Reawakening

Part 17 - Time heals???

Somehow all managed to get through the night. However, there was no escape from reality the next day. Or the day after, or for that matter, the next two and half months... All memories seemed to be fading with time, except of course, each knew the agony of separation only grew deeper. Longing, more intense. Each waiting for an opportunity to fall on them to see each other...

Akash busied himself in work. Exhaustion from work and his strict gym regime kept him from the rest of the family. His silent rebellion was something his mum was not used to. She could tackle if he spoke but his silence killed her. He never once asked her again, yet it was the third proposal he had rejected. Though he did not create any scene in front of the prospective parents and the bride, "No" is all he said when they left. No reasons explained, no further conversation. Every avenue was blocked. With silence..

With Anjali and Nani away in Lucknow, the house was empty. There was no way he could go and visit them with the new project in hand. Arnav spent most of his time at office, mainly to fight his feelings and emotions running amok. It was a lot different when he was studying in Harvard. This was the first time he was at home without his sister. No more happy dinners. Every night he returned to a silent house only to be greeted by the Prakash brothers. His only respite was to hear a detailed recount of Anjali's day. He waited for those days when she would visit the Gupta household or when Khushi took Anjali out... There was one thing that stood out... Khushi never went to meet Anjali at Sheesh mahal, every time there was an opportunity, Khushi managed to dodge..... yet she managed to make sure Anjali was safe.. Even Payal seemed to have visited her with Buaji.

For Khushi and Payal, seeing the developments their Babuji made, was enough encouragement to keep them going. It was like watching a child go through various milestones. With the love of all the devi's surrounding him, his loving sister, doting wife, darling daughters and of course the all pervading Devi maiyya, Shashi showed significant improvement. He was now seen taking short walks with the help of a stick. Dr.Kiran was ready to discharge him soon, scheduling regular follow ups and the family couldn't have heard anything better.

Payal and Khushi sat on the steps of their favourite Devi Maiyyas temple, watching the crowd pass by. So many emotions unsaid, but understood. The last two months had seen the two sisters bond in a special way, both at a professional level and as siblings. Suddenly Payal asked, "Khushi, Buaji is right. You are one Sanki (wierd).. see, I don't know, one fine day you stopped wearing these bangles, and now you don't take them out at all!!"

Dreaming, she gently stroked her mums bangle on her hand. It was the day they were supposed to shift to Lucknow...

Flashback start

Stood holding the banister of Buaji's house as if waiting someone would come, Khushi wondered, "How did I get into this? Hey Devi maiyya, what all has happened in the last few months. I want to go back to Lucknow, but I want to stay here as well." She felt depressed thinking about it. Yet there were opposite thoughts too when she was reminded of all the atrocities she had to go through "Why should I stay here, what for when all my dear ones are there? There is nobody for me in this place!!"

"Aye Parameshwari, do you want to be stood here all day and miss the train? Go and get the rickshaw." shouted Buaji from inside, giving a final touch to all the door locks and the left over furnishings they wanted to discard..

Still in her reverie, Khushi unconsciously made her way out when she heard the familiar sound of the engine. A whiff of air blew, her heart raced. She knew. Like a balm to her bruised heart, Arnav opened his window showing his pale, sad face to her. Why had he come here? He knew they were supposed to go tomorrow. Something strong had pulled him to Lakshmi nagar today. There was a strong urge to come here and true to his feelings, there did await a surprise. They were leaving early. However, he also had to clear some doubt, before she left...