What if - Rishmi FF

Part 16

It's Rishi's birthday tomorrow and Lakshmi wanted to make it very special for him. She had asked Aayush to stay back after Rishi left for office so that she could take his help for the preparations. Aayush made some excuse to Rishi and said that he won't come to office today. On any other day, Rishi would have sensed something fishy but his mind was preoccupied with Lakshmi's reaction to their moment. All he could think about was how to bring up the topic with her. Even in the office, Lakshmi generally called him to ask him about his lunch but she didn't call today and this stressed out Rishi more.
On the other hand Lakshmi was busy preparing her surprise for her husband, keeping all her negative thoughts aside she wanted to make him feel how special he was to her. She had arranged a beautiful setup in a garden like venue. She even asked for help regarding the venue from Vihaan as there were no places available at such short notice and Vihan had a personal contact through which he got her the place. She suddenly remembered she didn't ask Rishi about lunch, she checked the time and it was way past lunch time. She thought he would be busy with work and decided against calling him thinking she would talk to him later at night. She had initially asked Aayush if the family could be a part of the celebration at 12 but Aayush convinced her against it saying they would have a party tomorrow and she should spend this time alone with Rishi. Lakshmi was all done with her preparations with help from Aayush, Shalu, Ahana and Vihan.
Here Malishka was also planning something sinister, she had no idea Lakshmi has planned something but she didn't want Rishi to be with her at 12. She had to do something.
Rishi came home in the evening and was surprised to see that Lakshmi was not there. He tried finding her in the entire house but couldn't. His mind kept going to the conversation in the morning, and he genuinely thought Lakshmi was so sad she went somewhere. He was frantically looking for her and on not finding her or Aayush, called him.
Rishi: Aayush Aa Aa Aayush tujhe pata hai kya Lakshmi kaha hai? Wo mera phone bhi nai utha rhi. Mujhse baat bhi nai Hui uski Aaj subah se aur wo ghar pe bhi nai hai. Pata hai kya tujhe kaha hai wo
Aayush: Rishi bhai calm down. Please calm down. Lakshmi bhabhi bilkul theek hai. Wo apni Chachi ke Ghar gyi hai. Unhone kaha tha wo kal subah tak wapas aa jaengi.
Rishi: Chachi ke Ghar kyu? Kya hua sab theek hai na waha?
Aayush: Haan shayad unhone kuch kaha to nai. Bas yehi keh ke gyi ki unhe waha jane ka bahot man ho rha tha.
Rishi thinks she went there because she was sad. He was dying to go talk to her and explain everything but he thought he should give her some time with her sisters. She would probably be in a better space to listen to him once she had some time off.
He had his dinner and went to his room..he didn't even remember it was his birthday tomorrow. That's how much she affected him..
He sat in the room with their picture in his hand and kept looking at her smiling face. He was sure he was going to tell her everything next time he saw her and finally confess his love too.
Around 30-40 mins before 12, he got a call from Kiran. He was settled in bed with Lakshmi's picture and was trying to sleep. He got startled because of the call so late at night.  He picked up and Kiran told him that Malishka was not okay and she was crying and getting hysterical. She asked him to come right away as he was the only one who could calm her down and was also the reason for her distress.
Rishi immediately rushed to their house and sat with Malishka. Both mother and daughter were sinister enough to know how to guilt Rishi into doing what they wanted. Malishka pretended to be sad and was just wasting his time so he would be with her when his birthday began.
But our Lakshmi gang was smarter, Aayush had called Sudeep to ask about Rishi and got to know he went somewhere in a hurry. He understood what must have happened and he knew how to tackle that as well. He made shalu call Rishi at 11.50 and tell him in half ended sentences that Lakshmi needed him to come to this address. Before Rishi could ask anything they cut the call. Aayush knew that place was 5-6 mins away from the venue.
They quickly left the place and Lakshmi was ready for the surprise. Rishi ran out of Malishka's house in urgency fearing something bad. Malishka didn't know what happened, she tried to stop him but couldn't. She cursed her luck and Lakshmi that Rishi didn't wait with her.
Rishi drove madly and came to the place running and  panting and was scared seeing everything pitch black. He could make out a figure standing there in the darkness. He was terrified something bad had happened to Lakshmi. He came in calling her.
Rishi: Lakshmi. Lakshmi kaha ho tum. Tum ho kya yaha.
Just then the lights came on and he saw his beautiful wife looking even more beautiful in a net red saree. He couldn't register what was happening. Slowly he made sense of the surroundings. It was a beautiful cozy setup. Imagine a tent with a bed cum sofa like setup. Balloons, pretty lights and streamers all around and a table decorated and with a cake kept there. The back wall of the tent had pictures of Rishi from his childhood and all of his family, even his most prized achievements, there were even pictures of him and Lakshmi some candid which he didn't even know about. And his Lakshmi was singing the birthday song for him in her melodious voice. He was relieved at her being okay and could not believe everything around him. They both walked towards each other and Rishi engulfed her in a bear hug. She hugged him back and wished him a happy birthday. He had completely forgotten about his birthday but everything was so beautiful. She took his hand and guided him near the tent. She gave him the knife and asked him to cut the cake. He did and they both fed each other the cake.
Rishi: Thank you so much Lakshmi. Mere lie aajtak kabhi kisine aisa kuch nai kia
Lakshmi: Arre tum mujhe thank you kyu bol rhe ho. Ye maine khud ke lie kia hai tumhare lie nai. Mujhe tumhe special feel karana tha aur usse mujhe khushi milti islie kia Maine ye sab
Rishi: Really Lakshmi I feel very very special. Tumne jis bhi reason se kia thank you so much. Mujhe to yaad hi nai tha ki aaj mera birthday hai.
Lakshmi: Aise kaise ho sakta hai. Tum apna birthday bhool gye. Kaha khoye the
Rishi: Wo Aaj subah jo tumne kaha, mujhe laga tum mujhse naraz ho. Aur fir tumne poore din mujhse baat bhi nai ki na, lunch ke time call bhi nai kia jab ki tum roz mujhe puchti ho uske lie.
Lakshmi: Haan wo Rishi sorry na..main na ye sab taiyaari kar rhi thi na mujhe dhyan hi nai rha time ka. Actually is waqt venue ki bahot tension ho gyi thi, fir mujhe yaad aaya ki Vihan party planning business me hai to maine usse pucha aur jagah mil gyi
Rishi got a little jealous hearing Vihan's name
Rishi: Tumne usko kyu pucha. Hamara itna bada hotel hai, waha kar leti ye sab
Lakshmi: Rishi Babu agar main waha ye sab karti to aapke lie surprise kaise hota
Rishi: Ye bhi sahi baat hai
Lakshmi: Acha ye sab chhoro. Happy birthday husband. Tum ye batao tumhe kaisa laga sab
Rishi: Bahot bahot bahot bahot bahot acha. Tumne itna sab kaise kar lia ek din me wo bhi akele.
Lakshmi: Akele nai aayush, shalu, ahana aur vihan sabne madad ki.
Rishi: Tabhi aaj aayush office nai aaya. I tell you ye tumhara devar na bas bahane dhoondta hai kaam se bhagne ke. But kal main sabko personally thanks bolunga ye sab karne ke lie. You guys are too good.
Pata hai jab shalu ne mujhe waise call Kia na main to itna dar gya tha ki pata nai tumne kya ho gya. Aur upar se tumne mujhse baat bhi nai ki thi aur mera phone bhi nai utha rhi thi.
Lakshmi: Acha ab pata chal gya na fir kyu wo baatein kar rhe ho. Achi baatein karte hai.
Suddenly he noticed his phone was ringing and flashing Malishka's name.. he saw Lakshmi smile dim and so he put the phone on silent and continued
Rishi: Aaj main kahi nai jaa rha. Aaj main bas yaha baith ke tumse baatein karunga. Mujhe kisi se baat nai karni aur.
Lakshmi's face lit up with happiness.
Rishi laid back on the couch like thing and made Lakshmi lie beside him. He put one arm around her and with the other he held her hand.
Rishi: Lakshmi main tumhe kuch batana chahta hoon. Bahot din se soch raha tha but kabhi sahi mauka hi nai mil rha tha.
Lakshmi: Haan Rishi bolo na kya hua.
Rishi: Lakshmi tumhe yaad hai tumne mujhse ek baar kaha tha ki tumhe pata hai tumhe life se kya chahiye. Ab mujhe bhi pata hai ki mujhe aage apni life me kya chahiye or more specifically kon chahiye.
Lakshmi is in two minds and she couldn't really guess whether it was her or Malishka Rishi wanted. Seeing his somber look she was even more scared that he would choose Malishka.
Rishi: Par pehle mujhe tumse maafi maangni hai. Main jaanta hoon Maine Jo galtiya ki hai unki shayad maafi hai bhi nai. Main uske lie saza bhugatne ko bhi taiyar hoon.
Lakshmi: Kya galti Rishi. (her heart is beating faster expecting some bad news)
Rishi: Mujhe sab pata chal gya hai Lakshmi. Mujhe pata hai tumne divorce papers pe kyu sign kia, kyu tum wapas aayi mere ghar me, kyu tumne sabke itne taane sune, itni zillat sahi sabse. Kyu tumne kabhi aawaz nai uthayi, mujhe chhor kar nai gyi jabki maine tumhe itna pareshan kia. Tumhe kitna kuch bhala bura kaha, tumhara bharosa toda kitni baar.
Lakshmi is shocked that Rishi knew. She doesn't look up at him and is in tears.
Rishi: Maine tumhe dukh dene ke lie pata nai kya kya kia. Badla lene ke lie. Mera ego itna bada tha ki Maine ye socha hi nai ki tum kabhi aisa kuch nai kar sakti. Maine tumhe drink karke pareshan kia, kitni insult ki tumhari. Yaha tak ki Malishka se sagai tak karne ko taiyaar ho gya. Ye to acha hua ki shalu ne mujhe bata dia ki tumne article nai chapwaya tha warna to main tumhe pata nai kabtak galat samajhta aur uss galatfehmi me pata nai kya kar deta.
Rishi was crying now but he still continued.
Rishi: Main nai bhoola Lakshmi ki tumne mujhe bataya tha ki tumhe sabse jyada hurt iss baat se hua ki main Malishka ko hamare bedroom situation ke baare me bataya. Mujhe nai karna chahiye tha wo. Maine bahot galat kia hai. Divorce papers jis din tumne sign kie the us din bhi maine tumse ek baar bhi nai pucha ki tumne ye kyu kia. Maine kabhi jaanne ki koshish hi nai ki us dauran. Jab tum ghar me aayi tumne mujhse baat karne ki koshish bhi ki par maine tumhe kabhi mauka hi nai dia bas tumhe dard Dene ke tareeke dhoondta raha. Kya tum mujhe insab cheezo ke lie maaf kar sakti ho Lakshmi? Agar tum chaho to tum saza de do mujhe but bas mujhse baat karna mat chhorna.
Both of them are crying but Lakshmi gains control and wipes his tears.
Lakshmi: Birthday ke din koi aise rota hai kya? Itni mehnat Maine tumhe rota hua dekhne ke lie ki hai... Rishi wo sab purani baatein hai. Main samajhti hoon tumne jo kia kyu kia. Ye nai kahungi ki main hurt nai hui ya wo sab bhula dia hai maine. Shabdo ke ghaav bahot gehre hote hai Rishi aur wo jaate jaate hi jaenge. Par mujhe tumse ab koi shikayat nai hai. Mujhe tumhe kuch saza nai Deni. Un baaton ko jaane dete hai. Jaane anjane hum dono ne ek doosre ko bahot dukh pahochaya hai. Ab bas aage se koshish karenge ki aisa kuch na ho. Aur mera bharosa tumpe aur pakka ho gya hai Rishi. Ab isse koi nai tod sakta.
Rishi: Thank you Lakshmi, itni understanding hone ke lie. Itni achi ho tum, itni forgiving ho maine itne kaand kie fir bhi tum..
Lakshmi: Ohho patidev pehle Rona band karo aur waise bhi agar tumne wo sab kia to ye bhi to dekho ki tumne Mera kitna saath dia hai. Kitni parwah karte ho tum meri. Mere lie apni jaan ka bhi nai sochte. Hamesha har kadam pe mere saath khade rehte ho..mere lie sabse ladte ho. Hamesha meri khushi ka khayal rakhte ho. Wo sab jo bhi hua galatfehmiyon aur  kharab haalaton ke wajah se hua. Ab hum wo sab baatein nai karenge aur unhe bhoolne ki koshish karenge.. theek hai?
Rishi nods in affirmative. He hugs her very tightly again and she hugs him back smiling.
After they come out of the hug they go back into their comfortable position of Lakshmi in Rishi's arms and then holding the other hand..
Rishi: Acha waise Mrs. Oberoi aapko yaad hai aapne kaha tha ki aapko mere kareeb aane se kuch feel nai hota. Wo sach tha kya?
Lakshmi: Haan bilkul
Rishi: Acha...
And he starts getting closer to her, Lakshmi is nervous and pushes him back.
Rishi: Arre abhi to tumne kaha kuch nai hota fir dhakka kyu de rhi ho..
Lakshmi: Mr. Rishi Oberoi aapko pata bhi nai hai aapke kareeb aane se mujhe kya kya hota hai
Rishi: Ooh to please batao na, mujhe jaanna hai ki kya feel hota hai tumhe..
Lakshmi: Nai bataungi. Ab bas mujhe chhedna band karo.
Rishi: Acha ek aur important baat kehni thi. Lakshmi kal raat jo hua main uske lie sorry nai bol rha tha tumhe subah. Mujhe aisa laga ki maine tumhe shayad force kar dia main islie sorry bol rha tha.
Lakshmi: Nai Rishi tumne mujhe kabhi force kar hi nai sakte. Pata hai mujhe ye baat. Mujhe bas laga ki tumhe guilt aa rha hoga kyuki Malishka
Rishi: Main ab Malishka ke saath nai hoon Lakshmi. Main usse pyar nai karta
Lakshmi: But wo to tumse pyar karti hai na aur use to ab bhi yehi lagta hai ki tum usse pyaar karte ho aur kuch din baad usse shaadi karoge hamare divorce ke baad
Rishi: Maine Malishka ko sari sachai bata di hai. Maine use bata dia ki hamare beech ab waisa kuch bhi nai hai. And she needs to move on. Infact yehi wo important baat thi jo main tumhe batana chahta tha.
Lakshmi heaves a sigh of relief. She is happy atleast one thing is sorted. But she is still not sure if her husband loves her. She feels at peace and shifts closer to Rishi in his arms. Rishi kept talking about his feelings since the beginning and what it was now.
Rishi: Lakshmi main tumhare saath apni life aage continue karna chahta hoon. Bas tum ho mere lie. Main tumhare bina apni life imagine bhi nai kar sakta. Tum bahot important ho gyi ho mere lie. You make me feel things that I have never felt before. Aisa lagta hai main koi teenage romance me hoon. Lakshmi main.. main pyaar karta hoon tumse. I love you.
There he had finally said it to her. He didn't see any reaction from her so he looked towards her and found her sleeping like a cute baby snuggled in his chest.
Rishi: Aah Lakshmi tumne to main baat hi miss kar di. But koi nai ab kal ki party me main sabke saamne apne pyar ka izhaar karunga. Rishi Oberoi style me aur tum kabhi us pal ko nai bhool paogi, I promise.
He also held her tight and slept smiling in peace with his wife, the love of his life.

Please give your feedback on the part. I know it might be disappointing that Lakshmi didn't hear the confession but she will definitely in the next part and it will be special for both of them. Hope you'll like it❤️