RAGHVI FF : A PHOENIX

CHAP 26 : BATTLE FROM WITHIN

Not much of a talker and interactor on stories but this chapter is going to be a little long. Also i recommend you to listen to the playlist songs for better feels. Also not proof read so ignore typos.

7:00 PM, HYDERABAD

"Bappa majhi mulagi khupa sundar diste." (My daughter looks so beautiful) Aaji exclaimed putting a kala teeka behind Pallavi's ear as she addressed her in the dressing room.

"Aaji tu bhi na." Pallavi got up hugging Aaji. She indeed looked beautiful today, even to herself. Both the ladies adored their duo in the mirror. Pallavi wore a white anarkali suit with golden and maroon work on it while Aaji wore the saree that Azoba had gifted her before he died.

"Tu theek hai na Pallu?" Aaji asked her and Pallavi sighed. This is the millionth time she's been asking this question since Pallavi told the truth to their entire family.

Once she was back from the hospital after leaving a dejected Raghav behind, she had decided to stop hiding behind the bush and finally face the issue for one last time. And she had done exactly that, she had told her new family the truth of her life beginning from her birth to Raghav being here. All this while Shiva stood like her shield holding her hand like a true best friend while Aaji had a fury burning inside her eyes. Pallavi had to actually make each one of them promise to not do a thing and let her fight this battle. All she needed from them was a support and immense amout of love she's been deprived of her entire life and thankfully they had all agreed.

"Ho aaji main theek hoon. Tu kitni baar wahi sawaal puchegi." Pallavi side hugged her.

"Jab tak mere dil ko tasalli nahin ho jaati ki tu sach main theek hai. Uss sheher main jisne tujhe bahut takleef di hai." Aaji stroked her hair.

"Lekin aaj wahi sheher mujhe meri Aaji ke face pr smile dega. I promise Aaji aaj main tujhe bahut proud feel krwaungi. Tune jitna pyaar aur bharosa mujhpar kiya hai na, ek anjaan ladki ko apne ghar rakh kar jo panaah di hai tune, aaj wahi ladki tera sar garv se uncha karegi." Pallavi bent down to touch her feet.

"Tula khupa subheccha." Aaji blessed her.

"Agar mere Bajirao ki tayyari ho gayi ho toh jang par chale." Shiva asked standing by the door as he extended his hand to Pallavi who gladly took it.

"AND FOR THE NEXT PERFORMANCE LET'S HAVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR MISS PALLAVI." And as if on cue the host announced her name while Pallavi looked at Aaji for one last time before making her move towards the stage with Shiva by her side.

AT THE OTHER SIDE OF HYDERABAD

"Aai" Raghav shouted getting inside the Deshmukh House.

"Raghav tu aa gaya." Aai came running to the door and so did the other family members.

"Raghav! Sab theek hai na tune hume idhar kayko bulaya." Amma too came on time along with Keerti and Farhad who picked them from the mansion.

"Main sab bataunga aap dono ko par abhi hume chalna hoga." Raghav pleaded them.

"Lekin Raghav mujhe bhi tumhe kuch batana hai woh Vijay ji aur yeh ghar-" Aai tried explaining him something that had been bothering her since a few days only to be interrupted by Raghav.

"Aai aaj pehle aap mere saath chaliye. Aaj sab clear ho jayega i promise." Raghav requested them all and everyone silently nodded knowing this was serious.

CONVENTION HALL, HYDERABAD

Pallavi took the blessings of the stage before stepping on it as the curtain drew for her entry. Her heart beating at it's fastest pace for some unknown reason. She knew this wasn't just nervousness but something big. Somewhere her heart wished for Raghav to be here. To watch her do something she's loved her entire life. As the stage assistant gave her a countdown for her music , she closed her eyes remembering about the other people she wished were here. People she was here to seek answers from. And seconds later the curtain was up.