ShiVi FF: Always a Losing Game

Part 4: Kaisi teri khudgarzi, lab namak rame na misri....

Dhara stole a glance at Shiva sitting morosely on the stairs and frowned. Her child has been off these past few days. He's gone quieter than usual, didn't even lose his temper at anyone. He wouldn't eat much, avoid everyone, spend too much time working at the store. He seemed almost defeated for some reason. Dhara was extremely worried about him. She called out to him.

"Shiva?"

"Jee Bhabhi?"

"Sab thik hai na? Tu kuch pareshaan lag raha hai."

"Nahi Bhabhi aisi koi baat nahi hai. Sab thik hai." Shiva said, giving her a forced smile.

Dhara knew he was lying to her. She sighed. If Shiva didn't want to share, there's no way on earth she can make him talk. She decided to let it go - for now.

"Accha fir aaj tu mere saath market chal. Raavi aur mujhe thodi shopping karni hai."

"Bhabhi pann main kyu - "

"Dekh main kuch ni sunna chahti. Tu hume market le jayega bas. 1 ghante mein tayyar ho jana. Tu bas chal mere saath."

Shiva nodded and she left to call Raavi.

*****

This is the last place he wanted to be. It felt as if the fates wanted to punish him for all the mistakes he ever made in his life by making him watch the girl he loved shop for her engagement to his own brother. When he was younger he used to think he'd kill anyone who would attempt to come near his Chipkali but now that guy is his brother. He chuckled darkly at his own thoughts. Maybe it's time to move past this. He needed to accept that this woman belongs to his brother now. And maybe - just maybe, one day he will look at her and not feel this gut wrenching agony.

He watched her walk ahead with Dhara Bhabhi, bouncing in excitement. They went through a million shops, buying everything they fancied. Shiva was exhausted from lugging their bags around but apparently they were in no hurry to wrap things up. He grumbled, never again would he concede to accompany them for another one of their shopping trips.

"Dhara Di!!! Maine toh Sonal ki reception mein pehenne ke liye outfit liya hi nahi!!! Oh no!! Main kaise bhool gayi yeh!!!" Raavi's panicked voice rang out suddenly and Shiva stared at her in surprise.

"Ae Maami ki behen ki beti! Poore Somnath ke dukaanein khali kar chuki hai. Aur kapde nahi hai unke paas. Tere paas jo hai ussi se kaam chala. Main aur nahi rukne wala tere liye. Bhabhi, sagaai ki shopping ho gayi ho toh ghar chalte hai."

"Shiva! Tu kaisa hai!!! Somnath ki sabse beautiful ladki apni best friend ki shaadi mein puraane kapde pehnegi?? Main teri tarah junglee nahi hu samjha. Chaliye Dhara di! Isko jo karna hai woh kare. Hum woh waali shop mein chalte hai. Wahi se ek pretty sa lehenga utha lungi." Raavi narrowed her eyes at Shiva.