Worth Fighting For✔️

8. A New Day

Next Day(Sunday), 7 AM

Shefali wakes up and finds Ashutosh sitting on a chair near the bed and sleeping. Last night memories rush back to her. Remembering her nightmare, she gets scared again. She brushes away those thoughts and gets up from the bed. She calls out Ashutosh's name. He wakes up startled.

Shefali - "Please sleep properly on the bed."

Ashutosh nods his head sleepily and moved towards the bed, when his phone started ringing. It was Mrs. Asha Chauhan calling him. He immediately answered the call.

Ashutosh - "Yes Mom...yes, she is fine....no, we have just woken up....don't worry, I will take care of her....yes yes, I will go and pickup Ayushi in the evening...yes, I will take Shefali with me to the airport....bye."

Ashutosh disconnects the call only to find Shefali looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Ashutosh - "Actually yesterday you got that bad dream. I did not know what to do so, I called Mom and she said that she will send Ayushi. So I called the travel agent and he booked flight ticket. So, Ayushi will be here in the evening."

Shefali keeps looking at Ashutosh. This was not the first time she got a nightmare but this was the first time someone cared for her. She kept on looking at him for few minutes

Ashutosh - "Wifey, I know I am handsome. But your gaze is making me feel shy."

Shefali came back to her senses and went to the washroom while Ashutosh laid down on the bed to catch some more sleep.

Evening, Airport

Shefali and Ashutosh were waiting at the airport when they see Ayushi walking toward them. Ayushi comes to them and gives her bag to Ashutosh. She then pulls Shefali in a bone crushing hug.

Shefali - "I...can't...breath."

Ayushi broke the hug and grinned sheepishly. Shefali smiled at her genuinely. They left for the flat. 

Ashutosh's Flat

Ashutosh - "Welcome to our home." Saying so, he gives a dramatic bow to Ayushi.

Ayushi - "I can see bhabhi has already taught you some manners."

Shefali chuckles at their banter.

Shefali - "What will you have for the dinner, Ayushi?"

Ayushi - "What is your favourite dish?"

Shefali looks at her surprised but answers.

Shefali - "Chhola Bhatura."

Ayushi - "Bhatoora can't be made so quickly so you make Puris with Chhola. And Bhai I want to talk to you."

Ashutosh and Shefali nod. Shefali goes to the kitchen while Ashutosh takes Ayushi to the balcony. 

Balcony

Ayushi - "Bhai, did you ask her about her nightmare?"

Ashutosh - "Yes, but she did not tell me anything."

Ayushi - "Did you talk to her parents?"

Ashutosh - "I don't think calling them would be beneficial. According to them, they have now given their daughter to me and I can do anything with her."

Ayushi looks at him shocked.

Ashutosh - "On our engagement, when I had refused to take dowry, they had told me that it was a custom. I had said that the custom is to gift necessary things to the daughter for an easy married life. Her father immediately agreed to my condition of not taking dowry. His tone and the look he gave to Shefali, made it clear that he was indirectly wishing for his daughter to suffer. As if he wants to punish her."

Ayushi - "Even at the time of bidai, they were literally trying to push her away. That is why I hugged her."

Ashutosh - "You will support her naa, Ayushi?"

Ayushi - "Even if it means going against you."

The brother and sister shared an emotional hug, unaware of the storm that was approaching them.

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~Purnima