Paheli - Scene V

Scene v

I

n one of the boxes, Arpeeta found a letter and a snap folded in flip of the letter and was shocked to see that she had a very close resemblance to the snap. Yet in her conscious memories she never remembered visiting India and neither Browns nor Anamika ever mentioned that they ever went to India. But a snap cannot be denied as it is also a matter of fact. So, she called Mrs. Amalie Brown and said “Hey, Mom, yaah I am fine, yes so are kids and Jeet. Mom I was in India can you tell me from where you had adopted me. Actually I found a girl with very close resemblance with me so I needed to get into the truth.” Mrs Brown replied that she doesn’t remember every single thing so will call her in some moments with exact details. So till then Arpeeta started reading the letter

“To whosoever it comes,

I am Kamakshi once the daughter of this house where I lived with my sister Kia and did a small teaching job. When one day, I met Mr. Jai Kapoor, an industrialist who was very amiable, it was magical. We were married at wills of his elders. And shifted to Mumbai as Kia would have been left alone so I decided to take her along. Within one year, I was mom of sweet twin sons. But that time I also came to know that Mr. Kapoor didn’t love me and was in a relationship with another woman.

To my utter shock, it was my own younger sister. Kia and Mr. Kapoor had being into illegitimate relationship since our marriage. I couldn’t believe but truth can never be testified and that took a truth of such kind. I was shattered by the betrayal by them.

But that wasn’t the end of my miseries which had just started. Now when their affair was an open secret to me. They started too intimated in front of me only. Due to all this, I went through a mental trauma and I faced interminable breakdown of nervous system and I was shifted to mental asylum where I will die of electric shocks and bad health due to pressure of my sister and husband to remove me from my way. But my only concern is my children whom I want to have peaceful life with my in laws

I gave this box to a nurse who promised me to get it delivered to my parental place. In hope that one day it would be found by someone, and I will get justice.

If you find it please try to get me justice. So then my spirits rest in peace. Your earnest thanks for reading the letter.

 Kamakshi

25^th November 2007”

Paheli - Scene IV

Scene iv

S

he arrived there early in morning by 7 o’clock by private helicopter and was received by Dandy’s company manager, Mr. Bhojraj Maharana and Meera Iyer. They greeted her and told her the future plans and described her, the whole valley. They insisted on staying with her by orders of Jeet, but she asked her to her alone and everybody also knew that you can forge instructions of Mrs. Deb as she is the life of Deb Mansion. Janamjay was also coming as he was most of time in India with his obsession of jewellery so was Megha, Janamjay’s wife whose daughters were also nurtured by Arpeeeta, three beautiful girls of  7, 5 and 3 years respectively. As they both were professionals and Arpeeta loved kids and with handling 7 kids she was expert in kids department. So she was the “Kaki Maa” for them and the only motherly figure they knew as their mother travelled with Janamjay and Arpeeta is attached with kids. So she and her 10 kids were her life.

  She then went to the topmost cottage where she had to live for next 15 days. She was planning to rest the remaining day and in evening see the valley with her perspective. The home where she stayed belonged to a family who now immigrated to Mumbai leaving no traces.

She came to home. It was a small and warm cottage. There she found herself in a one mall top floor store room when wandering away. There she found some packed boxes.

Paheli - Scene III

Scene iii

A

rpeeta came back to present to present and coming to their home, she said to the photo of Anamika, “Ana I’m successful in doing what I once promised and it was you who made it. We made it Ana. Today kids are returning from Private Boarding. Happy B’day Ana.” Seeing her teary eyed Jeet says “Appy, you made it and no one else in the world would have being able to make so much sacrifices for the family of her sister, you left your studies, your life and even lost the chance of having your own children. You gave all your life in bringing my children. In return what I could have given you. Nothing.”

Just then entered her 7 kids, 20 yeared Akshita and Akshay, 16 yeared Aradhana and 13 yeared Archita and Archit plus 10 yeared two foreign girls Betty and Veronica whom she adopted after her best friend died leaving them orphan as she was their single parent. Seeing them, she said “Who says I didn’t got anything in return of what I invested in the family. See I got best children of the world and husband like you, brother in laws like Janamjay and Ranvijay, who follow me unquestionably. Not everybody in life get love of so many people in one life.”

That night when Arpeeta was retiring to her room, she first went in the room of Jeet and chatted for a while during that only she said “Jeet jiju, if you don’t mind I would like to go on a small holiday, alone as since long it has being very hectic with one or the other things. I want sometime of perfect rest. I would like to go on a small vacation all by myself.” Many people would find a wife addressing her husband as jiju but they only were life partners and not couple. That’s the reason they never consummate their marriage. And she always seen him as someone as father of her kids and her life partner but not as husband.To which he said that “Appy, you have given so much to the family. Cant I provide with a small holiday” and after that he showed him some clips of a small abandoned village in beautiful hills of India where he was planning to start his business with educational institutes in India. He recommended her to go there as this way she will be able to see the site also and her wish for a perfect peaceful vacation. So in next few days, she left for there.      

Love In The Dark - Scene XV

Scene 15          

Slowly things in Aamiya begin to turn normal; with Nishigandha back in home helped the morale of every servant and of father and son that they will be able to make it in a way so the environment of the house started to blossom well under her guidance. The bungalow again converted to home. But this time she was also happy as because she had not left the revived Nibs for her household. Her publication house also was in process because in these she realised that Love only can’t survive a relationship as with time love becomes part of life and you start getting bored with it. Years ago, she left Nibs for the pride and prestige of Khuranas as she wanted to dedicate her wholesome to Khurana household but it was where the problem started as for a girl who was into main stream of business left all of it for an empty house but now she started time management and was in office everyday for 1-2 hours.

After 6 months, 

One morning, Nishi called someone and said “Hello Kahkasha, yaah its Nishi, I called you today to tell you that I have decided to print your book under Nibs Publications” she heard the Yahoos from other side.

That night she came to home and sat down, just then she had a brilliant idea that she should do something, so she cooked great dinner and took it Ayush’s room as Devansh was out of station. Ayush had just come from office and was in shower when she entered, she set up the table for candle light and when Ayush came he was shocked. They had a fabulous night and after that when Nishi was winding up the things, Ayush suddenly held her hands and said “You know I never like to be punished but it’s the first I am ready to sacrifice myself for your only acceptance of my apologies. I know I was wrong but the only reason I never told you was I was scared that I will lose you but You paid for my mistake. So now I feel guiltier and more self disturbed than start. Can you forget and forgive my mistakes and I promise that we will have a new start all over again.”

Nishigandha feels her heart ripping apart as she looks at the earnest honestly in his eyes. She never had problem with his one-night stand and even more for this kind of, where Kahkasha also didn’t had any problem. She got her love back and that too on his birthday.

She just said “Happy Birthday, Hubby.” Ayush was shocked and then he said “Oh! Shit I forgot my own birthday, yaah the clock stroked 12 hour ago and now today is 18^th June. My Birthday. And it’s my best Birthday as I got best gift. Thanks, Nishi.”

And then they both slumped in the bed and she drowned in the rain of kisses by him and then as it’s said “Happily ever after................” 

Love In The Dark - Scene XIV

Scene 14

Sometimes, critics of your relationship plays a large role in uniting someone who’s in true love and that happened the next day only, when she was about to decide that she should now go back to her flat. The incident was that day all the female press contemporaries came to Aamiya for breakfast. It was a holiday. So they self invited themselves to Aamiya.

As the female contemporaries entered the home, and settled in living area. The next moment, all the female contemporaries saw a girl coming out of kitchen smiling. They saw Nishigandha coming down wearing a designer suit of red and green colour. The red chudiaar was an elastic style pattern and they also saw she was wearing a short green kurta which had a transy red upper part as it transparent red cloth covered her slender and sleek shoulders and full U flowing sleeve with golden balls woven in the end clearly and it had yellow golden yellow chunni with red borders and she had pinned in a way that looked like saree pallu and used heavy broaches for that work in left shoulder and waist, they also saw her wearing similar broached earrings and coming out with breakfast trolley and said “Sorry, Papa, I know I should have being there to welcome our guests but you toh know how Ayush is. He hasn’t waked up till now. Plus today breakfast was to be made by me as it is their weekly-off and I forgot to inform them about today’s agenda. So you all sit. And give me pleasure of serving of you all.”

After that breakfast was a enjoyable affair with all kinds of delicacies and Devansh’s contemporaries were smitten seeing the house to be spotless and so organised and were even shocked to see that the breakfast was so tasty and lavish affair even when there was no staff, plus they had to believe Nishi in that matter as didn’t see single helper in whole mansion and they couldn’t see a single tension or distress signal symptoms in her face. She was looking like a very happy birdie. And in similar time they saw Ayush getting down from his room and they looked like a normal couple.

As when Ayush got down, she chided him fondly for sleeping a bit late to which he also replied that he loves that on holidays. And then both settled down in dining for breakfast and had it with love. Even in whole they didn’t saw any traces of any disturbed relationship.

Aamiya was looking like a fresh new leaf and it was clear it was handled by a lady. They all went satisfactorily that these were only rumours that there is a problem in the household of young Mr. And Mrs. Khurana.

After their leaving, Devansh asked how she was here, to which she re-narrated the whole incident of night before. Plus she told, as she was getting ready in morning to return in her flat and told them “I heard some huss-buss in home that some press people are coming in breakfast. And I heard them blaming you for not selecting a good daughter-in-law. And all type of accusations they were mending over you. So I changed into suit and said the staff to retire to their quarters as from there I will write the play. And all went well executed.” She ended smilingly.

Devansh always knew that Nishi held his words high and loved him dearly but today her actions proved that her love has not tarnished even in such a low moment. He felt proud of her. Plus Ayush was grateful that she kept the fame of the house intact and even enhanced it with her actions. Both, father and son were lost in their own thoughts when Nishi broke their mutual cloud of thought and said “I believe the news of our marriage in rocks is circulating highly. So it’s time that we consider this fact, and in my opinion the only matter that would suit it is that I stay here but, but till I am not free with all qualms with Ayush I will stay here not as his wife but as the daughter-in-law of this house.”

Devansh and Ayush could hardly believe their ears as it seemed more than true and with that the critics of their relationship in form of press did an opposite reaction i.e. it brought her back to Aamiya and they next week only realised the press statement that “After recovering from prolonged disease and accident, now Mrs. Nishigandha Khurana is back in game.”

Love In The Dark - Scene XIII

Scene 13

He entered the room in his house and switched on the lights. When he turned he saw Nishigandha was still standing on the gates. He said “Since when I need to invite you in our room. Pls do come I know it is not easy for you but will be more safe. Come, I have your clothes you can put them up. Don’t worry I won’t give you my tees.” pulling her in the room. She was surprised to see her everything kept as she liked and kept. After that when she came out of the washroom, she saw him putting his things in couch and then she said “Don’t you know that you can’t sleep on hard material, come to the bed, I don’t think we are in a position where we even cant share a bed without damaging each other.”

In the middle of night, Nishi’s blood curdling scream of his name, made Ayush wake at a start in fear. Disorientated and still trying to find his breath, he turns to look at her. In the dim light coming in the room, he saw her struggling in sleep. Her lips were quivering, her eyes shut in terror. He gently woke her up and said ”Nishi, what happened. Are you okay?” she replies “Ayush”, her voice barely audible. Relieved it was him, Nishi wraps arms around her neck, clinging on to it tightly and crying hysterically. Ayush could feel her whole body trembling. Her breathing was coming heavily between. “Shh………………., looks like you had a nightmare,” he says rubbing the temples of her hands and gently intertwining his fingers in between of hers. She was crying very badly, she also tried to say something. “Let it be, Nishi its common to have nightmares. Don’t worry yourself” he consoled. But she was out of herself and sobbed inconsolably. “Nishi, calm down, please. Everything is fine.” He continues to pacify her. Gently, he pulls her along with him and leaning over, he pours a glass of water with one hand and gives it to her. She first refused but his insistence, gulps a few sips. Then he assured “Look, don’t worry. I am beside you, Sleep!”

Her insides still pounding in fear she laid very close to him, yet unable get the sleep. She opens her eyes; he could sense her fear and uneasiness in her.

“”Can you hold me?”; “Do you want me to hold you?” they blurted together, which also brings embarrassed smile on their faces. He pulled her very close and wrapped his hands into her soul. Nishi leans closer and lays her head on one of his upper arms and with her arms holding his arms closely lay. Happy and Secured, she closed her eyes and within few minutes, she fell back to sleep. He looked her and a fond smile appeared on his lips as she sleeps, it was just a matter of few minutes that she was worked up. Her fingers lying on his hard arms and her soft relaxed breathing, sounded like music to him and then he also slept as after many days he was with his Nishi, in their room.

Love In The Dark - Scene XII

Scene 12

 Ayushmaan entered in a rush as he undoubtedly heard the scream of Nishigandha and was sure she was in some kind of trouble. From the flicker of light what he saw that somebody was trying to overpower her and physically pulling her into bed whereas she tried to remain as far as possible. She was also very teary-eyed and tired. She was wearing a 3/4^th nightie with full sleeves having buttons on the sleeves which was torn from many places.

“You Bitch, I told you to shut up, didn’t I?” Ayush found that voice similar. He saw that it was Akash, his business partner who saw her and was flat on her from that party. The pain and anger made his whole body tremble as he sees trickle of blood coming out from Nishi’s nose and her terror-stricken eyes. Her whole face reflected the unbearable pain as her hair was being tugged. Her trauma and misery evokes a deep aching in his heart. Yet, she seems him; he can see her expression change to relief and joy. “Stay away” Akash warns him thrusting the knife close to Nishi, “or else you lose your wife.” Ayush somehow controlled his anger as he knew one wrong act from his side and Nishi will bear the brunt of it. He cannot let anything happen to her.
“And then what will you do? How will you walk out, Akash? Do you think if anything happens to her, you’ll walk out freely?” he asks calmly. Akash is shaken with the truth of his words. Ayush knew he had there. Akash knew he was trapped but he wasn’t going to give up. Nishi shakes her head in fright, her protests coming in the form of muffled sounds. Her whole body begins to shiver.

“No na?” Akash tells her fiercely. “So both of you co-operate quietly. I don’t want any sound from either of you. Akash turns to looks at the window as he feels someone is there looking at him. In a couple of strides, Ayush narrows the distance between them and grasps Akash’s hand, wrestling with it trying to wield the knife off him. He then bumps his shoulder into Akash’s shoulder sending off balance. Akash loosens his hold on Nishi’s hair and the knife falls from his hand. Nishi falls back on the couch. Ayush fists two punches into Akash’s jaw sending him reeling backwards, till he fell to the ground by the window side. He then goes to Nishi. Appalled by her condition, he pulls her into his arms. “Are you okay?” asked tensed Ayush. Nishi nods her head she was unable to speak. Tears were flowing down her cheek. She started feeling awkward in her torn nightie. She tried to speak something. “Shhhhhhh………… Don’t say anything. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He comforts her, his eyes moist.

Nishi was relived to be in his arms. She didn’t expected to be safe today, to find comfort of him again. Ayush held her tightly close to him, one hand claiming her shivering body while with other covering her with his coat. His face was filled with bitter anguish. He hated the fact that she was so badly humiliated.

Once, he took her out of apartment. “Take care,” he tells her tenderly cupping her face and turned towards the room. “I have some unfinished business to attend to, don’t worry” he glances towards the room. Before Nishi could stop him, he went to room, locks it from inside. Now he badly punches Akash and almost kills him.

“How could you hit a lady? You Bastard”, he snarls in anger.  “Ayush stop it, you can get into trouble, please” Nishi begged banging the door. But Ayush was not listening to her pleas.”How dare he touch Nishi? How dare you” an infuriated Ayush yells.”I cannot bear to see even a scratch on my wife. How could you have humiliated her cruelly? How could you touch her? How could you? “Ayush bellows at Akash. Nishi’s blood stricken face and terrorized eyes kept flashing in front of him turning his blood colder and colder.

“Ayush, stop!” Nishi yelled. She is speechless. She cried again “Please stop for the sake of me” and then she cried hysterically. Hearing her pleas, Ayush looks towards the window. Seeing the fear in her eyes, he shuts his eyes tightly realizing what he was about to do. Anger had clouded his senses completely. The knife falls from his hand. With a nauseous disgust in his guts, he opens the door. As he comes out, Nishi runs towards him.
"Aye are you okay?" she asks him tearfully looking at the blood on his face and arm."I am sorry Nishi; I feared I lost you completely. It scared the life out of me," he tells her pulling her into his arms. "Me too, Ayush," she tells him, her voice choking. "I didn't think I would be alive today"."I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I was too angry. I can't bear anything happening to you Nishi," Ayush tells her wiping away her tears with his thumb. "I just can’t live without you," he whispers chokingly. They embrace each other so tight as if never wanting to let go of the other.

Love In The Dark - Scene XI

Scene 11

Getting use to a spouse-less life after living with someone for 4 years felt like no end to Nishigandha, as you get use to even the silence of that person but this time she was determined that she won’t give Ayush a chance to again dominate their relationship. Her life brought into a situation where she use to wake at 6 in morning and sleep at 12 at night with all day of invigilating the staff but now she didn’t had any work to be done. But she lost her enthusiasm for life and use to spend all days working with skipping her meals but instead of getting weak and tired, she started to look more tempting due the glow which her work brought at her face. A number of guys were up to her as they impliedly understood that now she was single.

On the other hand, Ayush felt very conservative about all this; with Nishi suddenly quitting his life and the reactions he got from Devansh he was jeopardy, both at personal and professional level. Nishi just started feeling so lonely that she started inviting people from breakfast to dinner. She just felt so unsecured that at times she planned to shift back to her parents’ home as she felt herself alone and was unable to handle the press attention on her single status. Sometimes, she just felt that her life was of no worth, but in years she was all to herself and so could complete her therapy session and atlas was free from the addiction of sleeping pills. Ayush always knew that he was wrong with Nishi but after her going, he realised how silently she became her back up plan and so she was the bean bag he needed for everything.

A month or so in this arrangement and now the tongues started wagering in full force and Indreniel and Barkha came many a times to take her back but she never agreed. The Nibs again started to work and Nishi was in office from morning 8 till night 12 and so lost all connections with world, she when alone use think what would have the situation if she would never have got to know about that. So to save herself from this trouble she started keeping herself busy for hours and even in night. In this situation, the person who was most unhappy was Devansh as at place he finds that what losses he has brought to Nishi’s life but on he felt himself liable to support and compose his only son, Ayush who all most it after it. He was at cross roads and didn’t where he should proceed. Kahkasha also felt herself responsible for the break up between one of best couples she ever saw in her short life. She stated regretting her decision of visiting Ayush, she tried to connect to Nishi but Nishi was in position to understand anything said by Kahkasha for that instance.         

Ayushmaan met Nishigandha Rajput in an award function where she was there for receiving award for “Best Entrepreneur-Comeback”, though she didn’t wanted to go but Barkha somehow persuaded her. She was looking so kissable when she entered; she was wearing a knee length cut deep-red dress with a strong and tidy bun and beautiful shot diamond tops. That day Ayush was accompanied by some of his business partners. He was there to present some awards and in months, he felt that it was worth it as he could see even a single glimpse of Nishi. That night, he saw Nishi retiring towards her flat so he followed to get the notice of her proper address and he was about to go when he heard something. 

Love In The Dark- Scene X

Scene 10

Nishigandha Khurana was shocked to hear that her husband had an extra-marital fling and that too when she had blindly trusted him. And Ayush was shocked that his secret came out with no fault of any of the party. He can’t blame Nishi as she was unaware of the situation and Kahkasha was too naive to understand the implications of her action, it was ultimately he himself that he found guilty of such situation.

He till now can’t forget that night it was around August that he was here for some meeting that it all happened. He saw Kahkasha in a side of road hitchhiking so he made her hop in his car and it was so cold that night due to the rain that they both had a lot of sherry for getting warm. And in drunkardness they both shared a passionate night assuming each other to be Nishi for Ayush and for Kahkasha, she assumed him to be Jacob, her childhood sweetheart.

The next moment he saw Nishi getting in the room and packing her luggage. He tried to talk to Nishi but in vain because she wasn’t ready to hear what he wanted to say. In 15 mins or so, Nishi came out with luggage packed and with unbroken chain of angry tears she glanced at Ayush the last time before she sped car from there.

Ayush was heart-broken to see the situation. Though he somewhere had heard that truth can never be curtailed but he had never thought that his mistake of one night would haunt forever and such a situation where he would be earnestly trying to win over his wife again. He broke down in the floor. Kahkasha who till now was silent spectator, came close to Ayush and only cupped “I’m sorry. I thought you told her about me. I should have guessed your anxiety but truly I never wanted to break your relationship. I was here just in genuine happiness and that was just a slip of tongue. I never wanted that you relationship break due to me.” Ayush only replied in nodding the head that he understands her intention.

On the other hand, Devansh was shocked to see Nishi in Aamiya and too unscheduled and alone in a car and she was crying bitterly, when Devansh asked her the matter, she broke down and told how Ayush  betrayed her and all about her one night fling that too just one year after their marriage. Devansh though also was heartbroken and wanted to throw Ayush out but it was Nishi who moved out but as she had high standards of self-respect, she didn’t went back to her parents rather to the flat which she once herself had gifted Indreniel with. And with it started with a new struggle for Nishi to start with the company again with scratch and now she had lost her something in all these years. 

Love In The Dark - Scene IX

Scene 9

But who knew that destiny had other plans as the next week only, Ayush had to go Bangalore for three days, he was very keen to take Nishi with him but she only insisted of resting on herself plus she decided to keep a girls bash in Ooty as this week many of her school friends were turning up for her school’s Annual Day. So it was decided that Indreniel would come with Barkha, to take care of her and arrangements.

The party was in full force and it was when suddenly there was a window knocking, it was Nishi who herself opened the gate and she found a very young girl may be of 21-22 of age who was wearing a knee length digital peacock print tube tunic with a large silver belt in waist . She also was looking very shocked to see a girl open the gate and she cordially started “So you are Nishi? I always wanted to meet you. Can I see Ayush? He promised that next time when he will come, he will tell your love story and give me your and his pics. So I could cherish them in remembrance of that night. I came to know that someone has come in this villa so came to meet him. Hope you don’t mind.”

Nishi was confused but she let her in. Later that night she told her that when 2 years ago when he came here for Annual meeting of Indian businessmen, they met in a stormy night. And he brought her here. The next day, she saw her pictures in mantle and was told that the pictures of Nishi. She also told that her name was Kahkasha; she was a Sociology Graduation student.  

The next day, Nishi felt more comfortable with her and it was when Ayush returned back from Bangalore. He was shocked to see Kahkasha in house with Nishi, as she wasn’t very ordinary girl, she held a very grave secret of Ayush though she wasn’t very conscious about it but if beans spill out over Nishi, he was sure that then Nishi would want to kill him. Though he knew that Kahkasha is not a tale-teller and she won’t if he would know what effect it will make on their life but he couldn’t trust her carefree attitude. Kahkasha was like a free innocent bird and in the same way she perceived the world, with no malice and prejudice. That night which, they spent together he came to know she lived in Orphanage and till now her studies expenses are borne by the same trust. So she didn’t the understood the complexities of human relationship, but Nishi on other hand, had a full family plus he knew some actions correct by Kahkasha would never be accepted by Nishi. 

But the secret came out when all of three was sitting in the table for dinner, Kahkasha asked about them from starting, and Nishi happily told her how they met as when she thought him to be waiter and coffee and her bombing on Devansh’s office till their wedding and suddenly Kahkasha said “Wow, Ayush you never told me that when we slept together that night.” And hearing this, the mouths of both Nishi and Ayush fell.

Love In The Darkl - Scene VIII

Scene 8

But the Gods willed something different for them. One night, Nishi somehow dragged herself to the luggage of Ayush as she knew that he kept an emergency bottle of her pills and she somehow found it and was about to gorge some of them, she found her hands in grip of some strong masculine grip and who somehow taking bottle from her. She turned to see that it was Ayush and he also made her throw the pills of her hand and then he said “Remember there was a time when you couldn’t sleep till my arms wrapped around your soul and now you need this damned bottle to sleep, can’t believe the change that appeared” growled Ayush in anger but Nishi also forcedly replied “You only lost that time, yaah I couldn’t sleep but you only said me to get used to it and now please return me the bottle. I need it. Please understand me.” Turning teary she said “You only once said people need to change their priorities. I can’t sleep without it.”

Ayush still strongly holding the bottle in his hand, just narrowed the gap between them and said” If you can’t sleep don’t worry. I will be with you whole night but not this.” Nishi glared “There was a time when I died for that night but you lost that time and you lost me so now please give me the bottle.” Ayush in anger broke the bottle and Nishi slummed down crying. That night again opened the wounds of Nishi which had healed in some time either mentally or physically, her sprain converted towards bad as one of broken piece hit at the same place and crack needed a week more because on yesterday’s confrontation left her tired and shattered.. Ayush felt very bad as he was directly responsible for her condition as he should have kept the cool with her situation. The Doctors had earlier only informed that she is addicted to that so it will take time to get her rid of medicines, so he didn’t had the guts to see her suffering due to his impulsiveness but she came down for breakfast one day and so they met, as Ayush also started working in a plan of bringing up a new project here in Ooty only so was busy with it. He tried to shed away in guiltiness but she held his hand and said “I m sorry I know it’s bad for me but it’s a part of my existence. I just can’t leave them.” And she started crying bitterly, he somehow caught hold of her and took her to the room as he didn’t wanted her to be weak in public. He then said “Hey, Babu don’t cry, I understand, I should have taken it properly, see due to me you are more grievously hurt.” And he kissed her forehead. He was happy that slowly, she is crawling back to him and now he shouldn’t hurry it up as it could spoil the situation.

Love In The Dark - Scene VII

Scene 7

Suddenly the gate of waiting lounge opened, which broke his flow of thoughts and he saw his father entering from there. Devansh after entering said “Ayush what I’m hearing that Nishi had an accident, I just returned from Paris. Ayush how is she, my child? Where the hell were you? I trusted you with her? How can you let such a thing happen?”

Before Ayush could say anything Doctors enter and they announce that she is out of danger and had only a deep cut in head except a muscle rupture in leg due to cars crushing and a hairline crack in left arm plus the reason of accident was her overdose of sleeping pills which she takes as anti-depressants. After that, they summoned Devansh and Ayush and scolded them for not taking full care of Nishi and even say that it would be better that she visits some place for sometime as change in weather will be good for her health.

Devansh and Ayush felt really guilty for her situation and decided that Ayush would take a long break from business and take her somewhere. So they decided on Ooty as it was Ayush’s maternal city and Nishi’s school plus Devansh had gifted a villa in Ooty to them in their wedding. So next week after she was discharged from hospital with a warning of “No More Sleeping Pills”. They directly drove to Ooty not actually drove the company’s helicopter dropped them in Ooty.

The villa was a pretty nice affair which was 10 km. outside the city, it had a small cottage with beautiful garden plus the months of rainy season was adding to its scenetic beauty. Devansh had appointed a care taker for that villa. Now after Nishi’s arrival the staff was a gardener, a maid for cleaning and chores like that and the caretaker to see the supplies of house. First few days of their stay passed quiet peacefully as Nishi was on bed-rest due to her leg sprain and her pain killers made her drowsy for whole days but it was a time when Ayushmaan after long time was free and realised the value of being a family man even for some days, he took great care that Nishi is well fed and takes her medication properly.

He after the marriage was a changed man as he then started spending his whole time in business and it was the reason in last few months he has never being home. On the other hand, Nishi left her career years ago to support Ayush and that’s how his negligence and her emptiness made her depression patient and she started taking anti-depressants.

Love In The Dark-Scene VI

Scene 6

Nishigandha Rajput and Ayushmaan Khurana, two titans of their world were married in great pomp. She wore her own designed bridal dress which was white in colour with beautiful pink and purple roses in bottom and it had a koti style blouse with a shimmery silver top over which it had a golden touch koti with heavy work of same roses in koti, but the show stealer was the orange and blue chunni which had same roses and she wore her favourite accessory waist band or cummerbund, long traditional Punjabi bangles which were in matching of her dress with pink and purple drops and a long necklace which had jewelled roses and similar earrings and payal plus she wore the traditional necklace of her mother which was rubies and emeralds. Her mangal sutra was also delicately designed it was a short one with a diamond V design and had an emerald rimmed ruby drop. She was looking very royal which was equally matched by Ayush’s cream Rajasthani sherwani.

Late that night only, Devansh realised that he has brought a gem in his house whose value is not understandable by his pampered son. As when he returned late that night after winding the wedding celebrations and knocked the gate, Nishi came down and the first time had full look of the girl he selected his daughter in law and the holder of the Khurana prestige. She had worn a pink saree and tube blouse of same colour and only her mangal sutra, he was shocked to see her here as it was her first night and seeing her there he was shocked, he could clearly tell that she wore a saree just to come down, he asked about Ayushmaan to which she told he went out with his friends for his last Bachelor party. He could feel that she didn’t felt bad about that but he was shocked that how selfless is her love and how blind is his son.

He called her next day to the office and requested her to come in office wear so she turned up there in brown trousers and waistcoat with yellow shirt with balloon sleeves and which had flowers string attached to it. And when she reached there, first Devansh said “Nishi, today generally daughter in law is summoned by mother in law but as you have none. I called you here. First according our tradition, I want to give this box; it has something which I would love you wear tonight and cook something in our house, preferably sweet and from today only you are now the prestige our house so keep your behaviour as composed as you are known for.  I just want to say Beta your life is now what according to people will show how good our household is so I expect that you will keep the prestige of Khuranas high. Lastly, you are my daughter so always be free to speak to your Papa, he is always there for you. I love you a million cherries.”

That she wore a red saree with blue and green stripes and golden net and similarly golden net blouse and opening the box she found a whole treasure of jewels as it had 4 pairs of pearl, one pair of sapphire and 2 pair each of emerald and rubies bangles. It also had the traditional mangal sutra which has being carried out in the family which was very long and had very heavy 7 gold patles and similar earnings and key band. She wore all of them and then cooked a delicious meal and waited till both father and son had arrived, the meal had starters of 9 Treasures Soup with whole bread basket baked and fruits grilled with spicy sauce and steamed vegetable momos. She prepared even a much lavish dinner with Dal Makhani, Tandoori Paaner, Sarson ki Sabji and Pachmeli Dal with which she made Amritsari Parathas and Batis and she had also prepared Hyderabadi Biryani. And she finished the dinner with Badam halwa, Kheer and Gud ki Sandesh. Both Devansh and Ayush were smittered upon the speed of her cooking and taste of food as she made really tasty meal.

That night Nishi and Ayush had a pillow fight with all love flowing in them..............................

Love In The Dark- Scene V

Scene 5

6 months after that,

Today on the same café, same table, the same two people were sitting, in last 6 months it has become their favourite place to meet as it is in between of both of their offices. After that day, Ayush changed himself completely to win over Nishi as she was the “Lady” of his life. He now goes office and is trying to learn the work. Today they were discussing very important topic “Marriage”, though were deeply in love and Nishigandha has introduced him to all her family as her love interest and they were happy but somehow Ayush didn’t had courage to break the ice with his father.

So, next day, she bombed in Devansh office.  Devansh was shocked to see Nishi in his cabin “Are you Mr. Devansh Khurana? Hi, I am Nishigandha Rajput, co-publisher of Nibs Publications and sister of Mr. Indreniel Rajput. I love your son, Ayushmaan and willing to marry him. So I am marrying him. Do you any problem?” said Nishi in one breath. Mr. Khurana smiled slightly and said “What would you like after this speech, what about green tea? We can talk over the tea”

“No, I prefer coffee. And thanks I’m a bit tired.” She replied smilingly. Devansh ordered both, coffee for her and green tea for himself plus a strong Darjeeling tea, and then he called someone in extension and ordered him to be present there in 15 mins.

Just when their order came, the person summoned also came and he was none other than Ayush, who was very confused about his sudden call plus Nishigandha in his father’s office. Devansh pulling his ears said “You never told me that you have found the fairy who has transformed you. I love the girl. We will marry you in 2 weeks, whether you like it or not. Is it clear, Mr Ayushmaan Khurana.”

This how their marital life started in beds of rosy flowers but people forget that roses also bring thorns to in the life.

Love In The Dark- Scene IV

Scene 4

Though Nishi never liked the idea of finding people and meeting them as she had her own healthy personal life with an urban based mother and father, a loving elder brother and sister-in-law. But in a way she found that note and guy cute. So she went there fully dressed up in long multicoloured golf wear dress which had beautiful black stripes to accompany you

When she went there she found it completely empty with only one guy who was sitting alone. In looks, killing, he was much closer to her age and he had a good physic which can be seen from his jeans and t-shirt. She found it really bulls eye that he had booked all the café for her, after she took a seat next to him, all the table was full of different types of coffees and refreshments in a minute, then she turned to the man sitting in front of her, she found a very charming smile in which she was getting captivated into that.

In years she never found someone whom she liked a bit, but he was out of league and then without any asking from her side, he started looking at questionable face of hers “Hey, Me can be known as Ayushmaan Khurana, I am son of The Devansh Khurana, 26, 5’ 8” in height, no medical problems, studied from IIM, Kolkata. That’s what I am. Tell about you.”

She told “Hi, I ‘m Nishigandha Rajput, I’m a publisher, run a publishing house, 25 by age, 5’4” and did my English Honours from Oxford University. That’s all”

In the matter of talk, she asked “What do you do?” To which he replied “I am an expert in spending Daddy ka paisa and that’s all I do for now.”

Nishigandha frowned at this answer, getting she says “I am sorry, I thought of my type but I can never even see a person who being so competent don’t even give a dam to try to establish himself out of the shadow of his or her parents . It’s deeply saddening. So sorry, I think lets forgive and forget our meeting, Thank You such a wonderful evening.”    

This was the evening which made him feel the incompetency in his life, never in his life nobody ever made him see the real world and so he decided to turn the tables in favour of him.