Apna Bana Le - MsKrishita

13. Bhag gayi toh?

After Neelamma took Nayan with her to freshen up, Rishav approached Prerna with a grateful smile, his heart brimming with appreciation for her role in bringing them together yet again.

"Thank you, Prerna Ji,"
he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity,
"for making Nayan and me friends again."

Prerna returned his smile, her eyes shining with warmth.
"You're most welcome, Rishav Ji. But I should thank you for giving a father's love to our Nayan and me a home."

Rishav's cheeks flushed with shyness at her words, his gaze briefly dropping to the ground before meeting hers again.

Prerna reached out, gently taking his hand in hers.
"Tell me something, Rishav Ji,"
She said softly.
"I am very happy in this marriage, but are you happy? You've given everything to Nayan and me, and never asked for anything in return. Are you really happy?"

Rishav took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he met Prerna's eyes.

"You know, Ji,"
he began, his voice tinged with emotion,
"you've completed my family frames. Having you by my side, raising Nayan together, it's everything to me."

Prerna's smile widened at his words, a warmth spreading through her heart.

"And you know what?"
Rishav continued, his voice filled with conviction.
"I've got everything I could ever ask for thanks to your Kanha ji, the medal of being the father of such a talented kid like Nayan, a best friend in you, and most importantly, a loving family. I am truly happy."

Prerna's eyes shimmered with unspoken gratitude as she reached out, intertwining her fingers with his.

"And I am happy too, Rishav," she whispered, her voice filled with love.

And as Rishav continued expressing his gratitude and contentment, Prerna couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth flood her heart. Yet, beneath her smile and reassuring words, a quiet longing stirred within her.

'He sees us as friends and co-parents,'
she thought, her mind drifting to unspoken desires.
'But I want more. I want us to be more than just companions in raising Nayan. I don't know when this happened but I want us to be like a real couple, sharing not just responsibilities, but also love and intimacy.'

Side-hugging Rishav, she gazed at him with a mixture of fondness and longing, her heart silently yearning for a deeper connection. But Rishav, lost in the moment and unaware of her inner turmoil, remained oblivious to her silent plea.

'But... What if he falls for someone else? It's true he loves Nayan, and will forever be her father in every sense of the word, but that doesn't stop him from falling for someone else... Does it...? Nothing and no one can control themselves from falling for someone... What if... No... No...'
Prerna felt horrified at her own thoughts and yet the jealousy that tinged her thoughts fueled her determination.

She refused to let anything or anyone stand in the way of their future together. If anything, it only strengthened her resolve to win Rishav's heart.

'He may not know it yet,'
She thought with a determined glint in her eyes,
'but I will make sure that Rishav falls in love with me. I'll show him that we can be more than just friends and co-parents.'

With a newfound determination coursing through her veins, Prerna leaned into Rishav's embrace, her smile holding a hint of mischief as she plotted her path to winning his heart. She was ready to embark on a journey of love, determined to make their relationship blossom into something deeper and more meaningful than either of them had ever imagined.

---

The scene shifted a few days later as we see Rishav having a banter with his car, his jokes echoing in the quiet driveway, he inspected its engine and brakes, lost in their mechanical world.

"Ah, come on, old girl,"
he muttered, tapping the hood affectionately.
"You're not getting any younger, but neither am I! Let's see if we can squeeze a few more miles out of you."

Muskan's voice cut through his soliloquy, her playful tone adding a touch of levity to the moment.

(*Soliloquy is an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially done by a character in a play.)

"Rishav bhai,"
she called out, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes,
"don't forget to look after your life as well. You can't spend all your time talking to this car."

Rishav sighed, shaking his head at his sister's persistent meddling and feeling frustrated at her for Calling his old lady just a 'car'.
"Oye! What do you mean by this car? She ain't just a car, she is my life, my soulmate, my everything! And Muskan, not this again. Please, not now."

But Muskan wasn't one to be deterred easily. With a smirk, she quipped,
"Well, I ain't stopping, bhai. After all, I am the granddaughter of Neelamma."

Rishav couldn't help but chuckle at her spirited retort, knowing all too well the tenacity that ran in their family.

Before he could protest further, Muskan leaned in closer, her gaze locking with his in earnest.

"Bhai,"
she said softly, her tone serious now,
"It's time. You need to propose to Prerna didi and make her your wife in every sense. It's long overdue."

Rishav's heart skipped a beat at her words, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. Yet, deep down, he knew Muskan was right. Prerna wasn't just a friend and co-parent; she was the woman he loved, the one who had stood by him through thick and thin for the past four years.

Muskan's playful banter brought a smile to Rishav's face, easing the tension that had settled in his heart.

"You know, Bhai,"
She said,
"if you wait any longer, Prerna didi might just fall for someone else and run away with him!"

Muskan laughed at her own joke, her eyes dancing with mischief, while Rishav looked horrified at the thought.
"And wouldn't that be a plot twist! But seriously, bhai, don't keep hiding your feelings from Prerna didi. You never know what might happen if you wait too long."

Rishav couldn't help but chuckle at Muskan's teasing, but he also felt a pang of urgency deep within him. It was time to stop procrastinating and take action.

"Alright, Muski..."
He said with a grin,
"I'll consider your advice. But for now, let's keep this between us, okay?"

Muskan nodded understandingly, her playful expression softening into one of genuine concern.

"Don't wait too long, bhai,"
she urged, her tone serious now.
"Whenever you propose to her, it will itself become the right time. Just go and tell her."

With a reassuring pat on Rishav's shoulder, Muskan turned to leave, her words lingering in the air like a gentle reminder.

"I'm off to college now,"
she said, flashing him a bright smile.
"Take care, bhai. And don't forget what I said."

As Muskan disappeared from view, Rishav was left alone with his thoughts, the weight of her words heavy on his mind. It was time to gather his courage and finally confess his love to Prerna, before it was too late.

---