", Arpit asked confused but finally understood as his eyes fell on Shreya.
"So you're his wife?", Arpit inquired as Shreya stood up.
She nodded and with her eyes she silently asked Aarav to come forward so they could take Arpit's blessings. Aarav stood up and along with Shreya they both touched Arpit's feet. Arpit was surprised would be an understatement. He was utterly stunned with the couple's action.
He couldn't believe they were taking his blessings despite of the way he treated his sister's family all these years. He reluctantly placed his hands on their head and gave them his blessings.
Sujata and Naina were shocked with Arpit's reaction. They hadn't expected him to bless them but since he had they knew that maybe Shreya would be able to melt his heart. Aarav and Shreya were also happy that they had Arpit's blessings with them.
"Why are you here?", Arpit inquired.
"Mama ji....",
Aarav was interrupted by Arpit.
"I am no one's mama ji"
Aarav's heart broke a little with Arpit's harsh words. Shreya interlaced her hand with Aarav's and squeezed them trying to comfort him. She took a deep breath and decided to talk to Arpit herself after all she was the one who had decided to meet him and mend the brother sister relation. She prayed to the Almighty for the best.
"Okay we will be formal then. Will it be okay, Mr Parmar?", Shreya asked.
Arpit was taken aback a little by Shreya's guts but he nodded anyways.
"If you guys don't mind I would like to talk to Mr Parmar alone", Shreya stated.
Sujata and Naina nodded but Aarav was in denial.
"Shrey, I don't think its a good idea", Aarav almost pleaded.
"Do you have faith in me?", Shreya asked.
"Ofcourse Shreya, I have more faith in you than me", Aarav said.
"Then please let me do this for us and for Maa", Shreya said.
"Okay", Aarav said in a defeated tone and pecked her temple lovingly before leaving Shreya and Arpit alone.
"Mr Parmar, I guess you need to sit since we can't have a conversation standing as you seem to be tired", Shreya said as she sat on the couch.
Though Shreya's words enraged Arpit he couldn't help but agree with her.
"So what do you want to talk?", Arpit asked narrowing his eyes at Shreya.
"You do know why I am here then why are you asking?", Shreya asked arching her eyebrow.
"The way I know the reason of your visit I'm sure you know the result to your visit", Arpit said.
"I know but still I want to try maybe the outcome is different this time", Shreya suggested.
"Stop beating around the bush, young lady and come straight to the point"
"I lost my brother at the age of seven. We were triplets but still I always felt he was my elder brother because he was more protective than Shaurya. Always wanting to protect me, thinking about what is good and bad for me"
"Why are you telling me all this?", Arpit asked confused.
"Because as Shravan thought about what is good for me the same way you too thought about Maa's future that time", Shreya said softly.
"But she didn't understand, did she? She chose her love over her brother", Arpit said furiously.
"Maa loved Papa, Mr Parmar. She loved him back then, she loves him today and she will love him forever. You wanted her happy right? So she is happy with Papa and her children", Shreya said.
"But she would have been more happy with Raj", Arpit said.
"No, she wouldn't have been. She had given her heart and soul to Papa then how would she be happy with Raj uncle? You need to understand that love matters more than money. Its not like Papa wasn't earning or he was jobless. He was earning pretty good but less than the diamond merchant's son. Mom's happiness was the most important factor there and her happiness was and is Papa then what else matters?"
Arpit thought for awhile about Shreya's words. He understood she was right and regretted his mistake. He wished he had listened to Shweta all those years back then maybe things would have been different today.
"She won't forgive me", Arpit said.
"Don't decide things on your own uncle. Maa still misses her brother and she will be happy to see you", Shreya said with a smile knowing she had accomplished her mission.
"Are you sure?"
"Hundred and ten percent sure, Uncle"
"You're really a different girl, Shreya", Arpit said.
"Yeah yeah... now get up and start packing your bags, Uncle. We are all going to Mumbai", Shreya said as she got up from the couch and Arpit chuckled.
Shreya walked in the balcony where Aarav was standing. From his posture she had guessed he was tensed and worried.
"Aarav", she said placing her hand on his shoulder.
Aarav turned and his muscles relaxed as he saw a smile on her face. He quickly hugged her and inhaled the scent of her hair. Shreya also relaxed in his warmth inhaling his cologne.
"How did everthing go?", Aarav asked pulling away.
"We're all going to Mumbai", Shreya said grinning.
"What? Really?", Aarav asked surprised.
Shreya nodded and Aarav lifted her up and spinned her around.
"Gosh Aarav! Stop!", Shreya squealed and Aarav laughed at her.
After awhile, he finally put her down but continued to hold her in his arms.
"I'm feeling dizzy now!", Shreya whined.
"I'm so happy, Shrey", He said looking in her brown orbs which were filled with happiness.
"Just because you're happy so you spin me like that?", Shreya said arching her eyebrow.
"Its not like you didn't enjoy it", Aarav teased.
"Shut up!", Shreya mumbled and rested her head on his chest, placing her hand on his heart listening to the sounds of his heartbeats.
The heart which only beated for her. The heart which only shouted her name. The heart which only belonged to her and no one else.
Aarav was proud of Shreya and was happy that finally his mom was going to be happy. How he wished Shreya's parents would also realise their mistake.
Shreya was happy that she was able to convince Arpit easily. She knew the pain of staying away from her family and she didn't wanted her Maa to face it anymore. How she wished her parents too realised their mistake.
___________
I hope you all liked the chapter :)
Excuse me for grammatical errors. Vote and comment. Keep loving Aarya :) Happy reading!
Love ya,
Hugs and Kisses,
See you soon,
-S.