A new morning brought a new chance at life actually a happy life for Shravan and a day full of shocks for Suman. How? Lets take a small trip to Malhotra house first.
Shravan had never smiled the first thing in morning instead always groaned to the sound of that silly alarm but this morning Shravan found her smiling after so long in his dream. Did you note the key word? Smiling. Yes Shravan dreamt of her every night but after so long he dreamt of her smiling and glowing face. He smiled as he opened his eyes as the realisation hit him, 'she smiled in his dream only for him'
On the other side, Suman was shocked to look at her red face in the mirror. She was blushing. Why? Didn't she know? Oh! She does, that is why she was more surprised. She was blushing because of his thoughts.
The day has just begun, there's more to come.
"Sumo, I forgot the next step of making this Moong dal ka halwa."
"Wait, I'm coming. You leave it, I myself am gonna make it."
Suman had got her PCT back at its original place. Shravan sent shifting truck and men to help shifting and settling PCT, he himself would have come but the court hearing scheduled today was quite important.
As a thank you, she planned on making his favorite halwa for him but you know Preeta, raised her hands in surrender to one of the most difficult dessert. So here Sumo was cooking for him, but a stupid promise stopped her from personally going to him.
At lunch time when Shravan opened his tiffin he was surprised to see an extra box filled with his favorite halwa. There was a sticky note attached,
*less ghee, less sugar, more protein and most taste only for the bestest best friend in the world.*
Today, Malhotra lawyers had decided to sit together at lunch, father-son Malhotra was sitting side by side thus Ramnath was able to see that especial box and the sticky note. He got angry on Suman but the next words of Pushkar calmed him.
"Ahaan Bhaiya,this million dollar smile can only be because of Sumo, right. Wait! Has she sent you Moong dal ka halwa? ...O my God, why not for me?"
"Relax chote, that's her way of saying thank you to me," he again looked at the sticky note and smiled "pagal".
" What kind of friend she is and what kind of thank you it is, she decreased the ghee in the dish to thank you or made it sugar less to prove herself your sweetest friend?" Ramnath's words sounded like a jealous and gullible child.
"Papa, she knows me well and cares about me that's why, she did so. Less ghee because I can't digest much, less sugar because of my diet routine. She doesn't need to prove herself to anyone Papa. Her actions speak out loud."
The way Shravan handled his father instead of doing what Ramnath expected , 'shouting on his father for he said in offence to his lady love' like in those TV serials, he explained him calmly. This changed the perspective of Ramnath towards their potential relationship but his fragile and scared heart was not yet satisfied. He didn't want to lose his last possession, his son.
Suman when was going to meet the decorator for the next function 'Haldi' near Khan Market, her jaan ditched her. Halfway to it, she walked her way into the direction of Shravan's office which was near so she could ask for help. Malhotra family was also busy in wedding preparation but some urgency demanded Malhotra boys at task, the bridegroom Malhotra left early while the other two were there.
On reaching inside she got to know that Shravan was in a meeting and she has to wait. She was going to his cabin to which he had allowed her to but on way something strange happen to her legs and before she could stop them she was standing in front of Ramnath's cabin. She slowly pushed the door only to witness the most unexpected scenario.
He was there sitting on a office chair leaning backward lost in thoughts looking sad. She wanted to know what made him like this, she always saw him strong and bold. She was about to go but a hand came on her shoulder and she found Pushkar there. The two friends have been this close to each other that they don't need words, eyes and expression were enough.
Understanding Suman's concern and her hesitation he got inside and sat by his Sir's feet. Ramnath got alarmed and looked at him with concern.
"What happened Pushkar?"
"You tell me Sir, why are you so sad?"
Ramnath looks at the door and the moment his eyes meet her's she takes steps back to move out when he calls her.
"Come inside Suman" she went in, "sit"
"Pushkar, Suman there is this thing what its called I don't know sitting on my heart making it heavy day by day, I can't bear anymore. I want to share."
"Please Sir, tell us whatever it is, "
"And don't worry Shravan will never know."
"He needs to know though."
"Maybe not the time for bhaiya."
"Let me tell you a story,
When i was in Punjab doing my undergraduate from a local social science college, a girl took admission in the junior year. That day when I was walking by the corridor some students from my year were teasing junior girls, I thought of helping but I could go there she came out of nowhere and slapped the head guy. Her words not just embarrassed them but also the spectators. She walked off but her bold attitude impressed me. The girls in are city were not allowed to study or go to college, most got married early, few well to do who wanted them to marry NRIs send them to study but she was rebel. She won a scholarship and fought her family to study and become something.
It took a month for us to be friendly but then we became best friends. We fell for each other but when it was time for me to leave for my law degree in Delhi, I never once thought for her and proposes her for marriage. She knew I'll be moving but didn't say anything. Our parents met and got us married within a month. Today when I look back, its like her family wanted to cut her wings and I helped them. I never thought that if she had come to college after so much of effort then she must have some dream. After our marriage she never got to pursue her dreams and when she asked me once i ignored he. My ego didn't allow.
But when our first child was born, she never asked again. She was so much in love with that little boy, she even forgot me. But when I lost my assistant job and failed to practice independently, she took up to job. I never understood it wasn't for her dream but our son. She loved him so much that for his good life she even sacrificed her time with him. I never was a good husband. I loved her but lost her because of my ego. I was failing and she was succeeding.
She never went away with another man. I found this a week ago, she was just an employee to Ahuja and helped him as a friend only because he and his wife both were suffering from cancer. Their children needed help. She was there for them. Ahuja died after three days of you leaving for London. She came back, she did come but to only ask for Shravan. I got hurt that she did not love me and I .....I blackmailed her in name of divorce. We never divorced but she hates me that's why she uses her maiden name, Ahuja.
I am sorry , I am sorry."
"She loved you uncle then an today too. If not she would've gone for divorce and Shravan's custody but she didn't. Pyaar kismat walo ko milta hai, so go and get her, uncle."
"She won't come. She hates me."
"Try once Sir, not for anyone else just for you and her."
"And yeah, Sir, I want both of you dancing in my wedding together."
"Who's going to dance and where?"
"Shravan? Tum kab aaye?"
"Just now."
"Acha! Thank God!"
"What chote?"
"Arey kuch nahi Shravan that Pushkar was asking Uncle stay fit for dancing in his Baraat."
"Aap theek haina Paapa!!"
"Haan mujhe kuch nahi hua Hai beta."
"Hona bhi nahi chahiye you have to do Bhangra in my wedding also."
"But Shravan you weren't going to marry naa, then what happened now? Plan change.?"
"Actually he fell in love Suman. " Ramnath replied smugly and left the room.
~~
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Zindagi