ShiVi OS: Kabhi Yaadon Mein Aaun

Part 1

Raavi wiped the kitchen countertops distractedly. The clock on the wall said 11:30 pm. The store closed hours ago. Gaumbi and Dev had had their dinner and gone off to their respective rooms. So where was Shiva? And why wasn't anyone worried? Was this something he did on a regular basis? Was he in some sort of trouble? Fear gripped her heart at the thought of something happening to him. No matter how angry she gets at him, that doesn't change the fact that he is important to her even now. Raavi took his plate and put it in the refrigerator. She'd warm it up when he comes home.

She walked into her - their room and she was hit by an onslaught of bittersweet memories. How they started their marriage by throwing water on their bed so that the other can be uncomfortable; how they progressed from there - caring for each other, trying to make the other's life easier, wanting to be around each other; and how everything went downhill from there - hurting, insulting, pushing each other. What could be worse than this? The person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, hated her beyond reason.

It had been 12 hours since Raavi came back to Pandya Niwas but she knew this no longer felt like home. They all hated her, even her Dhara Di - the one who always forgave her no matter how big Raavi's mistakes were. Not this time though. This time she wasn't just her Dhara di; she was a mother too. A mother who would do anything to protect her baby; the one who Raavi unknowingly put at risk. But she was here now. To right the wrongs. Even if they don't want her, she'd still be here. Doing what she was supposed to do.

But more than anyone else, she was scared of his reactions - his famous anger. So when Shiva finally entered their room and looked at her, Raavi sat up straighter in her agitation. She, however, got the shock of her life when instead of his scowling face, he gave her a dazzling smile - almost stopping her heart. He walked over to their bed and sat down near her, still smiling and Raavi found herself smiling back at him.

"Aa gayi tu?" He asked still smiling.

"Haan?" Her answer seemed like a question but Shiva didn't seem to notice.

"Aaj itne dino ke baad? Kaha thi itne time tak?"

"Huh?" Raavi was confused.

"Khair chod wo sab. Pata hai maine tujhe kitna yaad kiya? Jab se tu gayi hai kuch accha nahi lagta mujhe." He almost pouted and Raavi couldn't help but laugh - both in shock and his adorable expressions. He glared at her and she quickly composed herself. "Chipkali! Daant fad rahi hai mere dukh mein? Tujhse na yahi ummeed thi mujhe. Yaha tere bina mera yeh haal hai aur tu mere imagination mein bhi mera mazaak uda rahi hai."

Raavi's eyes widened when the mystery of his behaviour was revealed. He thought she was a figment of his imagination?!? Did he miss her so much that he imagined her so vividly? Her heart thudded at that thought. Was this the first time or did this happen more often? No this had to have happened more than once, otherwise he wouldn't be talking to her this freely. He'd probably answer all her questions if she asked, Raavi realised suddenly.

"Kya hua? Aaj itni chup kyun hai? Baat karne ka mood nahi hai?" Shiva asked her again.

"Nahi woh baat nahi hai. Tu bata. Kaha tha itni der?" Raavi asked looking at him.

"Hmmm.....woh bas man accha nahi lag raha tha toh apne ped ke paas chala gaya tha. Socha hamesha ki tarah tu waha ayehi but tu nahi aayi. Toh main ghar aa gaya. Aur tu yaha mil gayi." Shiva grinned at her and Raavi felt her heart melting for him. He was such a pure being.

Raavi didn't want to break his illusion but him being hungry didn't sit well with her. "Accha tu khana kha le chal. Main teri plate laga deti hu." Raavi got up but Shiva grabbed her hand and pulled her back.