sᴛᴀʀ-ᴄʀᴏssᴇᴅ - 𝒜 ℬ𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓀𝒶 𝒱𝒶𝒹𝒽𝓊 𝒜𝒰

Blurred Lines

A long silence followed the long awaited reunion. None of them seemed to have the words for this moment. They stared at each other, trying to search for words in each other's eyes. Anandi was the first to speak up.

"Jagya, why are you standing so far? Come here".

Jagya moved wordlessly and sat on the tool near the bed. He slowly took her hand in his and closed his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Anandi".

Anandi smiled at him and tugged his hand lightly.

"What are you sorry for? None of this is your fault".

"Oh but it is. I was the one who switched our report cards, I was the one who lied to everyone, I was the one who ran away and yet you paid for my wrongdoings. You didn't deserve that and neither do you deserve this. It's all my fault".

"No Jagya, I chose to come after you. I chose to take that bullet on myself and I don't regret it. You must know that I would die a thousand times over if it meant you'd be safe"

"That's not fair chuhiya. You get to be the hero and I'm looked down upon. Not saying I don't deserve that but still..."

"Oh! So that's why you're all upset! Because everyone praised me for saving your life! You jealous little Bandar!"

Jagya let out a soft chuckle on hearing that nickname. It only meant that she didn't hate him for what happened to her. Anandi squeezed his hand softly and he smiled at her.

"You know, last five years felt like an eternity to me. Everyday I'd wait for you to come and take me home but you wouldn't come. It was a cycle of me being hopeful and those hopes crashing to pieces every day. I still can't believe that you're sitting in front of me right now".

"It wasn't easy for me either, you know. Everyday I'd ask Baapu to bring you back and everyday he'd say no. I felt so helpless. But I'm glad that the wait is finally over. Doctor said that we can take you home tomorrow".

"Really?! Am I really going back to Jaitsar?!"

"Yes yes chuhiya, we are!"

Anandi's face lit up on hearing that. At that moment, Bhairon entered the ward followed by Sumitra, Anandi's parents and Shyam.

"Laado! Thank Lord Krishna that you're awake!"

Her mother came forward and kissed her forehead.

"Laado, you scared us all so much. I'm glad that kanwar sa was there. I can't even imagine what we would've done if he wasn't at home..."

Anandi glanced at Jagya standing behind Bhairon and smiled unknowingly.

"Laado, how are you feeling right now?"

Hearing her father's voice, she took her eyes off Jagya and looked at him.

"I'm fine Baapu, don't worry".

"How can we not worry? You're so beloved to all of us", said Sumitra, with tears in her eyes.

Anandi was truly lucky to have such loving in-laws and she was definitely feeling all the love in that moment.

"When I have you all and Kanha Ji, why would I need to worry? Your prayers will always save me from any harm"

"Of course laado, we're always here for you."

"We should let her rest now, let's all leave her alone".

Saying this, they left her and Jagya alone once more.

"Rest for now, I'll see you tomorrow, nakchadi chuhiya".

"Ok, see you tomorrow, nakta Bandar".

Jagya laughed at that and left her to rest.

Anandi closed her eyes and tried to remember old times but all she could see was blurred images. She tried to remember Sugna's marriage, Jagya's birthday, her wedding day but nothing happened. She clutched her head and tried again but couldn't remember anything. She started crying and praying.

"Hey Krishna Ji, why is this happening to me? Why can't I remember anything?"

---- Time skip brought to you by Pratap (rip) ----

Jagya's POV

"Jagya!! Hurry up! We're already late!"

Jagya let out a frustrated groan at his mother's voice. He knew he was late. He had to get Anandi back from the hospital today and here he was, knotting his tie in a hurry while chewing on the bread. Multitasking was never his specialty. And there, he dropped the bread he was holding in his left hand while tying his tie with his right one. He rolled his eyes and tied his tie at last. He put on the coat and hurried downstairs. Dadisa was sitting there, on her swing, looking irritated. Of course she would be irritated by them hustling around to bring Anandi back. What is so important in that girl that you people have turned this haveli into a fish market? She had asked. Dadisa had never liked Anandi and everyone knew that. But that didn't change the happiness that Basant and Gehna had felt when Bhairon had informed them that Anandi was coming back today. Gehna had suggested to decorate the house and Basant had ran to buy sweets. It had only flamed Dadisa's anger more. She sat on her swing, talking to no one.

Jagdish went and touched her feet, asking for blessing.

"Why bother now huh, ladesar? When you didn't care of my opinion on this matter, why even bother asking for my blessings?"

"Because you know you want her back as much as all of us. Come on Dadisa, please drop the act. Liking her won't make you any less of a gangster!"

"What did you say to me? You children have grown reckless! I will teach you some manners as soon as you come home tonight!"

Jagya chuckled and hugged her tightly.

"What's going on between the dadi-pota over there?"

Sugna's voice echoed through the haveli. She walked hand-in-hand with Shyam. Her belly had swollen out as she was in the 8th month of her pregnancy. Varun entered soon after his parents. He was a chubby little fellow, a literal ball of sunshine.

"Nandu!! Where are you? I'm here!"

Nandu and Varun were pretty much best friends. On hearing his friend's voice, Nandu came running down the stairs and hugged him.

Sugna and Shyam came straight to Dadisa to take her blessings.

"Offo Dadisa, smile a bit! We know you missed bhabhi too!"

"Not you too! You were supposed to be the mature one here!"

"Dadisa, come on, she's just teasing you"

They touched her feet and she blessed them both.

"Jaggu, what are you still doing here?! Go and get my bhabhi back home! We've been separated long enough. It's time she comes back!"

Jagya hugged her carefully and left for the hospital.

Dadisa threw a look towards the door from where she would be walking in soon. A smile crept on her face and she hid it immediately.