Silver Linings

Bliss

Shubadra looked towards Anjali and glared at her before picking up the envelop that Arnav had dropped on the sofa. She turned to leave when Anjali called out to her, Shubadra stopped but did not turn around "Shyam se milne ya unse kisi bhi tarha se baat karne ki koshish karne ke baare mai sochna bhi mat" (don't even think of trying to meet Shyam or get in touch with him in any way), Shubadra turned around, looking too stunned to say anything

"Chote ko unke baare mai turant updates milte hai... aur agar Chote ko pata chale ke aap Shyam se baat kar rahe hai.. tho.. parinaam aapke liye ache nahi honge" (Chote gets immediate updates about him, and if Chote finds out that you are talking to Shyam, then, the consequences won't be good for you) Shubadra almost shivered with fear, Manorama and Akash shared a satisfied glance.

From the look on Shubadra's face, Anjali knew she had put the fear of god - well, the fear of Arnav, to be exact - into the old woman's heart. Satisfied, she slowly stood up and waddled away to her room. Manorama and Akash too walked away from the hall, leaving Shubadra all alone, feeling absolutely defeated.

It did of course cross her mind to contact Shyam and confront him.. but the more she thought about it, the more she realised, there was nothing in it for her. Even if she managed to find a way to contact Shyam without Arnav knowing, the man would never be of any use to her. She didn't know if she should feel proud or despise the fact that Arnav was so shrewd. 

She slowly walked towards the room that would no longer be hers in another hour. She knew there was nothing else she could do.. she believed it when Arnav said that his decision was the final word in this house, so even if she somehow managed to convince Devyani again, Arnav was not going to stand for it, not after all what happened. Like Anjali said, it was better for her to leave, if she valued her self respect. She would go back to the old-age home where she had been living, people there behaved civilly with her, either out of respect or fear, owing to her family background.

***

Anjali was dressed in a light weighted red saree, with a net shawl draped over her head, she was decked up in jewellery, her hair adorned with fresh flowers, despite all that, it was the happiness on her face that made her glow like a bride.

She was seated on a comfortable arm chair, surrounded by the ladies of the family. The men were strictly forbidden to come into the hall where the function was taking place, but of course Akash and Arnav did find a way to keep an eye on their lady love, they stood at the entrance in the guise of being there if any help was needed. Though Devyani clearly knew the real reason why they were there, she let it slide.

One by one, the guests came forward to shower their blessings on the mother to be and filled her lap with gifts. Her wrists slowly and steadily got filled with multi coloured glass bangles, that tinkled every time she even slightly moved her hands.

Anjali's cheeks were slathered with the turmeric mixture, she was laughing heartily at something a guest whispered into her ear. Arnav wiped the tear that almost dropped out of the corner of his eye, He sighed as his heart felt light and heavy at the same time. Akash hugged him from the side "Di bohot hi khush lag rahi hai" (Di looks very happy) He swallowed his own tears, Arnav nodded his head.

The cousins shared a look, they both were grateful that they were able to ward off the evil that had plagued their beloved sister's life, and that she had actually moved on to become much stronger and happier.

***

Arnav stood on the dais that was decorated for his engagement ceremony, his eyes fixed on the door. A couple of minutes back, Payal had gone out of the room to bring Khushi, and now he stood waiting to catch the first glimpse of her for the day.