What if - Rishmi FF

Part 34

The days pass on peacefully for RishMi. Their life was a bliss with each other. The family was happy. Shalu and Aayush had gotten closer and both Rishi and Lakshmi had talked to their siblings and knew that they were in the initial stages of love. They didn't want to force something on them and let them grow organically in love so they kept it between themselves. Lakshmi's event management company was also flourishing. Very soon into the business they had gotten few big events and two of them were successfully done as well. Even Rishi's school reunion was to be handled by her company as there was some issue and the previous organization backed out.
Present day:
Lakshmi was running around with her phone and coordinating the preparations for the reunion today while finishing her everyday chores. She served breakfast to everyone but got a call again so she went to the living area to take it. Rishi saw this and took a plate for her and himself. He made her eat while she worked. Soon it was time to leave for work.
Rishi: Lakshmi tum mere saath chalo. Main tumhe drop kar dunga. Aur wapas aate waqt tumhe pick bhi kar lunga. Fir hum dono ready hoke saath chalenge reunion me.
Lakshmi agrees while packing up stuff she needed to take alongwith her. They leave for the venue, while dropping her there Rishi holds her hand before she moved out.
Rishi: Please apna khayal rakhna aur time se kha lena. Pata hai mujhe kaam me tumhe kuch dhyaan nai rehta. Subah bhi maine tumhe breakfast khilaya hai ab lunch ke lie main nai rahoonga to please kha lena khud se.
Lakshmi: Haww tum mere lie itna bhi nai kar sakte. Tumhari wife itni busy hai aur tum use lunch karane bhi nai aa sakte. Very bad Mr. Oberoi
Rishi: Main aa jata Lakshmi but ek bahot important client aa rhe hai aaj, unko akele nai chhor sakta. But I'll try, main aayush ko bolunga sambhal lene.
Lakshmi: Patidev main bas mazak kar rhi thi. Main kha lungi. Tum please apna kaam khatam kar lo ache se. Aur shaam ko to milenge hi na.
She kisses him on his cheek and bids him goodbye before leaving. Rishi also drives away to work.
Shalu was already there in the venue. Both the sisters work on their respective responsibilities. They are well prepared and ready for the function before time.
Shalu: Kitna acha lag rha hai na di sabkuch.
Lakshmi: Haan Shalu, I hope sabko pasand aaye event. Acha chal tu jaa ab. Tera kaam ho gya na. Waise tu aaegi party me na?
Shalu: Nai di. Meri to koi need nai hogi na. Tere saath to jiju honge fir main yaha kebab me haddi nai Banna chahti.
Lakshmi: Kab hua hai aisa ki humne tujhe haddi jaise feel karaya ho.
Shalu: Mazak kar rhi hoon di.. actually mera kuch aur plan hai. (blushes)
Lakshmi: Kaisa plan? Ek min teri iss muskurahat ki wajah jaanti hoon main. Aayush ke saath kuch plan hai
Shalu: Haan di wo actually uske naye project ko leke wo thoda stress me hai to islie maine kaha ki hum log dinner ke lie milte hai. Use bhi thoda change ho jaega
Lakshmi: Haan aur tera bhi man lag jaega
Shalu: Aisa kuch nai hai di. Main to bas ek dost hone ke naate uska stress Kam karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon
Lakshmi: Haan to maine kab mana kia. Acha hai. Tum dono enjoy karna dinner. Acha chal ab jaa jaldi ghar. Main bhi niklungi, Rishi aata hi hoga.
Shalu left and then Lakshmi examined everything one last time before leaving. Rishi came soon to pick her up and they also left for home.
In their room, Rishi was getting ready. He was wearing a dapper blue and black suit with white shirt and black pants. Lakshmi came out of the washroom after changing into a yellow saree. She was looking like a princess without even an ounce of makeup. Both of them looked at each other and admired the person in front. Lakshmi broke the stare and came near the mirror and started getting ready. They had to leave soon else they would get late. She was standing infront of Rishi and blocking his vision in the mirror. Rishi looked at her putting on her minimal makeup. He helped her with the light jewellery and then once she was done, he turned her and took kajal and put a kala teeka behind her ear.
Rishi: Ab main ready ho jaun madam?
Lakshmi: Haan Rishi kitna time lagate ho tum. Jaldi karo
Rishi: Main time leta hoon. Tum tab se mirror block karke khadi thi aur mujhe bol rhi ho.
Lakshmi: Kuch bhi na. Bas har cheez me mujhe hi blame karo tum.. (she moves aside) Lo hat gyi main. Ab ready ho jaldi
Rishi fixed his hair and got ready. He pulled Lakshmi infront of him facing the mirror.
Rishi: Ab lag rha hai na frame bilkul perfect. Handsome dude ki beautiful babe.
Lakshmi laughed. Rishi took out his phone gave to Lakshmi and she clicked a picture of them where she was engulfed in his arms while giving him a peck on his cheek.
Lakshmi: Chalte hai ab. Venue se Rishita ka phone aaya tha, log already aa chuke hain.
They make their way to the party. Rishi was happy to see his old school friends but he knew that he had to face something unpleasant as well. Malishka would be there in the party too and he had to be cordial with her because he didn't want to create a scene there.
He went in and met all his friends and introduced Lakshmi as well to those who hadn't met her before. As expected Malishka came forward too. She took advantage of the crowd around and went to greet RishMi. She went and hugged Rishi knowing very well that he and Lakshmi both would be uncomfortable. But to her surprise Lakshmi didn't even flinch. Rishi was uncomfortable but he kept holding Lakshmi's hand the entire time and didn't hold Malishka back in the hug. After a round of pleasantries, people got scattered. Lakshmi saw Rishi's discomfort and took him to an empty table and hugged him.
Lakshmi: It's okay Rishi..main hoon na tumhare saath. Tum stress mat lo wo kuch nai karegi yaha..
Rishi: Mujhe khud ki nai tumhari tension hai..main jaanta hoon use wo tumhe harm karne ki koshish kar sakti hai. Mujhe aana hi nai chahiye tha, mana kar dena chahiye tha.
Lakshmi: Arre pagal ho kya, kyu nai aate tum. Apne purane dosto se milne ka mauka hamesha nai milta aur tum ek insaan pe itna dhyaan kyu de rhe. Baaki logo ke saath khush raho na. Jaane do use.
Suddenly they hear a guy's voice
Guy: Oh Mr. Rishi Oberoi. How are you?
RishMi turned around to see Viraj standing there with a smirk.
Viraj: Shocked to see me? Well ye mere batch ka bhi reunion hai. And quite frankly I am shocked, shocked to see ki tum dono ab bhi saath ho. Kya hua Rishi abhi bhi 2 ladkio ke saath relationship me ho kya?
Rishi was embarrassed and knew he had hurt Viraj. Malishka had also walked over there seeing Viraj.
Viraj: Arre Ms Bedi or should I say Mrs Oberoi, aap bhi aa gyi. Main soch hi rha tha ki abtak aap dikhi kaise nai
Rishi: Wo Mrs Oberoi nai hai.
Viraj: Oh kya hua, tum dono ki shaadi poori nai ho paayi abtak. Acha koi nai, jab bhi karoge mujhe bulana. Aisi anokhi shaadi to mujhe bhi dekhni hai.
Lakshmi saw Rishi and his eyes were welling up.
Lakshmi: Viraj main hoon Mrs. Rishi Oberoi aur hamesha main hi rahoongi. Please tum ye sab baatein mat karo.
She took Rishi's hand and went elsewhere. She tried to console him and after a little prodding he was better.
It was time for the games part of the evening. They were playing a game where the names of partners would be taken out from bowls and they had to play the game together. Since Lakshmi wasn't a part of the batch her name was not there in the bowls. Names were picked out and unfortunately Rishi and Malishka were paired for the game. Rishi was reluctant but Lakshmi encouraged him to participate. Malishka took full advantage of the situation and kept getting close to Rishi each chance she got. Lakshmi didn't want to create a scene but she had to show the girl her place. She couldn't see Rishi's discomfort anymore. As soon as the game got over Lakshmi moved in and got in between Malishka and Rishi. She went ahead and locked her arm with Rishi's and complimented him on his game. Next it was dance time. Lakshmi turned to Rishi and took his hands and moved them to her waist..she was aware of the fact that Rishi was disturbed. She needed to calm him down. Rishi held Lakshmi tightly and she put her arms around his neck. They danced together not bothering that it wasn't a couple dance. She looked into his eyes assuring him that she was there with him and he was going to be alright. Her presence relaxed Rishi and he seemed to get back to being himself. Soon his friends interrupted them
Friend 1: Bhabhiji ko chhor aaj to hamare saath dance kar le.
Lakshmi moved out of his embrace blushing and let him go to his friends. Rishi looked at her longingly but she assured him she would be around. She then went to check on the dinner arrangements.
She was just going back when she was stopped by someone calling her name. It was Viraj.
Viraj: Hi Lakshmi. I am sorry agar tumhe meri baat ka bura laga us waqt. Main tumhe kuch bolna nai chahta tha. Meri naarazgi Rishi se hai.
Lakshmi: Main jaanti hoon Viraj. Aur main ye bhi jaanti hoon ki tumne jo bhi kaha uski wajah tumhara hurt hai. Tum Rishi ke against nai ho bas hurt ho us baat se jo usne aur Malishka ne tumhare saath kia. And I completely understand your position.
Viraj: But I don't understand you Lakshmi. Itna sabkuch hone ke baad bhi tum uske saath kaise ho. Tumhara jaisi strong aur respected ladki kaise abtak uss insaan ke saath hai. Tumhe pata hai uska aur Malishka ka kya rishta hai fir bhi...
Lakshmi: Hai nai, tha Viraj.
Viraj: Matlab
Lakshmi: Matlab ye Viraj ki Malishka ab Rishi ki life me nai hai. Infact wo dono to ab dost bhi nai hai.
Viraj: Ye kab ho gya. Wo dono to hamesha se hi friends hai atleast jabse main unhe jaanta hoon.
Lakshmi: Wo shaadi wale vaakye aur tumhare jaane ke baad bahot kuch hua hamari life me. Wo shaadi jaise tumhare lie shock thi, usse kahi jyada mere zindagi ka toofan thi, jisne ek jhatke me mera sabkuch mujhse cheen lia. Lekin kehte hai na jode upar wala banata hai aur jinka milna likha hota hai wo mil hi jaate hai to waise hi hua.
She narrated Viraj how their lives shaped after the event, how Malishka tried to get Rishi though she didn't give details on her heinous crimes and how Rishi fell in love with her and how they ended up together.
Viraj: Maine shayad Rishi ko kuch jyada bol dia. But jo usne kia tha us waqt he deserved that treatment.
Lakshmi: I understand Viraj but ab tumhe usse shikwa rakhne ki koi jaroorat nai hai. Infact ek tarah se socho to acha hi hua na. agar wo sab nai hua hota to kya tum Malishka ke saath apne life bita paate.
Viraj: Shayad sach hi hai jo hota hai ache ke lie hota hai. Mujhe Rishi se koi problem nai hai, tab bhi nai thi. Problem to mujhe tab bhi Malishka se hi thi, uske jhooth se thi. Wo friend thi meri agar wo mere saath nai rehna chahti thi to mana kar sakti thi but usne mujhe dhokha Dena jyada sahi samjha. Rishi se to bas mujhe naarazgi thi ki usne bhi mujhe sach nai bataya. Agar mujhe tab sach pata hota to main kabhi rishte ke lie haan nai bolta. Dadu ko bhi kitna hurt hua tha. Wo to Malishka ko apne bachhe jaisa maante the. Khair chhoro ab. Jo ho gya so ho gya. I really hope ki tum aur Rishi hamesha saath me khush raho. Tum dono sach me perfect couple ho.
Rishi saw Lakshmi talking to Viraj and went to them.
Rishi: Viraj main tumse sorry bolna chahta tha. I know jo maine kia uske lie sorry bahot chota word hai but that's all I can offer. Main peeche jaake use change to nai kar sakta.
Viraj: It's okay Rishi, Lakshmi ne mujhe sab bata dia hai. Jo hua use jaane dete hai aur fresh start karte hai.
They shook hands and then Viraj went away.
Rishi looked at Lakshmi with love..
Rishi: Tum meri life ka sabse acha gift ho. Meri har problem ko tum kitni aasani se solve kar deti ho hamesha mujhe sambhal leti ho.
Lakshmi: Life partner ke yehi to faayde hote hai. Acha chalo ab couple dance ho rha hai. Ab hum Bina rok tok ke dance kar sakte hai.
The lights were dimmed and Rishi took Lakshmi's hand and guided her to the dance floor. They hugged each other and were dancing slowly. Rishi held up her face by her chin and gave her a kiss at the corner of her lips. Lakshmi understood his state and lightly pecked his lips. She hugged him again and kissed him on the neck while caressing his hair. They danced for some more time till the lights came on and it was time for dinner.
Rishi, Lakshmi and few of his friends sat on the table. Malishka also came to the same table. Everyone was having dinner and discussing life events. Someone asked Malishka how her business was doing and she was dumbstruck. After the Oberoi's contract was taken away she wasn't doing very well in her business. She had a few offers but none of them were solid ones. She answered all was good and tried to divert the topic. She somehow steered the conversation to Lakshmi, trying to show that Lakshmi was nobody and that she was just a housewife. Rishi wasn't happy with her insinuation, he thought to himself that this girl would never change. She was still trying to belittle Lakshmi. He was going to speak up when one of Rishi's friends who was involved with the arrangement of the renuion spoke up.
Dheeraj: What rubbish Malishka. Tum Lakshmi bhabhi ke lie kya bol rhi ho ye. Ye poori party unki hi event management company ne organise ki hai. And I must say Bhabhi what a fabulous event this has been. Itna smooth operation aur sabkuch itna perfect hai. Mere experience me to ye one of the best organised parties hai.
Rishi is happy seeing people praising his Lakshmi. Lakshmi shies and accepts the compliment. Everyone else also praises Lakshmi.
Nitika: Bhabhi sach me aap kitne talented ho, Rishi you are very lucky. Itni beautiful aur itni amazing wife mili hai tumhe
Rishi: Wo to hai.
Malishka is angry as her plan is foiled again. She excused herself and left to go elsewhere. After dinner everyone bids their goodbyes with promises to connect again soon. Lakshmi was helping her workers in winding up. After getting the work done for the night, she goes to the hall to see Rishi with his head down on the table. She goes to him and caresses his hair. He looks up with sleepy eyes.
Lakshmi: Chalo Rishi ghar chalte hai. Bahot thak gye ho na tum.
She holds his hand and they go towards the car. But this time Lakshmi gets into the driver's seat and Rishi sits in the passenger seat. He keeps his head on her shoulder and falls asleep. She drives both of them home.